By Greg Soukup
Very non-July temperatures in the low 70’s greeted the fans who showed up for the Dirt Track Hero Salute, presented by Speedway Motors and Tommy’s express Saturday at Eagle Raceway.
There were no serious incidents in the preliminary racing action.
Last up was the finale for the Nebraska Septic IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars. After the initial start was called back Nate Thompson put his 4W into the lead with Bret Klabunde’s 77 second, Alex Salzman third in the 2A and Ty Ledger’s 35L rounding out the top 4. Klabunde snagged the lead on lap 2. The following circuit saw Ledger spin out in turn 4, moving Mike Boston’s 51 into fourth. 1 lap after the restart Adam Gullion passed Boston to put the #91 into fourth. Gullion moved to third the next lap. Jason Danley took over fourth place on lap 5 in the 4X. Danley then moved up to third on lap 9. Cody Ledger moved into fourth the next circuit in his #47 as Danley advanced to second. Gullion again moved up to fourth on lap 14 while Cody moved up to third. Danley managed to move into first place with 10 to go, moving Klabunde to second place, Cody to third and Adam holding onto fourth. Cody and Adam both moved up one spot the next lap for third and fourth respectively. Weiler passed Klabunde with just 3 to go, making the top 4 Danley, Cody Ledger second, Gullion third and Weiler fourth.
Jason said “You know, I was just really motivated after last week being so close. I felt we had the best car last week, but I just didn’t get it done”. Jason ended up spinning to the infield after making contact with Cole Vanderheiden battling for the lead with 2 laps left. “That’s over, but it motivated me for this week. We guessed right this time and the track came back to us a little bit. It was heavy to start the night, but the bottom stayed a lot better than I expected in 1 and 2. There was actually water standing at the very bottom of turns 3 and 4. You had to be careful going down in there because if somebody the lap before got into the water and splashed it up onto the track you didn’t know it until you got there and then it was too late. I was rolling the top okay. I wasn’t great but until I saw somebody drive by me on the bottom I was going to run the top if I could in 3 and 4 and I knew I was rolling the bottom in 1 and 2 really good. I just had to hit my marks because the car felt really nice. I want to thank my crew, my Dad and my uncle and Mark Cadell who have been helping me a lot, lot of years. I think this is #37 or 38; I’ve lost count. I don’t keep track because it makes me sound too old”. Jason’s sponsors include Speedway Racing Engines, Speedway Shocks, Climatech Heating and Air, Neff Towing and Sunkist.
Next Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night, presented by The Nebraska Lottery and Avid Realty. Adult front gate admission is just $10, youths 6-12 are only $5 and kids 5 and under are free.
The intermission activity will be ‘Water Balloon the Officials’. Get even with them by purchasing balloons under the VIP deck up until intermission. All proceeds from the activity will go to the IMCA Racesaver Nationals non-qualifier fund.
Front gates open at 5:15, hot laps start at 5:30 with racing at 6:30.
Pit gates open at 3:00 with pit admission being $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.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 5. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 6. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 7. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 9. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 10. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 11. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 12. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 13. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 14. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 15. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 16. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 17. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 18. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 19. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 20. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. DNS. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 5. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 6. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 7. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 3. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 5. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 4. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 5. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 6. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 7. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.