BRITT, Iowa (Aug. 10) – Tyler Droste’s second career IMCA Modified win at Hancock County Speedway looked a lot like his first.
Droste led the last 35 times around the track in Thursday’s Night of 1,000 Stars main event at Britt. His $3,500 share of the purse was complemented by a $1,000 bonus for leading at halfway in the 50-lapper.
Johnny Whitman ran at the front early on but couldn’t keep Droste, who’d started in the middle of the second row, at bay.
There was no catching Droste from that point, although racing continued two, three and sometimes four-wide behind him.
The final caution waved with five laps left. Droste, already on the 2018 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, pulled away again to beat Hunter Marriott to the checkers by half a straightaway.
Marriott had started 15th. Defending race winner Richie Gustin was third, Corey Dripps was fourth and Jay Noteboom completed the top five.
Dripps made his way from 22nd starting. Hard charger Joel Rust started 28th and finished 11th.
Another impressive run up front at Britt had netted Droste his career first Arnold Motor Supply Hawkeye Dirt Tour win in June. The $3,000 Salute to Veterans victory that evening had matched his career-best payday.
Sixty-six Modifieds were entered in the fourth event of IMCA Speedweek and the first of three Stars specials at Hancock County.
The Night of 10,000 Stars on Friday boasts a $7,000 top check, plus another $3,000 in potential bonuses. Saturday’s Shryock Memorial All Stars event pays $4,000 to win with another $3,000 in bonuses possible. Droste is now the driver in line for a $1,500 bonus if he can sweep the weekend.
Both the Night of 10,000 Stars and Shryock Memorial All-Star events will be broadcast by IMCATV.
Ethan Braaksma was the $750 Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod winner Thursday at Britt. Derek Green continued his torrid pace with the $600 IMCA Sunoco Stock Car checkers and Andrew Burg was the $500 IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock winner.
Feature results – 1. Tyler Droste, Waterloo; 2. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo.; 3. Richie Gustin, Gilman; 4. Corey Dripps, Reinbeck; 5. Jay Noteboom, Hinton; 6. Jeremy Mills, Garner; 7. Benji LaCrosse, Green Bay, Wis.; 8. Johnny Whitman, DePere, Wis.; 9. Billy Kendall, Baxter, Minn.; 10. Kelly Shryock, Fertile; 11. Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 12. Ricky Stephan, South Sioux City, Neb.; 13. Nick Meyer, Whittemore; 14. Adam Hensel, Hammond, Wis.; 15. Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.; 16. Tad Reutzel, Burt; 17. Shawn Ritter, Keystone; 18. Cody Knecht, Whittemore; 19. Jason Schneiders, Sioux City; 20. Troy Swearingen, Thompson; 21. Mike Mullen, Suamico, Wis.; 22. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn.; 23. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 24. Tim Ward, Harcourt; 25. Rob Hughes, Humboldt; 26. Josh Ruby, Lakota; 27. Stacey Mills, Webb; 28. Jon Snyder, Ames; 29. Ryan Ruter, Clear Lake; 30. Tom Berry Jr., Medford, Ore.
(Jim Zimmerline Photo)