Our annual Spring trip to the Beatrice Speedway was certainly warmer than the norm. With temperatures in the 70's both days, it was a far cry from having to bundle up as is often the case, or even fend off snow flurries! This time, we enjoyed more comfortable weather, though the winds were more than calm! With the warm, sunny and windy weather, it made for the track conditions turning slick and shiny in no time--both nights. The good news was, it was smooth!
Friday night's show had the IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars,(back after several year's absence at the track)IMCA Northern SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks on the docket. Running in the heats were 39 stock cars, 56 sportmods, 36 hobby stocks, and 65 modifieds--196 total cars in the heats. That's just by my count, so there may have been more that did not make the call.
The IMCA hobby stock feature ran first on Friday and the finish resulted in a controversy that not many in the grandstand seemed to observe--from our perspective anyway. With just a lap in, a rolling car or two halted the action in turn one, requiring a lengthy time for clean up. The group that we were enjoying the racing with, observed that a certain car was realigned in what we didn't believe to be the proper place. However, there didn't seem to be any protesting in the stands and the race resumed with the car in that position. It seems that the problem arose due to the fact that there were several cars with the same number--though different letters--difficult circumstances for some scorers. The finish was thus scored with Adam Armstrong taking the eventual win. Scott Pippert, Elberon, Iowa and an area driver we often see, led much of the race but was overtaken by Armstrong, and had to settle for runner up. Third was Mike Hansen, fourth Shane Slezak and fifth went to Brian Stich.
The 20-lap Northern SportMod feature was up next and Tyler Frye dominated in taking another win. He was the defending Spring Nationals champion as well as the defending track champion. Tad Reutzel, northern Iowa driver from Burt, finished in second place, third was Minburn, Iowa driver, Clint Luellen, fourth went to former modified driver, Jeff Jones out of Council Bluffs, and rounding out the top five was Jeremy Leiting.
The IMCA stock cars also ran a 20-lap feature. We were pleased to see the stock cars back on the schedule again. It's still one of our favorite classes, and by the nice turnout, looked to be a popular re-introduction. This feature turned into a a good battle up front between three drivers; Elijah Zevenbergen, or "EZ", Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger, and local favorite, Kyle Vanover. Perry Misner from Garden City, Kansas threw his hat into the ring at the end, mixing the running order up. Zevenbergen, from Ocheyedan, Iowa led it from start to finish however, taking the win ahead of Misner in second, Vanover in third, Murty was fourth, and fifth went to Jesse Taylor, who made the trip over from Ft. Morgan, Colorado.
The IMCA modifieds ran 30-laps for the night cap. Jay Noteboom, who started on the outside front row, had the lead early, passing former national champion Dylan Smith, and Dunkerton, Iowa's Troy Cordes. From there on, there was no looking back, as Noteboom motored home for the win. He won comfortably over another former national champion, David Murray, and third was yet another former national champion, Gordon Grabouski. Fourth went to Colorado driver Brett Smith, and fifth was Dylan Smith.
Saturday saw another warm and very breezy day. We expected much the same track conditions for the races that night, and that is what evolved--the track rubbering over early on. Tonight's racing included the IMCA Sport Compacts joining the four classes from the previous night.
The IMCA Sport Compacts ran a 12-lap feature with Aaron Betz, besting the field. Betz, who made the long haul down from Avoca, Minnesota, had a twenty-plus feature win season in 2011, and looks to be picking up where he left off. Tyler Whalen, from Riverside, Iowa took home the runner-up position, third was Ole Olson, fourth was Brock McDougall, and fifth was Scott Spellmeier.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks ran 15-laps for their feature event. Shaun Slezak, a popular area driver, took the win tonight. Slezak, in a borrowed car because his own was not ready, dominated the race. Mike Hansen, from Weeping Water, Nebraska (love that name), took second over Brendon Stigge from nearby Fairbury, Nebraska, fourth was Blain Petersen from Essex, Iowa and Adam Armstrong was fifth.
The Northern SportMods ran their 20-lap feature next. Mike Pruitt from Redfield, Iowa was the lucky re-draw #1 and started on the pole along side Jeremy Leiting. Pruitt led all but the first lap when he passed Leiting, and drove his Raven Chassis to the victory. Jesse Sobbing tried his best to sneak past Pruitt, but was unable to make it happen, ending up with the bridesmaid spot. Leiting held on to take third, fourth was Kyle Prauner, and Racer Hulin from Laurel, Iowa took home fifth spot.
Chelsea, Iowa's Damon Murty established his dominance early on in the stock car 20-lap feature, taking home the victory. Andrew Altenburg from Minnesota and Beatrice's Tyler Phelps applied some pressure to Murty, but he never relinquished the lead. Altenburg finished second, Phelps came from starting in the fifth row, to finish third, fourth was Casey Werkmeister and Jesse Taylor rounded out the top five.
Thirty laps awaited the modifieds that would cap off the night's racing. Who should draw the pole, but Jordon "Grabo" Grabouski, who certainly knows his way around the Beatrice Speedway. Grabouski, from Beatrice, was the defending Spring National's champion, as well as the 2011 IMCA National Champion. Grabouski led all but the very first lap of the event though things were looking to be getting interesting in the late laps of the race. That's when David Murray came charging into second in a desperate attempt to over take the #30 car of Grabouski. That challenge would end when at lap 27, on a restart, Murray dove to the inside, clipped a track tire, then shot across the track and made contact with the outside wall, and ended up with Jeremy Frenier driving over the top of his car...and bringing out another yellow.
Grabouski kept command from that final restart, taking the checkers first. Jay Noteboom finished in second, third was Dylan Smith, fourth was Brian Mullen from Seymour, Wisconsin and fifth went to David Karst from Mills, Wyoming.
What a way to start off our 2012 racing season around these parts! The pits were packed...well over 230 on the second night of racing, and the stands and cat walks were full! The weather conditions were warm, though a bit too windy, but if this was any indication of the racing action, the car count, and the fan count to come, it is looking up for racing. It was nice to see the full stands and great to see so many race friends we knew who were in attendence...all enjoying the sport we love!
Don't forget the Frostbusters coming up in our area soon. The Frostbusters will kick off their five-night schedule at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, April 4, followed by Thursday night, April 5th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway in Des Moines, the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday, April 6, the Boone Speedway, Boone, Iowa on Saturday April 7th, and finishing up on Sunday April 8th at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa. We hope to make many of those events. Hope to see you there. Happy racing!
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