By Greg Soukup
Whether it was the threat of bad weather, or the high winds; whatever it was that kept some fans from attending Man vs. Dirt night presented by the Nebraska Lottery Saturday night had them missing great racing on the high banks of Eagle Raceway.
Joe Miller got the 14J above the cushion, began to bicycle and then flipped in turns 1 & 2 of the Mud in America IMCA Racesaver sprint heat #2. The NAPA IMCA Sport Modified B Feature saw Roger Sluka’s 5S make contact with the 2R of Don Rinke, sending Rinke barrel-rolling into turn 3. Neither driver was seriously injured, but they were unable to continue.
The first Main Event of the evening was for the NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds. Gunnar Pike’s G25 stopped at the pit entrance on the first lap, bringing out the yellow flag. Jared Jochum’s 5J, the 57 of Jared Cote, Dion Kovar in the 18 and Trevor Noonan’s 66 were the top four after lap 1. Noonan jumped up to 2nd on lap 3 as Nathan Kobus put the 15 into 4th and Scott Bivens’ S56 snagged 3rd. Lap 4 saw the caution lights come on again for debris. Bivens moved up to 2nd on the restart. Gary Saathoff’s 96 passed Kobus for fourth on lap 7. Bivens took over the lead and Shawn Harker put the 40 into fourth on lap 8. Saathoff advanced to second the next time around, but Kobus and the 09RX of Randy Fox spun in turn 2. Saathoff again took second on lap 10, but there was another debris caution. Harker moved up to second with 8 laps left. For the third time in the race Saathoff grabbed second, but the pass was negated when Mike Morton Jr.’s 71 hit the turn 2 wall very hard. Noonan stopped in turn 2 on the restart to slow the action again. Benji Legg moved the 25B to third with 7 to go. The K00 of Joe Schidler stopped in turn 2 with just 5 laps left for another caution. The race was then called for having exceeded the time limit. Bivens won, Harker took second, Legg was third and Jochum ended up fourth.
This was Bivens’ second victory in a sport modified at Eagle. “I’m on a roll; that’s 2 in a row! That was a good race, against good competition. I’m enjoying this class after switching from A Mods. It seems like it’s racier, plus cheaper. I want to thanks Shane Hiatt, Darren, Wade, Scott & BD. Also, my kids are very important to me!” Bivens said. Scott’s sponsors include Spyder race cars, D-Sign Shop, Bivens Siding, Middle Creek Services and Sardeson Racing.
Next was the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock A. Kevin Zeitner’s 60, the 26X of Russ Specht, Thom Marsh’s 93M and the 27 of Jason Kohl were the top 4 after the first lap. Nick Beckman’s 22 stopped in turn 4 on lap 2 for the first caution of the race. Nick Lindblad’s 26 took over fourth on lap 3, and then moved up to third the next time around. Roy Armstrong put his 6R into third the next lap. Specht moved to fourth again on lap 6 when Marsh dove into the infield. Zeitner hit the turn 1 wall hard the next lap. That made the running order Armstrong, Kohl, RJ Macku’s 93 and Specht. Macku moved to second 1 lap after the restart before taking the lead with 10 to go. Kohl and Macku swapped the top spot over the next 2 laps with Macku ending up with the position. Kohl spun in 1 & 2 with 4 laps remaining, putting Justin Busboom’s 62 into fourth. Specht spun the next lap and Busboom moved to second. At the finish it was Macku, Busboom, Lindblad and Armstrong the top 4.
This was win #2 this year at Eagle for RJ. “It was good to get a win again, because we’ve been having really bad luck. It’s nice to have that monkey off of my back, and hopefully he stays off. I want to thank my wife Stacy and my daughter Skyler for letting me go and work on the car all the time. Also, thanks to Thom Marsh for giving me a car to drive. Them, the fans and all of the others who support me make it possible for me to race. A huge thanks to all of them!” related Macku. RJ’s sponsors include T & T Motorsports, Apthorpe Homes, Phantom Racing Gear, Skylimit Remodeling, CJ Burleigh Real Estate, The Shop Inc. and Amy Macku.
Chad Andersen’s 8C led the initial circuit of the Kaplan University IMCA Modified A Feature with the H1 of Lowell Holland close behind. Holland, the 86 of Justin Wulf and Nathan Landauer’s 11N had a pile-up in turns 1 & 2 on lap 2, making the top 4 Andersen, Matt Boucher’s 5B, the V45 of Rik Gropp and Jeff Joldersma’s 66. Joldersma used the restart to take 2nd with the 81 of Mike Densberger moving past Gropp to grab fourth. Gropp leaped up to first on lap 4 with Johnny Saathoff’s 96J advancing to fourth. Saathoff moved to second the next lap before taking the lead on lap 7. Densberger again took fourth on lap 7. Shane Hiatt took the fourth spot on lap 8 as Densberger moved to third. Densberger took second on lap 10. Hiatt moved up to third on lap 14. Jan Korth spun the 42K in turns 1 & 2 with 1 lap remaining. Bob Zoubek put the 5S into fourth on the restart. Saathoff went extremely high on the last lap with a flat right front tire. The first 4 to the flag stand at the end were Densberger, Hiatt, Zoubek and the 60IV of Anthony Roth.
This was Mike’s first victory at Eagle in this, his 6th year of racing Modifieds after having started in the 8th spot. “The track was good and smooth tonight, and my car worked really well. I just had to be patient and work my way forward. I was catching Johnny, but wasn’t sure I could get past him. Thanks to the fans for coming out and to Steve Miller. Also my parents, and a big happy Father’s Day to my Dad!”. Densberger’s sponsors include Miller Farms, Shocked by DSR, Jet Racing, Neeman Refuse, Adamz K9 Waste Clean-up, Cutting Corner, Densberger Farms and Mike & Lisa Goeke.
Next came the A for the Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts. Larry Cronin in the 5 was followed by Thomas Powell’s 18R, the 82B of Kurt Beckstrom and the 32 of Spencer Pavey III at the end of the first circuit. The yellow flag was brought out on lap 2 for debris. Ole Olsen vaulted the 23 into second on the restart. Matt Moyer’s 29 grabbed third the next lap with Beckstrom retaining fourth. James King moved past Beckstrom with 9 to go to put the 13 into fourth. With 4 laps left there was another caution for debris. Olsen took over the lead with 1 to go when Cronin headed to the infield. That put Amanda Rhiley in third and King in fourth. At the end the top 4 were Olsen, Moyer, Rhiley and King.
Olsen left before being interviewed.
The last race was for the Mud in America IMCA Racesaver Sprints. Richard Weers in the 55, the 6 of Jeremie Densberger, Gregg Bolte’s 00 and the 21W of Chase Weiler led the field at the conclusion of the first lap. Weiler spun in turn 2 on lap 2, putting Dan Satriano’s 95 into fourth. Seth Brahmer and the 77T of Trevor Grossenbacher stopped in turn 4 on lap 3. Weers also stopped in turn 2. That made the top 4 Densberger, Bolte and the 18 of Terry Richards. Richards took advantage of the restart to jump up to second with the 91 of Adam Gullion moving into fourth. Richards passed Densberger the next time around. Gullion moved up to third on lap 4, then to second the next lap. Shayle Bade cracked the top 4 on lap 6 before moving up to third the next circuit. Clint Benson moved the #100 into fourth 3 laps later but Mike Boston’s 51 spun in turn 2. Benson made the move to fourth stick on the restart and advanced to third the next lap. Satriano spun in turn four with 8 to go, collecting the 2N of Tadd Holliman. Benson moved to second on the restart with the 5X of Jason Martin taking 4th. The next circuit saw Matt Richards’ 44 get over the right rear of Densberger, with Satriano getting caught up in the mess. Bolte did a 360 degree spin on the restart and the action slowed again. Martin took advantage of the restart, moving up to third before taking second with just 2 laps remaining. At the end it was Terry Richards first, Martin second, Benson third and Gullion third.”
This was Richards’ first victory this season. “We needed that!! It’s been really bad for us this year. I was really happy with the track, because we set up for the slick. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run the cushion with the set-up we had, but I did what I had to. I just made it work” Richards related. Richards’ sponsors include TR’s Tool Service, C & L Automotive, Spanel Engines and JDJ Structural Group.
Next weekend’s ‘Diggin’ in the Dirt’, sponsored by Colby’s Candy and Froggy 98 will feature a kids’ money grab at intermission. Front gates open at 5:30 and hot laps begin at 5:35. Racing will start at 6:30 with the Mud in America IMCA Racesaver Sprints, Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks and Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts competing. Adult admission is just $10, youths 6-12 are only $5 and children 5 and under are free.
RESULTS:
IMCA Hobby Stock 6/14/2014
A Feature:1. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 2. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 3. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 4. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 6. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 7. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 8. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 10. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 11. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 12. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 13. Thom Marsh (Lincoln, NE), 14. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 15. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 16. Jacob HARMS (Beatrice, NE), 17. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 18. John Cain (Homer, NE), 19. Kevin Zeitner (Bellevue, NE), 20. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE)
B Feature:1. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 2. Jacob HARMS (Beatrice, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Aaron Roth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 8. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 9. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 10. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 11. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 12. Don Hall Jr (Lincoln, NE), 13. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 14. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 15. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 16. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 17. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 1:1. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 2. Thom Marsh (Lincoln, NE), 3. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 4. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 5. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 6. Aaron Roth (Lincoln, NE), 7. John Cain (Homer, NE), 8. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 9. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE)
Heat 2:1. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 2. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 3. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 4. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 5. Jacob HARMS (Beatrice, NE), 6. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 8. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 3:1. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 4. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 5. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 6. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Don Hall Jr (Lincoln, NE), 8. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 4:1. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 3. Kevin Zeitner (Bellevue, NE), 4. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 5. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 6. Joe Wollenhaupt (Neola, IA), 7. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 8. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE)
IMCA Modified 6/14/2014
A Feature:1. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 2. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 3. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 4. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 5. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 6. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 7. Jeff Joldersma (McClelland, IA), 8. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS), 9. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 10. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 11. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 12. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 13. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 14. Jerry Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 15. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 16. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 17. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 18. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 19. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 20. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE), 21. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 22. Phillip Byfield (Auburn, NE)
Heat 1:1. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 2. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 3. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 4. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 5. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 6. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jerry Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 2:1. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 2. Jeff Joldersma (McClelland, IA), 3. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 4. Josh Blumer (Marysville, KS), 5. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 6. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE), 7. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE)
Heat 3:1. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 2. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 3. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 4. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 5. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 7. Phillip Byfield (Auburn, NE)
IMCA Sport Compact 6/14/2014
A Feature:1. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 2. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 3. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 4. James King (Bennet, NE), 5. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 6. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 8. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 9. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 10. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 11. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 12. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 13. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 14. Thomas Powell (Hickman, NE), 15. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 16. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 17. Kurt Beckstrom (Omaha, NE), 18. Tyler Vukonich (Lincoln, NE), 19. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 20. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE)
B Feature:1. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 2. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 4. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 6. Maison Frahm (Ashland, NE), 7. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 8. Brady Long (Lincoln, NE), 9. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 10. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 11. Chelsea Zysset (Omaha, NE), 12. Anna Hiebert (Raymond, NE), 13. Anthony Skinner (Lincoln, NE), 14. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 1:1. Tyler Vukonich (Lincoln, NE), 2. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 3. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 4. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 5. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 7. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 8. Maison Frahm (Ashland, NE), 9. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 10. Anna Hiebert (Raymond, NE)
Heat 2:1. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 3. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 4. Thomas Powell (Hickman, NE), 5. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 7. Brady Long (Lincoln, NE), 8. Anthony Skinner (Lincoln, NE), 9. Erica Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 10. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 3:1. James King (Bennet, NE), 2. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 3. Kurt Beckstrom (Omaha, NE), 4. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 6. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 7. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 8. Chelsea Zysset (Omaha, NE), 9. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE)
IMCA Sport Modified 6/14/2014
A Feature:1. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 2. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 4. Jarid Jochum (Lincoln, NE), 5. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 6. Jason Harms (Beatrice, NE), 7. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 8. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 9. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 10. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 11. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 12. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 13. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 14. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 15. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 16. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 17. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 18. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 19. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE), 20. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE)
B Feature:1. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 2. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 3. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 4. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 5. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 6. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 7. Joe Baker (Omaha, NE), 8. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 9. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 10. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 11. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA), 12. Roger Sluka (Lincoln, NE), 13. Mike Scheinost (Ashland, NE), 14. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 15. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 16. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 17. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 18. Gary Joens Jr. (Elkhorn, NE), 19. Josh Kennell (Hickman, NE), 20. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 21. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE), 22. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 1:1. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 2. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE), 3. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 4. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Mike Scheinost (Ashland, NE), 6. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 8. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 9. Gary Joens Jr. (Elkhorn, NE), 10. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 2:1. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 2. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 3. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 5. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 6. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 7. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 8. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 9. Joe Baker (Omaha, NE), 10. Kaleb Kennedy (Sioux City, IA)
Heat 3:1. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 2. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 4. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 5. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 6. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 7. Roger Sluka (Lincoln, NE), 8. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE), 9. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE)
Heat 4:1. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 2. Jarid Jochum (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jason Harms (Beatrice, NE), 4. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 6. Josh Kennell (Hickman, NE), 7. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 8. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 9. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA Sprint 6/14/2014
A Feature:1. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 2. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 4. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 5. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 6. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 7. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 8. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 9. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 10. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 11. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 12. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 13. Jeremie Densberger (Wahoo, NE), 14. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 15. Tadd Holliman (Murray, ne), 16. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 17. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 18. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 19. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 20. Seth Brahmer
B Feature:1. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 2. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 4. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 5. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE), 8. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 9. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 10. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 11. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 12. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 13. Tony Rost (Utica, NE), 14. Joe Miller (Bail, IA)
Heat 1:1. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 2. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 3. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 6. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 7. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 8. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 9. Tony Rost (Utica, NE), 10. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE)
Heat 2:1. Gregg Bolte (Fremont, NE), 2. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 3. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 5. Seth Brahmer, 6. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 7. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 8. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 9. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 10. Joe Miller (Bail, IA)
Heat 3:1. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 2. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 3. Jeremie Densberger (Wahoo, NE), 4. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 5. Tadd Holliman (Murray, ne), 6. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nate Weiler (Gretna, NE), 9. Br