By Greg Soukup
As usual, Mother Nature tried to ruin the first night of the 7th annual IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, presented by Precise Racing Products last evening. At noon the pits were a muddy mess and the track was soaked from a very heavy overnight downpour, but the Eagle Raceway crew did their magic and by race time the pits were dried and the track was ready for the 14 heats, 6 preliminary features and 2 A Mains. Thanks to the continued efforts of the track prep staff after the heats and before the B Feature for the Racesaver Sprints there were 2 racing lines right to the end, and the racers were taking advantage of both.
Preliminary action saw 4 serious incidents. Jason Danley’s 4X made a hard right turn into the turn 4 wall in hot laps, ending his night. Chad Wilson also made hard contact with the wall in turns 3 and 4 in heat #3. Trey Burke’s #3 jumped the cushion in turns 3 and 4 in heat 10 and flipped. In the E Feature Taylor Courtney’s ride flipped on the front stretch. None of the drivers was seriously hurt.
Kaleb Johnson led lap 1 of the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver A Feature in the #22 with the 74B of Jake Bubak second, Jason Martin’s 5X third and Luke Cranston in the 11C rounding out the top 4. Joey Danley’ 14 spun in turn 2 on the second circuit, collecting the 47 of Cody Ledger and the yellow flag flew. Bubak took advantage of the restart and snagged the lead. Martin passed Johnson the next time around. The track was still lightning fast as the leaders jumped to the high side and began to pull away from the pack. Lap 13 saw Tyler Drueke’s 12 stop on the back stretch to slow the action again. Cranston got past Johnson on the restart but lost the spot back to him the next circuit. Once again Bubak took off, stretching his lead to 6 car lengths but could not shake Martin completely. Martin managed to close on him in heavy lapped traffic as the race went the rest of the way caution free but could not catch him. Bubak came home first, Martin second, Johnson third and Cranston fourth. Cranston was disqualified in post-race tech for illegal fuel, moving Grossenbacher up to fourth.
He related “I knew that there were some really good drivers starting up there. Jason was our biggest worry. Once I got to the lead the car was really good; I could move around and go wherever I wanted to. I just picked the line that I felt most comfortable with and it worked out”. Bubak’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, Maxim Chassis, Momentum Racing Suspensions, Sardeson Racing Products, Winters and Simpson.
That set the first 3 rows for Sunday’s 3-wide start. They are Bubak, Martin, Johnson, Trevor Grossenbacher, Anton Hernandez, Ethan Barrow, Jake Martens, Andy Shouse and Justin Clark.
Saturday’s action continues as we qualify the next 3 rows for the Big Show on Sunday. The IMCA Sprint Racesaver sprints will again be in action with the Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Modifieds being the support class for the evening.
Following the Racesaver Sprint Car A Feature the Jake Ita Memorial Race of Champions will be run.
Hot laps begin at 5 with racing starting at 6.
The front gates will open at 4:30. Adult admission is $15, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 3 P.M. and pit admission is $30.
RESULTS:
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature 1. Jake Bubak Arvada, Co. 2. Jason Martin Lincoln, Ne. 3. Kaleb Johnson Sioux Falls, Sd. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Bennet, Ne. 5. Anton Hernandez Arlington, Tx. 6. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 7. Jake Martens Fairview, Ok. 8. Andy Shouse Oklahoma City, Ok. 9. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 10. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 11. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 12. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 13. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 14. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 15. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 16. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 17. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 18. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 19. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. DQ. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature 1. Trevor Grossenbacher Bennet, Ne. 2. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 4. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 5. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 6. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 7. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 8. Andy Shouse Oklahoma City, Ok. 9. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 10. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 11. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 12. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 13. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 14. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 15. Keith Martin Burleson, Tx. 16. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature 1. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 2. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 3. Keith Martin Burleson, Tx. 4. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 5. Bradley Sterrett(r) Bloomington, In. 6. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 7. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 8. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 9. Joe Wood Jr New Castle, Ok. 10. Brandon Anderson Glenpool, Ok. 11. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 12. Johnny Brown Jr. Orange, Tx. 13. Danny Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 14. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 15. Jacob Gomola Seneca, Pa. 16. Jerald Harris Harrisonburg, Va.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature 1. Keith Martin Burleson, Tx. 2. Jerald Harris Harrisonburg, Va. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Jacob Gomola Seneca, Pa. 5. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 6. Jason Howell Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 8. Robert Vetter Wolfe City, Tx. 9. Blake Dacus Fletcher, Ok. 10. Blake Mallory Joshua, Tx. 11. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 12. Brooklyn Holland Fresno, Ca. 13. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 14. Kade Higday Burleson, Tx. 15. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 16. Dj Estes Mansfield, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature 1. Brooklyn Holland Fresno, Ca. 2. Blake Dacus Fletcher, Ok. 3. Jason Howell Fort Worth, Tx. 4. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 5. Jack Potter Lees Summit, Mo. 6. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 7. Tyler Thompson Des Moines, Ia. 8. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 9. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 10. Larry Neighbors Oklahoma City, Ok. 11. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 12. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 13. Brant Obanion Viborg, Sd. 14. Brandon Bosma Round Lake, Mn. DNS. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. DNS. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature 1. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Brant Obanion Viborg, Sd. 3. Tyler Thompson Des Moines, Ia. 4. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 5. Trey Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dustyn Welch Bryan, Tx. 7. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 8. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 9. Joe Miller Vail, Ia. 10. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 11. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 12. Charlie Ware Hallieford, Va. 13. Mark Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 14. Chad Koch Lincoln, Ne. 15. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. DNS. Casey Merrell Springtown, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature 1. Trey Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 2. Casey Merrell Springtown, Tx. 3. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 4. Mark Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 5. Michelle Melton Flower Mound, Tx. 6. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 7. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne. 8. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 9. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 10. Rod Henning Middleton, Oh. 11. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. DNS. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. DNS. Johnny Sullivan(r) Arnolda Park, Ia. DNS. Trey Burke League City, Tx. DNS. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. DNS. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1 1. Anton Hernandez Arlington, Tx. 2. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 3. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 4. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 5. Larry Neighbors Oklahoma City, Ok. 6. Chad Koch Lincoln, Ne. 7. Casey Merrell Springtown, Tx. 8. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2 1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 3. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 4. Jerald Harris Harrisonburg, Va. 5. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 6. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 7. Mark Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 8. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3 1. Kaleb Johnson Sioux Falls, Sd. 2. Andy Shouse Oklahoma City, Ok. 3. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 4. Blake Mallory Joshua, Tx. 5. Brooklyn Holland Fresno, Ca. 6. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 8. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4 1. Jake Bubak Arvada, Co. 2. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 4. Dj Estes Mansfield, Tx. 5. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 6. Dustyn Welch Bryan, Tx. 7. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. DNS. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5 1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 3. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 4. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 5. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 6. Tyler Thompson Des Moines, Ia. 7. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. 8. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6 1. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 2. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 3. Johnny Brown Jr. Orange, Tx. 4. Jacob Gomola Seneca, Pa. 5. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 6. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 7. Johnny Sullivan(r) Arnolda Park, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7 1. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 2. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 3. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 4. Robert Vetter Wolfe City, Tx. 5. Blake Dacus Fletcher, Ok. 6. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 7. Trey Gropp Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8 1. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Bennet, Ne. 3. Joe Wood Jr New Castle, Ok. 4. Kade Higday Burleson, Tx. 5. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 6. Brant Obanion Viborg, Sd. 7. Rod Henning Middleton, Oh.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9 1. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 4. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 5. Jason Howell Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 7. Michelle Melton Flower Mound, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10 1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 3. Brandon Anderson Glenpool, Ok. 4. Keith Martin Burleson, Tx. 5. Jack Potter Lees Summit, Mo. 6. Joe Miller Vail, Ia. 7. Trey Burke League City, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11 1. Jake Martens Fairview, Ok. 2. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 3. Bradley Sterrett(r) Bloomington, In. 4. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 5. Brandon Bosma Round Lake, Mn. 6. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12 1. Jason Martin Lincoln, Ne. 2. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 3. Danny Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 4. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 5. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 6. Charlie Ware Hallieford, Va. 7. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne.