By Greg Soukup
A typical late summer day greeted the fans that streamed through the front gates of Eagle Raceway Saturday for the Saturday portion of the 2024 IMCA Racesaver Nationals.
All but the 9 teams who qualified for Sunday’s Big Dance the night before strapped back in to compete for the coveted first 9 spots in the outside row for the A Main Sunday. With 97 racers battling for just 9 positions you can bet that the action was hot and heavy.
There were again a few serious incidents in the races leading up to the A Feature. Heat 4 for the IMCA Racesaver sprints saw the 07 of Owen Carlson slid up and into Bradley Galedridge’s 19 in turn 4 sending them both flipping. Later in the heat Dean Barnes got sideways going into turn 4, hit the implement tire there and did a slow rollover. After having his mount righted he rejoined the field at the rear. The second Feature saw Kolby Weaver get high in turn 3, make contact with the Armco wall and go flipping. None of the drivers were seriously injured.
Ethan Barrow used his pole position spot in the IMCA Racesaver Sprint A Feature to grab the lead on lap 1 in the 14S with Cole Vanderheiden’s 15V, John Carney II third in the J2 and Jake Bubak rounding out the top 4. Dan Nekolite spun coming out of turn 4 on lap 2 and collected the #12 of Tyler Drueke. Drueke made the long walk back to his pit, interrupted by a heated discussion with flagman Kayden Murray as his car was towed back to his trailer. Nekolite’s racer was likewise hooked up and taken to his pit. Clint Benson passed Bubak on lap 4 to put the #100 into the fourth spot. Benson passed Carney with 8 to go to move up to second as Vanderheiden fell back to fifth when Carney and Bubak both passed him. Carney got back around Benson with just 5 to go for second. 3 to go saw Bubak also pass Benson to snag second. Barrow had led every single circuit of the 25 lap race to take the top spot with Carney, Bubak and Benson rounding out the top 4. The rest of the top 9 making Sunday’s main event were Vanderheiden, the 51 of Mike Boston, Claud Estes’ 74E, Chad Koch in the 11 and the D2 of Dusty Ballenger.
A smiling Ethan related “It was a really good run for us. We struggled a little bit last night but we just went back to work today and got back to the basic setup that we ran here the last several years. The top was more typical Eagle tonight compared to what we’re used to. The race car was really good tonight. Top, bottom, it really didn’t matter where I went. I hit lapped traffic and I could go wherever I wanted to. We just took off and never looked back. It never hurts to start up front. When you have this caliber of cars it’s tough. We got really good passing points. We got lucky in our heat race. I made a couple of good moves. Jeb Sessums was in front of us and I think we could have caught him but catching somebody and passing somebody is 2 totally different things. We kind of caught a break there. It takes everything falling into place to make something like this happen”. Ethan’s sponsors include Bridlewood Consulting, #Goldcasters Fine Jewelry , Myers Racing engines, Barrow Excavating, Personal Lawn Care, Alco Group LLC, Colby Stillions Photography , Hinchman Indy, Double K Designs and Tom White Real Estate.
Next up was the finale for the Avid Realty IMCA Sportmods. Matt Andrews’ #22 was first back to the flag stand on lap 1, followed closely by Trevor Noonan in the 66, the 76 of Lance Borgman and Cole Wayman’s 18W. Lap 5 saw Wayman pass
Borgman but the 05 of Michael Sherwood spun in turn 4, causing the 2A of Theron Ahlman and Zane Woodman’s 73Z spin to a halt also in order to avoid hitting him. Andrews held on to win by over 2 seconds over Noonan who came in second, Borgman was third and Wayman finished fourth.
Matt stated “2 in a row! It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Luck was in our favor all night in drawing so we started on the pole. From the heat to the feature the track was night and day different. I set up thinking it was going to be slick, did some changes that we don’t normally do and somehow it still worked. I should have been way tighter than what I was but it was about perfect. Getting into the corners I was able to go about half throttle so I could grab some moisture and go so I didn’t have to throw it in or over drive it in. I was just being patient with the lapped cars and took my time to not stay too close to them in case they pushed up or something and hit me. I think I got a door caved in a little bit but sometimes you hit that slime and could slide all of the way up the track and take out your left front tire or left rear tire. I tried to stay as close to the lapped cars as I could so that in case something did happen it be just a little fender bender and not take me out. I want to thank my Dad and my son because 90 percent of the time it’s just us 3 in the shop and at the track, but that’s how I like it. Of course, my wife for all she does so that I can do this”. Matt’s sponsors include Air Cut Fabrication, Jet Racing, Skytop Towers, Strategic EMS Bonta Medical, All Pro Heating and Air, Underdog Deigns, Big Red Lawn Care, RDM Landscapes and Jeff Fosse at State Farm.
The last race of the night was the BlueMax Pay Race of Champions. The battered and bruised #12 had made repairs and took off from the pole position to hold first place after 1 lap with the J2 of John Carney II second, Jake Bubak third in the 74B and the 7M of Kevin Ramey rounding out the top 4. The B2 of Carson Bolden hit the spin cycle in turn 1 on lap 9 to bring out a caution. Shayle Bade took advantage of the restart to pass Ramey and put the 03 into fourth place but lost the spot back to him on lap 13. Bubak got under Carney with 10 to go to snag second. Bubak then used the high line to pass Drueke with just 3 circuits remaining to take over the lead. The top 4 remained unchanged with Bubak winning, Drueke second, Carney third and Ramey fourth.
He said “That was tough trying to run down Drueke. We battled pretty hard there for a few laps towards the end, but it was a fun race. I really don’t know how good we were. They scrambled to get a car back together and who knows how bent up it really was. They were really fast for what they did! They did a great job of getting back out there”. I kidded Jake before ending the interview by asking him if I had to come back and see him Sunday to which he replied with a big smile saying, “I sure hope so!!”. Jake’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, KRS Fabrications, King Racing Products, Maxim Chassis and Momentum Racing Suspensions.
RESULTS:
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. John Carney Amarillo, Tx. 3. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 4. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 5. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 6. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 7. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 8. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 9. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 10. Carson Bolden Quinlan, Tx. 11. Kevin Rutherford Flowermound, Tx. 12. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 13. Michalob Voeltz Madison, Sd. 14. Jack Thomas Bates City, Mo. 15. Maverick Elkins Bryan, Tx. 16. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 17. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. 18. Koby Werkmeister Armour, Sd. 19. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 20. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 21.
Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 22. Daniel Nekolite O`neill, Ne. 23. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 24. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature 1
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 3. Koby Werkmeister Armour, Sd. 4. Michalob Voeltz Madison, Sd. 5. Jack Thomas Bates City, Mo. 6. Carson Bolden Quinlan, Tx. 7. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 8. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 9. Cole Garner Sioux Falls, Sd. 10. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 11. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 12. Matt Johnson Saint Peter, Mn. 13. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 14. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 15. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 16. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 17. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 18. Cade Richards Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature 2
1. Kevin Rutherford Flowermound, Tx. 2. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 3. Maverick Elkins Bryan, Tx. 4. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 5. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 6. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 9. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 10. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 11. Justin Bolte Fremont, Ne. 12. Billy Alley Bennet, Ne. 13. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 14. Zach Rhodes Mcveytown, Pa. 15. Jake Galusha Bennet, Ne. 16. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 17. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 18. Gaige Weldon
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature 1
1. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 3. Carson Bolden Quinlan, Tx. 4. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 5. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 6. Cole Garner Sioux Falls, Sd. 7. Austin Burkham Mansfield, Tx. 8. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 9. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 10. Jackson Weber Dell Rapids, Sd. 11. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 12. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 13. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 14. Kolby Weaver Everett, Pa. 15. Carter Holt(r) Bonner Springs, Ks. 16. Brady Donnahue
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature 2
1. Zach Rhodes Mcveytown, Pa. 2. Jake Galusha Bennet, Ne. 3. Gaige Weldon 4. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Billy Alley Bennet, Ne. 6. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 7. Corby Scherb Decatur, Tx. 8. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 9. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 10. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 11. Dylan Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 12. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 13. Brandon Rekow Ellendale, Nd. 14. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 15. Bill Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 16. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature 1
1. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 2. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 3. Kolby Weaver Everett, Pa. 4. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 5. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 6. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 7. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 8. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 9. Tanner Anderson Wynot, Ne. 10. Sean Jordan Lumberton, Tx. 11. Joshua Lewis Shawnee, Ok. 12. Daniel Estes Sr Mansfield, Tx. DNS. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. DNS. Justin Fifield Mesquite, Tx. DNS. Owen Carlson Somerset, Wi.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature 2
1. Dylan Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Bill Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 3. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 5. Dean Barnes Zionsville, In. 6. Kasey Weaver Everett, Pa. 7. Bayley Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 8. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 9. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 10. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 11. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 12. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 13. Bradley Galedrige Greenwood, In. 14. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Taylor Velasquez Turpin, Ok.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1
1. Jake Bubak Lincoln, Ne. 2. Kevin Rutherford Flowermound, Tx. 3. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 4. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 5. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 6.
Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 7. Bayley Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 8. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10
1. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 2. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 3. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Corby Scherb Decatur, Tx. 6. Bill Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 7. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 3. Tige Jensen Lincoln, Ne. 4. Billy Alley Bennet, Ne. 5. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 6. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 7. Jeb Sessums Cleburne, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12
1. John Carney Amarillo, Tx. 2. Ty Ledger Omaha, Ne. 3. Justin Bolte Fremont, Ne. 4. Cole Garner Sioux Falls, Sd. 5. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 6. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 7. Justin Fifield Mesquite, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2
1. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 2. Dj Estes Ft Worth, Tx. 3. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 4. Carter Holt(r) Bonner Springs, Ks. 5. Carson Bolden Quinlan, Tx. 6. Steven Richardson Liberal, Ks. 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 8. Daniel Estes Sr Mansfield, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3
1. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 2. Jack Thomas Bates City, Mo. 3. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 4. Kevin Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 5. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 6. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 7. Kolby Weaver Everett, Pa. 8. Kasey Weaver Everett, Pa.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4
1. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Maverick Elkins Bryan, Tx. 4. Gaige Weldon 5. Brandon Rekow Ellendale, Nd. 6. Dean Barnes Zionsville, In. 7. Bradley Galedrige Greenwood, In. 8. Owen Carlson Somerset, Wi.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5
1. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 2. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Jake Galusha Bennet, Ne. 5. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 6. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 7. Joshua Lewis Shawnee, Ok. 8. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6
1. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 3. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 4. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 5. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 6. Tyler Hendrickson(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 8. Tanner Anderson Wynot, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7
1. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. 2. Cade Richards Lincoln, Ne. 3. Koby Werkmeister Armour, Sd. 4. Zach Rhodes Mcveytown, Pa. 5. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 6. Dylan Ramey Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Taylor Courtney Fort Worth, Tx. 8. Sean Jordan Lumberton, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8
1. Daniel Nekolite O`neill, Ne. 2. Michalob Voeltz Madison, Sd. 3. Matt Johnson Saint Peter, Mn. 4. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 5. Jackson Weber Dell Rapids, Sd. 6. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. DNS. Taylor Velasquez Turpin, Ok.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9
1. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 2. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 3. John Klabunde Fort Calhoun, Ne. 4. Austin Burkham Mansfield, Tx. 5. Brady Donnahue 6. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 7. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms.