Mefford, Floyd post strong show for women on wheels

Deb Mefford and Kandi Floyd turned race night last Friday night into ladies night during the hobby stock feature at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

The female drivers took two of the top three spots in the feature race with Mefford scoring her first victory since 2008 and Floyd coming in third. It turned out to be a highlight and a good night for the women of the hobby stocks.

“Yes it was,” Mefford said. “It was a good night.”

It was especially good for Mefford, who led from start to finish in the 15-lap feature. She had to fend off season points leader Nathan Ballard for the last half of the race. Ballard has won seven features this season, and beating someone that has been so dominate made the win a little more special.

“I knew if anything it was going to be him coming,” Mefford said. “I knew he was going to be a tough one to beat and I expected him to be there.”

Mefford, who has raced just part time this season, wasn't expecting a win, but once it was in her sights she was concerned with staying focused. She succeeded in front of a massive audience as about 5,000 fans filled the stands on 100.7 The Fox Night at the race track.

“It was really pleasing to do in front of that big crowd,” said Mefford, a Women on Wheels champion who started racing full-time in 1999 and racing hobby stocks in 2004. “We had an awesome crowd. It was a lot of fun. I think the crowd had a blast with it.”

Floyd joined her in the top three by maneuvering her way through the field after starting about six rows back. She

“We had to fight for it,” Floyd said. “You got to get through that field and you have to get up there. That's what Nathan and I did. he's fast and I was trying to follow him and do whatever he did to get up there because I don't want too many more points between us. He's already running away with (season points).”

Floyd, who is in her final full season racing due to health issues, is second in the season standings, trailing Ballard by almost 30 points. She's looking to for her best season finish since 2005 when she placed fourth and earned rookie of the year honors. Floyd said the season has been amazing.

“My husband, who is my crew chief, did a lot of different things to my car,” Floyd said of her husband, Jeremy. “We added a sway bar which we never ran before in any of the cars we had. That made a huge difference in the way the car handled this year. It's all about handling out there.”

Mefford and Floyd could have been considered rivals at one point, but that's decreased over the years. Being one of the few women to get behind the wheel on Friday nights and outnumbered by men on the track, they both said they pull for each other.

“The past few years Deb and I have gotten closer. I don't know if we've matured or not,” said Floyd, noting that she is friends with Malena Betzer, who is fourth in the hobby stock season points standings. “This year, pretty much we're good friends.

“On the track, you're out there to do one thing and one thing only and that's to win. That's what everybody wants to do when they strap in their car and put their helmet on. I was really proud of her for winning.”