RICHIE GUSTIN TOPS I-35 HAWKEYE DIRT TOUR FIELD
May 31, 2010 | By: IMCA PR

(Mason City, IA) - - A three-car sprint to the finish tilted Richie Gustin's way, in the Memorial Day installment of the JR Motorsports Hawkeye Dirt Tour.

Gustin led the last 24 times around the track Monday night at I-35 Speedway for the $1,000 IMCA Modi­fied tour triumph, eking out the win ahead of Ron Pope and Jay Noteboom.

While Pope stayed within shouting distance of first most of the way, Noteboom closed the gap on the front two in the waning laps. Gambling on a move to the higher line, Noteboom made it a three-wide battle going into the final set of turns.

The faster line would belong to Gustin, however, who took the checkers with Pope and Noteboom close behind. Max Corporon ran in the top five all night and bested Randy Havlik in the tussle for fourth.

Pope had drawn the pole start and led the first six circuits. Gustin had to make his way from 11th and avoid a couple multi-car entanglements that reshaped the starting grid before the opening lap could be scored.

Gustin was already on the ballot for the 2010 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.

Forty-nine Modifieds were on hand for the Mason City show.

The third of 10 events in the inaugural series will be Tuesday, June 15 at the Fayette County Speedway (West Union, IA). Pit gates at West Union open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. and hot laps are at 6:45 p.m. with racing to follow.

Feature Results: 30 Laps
1. Richie Gustin, Gilman;
2. Ron Pope, Mason City;
3. Jay Noteboom, Hinton;
4. Max Corporon, Marion;
5. Randy Havlik, Madrid;
6. Austin Wolf, Algona;
7. Rich Smith, Davenport;
8. Josh Foster, Montrose;
9. Mike Jergens, Plover;
10. Mark Schulte, Delhi;
11. Levi Nielsen, Mason City;
12. Jon Snyder, Ames;
13. Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.;
14. Keith Schmitz, Swaledale;
15. Clint Wendel, Mason City;
16. Shane Monson, Clear Lake;
17. Jeff Feaster, Dakota City;
18. Jeremy Mills, Garner;
19. Scott Olson, Blairsburg;
20. J.J. Wise, Manly;
21. Jeff Ignaszewski, Wells, Minn.;
22. Reese Coffee, Hinton;
23. Ryan Ruter, Kanawha;
24. Jeff Morris, Long Grove.

HEAT 1 (Top 2 Transfer): 1. Jeff Feaster; 2. JJ Wise; 3. Matt Stagman, 4. Rob Rose, 5. Alex Yohn; 6. Chris Abelson; 7. Jeremy Mills; 8. Brett Ladehoff

HEAT 2 (Top 2 Transfer): 1.Richie Gustin; 2. Josh Foster; 3. Rich Smith; 4. Ryan Ruter; 5. Jeff Jones; 6. Clint Wendell; 7. Greg Cox; 8. Mark Schulte

HEAT 3 (Top 2 Transfer): 1. Mark Noble; 2. Shane Monson; 3. Mike Jergens; 4. Levi Nielsen; 5. Andy Krieger; 6. Jason Snyder; 7. Ed Thomas; 8. Zach Patterson; 9. Daniel Hilsabeck

HEAT 4 (Top 2 Transfer): 1. Ron Pope; 2. Max Corporon; 3. Jeff Ignaszewski; 4. Ronn Lauritzen; 5. Robert Whalen; 6. Rick Speck; 7. Christian Wagler; 8. Josh Ruby

HEAT 5 (Top 2 Transfer): 1. Scott Olson; 2. Randy Havlik; 3. Stacy Mills; 4. Jon Snyder; 5. Curt Badker; 6. Mike Albertson; 7. Kurt Krauskopf; 8. Vern Jackson

HEAT 6 (Top 2 Transfer): 1. Keith Schmitz; 2. Jay Noteboom; 3. Jeff Morris; 4. Corey Dripps; 5. Austin Wolf; 6. Reece Coffee; 7. Dennis Betzer; 8. Keith Pittman

1st "B" feature (top three) – 1. Smith; 2. Ruter; 3. Wendel.

2nd "B" feature – 1. Jergens; 2. Nielsen; 3. Ignaszewski.

3rd "B" feature – 1. Jon Snyder; 2. Coffee; 3. Wolf.

TOP 10 HDT POINTS (After 2 Races):
1. Richie Gustin 78;
2. Josh Foster 73;
3. Jay Noteboom 71;
4. Mark Schulte 66;
(tie) Mike Jergens 66;
(tie) Rich Smith 66;
7. Ron Pope 50;
8. Max Corporon 48;
9. Jeff Morris 45;
10. Clint Wendell 41;
(tie) Greg Cox 41;
(tie) Jeff Feaster 41;