By Greg Soukup
The late-arriving crowd for night one of the Ninth Annual IMCA Racesaver Sprint Nationals, Powered by Sunbelt Rentals Friday evening at Eagle Raceway found that once again the term ‘Biggest Sprint Car Race in the World’ was in fact true as 100 sprint teams swelled the pits.
The heavy rain that cancelled the previous night’s action left the track very narrow at the start and very tricky as there were flips on the first lap of both the first heats. Unfortunately, that trend continued throughout the night with flips and rollovers. Thankfully the only casualties were mechanical as none of them involved serious injuries.
Thirteen heats set the lineups for the preliminary features with the winner of each heat going to the A, second to the B, continuing on to the H Main. Each of those features saw 3 drivers advance to the next rung in the ladder. Probably most notable of those transfers was Tyler Drueke who started outside of row 4 in the C Main and won it, moved up to the B where he took off from 14th and finished second where he continued his march forward from the 15th position in the A.
The A Feature for the IMCA Racesaver Sprints saw Ryan Hall’s 79, the 57 of Mark Pace, John Paynter Jr. in the 23P and Jason Martin’s 5X the top 4 on lap 1. Junior Jenkins’ 23J and the 93 of Ryan King went flipping in turns 3 & 4 and the red lights came on in the corners. There were several others involved, including the 76 of Jay Russell and Trevor Grossenbacher’s 35 who suffered front wing damage but returned to the fray. All others were taken to the pits. Paynter got past Pace on the restart for second. Martin also passed Pace on lap 6 and got around Paynter on lap 9 to grab second. The next lap saw Tyler Drueke put the 12 into fourth. Martin moved to the lead with 10 to go. Drueke advanced to second with 4 laps remaining as Paynter held third and Hall was in fourth. Hall and Paynter swapped spots the next 2 laps. The final lap saw Luke Cranston put the 20C into fourth. The final top 4 were Martin, Drueke (from the C Feature), Paynter and Cranston. Paynter was disqualified in post-race tech for titanium u-joint bolts, moving Cranston to third and Hall to fourth. That set the first 3 rows for Sunday’s Big Dance where the 3-wide start will see Martin, Drueke, Cranston, Hall, Jason
Danley, Shon Pointer, Stu Snyder, Mark Pace and Dusty Ballenger heading the field.
I stopped by Drueke’s pit after the races to congratulate him on his mini-alphabet soup run to come home second. He related “I didn’t even know I was in second! We kept getting pushed back out with just enough time to adjust air pressure and put in fuel. That was lucky because we didn’t get the chance to screw anything up; just go back out and run as hard as I could”.
Martin had walked away from the field the week before at the season-ending show at Eagle. I told him that I wasn’t surprised to get to interview him again a week later. He said “That’s always the plan. It was a good race, and things are going good for us. The track just wasn’t good for passing tonight. It has to get slick and get wide so these guys can pass. I started sixth tonight and the guys ahead of me were running a pretty good pace. The track was still a little wet, so it didn’t really get technical. The guys were really running good up there, so I was just minding my own business. I figured we were going to get into lapped traffic, but then that crash took out five or six cars and lapped traffic didn’t really come into play. I had to start searching to try and find a different groove to gain some ground and luckily that worked out for me”. Jason’s sponsors include Trucks Plus Midwest Linings, Rezac Concrete, Meyers Racing Engines and Peterson Auto in Shenandoah.
Saturday’s racing action begins at 5 PM with hot laps and racing at 6:00. The 91 teams who have not qualified for the finale on Sunday will start fresh with heats, preliminary features and the A Feature which will set up rows 4 through 6. The Precise Racing Products Race of Champions will then be run.
Grandstands open at 4:30. Adult admission is $18, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.
Pit gates swing open at 3:00 with pit passes costing $35.
RESULTS:
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 4. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 5. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 6. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 7. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 8. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 9. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 10. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 11. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 12. Jeff Emerson Millsap, Tx. 13. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 14. William Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 15. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 16. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 17. Rod Henning Monrovis, In. 18. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 19. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. DQ. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature
1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 4. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 5. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 6. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 7. Jeff Emerson Millsap, Tx. 8. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 9. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 10. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 11. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 12. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 13. John Carney Lubbock, Tx. 14. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 15. Jake Galusha(r) Lincoln, Ne. 16. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. John Carney Lubbock, Tx. 3. Jake Galusha(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 5. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 7. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 8. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 9. Rod Craddock Alvin, Tx. 10. Terry Richards Denton, Ne. 11. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 12. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 13. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 14. Blake Scott Pauls Valley, Ok. 15. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 16. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature
1. John Carney Lubbock, Tx. 2. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 3. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 4. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 5. Jeff Wimmenauer Greenwood, In. 6. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 7. Danny Wood Norman, Ok. 8. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 9. Casey Burkham Seagoville, Tx. 10. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 11. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 12. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 13. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 14. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 15. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 16. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature
1. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 2. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 3. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 4. Kyle Rasmussen Clovis, Ca. 5. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 6. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Logan Scherb Bowie, Tx. 8. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 9. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 10. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 11. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 12. Kyler Johnson Quinter, Ks. 13. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 14. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 15. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. DNS. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature
1. Kyle Rasmussen Clovis, Ca. 2. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 3. Kyler Johnson Quinter, Ks. 4. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 5. Jacob Gomola Guy Mills, Pa. 6. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 7. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 8. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 9. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 10. Corby Scherb 11. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 12. Christopher Townsend Cleveland, Tx. 13. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 14. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 15. Orry Stevens Spring Creek, Nv. DNS. Monty Ferriera Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature
1. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 2. Kyler Johnson Quinter, Ks. 3. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 4. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 5. Casey Merrell Springtown, Tx. 6. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 7. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 8. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 9. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 10. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 11. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca. 12. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.
13. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 14. Mark Zoeller Palmer, Tx. 15. Steve Cousins Eldred, Pa. DNS. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint H-Feature
1. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 2. Steve Cousins Eldred, Pa. 3. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 4. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 5. Brandon Sampson Mesa, Az. 6. James Reed Holodrege, Ne. 7. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 8. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Troy Sanford Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1
1. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. John Carney Lubbock, Tx. 5. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 6. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 7. Mark Zoeller Palmer, Tx. 8. Troy Sanford Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2
1. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 4. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 5. Logan Scherb Bowie, Tx. 6. Monty Ferriera Lincoln, Ne. 7. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 8. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3
1. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 2. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 3. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 4. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 5. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 6. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 7. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 8. Brandon Sampson Mesa, Az.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4
1. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 2. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 3. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 4. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 5. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 6. Corby Scherb 7. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 8. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5
1. Rod Henning Monrovis, In. 2. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 3. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 4. Casey Burkham Seagoville, Tx. 5. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 6. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 7. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 8. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6
1. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 2. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 3. Terry Richards Denton, Ne. 4. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 5. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 6. Kyle Rasmussen Clovis, Ca. 7. Kyler Johnson Quinter, Ks. 8. Steve Cousins Eldred, Pa.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7
1. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 2. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 3. Rod Craddock Alvin, Tx. 4. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 5. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 6. Orry Stevens Spring Creek, Nv. 7. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 8. James Reed Holodrege, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8
1. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 2. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 3. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 4. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 5. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 6. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 8. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9
1. William Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 2. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 3. Blake Scott Pauls Valley, Ok. 4. Jeff Wimmenauer Greenwood, In. 5. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 7. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 8. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10
1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jeff Emerson Millsap, Tx. 3. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 4. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 5. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 6. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 7. Casey Merrell Springtown, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11
1. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 2. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 3. Jake Galusha(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 5. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 6. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 7. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12
1. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 3. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 4. Danny Wood Norman, Ok. 5. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 6. Jacob Gomola Guy Mills, Pa. 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 13
1. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 2. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 3. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 4. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 5. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 6. Christopher Townsend Cleveland, Tx. 7. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.
ROC Sprint Heat 1
1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 3. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 4. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Christopher Townsend Cleveland, Tx. 6. William Johnson St. Peter, Mn. DNS. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. DNS. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx.
ROC Sprint Heat 2
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 3. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 4. Steve Cousins Eldred, Pa. 5. Jacob Gomola Guy Mills, Pa. 6. Kyle Rasmussen Clovis, Ca. 7. Dan Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 8. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. DNS. John Carney Lubbock, Tx.
ROC Sprint Heat 3
1. Danny Wood Norman, Ok. 2. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 3. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 4. Jeff Emerson Millsap, Tx. 5. Rod Craddock Alvin, Tx. 6. Dennis Engelhaupt Page, Ne. 7. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. DNS. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne.
ROC Sprint Heat 4
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 3. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 4. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 5. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. DNS. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. DNS. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. DNS. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne.
ROC Sprint Heat 5
1. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 2. Casey Burkham Seagoville, Tx. 3. Jeff Wimmenauer Greenwood, In. 4. Logan Scherb Bowie, Tx. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. DNS. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. DNS. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. DNS. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.