By Greg Soukup
Summer returned with a vengeance to America’s Home Track, Eagle Raceway Saturday as the Nebraska Lottery, Empire Fence and Pepsi-Cola of Lincoln presented Back To School Bash. A heat index of well over 110 kept the crowd count down slightly but those who braved the temps were rewarded with a great night of racing.
No serious incidents occurred in the preliminary competition.
The Twin Rivers IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars rolled out onto the track for the final A Main of the evening. Jake Neal put the 45 out front on the first lap with Ty Ledger’s 35L second, Jacob Dye third in the 20D and Gene Ackland holding fourth in his 14G. Ackland moved past Dye on lap 3 for third before advancing to second on lap 5. Dye passed Ledger for third on lap 10 with Tyler Drueke following him into fourth the next time around. Drueke went around Dye for third on lap 12. 3 cars ending up stopping coming out of turn 4 on lap 14 after Josh Riggins’ 14J got sideways collecting Jay Russel’s 76 and the 25A of Alex Davenport. Drueke used the high line to pass both Neal and Ackland for the lead on the restart. Mike Boston’s 51 slowed to a stop on the back stretch the next lap and the yellow flag flew again. Jason Danley vaulted all the way up to third on the restart and advanced to second the next time around. Ackland passed Neal for third with 7 to go. Trevor Grossenbacher put the35 into fourth place with 3 to go. Drueke held off a hard-charging Danley for the win, Ackland was third with Grossenbacher fourth.
Tyler’s fourth victory of the year and second in a row provided enough points to ensure the 2023 track championship. He said “The bottom was good early, and I used it to pass some cars, but it got top dominant I thought for the most part with some crumbs through the middle of 1 and 2. My radiator cap was going bad and dumping water out on the right rear tire so after that last restart when I took the lead I was going into the corner and it was skating the right rear. If I didn’t get in there right it would get on the right front and take a push, so I was kind of wounded so I needed it to stay green and just get it over with”. I told him it
seemed like he was hitting his stride going into the IMCA Racesaver Nationals in 2 weeks, to which he replied “Yeah, we’ve been running pretty good since mid-June. We’ve been more consistent and tonight we tried a little something different for the racetrack tonight. The tracks was a little different than it’s been all year. It’s always good to be able to adjust to what you see like that. I need to thank all of my guys for the great job that they do for me; Matt, Justin, Dad and Austin “. Tyler’s sponsors include Cherney Enterprises LLC, MySalesman, American Trailer Co., Drueke Trucking and Ranch, Jeffries Trucking, Johnson Farms, King Auto Supply, Angel Energy Services and Zoz Farms.
Next weekend is the final points night of the season. Three class winners have yet to be decided. Hobby Stock drivers Ryan Gilland and Adam Wasserman have just 8 points separating them. There are only 2 points between Anthony Roth and Chad Andersen for the Modified crown and Nate Thompson leads Dillon Richards by 3 in the Stock Car battle.
Be sure to come out next Saturday as Avid Realty and A1 Iron present Eagle Shootout. Bring out your best artwork supporting your favorite driver to be judged at intermission.
It’s NAVY week in Lincoln! The US NAVY CEREMONIAL GUARD WILL BE DOING OPENING CERIMONIES. THE NAVY BAND GREAT LAKES -HORIZON WILL BE IN TH COURTYARD FROM 5-5:45PM FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT AND WILL ALSO BE SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!
After the regular racing concludes there will be mechanic’s races.
Front gates open at 5:15 with adult front gate admission is $15, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free. All 5 classes will be competing including the Twin Rivers Sprint Cars, Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, Avid Realty SportMods, A1 Iron Stock Cars & Valentino’s Hobby Stocks. Track, State, Regional & National Points for all classes.
After the races Eagle Raceways famous Hillbilly Slip ‘n Slide will be held so bring a change of clothes and chill out.
Hot laps kick off at 5:30 with racing at 6:30.
Pit gates open at 3:45 with pit admission being $30.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 5. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 6. Jake Neal(r) Omaha, Ne. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 9. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 10. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 11. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 12. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 13. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 14. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 15. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 16. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 17. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 18. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 19. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 20. Cole Wayman(r) Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 3. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 4. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 5. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 8. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Jake Neal(r) Omaha, Ne. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 5. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 6. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 7. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 8. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 2. Cole Wayman(r) Lincoln, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 6. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 7. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 8. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 2. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 3. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 4. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 5. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 6. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 7. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.