by Greg Soukup
A threat of afternoon rain held the crowd down as Day 2 of the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, Powered by Sunbelt Rentals took place at Eagle Raceway Friday. A clear blue sky with LOTS of sun and mid-90’s made it tough on the crack track prep crew, but several reworks of the track gave the racers a nice surface to compete on.
There were a total of 91 sprint teams that towed to Eagle Raceway from all over the country to test their mettle against the best Racesaver drivers anywhere. As a support class the IMCA Hobby Stocks were on hand to allow the sprint teams to have time to make adjustments and any necessary repairs. 13 heats of sprint car action set the field for the G through A Features.
There were only 2 serious incidents in the preliminary action. The first came in the C Feature for the sprints when Mike Boston rolled the #51 on the back stretch, The other happened in the B when contact between the 11X of Toby Chapman and Taylor Courtney’s 22P sent Courtney’s mount flipping in turn 1. Neither driver was seriously injured, buy both cars were done for the night.
Then it was time for the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver finale. On the initial attempt at a start, Nate Weiler in the 4W and the 21A of Bradley Sterrett both ended up going through the infield but got back onto the track. This caused an inadvertent yellow, and a complete restart was called. The first official lap saw John Carney II in the 74C out front with Max Guilford’s 37M second, Chad Wilson third in the #20 and Weiler fourth. Ryan Navratil’s 12P slowed going down the front stretch for another caution period. Guilford took over the lead on the restart. Lap 9 saw Navratil stop in turn 4 and the yellow lights again came on in the corners.
Jake Bubak moved into the fourth spot on lap 15, but the move was negated when Navratil again looped it, this time in turn 2. Bubak again gained fourth on the restart. The 25X of Gunnar Pike spun in turn 4 the next time around for yet another caution. Carney got past Guilford with 9 to go for the lead with Wilson also getting around Guilford the next lap for second. A debris caution was called with 5 circuits remaining, Bubak moved to third on the restart but a caution for the 12 of Tyler Drueke stopping in turn 1 slowed the action. Bubak successfully made the pass to third with 3 to go making the top 4 Carney, Wilson, Bubak and Guilford..
Carney’s ride was a sister car to Bubak’s. I mentioned to John that he had grabbed the pole position for Sunday’s Big Dance, to which he replied “It’s awesome! Dane (Carney’s car owner) wanted to run 2 cars at the Nationals this year, so we followed that plan and with Jake finishing third we have both cars on the front row for Sunday. That’s pretty awesome for him and his team. This makes for an easy Saturday night for us both and we’re both happy to get locked in the first night. Everything was going good tonight. I knew that if I could get through the lapped cars I could get back to the lead. I knew I had a good car, but I just had a couple of not so good laps there and Guilford got by me. He really showed me that the bottom was stronger. I am kind of stubborn I guess, so I tried the top line a few times and couldn’t make it work, so there towards the end I went into protect mode and stuck to the bottom for the win. The people that are most important to me are my family and the folks who help me. There’s a LOT of people who help this team to do what it does”. Carney’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, KRS Fabrication and Momentum Racing Suspensions”.
Those locked into the first 3 rows of the 3-wide start Sunday are Carney, Wilson, Bubak, Guilford, Weiler, Chase Brewer, Kevin Rutherford, Jason Danley and Cody Ledger.
Saturday sees night 3 of the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, powered by Sunbelt Rentals. Those who did not qualify for the Big Dance will have their shot at being in rows 4 through 6 Sunday. Following the qualifying will be the Precise Racing Products Race of Champions. There will be a pit party going until 2 AM with music provided by Rock Sinatra. The Melon Bar will be open to supply your thirst aid requests. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals there will be a $10,000 money drop in the pits also.
Come on out for some exciting racing and stick around for the festivities afterwards.
Pits open at 3 PM with pit passes costing $35. Main gates will open at 4:30. Adult admission is $20, youths 6-12 are just $5 with children 5 and under free.
Hot laps begin at 5 with racing at 6. Support class is the Avid Realty IMCA Sportmods.
RESULTS:
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. John Carney Amarillo, Tx. 2. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 3. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 4. Max Guilford Clay City, In. 5. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 6. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 7. Kevin Rutherford 8. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 9. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 10. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 11. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 12. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 13. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 14. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 15. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 16. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 17. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 18. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 19. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 20. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature
1. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 6. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 7. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 8. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 9. Maxwell Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 10. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 11. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 12. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 13. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 14. Bryce Norris Terre Haute, In. 15. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 16. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 17. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 18. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature
1. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 2. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 3. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 4. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 5. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Jeremy Huish(r) Ness City, Ks. 7. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 8. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 9. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 10. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 11. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 12. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 13. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 14. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 15. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 16. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature
1. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 2. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 3. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 4. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 5. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 8. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 9. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 10. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 11. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 12. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 13. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 14. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 15. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 16. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature
1. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 2. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 3. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 4. Shane Obanion Danville, In. 5. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 6. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 7. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 8. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 9. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 10. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 11. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 12. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 13. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 14. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. DNS. Steve Hurst(r) Ames, Ne. DNS. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature
1. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 2. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 3. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 4. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 5. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 6. Andrew Sullivan Spirit Lake, Ia. 7. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 8. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 9. Robert Herrera Las Cruces, Nm. 10. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 11. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 12. James Reed Kearney, Ne. 13. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 14. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 15. Rod Henning Monrovis, In. DNS. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature
1. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Rod Henning Monrovis, In. 3. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 4. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 5. Mark Finnell Osage Beach, Mo. 6. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 7. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 8. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 9. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 10. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 11. Zackary Wight Winnebago, Mn. 12. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Cory Minor Haslet, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1
1. Kevin Rutherford 2. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 4. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 5. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 6. Andrew Sullivan Spirit Lake, Ia. 7. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10
1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 6. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 7. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11
1. Max Guilford Clay City, In. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 5. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 6. Robert Herrera Las Cruces, Nm. 7. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12
1. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 2. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 3. Jeremy Huish(r) Ness City, Ks. 4. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 5. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 6. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 7. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 13
1. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 2. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 3. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 4. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 5. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 6. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 7. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2
1. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 2. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 3. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 4. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 5. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 6. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 7. Zackary Wight Winnebago, Mn.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3
1. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 2. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 3. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 4. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 5. Shane Obanion Danville, In. 6. James Reed Kearney, Ne. 7. Cory Minor Haslet, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4
1. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 3. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 4. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 5. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 6. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 7. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5
1. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 2. Maxwell Roseland Carter Lake, Ia. 3. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 4. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 5. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 6. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 7. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6
1. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 2. Bryce Norris Terre Haute, In. 3. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 4. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 5. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. 6. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 7. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7
1. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 4. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 5. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 6. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 7. Rod Henning Monrovis, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8
1. John Carney Amarillo, Tx. 2. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 3. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 4. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 5. Steve Hurst(r) Ames, Ne. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Mark Finnell Osage Beach, Mo.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9
1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 3. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 4. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 5. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 6. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.