Night 2 of Racesaver IMCA Sprint Nationals sees Thompson, Bubak, McKinney and Carney win
By Greg Soukup
Night two of the 2015 Racesaver IMCA Sprint Nationals, presented by Precise Racing and NMC Cat Rental Store started off much as the previous evening did, with heat races being run on a very fast track. The 10 heats saw Claud Estes, Ethan Fleetwood, Blake Robertson, Lindell Justins, Charlie McDonald, Matt Richards, Dusty Ballenger, Shon Pointer, Jessie Mack and Jack Dover win their contests.
Despite several minor rollovers in the preliminary races, nobody was seriously hurt.
Joey Haase in the #2, Mike Hansen’s 94, the 81X of Matt Haase and Nate Thompson’s 3T led the field after 1 lap of the NAPA IMCA Sport Modified A Feature. Hunter Weber looped the 99W in 1 and 2 on lap 2 for a yellow flag period. Thompson passed Matt Haase on the restart to take over third. Scott Bivens, in the S56, also got past Matt Haase on the next lap for fourth. Matt Haase stopped in turn 2 on lap 5 for another caution. Lap 6 saw Gary Saathoff’s 96 get past Bivens for the fourth position. Saathoff got all the way to second the next lap, but there was a caution for the 2R of Don Rinke. Thompson moved up to second on the restart with Bivens moving back to fourth the next time around. Weber and Saathoff got together with 5 to go, putting Gunnar Pike’s 25 into fourth. Thompson grabbed the lead with 4 to go. Bivens advanced to second the next lap but lost the position to Joey Haase with 2 to go. The final top 4 were Thompson, Joey Haase, Scott Bivens and Pike.
This was Thompson’s first victory ever at Eagle Raceway, and came from the 3rd starting spot. “The track was great tonight; nice and slick. It was a good race, but I was feeling a little worried when I fell back to sixth” Thompson said. Thompson’s sponsors include FX Suspension, Terry Vukonich, Ken and Sandy Eckhoff and Ed’s Chassis.
The Racesaver IMCA Sprint A Feature was up next, setting positions 10 through 18 for Sunday’s 35 lap finale. Lindell Jenkins Jr. led the first circuit in his 23 followed by Jesse Mack’s 71M, the 1R of Matt Richards and Ethan Fleetwood’s 7F. Mack passed Jenkins on lap 3. Lap 4 saw Justin Melton loop the 12J in turns 1 and 2. Jack Dover’s 84 was sent to the rear of the field on the restart. Jenkins moved to second on lap 5 and Shon Pointer put the 20P into fourth the next lap. Tom Humphries spun the #39 in turn 3 on lap 7 to light the yellow lights in the corners. Blake Robertson cracked the top 4 in his #15 on the restart but spun out in turn 2 the next time around. Pointer moved to third on the restart. The next lap saw Pointer move up to second and Jake Bubak put the 9X into fourth. Pointer spun to a stop at the top of turn 3 after his engine expired. That made the top 4 Mack, Bubak, Jenkins and Richards. The restart saw Zach Blurton jump to third in the 2J with Bubak passing Mack for the lead. Robby Wolfgang cracked the top 4 on lap 14 in his #429. Mack looped his sprinter in turn 1 two laps later as Jenkins again moved to fourth. Jack Dover passed Jenkins on the restart and the 84 took over fourth. With 7 to go Josh Hawkins lost the right front from hid #80 for another caution. Dover moved to third on the restart and snagged second the next time around. Ryan Hall put the 79V into fourth after another lap, but Koby Walters’ 33 stopped in turn 4. Wolfgang moved up to third on the restart. Robertson hit the wall in turn 4 hard with 3 to go for the final slowing of the race. The final four laps so no further changes in the top 4 with Bubak winning, Dover second, Wolfgang third and Blurton fourth.
Bubak’s victory came from the 11th spot on the grid. “The track was great with a top and bottom. I think the top was just too far around. Most of them set up for either the top or bottom, then they were afraid to commit to one or the other and a lot of them were scared of the top. But, I passed them easily enough. I want to thank my Dad Rich. He’s a great set-up guy” he related. Bubak’s sponsors include Meyers Racing Engines.
Randy Garrison’s 2RG led lap 1 of the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock A Main with Chad Fegley’s 13F, the 39 of Khrysta Stransky and Mark McKinney’s 23 rounding out the top 4. McKinney passed Stransky for third on lap2 with Justin Busboom following him for fourth as Fegley took over the lead. Tanner Dowty’s 7T stopped in 3 and 4 on lap 3. 1 lap after the restart Roy Armstrong moved past Busboom, putting the 6R into fourth. 2 laps later Armstong moved to third and then to second after 2 more circuits. On the final lap Fegley got together with the 14 of Ron Novak and Armstrong was collected. Fegley was put back to fifth in the final rankings, making McKinney the winner with Busboom second, David Carter’s 2C third and Armstrong fourth.
This was victory #2 at Eagle this season for McKinney after starting 8th. “It was a nice, smooth track. I came out wanting a win pretty bad, but I didn’t want it to come like this. I guess you have to take them how you get them. I want to thank my Dad for all of his help, because it’s just him and me” stated McKinney.
John Ricketts led the Racesaver IMCA Jake Ita Memorial Race of Champions in his 5R with Chad Wilson’s 20, the 5X of Jake Martin and Mike Boston’s 51 close behind. Lap 3 saw John Carney pass Boston to move in to fourth. Carney advanced to third on lap 6 and took over second with 11 to go as Wilson held onto second. Carney and Wilson traded the lead the next 2 laps with Carney coming out on top. Josh Hawkins spun the 80 in turn 4 with 6 to go. Martin moved back to third on the restart. The final change in the top 4 came with 4 to go as Jack Dover took over fourth. The final top 4 were Carney, Wilson, Martin and Dover.
“It’s great to win a memorial race, because it’s so special to the people that are behind it and you get to meet those folks. I’m so glad I could win it for them and to get the chance to meet them all” he said. Carney’s sponsors include Coyote Cattle Company, Briley Trucking Company, Momentum Racing, MSD Ignition, DuBose Automotive Machine and Safe-T-Stepper.com.
The 2015 Racesaver IMCA Sprint Nationals, presented by Precise Racing and NMC Cat Rental concludes Sunday. The Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds and Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compacts will be the support classes for the evening. The preliminary events will include qualifying heats for the final 9 spots in the 3-wide start to the A Feature for the Racesaver IMCA sprints in addition to a full card for the support classes. There will be a driver’s autograph session and car show in the courtyard from 4:30 to 5:30. Sprint car legends Doug Wolfgang and Bob Trostle will both be in attendance and will have their books with them for purchase. Miss Eagle Raceway will be crowned during intermission.
The front gates open at 4:30. The first 1000 people through those gates will receive a driver introduction ceremony light-up wand, sponsored by Precise Roofing. Adult admission will be $15, youths 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 3 P.M. with pit admission being $25.
RESULTS:
ROC Sprint 09/05/2015 1. John Carney (Horizon, TX), 2. Chad Wilson (North Richland Hills, TX), 3. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 5. Ryan Hall (Midlothian, TX), 6. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 7. Colin Smith (Sheldon, IA), 8. Dusty Ballenger (Harrisburg, SD), 9. Dustin Woods (Forney, TX), 10. Josh Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 11. Jason Howell (Azle, TX), 12. John Ricketts (Burleson, TX), 13. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 14. Regan Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 15. Jeff Day (Greenville, TX), 16. Chase Brewer (Springtown, TX), 17. Tucker Doughty (Heath, TX), 18. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE)
Sprint Nationals Hobby Stock 09/05/2015 A Feature: 1. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 2. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 3. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 4. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 6. Randy Garrison (Beatrice, NE), 7. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 8. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 9. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 10. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 11. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 12. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE), 13. Jacob Waldron (Beatrice, NE), 14. Kile Casteel (Roca, NE), 15. Ron Novak (Blair, NE), 16. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 17. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE), 18. Shane Wurtele* (Nebraska City, NE)
Heat 1: 1. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 2. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 3. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 4. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 5. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 6. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 7. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE), 9. Jacob Waldron (Beatrice, NE)
Heat 2: 1. Randy Garrison (Beatrice, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 4. Khrysta Stransky (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 6. Troy Dowty (Fremont, NE), 7. Ron Novak (Blair, NE), 8. Kile Casteel (Roca, NE), 9. Shane Wurtele* (Nebraska City, NE)
Sprint Nationals SportMod 09/05/2015 A Feature: 1. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 2. Joey Haase (Norfolk, NE), 3. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 4. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 5. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 6. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 7. Brandon Spanjer (Crete, NE), 8. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 9. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 10. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 11. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 12. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 13. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 14. Troy Sanford (Lincoln, NE), 15. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 16. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 17. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, IA), 18. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE), 19. Hunter Weber (Council Bluffs, IA), 20. Matt Hasse (Norfolk, NE)
Heat 1: 1. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 2. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 3. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 4. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 5. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 6. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 7. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 8. Troy Sanford (Lincoln, NE), 9. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 10. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 2: 1. Joey Haase (Norfolk, NE), 2. Matt Hasse (Norfolk, NE), 3. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 4. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 5. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 6. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 7. Brandon Spanjer (Crete, NE), 8. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, IA), 9. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 10. Hunter Weber (Council Bluffs, IA)
Sprint Nationals Sprint 09/05/2015 A Feature: 1. Jake Bubak (Arvada, CO), 2. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 3. Robby Wolfgang (Sioux Falls, SD), 4. Zach Blurton (Quinter, KS), 5. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 6. Ryan Hall (Midlothian, TX), 7. Lindell Jenkins Jr. (Greenville, TX), 8. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 9. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 10. Dustin Woods (Forney, TX), 11. Dusty Ballenger (Harrisburg, SD), 12. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 13. Claud Estes (Godley, TX), 14. Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX), 15. Jesse Mack (Visalia, CA), 16. Tom Humphries (Raphine, VA), 17. Koby Walters (Liberal, KS), 18. Brandon Allen (St Peter, MN), 19. Jeff Day (Greenville, TX), 20. Blake Robertson (Visalia, CA), 21. Ethan Fleetwood (Smithville, IN), 22. Josh Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 23. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 24. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE)
B Feature: 1. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 2. Jeff Day (Greenville, TX), 3. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 4. Dustin Woods (Forney, TX), 5. Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE), 6. Chase Brewer (Springtown, TX), 7. Jed Werner (Codell, KS), 8. Adam Trimble (Pueblo, CO), 9. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 10. Michael Day (Greenville, TX), 11. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 12. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 13. Tony Everhart (El Cajon, CA), 14. Logan Scherb (Decature, TX), 15. Nate Eakin (Lake Park , IA), 16. TJ Artz (Lincoln, NE), 17. Tim Fricke (Lincoln, NE), 18. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 19. Tucker Doughty (Heath, TX), 20. Jason Howell (Azle, TX), 21. Jerald Harris (Harrisonburg, VA), 22. Ben Woods (Newton, IA)
C Feature: 1. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 2. Nate Eakin (Lake Park , IA), 3. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jeff Radcliffe (Hill City, KS), 5. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 6. Colin Smith (Sheldon, IA), 7. Russell Shoulders (Forney, TX), 8. Jerry Hammock (Ennis, TX), 9. Brian Herbert (Dodge City, KS), 10. Matt Etzelmiller (Keller, TX), 11. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 12. Glenn Worrell (Powhatan, VA), 13. Victoria Knutson (Montecello, MN), 14. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 15. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 16. Charlie Ware (Hallieford, VA), 17. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 18. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 19. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 20. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 21. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 22. Taylor Velasquez (Liberal, KS)
D Feature: 1. Jerry Hammock (Ennis, TX), 2. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 3. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 4. Troy Severin (Ashland, VA), 5. Rod Ort (Lewisberry, PA), 6. Daren Bolac (Moyock, NC), 7. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 8. Mark Klis (Waxahachie, TX), 9. Regan Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 10. Jason Becker (Seward, NE), 11. Trevor Serbus (Olivia, MN), 12. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 13. Dalyn Cody (Prior Lake, MN), 14. Bart Gray (Turtleford, SK), 15. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 16. Gary Kelley (Ardmore, OK), 17. Jeremy Schultz (Hutchinson, MN), 18. Bruce Allen (Mankato , MN)
Heat 1: 1. Claud Estes (Godley, TX), 2. Jake Bubak (Arvada, CO), 3. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jed Werner (Codell, KS), 5. Nate Eakin (Lake Park , IA), 6. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jason Becker (Seward, NE), 8. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 2: 1. Ethan Fleetwood (Smithville, IN), 2. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 3. Jeff Day (Greenville, TX), 4. Logan Scherb (Decature, TX), 5. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 6. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 7. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE)
Heat 3: 1. Blake Robertson (Visalia, CA), 2. Zach Blurton (Quinter, KS), 3. Dustin Woods (Forney, TX), 4. Jerald Harris (Harrisonburg, VA), 5. Jeff Radcliffe (Hill City, KS), 6. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 7. Daren Bolac (Moyock, NC), 8. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 4: 1. Lindell Jenkins Jr. (Greenville, TX), 2. Tom Humphries (Raphine, VA), 3. Adam Trimble (Pueblo, CO), 4. Ben Woods (Newton, IA), 5. Colin Smith (Sheldon, IA), 6. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Dalyn Cody (Prior Lake, MN), 8. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE)
Heat 5: 1. Ryan Hall (Midlothian, TX), 2. Josh Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 3. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 4. TJ Artz (Lincoln, NE), 5. Russell Shoulders (Forney, TX), 6. Matt Etzelmiller (Keller, TX), 7. Trevor Serbus (Olivia, MN), 8. Gary Kelley (Ardmore, OK)
Heat 6: 1. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 2. Koby Walters (Liberal, KS), 3. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 4. Tim Fricke (Lincoln, NE), 5. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 6. Taylor Velasquez (Liberal, KS), 7. Regan Hawkins (Whitehouse, TX), 8. Jeremy Schultz (Hutchinson, MN)
Heat 7: 1. Dusty Ballenger (Harrisburg, SD), 2. Brandon Allen (St Peter, MN), 3. Jason Howell (Azle, TX), 4. Tony Everhart (El Cajon, CA), 5. Charlie Ware (Hallieford, VA), 6. Victoria Knutson (Montecello, MN), 7. Troy Severin (Ashland, VA), 8. Mark Klis (Waxahachie, TX)
Heat 8: 1. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 2. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 3. Chase Brewer (Springtown, TX), 4. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 5. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 6. Brian Herbert (Dodge City, KS), 7. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 8. Jerry Hammock (Ennis, TX)
Heat 9: 1. Jesse Mack (Visalia, CA), 2. Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX), 3. Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE), 4. Tucker Doughty (Heath, TX), 5. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 6. Glenn Worrell (Powhatan, VA), 7. Bart Gray (Turtleford, SK), 8. Bruce Allen (Mankato , MN)
Heat 10: 1. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 2. Robby Wolfgang (Sioux Falls, SD), 3. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 4. Michael Day (Greenville, TX), 5. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 6. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 7. Rod Ort (Lewisberry, PA)
