By Greg Soukup
Although rain cancelled the racing at Mini E Raceway on Friday, the track prep crew came through yet again so that Fun-Ganza, presented by Theron Ahlman from Modern Real Estate and Pepsi Cola could take place. A great crowd showed up and helped to raise just over $8000 through 50/50 donations for Tom Belsky who was severely injured last week.
There were no serious incidents in the preliminary racing.
The finale for the evening featured the Duros Dent Works IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars. Brandon Horton in the 1B, Dennis Engelhaupt’s 30, the 28 of Bobby Eubanks and Chase Weiler’s 0 were the first four back to the flag stand on lap 1. Eubanks passed Engelhaupt on lap 2 for second. The next circuit saw Weiler advance to third with the 12N of Neil Nickolite moving up to fourth. Josh Riggins looped the 14J on the back stretch on lap 8 for a caution. On the restart Nickolite grabbed the lead with Joey Danley putting the 14 into fourth. Danley moved to third the next time around and got up to second on lap 10. Tyler Drueke advanced to fourth in the 12 on lap 14 and advanced to third with 5 to go. The next lap saw Jason Danley’s 4X get up to fourth. Despite all attempts to catch him Nickolite moved away from the pack to win with Joey Danley second, Drueke third and Jason Danley fourth.
This marked Neil’s first visit to victory lane in a sprint car. He stated “We’ve been really close out here a lot of times, but it seems like it was always lapped cars or green/white/checkers that get us And then with drivers like Boston, Drueke and the Danleys it seems like they go by you like you’re tied to a fence post. That first caution I looked at the leader board and there was 18 to go and the car had been really good those first laps and that made me kind of nervous. We kind of checked out there for a while until I got next to Benson and Lovegrove, and they’re so good at what they do that and I was trying to be good at what they’re good at and run the bottom. I was really looking for Joey and Tyler or Jason to be coming up. I did not drive a perfect race by any means, but somehow I was just good enough to pull it off. To win here at Eagle, it’s huge!! I think I’m the youngest driver out here. I was racing a go kart at Mini E Speedway when Roger talked me into moving up to a sprint car. Watching the Grossenbachers and Danleys and especially Mike Boston; I’ve grown up watching all of the great drivers out here and wanting to be like them. I finally reached the moment where I can say I am like them because I finally won out here!!! I race in memory of Corey Kallenbach, but this win was all for Butch Bade”.
Neil’s sponsors include D & J Truck Repair in O’Neill, CK Bar and Grill, Classic Sand and Gravel, Speedway Racing Engines, Pro Shocks and Butch Bade Racing.
This coming Saturday at Eagle Raceway is Junior Fan Club Night presented by Colby Ridge and Rotella’s. Kids 12 and under will receive free front gate admission and there will be a free Sam’s Club Kids Candy Dash at intermission. Front gates open at 5:00. Adult admission is $12, youths 6-12 is just $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 3:30 with pit admission being $30.
Hot laps begin at 5:30 with racing kicking off at 6:30. All 5 classes will be in action, including the Duros Dent Works Sprint Cars, Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, A1 Iron/Sany Stock Cars, Modern Real Estate SportMods & Valentino’s Hobby Stocks.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 3. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 8. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 9. Bobby Eubanks Concordia, Ks. 10. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 11. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 12. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 13. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 14. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 15. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 16. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 17. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 18. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 19. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 20. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 5. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 6. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 8. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 9. Jacob Dye 10. Kevin Dye 11. James Reed Holodrege, Ne. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 13. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 3. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 4. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 5. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 6. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 7. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 8. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 9. Kevin Dye 10. James Reed Holodrege, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 3. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 4. Bobby Eubanks Concordia, Ks. 5. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 6. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 7. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 8. Jacob Dye 9. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 4. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 5. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 6. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 9. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne.