By Greg Soukup
A large crowd showed up Saturday evening for the Championship Showdown, presented by Avid Realty, Nebraska Septic, Pepsi, Great Clips and Empire Fence. With the points championships in all 5 classes up for grabs, everyone was either on the edge of their seats, or on their feet cheering on their favorite driver.
There were no serious incidents in the preliminary racing action.
The points lead for the Nebraska Septic IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars was held by Jason Danley over Cole Wayman by 11 markers and 18 over Brandon Horton. First back to the flag stand in their A Feature was the 20D of Jacob Dye with Josh Riggins’ 14J, the 8B of Jake Galusha and Cade Richards in the 11R. Tyler Drueke passed Richards on lap 2 to put the 12 into fourth place. Danley and the 11 of Taylor Velasquez made contact coming out of turn 4 on lap 3. Velasquez stopped but Danley managed to keep going as the yellow lights were lit in the corners. Bret Klabunde’s 77 came to a halt in turns 1 and 2 on the restart to slow the action again. Galusha grabbed second on the restart but lost the spot back to Riggins the next time around and also was passed by Drueke that lap. Drueke continued his march to the front, advancing to second as Richards regained fourth when Galusha slowed going down the back stretch. Gunnar Pike took over the fourth spot on lap 7 in his #25. Drueke passed Dye on lap 11. Pike moved up to third with 10 to go and advanced to second 5 laps later. No further changes were made in the top 5 with Drueke winning by over ½ lap, Pike second, Dye third and Riggins fourth. Danley managed to hold on for the points championship by 9 over Wayman and 19 over Horton.
I kidded Tyler about skipping championship night at Knoxville just to come and show the other sprint car drivers his tail tank in the feature. He stated “We just tried to make it go around the corners and try to do it better than anybody else. It was pretty good, but there’s a few little things I would like to do a little differently, trying to make it a little better but it was pretty close” Tyler’s sponsors include MySalesman.com, Zoz Farms, Cherny Enterprises LLC, American Trailer Company, Jeffries Trucking, J&J Auto Racing, Kings Auto Supply, Angel Energy Services, Speedway Racing Engines Forbes Motorsports and Drueke Trucking.
This marked the end of the regular season for Eagle Raceway, but there’s still LOTS of racing to go. As they say, the best is yet to come!! Starting next Thursday, the biggest IMCA Racesaver contest in the country begins with pre-race tech, a practice night and the qualifying heats for the BlueMax Pay Race of Champions.
Pits and grandstands open at 5:00 with adult front gate admission being just $3 with those 12 and under free. Pit passes are just $20.
Following Race of Champions qualifying there will be a Pit Party with live entertainment. The infamous Melon Bar will remain open until 1 AM.
RESULTS:
Sprint-IMCA A-Feature
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 4. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 5. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 6. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 7. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 8. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 9. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 10. Cade Richards Lincoln, Ne. 11. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 12. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 13. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 14. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 15. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 16. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 17. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 18. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 19. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 20. Taylor Velasquez
Sprint-IMCA B-Feature
1. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 2. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 3. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 4. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 5. Carter Holt(r) 6. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 7. Cole Cloud Fairbury, Ne. DNS. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. DNS. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. DNS. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 1
1. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 2. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 3. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 5. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 6. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 7. Cole Cloud Fairbury, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 2
1. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Cade Richards Lincoln, Ne. 4. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 5. Carter Holt(r) 6. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 3
1. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 2. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 3. Taylor Velasquez 4. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 5. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 6. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne.
Sprint-IMCA Heat 4
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 3. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 4. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 5. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 6. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne.