Super Dads Tribute Night wins go to Drueke, Kennell, Saathoff, Halvorsen and Andersen

By Greg Soukup

Despite over 4 inches of rain Thursday, Eagle Raceway’s track prep crew got the racing surface in shape for some fantastic action Saturday evening. Although there was rain all over the region, and several area race tracks cancelled their cards, the sun broke through and the high banks were tacky and fast.

The preliminary events had no serious incidents.

The Budweiser 360 Sprint Cars were the first feature event of the night. Tyler Drueke took advantage of his front row starting spot and held the lead after lap 1 in the #12 followed by ken Klabunde’s 28, the 82 of Jason Danley and John Klabunde in the 77. The first yellow flag of the race came on lap 11 when Cody Ledger had a flat left rear tire. Trevor Grossenbacher in the 35 passed Danley for fourth on the restart and then moved past John Klabunde for third on lap 18. Lee Bowes spun in turn 2 shortly after for another caution. Grossenbacher got past Ken Klabunde on lap 21. With just 2 laps left Bowes stopped on the back stretch. After a 2-lap shootout Drueke brought home the win with Grossenbacher second and the Klabundes (Ken and John) rounding out the top 4.

This was Tyler’s first win ever in a 360 sprint car. “I was surprised the no one ran the top. I watched the track and saw the top was there. So, I just had to diamond it all the way around” Tyler said. He concluded the interview by stating “I want to thank my mother and father and Terry Mack”. Drueke’s sponsors include Jeffrey Jakubowski, Jim Fell, B & D Auto Sales, BI Mania, RTC, Truckercpa.com, Jim Fell, Riggs Trucking, Wagner Trucking, Drueke Trucking and Eggert Auto Sales & Service.

The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock A Main lap 1 saw the 42 of Rob Brown spin to the infield in turn 1 to slow the action before it could really get started. After the green lights were lit Rich Small was first back to the flag stand in the 11X with Tim Kozak’s 29, the 38C of Casey Moyer and Chad Fegley in the 13F close behind. Fegley moved up to third on lap 5 and Josh Kennell cracked the top 4 in his #71K. Kennell leaped to second the next lap as Fegley retained third and Moyer was fourth. Moyer was passed the next time around by RJ Macku in the 93M. Kozak stopped in the pit entrance on lap 9. Macku moved to third on lap 10. Mike Hansen slowed the action on lap 13 when his #94 stopped in turn 4. At that time the running order was Small, Kennell, Macku and Moyer. Kennell moved past Small on lap 14 as Fegley got back to fourth. The final change in the top four came on lap 17 when Macku got around Small for second.

Through his ear-to-ear grin Kennel related “This was my first win in a long time. I’ve had so many second places, and led so many laps but something always happened”. “There are a ton of people in the pits who help me out. Without the other teams and all of the folks here I wouldn’t be racing at all. Also my crew guy Dan” he continued. His last statement was “This race was a present for my beautiful girlfriend who bought the gas to get us here tonight. It’s her birthday Sunday, and also my son’s birthday is Monday”. Kennell’s sponsors include Jet Racing, The Shop Inc and FRE.

The NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds were the next feature race. Buddy Ray Jones in the 25, Kevin Jochum’s 90, Dustin Thayer in the 10Tand Max Harder’s 34 were the top 4 after the first circuit. Harder moved past Thayer on lap 2 and Thayer lost fourth to Jared Cote’s 57 2 laps later as Harder advanced to second the next lap. Todd Boulware moved the 14X to fourth with 1 more lap in the books. Lap 6 saw Harder take the lead as Gary Saathoff cracked the top 4 in the #96 as Boulware stopped in the pit entrance. The first four were Harder, Jones, Jochum and Saathoff. Saathoff moved past Jochum on the restart and then passed Jones the next time around as Jesse Sobbing moved the 999 to fourth. 1 more lap had been run when Sobbing took the third position. Geoff Olson’s 2G stopped on the front stretch on lap 9 for the final caution of the race. Saathoff took 2 more laps before he could get by Harder after battling door handle to door handle. From there to the finish Harder attempted to get back past Saathoff, but the checkers flew with Saathoff winning, Harder second, Sobbing third and Jones fourth.

Saathoff said “I’m too old to hop through the holes like that. I had to use my old Sunday night racing experience to get my first win this year or last”. He finished by relating “I want to thank my crew; Duane Winslow and Troy Saathoff”. Saathoff’s sponsors include Schmidt Machine, Jet Racing and Wasserman Trucking.

The Exhaust Pros IMCA Sport Compacts A Feature leader after lap 1 was the 73 of Robert Greser followed by the 54 of Brandon Bolin, Elliott Halvorsen in the 22 and the 69 of Kenny Roberts. Halvorsen jumped up to the second spot on lap 3. Lap 5 saw the 70D of David Knoell Jr. pass Roberts for fourth, but lose the spot to the 51 of Amanda Rhiley on lap 7 as Halvorsen took over the lead. Bolin moved past Greser on lap 8 before a debris caution the next lap slowed the action. Greser retook second with 4 to go and Rhiley moved to third on the final circuit. The top 4 were Halvorsen, Greser, Rhiley and Bolin.

“This car likes it tacky, but it was a little rough. I am glad I could get my first win. I’m always glad to race though, because it’s better than sitting home for sure” Halvorsen stated. Elliot’s sponsors include Sundeen Tax Service, JBHI, Wayne’s Body Shop, Git ‘N Split and Dean & Jackie.

The last A Main of the night was for the Nebraska Drive Shaft and Radiator IMCA Modifieds. Chad Andersen in the 8C, the V45 of Rik Gropp, Justin Wulf’s 86 and the 3 of Chris Alcorn led the field after they passed the flag stand after 1 lap. Wulf snagged the lead on the 2nd lap as Chris Ableson’s 1X passed Alcorn for fourth. Ableson got around Wulf the next lap as did Alcorn who moved back to fourth. The 1X picked up another position the next circuit but caught a rut that threw him into the turn 1 wall the next time around, sending him to the pits behind the wrecker. That made the running order Wulf, Andersen, Alcorn and the 81 of Mike Densberger. After the red lights were turned off Andersen and Alcorn both passed Wulf on the restart. Stacey Wilhelm’s 3W stopped in turn 4 on lap 7 for a caution period. The yellow flag flew again on lap 9 when Scott Bivens’ S56 stopped in turn 2. Dylan Smith’s 95 moved to fourth on the restart, only to lose the spot to the 5S of Bob Zoubek 2 laps later. Zoubek advanced to third with 7 to go. The next lap saw the 15H of Jared Hoefelman stop in turn 4. Zoubek used the restart to move up to the second spot, and took the lead the next lap as Wulf grabbed second. Densberger spun in turns 3 & 4 with 3 to go. Zoubek dropped out of the race with just 2 to go, moving Smith to third and Tim Ward’s 4TW to fourth. The final top 4 were Andersen, Alcorn, Smith and Ward.

Andersen said “This was one of the toughest ones I’ve ever raced. Thanks to my crew I got the win though. Dad, Ray, Mike, Wendy and Ricky deserve all the thanks I can give them”. Chad’s sponsors include Auto Zone, Logan Creek Farms, Harris Lawn Care, Flat Foot Trucking, Gators Glass and X-Treme Graphics.

Next Saturday, June 23rd is Super Mania Night, sponsored by Rotella’s Italian Bakery, featuring trailer races after the regular events are finished. Dress up as your favorite super hero and compete in the Super Hero Dress Challenge during intermission for prizes. Celerion and the Nebraska Children’s Home Society will have booths in the courtyard. ‘Super Blue Bat Juice’ will be the featured Super Hero Happy Hour drink in the courtyard from 6 ‘til 7. Shades the Clown will be there from 5:30 to 7:30 and Ditzy the Clown will be around all evening.

Front gates open at 5:30 and hot laps begin immediately. Front gate admission is $10 for adults, youths 6-12 are only $5 and children 5 and under are free.

Pit gates open at 4 with pit passes being $20.

RESULTS:

360 Sprint 6/16/2012

A Feature:1. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 2. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 3. Ken Klabunde (Omaha, NE), 4. John Klabunde (Fort Calhoun, NE), 5. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 6. Jason DANLEY (Lincoln, NE), 7. Billy Alley (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE), 9. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 10. Terry Holliman (Hamburg, IA), 11. Cody Ledger (Omaha, NE), 12. Mark Finnell (Osage Beach, MO), 13. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 14. Adam GULLION (Lincoln, NE), 15. Gage Dorr (Elmwood, NE), 16. Bill GARROW (Lincoln, NE

Heat 1:1. Cody Ledger (Omaha, NE), 2. Billy Alley (Lincoln, NE), 3. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 4. Terry Holliman (Hamburg, IA), 5. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 6. Adam GULLION (Lincoln, NE), 7. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 8. Gage Dorr (Elmwood, NE),

Heat 2:1. Jason DANLEY (Lincoln, NE), 2. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 3. John Klabunde (Fort Calhoun, NE), 4. Mark Finnell (Osage Beach, MO), 5. Ken Klabunde (Omaha, NE), 6. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 7. Bill GARROW (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE)

IMCA Hobby Stock 6/16/2012

A Feature:1. Josh Kennell (Bennet, NE), 2. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 3. Rich Small (Malcolm, NE), 4. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 5. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 6. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 7. Don Hall Jr (Lincoln, NE), 8. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 9. Bill Woehler (SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE), 10. John Cain (Homer, NE), 11. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE), 12. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 13. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 14. Lee Horky (Fairbury, NE), 15. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 16. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 17. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 18. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 19. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 20. David Carter (Fremont, NE)

B Feature:1. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE), 2. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 3. Don Hall Jr (Lincoln, NE), 4. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 5. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 6. Jeremy Conkel (Lincoln, NE), 7. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE), 8. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 9. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 10. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 11. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 12. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 13. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 14. Roger Timperley (Tekamah, NE), 15. William Medley (Lincoln, KS), 16. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 17. Peter SHOUP (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 2. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Bill Woehler (SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE), 5. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 6. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 7. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE), 8. Brandon Baker (Omaha, NE), 9. William Medley (Lincoln, KS), 10. Don Hall Jr (Lincoln, NE), 11. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE)

Heat 2:1. Rich Small (Malcolm, NE), 2. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 3. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 4. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 5. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 6. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 8. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 9. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 10. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 11. Roger Timperley (Tekamah, NE),

Heat 3:1. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 2. Josh Kennell (Bennet, NE), 3. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 4. Tim Kozak (Lincoln, NE), 5. Lee Horky (Fairbury, NE), 6. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE), 8. Peter SHOUP (Lincoln, NE), 9. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 10. Jeremy Conkel (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Modified 6/16/2012

A Feature:1. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 3. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 4. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 5. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 6. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 7. Mike Densberger (Malcolm, NE), 8. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 9. Jerry Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 10. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 11. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 12. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 13. Stacey Wilhelm (Martell, NE), 14. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 15. Andrew HILLE (Hickman, NE), 16. Jared Hoefelman (Columbus, NE), 17. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 18. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 19. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 20. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA)

B Feature:1. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 2. Jared Hoefelman (Columbus, NE), 3. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 4. Andrew HILLE (Hickman, NE), 5. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 6. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 7. James Morin (Glenwood, IA), 8. Matt Stevens (Waverly, NE), 9. Bub Lerette, 10. Jim MATHIESEN (Sioux City, IA), 11. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 12. Kyle SCHWARTING (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Chris Abelson (Sioux City, IA), 2. Chris Alcorn (Lincoln, NE), 3. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 4. Tim Ward (Gilbert, AZ), 5. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 6. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Andrew HILLE (Hickman, NE), 9. James Morin (Glenwood, IA)

Heat 2:1. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Mike Densberger (Malcolm, NE), 3. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 5. Stacey Wilhelm (Martell, NE), 6. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 7. Bub Lerette, 8. Matt Stevens (Waverly, NE), 9. Kyle SCHWARTING (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 3:1. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 2. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 3. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 4. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 5. Jerry Trejo (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jared Hoefelman (Columbus, NE), 7. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 8. Jim MATHIESEN (Sioux City, IA), 9. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sport Compact 6/16/2012

A Feature:1. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 2. Robert GRESER (Fremont, NE), 3. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 4. Brandon Bolin (Lincoln, NE), 5. David Knoell Jr (Omaha, NE), 6. Gabe Barclay (Hubbard, NE), 7. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 8. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 9. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 10. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 11. Barry Kinnersley (LaVista, NE), 12. Maynard Kinnersley (Gretna, NE), 13. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 14. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 15. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 16. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 17. Robert Cigelman (Lincoln, NE), 18. Kevin Zeitner (Omaha, NE), 19. Larry CRONIN (Lincoln, NE), 20. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 2. Barry Kinnersley (LaVista, NE), 3. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 4. Robert Cigelman (Lincoln, NE), 5. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 6. Erica CRONIN (Lincoln, NE), 7. David OLENICK (Omaha, NE), 8. Jeff Davis (Lincoln, NE), 9. Mark Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 10. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE), 11. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 12. Melissa CRONIN (Lincoln, NE), 13. Nicholas Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 14. Branden Ahlers (Alvo, NE), 15. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 16. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 17. Jake Sulley (Crescent, IA), 18. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 19. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 1:1. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 2. Elliott Halvorsen (Eagle, NE), 3. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 5. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA), 6. Robert Cigelman (Lincoln, NE), 7. Branden Ahlers (Alvo, NE), 8. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Rich Eacret (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 2:1. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 2. Robert GRESER (Fremont, NE), 3. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 4. Maynard Kinnersley (Gretna, NE), 5. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Nickalaus Jensen (Hickman, NE), 7. David OLENICK (Omaha, NE), 8. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 9. Mark Roberts (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 3:1. Brandon Bolin (Lincoln, NE), 2. David Knoell Jr (Omaha, NE), 3. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 4. Larry CRONIN (Lincoln, NE), 5. Jake Sulley (Crescent, IA), 6. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nicholas Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 8. Barry Kinnersley (LaVista, NE), 9. Erica CRONIN (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 4:1. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE), 2. Kevin Zeitner (Omaha, NE), 3. Gabe Barclay (Hubbard, NE), 4. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Travis Schellpeper (Douglas, NE), 6. Jeff Davis (Lincoln, NE), 7. Melissa CRONIN (Lincoln, NE), 8. Shannon Wulf (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sport Modified 6/16/2012

A Feature:1. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 2. Max Harder (Blue Springs, ne), 3. Jesse SOBBING (Glenwood, IA), 4. Buddy Ray Jones (Council Bluffs, IA), 5. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 6. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 7. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 8. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 10. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 11. Kevin Jochum (Roca, NE), 12. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 13. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 14. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 15. Cody Hillgartner (Harlan, ia), 16. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 17. Geoff Olson (Sioux City , NE), 18. Todd Boulware (Jefferson, SD), 19. Dustin Thayer (Bellevue, NE), 20. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne)

B Feature:1. Geoff Olson (Sioux City , NE), 2. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 3. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 4. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 5. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jesse Osmon (Alvo, NE), 7. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 8. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 9. Steve SWARTHOUT (Beatrice, NE), 10. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 11. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 12. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 13. James Hines (Omaha, NE), 14. Nathan Mumm (Harlan , IA), 15. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 16. Gunner Pike (South Bend, NE), 17. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 18. Doug WILSON (Council Bluffs, IA)

C Feature:1. Geoff Olson (Sioux City , NE), 2. Doug WILSON (Council Bluffs, IA), 3. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 4. Lindsey Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Larry Robinson Sr (Omaha, NE), 6. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 8. Dave Coberly (Council Bluffs, IA), 9. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 10. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 11. Taimon Wehr (Harlan, IA), 12. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 13. Tyler Ringle (Omaha, NE), 14. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE), 15. Richard III Meyers (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 2. Buddy Ray Jones (Council Bluffs, IA), 3. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 4. Nathan Mumm (Harlan , IA), 5. Jesse Osmon (Alvo, NE), 6. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 7. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 2:1. Max Harder (Blue Springs, ne), 2. Kevin Jochum (Roca, NE), 3. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 4. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 6. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 8. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 9. Lindsey Yost (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 3:1. Todd Boulware (Jefferson, SD), 2. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 3. Cody Hillgartner (Harlan, ia), 4. Steve SWARTHOUT (Beatrice, NE), 5. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 7. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 8. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 9. Tyler Ringle (Omaha, NE), 10. Dave Coberly (Council Bluffs, IA)

Heat 4:1. Dustin Thayer (Bellevue, NE), 2. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 3. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 4. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 5. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 6. Gunner Pike (South Bend, NE), 7. Doug WILSON (Council Bluffs, IA), 8. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 9. Larry Robinson Sr (Omaha, NE), 10. Richard III Meyers (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 5:1. Jesse SOBBING (Glenwood, IA), 2. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 3. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 4. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 5. James Hines (Omaha, NE), 6. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 7. Taimon Wehr (Harlan, IA), 8. Geoff Olson (Sioux City , NE), 9. Nathan Kobus (Lincoln, NE)