DECORAH, Iowa—The 2016 story book novel opened at the Upper Iowa Speedway in Decorah, Iowa on Saturday night. As track promoter, Chuck Ihde described, “...the track is in the best shape it has been in many, many years.” This allowed for some tight and exciting racing to open the 2016 season.

In the USRA Hobby Stocks, Waukon, Iowa native Brady Link, having not skipped a beat in the off season, cruised to his first feature win of the season. Starting near the front, Link was able to drive away from the field, but a mid-race caution erased his lead. Link was strong the restart and was able to drive away from the field and they swapped paint for second on back. Link crossed first for his first feature win of the season followed by Scott Spilde, Steve Larson (2015 Track Champion), Chris Hovden, and Paul Seabrooke.

The Out-Pace USRA B-Mods provided quite possibly the best entertainment of the night at the Upper Iowa Speedway. Troy Hovey jumped out to an early lead, but behind him chaos was ensuing. Multiple cautions spring loose during the main event on Saturday night. As the early pressure from Jason Schlangen and Chris Roney started to ease on Hovey, ninth place starting Dan Hovden (2015 track champion) began to add some late race heat. The final caution sprung with seven laps to go and as Hovey took the white flag with Hovden right on his back bumper, lap traffic started to become a factor. Hovey was able to edge Hovden exiting the last corner onto his first feature win of the season at the Upper Iowa Speedway. Hovden ran second followed by Roney, Jeremy Schaufenbuel, and Schlangen.

The Holley USRA Stock Cars closed out the night at the Upper Iowa Speedway with a dancy A-Main event. Trouble struck at the drop of the green with three cars got tangled mid pack exiting corner two allowing one car unable to finish. Kevin Donlan started on pole on Saturday night and lead a strong majority of the race. Mitch Hovden (2015 Track Champion) started third and had heavy pressure on Donlan for much of the race. Hard charging Brian Mahlstedt, who started seventh, gave the two leaders a run for their money. Hovden eventually was able to fend of Mahlstedt and and make the pass for the lead with only a few laps remaining. Hovden crossed first followed by Donlan, Mahlstedt, Lynn Panos, and Dillon Anderson.

The Upper Iowa Speedway will be back in action Saturday, April 30th with hot laps slated for 6PM and racing to follow. For more information, follow Upper Iowa Speedway on Facebook or visit www.upperiowaspeedway.com.