Saathoff, Richards, Danley, Nichols and Williams are Heroic at the Dirt Track Hero Salute

Very non-July temperatures in the low 70’s greeted the fans who showed up for the Dirt Track Hero Salute, presented by Speedway Motors and Tommy’s express Saturday at Eagle Raceway.

There were no serious incidents in the preliminary racing action.

The intermission featured a contest for the dirtiest car sponsored by Tommy’s Express.

The A1 Iron IMCA Stock Car’s first start was called off when Marty Steinbach’s 5ELI came to a halt in turn 1. The top 4 after the first lap were Brandon Beam’s 13XL, Tyler Jackson in the 13T, Dana Deeke’s 36 and the 71JJ of Jerod Bussen. Gary Laflin passed Busson on lap 2 to put the #9 in fourth place. Dylan Haney looped the 12X in turn 2 the following lap for a caution. Jackson grabbed the lead on the restart with Deeke following him into second. Mike Nichols moved into third 2 laps later in the #63. Jackson stopped in turns 3 and 4 on lap 8 and the yellow lights were lit in the corners. The top 4 at the time were Deeke, Nichols, Beam and the 24T of Tommy Etherton. Nichols vaulted past Deeke on the restart to take over the lead. Kyle Vanover joined the fray on lap 10, jumping up to third in the #19 with Etherton holding onto fourth. Vanover advanced to second place 2 laps later. Etherton stopped the next time around with what appeared to be a cooling system failure, allowing Beam to move up to fourth. Deeke spun to the infield with 4 circuits remaining, moving Laflin back to fourth with Nick Steier putting the #8 into the third position. There was a big tangle with 1 lap left with both the 6 of Jeremy Down and Austin Boucher’s 6 receiving heavy damage to the front end of the race cars. That set up a green/white/checkered finish with the 2X of Greg Peck taking over fourth place. Vanover made every move he could think of in an attempt to pass Nichols, pulling alongside him a couple of times. The top 4 at the checkers were Nichols, Vanover, Peck who advanced to third the final lap and Steier coming in fourth.

Nichols left without being interviewed.

Noah Williams’s 27W was first back to the flag stand on lap 1 of the Avid Realty IMCA Sportmod A, followed by Bobby Draper’s 62, the 7F of Aiden Floyd and James Hines’ 31R. Hines advanced to third on lap 4. Lap 7 saw Drake Bohlmeyer

put the #24 into third with Draper falling to fourth. Bohlmeyer advanced to second with 8 laps left, moving Hines to third with Cole Wayman putting his 18W into fourth. Gary Saathoff stopped in turn 1 with 6 circuits remaining and the yellow flag was displayed. A lap after the restart Wayman took over the third position. Saathoff spun to the infield coming out of turn 4 the next time around for another caution. Zane Woodman put the 73Z into fourth with 2 to go, making the top 4 Williams, Bohlmeyer, Wayman and Woodman.

Noah stated “I had a good car again tonight that helped me out in getting back-to-back wins. I’m just really glad that we have good speed again. The car seems really good. I had a good starting spot again tonight and we’ll take that anytime. But no matter where we start, I feel that we have a pretty good car. I think we’re on a downhill slope after we struggled a lot in the early part of the season. I’m just happy that we have good speed again. Thaks to all my fans, family and supporters”. Noah’s sponsors include Amberly Dental, Sons of the American Legion – Squadron 129, Leiting Motorsports, The Load Shop and BTS Detailing.

Lap 1 of the Nebraska Lottery IMCA Modified Feature was led by the 96 of John Saathoff’s 96J with James Mesenbrink second in the 33M, third was Nate Thompson’s 3T with Jaxon Saathoff rounding out the top 4 in the 96. Jaxon Saathoff passed Thompson for third on lap 2. The next lap saw Bob Zoubek also pass Thompson to put the 5S into fourth before getting past Jaxon for the third spot. Zoubek continued his march to the front on lap 8 when he got past Mesenbrink for second. That same lap Shawn Harker put the #40 into fourth position and moved up to third the next time around. Mesenbrink again moved to fourth with 10 circuits left but lost the spot back to Jaxon 2 laps later. Chad Andersen made a late race pass to move the 8C into fourth. The final change in the top 4 came when Harker advanced to second place with to go. Your final top 4 were John Saathoff, Harker, Zoubek and Chad Andersen.

This was John’s first win this season after also winning his heat. John told me that it has been nearly a year since he won at Eagle Raceway. “It’s pretty cool getting the win tonight because Jason Danley and I won on the same night a year ago and did it again tonight. We had motor problems the last couple of weeks. We thought we had it figured out, but it ended up being our own fault. The motor started laying down again last week, so I changed it. We took the old one out and put an open motor in. Of course, you get to start on the front row when you don’t do well for 2 or 3 weeks. But, racing here at Eagle Raceway just because you start on the front row doesn’t mean it’s easy. They were coming up through there, I’m sure. I think Jaxon ended up fifth and I’m always waiting to see if he catches me because he always wants to beat me. Like last night at Beatrice, we were battling it out, running fourth and fifth with some good side by side racing. This is really fun and something I will always remember”. John’s sponsors include Jet Racing, Northeast Auto, Speedway Motors, Jerry Trejo at Independent Equipment, I70 Auto Auction, Rickey Thornton, Penner Insurance, Toobie’s Lumber, Clauson and Sons and Lineweber Trenching.

Next was the A Feature for the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks. Khrysta Stransky’s 39, the B4 of Ben Becher, Troy Dowty in the 17T and Brayden Hurley’s 38 were the top 4 after one lap. Dave Carter vaulted up to third on lap 2 in the 2C with Becher maintaining fourth. Hurley regained fourth the next lap with Stransky dropping out the next time around and Dan Markham spinning out in turn 2. That moved everybody up one position with Dillon Richards’ 24R moving into fourth. Richards advanced to third on the restart as Trenton Dowty put the 53T into fourth place. Richards s took over second on lap 7. Brad Schreiner cracked the top 4 with 10 to go in his #10 as Hurley headed to the pits. 2 laps later Richards grabbed the lead with Carter falling back to second, Schreiner third and Dowty fourth. Schreiner got past Carter for second with 4 to go as Adam Wasserman put the 41 into fourth. Schreiner headed to the pits with a flat right rear tire. The top 4 were Richards, Carter, Wasserman and Dowty.

He stated “I couldn’t do this without all of the people who help me and without Eagle Raceway giving us one badass racetrack. The track was kind of heavy to start, but the features ahead of us slicked it off for us and gave us a cushion. That’s my kind of driving so I put it on the cushion and let her eat!”. Dillon’s sponsors include Koozer Painting, Extreme Motorsports, Brock Ackerman, Brian Jurgens, Ben Tart Construction, Dad, Johnny Thomas Racing, Nelson Tree Service, S and L Trenching, Jer’s Restoration and Fabrication, Cat’s Fireworks, Freese Farms, Inline Healing, The Rail Rocks, Fester’s Bait and Tackle, In Loving Memory JR Craig-Denise, Troy Cepak, Popeye Engines & Carbs, Landrum Performance Springs, Speedway shocks, Jet Racing. Backspin Entertainment, Aero Race Wheels, James Hadorn, Bud and Neapco.

Last up was the finale for the Nebraska Septic IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars. After the initial start was called back Nate Thompson put his 4W into the lead with Bret Klabunde’s 77 second, Alex Salzman third in the 2A and Ty Ledger’s 35L rounding out the top 4. Klabunde snagged the lead on lap 2. The following circuit saw Ledger spin out in turn 4, moving Mike Boston’s 51 into fourth. 1 lap after the restart Adam Gullion passed Boston to put the #91 into fourth. Gullion moved to third the next lap. Jason Danley took over fourth place on lap 5 in the 4X. Danley then moved up to third on lap 9. Cody Ledger moved into fourth the next circuit in his #47 as Danley advanced to second. Gullion again moved up to fourth on lap 14 while Cody moved up to third. Danley managed to move into first place with 10 to go, moving Klabunde to second place, Cody to third and Adam holding onto fourth. Cody and Adam both moved up one spot the next lap for third and fourth respectively. Weiler passed Klabunde with just 3 to go, making the top 4 Danley, Cody Ledger second, Gullion third and Weiler fourth.

Jason said “You know, I was just really motivated after last week being so close. I felt we had the best car last week, but I just didn’t get it done”. Jason ended up spinning to the infield after making contact with Cole Vanderheiden battling for the lead with 2 laps left. “That’s over, but it motivated me for this week. We guessed right this time and the track came back to us a little bit. It was heavy to start the night, but the bottom stayed a lot better than I expected in 1 and 2. There was actually water standing at the very bottom of turns 3 and 4. You had to be careful going down in there because if somebody the lap before got into the water and splashed it up onto the track you didn’t know it until you got there and then it was too late. I was rolling the top okay. I wasn’t great but until I saw somebody drive by me on the bottom I was going to run the top if I could in 3 and 4 and I knew I was rolling the bottom in 1 and 2 really good. I just had to hit my marks because the car felt really nice. I want to thank my crew, my Dad and my uncle and Mark Cadell who have been helping me a lot, lot of years. I think this is #37 or 38; I’ve lost count. I don’t keep track because it makes me sound too old”. Jason’s sponsors include Speedway Racing Engines, Speedway Shocks, Climatech Heating and Air, Neff Towing and Sunkist.

Next Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night, presented by The Nebraska Lottery and Avid Realty. Adult front gate admission is just $10, youths 6-12 are only $5 and kids 5 and under are free.

The intermission activity will be ‘Water Balloon the Officials’. Get even with them by purchasing balloons under the VIP deck up until intermission. All proceeds from the activity will go to the IMCA Racesaver Nationals non-qualifier fund.

Front gates open at 5:15, hot laps start at 5:30 with racing at 6:30.

Pit gates open at 3:00 with pit admission being $30.

All 5 classes will be competing, including Nebraska Septic Sprint Cars, Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, Avid Realty SportMods, A1 Iron Stock Cars & Valentino’s Hobby Stocks.

RESULTS:

Hobby Stock-IMCA A-Feature

1. Dillon Richards Wymore, Ne. 2. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 3. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 4. Trenton Dowty Fremont, Ne. 5. Colin Hein Columbus, Ne. 6. Neil Pella Adams, Ne. 7. Kenny Roberts Lincoln, Ne. 8. Brad Burhenne Council Bluffs, Ia. 9. Nick Jensen Hickman, Ne. 10. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 11. Sam Blanton(r) Bellevue, Ne. 12. Brad Schreiner Weeping Water, Ne. 13. Kile Casteel Roca, Ne. 14. Robert Salts(r) Fremont, Ne. 15. Jason Hansen(r) Glenwood, Ia. 16. Kyle Gannon Lincoln, Ne. 17. Troy Dowty Fremont, Ne. 18. Brayden Hurley Grand Island, Ne. 19. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 20. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA B-Feature

1. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 2. Nick Jensen Hickman, Ne. 3. Sam Blanton(r) Bellevue, Ne. 4. Kile Casteel Roca, Ne. 5. Robert Salts(r) Fremont, Ne. 6. Adam Parrott Missouri Valley, Ia. 7. Matt Rotschafer(r) Denton, Ne. 8. Brandon Fisher Lincoln, Ne. 9. Kirsten Bruce Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Justin Myre Carter Lake, Ia. DNS. Scott Santee Omaha, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 1

1. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 2. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 3. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 4. Colin Hein Columbus, Ne. 5. Neil Pella Adams, Ne. 6. Nick Jensen

Hickman, Ne. 7. Sam Blanton(r) Bellevue, Ne. 8. Matt Rotschafer(r) Denton, Ne. 9. Kile Casteel Roca, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 2

1. Brad Schreiner Weeping Water, Ne. 2. Trenton Dowty Fremont, Ne. 3. Brayden Hurley Grand Island, Ne. 4. Troy Dowty Fremont, Ne. 5. Jason Hansen(r) Glenwood, Ia. 6. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 7. Kirsten Bruce Lincoln, Ne. 8. Adam Parrott Missouri Valley, Ia. 9. Scott Santee Omaha, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 3

1. Kenny Roberts Lincoln, Ne. 2. Dillon Richards Wymore, Ne. 3. Kyle Gannon Lincoln, Ne. 4. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 5. Brad Burhenne Council Bluffs, Ia. 6. Robert Salts(r) Fremont, Ne. 7. Brandon Fisher Lincoln, Ne. 8. Justin Myre Carter Lake, Ia.

Modified-IMCA A-Feature

1. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 2. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 3. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 4. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne. 5. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 6. Mike Densberger Cortland, Ne. 7. Clint Homan Bellevue, Ne. 8. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 9. James Mesenbrink Lincoln, Ne. 10. Scott Bivens Elmwood, Ne. 11. Terry Richards Denton, Ne. 12. Sean Manning Bennington, Ne. 13. Brandon Verbeek Lincoln, Ne. 14. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 15. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 16. Cameron Thompson(r) Fremont, Ne. 17. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 18. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 19. Dustin Andersen Omaha, Ne. 20. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ia.

Modified-IMCA Heat 1

1. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 2. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 3. Mike Densberger Cortland, Ne. 4. James Mesenbrink Lincoln, Ne. 5. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 6. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 7. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne.

Modified-IMCA Heat 2

1. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 2. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne. 3. Dustin Andersen Omaha, Ne. 4. Clint Homan Bellevue, Ne. 5. Brandon Verbeek Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 7. Terry Richards Denton, Ne.

Modified-IMCA Heat 3

1. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 2. Scott Bivens Elmwood, Ne. 3. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 4. Sean Manning Bennington, Ne. 5. Cameron Thompson(r) Fremont, Ne. 6. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ia.

SportMod-IMCA A-Feature

1. Noah Williams Ashland, Ne. 2. Drake Bohlmeyer Beatrice, Ne. 3. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 4. Zane Woodman Seward, Ne. 5. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 6. James Hines Bellevue, Ne. 7. Aiden Floyd(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Robert Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 9. Mason Richards Denton, Ne. 10. Jacob Swanson Lincoln, Ne. 11. Shawn Pospisil Lincoln, Ne. 12. P.j. Conger St. Joseph, Mo. 13. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 14. Tyler Deeke Waverly, Ne. 15. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 16. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 17. Trevor Noonan Lincoln, Ne. 18. Ty Weidner Chandler, Az. 19. Derek Hall Lincoln, Ne. 20. Matt Andrews Malcolm, Ne.

SportMod-IMCA B-Feature

1. P.j. Conger St. Joseph, Mo. 2. Trevor Noonan Lincoln, Ne. 3. Mason Richards Denton, Ne. 4. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 5. Breanna Pfanstiel Lincoln, Ne. 6. Richard Flock Malcolm, Ne. 7. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne. 8. Brady Papineau Lincoln, Ne. 9. Drew Hobaugh Adams, Ne. 10. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 11. Theron Ahlman(r) Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Lauren Cook Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Dylan Zimmerman(r) Elk Horn, Ia. DNS. Shawn Davis Burr, Ne. DNS. Beau Riffel Fremont, Ne.

SportMod-IMCA Heat 1

1. Noah Williams Ashland, Ne. 2. Drake Bohlmeyer Beatrice, Ne. 3. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 4. Matt Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 5. P.j. Conger St. Joseph, Mo. 6. Theron Ahlman(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shawn Davis Burr, Ne.

SportMod-IMCA Heat 2

1. Zane Woodman Seward, Ne. 2. Shawn Pospisil Lincoln, Ne. 3. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 4. Ty Weidner Chandler, Az. 5. Brady Papineau Lincoln, Ne. 6. Mason Richards Denton, Ne. 7. Lauren Cook Lincoln, Ne. 8. Drew Hobaugh Adams, Ne.

SportMod-IMCA Heat 3

1. James Hines Bellevue, Ne. 2. Tyler Deeke Waverly, Ne. 3. Robert Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 4. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 5. Trevor Noonan Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 7. Dylan Zimmerman(r) Elk Horn, Ia. DNS. Beau Riffel Fremont, Ne.

SportMod-IMCA Heat 4

1. Aiden Floyd(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jacob Swanson Lincoln, Ne. 3. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 4. Derek Hall Lincoln, Ne. 5. Breanna Pfanstiel Lincoln, Ne. 6. Richard Flock Malcolm, Ne. 7. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne.

Sprint-IMCA A-Feature

1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 5. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 6. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 7. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 9. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 10. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 11. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 12. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 13. Brandon

Horton Waterloo, Ne. 14. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 15. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 16. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 17. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 18. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 19. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 20. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. DNS. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne.

Sprint-IMCA Heat 1

1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 5. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 6. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 7. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne.

Sprint-IMCA Heat 2

1. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 3. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 5. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne.

Sprint-IMCA Heat 3

1. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 4. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 5. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 6. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 7. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.

Stock Car-IMCA A-Feature

1. Mike Nichols Harlan, Ia. 2. Kyle Vanover Beatrice, Ne. 3. Greg Peck Sioux City, Ia. 4. Nick Steier Bennington, Ne. 5. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 6. Tim Drake Louisville, Ne. 7. Marty Steinbach Fremont, Ne. 8. Gary Laflin Beatrice, Ne. 9. Jakob Boucher Murdock, Ne. 10. Brandon Beam(r) St Joseph, Mo. 11. John Meyer Odell, Ne. 12. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 13. Jerod Bussen Fremont, Ne. 14. Austin Boucher Murdock, Ne. 15. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 16. Dana Deeke(r) Waverly, Ne. 17. Thomas Etherton(r) Eagle, Ne. 18. Tyler Jackson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 19. Arie Schouten(r) Lincoln, Ne. 20. Dylan Haney Fremont, Ne.

Stock Car-IMCA B-Feature

1. Jakob Boucher Murdock, Ne. 2. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 3. John Meyer Odell, Ne. 4. Dylan Haney Fremont, Ne. 5. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 6. Dan Jackson Ceresco, Ne. 7. Matthew Tanner Elkhorn, Ne. 8. Riley Ruisinger(r) Bennet, Ne.

Stock Car-IMCA Heat 1

1. Kyle Vanover Beatrice, Ne. 2. Mike Nichols Harlan, Ia. 3. Brandon Beam(r) St Joseph, Mo. 4. Gary Laflin Beatrice, Ne. 5. Marty Steinbach Fremont, Ne. 6. John Meyer Odell, Ne. 7. Dylan Haney Fremont, Ne. 8. Matthew Tanner Elkhorn, Ne.

Stock Car-IMCA Heat 2

1. Nick Steier Bennington, Ne. 2. Arie Schouten(r) Lincoln, Ne. 3. Tyler Jackson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Jerod Bussen Fremont, Ne. 5. Greg Peck Sioux City, Ia. 6. Jakob Boucher Murdock, Ne. 7. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. DNS. Riley Ruisinger(r) Bennet, Ne.

Stock Car-IMCA Heat 3

1. Dana Deeke(r) Waverly, Ne. 2. Thomas Etherton(r) Eagle, Ne. 3. Tim Drake Louisville, Ne. 4. Austin Boucher Murdock, Ne. 5. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 6. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Dan Jackson Ceresco, Ne.