Stanford scores first win as CJ Speedway runs season championships 

Hobby Stock, Modified, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Billy Stanford was a first-time IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature winner on season championship night Friday at CJ Speedway. (Photo by Carroll Hoover)

By Jerry Mackey

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (Aug. 16, 2024) – CJ Speedway hosted Season Championships on Friday night, sponsored by long-time track supporters Rusty and Angie Zook of Midwest Frame & Axle. A great crowd turned out on a beautiful August evening to take in the final racing action of the 2024 season. 

It is always special to witness a driver score his first-ever win and that happened in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class. Billy Stanford shot to the front from a third row start and went on to record the feature win over a fast-closing Luke Phillips.

First-time visitor to the CJ Speedway Jimmy Doescher made the long tow down from Hollandale, Wis., and ran up front in the main before settling for third ahead of Shane Richardson. In victory lane, Stanford thanked all of the Richardson family for their help in making the win a reality. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event win went to Troy Cordes. The 71C of Cordes worked to the front from a sixth row start taking the lead from Kyle Madden as the race crossed the halfway point. 

Cordes went on to take the checkers ahead of Adam Shelman. Cordes stated in victory lane that he had just gotten home from a long drive from Las Vegas at 2 p.m. Friday and jumped in the hauler and headed for CJ.

“The last 48 hours of driving has been brutal but well worth it with the win here tonight,” he said.

John Oliver Jr. put an exclamation point on a great season at CJ by winning both Midwest Frame and Axle Season Championship races in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods.

In the Stock Car main, Oliver took advantage of a late-race yellow that set up a dramatic finish as he raced side-by-side with race leader Johnny Spaw. The two veterans raced a couple of laps with neither driver able to establish an advantage. Oliver used the high line of the multi-grooved track and was able to slip ahead of Spaw as the two raced off of turn two and headed to the white flag. Oliver took the win over Spaw and Dick Steadman. 

And in the Northern SportMods, Oliver raced to the front from a fifth row start, getting to the front quickly. He scored the win in the final race of the season at CJ by taking the checkers ahead of early leader Tyler Heckart. Kyle Harwood ran a strong race in finishing third. 

With the racing season coming to an end at CJ Speedway, the Louisa County Fair Board and race director Dan Keltner would like to thank all the drivers and crews, and especially the dedicated fans for making the 24 season a success.

Related Articles

Hobby Stock

Kile, Heckart score first wins of season at CJ

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (May 31, 2024) – The 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season continued Friday at CJ Speedway following a rain out of the previous week. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature saw Kyle Madden drive to the front in search of his second feature win in a row at the 4/10 mile dirt track. Madden was way out front when a restart bunched the field up with seven laps completed. Under caution a fuel issue developed in the no. 32 car sidelining Madden. When the race restarted, Kurt Kile took over the race lead and went on to score the win ahead of Kolton Osborn. The win was Kile’s first of the season at CJ Speedway.  The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars are always a great show at Columbus Junction and with a strong field of drivers taking the green for their main event fans were treated to another great race. Norman Bean took the lead early and appeared to be the man to beat. Bean was holding off the [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Brown, VanderBeek, Anderson score wins before rain halts CJ

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (May 10, 2024) – Night number two of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season at CJ Speedway was held Friday with Superior Steering Wheel & Graphics providing sponsorship and bonus money for all feature winners.  The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds saw defending track champion Jarrett Brown shoot into the lead from his outside front row start and go on to lead flag to flag in scoring the Fast Shafts All Star Invitational eligible qualifier and the $1,000 first place prize money. Brown had the field bunched up to his rear bumper following a minor spin and on the restart it appeared that Kurt Kile may be able to mount a challenge for the lead but Brown was able to move back out to a comfortable lead. Kile finished second to Brown ahead of Kyle Madden.  The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars saw a first-time visitor to the CJ Speedway on Friday night. Zach VanderBeek has been racing for many years but had never been to the CJ Speedway. [Read More]

Hobby Stock

CJ Speedway season opener set for April 26

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (April 18, 2024) – The 2024 racing season at CJ Speedway, located on the Louisa County Fairgrounds in Columbus Junction is about to see the first official green flag of the season. Friday, April 26 will be the first night of the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season at the popular 4/10-mile dirt track. Racing that evening is sponsored by Oveson Refuse & Recycling and will see classes of IMCA sanctioned race cars in competition. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds headline the program and will be joined by IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. All drivers will be racing for valuable, track, state, regional and national points.  The Louisa County Fair Board has hired Dan Keltner to be the track manager for the 2024 season. He brings a lengthy background in racing not only as a driver but also as a track official to the post. “I would like to thank the Louisa County Fair Board for this opportunity and I would [Read More]

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply