Sobbing, Armstrong, Nelson & Drueke are Crowned IceBreaker Challenge Champions!

By Greg Soukup

 

After washing out night one of the 2017 Ice Breaker, that fickle spirit Mother Nature gave the fans and teams a beautiful race day. 141 teams towed to Eagle Raceway for the season opening event. Since the first night had to be cancelled, the winner’s share of the Modified and Sport Modified purses was increased to $3000 to win the Modifieds and $750 for the victory in the Sport Modifieds. In fact, the Modified purse was the largest in Eagle Raceway history.

16 heats, 1 C Feature and 3 B Features were run without serious incidents.

The first lap of the Hoosier Tire IMCA Sport Modified A Feature saw a big pile-up with 7 cars involved. There were no serious injuries. Once an official lap was in the books Adam Armstrong’s 6A led the field with the 76 of Lance Borgman, Arie Schouten in the 99RE and Derek Hall’s 44D rounding out the top 4. Hall and Colby Langenberg’s 1J both passed Schouten on lap 2 with Langenberg getting past Hall on lap 12. Ken Eckhoff looped the #5 shortly after that to bring out the caution flag. At that time, it was Armstrong, Borgman, Langenberg and Hall. Lap 13 saw Trent Roth put the 14T into fourth. 3 laps later Shawn Harker vaulted the #40 all of the way up to third with Roth moving back to fourth. Lap 17 saw Roth get by Harker for third. Borgman suffered mechanical difficulties on lap 22 and headed to the infield, making the running order Armstrong, Roth, Harker and Langenberg. Armstrong did not respond to a request for an interview.

The Sprint Series of Nebraska A Main was next on the card. Tyler Drueke took advantage of his front row outside starting position and passed the flag stand first in his #12. Adam Gullion’s 91, the 7KX of Toby Chapman and Jason Martin’s 36 were hot on his push bumper however. Chapman and Martin swapped the third spot the next two laps with Chapman holding on to the spot on lap 3. Lap 5 saw Ron Love spin out on the back stretch in his #5. 1 lap after the restart both Chapman and Martin passed Gullion to move to second and third. Despite a furious battle amongst the top 4 their spots remained unchanged to the checkers with Drueke, Chapman, Martin and Gullion the top 4.

“We led the whole thing, but it wasn’t really easy. The top was really fast, and Adam tried to squeeze us going into turn one. I committed to trying to beat him around the outside. When I did that, Toby Chapman was coming from third and he slid us both! Well, when he did that I pretty much had the choice made for me. I was committed to the outside because if I’d tried to brake or anything I think I would have hopped his right rear coming off of turn two. So, I squeezed around the outside of him and from what my crew guys told me, we got a pretty good lead. I knew we had a pretty good race car, thanks to Matt Zoz, Dustin Gerdes, my brother Austin and my Dad. They prepared me a heck of a race car. It sounded like I kind of checked out that first five laps, but I started catching lapped traffic. I got behind Ron Love and Trevor Grossenbacher. They ended up getting together down the back straightaway. When I went to avoid them, I squeezed between Love and the wall. I smacked it pretty hard with the right rear and I broke the top Jacobs Ladder strap. The car was really good before that, but that made it really evil. I actually thought that I’d cut down the right rear! I remember looking at the leader board and seeing there was 18 to go. I thought to myself “There is no way we’re going to make it to the end of this!!”. I had to start using a lot of brake to keep the car settled down. I know that slowed our pace down quite a bit because Toby Chapman started trying to slide us quite a bit after that, but we crossed him up and got him back. After I used up my brakes and the pedal went right to the firewall, I started cheating the cushion a little bit. The top was SO fast that it made passing lapped cars really hard. There was enough moisture on the bottom that you could pull off a big slide job, and that was about the only way that you could pass anybody. We definitely had to earn that one; it wasn’t just given to us! In my interview for the fans in the stands I said ‘How are we going to top this one the rest of the year?’. I like those ones where we just check out, take the money and go home. But, nobody pays to go watch church, so there’s no way they should have to pay to watch a boring race” stated Drueke. Tyler’s sponsors include Speedway Motors Racing Engines, Danner Spray Foam, Drueke Trucking and Ranch, Zoz Farms, Jeffres Truicking and J & J Chassis.

The IMCA Stock Cars A Main saw Preston Janzing spin his #20J out in turn 4 on the first lap, causing a complete restart. The first lap saw Doug Adamy’s 93, the 1 of Shawn Primrose, the 94 of Dan Nelson and Shane Stutzman in the 22S out front. Nelson moved up to second on lap 2 but lost the spot to Primrose 2 laps later. Allyn Shively’s 01 spun out in turn 4 and the yellow lights were lit. Nelson moved back to second on lap 6. 5 laps later Stutzman advanced to third. Tyler Jackson’s 13T spun coming out of turn 4 on lap 13 for another caution. Lap 15 saw Eric Rempel put the #21 into fourth with Nelson taking the lead the next time around. Stutzman moved up to second on lap 17. Shortly after that 3 cars got together in turns 3 and 4 for yet another caution. Primrose passed Rempel on lap 18, but lost the fourth spot back to him the next lap. At the finish it was Nelson, Stutzman, Adamy and Rempel. Nelson did not respond to a request for an interview.

The finale for the evening was the A Main for the Kaplan University Modifieds. Jesse Sobbing, who started on the front row, put the #99 out front of lap 1 followed by Chevy Hadan’s #4, the 27 of Clint Homan and Shane Hiatt in the 21H. Hiatt moved past Homan for third on lap 4. Dylan Smith also got past Homan 2 laps later to put the 95 into fourth. The final position change in the top 4 came on lap 26 when Smith passed Hiatt for third, making the final top 4 Sobbing, Hadan, Smith and Hiatt. Sobbing did not respond to a request for an interview.

Next Saturday at Eagle Raceway is the season opener as the Nebraska Lottery presents Get Fired Up Night featuring the Racesaver IMCA Sprints, Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds, Hoosier Tire IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks,  and Mountainn Dew Kickstart IMCA Sport Compacts.

Happy D Klown will be there from 5:30 to 7:30. Also, the Nebraska Lottery will be on site with their trailer.

Front gates open at 5:15 with hot laps starting at 5:30 and racing at 6:30. Adult admission is $10, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.

Pit gates open at 4:00 and pit passes are $25.

 

FULL RESULTS:

IceBreaker Modified A-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jesse Sobbing                     99  
2. Chevy Hadan                       4   
3. Dylan Smith                       95  
4. Shane Hiatt                       21H 
5. Jordan123 Grabouski               30  
6. Clint Homan                       27  
7. Jeremy Payne                      96JP
8. Josh Blumer                       21  
9. Anthony Roth                      60IV
10. Trevor Baker                      25! 
11. Johnny Saathoff                   96J 
12. Chad Andersen                     8C  
13. Aaron Pella                       3A  
14. Rik Gropp                         V45 
15. Brandon Spanjer                   19XX
16. Cale Carder                       77R 
17. Bob Ruisinger                     7   
18. Bob Zoubek                        5S  
19. Colton Osborn                     50C 
20. Jay Noteboom                      7N  

 

IceBreaker Modified B-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jay Noteboom                      7N  
2. Brandon Spanjer                   19XX
3. Colton Osborn                     50C 
4. Bob Ruisinger                     7   
5. Justin Wulf                       86  
6. Brian Cudly                       4S  
7. Matt Boucher                      5B  
8. Dave Pedersen                     4P  
9. Bob Fleshman                      7J  
10. Jeff Schroyer                     007 
11. Jared Deterding                   13J 
12. Pat Wheeler                       22  
13. Terry Fletcher                    67  
14. Tracy Harr                        5T  
15. Jim Mathieson                     M80 
16. Peter Shoup                       79  
17. Jaxon Saathoff                    96  
18. Jordy Nelson                      4J  
19. Nate Thompson                     3T  

 

IceBreaker Modified Heat 1

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Dylan Smith                       95  
2. Josh Blumer                       21  
3. Trevor Baker                      25! 
4. Rik Gropp                         V45 
5. Colton Osborn                     50C 
6. Peter Shoup                       79  
7. Jordy Nelson                      4J  
8. Jaxon Saathoff                    96  
9. Jim Mathieson                     M80 

 

IceBreaker Modified Heat 2

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jordan123 Grabouski               30  
2. Jesse Sobbing                     99  
3. Clint Homan                       27  
4. Johnny Saathoff                   96J 
5. Brandon Spanjer                   19XX
6. Bob Ruisinger                     7   
7. Jared Deterding                   13J 
8. Justin Wulf                       86  
9. Terry Fletcher                    67  

 

IceBreaker Modified Heat 3

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jeremy Payne                      96JP
2. Bob Zoubek                        5S  
3. Aaron Pella                       3A  
4. Cale Carder                       77R 
5. Jeff Schroyer                     007 
6. Dave Pedersen                     4P  
7. Nate Thompson                     3T  
8. Tracy Harr                        5T  

 

IceBreaker Modified Heat 4

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Shane Hiatt                       21H 
2. Chevy Hadan                       4   
3. Anthony Roth                      60IV
4. Chad Andersen                     8C  
5. Jay Noteboom                      7N  
6. Brian Cudly                       4S  
7. Matt Boucher                      5B  
8. Bob Fleshman                      7J  
9. Pat Wheeler                       22  

 

IceBreaker SportMod A-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Adam Armstong                     6A  
2. Trent Roth                        14T 
3. Shawn Harker                      40  
4. Colby Langenberg                  1J  
5. Derek Hall                        44D 
6. Dillon Schultz                    55D 
7. Josh Pfeifer                      33J 
8. Benji Legg                        2X  
9. Gunnar Pike                       25  
10. Joe Schidler                      K00 
11. Arie Schouten                     99RE
12. Logan Thompsen                    9T  
13. Mary Lenz                         17  
14. Ken Eckhoff                       5   
15. Lance Borgman                     76  
16. Jesse Skalicky                    3S  
17. Joe Feyen                         25X 
18. James Robuck                      75  
19. Gary Saathoff                     96  
20. Adam Vrbka                        7V  

 

IceBreaker SportMod B-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Benji Legg                        2X  
2. Gunnar Pike                       25  
3. Dillon Schultz                    55D 
4. Ken Eckhoff                       5   
5. Josh Pfeifer                      33J 
6. Dion Kovar                        18  
7. Cole Wayman                       18T 
8. Scott Bivens                      S56 
9. Roger Sluka                       5S  
10. Kyle Flodman                      7K  
11. Paul Donovan                      1   
12. Jason Harms                       6H  
13. Robert Draper                     62  
14. James Hines                       31R 
15. Bruce Lang                        10L 
16. Chad Kohl                         77  
17. Brian Osantowski                  999 
18. Travis Patterson                  17K 
19. Kevin Kloke                       35  
20. Jeremy Baker                      3J  

 

IceBreaker SportMod C-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Chad Kohl                         77  
2. Kyle Flodman                      7K  
3. Jason Harms                       6H  
4. Robert Draper                     62  
5. Jeremy Baker                      3J  
6. Terry Callender                   5T  
7. Rick Barton                       62B 
8. Braydon Latture                   14  
9. Brad Perkons                      57T 
10. Rich Flock                        88F 
11. Hunter Weber                      99W 
12. Troy Sanford                      12  
13. Nick Beckman                      22  

DNS  Jake Kubik                        93S 

DNS  Nick Morris                       24H 

DNS  Thomas Powell                     18R 

DNS  Jeremy Down                       4D  

DNS  Derick Noonan                     21G 

 

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 1

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Shawn Harker                      40  
2. Derek Hall                        44D 
3. Joe Feyen                         25X 
4. Benji Legg                        2X  
5. Travis Patterson                  17K 
6. Josh Pfeifer                      33J 
7. Jake Kubik                        93S 
8. Brad Perkons                      57T 
9. Thomas Powell                     18R 
10. Jason Harms                       6H  

 

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 2

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Trent Roth                        14T 
2. James Robuck                      75  
3. Adam Vrbka                        7V  
4. Cole Wayman                       18T 
5. Roger Sluka                       5S  
6. James Hines                       31R 
7. Robert Draper                     62  
8. Terry Callender                   5T  
9. Jeremy Down                       4D  

 

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 3

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Adam Armstong                     6A  
2. Lance Borgman                     76  
3. Mary Lenz                         17  
4. Gunnar Pike                       25  
5. Paul Donovan                      1   
6. Dion Kovar                        18  
7. Chad Kohl                         77  
8. Troy Sanford                      12  
9. Kyle Flodman                      7K  
10. Hunter Weber                      99W 

 

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 4

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Arie Schouten                     99RE
2. Logan Thompsen                    9T  
3. Gary Saathoff                     96  
4. Ken Eckhoff                       5   
5. Scott Bivens                      S56 
6. Bruce Lang                        10L 
7. Nick Beckman                      22  
8. Nick Morris                       24H 
9. Rich Flock                        88F 

DNS  Derick Noonan                     21G 

 

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 5

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jesse Skalicky                    3S  
2. Colby Langenberg                  1J  
3. Joe Schidler                      K00 
4. Brian Osantowski                  999 
5. Kevin Kloke                       35  
6. Dillon Schultz                    55D 
7. Braydon Latture                   14  
8. Jeremy Baker                      3J  
9. Rick Barton                       62B 

 

IceBreaker Stock Car A-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Dan Nelson                        94  
2. Shane Stutzman                    22S 
3. Doug Adamy                        93  
4. Eric Rempel                       21  
5. Ron Pettitt                       12  
6. John Meyer                        29  
7. Jason Kreft                       28  
8. Bob Chalupa                       24  
9. Chad Bruns                        11  
10. Hans Houfek                       59X 
11. Marty Steinbach                   5ELI
12. Rudy Brunkhorst                   57J 
13. Jed Williams                      77  
14. Tanner Pettitt                    12T 
15. Allen Zimmerman                   90  
16. Shawn Primrose                    1   
17. Allyn Shiveley                    01  
18. Mikey Dancer                      45  
19. Tyler Easterday                   31  
20. Tyler Jackson                     13T 
21. Jake McCloud                      40  
22. Eric Bartels                      25B 
23. Preston Janzing                   20J 

DNS  Tyler Phelps                      6   

 

IceBreaker Stock Car Heat 1

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Dan Nelson                        94  
2. Eric Rempel                       21  
3. Eric Bartels                      25B 
4. Jed Williams                      77  
5. John Meyer                        29  
6. Rudy Brunkhorst                   57J 
7. Allen Zimmerman                   90  

DNS  Tyler Phelps                      6   

 

IceBreaker Stock Car Heat 2

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jason Kreft                       28  
2. Doug Adamy                        93  
3. Preston Janzing                   20J 
4. Mikey Dancer                      45  
5. Bob Chalupa                       24  
6. Tyler Jackson                     13T 
7. Ron Pettitt                       12  
8. Tanner Pettitt                    12T 

 

IceBreaker Stock Car Heat 3

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Shane Stutzman                    22S 
2. Chad Bruns                        11  
3. Shawn Primrose                    1   
4. Marty Steinbach                   5ELI
5. Allyn Shiveley                    01  
6. Tyler Easterday                   31  
7. Jake McCloud                      40  
8. Hans Houfek                       59X 

 

SSN Sprint A-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Tyler Drueke                      12  
2. Toby Chapman                      7KX 
3. Jason123 Martin                   36  
4. Adam Gullion                      91  
5. Jason Danley                      4X  
6. Joey Danley                       14  
7. Jack Dover                        84  
8. Shayle Bade                       03  
9. Matt Richards                     1R  
10. Stu Snyder                        23S 
11. Ryan King                         93  
12. Gene Ackland                      14G 
13. Terry Richards                    18  
14. Trevor Grossenbacher              35  
15. Clint Benson                      100 
16. Dan Satriano                      17  
17. Zach Blurton                      2J  
18. Kaleb Johnson                     22  
19. Nathan Weiler                     4W  
20. Ron Love                          5   

 

SSN Sprint B-Feature

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Trevor Grossenbacher              35  
2. Zach Blurton                      2J  
3. Nathan Weiler                     4W  
4. Kaleb Johnson                     22  
5. Tim Fricke                        62  
6. Doug Lovegrove                    44  
7. Austin McLean                     83  
8. Mike Johnston                     14J 
9. Chase Weiler                      0   
10. Boyd Peterson                     57B 
11. Jimmy Grasso                      8G  
12. Kayla Stoops                      18K 
13. Neil Nickolite                    12N 
14. Chevy Hadan                       4   
15. Mike Boston                       51  
16. Cody Ledger                       47  
17. Jason Miller                      77  

DNS  Danny Nekolite                    22D 

DNS  Shon Pointer                      20P 

 

SSN Sprint Heat 1

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Tyler Drueke                      12  
2. Dan Satriano                      17  
3. Ron Love                          5   
4. Shayle Bade                       03  
5. Mike Johnston                     14J 
6. Tim Fricke                        62  
7. Boyd Peterson                     57B 
8. Chevy Hadan                       4   
9. Shon Pointer                      20P 

 

SSN Sprint Heat 2

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Stu Snyder                        23S 
2. Gene Ackland                      14G 
3. Adam Gullion                      91  
4. Clint Benson                      100 
5. Nathan Weiler                     4W  
6. Chase Weiler                      0   
7. Doug Lovegrove                    44  
8. Jimmy Grasso                      8G  
9. Neil Nickolite                    12N 

 

SSN Sprint Heat 3

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Toby Chapman                      7KX 
2. Matt Richards                     1R  
3. Joey Danley                       14  
4. Jack Dover                        84  
5. Kaleb Johnson                     22  
6. Austin McLean                     83  
7. Mike Boston                       51  
8. Trevor Grossenbacher              35  
9. Jason Miller                      77  

 

SSN Sprint Heat 4

 

     Driver                            Nbr 

     ——————————   —–

1. Jason Danley                      4X  
2. Terry Richards                    18  
3. Jason123 Martin                   36  
4. Ryan King                         93  
5. Zach Blurton                      2J  
6. Cody Ledger                       47  
7. Kayla Stoops                      18K 
8. Danny Nekolite                     22D