![HS Billy Stanford VL](https://www.imca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HS-Billy-Stanford-VL-678x381.jpg)
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.
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