Independence Motor Speedway
McLaughlin wins at Independence on 50-car night
From series reports
Boone McLaughlin celebrates at Independence. (mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com)
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (July 3) — The eighth different driver to win on the Deery Brothers Summer Series is also the newest leader in point standings for the IMCA-sanctioned tour. Boone McLaughlin topped Thursday’s event at Independence Motor Speedway, earning $2,000 for his efforts. The victory, combined with Todd Cooney’s early exit from his heat and consolation events gives McLaughlin a 10-point edge over Tom Darbyshire near the midway point of the series season. | Slideshow
Justin Reed of Quincy, Ill., drew his third pole start of the season, led the first two laps and chased McLaughlin to the checkers. Jason Hahne of Webster City, Iowa, also spent time at the front before ending the 40-lapper in third. Darbyshire, of Morning Sun, Iowa, and rookie contender Mike Garland of DeWitt, Iowa, completed the top five.
Hahne caught Reed on the third circuit and led to lap 16, when the 10th-starting McLaughlin used the higher line to steal the point. McLaughlin was pulling away from the pack before encountering lapped traffic beginning with 10 laps remaining. That gave Reed and Hahne the opportunity to make up ground, and Reed pulled along side McLaughlin before the first caution of the contest came on lap 36. Two more quick yellows came out before the final laps could be completed. McLaughlin pulled ahead on each restart, winning by four lengths.
Notes: McLaughlin's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by McClure Masonry and McLaughlin Freight Services. ... McLaughlin has five career series victories; his previous victory came in the 2007 opener at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway. ... Fifty Late Models were entered, the most for a series event this season and the highest number ever for a Deery race at Independence. The previous record was 49, set two years ago. ... Todd Cooney entered the race leading series points but he broke in his heat race and switched to a backup car. He got in a night-ending tangle on the first lap of his consolation race. ... The series returns to action on July 22 at Davenport (Iowa) Speedway for an event that cross the midway point on the 2008 schedule. The Davenport race is a makeup from an April 18 rainout.
Deery Brothers @ Independence: (1) Boone McLaughlin, (2) Justin Reed, (3) Jason Hahne, (4) Tom Darbyshire, (5) Mike Garland, (6) Rob Toland, (7) Matt Ryan, (8) Darrel DeFrance, (9) Dale Hackwell Jr., (10) T.J. Criss, (11) Darin Duffy, (12) Matt Strassheim, (13) Charlie McKenna, (14) Al Johnson, (15) Darren Ackerman, (16) Terry Neal, (17) Andy Nezworski, (18) Dale Stolte, (19) Ben Nading, (20) Travis Smock, (21) Ray Guss Jr., (22) Sam Halstead, (23) Joe Zrostlik, (24) Mitch Current. Heat race winners (among 50 cars): Reed, Hahne, Smock, McLaughlin, Hackwell. Consolation winners: Nezworski, Guss.
