7/5/2022
Benton County Speedway
Verardi earns first win in Sprint Invaders stop at The Bullring
VINTON, Iowa (July 3) – Luke Verardi had a little more reason to celebrate the Independence Day holiday this year.
The Taylorsville, Ill., driver topped a 22-car field of 360 Sprints to earn his career first win when the Sprint Invaders made an appearance at Benton County Speedway.
Verardi started on the pole and assumed command at the drop of the green. He withstood pressure from David Wignall to race to the memorable win.
Paul Nienhiser made a late pass on Wignall to secure runner-up honors. Chris Martin completed the top four.
Stopped just once for caution, the final checkers waved just a little over eight minutes after the initial green flag waved in the quick-paced 25-lapper.
In his most recent trip to The Bullring, Mark Schulte ended his night upside down and with a car needing major repair. His return to Vinton resulted in a trip to victory lane.
From his front row start, Schulte assumed command at the drop of the green in the 20-lapper for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by KISS Country 96.5.
Schulte paced the field while his pursuers jockeyed for position behind him. Nicholas Carpenter challenged early and Ryan Maitland pressured late following a couple cautions, however Schulte drove away over the final laps to secure his first win of the year. Maitland ran second at the line ahead of a charging Dylan Thornton. Chris Zogg ran fourth.
Dylan VanWyk and San Wieben battled through the early stages of the 15-lapper for Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods presented by Christie Door Company.
The lead pair exchanged sliders and the top spot before VanWyk escaped to victory. Ben Chapman raced his way past Wieben to finish second and Tony Olson came home fourth.
Bradly Graham raced the top side to victory in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Graham took the lead early, then protected the high groove on the way to his second win of the year. Ryan Havel, Brett Vanous and Joren Fisher chased Graham to the checkers.
Eric Blumer earned his first win of the year in the INEX Legends presented by Legends.Direct. Blumer was pressured by a myriad of drivers, but protected the low groove to take the hard-fought victory ahead of 12th starting Jordan Miklas. Parker Jones and Michael Weber rounded out the top four.
Kaden Reynolds battled Jay Schmidt early before driving away to victory in the 15-lapper for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars presented by Vermedahl Logistics. Reynolds took the checkers a straightaway ahead of Schmidt, Russell Damme Jr. and Hannah Chesmore.
Lukas Rick came from row five to win his second straight Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact 12-lapper of the season. His third win of the season, Rick beat Nolan Tuttle to the checkers. Logan Clausen and Trystin Belthuis completed the top four.
Racing resumes at The Bullring next Sunday, July 10, for the eighth annual Urbana Five Memorial.
For the latest speedway news, visit BCSBullRing.com or @BCSBullRing on Facebook.
Article Credit: Ryan Clark
Submitted By: Jerry Vansickel
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