Well, after last week’s Icebreaker Challenge was cancelled, this week’s Start Your Engines presented by A1 Iron and Empire Fence could have been deemed the Windbreaker Challenge. The strong southerly winds didn’t seem to keep many fans from showing up, however. Those who came saw 180 cars filling the pits and providing some really great racing all night.
There were no significant incidents in the preliminary racing.
The last race of the evening was for the Twin Rivers IMCA Racesaver Sprints. The first lap saw Tyler Drueke do a 360-degree spin in turn 1 but kept going. The inadvertent flag was taken back and a complete restart ensued. Joey Danley led lap 1 in the 14, Drueke held down second, Trevor Grossenbacher put the 35 into third and Jacob Dye’s 20D rounded out the top 4. Drueke passed Danley for the lead on lap 5 as Jason Danley passed Dye for fourth in his 4X. The next time around Grossenbacher moved past Joey Danley and took over the second spot with Dye regaining fourth. Dye slipped and had to go through the infield with 12 to go, allowing Mike Houseman Jr. to take fourth in the 4L. Through heavy lapped traffic the field tried to catch Drueke but could not. The final 4 were Drueke, Grossenbacher, Joey Danley and Houseman.
Tyler, like Saathoff had won the final race last year, capturing the crown in the IMCA Racesaver Sprint Car Nationals and followed it up with this win. I knew that with the track the way it was Joey was going to have the preferred line at the start. He kind of got out there a little way, so I had to get my car rotating right around the corner so that I could build a run on him. Once I did that, I just took my opportunity when it came. It was pretty cool winning the Nationals and then getting the win at the first race of the season. We need to keep working on the race car and keep it dialed in. Keep it right for how the racetrack is. Whoever does that the best ends up out front. But it’s not me, it’s my crew; I just guide the thing around. A special thanks to everyone who helps us out! It all helps us to get the win. My mom and dad, Austin, Dustin, Matt Zoz, my wife Brandy; it’s a big team effort and it feels great to get the win”. Drueke’s sponsors include MYSalesman.com, Drueke Trucking and Ranch, Zoz Farms, Cherney Enterprises, King Ranch, Jeffries Trucking, Vahlco Wheels, Jeffres Trucking, Angel Energy Services, Johnson Farms, Charles E. Sykes, Picadilly Rosehill Ranches, Schaeffer’s Oil, Midwest Racing Performance and Kings Auto Supply.
Next Saturday is Salute to Blue, presented by Avid Realty and Rotellas. Front gates open at 5:15. Adult admission is $12, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 3:30 with pit admission being $30. All 5 classes will be in action, including Twin Rivers Sprint Cars, Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, Avid Realty SportMods, Valentino’s Hobby Stocks & A1 Iron Stock Cars.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 4. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 5. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 7. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 8. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 9. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 10. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 11. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 12. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 13. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 14. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 15. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 16. Chris Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 17. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 18. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 19. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 2. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 3. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 5. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 6. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 7. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 8. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 9. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 10. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 11. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 13. James Reed(r) Holodrege, Ne. DNS. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 2. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 3. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 4. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 5. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 8. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 9. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 10. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 3. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 4. Chris Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 5. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 6. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 7. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 8. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 9. James Reed(r) Holodrege, Ne. 10. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 6. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 7. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 8. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 9. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne.