By Greg Soukup
Another beautiful fall day greeted the large crowd that showed up for Night 3 of the 10th Annual IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals on Saturday. With the first 3 rows of Sunday’s 3-wide Big Dance already set; 12 heats set the lineup for the preliminary features. Starting with the G Main and going up to the B, 84 teams strapped in to try and run the Alphabet Soup and get to the night’s finale.
Once again, there were no serious incidents in the preliminary action.
Next was the main event for the IMCA Sprint Car Racesavers. Ethan Barrow’s 14S, the 91 of Adam Gullion, Tyler Drueke in the 12 and Mitchell Moore’s 57 led the field after the initial lap. Lap 3 saw Justin Clark get around Moore to put the 78 into fourth. The 88J of Jeremy Huish came to a halt in turn 4 with 17 to go for a caution period. Moore regained the fourth spot on the restart but lost it back to Huish 2 laps later. Drueke moved up to second with 5 circuits remaining. Drueke made a big move coming out of the fourth turn with 2 laps left to grab the lead and held Gullion off for the victory. Drueke, Gullion, Barrow and Clark were the top 4.
The win put Drueke inside the fourth row for Sunday’s A Feature. Also heading to the event and filling out the rest of rows 4 through 6 were Moore, Landon Thompson, Josh Riggins, Trevor Serbus and Clint Benson.
He stated “We started third tonight. The track had those features in turn 1 that started out pretty bad. I was struggling because I was too tight at the start of the race, having a hard time getting through the cars in front of me but once the track blew off we got better and better as the race went on. Generally, that’s what you want. I was just good enough to maintain my spot at first. Barrow and Gullion were setting a really good pace so I was just maintaining as we went. It got better and they came back to us. Adam got caught up on the cushion there at the end. I wasn’t going to push the issue or anything, but when that happened it made it a lot easier. I found the middle groove while we were in lapped traffic and Barrow was on the top. There was a lapped car on the bottom so I split them through the middle in turns 3 and 4. So that was my intention and then Adam just had that trouble at the end, making it a little easier for me than it should have been”. Tyler’s sponsors include MySalesman.com, Cherney Enterprises Commodities and Logistics, American Trailer Company, Vahlco, Midwest Racing Performance, Drueke Trucking, Drueke Ranch, Zoz Farms, Jeffres Trucking, Piccadilly Rosehill Ranches, Angel Energy Services, Johnson Farms, Charles E. Sykes, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Kings Auto Supply, TD Signs and Graphics, 402 Massage by Andrea, Gordon Electric Inc., Jimbell, DoubleZ Express, J&J Auto Racing, Competition Suspension Inc., Forward Bite, Speedway Racing Engines and AFCO.
The final race of the evening was the Precise Racing Products Race of Champions. Jake Bubak jumped to the early lead in the 74B with Stu Snyder’s 5, the 14 of Joey Danley in the 14 and Tyler Drueke’s 12 close behind. Bubak was not about to be caught, building up a half track lead midway through the contest. Drueke passed Danley with 7 to go and moved to second 2 laps later. Bubak continued to pull away for the win, Drueke was second with Snyder third and Danley fourth.
He related “This was our third Race of Champions win. We got a really good start, just trying to feel around the track before we really got going. I knew the bottom hold it, so I ran through the middle where I thought there was grip and it stuck. The car was really good tonight, thanks to my crew. The track was pretty good tonight, it was a little narrow, but it was better than the A last night. We were able to pass, we came from last to third. Tonight was a lot racier with 2 lanes to use”. Jake’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, KRS Fabrication, Maxim Chassis and King Racing Products.
Tonight is the Big Dance. The culmination of the week’s hard work will see one driver walk away with the Championship, the Belt and the top prize of $3000! Who will take it all home? An Eagle Raceway regular, one of the many fierce out-of=towners who invaded America’s Home Track?? The only way to find out is to come on out to Eagle Raceway and see for yourself!!! See you there.
RESULTS:
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 3. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 4. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 5. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 6. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 7. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 8. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 9. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 10. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 11. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 12. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 13. Robert Herrera Las Cruces, Nm. 14. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 15. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 16. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 17. Shane Obanion Danville, In. 18. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 19. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 20. Jeremy Huish(r) Ness City, Ks.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature
1. Robert Herrera Las Cruces, Nm. 2. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 3. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 5. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 6. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 9. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 10. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 11. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 12. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 13. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 14. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 15. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 16. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 17. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 18. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature
1. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 3. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 4. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 5. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 6. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 7. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 8. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 9. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 10. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 11. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 12. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 13. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 14. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 15. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. DNS. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature
1. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 4. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 5. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 6. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 8. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 9. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 10. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 11. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 12. Bryce Norris Terre Haute, In. 13. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 14. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 15. Cory Minor Haslet, Tx. 16. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature
1. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 2. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 3. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 4. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 5. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 6. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 7. Andrew Sullivan Spirit Lake, Ia. 8. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 9. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 10. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 11. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 12. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 13. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 14. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 15. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 16. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature
1. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 2. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 3. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 4. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 5. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 6. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 7. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 8. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 9. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 10. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 11. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 12. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 13. Zackary Wight Winnebago, Mn. 14. Steve Hurst(r) Ames, Ne. 15. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. DNS. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature
1. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx. 2. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 3. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 4. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 5. Mark Finnell Osage Beach, Mo. 6. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. DNS. Rod Henning Monrovis, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1
1. Jeremy Huish(r) Ness City, Ks. 2. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 3. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 4. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 6. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 7. Mark Finnell Osage Beach, Mo.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10
1. Mitchell Moore(r) Peculiar, Mo. 2. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 3. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 4. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 6. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11
1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 3. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 4. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 5. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 6. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12
1. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 2. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 3. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 4. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 5. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 6. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2
1. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 2. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 3. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 4. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 5. Andrew Sullivan Spirit Lake, Ia. 6. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. DNS. Jesse (chip) Graham Lewisville, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3
1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 3. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 4. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 5. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4
1. Luke Cranston Holcomb, Ks. 2. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 3. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 4. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Nick Bryan Lincoln, Ne. 6. Ryan Hall Midlothian, Tx. 7. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Derek Kral(r) York, Ne. 3. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 4. Cory Minor Haslet, Tx. 5. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 6. Zackary Wight Winnebago, Mn. 7. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6
1. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 3. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 4. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 5. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 6. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 7. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7
1. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 2. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 3. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 4. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 5. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 6. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. DNS. Rod Henning Monrovis, In.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 5. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 6. Steve Hurst(r) Ames, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9
1. Shane Obanion Danville, In. 2. Robert Herrera Las Cruces, Nm. 3. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 4. Bryce Norris Terre Haute, In. 5. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 6. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.
ROC Sprint A-Feature
1. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 4. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 5. John Carney Amarillo, Tx. 6. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 7. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 8. Cole Vanderheiden(r) Papillion, Ne. 9. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 10. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 11. Daniel Nekolite O'neill, Ne. 12. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 13. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 14. Michael Stien Ceylon, Mn. 15. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 16. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 17. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 18. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. DNS. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. DNS. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx.