Sports

Luke Verardi had a little more reason to celebrate the Independence Day holiday this year.The Taylorsville, Ill., driver topped a 22-car field of 360 Sprints to earn his career first win when the Sprint Invaders made an appearance at Benton County Speedway.Verardi started on the pole and assumed command at the drop of the green. He withstood pressure from David Wignall to race to the memorable win.

The spring sports American Rivers Conference all-academic team was announced Wednesday and 44 Central College student-athletes were honored for their academic and athletic excellence.The women's track and field teams had 20 selections while the men's team had 10. The softball and men's tennis programs had five apiece. Baseball had three and the men's golf team had one.

360 Sprints are making a return to Benton County Speedway.Sprint Invaders join the IMCA weekly racing program this Sunday, July 3, to celebrate the Independence Day holiday for the second consecutive year at The Bullring.Jonathan Cornell made the trip from Sedalia, Mo., to top the 23-car field of 360 Sprints in last year’s holiday special.Weekly points racing continues Sunday in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by KISS Country 96.

The Benton County Fair will always be special to Kaylin Lopez.Especially this year’s.The 18-year-old from Chowchilla, Calif., who has spent the last two summers racing in central Iowa, earned his career first Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod presented by Christie Door Company feature win when county fair entertainment opened Thursday night with a night of IMCA weekly racing.

One driver didn’t think he’d be able to race while another wasn’t sure he’d even make it to the track.Both ended up in victory lane in an unlikely turn of events Sunday at Benton County Speedway.After suffering extensive damage to his own ride Saturday night, Kyle Olson wasn’t planning on racing Sunday. That all changed when Brandon Tharp asked him to drive his car.

Anna Becker, finished her final high school year at Vinton-Shellsburg and is making plans to continue her bowling career at the college level. Becker has signed a letter of intent to bowl with the Haweye Community College Women's bowling team. Amber Pattee, Becker's coach said, "I am so excited that Anna has decided to continue her bowling career at  Hawkeye.

Brennen Chipp took the lead early and then powered away following a late restart to score his first win of the season Sunday at Benton County Speedway.From his outside front row start, Chipp led the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by KISS Country 96.5 to the green flag. He built a 1.5 second advantage by the time Troy Cordes made his way to second from the third row.

A full schedule is in store for race fans at Benton County Speedway. Weekly racing, plus a pair of other motorsports events will highlight the coming week at The Bullring.Prior to Benton County Fair festivities, IMCA weekly racing will continue on Father’s Day Sunday, June 19.Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by KISS Country 96.5, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars presented by Vermedahl Logistics, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods presented by Christie Door Company, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, and INEX Legends presented by Legends.

The weekly racing season continues this Sunday, June 12, at Benton County Speedway with a sweet treat thrown in during intermission.The annual candy dash, which established a Guinness World Record in weight of candy offered for such an event one year ago, will be held on the front stretch for the youth in attendance.All six weekly divisions will be in action, including Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by KISS Country 96.

Back in 2013 a small group of breast cancer survivors, many of whom were diagnosed through mammography, were discussing ways to make sure that all women had access to these health services without worrying about the cost. That conversation became the start of Party in Pink, an annual fundraiser to support Gifts of Hope. Gifts of Hope is a program through the Virginia Gay Hospital Foundation.