Eagle Raceway Russell, Smith, Hiatt and Miller Win Season Opener

By Greg Soukup

After the first four attempts were spoiled by Mother Nature, Eagle Raceway’s regular season got off to a great start Saturday night as McDonald’s and 96KXsponsored McDonald’s Jr. Fan Club Night. A warm and windy afternoon set the stage for excitement as 165 cars signed into the pits. This lead to the great crowd being thrilled with 18 heat races and numerous feature events.

Heat races were problem free for the most part. The biggest exception being in the second Budweiser Championship 360 sprint heat race, where, on the second lap young Austin McCarl barrel-rolled down the backstretch after his left front wheel made contact with the right rear wheel of Mark Schmidt’s 9J. Thankfully Austin walked away from the incident, but his racing was over for the evening.

The A Features began when the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts took to Eagle’s high banks. Jason Miller grabbed the lead in his #77, followed by the 00 of Barry Kinnersley, the 62 of Justin Busboom and Jake Sells in the 21. It took Busboom only 8 laps to move around Kinnersley. The order remained the same to the finish.

The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks were next on the card. The 6A of Adam Armstrong was the leader at the end of the first lap with Shane Hiatt’s 21H and Kevin Anderson’s 22K close behind. On the 10th circuit, Armstrong spun in turn 2, handing the lead to Hiatt. At that time the running order was Hiatt, Anderson and Justin Wulf in the 86. The next lap saw Rob Brown roll his #42 in turn 4. From there to the finish, the front 3 racers were pressing each other at every opportunity. With 3 laps left, Anderson pulled alongside Hiatt. And on the checkered flag lap Anderson actually managed to move past Hiatt, only to be repassed in turn four coming to the finish line when Anderson bobbled. Anderson’s misstep also allowed the 22 of Nick Beckman to move around him, relegating Anderson to the third spot.

“I wasn’t sure I could get around Armstrong, until he went high in turn 2. I knew that the top was rough, and the bottom was good and tacky. So, I stayed low and that’s what allowed me to win” Hiatt said. Shane also said “I want to send out special thanks to the folks who help me out so much. Scott Bivens and Spyder Racecars built me an excellent car, and Jono’s Race Engines helped me put a great motor in it. I also need to thank my cousin Ryan, and Kloke for designing and painting the race car; and Design Shop for the graphics. Of course, I can’t forget my mom and dad; also Shawn, Nathan, Ryan, Kloke, TJ, Smitty, Mark Hiatt, Jim Sylvester, Darrin Adamy and Bill Steager”.

Shane’s sponsors include Benes Service, Knuth Farms (Brad, Dan and Richard), Scribs House Moving, Roger Want Trucking, Seward Electronics, Wieseman Diesel Repair, Kneaded Pampering, Spark Electric, Don’s Bar, Hildy Construction, Marquis Body Shop, Woolsey Electric, S & H Electric, Team G Spot, Spyder Race Cars, Design Shop, Jono’s Racing Engines and Mares Garage.

In the Monster Energy Drink IMCA Modifieds, Dylan Smith nabbed the point in his #95 with the 7B of Chris Burk and Scott Bivens’ S56 in hot pursuit. On lap #4, Rik Gropp moved his V45 around Bivens bringing the 3A of Aaron Pella along. By the 9th lap, defending Modified Champion Chris Alcorn had advanced from his 6th row outside starting position to third; and a lap later passed Burk for 2nd. From there to the checkers it was a back-and-forth battle between Smith and Alcorn with Smith emerging victorious.

“I was watching the first 2 A Mains” Dylan said, “and I noticed that the Sport Compacts and Hobby Stocks tore the track up a little. So, we loosened up the car and it worked great”. “I managed to grab the lead early, and ran great until the last lap. I hit a rut, and couldn’t believe that Alcorn didn’t take advantage and pass me” he continued. “We were so close at the end. I’d pull away a little, and then he’d come back a little” he finished.

Dylan’s sponsors include Burke Show Cattle, Eckley Racing Engines, White Eagle, Phil’s Steak House, Cappy’s Bar and Grill, Marquardt Plumbing, Augustin Electric and Active Life Family Chiropractic.

The last A Feature was for the Budweiser Championship 360 Sprints. On the initial start, Chris Roseland spun his #32 in turn 1 bringing out the yellow. The 2nd attempt saw the 28 of Ken Klabunde flip in turn 1. The next try saw Larry Pinegar lose the right front wheel off of his #44. When the race finally began Jeff Griffis took off from the front row in his #3 sprinter, followed by the #77 of John Klabunde, Tige Jensen’s #71 and the #76 of Jay Russell. It took Russell only 1 lap to move around Jensen into third and just 1 more lap to take over second from Klabunde. Shortly thereafter, Jensen also passed Klabunde to move into third position. By this time, however, Griffis had pulled off to a straightaway lead. On lap #9, Brad Krutz got past Jensen for third. With just 8 circuits remaining, Griffis got caught behind a lapped car and Russell dove low in turn four to snare the top spot. After the leaders had completed the lap the #14 of Josh Riggins and the 24B of Frank Galusha tangled, bringing out the final yellow flag of the evening. On the restart, Krutz used a textbook slide-job in turns 1 & 2 to get in front of Griffis. The finish was Russell, Krutz and Griffis.

“This car was one that we put together after wrecking one at Lake Ozark Speedway 3 weeks ago. We had planned on using that car here at Eagle, but the rainouts forced us to run other tracks. We’ve run 5 times this year now, but there’s no place we’d rather race than right here at Eagle” Jay stated. “In case no one has noticed, I love a dry-slick racetrack and running the cushion. That’s what got me up to second, and carried me to the win after I took the lead” he continued. He finished by saying “I really don’t think I could have gotten around Jeff if it wasn’t for the traffic. He was running really great, and even pulling away a little”.

Jay’s sponsors include Meier’s Tree Service, Bar Graffix, Klein Motors & RV’s, Auto Tool & Paint, Hunt’s Car Care Center, Coacher’s Hot Rods & Muscle Cars, Outlaw Pit Products, Hank’s Performance Parts and Wulf Pumps.

Be sure to come out next weekend for the first Fan Appreciation Night of the season, presented by Mamasita’s Restaurante. Reduced admission, food and drink specials all night long and plenty of red hot racing action.

May 17th, 2008 Race Results:

Budweiser 360 Sprints:
A Feature-
1) Jay Russell 76
2) Brent Morris 91
3) 3 Jeff Griffis 3
4) Mike Boston 51
5) Jason Danley 82
6) Tige Jensen 71
7) Tadd Holliman 23r
8) Chris Roseland 32
9) John Klabunde 77
10) Bobby Becker 8b
11) Trevor Grossenbacher 35
12) Adam Gullion 96kx
13) Josh Riggins 14
14) Frank Galusha 24b
15) Kevin Danley 7x
16) Nick Clifford 99c
17) Larry Pinegar 44
18) Ken Klabunde 28
19) Toby Chapman 71x (DNS)
20) Terry Holliman 23 (DNS)

B Feature-
1) Adam Gullion 96kx
2) Frank Galusha 24b
3) Kevin Danley 7x
4) Bobby Becker 8b
5) Roger Sluka x29
6) Brad Wright 27
7) Gene Ackland 14g
8) Mark Schmidt 9j
9) John Satriano 95
10) Jay Jordan 19j
11) Nick Bryan 6
12) Michael Beckerman 3r
13) Jason Bogue 57
14) Gage Dorr 17
15) Terry Cadwallader 33
16) Austin McCarl 17x (DNS)
17) Mark Pace 31 (DNS)

Monster IMCA Modifieds:
A Feature-
1) Dylan Smith 95
2) Chris Alcorn 3
3) Chris Burk 7b
4) Rik Gropp v45
5) Bob Zoubek 5s
6) Lance Borgman 76
7) Aaron Pella 3a
8) Dan Nelson 94
9) Doug Deterding 13
10) Chad Andersen 8c
11) Chevy Hadan 4
12) Lucas Robinson 95r
13) Dan Wayman 5st
14) Robert Brinkman 1mf
15) Scott Bivens s56
16) Ed Raines 11aa
17) Jan Korth 42k
18) George Haney 12x
19) Darren Hosick 24x
20) Stacey Wilhelm 3w
21) Jordan Grabouski 30

B Feature#1-
1) Doug Deterding 13
2) Lucas Robinson 95r
3) Dan Wayman 5st
4) Jerry Trejo 4t
5) Scott Anderson 19
6) Brian Cudley 57
7) Jeff Spring 1x
8) James Fritz 21
9) Paul Burck 48
10) Nathan Landauer 11n
11) Bob Ruisinger 7
12) Eric Rempel 31
13) Jarred Herfel 73x
14) Clint Hummer 41
15) Jeff Mazza 29 (DNS)

B Feature #2-
1) Chevy Hadan 4
2) Chad Andersen 8c
3) Darren Hosick 24x
4) Steve Devitt 11x
5) Justin Jurgens 22j
6) James Oaks 73
7) Mannix Winningham 1m
8) Josh Carpenter 3x
9) David Jewett Jr 4jr
10) Jim Krupicka 0
11) Jesse Robinson 75j
12) Brad Koehn 82
13) Kyle Schamp 2k
14) Tim Pickens 00

Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks:
A Feature-
1) Shane Hiatt 21h
2) Kevin Anderson 22k
3) Nick Beckman 22
4) Chad Borgman 20
5) Justin Wulf 86
6) Matt Fralin 7
7) Ron Novak 14
8) Adam Armstrong 6a
9) Lee Kracht 10k
10) Casey Moyer 38c
11) Troy Mencke 4
12) Dan Jackson 98
13) Jerry Keaton 3k
14) Murray Haugen II 8
15) Mike Hansen 94
16) Dan Noonan 12
17) RJ Macku 1r
18) Rob Brown 42
19) John Creek d64
20) Travis Burger 6b

B Feature#1-
1) Dan Jackson 98
2) Casey Moyer 38c
3) Don Kros 53
4) Leroy Beathe 38
5) Mike Snyder 48
6) Ben Becher b4
7) Jason Tadlock 99
8) Danny Lane 17j
9) Derek Noonan 21
10) Josh Kennell 71k
11) Jake Creek 47
12) Steve Shepard 20t

B Feature#2-
1) Rob Brown 42
2) RJ Macku 1r
3) Don Hall 92
4) Rick Bradley 28b
5) Charlie Bartels 9er
6) Eric Oblinger
7) Eric Hanson 33
8) Craig Huffless 17h
9) Steve Satthoff 95s
10) Roger Timperley 52
11) Rick Munson m70 (DNS)
12) Jeremy Kohlman Sr 33j (DNS)

Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts:
A Feature-
1) Jason Miller 77
2) Justin Busboom 62
3) Barry Kinnersley 00
4) Jake Sells 21
5) Scott Bumgardner 48
6) Amanda Rhiley 51
7) Matt Moyer 29
8) Chris LaChapelle 31
9) Jack Prall III 44
10) Andrew Smith 33s
11) Ron Frank 18r
12) Garret Rech 55
13) Jeremy Noonan 33
14) Derek Dreamer 26
15) Dan Rhiley 2
16) Harry White 3
17) Tyler Drueke 26t
18) Dan Markham 6m
19) Mike Cheers 0c
20) Maynard Kinnersley 18
21) Jack Prall IV 45

B Feature#1-
1) Jack Prall III 44
2) Jeremy Noonan 33
3) Andrew Smith 33s
4) Jared Deterding 13j
5) Russell Johnson 61j
6) Travis Schneider 35
7) Mike Simpson 63
8) Everett Watkins 88
9) Brandon Thornton 21t
10) David Tadlock 4
11) Mike Rice 24
12) James Snelling 4u
13) Nick Sommerfeld 49
14) Rod Schreiner
15) Larry Cronin 5
16) Jake Schneider 15 (DNS)

B Feature #2-
1) Scott Bumgardner 48
2) Chris LaChapelle 31
3) Harry White 3
4) Brian Haller b32
5) Eric Kline 39
6) Tyler Saathoff 16t
7) Ben Simpson 72
8) David White 2m
9) Richard Meyers III 28
10) Jessica Tadlock 59
11) Adam Vrbka 7v
12) Roger Elliott Jr 6
13) Joey Danley 14
14) Ray Graef Jr 4r (DNS)
15) Carla Keaton 24k (DNS)