By Greg Soukups
The stands were full of fans, and the pit was full of teams Saturday night as A1 Iron and Pepsi Cola of Lincoln presented Freedom Fest. Everyone was anxious to see some great racing action on the high bans of America’s Home Track and to watch the fabulous fireworks show after the features were completed.
The only serious event in the preliminary action came in the Duros Dent Works IMCA Racesaver B main when Bill Garrow’s 3G suffered a broken spindle which set his car rolling. He wasn’t badly hurt, but his car was damaged too severely to continue.
Lastly the Duros Dent Works IMCA Racesaver Sprints had their finale. Dwight Carter’s 4U, the 14G of Gene Ackland, Chase Weiler in the 0 and the 12N of Neil Nickolite led the field on lap 1. Nickolite went flipping in turn 4 on lap 2. He was extracted, placed on a backboard and
transported by ambulance to the hospital. As of this time we have received no word on his condition. Doug Lovegrove’s 55 moved into fourth. Clint Benson used the restart to put the 100 into fourth. Tyler Drueke vaulted up to third in the 12 on lap 6 and Benson followed him into second the next lap. There were 8 laps in the book when Danley moved up to third and Lovegrove retook the fourth spot. Lovegrove passed Danley for third with 8 to go but lost the spot back to him 2 laps later. Danley advanced to second the next time around and Lovegrove moved up to third. Jason Danley took over fourth with 2 to go making the top 4 Drueke, Joey Danley, Lovegrove and Jason Danley.
This was Tyler’s first win at Eagle in 2021. As Tyler walked up to me he said “It’s been so long since I won I didn’t think you remembered where I park!”. He continued by saying “We’ve been struggling. Stuff that worked last year isn’t working this year for whatever reason, and then we’ve been searching. But, I think we may have hit on something. Hopefully we’ll have some consistency and contend for more wins in the future. It’s a good time of the year to start getting good. There’s big races we’d like to have a chance of winning. Maybe start up front and try to win the Racesaver Nationals! I need to thank all of my crew. Matt Zoz has been working really hard, trying to get me more comfortable, my brother is working on the shocks, Dustin Gerdes does anything and everything for us. I need to thank Mom and Dad, my wife Brandy”. Tyler’s sponsors include Vahlco Wheels, Drueke Trucking and Ranch, Zoz Farms, Jeffres Trucking, Picadilly Ranch, Angel Energy Service, Johnson Farms, 402 Massage, King’s Auto Supply, TD Signs and Graphics, Agri Builders, True Trucking, Sardeson Racing, J&J Auto Racing, CSI Shocks, Speedway Racing Engines, Double Z Express and Gordon Electric.
Next weekend is Fan with a Can Night, presented by Duros Dent Works and Coors Light. Front gates open at 5:00. Adult admission is $12 but adults can take off $2 if you bring 2 cans of food to donate to the Lincoln Food Bank, youths 6 to 12 and $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. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 3. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 6. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 7. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 8. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 9. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 10. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 11. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 12. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 13. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 14. Troy Sanford Lincoln, Ne. 15. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 16. Trey Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 17. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 18. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 19. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 20. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 2. Troy Sanford Lincoln, Ne. 3. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 4. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 5. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 6. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 7. Maxwell Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 8. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 9. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 10. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 11. Jake Greenwood Woodward, Ia. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 13. Terry Richards Denton, Ne. 14. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 2. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 3. Trey Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 4. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 5. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 6. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 7. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 8. Maxwell Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 9. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 10. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 3. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 5. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 6. Troy Sanford Lincoln, Ne. 7. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 8. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 9. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 10. Terry Richards Denton, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 2. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 3. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 6. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 7. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 8. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 9. Jake Greenwood Woodward, Ia.