Toby Chapman takes the Checkers at the Saturday Portion of RaceSaver Nationals

By Greg Soukup

Saturday brought a very large crowd to Eagle Raceway for night two of the 2020 IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals powered by Sunbelt Rentals. Temperatures in the mid-90s kept the track crew very busy making sure that the racing surface was refreshed and racey right up to the last checkered flag.

Unfortunately, there were several serious incidents in the preliminary action, all in the IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars. On the start of heat #9 John Webster’s 9 and the 3C of Chase Brewer got together coming onto the front stretch and Webster ended up flipping. In the G Feature Philip Heynen jumped over the cushion in turns 1 & 2 and flipped the 31H. In the F Feature the 12P of Ryan Navratil made hard contact with the Armco in turn 1 and rolled over. Mike Boston flipped the #51 in turn 4 during the B Feature. None of the drivers were seriously hurt.

The start of the Coors Light IMCA Sportmod A Main saw a big pileup coming out of turn 4. The 11H of Nick Morris, Jim Blazing’s 3J, the 21 of Amber Cook and Roger Sluka in the 5S all ended up in the tangle. Cole Wayman took advantage of his starting spot on the pole to lead the first official lap in the 18W with Andrew Whitmore’s 27W, Steffen Oaks in the 17X and Matt Andrews’ 22 rounding out the top 4. Andrews moved up to third on lap 4 and advanced to second 2 circuits later. Ford Rohde looped his #10 on the front stretch on lap 9 for a caution. There were 7 laps remaining when Cade Richards took over fourth in the 1R. Richards passed Whitmore with 3 to go to take over third. The final top 4 were Wayman, Andrews, Richards, and Whitmore.

Wayman stated “I think this is one of the first times I’ve raced where I got to start on the front row. It sure helped to not have to start 12th and drive through all of those cars. It was kind of weird too because you don’t know where to run because you aren’t following anyone. I decided to stick with the top line and that ended up working out really well for me. The car was perfect. We caught up to some lapped traffic towards the end, so I had to go to the bottom. I had to check up for them, but other than that I couldn’t complain. The track was super smooth. There was a top and bottom line but the top was the preferred line. Hats off to Roger Hadan and everyone at Eagle Raceway for the awesome track prep; not just this weekend but the entire season. Thanks to my Mom and Dad and everybody else

who helps out on the car”. Wayman’s sponsors include Theron Ahlman, Modern Real Estate, Jet Racing, Brookelyn’s Hair & Replacement and Uribe Refuse.

The IMCA Racesaver Sprint Feature’s first lap saw Jason Danley first back to the flag stand in the 4X. Mark Pace’s 40X, the 7C of Toby Chapman and Chad Koch in the 30 rounded out the top 4. Bradley Sterrett passed Koch on lap 9 to put his 23S into fourth. Chapman advanced to second on lap 16 and Sterrett followed him into third the next time around. With 6 circuits remaining the top 3 were nose to tail and flying! Danley bobbled in turn 1 on the final lap and Chapman took advantage of it, passing Danley for the top spot in turn 3 and holding on for the victory while Claud Estes III took the fourth spot in the 74E. Also transferring to the finale on Sunday to make up rows 4 through 6 were Mark Pace, Jason Martin, Chad Koch, Jay Russell, and Stu Snyder.

“We were a little snug at the start, but it freed up enough that we started running Jason down. I wasn’t sure if I was going to catch him or not because he had pretty much a straightaway on me when I got to second. We hit lapped traffic and I snuck underneath him one time, then he chopped me off going into turn three. He went to the bottom and I was able to get a good run on him then. He caught a rut and it shoved him up out of his line, so I slid underneath him and got him! That was it and it was over. The track was great tonight. I really have to give it to Roger for tonight. Thanks to the Floodmans for letting me drive this car, and for all the people who help keep it rolling; Andy, Rich and Kyle” he related. Chapman’s sponsors include FMS Racing, Fred’s at Parkway, Central Body Shop, Onyx Wraps and Herbie Zieman.

The last race was the Jake Ita Memorial Race of Champions for the IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars. Jake Bubak took off from the pole and led lap 1 with the 26 of Jacob Harris, Jason Martin in the 1A and Clint Benson’s 100 on his tail tank. Tyler Drueke passed Benson on lap two to put the 12 into fourth. Martin moved up to second on lap 7. Drueke looped his sprinter in turns 3 and 4 with 7 to go, putting Benson back into fourth. Dusty Ballenger got past Benson on the restart in the 2D, but the pass was negated when Daren Bolac flipped the 44V in turns 3 and 4. Benson advanced to third with 5 to go. Benson moved to third with 5 to go. The final change in the top 4 came with 3 to go as Jason Danley grabbed the fourth spot in the 4X. The top 4 were Bubak, Martin, Benson and Danley.

This was Bubak’s second Race of Champions win in a row. Bubak said “It definitely helped starting on the pole. I think Jason came through there pretty good from a ways back. I start second row outside for the A tomorrow night in 6th. That’s a decent spot because we’re not in the middle. Last year we started on the pole and had to take off in a greasy spot so that hurt us. I’m hoping that starting on the outside will be beneficial for us”. Bubak’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, Sardeson Racing, Simpson, Maxim Chassis, King Racing, Ultra Shield and Safe-T-Stepper.com.

Sunday wraps up the 2020 racing season at America’s Home Track with the finale of the 8th Annual IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, powered by Sunbelt Rentals. The sprints will be running qualifying features to establish the final 3 rows for the Big Dance. 9 drivers will fill out the remainder of the field for the only 3-wide start of a sprint car race on dirt.

Front gates open at 4:30. Adult admission for the front gate is $20, youth 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free.

Hot laps start at 5:30 with racing at 6:30. The support class for the evening is the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks. Pit gates open at 3:00 with pit passes costing $30.

RESULTS:

IMCA SportMod A-Feature

1. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 2. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 3. Cade Richards(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Andrew Whitmore Beatrice, Ne. 5. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 6. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 7. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 8. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 9. Blain Petersen Essex, Ia. 10. Noah Williams(r) Ashland, Ne. 11. Dana Deeke Waverly, Ne. 12. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 13. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 14. Steffen Oaks(r) Lincoln, Ne. 15. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 16. Ford Rohde(rodey) Hooper, Ne. 17. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 18. Jim Blazing 19. Roger Sluka Lincoln, Ne. 20. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA SportMod B-Feature

1. Noah Williams(r) Ashland, Ne. 2. Blain Petersen Essex, Ia. 3. Dana Deeke Waverly, Ne. 4. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 5. Shawn Hein(r) Beatrice, Ne. 6. Shawn Pospisil(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. James Hines Bellevue, Ne. 8. McLain Reed(r) Lincoln, Ne. 9. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 10. John Allensworth Sr.(r) Omaha, Ne. 11. Breanna Pfanstiel Lincoln, Ne. 12. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 13. A.j. Oaks Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 1

1. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 2. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 3. Steffen Oaks(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 5. Breanna Pfanstiel Lincoln, Ne. 6. Shawn Pospisil(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shawn Hein(r) Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 2

1. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 2. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 3. Andrew Whitmore Beatrice, Ne. 4. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 5. John Allensworth Sr.(r) Omaha, Ne. 6. James Hines Bellevue, Ne. 7. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 8. A.j. Oaks Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 3

1. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 2. Ford Rohde(rodey) Hooper, Ne. 3. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 4. Jim Blazing 5. McLain Reed(r) Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dana Deeke Waverly, Ne. DNS. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 4

1. Cade Richards(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 3. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 4. Roger Sluka Lincoln, Ne. 5. Noah Williams(r) Ashland, Ne. 6. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 7. Blain Petersen Essex, Ia.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature

1. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 2. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 3. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 4. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 5. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 7. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 8. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 9. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 10. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 11. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 12. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 13. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 14. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 15. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 16. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 17. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 18. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 19. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 20. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature

1. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 2. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 3. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 4. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 5. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 6. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 9. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 10. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 11. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 12. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 13. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 14. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 15. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 16. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 17. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 18. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature

1. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 2. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 6. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 8. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 9. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 10. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 11. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 12. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 13. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 14. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 15. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature

1. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 2. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 3. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 4. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 5. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa.

6. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 7. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 8. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 9. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 10. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 11. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 12. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 13. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 14. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 15. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature

1. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 2. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 3. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 5. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 6. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 7. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 8. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. 9. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 10. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 11. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 12. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. DNS. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. DNS. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. DNS. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature

1. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 2. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 3. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 4. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 5. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 6. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 7. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 8. Daniel Estes Sr Mansfield, Tx. 9. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 10. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 11. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 12. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. DNS. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Shane Obanion Avon, In. DNS. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature

1. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 2. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 3. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 4. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 5. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 6. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne. 7. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 8. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca. 9. John Webster North Platte, Ne. DNS. Jamie Manley DNS. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1

1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 6. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 7. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10

1. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 2. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 3. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 4. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 5. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 6. Shane Obanion Avon, In. 7. Jamie Manley

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11

1. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 2. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 3. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 4. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 5. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 6. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 7. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2

1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 3. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 4. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 5. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 6. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 7. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3

1. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 2. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 5. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 7. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4

1. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 2. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 3. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 4. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 5. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 6. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 7. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5

1. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 2. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 5. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 6. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6

1. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 2. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 3. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 4. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Daniel Estes Sr Mansfield, Tx. 7. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7

1. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 2. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 3. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 4. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 5. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 6. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 7. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8

1. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 2. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 3. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 4. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 5. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 6. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 7. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9

1. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 2. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 3. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 4. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 5. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 6. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 7. John Webster North Platte, Ne.

ROC Sprint A-Feature

1. Jake Bubak Lubbock, Tx. 2. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 3. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 6. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 7. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 8. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 9. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 10. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 11. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 12. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 13. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 14. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 15. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 16. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 18. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 19. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. DNS. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. DNS. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne