Lovegrove Wins Sprint Car Feature at Eagle

From Greg Soukup

Eagle, NE — (July 27, 2013) — If a more perfect racing night was possible, Saturday’s competition at Eagle Raceway would definitely be in the running. Sunny skies, mid-70’s temperatures that turned to a cool evening with 3-wide action on the track kept the fans happy. And, at intermission 320 lucky youngsters walked away with a brand new bicycle so those future fans were thrilled!

The preliminary action saw great racing but no significant happenings.

The NAPA IMCA Sport Modified feature saw the 67D of Jason Trent led the initial lap followed by Joey Danley’s 14, Mary Lenz in the 17 and the 22K of Kevin Anderson. Trent fell back on lap 3 as Danley grabbed the lead, Anderson took over second, Rick Rohr moved the 74X jumped to third and Kaleb Kennedy snagged fourth in the 5X. The yellow flag was shown on lap 7 as Buddy Ray Jones’25 and the 25! Of Trevor Baker got together and stopped on the front stretch. Jones was able to continue but Baker was hauled to the pits. Shawn Harker got past Kennedy on the restart to move the 40 to fourth. Kennedy spun in turn 2 on lap 8. 1 lap after the restart Ken Eckhoff spun the #5 in turn 4. Kyle Flodman passed Harker on the restart in his 7K. Flodman advanced 1 spot on each of the next two laps to move all the way to second. Benji Legg vaulted the 25B all the way to third on lap 13. Anderson’s engine expired with 1 lap to go and he stopped at the top of turn 4 for the final caution of the race. Danley held on for the win with Flodman, Legg and Gary Saathoff’s 96 rounding out the top four.

“It’s been 2 long years, and that is a long time between wins” Danley said. “I shot out quick, and beat the others to the front. It’s a huge relief to finally get another win, because this is a really tough class” he stated. His last thought was “I
want to thank my crew. My dad, Tim, Mark and Drew”. Danley’s sponsors include H & H Drywall, Super Saver, Clean Rite Street Sweeping, Automotive Services and Nissen Hardwood Flooring.

The Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stock A was led by Garrett Bolander’s 98X with Tim LaPointe’s 18, the 42 of Rob Brown and Nick Lindblad in the 26 close behind. Brown passed LaPointe for second on lap 2. Travis Albracht jumped past Brown and Lindblad on lap 3 to put the 38A in third. Joe Wollenhaupt put the 4W into fourth on lap 4 when Lindblad got loose. But the 6X of Denny Berghan Sr. lost a wheel and the 23 of Mark McKinney also stopped on the front stretch. At that time the top four were Bolander, Brown, Albracht and LaPointe. Brown used the restart to pass Bolander but Bolander retook the lead on lap 6. John Cain moved the 44 into fourth on lap 7 and Albracht took second the next time around. RJ Macku moved the 93 into fourth with 8 to go before advancing to third the next lap. Busboom again moved into the top four with 5 laps left. Macku advanced one position on each of the next two laps to take the lead with 3 laps left and Albracht moved to second that same circuit. Albracht refused a claim by Cain after the race and was disqualified. That moved Roy Armstrong’s 6R into fourth.

RJ stated with a smile “I need to thank the guys at the wind tunnel for fixing all of the damage the last two weeks”. He finished the interview by saying “Thanks to the fans and especially the kids. They are the reason we are here. And kudos to Roger for putting on Bike Night every year”. Macku’s sponsors include Skylimit Remodeling, Orion Racing, AAMCO Transmissions, Speedy Steve’s, The Shop Inc. and B & B Lawn Service.

Nate Thompson looped the 3T at the beginning of the Kaplan University IMCA Modified Feature, collecting the 4 of Chevy Hadan and Mike Densberger’s 81. The first official lap leader was Chris Abelson in the 1X followed by Shane Hiatt’s 21H, Bob Zoubek in the 5 and Kevin Larkins’4X. Larkins passed Zoubek the next time around. Phil Penney spun the #21 on lap 6 and the 777 of Philip Loseke was caught up. Zoubek retook third on lap 9 and Dylan Smith got his 95 past Larkins also the next lap. Hadan and Densberger stopped in turn 2 with 9 laps left for another caution. Zoubek moved up to second on the restart and Smith followed him to take over third. Johnny Saathoff took his 96J into fourth with 3 to go when Hiatt hit the back stretch wall. On the restart Zoubek looped his racer into the infield but was able to keep going and retained third when the field checked up. That made the final running order Abelson, Smith, Zoubek and Saathoff.

This was Abelson’s third victory this season. “When the 86 got loose on that first restart I got the jump I needed and just had to hold on for the win” he related. “We’ve had a lot of bad luck lately, so this was great” he continued. He concluded by saying “I caught a look of someone coming below me a few times, but I knew that as long as I beat them to 3 & 4 I was going to be fine”. Ableson’s sponsors include Razor Chassis by Roth Racing, Bilstein Shocks, Edwardson Racing Engines and the Klub Lisa Girls.

The Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compact A Main saw Rick Hollandsworth’s 35 lead lap #1 and Justin Olsen’s 14J second, Joe Baker’s 9X third and Ole Olsen in the 23 fourth. Olsen passed Baker on lap three before moving to second 2 laps later. Matt Moyer got the 29 into fourth on lap 7 before taking third the next time around. Olsen hit Hollandsworth with 5 to go but remained in fourth as Moyer moved into the lead. At the finish it was Moyer, Baker, Hollandsworth and Olsen.

“I would never have thought I could go back to back against all of these good racers” Moyer said. “It was another nice smooth track tonight. Roger gets a gold star again” he stated. He concluded the interview by relating “I want to thank all of my sponsors for giving me the chance to do this”. Moyer’s sponsors include General Siding, Luddeman Construction, Kinnersley Grading and Scott Angel at the Design Shop.

After Bill Garrow spun the 3G on the start of the Budweiser IMCA Racesaver Sprint Car A Feature Keith Dragoo led lap 1 in the 77D followed by Doug Lovegrove’s 1, Eric Reichwaldt in the 13 and the 73 of Lee Bowes. Lap 2 saw Clint Benson’s 100 slow on the front stretch before heading to the pits. Lovegrove passed Dragoo on the restart. The next circuit saw Reichwaldt also pass Dragoo as Terry Richards moved the 18 into fourth. Richards advanced to third the next lap. Shayle Bade cracked the top four on lap 6 in her 03. Mike Boston got the 51 past Bade with 9 laps left. 2 laps later Richards moved up to second and Boston took over third. The next circuit saw Boston move up to second. Despite furious attempts by Boston to pass him Lovegrove retained the lead. Boston, Richards and Reichwaldt rounded out the top 4.
Lovegrove, like Moyer, made it back-to-back victories. “The bad part about being in the lead is I didn’t know what was going on behind me” Lovegrove said. He continued by stating “It helped that I moved to the top in 3 & 4 after the bottom slicked off. I actually didn’t have to go full blast; I still had a little left if I needed it”. Lovegrove’s sponsors include Our Family Foods, Integrity Vinyl graphics and Trackside Bar and Grill.

Be sure to come out next weekend as Great Clips presents Driver Appreciation Night. The pits will be open from 3:30 to 5 P.M. to allow the fans to meet and talk with the drivers. Entertainment will be provided before and after the races by the Hard Knox Band. There will also be a Dunk Tank Challenge in the courtyard until 5:30. Bubbles the Clown will also be there from 5 until 8. “Buck Off” Happy Hour will be from 6 to 7.

The Budweiser IMCA Racesaver Sprints, Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks and Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts will be in action.

Front gates open at 3:30 and hot laps start at 5:30 with racing at 6:30. Front gate admission is $10 for adults, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free. You can obtain free tickets from any driver.

Pit gates open at 4 with pit admission costing $20.

RESULTS:

IMCA Hobby Stock 7/27/2013

A Feature:1. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 2. Garrett Bolander (Blair, NE), 3. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 4. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 6. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 8. John Cain (Homer, NE), 9. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 10. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 11. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 12. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 13. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 14. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 15. Chris LaChapelle (Omaha, NE), 16. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 17. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 18. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 19. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 20. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 2. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 3. Chris LaChapelle (Omaha, NE), 4. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Cody Boone (Syracuse, NE), 6. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 7. Matthew Post (Beatrice, NE), 8. Gerald Higgins (Lincoln, NE), 9. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE), 10. Brendan Jones (Ralston, NE), 11. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 12. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 13. Ron Novak (Blair, NE), 14. Aaron Johnston (Lincoln, NE), 15. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 16. Kevin Zeitner (Omaha, NE), 17. James Johnson (Omaha, NE), 18. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 2. Garrett Bolander (Blair, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 5. Chris LaChapelle (Omaha, NE), 6. Cody Boone (Syracuse, NE), 7. Kevin Zeitner (Omaha, NE), 8. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 9. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 2:1. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 2. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 3. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 4. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 5. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 6. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 7. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 8. Ron Novak (Blair, NE)

Heat 3:1. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 4. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 5. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 6. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 7. Brendan Jones (Ralston, NE), 8. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE)

Heat 4:1. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 2. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 4. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 5. Aaron Johnston (Lincoln, NE), 6. Gerald Higgins (Lincoln, NE), 7. James Johnson (Omaha, NE), 8. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 9. Matthew Post (Beatrice, NE)

IMCA Modified 7/27/2013

A Feature:1. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA), 2. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 3. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 4. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Clint Homan (Bellevue, NE), 6. Kevin Larkins (Greenwood, ), 7. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 8. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 9. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 10. Phil Penny* (Percival, IA), 11. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 12. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 13. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 14. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 15. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 16. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 17. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 18. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 19. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 20. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE)

B Feature:1. Clint Homan (Bellevue, NE), 2. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 3. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 4. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 5. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 6. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 7. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 9. Eric Hamilton (Hanford, CA)

Heat 1:1. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 2. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA), 3. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 4. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 5. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 6. Clint Homan (Bellevue, NE), 7. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 8. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 2:1. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 2. Kevin Larkins (Greenwood, ), 3. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 5. Phil Penny* (Percival, IA), 6. Eric Hamilton (Hanford, CA), 7. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE)

Heat 3:1. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 2. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 3. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 4. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 5. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 6. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 7. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 8. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sport Compact 7/27/2013

A Feature:1. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 2. Joe Baker (Omaha, NE), 3. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 4. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 5. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Tanner Schmitz (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 8. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 10. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 11. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 12. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 13. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 14. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 15. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 16. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 17. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 18. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE), 19. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 20. James King (Bennet, NE)

B Feature:1. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 2. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 4. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 5. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 6. Pete Rogers (Omaha, NE), 7. Paul Stellato (Walton, NE), 8. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 10. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 11. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 12. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 13. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 2. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 3. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 4. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 6. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 8. Paul Stellato (Walton, NE), 9. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 10. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 2:1. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 2. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 4. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tanner Schmitz (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 7. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 8. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Pete Rogers (Omaha, NE)

Heat 3:1. Joe Baker (Omaha, NE), 2. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 3. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 4. James King (Bennet, NE), 5. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 7. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 8. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sport Modified 7/27/2013

A Feature:1. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 2. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 3. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 4. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Rick Rohr (Pickrell, NE), 6. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE), 7. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 8. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 9. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 10. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 11. Loren DeArmond (Lemoore, CA), 12. Buddy Ray Jones (Council Bluffs, IA), 13. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 14. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 15. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 16. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 17. Steve Swarthout (Beatrice, NE), 18. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 19. Jeremy Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 20. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 2. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 3. Buddy Ray Jones (Council Bluffs, IA), 4. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 5. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 6. Max Harder (Filley, NE), 7. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 8. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 9. Dustin Thayer (Omaha, NE), 10. Jarid Jochum (Lincoln, NE), 11. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 12. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 13. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 14. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 15. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 16. Rod Schreiner (Weeping Water, NE), 17. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 18. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE)

C Feature:1. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 2. Max Harder (Filley, NE), 3. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 5. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 6. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 8. Jeff Reed (Lincoln, NE), 9. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 10. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 11. Mike Scheinost (Lincoln, NE), 12. Dave Berger (Lincoln, NE), 13. Lindsey Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 14. Scott Holle (Lincoln, NE), 15. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 16. Tom Shea (Roca, NE)

Heat 1:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 3. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 4. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 5. Rod Schreiner (Weeping Water, NE), 6. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 7. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 9. Tom Shea (Roca, NE)

Heat 2:1. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE), 2. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jeremy Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 4. Buddy Ray Jones (Council Bluffs, IA), 5. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 6. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 7. Scott Holle (Lincoln, NE), 8. Lindsey Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 9. Jeff Reed (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 3:1. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 2. Rick Rohr (Pickrell, NE), 3. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 4. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 5. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 6. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 7. Dave Berger (Lincoln, NE), 8. Max Harder (Filley, NE), 9. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE)

Heat 4:1. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 2. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 3. Loren DeArmond (Lemoore, CA), 4. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 5. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 6. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 7. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 9. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE)

Heat 5:1. Steve Swarthout (Beatrice, NE), 2. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 3. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 4. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 5. Jarid Jochum (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dustin Thayer (Omaha, NE), 7. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 8. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 9. Mike Scheinost (Lincoln, NE), 10. Sean Manning (Firth, NE)

IMCA Sprint 7/27/2013

A Feature:1. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 2. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 3. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 4. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 6. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 7. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE), 8. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 9. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 10. Doug Roth (Axtell, NE), 11. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 12. Lacey Tuttle (Omaha, NE), 13. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 14. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 15. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 16. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 17. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 18. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 19. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 20. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 2. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 4. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 5. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 7. Butch Bade (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 2. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 3. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE), 4. Lacey Tuttle (Omaha, NE), 5. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE), 6. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Butch Bade (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 2:1. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 2. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 3. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 4. Doug Roth (Axtell, NE), 5. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 6. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 7. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE)

Heat 3:1. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 2. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 3. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 4. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 7. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE)