SPRING VALLEY, Minn. – It was a rare appearance at Deer Creek Speedway for Mitch Hovden and Kris Jackson on Saturday, but they both ended the night by planting their feet in familiar territory.
Hovden, the five-time and defending national champion in his division presented by Medieval Chassis, bested a 29-strong field of American Racer USRA Stock Cars on the high banks of Deer Creek to claim victory in the opening feature for the Arnold Motor Supply Iron Man Challenge.
After taking the lead initially, Hovden relinquished the top spot to Lynn Panos on the third lap. Panos then gave way two laps later to 2016 Iron Man titlist Kyle Falck before Hovden regained command for good on lap eight.
Defending Iron Man champion Dillon Anderson closed in on Hovden in the closing laps but had to settle for the runner-up paycheck while Hovden beat him to the finish line by a little more than a half-second.
Pat Graham managed to get by Falck for third to thwart a podium sweep by the Decorah, Iowa, drivers while Jake Lampert completed the top five.
In the 20-lap Out-Pace USRA B-Mod main event, Jackson made the long drive from Lebanon, Mo., worthwhile with a hard-fought win over track champion Jim Chisholm and current Iron Man points leader Jared Boumeester.
After 2010-2011 national champ Brand Hare led the first two laps of the feature race, Boumeester stole the lead from Jackson with six laps in the books.
But Jackson-the defending Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national champ and current points leader-battled back to regain the lead on lap 14 and proceeded to sail away for the victory.
It was his 21st win of the year in the competitive class presented by Pace Performance. Along with Hovden in the full-fendered machines, Jackson is the current national points leader and seeking a second straight crown.
Chisholm and Boumeester took the checkered flag in second and third, respectively, while brothers Kadden Kath and Kylie Kath rounded out the first five positions at the flagstand.