September 3
Benton County Speedway,
Vinton, IA
Sanction: Hoker Trucking Series - $5,000
Information provided by: Mike Ruefer, series and track reports (last updated September 4, 8:46 am)
Kay cruises to $5,000 victory at Benton County
- Justin Kay
- Nick Marolf
- Chad Holladay
- Andy Eckrich
- Jake Neal
- Charlie McKenna
- Joel Callahan
- Derrick Stewart
- Jason Hahne
- Jeff Aikey
- Logan Duffy
- Ben Seemann
- Curt Schroeder
- Matt Ryan
- Dave Eckrich
- Luke Goedert
- J.C. Wyman
- Darrel DeFrance
- Todd Cooney
- Jaden Fryer
- Corey Zeitner
- Jeff Tharp
- Ron Klein
- Luke Pestka
Ron Klein (12) got upside down in an early accident; no injuries were reported.
What won the race: Outside front-row start Justin Kay of Wheatland, Iowa, grabbed the lead on the second lap and never looked back en route to capturing Saturday's 40-lap Hoker Trucking Series feature at Benton County Speedway. He crossed the finish 1.623 seconds ahead of 15th-starting Nick Marolf to earn $5,000 and his third win of the season on the Joe Kosiski-operated tour.
Quotable: “The car was real good tonight,” Kay said. “I could kind of get through the choppy stuff alright. We just kind of held on there for awhile, and then I seen Chad (Holladay) get outside me a couple times and I figured I’d try to push a little harder. We got a timely yellow and then got a little signal to move up a little bit.”
Key notes: Kay's third Hoker Trucking Series win tied him for the tour's 2022 victory lead with Jake Neal, who finished fifth. ... It was Kay's sixth career triumph on the series and padded his points lead as he seeks a second consecutive championship. ... Nick Marolf capped his run from the 15th starting spot to a runner-up finish with a pass of Chad Holladay heading to the white flag. ... Bidding for a second straight Hoker Trucking Series triumph after winning Friday at West Liberty (Iowa) Raceway, Holladay ran second for laps 7-38 before settling for a third-place finish. ... Andy Eckrich led the race’s first lap but faded to fourth late. … Fast qualifier Jason Hahne ran as high as third before falling to ninth on the last lap. … The feature was slowed by five caution flags and lasted 44 minutes with 16 drivers completing the distance. ... The Hoker Trucking Series invaded Benton County Speedway for the first time after rain cancelled last year’s inaugural visit. The track's season finale was added after the cancellation of the Yankee Dirt Track Classic in Farley, Iowa.
On the move: Nick Marolf of Moscow, Iowa, started 15th and finished second in his Sniper Chassis.
Winner's sponsors: Kay’s home-built car is sponsored by Mycogen Seeds, Dow, Hoker Trucking, Wyffels Corn Hybrids, Malvern Bank, Pit Crew BBQ, Wehrs Machine, Petersen Insurance, Wheatland Ag Center, Kay Farms & Elevator, Wheatland Auto Body, JR’s Place, Heinee Jo’s, Doug Nigh’s RPMs, Kay Automotive and Ricky R. Kay & Son’s Trucking.
Points chase: After Benton County: 1. Justin Kay (2,654); 2. Luke Goedert (2,566); 3. Andy Eckrich (2,560); 4. Charlie McKenna (2,558); 5. Jason Hahne (2,530).
Current weather: Overcast, 72°F
Car count: 38
Fast qualifier: Jason Hahne
Time: 14.502 seconds
Polesitter: Andy Eckrich
Heat race winners: Ron Klein, Charlie McKenna, Dave Eckrich, Jake Neal
Consolation race winners: Ben Seemann, Jeff Tharp
Provisional starters: Matt Ryan, Curt Schroeder, Darrel DeFrance, Logan Duffy
Next series race: September 17, Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA) $4,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.