From Greg Soukup
A perfect night for racing greeted the huge crowd who turned out for Fan Appreciation Night presented by Kaplan University Saturday night. The high banks of Eagle Raceway were prepped for action and the weather was nearly perfect.
Preliminary races were run with no significant occurrences.
Benji Legg’s 25B stopped on the front stretch to bring out the yellow flag on the initial circuit of the NAPA IMCA Sport Modified A Feature. As the action resumed Trevor Noonan was first back to the flag in his 66 followed by the 57K of Gene Kohmetscher, Jason Harms’ 6H and the 21R of Rod Schreiner. Shawn Harker cracked the top four on lap 3 with his #40. Harker vaulted all of the way into the lead 3 laps later as Joey Danley’s 14 grabbed third. That made the top 4 Harker, Noonan, Danley and Harms. Joe Schidler spun the K00 in turn 4 the next time around. Lap 9 saw Kyle Flodman move to fourth and Danley pass Noonan for second. The yellow lights were lit again with 7 to go when debris was spotted on the track. Noonan struck the tire on the inside of turn 2 when racing began, moving Harms to third and Gary Saathoff’s 96 to fourth. The final caution of the evening came when Trent Roth’s 14t stopped on the front stretch. The top four were Harker, Danley, Harms and Saathoff.
Shawn won the feature 2 weeks ago, but broke last week. “I want to thank Brian Purchase for putting the car back together after last week. Also thanks to my Dad, Alan and Travis Lotter” he said. His last thought was “It was a great smooth track tonight, with a top and a bottom groove. You can’t ask for more than that”. Harker’s sponsors include All American Painting, Liberty Safe, Tex Cattle and Midwest Custom Concrete.
The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks rolled out for their finale, and just like the previous race didn’t get a lap in before a caution was called for the 38A of Travis Albracht who suffered a flat right rear. The first official lap leader was Nick Lindblad in the 26 with Mark McKinney’s 23, the 29 of Tim Kozak and Ben Becher’s B4 close behind. McKinney grabbed the lead on lap 2 and Becher moved to third the next time around. John Cain also passed Kozak on lap 4, but Lindblad spun and collected the 93 of RJ Macku. That put Becher out front, McKinney second, the 13F of Chad Fegley third and Cain fourth. Roy Armstrong’s 6R suffered a flap right front tire on lap 7 and he stopped at the top of turn 4. Cain passed Fegley for third on lap nine, only to lose the spot back to him 2 laps later before regaining it for good on lap 12. Becher held on for the win with McKinney, Cain and Fegley rounding out the top 4.
This was Becher’s first victory this season. “Actually” he said, “this is the first in about a year and a half, because I don’t think I got one last year”. “Great track tonight with tacky spots” he continued. He continued the interview by stating “I waited for someone to pass me, but nobody did. I was so afraid I wouldn’t hit my marks, because I was loose, but I must have. This was the first win my wife got to see. I want to say thanks to her and my son”. “I wrecked the car bad 2 weeks ago. I need to say thanks to my Dad for all of the time and work he put into getting me back”. Becher’s sponsors include Speedy Steve’s High Performance, Goldfuss Racing Fabrication, Valhalla Bee Farm, Kohmetscher Roofing and the Auto Connection.
Next up was the main event for the Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds. For the third time in a row the first lap was halted, this time for debris on the track. Scott Bivens’ S56 led lap 1 followed by Clint Homan’s 27, Rik Gropp in the V44 and the #3 of Chris Alcorn. Shane Hiatt’s 21H stopped in turn 2 the next time around for another caution. Bob Zoubek moved the 5S into third on the restart with Alcorn also passing Gropp to retain fourth. The next lap Alcorn lost the spot to Mike Densberger in the 81 who also fell out of the top 4 when Dylan Smith passed him in the 95. 1 more circuit was in the books when Zoubek moved up to second and the next time around Smith moved to third. Densberger again moved to fourth on lap 10. 2 laps later Zoubek and Smith moved to first and second. Homan stopped in turns 1 & 2 with 5 to go. Densberger advanced to third with 4 to go. Johnny Saathoff got the 96J into fourth shortly after that. 2 laps remained when Doug Deterding spun the 13 in 3 & 4 and the final stoppage came when Gropp hit the front stretch wall hard with 1 lap to go. Zoubek, Smith, Densberger and Saathoff were the top four.
This was Zoubek’s first victory this year. “We started in the fourth row and just picked our way forward when we could. I saw Dylan once, but that was all, so I knew we would be okay” Bob stated. He finished the interview by saying “If you can win at Eagle, you can win anywhere!”. Bob’s sponsors include Kale Trucking, Gropp Trucking, Nebraska Tire, Kline Construction and Olson Graphics.
The Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts came out then for their finishing event. Melissa Etherton’s 14M, the 5M of Melissa Cronin, Jeremy Baker’s 3J and the 27TV of Tyler Vukonich were the first four at the end of lap 1. Vukonich moved up to third on lap 2 before losing the spot to Kenny Roberts in the 69. Lap 4 saw Erica Cronin’s 30, the 2CS of Brian Haller and the 48R of Rich Eacret pile up in turn 2. Cronin was taken to the hospital with neck and back injuries. She was observed and released. At that time the running order was Etherton, Melissa Cronin, Roberts and Vukonich. Melissa Cronin was passed by Vukonich who took over second, Roberts who moved to third and the 48J of Nickalaus Jensen who grabbed fourth on lap 5. The next lap saw Matt Moyer crack the top 4 in his #29. 2 laps later Moyer moved to third. With 6 to go Chad Bassinger moved the 4X to fourth. 2 more laps were in the books when Melissa Cronin spun to the infield on the front stretch. Etherton slammed directly into the turn 1 wall on the restart, moving Roberts back to fourth. Moyer took the lead on the restart with Bassinger taking second the next lap and Roberts moving to third and Vukonich taking fourth shortly after that. The final top four were Moyer, Bassinger, Roberts and Vukonich.
“Chad and I were talking earlier and I said ‘We need to shake and bake tonight and get a 1, 2 finish’. It was awesome to get it. Now Chad needs to get a win” Moyer said. He finished the interview by relating “Thanks to the track prep crew for the smooth track tonight”. Moyers sponsors include General Siding, Luddemann Construction, Kinnersley Grading and Scott Angel with the Design Shop.
Then the Budweiser IMCA Racesaver Sprints moved onto the high banks for the last race of the evening. Doug Lovegrove used his pole position to put the #1 out front at the conclusion of the first lap with the 24R of Doug Roth second, Shayle Bade’s 03 third and the 1B of Brandon Horton closing out the top 4. Nick Bryan passed Horton on lap 2 to move the 52 into fourth but Jeff Edgington’s 4E stopped in 3 and four and the caution lights were lit. Bryan again took fourth on the restart and moved to third the next circuit before losing the position back to Roth. Richard Weers took the 55 to fourth 2 laps later before losing the spot to the 44 of Matt Richards the next time around as Bryan moved back into third. Bryan advanced to second 2 laps later. Mike Boston’s 51 spun in turns 3 & 4 with 5 laps left. Dan Satriano brought the yellow out with 3 to go when he did a 360 degree spin in the #95 but kept going. Clint Benson took the 100 past Richards for fourth on the restart. With 2 to go Horton spun in turns 3 & 4. The final stoppage in the action came when Eric Reichwaldt’s 13 did a spectacular mid-air spin and came to a rest on his wheels in turn 4 to bring out the red flag. Lovegrove took home the win with Bryan second, Bade third and Benson fourth.
Lovegrove’s victory was his first ever in the Racesaver series and only win thus far this year. “I needed to make up for a couple of weeks ago when I gave up the lead and maybe the win. I went into turn 1 and hit within 4 inches of the same spot lap after lap, and I thought I did it again but missed just enough to catch a dip in the track and upset the car” he said. He continued by stating “I can’t wait until I start in the back instead of on the pole. It’s pretty easy to win from the pole, but when you start in the back, that’s when the work starts”. “I really like this new class, but I think the guys who run the top will find it tough because I don’t think the power band is there unless you’ve got it geared and set up just right. Great racing though, and I’m really enjoying this” were his concluding thoughts. Lovegrove’s sponsors include Our Family Foods, Integrity Vinyl Graphics and Trackside Bar and Grill.
Next weekend is Kids Bike Night, presented by Sun Drop. Over 300 bicycles will be given away, so be sure to have your youngsters 12 and under draw for their chance to win one when they come through the gates. Front gates open at 5 with hot laps at 5:30 and racing starting at 6:30. Front gate admission is $10 for adults, youths 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free. Shades & HyFy the Clowns will be doing face painting from 5 until 7:30. Happy Hour will feature Jello Shots from 6-7. The Budweiser IMCA Racesaver Sprints, Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks and Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts will be in action.
Pit gates open at 4 P.M. with pit admission costing $20.
RESULTS:
IMCA Hobby Stock 7/20/2013
A Feature:1. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 2. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 5. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 6. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 7. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 9. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 10. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 11. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 12. Cody Boone (Syracuse, NE), 13. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 14. Kyle Gannon (Lincoln, NE), 15. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 16. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 17. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 18. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 19. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 20. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE)
B Feature:1. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 2. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 3. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 5. Kyle Gannon (Lincoln, NE), 6. Aaron Johnston (Lincoln, NE), 7. Scott Santee (Omaha, NE), 8. Dale Hoyle (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Brendan Jones (Ralston, NE), 10. Peter Shoup (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 1:1. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 4. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 5. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 6. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 7. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 8. Brendan Jones (Ralston, NE), 9. Dale Hoyle (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 2:1. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 2. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 3. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 4. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 5. Cody Boone (Syracuse, NE), 6. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 7. Peter Shoup (Lincoln, NE), 8. Scott Santee (Omaha, NE)
Heat 3:1. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 2. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 5. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 6. Kyle Gannon (Lincoln, NE), 7. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 8. Aaron Johnston (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA Modified 7/20/2013
A Feature:1. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 2. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 3. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 4. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 6. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 7. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 8. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 9. Kevin Larkins (Greenwood, ), 10. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA), 11. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 12. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 13. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 14. Phil Penny* (Percival, IA), 15. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 16. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 17. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 18. Clint Homan (Bellevue, NE), 19. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 20. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE)
B Feature:1. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 2. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 3. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 4. Phil Penny* (Percival, IA), 5. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 6. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 9. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE)
Heat 1:1. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 2. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 3. Kevin Larkins (Greenwood, ), 4. Clint Homan (Bellevue, NE), 5. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 6. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 7. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 8. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE)
Heat 2:1. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 2. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 3. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 4. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 6. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 7. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 8. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE)
Heat 3:1. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 2. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA), 3. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 5. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 6. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 8. Phil Penny* (Percival, IA)
IMCA Sport Compact 7/20/2013
A Feature:1. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 2. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 4. Tyler Vukonich (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 6. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 7. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 9. Pete Rogers (Omaha, NE), 10. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 11. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 12. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 13. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 14. Tanner Schmitz (Nebraska City, NE), 15. James King (Bennet, NE), 16. Jack Prall IV (Plattsmouth, NE), 17. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 18. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE), 19. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 20. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE)
B Feature:1. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 2. James King (Bennet, NE), 3. Jack Prall IV (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 6. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 7. Paul Stellato (Walton, NE), 8. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 9. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 10. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 11. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 12. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 13. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 14. Ashley Hesson (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 1:1. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Tyler Vukonich (Lincoln, NE), 4. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Pete Rogers (Omaha, NE), 6. Jack Prall IV (Plattsmouth, NE), 7. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 8. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 9. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 10. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE)
Heat 2:1. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 2. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 3. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 4. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tanner Schmitz (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 7. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 8. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 10. Ashley Hesson (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 3:1. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 3. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 4. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 6. James King (Bennet, NE), 7. Paul Stellato (Walton, NE), 8. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 9. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA Sport Modified 7/20/2013
A Feature:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 4. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 6. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 8. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 9. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 10. Rod Schreiner (Weeping Water, NE), 11. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS), 12. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 13. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 14. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 15. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 16. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 17. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 18. Gene Kohmetscher (Lincoln, NE), 19. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 20. Tyler Mark (Benedict, NE)
B Feature:1. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 2. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 3. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS), 4. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 5. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 6. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 7. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 8. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 9. James Hines (Omaha, NE), 10. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 11. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 12. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 13. Jeff Reed (Lincoln, NE), 14. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 15. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 16. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 17. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 18. Mike Scheinost (Lincoln, NE)
C Feature:1. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 2. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS), 3. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 4. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 6. Lindsey Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 7. Tom Shea (Roca, NE), 8. Maison Frahn (Mead, NE)
Heat 1:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Rod Schreiner (Weeping Water, NE), 3. Gene Kohmetscher (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 5. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 6. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 7. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 8. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 9. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS)
Heat 2:1. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 2. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 3. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 4. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 5. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 6. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 7. James Hines (Omaha, NE), 8. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 9. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 10. Tom Shea (Roca, NE)
Heat 3:1. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 2. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 4. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 6. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jeff Reed (Lincoln, NE), 8. Mike Scheinost (Lincoln, NE), 9. Maison Frahn (Mead, NE)
Heat 4:1. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 2. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 3. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Tyler Mark (Benedict, NE), 5. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 6. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 7. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 8. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 9. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 10. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 11. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 12. Lindsey Trejo (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA Sprint 7/20/2013
A Feature:1. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 2. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 4. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 5. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 6. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 7. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 8. Doug Roth (Axtell, NE), 9. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 10. Lacey Tuttle (Omaha, NE), 11. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 12. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 13. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 14. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE), 15. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 16. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 17. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 18. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 19. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 20. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 21. Jeff Edgington (Lincoln, NE), 22. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE), 23. Mark Vanderheiden (Papillion, NE)
Heat 1:1. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 2. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 3. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 4. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 5. Jeff Edgington (Lincoln, NE), 6. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 7. Mark Vanderheiden (Papillion, NE), 8. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE)
Heat 2:1. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 2. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 3. Doug Roth (Axtell, NE), 4. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 5. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 6. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 7. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE)
Heat 3:1. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 2. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 4. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 5. Lacey Tuttle (Omaha, NE), 6. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 7. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE)