Cain, Harker and Bacon take home wins on Night #1 of the Eagle Nationals
By Greg Soukup
Night one of the Eagle Nationals, featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV, and promoted by TBJ Promotions, saw great racing throughout the night in all 3 classes. Temperatures and expectations were high; and although the temperatures cooled, the competition stayed at a fever pitch until the final checkered flag.
In the second heat for the ASCS Sprint Cars, as the racers came to turn 1 just a couple of laps in, the 71 of Tige Jensen and Dustin Morgan’s #2 flipped violently, collecting Jason Johnson’s 41. Jensen and Morgan’s cars were too badly damaged to be repaired, but Johnson’s crew would thrash and get him back in time for the B Feature. All 3 drivers walked away from the incident.
The first A Main was for the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks. As the field completed lap #1 Lee Kracht’s 10K, the 94 of Mike Hansen, Ben Becher’s B4 and the 29ER of Ryan Munhall were out front. John Cain moved the 44 past Munhall on lap 2, but was passed by the 38C of Casey Moyer the next time around. Cain regained the position the next circuit. Kracht was passed by Cain on lap 4, took the spot back on lap 6 but Cain regained it before the lap was through. RJ Macku moved the 1R to fourth the same lap and advanced to third the next time around. Macku took second on lap 12 but stopped at the top of turn 4 the next circuit with a flat right front tire. The top 4 at that time were Cain, Kracht, Hansen and Moyer, and they held that position to the checkered flag.
This was Cain’s second win on the season, but came in a back-up car. “I got my first win in my main car, but then barrel-rolled it the next week out. We’ve been messing with this one to make it better” Cain stated. “I want to send out a special thanks to my Mom, and my aunt ‘Sis’” he related. Cain’s sponsors include Allen’s Heating and Cooling, Fiddler Creek Farms, Corey VanFossen Seeds, Sign Masters and Keppler Chassis.
Next was the A Feature for the NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds. Shawn Harker’s 40, the 1R of Matt Richards, Kevin Anderson’s 22K and the 90 of Kevin Jochum were out front on lap #1. Anderson spun in turns 1 and 2 on lap 5, moving the K00 of Joe Schidler to fourth. Lap 6 saw Matt Boucher’s 5B make contact with Schidler in 1 and 2 while trying to pass and Schidler spun. As a result of the contact several cars piled up. Getting collected up in the mess were Bob Ruisinger’s 7, the 17A of Jason Harms and Todd Boulware’s 14X. At that point the top 4 were Harker, Richards, Jochum and Boucher. Dustin Thayer moved the 10T to fourth on lap 13. Thayer passed Jochum on lap 15. From that point to the finish Richards made numerous attempts to pass Harker; and although he got beside him on numerous occasions he couldn’t make the pass stick. At the finish it was Harker, Richards, Thayer and Jochum.
Harker said “I want to thank my pit crew first. Travis Lotter, Allen Harker and Brian Purchase help me win. Also, my new buddy ‘Tennessee’. Special thanks go to my wife Aimee, and my kids Preston, Leityn and Boston. Also my mom Lauretta Harker”. He continued by relating “I did everything I could to hold Matt off, short of taking us both out. I definitely got all out of the car that I could!”. Harker’s sponsors include Barrett Landscaping, Tex Cattle, Liberty Safe, O’Brien Rigging, Midwest Concrete and Topp’s Mechanical.
The finale was for the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars. Brad Loyet’s 05, Trevor Grossenbacher in the 35, Johnny Herrera’s 45X and the 81 of Danny Wood led the pack at the end of lap 1. Brady Bacon moved the 99 past Wood on lap 3. 2 laps later Herrera slowed and then stopped on the backstretch. That moved Wood back to fourth. Wayne Johnson used the restart to put the 77X in fourth. Lap 7 saw the 4 of Jordan Boston and Seth Brahmer’s 13V get together. Boston kept going but Brahmer retired from the race. Bacon moved to second on lap 10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moved into fourth the next time around in the #6. Bacon took just 1 more lap to grab the lead from Loyet. The final change in the top 4 came on lap 26 when Stenhouse hit a slick spot at the bottom of the track and spun. That made the final top 4 Bacon, Loyet, Grossenbacher and Johnson.
“I started from the pole in my heat, and ended up starting 7th in the A. I just tried to be fast, but stay out of trouble. It seemed like lots of cars were getting caught up in other people’s messes” related Bacon. He concluded the interview by saying “The track was really good on both the top and bottom tonight. That’s what helped me get to the lead and then the win”.
Bacon’s sponsors include Oilfield Equipment and Manufacturing, Fatheadz Eyewear, Infinity Shocks, XXX Race Company and Telstar Communications.
Also interviewed was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse is currently competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is the car owner for Jason Johnson. “This was my first time in a sprint car in 2 years, and it was really fun. I only got 10 laps to knock of the rust before the feature, but it felt great to be in the seat again” he said. Stenhouse’s sponsors include Ford Eco Boost, Roush Yates Engines and Durst Motorsports.
Action continues Saturday night as night #2 of the Eagle Nationals featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV takes to the track. Support classes for the evening will be the Nebraska Drive Shaft & Radiator IMCA Modifieds and Exhaust Pros IMCA Sport Compacts. Front gates open at 5:30, with racing at 7. Adult admission is $20, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 4 and pit passes will be $30. Support classes for the evening receive 5 reduced price admissions at $25.
RESULTS:
ASCS Sprint 6/8/2012
A Feature:1. Brady Bacon (Sopulpa, OK), 2. Brad Loyet, 3. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 4. Wayne Johnson (Knoxville, IA), 5. Jason Johnson (Greenville, TX), 6. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA), 7. Danny Wood (Norman, OK), 8. Johnny Herrerra (Albuquerque, NM), 9. Jack DOVER (Springfield, NE), 10. Logan Forler (Snohomish, WA), 11. Ricky Stenhouse JR, 12. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 13. Ryan Roberts (Aurora, NE), 14. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 15. John Klabunde (Fort Calhoun, NE), 16. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 17. Tony Bruce Jr. (Liberal, OK), 18. Don DROUD JR (Lincoln, NE), 19. Jake Martens (Jetmore, KS), 20. Gene Ackland (Lincoln, NE), 21. Jordan BOSTON (Lincoln, NE), 22. Seth Brahmer
B Feature:1. Tony Bruce Jr. (Liberal, OK), 2. Logan Forler (Snohomish, WA), 3. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 4. Jason Johnson (Greenville, TX), 5. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 6. Gene Ackland (Lincoln, NE), 7. Ryan Roberts (Aurora, NE), 8. Bryan GOSSEL (Ft. Collins, CO), 9. Eric Lutz (Sioux Falls, SD), 10. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 11. Adam GULLION (Beatrice, NE), 12. Taylor Valasquez, 13. Mark Finnell (Osage Beach, MO), 14. Gage Dorr (Elmwood, NE), 15. Randy HIBBS (Savannah, MO), 16. Tige Jensen (Lincoln, NE), 17. Dustin Morgan (Tulsa, OK)
Heat 1:1. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 2. Don DROUD JR (Lincoln, NE), 3. Seth Brahmer, 4. John Klabunde (Fort Calhoun, NE), 5. Gene Ackland (Lincoln, NE), 6. Eric Lutz (Sioux Falls, SD), 7. Bryan GOSSEL (Ft. Collins, CO), 8. Ryan Roberts (Aurora, NE), 9. Taylor Valasquez,
Heat 2:1. Brad Loyet, 2. Wayne Johnson (Knoxville, IA), 3. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA), 4. Jack DOVER (Springfield, NE), 5. Tony Bruce Jr. (Liberal, OK), 6. Tige Jensen (Lincoln, NE), 7. Dustin Morgan (Tulsa, OK), 8. Jason Johnson (Greenville, TX)
Heat 3:1. Danny Wood (Norman, OK), 2. Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jordan BOSTON (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jake Martens (Jetmore, KS), 5. Logan Forler (Snohomish, WA), 6. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 7. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 8. Adam GULLION (Beatrice, NE)
Heat 4:1. Brady Bacon (Sopulpa, OK), 2. Johnny Herrerra (Albuquerque, NM), 3. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 4. Ricky Stenhouse JR, 5. Randy HIBBS (Savannah, MO), 6. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 7. Gage Dorr (Elmwood, NE), 8. Mark Finnell (Osage Beach, MO)
IMCA Hobby Stock 06/08/2012
A Feature:1. John Cain (Homer, NE), 2. Lee Kracht (Scribner, NE),
3. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 4. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE),
5. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 6. Rich Small (Malcolm, NE),
7. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 8. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE),
9. Matt Draeger (Lincoln, NE), 10. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE),
11. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 12. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE),
13. Jeremy Conkel (Lincoln,
NE), 14. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE),
15. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 16. William Medley (Lincoln, KS),
17. Randall Macku (Lincoln,
NE), 18. Chad Fegley
(Eagle, NE), 19. Peter SHOUP (Lincoln,
NE), 20. Ryan Munhall (Plattsmouth, NE),
B Feature:1. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE),
2. Rich Small (Malcolm, NE), 3. Peter SHOUP (Lincoln, NE),
4. William Medley (Lincoln,
KS), 5. Matt Draeger (Lincoln, NE),
6. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 7. Josh Kennell (Bennet, NE),
Heat 1:1. Casey Moyer (Auburn,
NE), 2. Chad Fegley
(Eagle, NE), 3. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 4. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE),
5. Jeremy Conkel (Lincoln, NE), 6. Matt Draeger (Lincoln, NE),
7. Rich Small (Malcolm, NE), 8. Josh Kennell (Bennet, NE),
Heat 2:1. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE),
2. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 3. John Cain (Homer, NE), 4. Ryan Munhall
(Plattsmouth, NE), 5. David Carter (Fremont, NE),
6. Lacey Tuttle (Elmwood, NE), 7. Peter SHOUP (Lincoln, NE),
Heat 3:1. Lee Kracht (Scribner,
NE), 2. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE),
3. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 4. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE),
5. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 6. William Medley (Lincoln, KS),
7. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE),
IMCA Sport Modified 06/08/2012
A Feature:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE),
2. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 3. Dustin Thayer (Bellevue, NE),
4. Kevin Jochum (Roca, NE), 5. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE),
6. Laini Schwartz (Omaha, NE), 7. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE),
8. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 9. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 10. Gunner Pike (South Bend, NE),
11. Jason Harms (David
City, NE), 12. Mary Lenz
(Elmwood, NE),
13. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 14. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE),
15. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 16. Drew Jones (Brock, NE), 17. Adam
Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 18. Joe Schidler (Lincoln,
NE), 19. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE),
20. Todd Boulware (Jefferson,
SD),
B Feature:1. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE),
2. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 3. Gunner Pike (South Bend, NE),
4. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 5. Steven Saunders (Bellevue, NE),
6. Lindsey Yost (Nebraska City,
NE), 7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE),
8. Doug WILSON (Council Bluffs,
IA), 9. Matthew MARQUARDT (Tekamah, NE),
10. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 11. Larry Robinson Jr. (Omaha, IA),
12. Ryan Munhall (Plattsmouth,
NE), 13. Larry Robinson Sr (Omaha, NE),
14. Russell Batista (Lincoln,
NE),
Heat 1:1. Joey Danley (Lincoln,
NE), 2. Kevin Jochum (Roca, NE),
3. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 4. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE),
5. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 6. Steven Saunders (Bellevue, NE),
7. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 8. Doug WILSON (Council Bluffs, IA),
Heat 2:1. Dustin Thayer (Bellevue, NE),
2. Matt Boucher (Murdock, ne), 3. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE),
4. Jason Harms (David
City, NE), 5. Larry
Robinson Jr. (Omaha, IA), 6. Denny Berghahn Jr. (Plattsmouth, NE),
7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 8. Russell Batista (Lincoln, NE),
Heat 3:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE),
2. Laini Schwartz (Omaha, NE), 3. Todd Boulware (Jefferson, SD),
4. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 5. Lindsey Yost (Nebraska City, NE),
6. Matthew MARQUARDT (Tekamah,
NE), 7. Ryan Munhall (Plattsmouth, NE),
Heat 4:1. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE),
2. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 3. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE),
4. Drew Jones (Brock, NE), 5. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 6. Gunner Pike (South Bend, NE),
7. Larry Robinson Sr (Omaha,
NE)
