Buena Vista Raceway 2018

Double Features Highlight Busy Night At Buena Vista

ALTA, Iowa – With last week raining out after heats were completed, Wednesday featured a packed night of racing Buena Vista Raceway. 

Five main events preceded a complete new show, totaling 10 mains for the IMCA-sanctioned divisions.

Sport mods started the makeup mains and Conner Vande Weerd led three laps before Zech Norgaard took over after starting 10th when the leader went high in turn four. On a subsequent restart, Tim Rupp used the bottom of turn one to take over and led the final four laps.

Hobby stocks were led by James Johnson for a lap before Mike Smith won a drag race down the frontstretch to lead the following 17 laps on his way to victory.

Stock cars ran 15 laps and Bruce Bonnesen led three times around the wide track before Brian Blessington emerged from a six-car cluster out of turn four to take the lead.

Blessington pulled away from his competition, with David Smith staying within range but unable to create an opportunity.

Modifieds finished the makeup mains.  Chris Abelson has many Buena Vista wins, so starting on the pole made another win likely.  Pressure from Jesse Rogotzke over the last half of the race kept Abelson focused, but drawing alongside wasn’t in the script.

Five minutes were used for some packing before a set of heats preceded the second set of mains.

Gilbert Aldape led early in the sport compact feature, but a flat tire ended his race and handed the lead and win to Kaytee Devries. 

Dylan Fitzpatrick won the hobby stock main with a narrow margin after a three-car pack ran together during the final two laps.  Fitzpatrick was pushed in the last pair of turns, but held on for the by three feet.

An excellent sport mod main was hampered by a pack yellows. Multiple cars raced together for the win and it was a last lap outside pass out of turn four that led to a Tim Rupp sweep after starting 12th.

The stock cars put an a show with multiple drivers battling for a win the entire race.  Leading the last two laps from the eighth starting position, Brian Blessington swept the night.

Chris Abelson easily won the modified main to finish the night.