By Greg Soukup
Memorial Day Extravaganza, presented by Pepsi Cola of Lincoln and Celerion at Eagle Raceway Saturday evening saw a large crowd in the stands. The threat of severe weather had Roger Hadan’s usually well-run show run even more efficiently thanks to a slightly early start and very few caution periods by the drivers. The 17 heat races were concluded at 7:30 with a short intermission following them that had go kart racers from Mini E Raceway displaying their prowess. The final checkered flag flew at 9:30, allowing the teams to get loaded and on their way before the rain hit the track.
There were no serious incidents at all during the evening’s competitions.
The Nebraska Septic IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars rolled onto the track for the final A Feature of the evening. Lap 1 saw the 14T of Tyler Hendrickson out front, the 35 of Trevor Grossenbacher second, third was the 8B of Jake Galusha with Gunnar Pike’s 25 in fourth. Grossenbacher passed Hendrickson for the lead on lap 2. Pike moved up to third the next time around as Galusha moved up to second and Nate Weiler put the 4W into fourth. Lap 4 saw Pike get past Galusha to take over second place. Mike Boston slowed in turns 3 & 4 the next time around with a blown right rear tire for a caution. Stu Snyder cracked the top 4 on lap 8 in his #5 before moving up to third the next time around. Lap 11 saw Gene Ackland put the 14G into fourth. 2 laps later Snyder passed Pike for second and then got past Grossenbacher for the lead the next time around as Pike also passed Grossenbacher for the second spot. Grossenbacher got back by Pike for second with 8 to go but lost the spot back to him the next circuit. The final change in the top 4 came the following lap when Joey Danley put the 14 into fourth. Snyder would not be challenged and took home the victory. Pike was second, Grossenbacher was third with Danley fourth.
This was win number one on the season for Stu, coming from the 12th starting spot. I told him that he had a real rocket ship under him, to which he replied “Yeah, we did! We’ve been trying some things lately, trying to get back to where we were. We just haven’t been real fast lately. When we were fast we weren’t real consistent. We haven’t been able to win one yet this year. The guys put a hell of a car underneath me and we were able to get up front from 12th and pick up the win. I thought the track was good for what Roger had to work with. I knew that we were rushing with the weather and everything, so he couldn’t prep it like he normally does at intermission. I think that Hoosier needs to take a look at the tires we’re using and so do some of the tracks because we’re taking rubber in a lot of places, and not just in the Racesavers; it’s across the board. Everybody is taking rubber. But, it was an awesome old school Eagle track. Rip the top! I moved down about a half car width about halfway through and started cheating my entry. Then I found the rubber and when I got into the top 5 I was able to keep in it. Then it was just sit back in the seat and ‘Let’s Go’. I got to Trevor about 12 or 13 laps in, then got up to Gunnar and Gunnar moved up into my line and I thought ‘Oh Shoot! Here we go. He’s going to find the rubber and I’m going to run second! I ran down into turn three and split them both. I knew I only had one shot or I was going to finish on the podium but not win. But I got between them, grabbed the lead and were able to win the show. It was just a great night for our team. I think we’ve hit on something here and hopefully we can start picking up some more wins ”. Stu’s sponsors include KRL Motorsports, Stephenson Truck Repair, Backlund Plumbing, Keizer Wheels, Momentum Racing Suspension, Hozby Power, Mr. Yards and More, KED Trucking, MAC Tools, Smith Repair, Taylored Computers and Simpson Racing Products.
Next Saturday is Schools out for Summer, presented by Hotsy. There will be a Kids Color Run at intermission. Blinky the Clown will be in the courtyard and there will be a Mad Max race following the regular racing.
Front gates open at 5:15 with adult admission being $15, youths 6-12 are just $5 and kids 5 and under are free.
Hot laps start at 5:30 with racing action kicking off at 6:30. All 5 classes will be competing including Nebraska Septic Sprint Cars, Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, Avid Realty SportMods, A1 Iron Stock Cars & Valentino’s Hobby Stocks.
Pit gates open at 3:30 with pit admission being $35.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 4. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 5. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 6. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 7. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 8. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 9. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 10. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 11. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 12. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 13. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 14. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 15. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 16. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 17. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 18. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 19. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 20. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 3. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 4. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 5. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 6. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 7. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 8. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 9. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 10. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 11. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 2. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 3. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 4. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 5. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 6. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 8. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 9. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 3. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 4. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 5. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 7. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 8. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 9. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 8. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.