It was another packed pits night on Saturday and a full grandstand, to close the curtain on the 2011 season at Osky. Thankfully, the temperatures were warmer than the previous night, making for a much more pleasant closure to our "bench sitting" for the year. In recognition of the 25th anniversary of this event, all four classes ran 25-lap features.
The hobby stocks started the A mains by running first. The two top finishers from the previous night's locked-in eight cars, Bill Bonnett and Adam Cline, sat on the front row. Bonnett, driving the car owned by Eric Stanton, wasted no time in establishing the lead and put distance between himself and Cline. Regular competitor, Donoven Nunnikhoven and Missouri driver Clayton Crump took to the topside of the track and pursued Bonnett, as he kept his line on the bottom of the track. It appeared the topside was the way to go, as both Nunnikhoven and Crump were able to get past Bonnett, who dropped to the third spot. With just a couple of laps remaining, Bonnett fought back, still on the bottom and got to second place---and then made the pass on Nunnikhoven for the lead on lap twenty-four. Bonnett then went home to the checkers first, securing his second win in as many nights. Nunnikhoven had to settle for second on this night, Crump crossed in third, Adam Cline was fourth and Steve Larson took fifth. A check of the official results at www.usraracing.com, indicates that the third place finishing Clayton Crump was disqualified. This then put Chris Hovden to round out the top five positions. The race went flag-to-flag.
The USRA A modifieds ran their 25-lap feature next. As previous night top two qualifiers, Colt Mather and Zack VanderBeek sat on the front row. VanderBeek took flight and pulled away from Mather as Bob Timm ran a distant third. At lap fifteen, the yellow flag flew, but not for an incident on the track. The race was halted for a medical call in the infield and a subsequent ambulance transport. One lap after the restart, second place runner Colt Mather's car shot into the the turn one wall, ending his run. VanderBeek then cruised home to the win. Steve Blatter finished as the runner up, and Ron VerBeek and Kurt Kile duked it out for third and fourth, finishing in that order. Bob Timm rounded out the top five.
In the USRA B modified feature, it was Cayden Carter repeating his win from the previous night. Carter led all 25-laps but had company on the topside the entire time. Bryon Weyer chased Carter closely as they broke away from the field. Third place running Jason Mallicoat challenged Weyer on the low side in the last couple of laps, but to no avail. Carter won--his 31st of the season I believe to hear him say--Weyer was second, Mallicoat third, fourth went to Jake Timm, the Winona, Minnesota driver, and Jared Timmerman finished in fifth.
As we thought was fitting, the last to run their feature were the stock cars. Osky has been known as a hot bed of stock car racing in the past. There has been some fantastic races in the class, often the best racing of the night, and times when three cars were coming to the checkers, three-wide. This night brought some of that action as cars were clumped together battling for positions. Nathan Wood, Shay Curtin and Shane Weller fought up front for the top spot. Curtin's run for the money ended when he hit the infamous turn one wall, resulting in a flat and his retirement to the pits. The waning laps saw Weller challenge Wood for the lead, and Steve Jackson threw his hat into the ring, challenging them both. But on this night, it was Wood taking the win...unbelievably his first of the year at the track as he commented in victory lane...Weller kept second over Jackson in third, Matt Greiner in fourth and Mike "The Flying Dutchman" VanGenderen was fifth.
And so ended another Fall Challenge, the 25th at the Southern Iowa Speedway. If memory serves me correct, we have been to them all. We truly hope it will not be the last, nor the end of weekly racing at the big ole 1/2 mile. Thanks once again goes out to Todd and Janet Staley for their dedication over the years in bringing weekly racing to the area. Thanks to announcer Tony Paris for giving a shout out to us and the other Positively Racing collegues who made the trip to the track. We will cross our fingers, and hope that next year, we will once again be sitting in the grandstands and enjoying the racing action.
Our racing adventures for 2011 have more than likely come to an end at 74 races. There is always a chance we could find a race to travel to, but nothing is planned at this time. We already have plans for starting our racing off in 2012 at Daytona International Speedway in February. We do enjoy a NASCAR race now and then, but nothing beats sitting at a good ole dirt track race in our opinion. Until next time, happy racing!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mather, Weller, Carter, Bonnett capture night #1 wins at Osky Fall Challenge
Last night was night #1 of the two-night Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. What a car count, as by my figures, 167 competitors came from near and far to try their hand at taming this notoriously hard to handle track. Many of those drivers found out just how hard it is to tame! At least four red flags flew for situations involving rollovers or hard hits to the walls or guard rails. Thankfully, none of those incidents resulted in injuries.
The B Modifieds had 51 cars checked in. Two large B mains whittled the starting A feature to eighteen cars of which the eight top finishers would be locked in to tonight's big feature event. By the luck of the draw, local hot shoe, 16 year old Cayden Carter, sat on the pole. It was no surprise that this race was led the entire 18-laps by the young man from Oskaloosa. He pulled away and secured yet another of his many, many wins in 2011....by nearly 3/4 of a lap over his nearest competitor. Jared Timmerman trailed a distant second the entire race but had challenges by Carter VanDenBerg and Bryon Weyer much of the race. Timmerman did take the runner up spot, with Weyer winning out over VanDenBerg as they finished third and fourth respectively. Fifth place went to Jason Mallicoat, who has been piloting the #36 car as of late, that we had seen Matt Pittman racing earlier in the season. Rounding out the top eight qualifiers were Jake Timm, Winona, Minnesota, Eric Flander and Curtis VanDerWal.
By the time the stock car feature pulled on the track, things had gotten a little nippy and the winds that had died down earlier, began to pick up again. Forty stock cars also had to be pared down to eighteen A main starters via two large B mains. Lance Deal sat on the pole along side Steve "Action" Jackson, veteran driver from Polk City, Iowa. Jackson took the lead in the 18-lapper from the start. He had to do battle with Matt Jones, Deal, Shane Weller and a plethora of other cars advancing fast! Jackson, Jones and then Weller swapped the lead until Weller secured that spot with three laps remaining and then took the checkers first. The action in this race was shades of the "old days" when stock car racing was at its finest on the "Monster 1/2 mile". It was an exciting and enjoyable race to watch. The final couple of laps had cars swapping positions continuously right up until they crossed the checkers flying. Following the winner, Weller, was Jackson in second, Nathan Wood in third, fourth was Matt Jones from Waukon, Iowa up in northeastern Iowa, and Shay Curtin, also from Waukon, was fifth. Completing the top eight qualifying spots for tonight's show were Brian Webb out of Decorah, Mike VanGenderen, (who did double duty and competed in the A modifieds class as well) and Brian Mitrisin. If last night's racing in the stock car class is any indication of things to come for tonight's action, you shouldn't miss it!
The hobby stocks also had 40 cars on hand and they too had to have two large B mains to get down to their starting field of 18 cars. Bill Bonnett in the 7B car that is usually piloted by Eric Stanton, had a good battle going on with Austin Wolfgram and Adam Cline as the laps wound down. As the white flag flew, the second place car of Wolfgram was suddenly "dead in the water" in corner two, giving second place over to Cline. Bonnett took the win, Cline was second, third went to Dan Sacquitne, Donovan Nunnikhoven took fourth and Steve Larson was fifth. Rounding out the top eight qualifiers were Nick Ulin, Clayton Crump, and Todd Reitzler.
Twenty-six A modifieds competed in the 25th annual running of the Fall Challenge. Steve Blattler and "RVB"---Ron VerBeek, were the lucky recipients of the front row for the main. It didn't take long until third row starter, Colt Mather came calling and took the lead over Blattler. From then on, there was no looking back for Mather, as he pulled away to the end. Zack VanderBeek gave it a shot in the closing laps, but had to settle for second place. Third went to Blattler, fourth to Bob Timm out of Winona, Minnesota, and fifth was Mark Elliott. Rounding out the top eight spots were Bruce Hanford, Ron VerBeek and Kurt Kile.
We are opting to head back down to the Southern Iowa Speedway and take in the action again tonight. If the racing is anything like last night, we won't be disappointed. We are really hoping this won't be the last night of racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, as the reign of Todd and Janet Staley comes to an end. We thank them for what they did to bring racing to the fans. We have found ourselves sitting in that big ole grandstand on Wednesday nights for years and years, and we feel it would be a shame for that to end and the track to sit idle. We are hoping that someone will pick up the reins and guide the track to a new future. Happy racing!
The B Modifieds had 51 cars checked in. Two large B mains whittled the starting A feature to eighteen cars of which the eight top finishers would be locked in to tonight's big feature event. By the luck of the draw, local hot shoe, 16 year old Cayden Carter, sat on the pole. It was no surprise that this race was led the entire 18-laps by the young man from Oskaloosa. He pulled away and secured yet another of his many, many wins in 2011....by nearly 3/4 of a lap over his nearest competitor. Jared Timmerman trailed a distant second the entire race but had challenges by Carter VanDenBerg and Bryon Weyer much of the race. Timmerman did take the runner up spot, with Weyer winning out over VanDenBerg as they finished third and fourth respectively. Fifth place went to Jason Mallicoat, who has been piloting the #36 car as of late, that we had seen Matt Pittman racing earlier in the season. Rounding out the top eight qualifiers were Jake Timm, Winona, Minnesota, Eric Flander and Curtis VanDerWal.
By the time the stock car feature pulled on the track, things had gotten a little nippy and the winds that had died down earlier, began to pick up again. Forty stock cars also had to be pared down to eighteen A main starters via two large B mains. Lance Deal sat on the pole along side Steve "Action" Jackson, veteran driver from Polk City, Iowa. Jackson took the lead in the 18-lapper from the start. He had to do battle with Matt Jones, Deal, Shane Weller and a plethora of other cars advancing fast! Jackson, Jones and then Weller swapped the lead until Weller secured that spot with three laps remaining and then took the checkers first. The action in this race was shades of the "old days" when stock car racing was at its finest on the "Monster 1/2 mile". It was an exciting and enjoyable race to watch. The final couple of laps had cars swapping positions continuously right up until they crossed the checkers flying. Following the winner, Weller, was Jackson in second, Nathan Wood in third, fourth was Matt Jones from Waukon, Iowa up in northeastern Iowa, and Shay Curtin, also from Waukon, was fifth. Completing the top eight qualifying spots for tonight's show were Brian Webb out of Decorah, Mike VanGenderen, (who did double duty and competed in the A modifieds class as well) and Brian Mitrisin. If last night's racing in the stock car class is any indication of things to come for tonight's action, you shouldn't miss it!
The hobby stocks also had 40 cars on hand and they too had to have two large B mains to get down to their starting field of 18 cars. Bill Bonnett in the 7B car that is usually piloted by Eric Stanton, had a good battle going on with Austin Wolfgram and Adam Cline as the laps wound down. As the white flag flew, the second place car of Wolfgram was suddenly "dead in the water" in corner two, giving second place over to Cline. Bonnett took the win, Cline was second, third went to Dan Sacquitne, Donovan Nunnikhoven took fourth and Steve Larson was fifth. Rounding out the top eight qualifiers were Nick Ulin, Clayton Crump, and Todd Reitzler.
Twenty-six A modifieds competed in the 25th annual running of the Fall Challenge. Steve Blattler and "RVB"---Ron VerBeek, were the lucky recipients of the front row for the main. It didn't take long until third row starter, Colt Mather came calling and took the lead over Blattler. From then on, there was no looking back for Mather, as he pulled away to the end. Zack VanderBeek gave it a shot in the closing laps, but had to settle for second place. Third went to Blattler, fourth to Bob Timm out of Winona, Minnesota, and fifth was Mark Elliott. Rounding out the top eight spots were Bruce Hanford, Ron VerBeek and Kurt Kile.
We are opting to head back down to the Southern Iowa Speedway and take in the action again tonight. If the racing is anything like last night, we won't be disappointed. We are really hoping this won't be the last night of racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, as the reign of Todd and Janet Staley comes to an end. We thank them for what they did to bring racing to the fans. We have found ourselves sitting in that big ole grandstand on Wednesday nights for years and years, and we feel it would be a shame for that to end and the track to sit idle. We are hoping that someone will pick up the reins and guide the track to a new future. Happy racing!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Hamilton County Speedway Fall Special
The Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa held a Fall Special this past Saturday night. With 183 cars packing the over-flowing pits, it was clear that drivers were not ready for their season of racing to end. Though this was our first trip of the year to the track, in prior years, it has not been often that we would see the over-flow spill into the open area west off of turn one. However, Saturday night, it was a tight fit even out there! There was a delay in the first heat reaching the track due in part to an extended driver's meeting that encircled the speaker, plus all of the hot laps needed for the large amount of race cars. The first heat hit the track at 5:49 according to my notation, and hot laps had been scheduled for 4:30 with racing to follow.
The first feature to run, the Hornets, came to the track a bit after 10 p.m. Not being very familiar with the class, we can only comment that the winner was Adam Strunk, followed by Daniel Ayers in second, the #37 of Dustin Haggard in third, fourth went to Megan Lappegard, and fifth was Paul Atchison.
The Late Models ran their 25-lap feature next. Local racer, Ryan Griffith made short work of showing his dominance and led the entire contest, pulling away from his nearest competitors. After a false initial start, the feature went flag-to-flag. Todd Cooney slipped by Scott Badker on the final lap as they finished second and third in that order. Fourth went to local driver, "Hollywood" Jason Hahne who had made the pass at lap seventeen to get around Dean Wagner who took fifth.
The Hobby Stocks followed suit with their own flag-to-flag 12-lap feature next. The IMCA Super National's champion, Cody Nielsen took off from his pole starting spot and sprinted to the lead. It wasn't long until he had company with Devin Smith and John Watson hot on his heels. By lap five, Smith took over the helm and then sailed on to the win, stretching his lead at the checkers. Nielsen kept the runner-up spot, Watson was third, followed by the 2EZ of Josh Niemand, and George Hood was fifth.
The Stock Cars ran a 15-lap feature on the half-mile. Dan Trimble and Ryan Leeman sat on the front row--Trimble shooting to the lead immediately. Mike VanGenderen, the "Flying Dutchman", took to the topside in turns one and two, trying to catch some traction--where there was very little. It was working though, and VanGenderen took the lead. Meanwhile, Steve Jackson had evidently taken note of that topside working, and also set sail up there. Caution flags flew and the cars were aligned double file behind the leader and upon the restarts, positions were changed up a bit. Jackson got the advantage over the 57V of VanGenderen and subsequent yellows that flew late in the race, found Lance Deal making the pass into second. Jackson took the win, Deal was runner-up, third went to VanGenderen, fourth to Kevin Opheim and Minnesota driver, Ken Tietz rounded out the top five. Jackson started seventh on the field and Deal came from seventeenth.
The B Modifieds also ran a 15-lap feature event. Track champion, Joel Rust and Cayden Carter drew the front row starting spots. Carter wasted no time in taking the lead and Bryon Weyer, who started fourth, made his way into the "catch up" second place spot. Ryan Ruter was piloting the #53 car on the night, and had just made the pass on Weyer for second, when his fortunes on the night were changed, as his car went spinning, bringing out a caution flag. The final few laps that remained saw Carter pull away from Weyer, who had regained the second place position after Ruter's spin. Carter crossed in first place, Weyer in second, third went to Alex Zwanziger, who I believe to be the grandson of the legendery driver, Bill Zwanziger of the '60's era, fourth was Joel Rust and fifth was Greg Sidles by inches over Jason Mallicoat, who was driving the #36 car of Matt Pittman. Upon checking the official results found on www.speednetdirect.com this morning, I discovered that the win was awarded to the second place finisher, Bryon Weyer, which leads us to believe there was a disqualification of the first place finisher for some sort of infraction. Thus the finish was Weyer in first, second was Zwanziger, third Rust, fourth Sidles, and Mallicoat was fifth.
The A Modified feature was 20-laps. Thirty-two cars were whittled to the starting field of twenty-four cars through two B-Mains. Those winners were Luke Wanninger, and Kyle Brown, who drove his first ever A modified when he jumped into his dad David Brown's car. Levi Nielsen and Chris Abelson drew the front row spots. Abelson took the lead followed by the second row starters, Keith Schmitz and JD Auringer. And then....here came that #12 car of Mark Elliott! Elliott, who had started back in tenth place, was soon up to second, Jay Noteboom had followed to gain the third spot, and then there was a dog fight behind them with Schmitz, Nielsen, Auringer, Bill Crimmins and Ricky Stephan really going at it! With about four laps remaining, Elliott established the point position and Noteboom also got around Abelson to gain second spot. That would be the way they would finish---Elliott taking the win, followed by Noteboom in second, Abelson in third, fourth went to Keith Schmitz and JD Auringer was fifth. Ricky Stephan ran a good race to finish in sixth after starting twelfth and Jammin' Jimmy Gustin came from nineteenth (he was scheduled to start 21st but a car opting to tag the field, moved him up a row) to finish seventh.
The track did rubber down and much of the racing was down around the bottom. However, as noted from some of the above starting positions and eventual finishing spots, there was passing on the dry, dusty, slick track. It was also a long night of racing with the final checkers flying at just a bit before the midnight hour. We were glad however, just to be watching racing, on a beautiful October night; knowing that it was all going to be coming to a screeching halt in the very near future. It was also nice to catch up with some racing friends and drivers as well.
Also, thanks to announcer Ryan Bergeson for the shout out to this reporter. As of right now, our plans are to catch the first of two nights of the Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Friday night, October 14, and then head to the Lee County Speedway down in Donnellson, Iowa for their annual Shiverfest race on Saturday the 15th. This will most likely end our 2011 racing season. Of course, there is always a chance that we could travel a bit and catch yet another race later in the season. Time will tell. Happy racing!
The first feature to run, the Hornets, came to the track a bit after 10 p.m. Not being very familiar with the class, we can only comment that the winner was Adam Strunk, followed by Daniel Ayers in second, the #37 of Dustin Haggard in third, fourth went to Megan Lappegard, and fifth was Paul Atchison.
The Late Models ran their 25-lap feature next. Local racer, Ryan Griffith made short work of showing his dominance and led the entire contest, pulling away from his nearest competitors. After a false initial start, the feature went flag-to-flag. Todd Cooney slipped by Scott Badker on the final lap as they finished second and third in that order. Fourth went to local driver, "Hollywood" Jason Hahne who had made the pass at lap seventeen to get around Dean Wagner who took fifth.
The Hobby Stocks followed suit with their own flag-to-flag 12-lap feature next. The IMCA Super National's champion, Cody Nielsen took off from his pole starting spot and sprinted to the lead. It wasn't long until he had company with Devin Smith and John Watson hot on his heels. By lap five, Smith took over the helm and then sailed on to the win, stretching his lead at the checkers. Nielsen kept the runner-up spot, Watson was third, followed by the 2EZ of Josh Niemand, and George Hood was fifth.
The Stock Cars ran a 15-lap feature on the half-mile. Dan Trimble and Ryan Leeman sat on the front row--Trimble shooting to the lead immediately. Mike VanGenderen, the "Flying Dutchman", took to the topside in turns one and two, trying to catch some traction--where there was very little. It was working though, and VanGenderen took the lead. Meanwhile, Steve Jackson had evidently taken note of that topside working, and also set sail up there. Caution flags flew and the cars were aligned double file behind the leader and upon the restarts, positions were changed up a bit. Jackson got the advantage over the 57V of VanGenderen and subsequent yellows that flew late in the race, found Lance Deal making the pass into second. Jackson took the win, Deal was runner-up, third went to VanGenderen, fourth to Kevin Opheim and Minnesota driver, Ken Tietz rounded out the top five. Jackson started seventh on the field and Deal came from seventeenth.
The B Modifieds also ran a 15-lap feature event. Track champion, Joel Rust and Cayden Carter drew the front row starting spots. Carter wasted no time in taking the lead and Bryon Weyer, who started fourth, made his way into the "catch up" second place spot. Ryan Ruter was piloting the #53 car on the night, and had just made the pass on Weyer for second, when his fortunes on the night were changed, as his car went spinning, bringing out a caution flag. The final few laps that remained saw Carter pull away from Weyer, who had regained the second place position after Ruter's spin. Carter crossed in first place, Weyer in second, third went to Alex Zwanziger, who I believe to be the grandson of the legendery driver, Bill Zwanziger of the '60's era, fourth was Joel Rust and fifth was Greg Sidles by inches over Jason Mallicoat, who was driving the #36 car of Matt Pittman. Upon checking the official results found on www.speednetdirect.com this morning, I discovered that the win was awarded to the second place finisher, Bryon Weyer, which leads us to believe there was a disqualification of the first place finisher for some sort of infraction. Thus the finish was Weyer in first, second was Zwanziger, third Rust, fourth Sidles, and Mallicoat was fifth.
The A Modified feature was 20-laps. Thirty-two cars were whittled to the starting field of twenty-four cars through two B-Mains. Those winners were Luke Wanninger, and Kyle Brown, who drove his first ever A modified when he jumped into his dad David Brown's car. Levi Nielsen and Chris Abelson drew the front row spots. Abelson took the lead followed by the second row starters, Keith Schmitz and JD Auringer. And then....here came that #12 car of Mark Elliott! Elliott, who had started back in tenth place, was soon up to second, Jay Noteboom had followed to gain the third spot, and then there was a dog fight behind them with Schmitz, Nielsen, Auringer, Bill Crimmins and Ricky Stephan really going at it! With about four laps remaining, Elliott established the point position and Noteboom also got around Abelson to gain second spot. That would be the way they would finish---Elliott taking the win, followed by Noteboom in second, Abelson in third, fourth went to Keith Schmitz and JD Auringer was fifth. Ricky Stephan ran a good race to finish in sixth after starting twelfth and Jammin' Jimmy Gustin came from nineteenth (he was scheduled to start 21st but a car opting to tag the field, moved him up a row) to finish seventh.
The track did rubber down and much of the racing was down around the bottom. However, as noted from some of the above starting positions and eventual finishing spots, there was passing on the dry, dusty, slick track. It was also a long night of racing with the final checkers flying at just a bit before the midnight hour. We were glad however, just to be watching racing, on a beautiful October night; knowing that it was all going to be coming to a screeching halt in the very near future. It was also nice to catch up with some racing friends and drivers as well.
Also, thanks to announcer Ryan Bergeson for the shout out to this reporter. As of right now, our plans are to catch the first of two nights of the Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Friday night, October 14, and then head to the Lee County Speedway down in Donnellson, Iowa for their annual Shiverfest race on Saturday the 15th. This will most likely end our 2011 racing season. Of course, there is always a chance that we could travel a bit and catch yet another race later in the season. Time will tell. Happy racing!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Zoubek and Nelson switch it up for Octoberfest wins
We took the trip back to Beatrice Speedway for the 16th running of their fall special this past weekend. We could have hardly asked for any nicer weather. Two complete programs were run each night with Friday being the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Northern SportMods and the IMCA Sport Compacts. Saturday night, the Sport Compacts were replaced with the factory stock class. Ironically, I counted 130 cars in competition each night even with some not returning, new ones appearing, and even with the switching of classes in the Sport Compacts and factory stocks.
Friday night, the features started off with the IMCA Sport Compact class. Scott Spellmeir took the feature win followed by Tyler Fralin, Cameron Meyer, Kenny Roberts and Justice Colson rounded out the top five.
The 20-lap feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks came next. R.J. Macku, Lincoln, Nebraska took home the trophy tonight, but had challenges by Blain Peterson and Adam Armstrong most of the way home. Peterson out of Essex, Iowa took the runner up spot, hometown boy, Adam Armstrong took third, followed by track champion Shawn Slezak in fourth and Troy Paxton from Grand Island was fifth. There was a little drama in the post race interview when Macku expressed his displeasure with an earlier in the year incident with himself and Adam Armstrong. Quick thinking announcer Derek Long, managed to pull the microphone away before too many of the R-rated words were heard! The crowd in return, voiced their displeasure with his comments quite verbally!
Up next was the 20-lapper for the IMCA Northern SportMods. Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Iowa took the lead by the halfway mark and sailed home to another victory. Sobbing started well back in the field and impressively and methodically made his way forward. Second place finisher was Jason Mallicoat who jumped in the ride of Matt Pittman from Jefferson, Iowa. Mallicoat is no stranger to the SportMod class having piloted his own ride very successfully a few years back. Third place was Tyler Frye, the Beatrice Speedway champion for 2011, fourth was Max Harder who finished second in points at the track, and fifth was Dusty Leonard.
The featured IMCA Modified A main was 30-laps. After a couple of early tangles, one of which was a "slobberknocker" as friend and web caster for the IMCA SuperNationals, Bucky Doren, calls a "mess involving at least five cars". Jordy Nelson had been at the helm those early laps but "Dangerous" Dan Nelson came calling by the halfway mark and was pulling away from the pack and looking to be on his way to the win. Enter that fickle yellow flag once more! That yellow flew with just two laps remaining and put Bob Zoubek right behind for the restart. Zoubek had pulled out of the pack and had been slowly reeling in the leader, but now this restart was about to make it real interesting. On the white flag, Nelson still held the advantage but Zoubek was able to make the pull past Nelson coming out of turn four and beat him to the checkers and the win. It seemed to be a popular win from the fans reaction. Dan Nelson had to settle for second on this night, followed by Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff in third (who also advanced from mid-pack) Jordan Grabouski, track champion in fourth, and Jordy Nelson fell back to finish fifth.
Saturday dawned another beautiful day and subsequent night for racing. Tonight, we would be doing it all over again except for the switch of the factory stock class in place of the IMCA Sport Compacts from the night before.
Tonight's A main action started off with the 20-lap Factory Stock feature. This is an unsanctioned class that runs weekly at the track. The track champion, Kyle Vanover, was off to the lead from the get go from starting outside the front row. Tyler Phelps then put the pressure on the leader and with six laps to go, took the lead. Phelps took the win over Vanover in second, Jeff Watts in third, Kyle Dumfort in fourth and Dana Deeke in fifth. Winner Phelps exclaimed in victory lane what a thrill it was to get the win over his nephew, Kyle Vanover.
It was another 20-lap feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Troy Paxton led the troops for the early laps but there were some heavy hitters hot on his heels. Adam Armstrong, R. J. Macku, and Roy Armstrong were battling it out for positions behind Paxton. Paxton lost the handle--untouched from our view point--brought out a yellow and handed the lead over to Adam Armstrong. Roy Armstrong made the pass on Macku for second and then it was the father/son battle. Adam, in first, ran high and dad Roy, ran low. A yellow came out with two laps to go when a car spun right at the flagstand, but the top two would hold their order with Adam gaining the win over dad Roy, in second. Brandon Stigge made the pass on Macku, as they finished third and fourth in that order, and Des Moines, Iowa's John Watson rounded out the top five.
The post race interview found Adam Armstrong expressing his thanks to his dad for all he had done for him in his racing career.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 20-lap feature flag-to-flag. Gary Saathoff and Tyler Frye sat on the front row with Frye getting the advantage and the lead at the start. Previous night's winner, Jesse Sobbing quickly got to second and dogged Frye until making the pass for the lead with just three laps remaining. Sobbing took his second win in as many nights and his unbelievable 53rd win of the season. Frye finished second with Greg Metz in third, fourth was Dan Bohlmeyer, and Dusty Leonard was fifth.
Then it was time for the grand finale of the night--the 30-lap IMCA Modified feature. Just looking at the front row, which had been determined by draw, it was looking like deja vu all over again as Dan Nelson drew the pole and Bob Zoubek the outside. Nelson would hold the advantage as he ran the middle of the track and Zoubek trailed behind, running the low groove. The real race was for third and fourth place with Hunter Marriott and Brian Foote challenging each other over and over again. Tonight, things were switched up from last night as Dan Nelson got the win and Zoubek took second. Third went to Hunter Marriott and fourth to Brian Foote. We noted Foote in the #18 ride instead of his normal #43 and believe it was his son's car from the past season. Johnny Saathoff came from 18th starting spot, to finish in fifth.
We enjoyed our traditional visit to the Beatrice Speedway and although the car count was not as big as their Spring Nationals in March, there was still a nice field of about 30 modifieds. A couple of cars we noticed missing in action were Dylan Smith and Brandon Blochlinger, area drivers who are usually competing at the Spring and Fall specials. Both drivers were back in Iowa racing as a support class with the Lucas Oil Late Models at the famed Knoxville Raceway. They announced at the track, that Beatrice, Nebraska driver, Jordan Grabouski was officially crowned the IMCA National Modified Champion for 2011 by three points over Texas driver Keith White.
There are still a few special left in our neck of the woods, hopefully before the snow flies. Check out the calendar at Positively Racing for a race to attend. Happy racing!
Friday night, the features started off with the IMCA Sport Compact class. Scott Spellmeir took the feature win followed by Tyler Fralin, Cameron Meyer, Kenny Roberts and Justice Colson rounded out the top five.
The 20-lap feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks came next. R.J. Macku, Lincoln, Nebraska took home the trophy tonight, but had challenges by Blain Peterson and Adam Armstrong most of the way home. Peterson out of Essex, Iowa took the runner up spot, hometown boy, Adam Armstrong took third, followed by track champion Shawn Slezak in fourth and Troy Paxton from Grand Island was fifth. There was a little drama in the post race interview when Macku expressed his displeasure with an earlier in the year incident with himself and Adam Armstrong. Quick thinking announcer Derek Long, managed to pull the microphone away before too many of the R-rated words were heard! The crowd in return, voiced their displeasure with his comments quite verbally!
Up next was the 20-lapper for the IMCA Northern SportMods. Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Iowa took the lead by the halfway mark and sailed home to another victory. Sobbing started well back in the field and impressively and methodically made his way forward. Second place finisher was Jason Mallicoat who jumped in the ride of Matt Pittman from Jefferson, Iowa. Mallicoat is no stranger to the SportMod class having piloted his own ride very successfully a few years back. Third place was Tyler Frye, the Beatrice Speedway champion for 2011, fourth was Max Harder who finished second in points at the track, and fifth was Dusty Leonard.
The featured IMCA Modified A main was 30-laps. After a couple of early tangles, one of which was a "slobberknocker" as friend and web caster for the IMCA SuperNationals, Bucky Doren, calls a "mess involving at least five cars". Jordy Nelson had been at the helm those early laps but "Dangerous" Dan Nelson came calling by the halfway mark and was pulling away from the pack and looking to be on his way to the win. Enter that fickle yellow flag once more! That yellow flew with just two laps remaining and put Bob Zoubek right behind for the restart. Zoubek had pulled out of the pack and had been slowly reeling in the leader, but now this restart was about to make it real interesting. On the white flag, Nelson still held the advantage but Zoubek was able to make the pull past Nelson coming out of turn four and beat him to the checkers and the win. It seemed to be a popular win from the fans reaction. Dan Nelson had to settle for second on this night, followed by Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff in third (who also advanced from mid-pack) Jordan Grabouski, track champion in fourth, and Jordy Nelson fell back to finish fifth.
Saturday dawned another beautiful day and subsequent night for racing. Tonight, we would be doing it all over again except for the switch of the factory stock class in place of the IMCA Sport Compacts from the night before.
Tonight's A main action started off with the 20-lap Factory Stock feature. This is an unsanctioned class that runs weekly at the track. The track champion, Kyle Vanover, was off to the lead from the get go from starting outside the front row. Tyler Phelps then put the pressure on the leader and with six laps to go, took the lead. Phelps took the win over Vanover in second, Jeff Watts in third, Kyle Dumfort in fourth and Dana Deeke in fifth. Winner Phelps exclaimed in victory lane what a thrill it was to get the win over his nephew, Kyle Vanover.
It was another 20-lap feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Troy Paxton led the troops for the early laps but there were some heavy hitters hot on his heels. Adam Armstrong, R. J. Macku, and Roy Armstrong were battling it out for positions behind Paxton. Paxton lost the handle--untouched from our view point--brought out a yellow and handed the lead over to Adam Armstrong. Roy Armstrong made the pass on Macku for second and then it was the father/son battle. Adam, in first, ran high and dad Roy, ran low. A yellow came out with two laps to go when a car spun right at the flagstand, but the top two would hold their order with Adam gaining the win over dad Roy, in second. Brandon Stigge made the pass on Macku, as they finished third and fourth in that order, and Des Moines, Iowa's John Watson rounded out the top five.
The post race interview found Adam Armstrong expressing his thanks to his dad for all he had done for him in his racing career.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 20-lap feature flag-to-flag. Gary Saathoff and Tyler Frye sat on the front row with Frye getting the advantage and the lead at the start. Previous night's winner, Jesse Sobbing quickly got to second and dogged Frye until making the pass for the lead with just three laps remaining. Sobbing took his second win in as many nights and his unbelievable 53rd win of the season. Frye finished second with Greg Metz in third, fourth was Dan Bohlmeyer, and Dusty Leonard was fifth.
Then it was time for the grand finale of the night--the 30-lap IMCA Modified feature. Just looking at the front row, which had been determined by draw, it was looking like deja vu all over again as Dan Nelson drew the pole and Bob Zoubek the outside. Nelson would hold the advantage as he ran the middle of the track and Zoubek trailed behind, running the low groove. The real race was for third and fourth place with Hunter Marriott and Brian Foote challenging each other over and over again. Tonight, things were switched up from last night as Dan Nelson got the win and Zoubek took second. Third went to Hunter Marriott and fourth to Brian Foote. We noted Foote in the #18 ride instead of his normal #43 and believe it was his son's car from the past season. Johnny Saathoff came from 18th starting spot, to finish in fifth.
We enjoyed our traditional visit to the Beatrice Speedway and although the car count was not as big as their Spring Nationals in March, there was still a nice field of about 30 modifieds. A couple of cars we noticed missing in action were Dylan Smith and Brandon Blochlinger, area drivers who are usually competing at the Spring and Fall specials. Both drivers were back in Iowa racing as a support class with the Lucas Oil Late Models at the famed Knoxville Raceway. They announced at the track, that Beatrice, Nebraska driver, Jordan Grabouski was officially crowned the IMCA National Modified Champion for 2011 by three points over Texas driver Keith White.
There are still a few special left in our neck of the woods, hopefully before the snow flies. Check out the calendar at Positively Racing for a race to attend. Happy racing!
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