IMCA Press release, Marshalltown, Iowa

[Bobby Kimbrough]

Blessington tops tour finale at Marshalltown,
Joldersma rules American Stock Car Series

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (July 2) – Brian Blessington provided the excitement and Jeff Joldersma provided the consistency.

As a result, both went home winners Thursday night.

Blessington completed an incredible run all the way from the back row to win the final event of the IMCA American Stock Car Series at Marshalltown Speedway, earning $1,250 for his efforts.

Joldersma led before giving way to Blessington on the 19th of 30 circuits. He finished a couple car lengths off the pace in second, wrapping up the tour point title and claiming a $350 share of the $1,500 series point fund.

Damon Murty, Keith Knop and Mike Jergens filled out the top five positions.

After running fifth in his heat, Blessington took second in his “B” to eke into the main event. He started inside row 12 and quickly moved through the field while Jeremy Christians and then Joldersma set the tempo at the front.

Blessington caught Murty and then Wollam to slip into third on lap 12; Christians surrendered second on the 15th circuit and Joldersma relinquished the lead four laps later.

The race remained green, with Joldersma continuing his pursuit all the way to the checkers. Jergens and Robert Stofer were also on the move, as both drivers moved up 13 spots to finish fifth and seventh, respectively.

Blessington had passed 19 cars in finishing second in the series opener Tuesday at Buena Vista Raceway. His win at Marshalltown boosted Blessington to second in overall tour points, good for an additional $250.

Joldersma ran third at BVR and was also second in the Independence Motor Speedway show on Wednesday. He’s now eligible to qualify for the Sunoco Race Fuels Race of Champions during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals in September.

The series finale drew 53 entries in the Stock division. Kenny Hansen won the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature and Kevin Sather was first across the finish line in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod main.

Feature results –
1. Brian Blessington, Breda;
2. Jeff Joldersma, McClelland;
3. Damon Murty, Chelsea;
4. Keith Knop, Shelby;
5. Mike Jergens, Plover;
6. Jeff Wollam, Marshalltown;
7. Robert Stofer, Jefferson;
8. Dustin Smith, Lake City;
9. Wayne Gifford, Boone;
10. Rick Mees, Eagle Lake, Minn.;
11. Stefan Sybesma, Sanborn;
12. Doug Adamy, Columbus, Neb.;
13. Larry Karcz Jr., Pulaski, Wis.;
14. Jesse Colwell, Wrightstown, Wis.;
15. David Atcher, Marshalltown;
16. Roger Verdoorn, Sibley;
17. Ryan Leeman, Roland;
18. Robert Schneider, Marshalltown;
19. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn.;
20. Paul Shepherd, Marengo;
21. Jeremy Christians, Horicon, Wis.;
22. Clayton Deppe, Kellogg;
23. Kevin Rose, Waterloo;
24. Don Vis, Marshalltown.
1st heat (top three) – 1. Christians; 2. Wollam; 3. Schneider. 2nd heat – 1. Shepherd; 2. Colwell; 3. Adamy. 3rd heat – 1. Mees; 2. Deppe; 3. Atcher. 4th heat – 1. Murty; 2. Smith; 3. Vis. 5th heat – 1. Knop; 2. Joldersma; 3. Sybesma. 6th heat – 1. Rose; 2. Verdoorn; 3. Jergens.
1st “B feature (top two) – 1. Leeman; 2. Gifford. 2nd “B” feature – 1. Stofer; 2. Blessington. 3rd “B” feature – 1. Mackenthun; 2. Karcz.

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Bill Martin-Director of Public Relations
International Motor Contest Association
1800 West D Street
Vinton, Iowa 52349
Phone: 319 472-2201, ext. 213
Fax: 319 472-2218
E-mail: bmartin@imca.com
Web: International Motor Contest Association :: Welcome to IMCA.com!