By Jerry Mackey
OSKALOOSA — Wednesday night was Salute the Troops and First Responder Night sponsored by our friends and long time Southern Iowa Speedway supporters Bill & Rays Truck Repair of Oskaloosa. A great crowd was in attendance on a very warm late May evening.
It is always very special to see a hometown driver score his first ever feature win at his local race track. Cole VanDerwal, son of local standout Curtis VanDerwal scored the win in the Oskaloosa Quality Rentals Sportmod feature event. It was only the third time that the youngster strapped into the 1V Sportmod at the Mahaska County Monster 1/2 mile but his racing expertise was on display as Cole outraced a couple of the Southern Iowa Speedway veterans in the tough Sportmod class. Cole survived an early race caution that put the cars of Colton Livezey and Kyle Harwood in contention for the top spot. Cole VanDerwal hit his marks lap after lap in taking the win ahead of Livezey and Harwood.
The Midstates Machine Stock Cars saw Nathan Wood continue his early season success in his all new VB Stock Car. Wood advanced to the front from a sixth position start taking the lead from early race leader Jason McDaniel. Wood went on to hold off a late race challenge by Dustin Griffiths to score the feature win. Aaron Martin ran up front the entire feature before crossing under the checkers in third.
Dustin Griffiths has been a tough competitor at the Southern Iowa Speedway for many years and he continues to be a front runner in both the Stock Car and Hobby Stock classes. Wednesday night he drove his Stout Trucking Hobby Stock to another feature win. Griffiths chased down early leader Nathan DeRagon who is visiting Iowa for the summer and racing as many tracks as possible in the Hobby Stock class. DeRagon hails from Peoria, AZ and he adapted to the big half mile very quickly having a successful night with a heat win a third place finish in the main event. Current point leader in the Hobby Stock Class, Keaton Gordon was able run up front the entire race and take a solid second place finish.
Seth Meinders scored his second consecutive feature win in the Sport Compact Class and his third overall win at the Southern Iowa Speedway in 2026. Meinders shot to the front from a third row start and took the lead from Jeremy Williams in the early going. Meinders went on to record the win ahead of Brandon Allison and Katelyn Watts.
The Doug’s Four Wheelers Crown Vics saw a late race shuffle take place allowing Trent Kerr to score his second win of the season in the new SIS class. Brendan Nantz ran second ahead of Carter Stutzman.
The SIS hosted the Vintage Late Models for the first time in 2026 on Wednesday night with a nice field of 10 beautiful Vintage Cars. Two winners were recognized with the Big tire group winner, Dino Rodish drove his Sanger Chassis Late Model to the win ahead of Brad Pinkerton. Tyler Kelley drove his small tired Camaro to the group win ahead of Carl Yaw.
A change in the 2026 Southern Iowa Speedway schedule will see the Hall of Fame Induction Night being moved to the 1st of July allowing the new inductees and families to attend. Racing will continue on Wednesday, June 3rd with Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Night sponsored by 3M. All School Staff will be admitted FREE with a proper School identification. Hot laps will get underway at 7:15 with racing to follow.
