Sports

[VIDEO] (Video courtesy of Brendan Turner, Aerial Advantage) J.D. Auringer raced his way into some rare company Sunday night at Benton County Speedway.  Auringer won the Hogan Memorial main event for Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modifieds for the third time in his career, and joined Scott Hogan as the only two drivers to have now accomplished the feat in back-to-back years.

Vinton Country Club held the 2nd annual Firecracker Tournament over the Fourth of July weekend. The format was a 4-person best shot, 18-hole tournament. Teams played any time Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Tee times were not required and the tournament was open to the public. The results of the Firecracker Tournament were: Championship Flight 1st: Matt Martin, Mike Martin, Okee Walker, Olivia Walker 2nd: Shane Scott, Chris Boddicker, Shawn Voss, Will Ketchen 3rd: Brad Trask, Jason Boisen, Jodie Chalupa, Scott Fish First Flight 1st: Rick Murphy, Paula Murphy, Aaron Murphy, Brian Kipp 2nd: Chuck Peterson, Connie Peterson, Ted Mann, Jeanne Mann 3rd: Alan Woodhouse, Matt Woodhouse, Chad Siebels, David Jones Second Flight 1st: Ben Murphy, Mike Reifenstahl, Blake Henkle, Matt Howe 2nd: Okee Walker, Jr.

The 3rd annual V-S Alumni Softball game is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at 6pm.   This game is a slow-pitch game for all Vinton-Shellsburg alumni softball players. Player fee is $20 and that includes your alumni t-shirt.   Cost at the Gate will be charged as $5 per adult and $3 per student. All proceeds go to the Vinton-Shellsburg softball program.

 A potential payday of more than $5,000 awaits the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modified feature winner at Benton County Speedway’s Sunday, July 12 Hogan Memorial.  The 21st annual event is 50 laps and now pays $1,950 to win, including a $500 bonus from RACEFEEDX and IMCA.TV. Lap money is $50 for every circuit led, plus $250 to the leader at halfway.

Fans were seeing triple Sunday night at Benton County Speedway as three divisions came down to three-wide finishes in exciting action on the quarter-mile.   In the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modifieds, David Brown led throughout the 20-lap feature while Corey Dripps gave chase.   Brown was dialed in on the preferred high groove while Dripps pestered him from the low side.

After winning four of five last week, including a come-from behind 6-5 last-inning thriller against Monticello, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes will spend the early part of this week preparing for post-season play.  The Vikettes followed last Tuesday's exciting win with a split against Williamsburg and two victories on Friday at the Alburnette tournament.

The Edwards Plumbing & Heating team leads the VPRD men's softball league with a 5-0 record. In the women's league, the Grinnin' Pitches are also undefeated, at 6-0.  See complete standings and this week's results HERE:

The West Delaware baseball team brought its 15-2 record to Vinton on Thursday to play the Vikings.  The Hawks left town with twice as many losses, after the Vikings swept them, 5-3 and 6-5.  The Vikings came from behind both games. Sophomore Scottie Wirth won game 1 for the Vikings, giving up 3 runs on 11 hits as he pitched all seven innings.

Congrats to Vinton golfer Tyler Stueck on his first hole-in-one! Tyler competed in a tournament today through the Junior Optimist event at the Airport National course in Cedar Rapids. He placed 2nd in his division, carding a 67, just 1 stroke shy of the 1st place winner. He also scored his first-ever hole-in-1 today during the tourney. 

The bright green turf and white and yellow lines are clearly visible to those driving by the Vinton-Shellsburg football field. Soon the black and gold VS logo, as well as the word "Vikings" in the end zones will accompany the numbering and hash marks that crews are installing this week.  During its meeting this month, the V-S School Board approved some minor change orders to the project.