The 2007 Hamilton County Fair brings the fair crowd from far and wide to The Hamilton County Speedway.

By: Ryan Bergeson

With make up features from Thursday Night Thunder and a complete show for Hy-Vee Kids Night, race fans were in store for a ton of racing this Saturday Night at The Hamilton County Speedway. With a stuffed pit area full of race teams showcasing their skills, the grandstand was standing room only for a show that offered double features and events that came down to the final lap.

The night was started off with the Thursday night features with the Performance Electric Hobby Stocks presented by The Trash Man of Webster City. T.J. Mortenson would have his eyes on the prize as he held the lead late in the feature event. On the final turn, Mortenson powered his car to the inside of lapped traffic and pushed the car high allowing Mark Haglund to make his move to the bottom. When they past the finish line, Mark Haglund would see the checkered flag first. Mortenson, Kevin Schmauss, and Perne Struchen rounded out the top four.

The next feature on the speedway was the Conleys Trucking Limited Modifieds presented by Jeff McReynold from Pat Clemons of Boone. Matt Lettow showed that he was the class of the field as he made the pass on Dustin West for the lead. West was able to settle into the second position as he was followed by Mike Giles and Austin Kaplan. West would try to take back the lead but would be out of time. Matt Lettow would pick up the feature win.

The Neighbors Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing Stock Cars presented by Bryan Denekas of George White Chevrolet was next onto the raceway. Bob Sutherland and Nathan Wood would take off on the rest of the field. Both drivers had their right rears working the topside of the speedway. Nathan Wood would try for several laps to take the advantage but could not make the pass. In the late stages of the event, Wood would have problems on his machine and slow entering turn three. Lance Deal was able to move to second but would be out of time reeling in the race leader. Bob Sutherland would cruise to the top prize. Deal, Curt Hook, and Bobby Griener Jr. would round out the top four.

The Modifieds would be next onto the speedway. Rich Lewerke looked to be on a different playing field as he torched the field early on. Lewerke would gain a large advantage until he came off the power with a puff of smoke on the exit of turn four. Scott Olson, Todd Shute, and Nate Caruth would all battle it out for the lead in the late stages until Caruth was able to motor to the lead. Caruth would work his machine to the bottom of the track and hold on to pick up his first feature win in a Modified at The Hamilton County Speedway. Olson, Shute, and Ryan Giles would round out the top four.

The final race from Thursday Night Thunder would be the Motor Inn of Webster City IMCA Late Models. Ryan Griffith would waste no time battling his way to the front of the field as he was followed by Jason Hahne and Darrel DeFrance. All three cars would work along the bottom of the racing surface but no one could catch Griffith. Ryan Griffith would become the ninth different feature winner at The Hamilton County Speedway in 2007. Hahne, DeFrance, and Clint Wendel would round out the top four positions.

After the makeup features were completed, we were just getting started. Several area sponsors offered a candy and nickel toss on the front stretch for the youngsters in attendance. After the kids made their way back into the grandstand, it was time to start the Hy-Vee portion of the program. A full night was on the slate as we raced seven complete classes of cars. IMCA Sport Compacts were on hand as well as, Hobby Stocks, Stock cars, Limtied Modifieds, Modifieds, Late Models, and 305 Midwest Sprint Cars.

The second features of the night was started off with a feature win by Jennfier Frank in the Troy Hassebrock CPA Sport Compact division. Dan Ayers, Les Houser, and Andy Williams would round out the top four.

Moving through the porgram would be Beau Kaplan in the Hobby Stock division pocketing his first feature win of the season at the historic venue followed by Brandon LaFrenz, Justin Ades, and Kevin Schmauss. After the Hobby Stock Feature, it was time for the Limtied Modifieds. Matt Lettow would once again power his way to to the front of the field and pick two feature wins in one night of racing. Brett Moffitt, Austin Kaplan, and Bugs Vincent would finish in the final four spots.

The Stock Cars would be next to the speedway. Nathan Wood appeared to be cruising to the feature win until something would brake on his machine. Rick Gustin would benefit from Woods mishap and pick up the feature win. Gustin was followed by Todd Foster, Curt Hook, and Rick Housemann.

The Modifieds would be next to the speedway. Joe McBirnie would have his car hooked around the topside of the track early on and sling shot to the lead. Lewerke was able to bring his car to second on the final lap but could not run down the leader. McBirnie would gas it up off the final turn and see the checkered flag first. Lewerke, Al Hejna, and Jon Snyder would round out the top four.

The 305 Midwest Sprint Cars would also be on hand on this night for their second stop of the 2007 racing season. Marty Stevenson would grab the lead from the very start and lead all fifteen laps on his way to the feature win. Ryan Voss, Bob Hildreth, and Jeff Metli would finish in the final four spots.

The final race of the night would be The Late Model division. Jason Hahne and Clint Wendel would put on one of the best shows of the night as both drivers would race wheel to wheel through every turn. Wendel would have his car on the bottom as Hahne worked the high side. Wendel would make his final move on the back shute but Hahne was able to slam the door and take the lead for good. Jason Hahne would pick up his fourth feature win of the season while Wendel would have to settle for second. Adam Larson and Darrel DeFrance would round out the top four spots.

An exiting night of racing was witnessed this Saturday Night at The Hamilton County Speedway. Congratulations to all our winners and special thanks to all that made the show a huge success during the 2007 Hamilton County Fair. Special congratulations go out to this years Hamilton County Speedway Hall of Fame inductees and to all that have helped raise funds for the Hamilton County Speedway Racing Association. Racing is every Saturday Night at The Hamilton County with hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing to follow. We hope to see you next Saturday night.