7/1/2024
Benton County Speedway
Mix of new, repeat winners highlight action at Benton County Speedway
VINTON, Iowa (June 30, 2024) – A pair of first-time winners were joined by four return visitors to victory lane Sunday night at Benton County Speedway.
Nearly 130 cars signed in to compete on a full night of racing at The Bullring.
Ethan Braaksma earned his first Vinton win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main. From a fourth row start, Braaksma ran the high side into the lead at around midway of the Wright Way Trailers 20-lapper. He then survived a couple late stoppages and pressure from Troy Cordes and Owen Barnhill to score the win.
Braaksma, who won a SportMod feature in Vinton in 2017, became the 98th Modified winner in track history.
Briar Kriegel earned his first win of the season in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks presented by iHeart Radio.
From his outside front row start, Kriegel took command at the drop of the green and held off late charges from Shane Richardson and Matt Brown to secure the victory.
John Oliver Jr. became a four-time winner in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars presented by Christie Door Company.
Oliver made his way around Braxton Franks midway through that 20-lapper and fought off Kyle Olson to take the win. Norman Chesmore ran third.
Olson also led throughout much of the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Following a mid-race restart, Tony Olson slipped beneath the leader to drive to the win, his third of the year. Kyle Olson ran second ahead of Joe Docekal.
Cristian Grady came from deep in the field to earn his second Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact win of the year. Grady took the lead a few laps into that 12-lapper to take the checkers ahead of Blake Driscol and Nolan Tuttle.
Michael Weber raced from the fourth row to his second win of the year in the INEX Legends presented by Legends.Direct. He worked past Keith Meyer midway through the 12-lap event to motor to victory. Jackson Lewis and Dave Eberle chased Weber to the checkers.
Ray Guss Jr. was the victor in a special appearance by the Eastern Iowa Vintage cars, while Tim Graham won the Mississippi Valley Vintage Sprint Car feature.
Submitted By: Ryan Clark
