By Scott Onnen
What would bring a farmer, a mechanic, and a feed store operator together for a meal? In a word - SPEED! It is hard to believe on a cold, windy night in Nebraska that in just over a month the snowdrifts will give way to the dust. But on Saturday night, drivers, their families and friends came together for another look at last year. The York Holiday Inn was the host of the 2006 Awards Banquet. Junction Motor Speedway races six classes of cars. The winners of those divisions received trophies and gifts from many local businesses. Owner Delmar Friesen said, “It’s a chance to honor the drivers and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Some of those drivers are a father and son team. Kurt and Jarrod Johnston drive from Concordia, Kansas, because, in their words, “It’s a great track.” Kurt, who owns a mechanic shop, explained, “People think I have a back room with my car to work on in my spare time. That’s just not true. I have to get all of my day job stuff done first and then I get to go play.” Father and son share a chuckle when asked about the banquet. “We just came up to see everybody. It’s a chance to sit down and hang out with people we see at the track but can’t talk to all the time.” They carry on the tradition of number 77, which was first used by Kurt’s dad. Kurt is 77K and Jarrod is 77JR. Kurt stated, “McCool is the best track we race at. The track is always in great condition. Our family sits in the stands, and they love it because it’s clean. The bleachers sit where the sun sets behind them, so they can relax in the shade.”
Late models champion Ed Moore picked up his trophy and announced he was hanging up his helmet to spend more time with his family. He said, “It’s been a great ride racing. We’ve enjoyed everybody, and I’m going to miss it.” Ed did say, with a laugh, that he is available to drive a car on a Saturday night- as long as he doesn’t need to work on it. There was a moment where the ruckus crowd took pause. Ed took the microphone and thanked his family. “I have some girls who are pretty good at the game of basketball,” he said. “This is my third championship. I’d rather see them than losing 4 nights a week to a race car.” The crowd applauded when Moore introduced his family individually. He asked them to stand and thanked them publicly for their help and support. It truly is a race family. A family that may compete hard and fast on the track, but off the track, there is as much care and support as any close knit community.
Delmar folded his arms and said after the banquet, “Some guys hunt and some guys golf. These guys race. It really is all they do.” And it truly is a sport you have to love to do. And on this night you can tell. As the drivers came forward to get their trophies, all of them took the time to mention friends and family who spend time helping. Edd Huxoll thanked his team and sponsors and said “I get to tear it up and they put it all back together.” Look for your favorite driver, as well as some new faces this year, when another green flag will drop to start the season April 21st at Junction Motor Speedway.
The 6 class winners where NAPA Late Models Edward Moore of Milford, Ne., Rookie in the Late Models was Robbie Andersen of Blair, Ne, JMS Modifieds winner was Kurt Johnson of Concordia, Ks, and no Rookie in this class. In the Stoney Burk Memorial Stock Cars Andy Wilkinson of York, Ne. was the winner with John Gillespie of Grand Island, Ne with the Rookie Honors. Richard Cunningham Memorial Hobby Stock winner was Edd Huxoll of Sutton, Ne, and the Rookie Is Justin Mohler of York, Ne. JMS Cruisers found Greg Ekeler/ John Miller of Exeter, Ne, winners and Dustin Nunnenkamp and Austin Carlson of Sutton, Ne took the Rookie award. And Holiday Inn Front Wheel Drive Edd Huxoll of Sutton, Ne, won the top spot with Lance Hiebner of Henderson as the Rookie, congratulations.
Following the Class winners in 2nd to 10th place in the NAPA Late Model Class were, Travis Dickes, Madison, Ne, Davey Nall, Phillips, Ne, Robbie Andersen, Blair, Ne, Todd Bell, Elkhorn, Ne, Alex Humphrey, Giltner, Ne, Denton Buller, York, Ne, Fred Miller Avoca, Iowa, Bo Egge, Kearney, Ne. and Mike Marushak, David City, Ne.
In the JMS Modifieds Buzz Wilson, of Plattsmouth, Ne, Shane Stutzman, Milford, Ne, Mike Goldfuss formally of Sutton, Ne. Mike Stearns, Rising City, Ne, Dean Wilkinson, Oakdale, Ne, Jarrod Johnston, Concordia, Ks, Jeremiah Sillman, Murdock, Ne. Stacy Stava, Lincoln, Ne, Mike Lineberry, Fontanelle, Ne.
In the Stoney Burk Memorial Stock Cars Bryon Boersen, Grand Island, Ne, Jason Van Winkle of Grand Island, Ne, Marc Peters, Henderson, Ne, John Gillespie of Grand Island, Ne, Ron Veleba, York, Ne., Jason Wilkinson, Neligh, Ne, Mel Franz, Henderson, Ne, Jeremy Encinger, Grand Island, Ne, Jarry Walford, Grand Island, Ne.
In the Richard Cunningham Memorial Hobby Stocks, Brent Kassik of Milligan took second, with Justin Mohler and following, Jeff Timmermans of Grafton, Ne, Micah Veleba, Saronville, Ne, Jarrod Aspegren, Harvard, Ne, Jake Pemberton, Central City, Ne, Brad Bargen Lincoln, Ne. Levi Gunn, Superior, Ne. and Zach Reicks, of Columbus, Ne.
In the JMS Cruisers, John Verba/Steve Verba, Grand Island, Ne, Jerod Timmermans/Matt Cloet of Grafton, Ne, Dustin Nunnenkamp/Austin Carlson of Sutton, Ne, Bill Slezak/John Miller of Milligan, Ne, Ken Barry/Drew Barry of Superior, Ne, Josh Jacobitz/Vic Jacobitz of Nelson, Ne, Lee Hanthorn/Missy Nicholson of Henderson, Ne Greg Kenley/Leroy Johnson of Edgar, Ne. and Chad Giersch/Brett Jackson of Concordia, Ks.
In the Holiday Inn 4 Cylinder Front Wheel Drive second place went to Lance Hiebner, next Dan Alt of Shelby, Ne, Andy Sole of Nelson, Ne Ryan Pedersen of Sutton, Ne Troy Hofmann of Sutton, Ne, Alex Koehler, Saronville, Ne, Steve Cordis of Grafton, Ne., Brad Godtel of Saronville, Ne., Michael Zerr of Ravenna, Ne.
