- One of the biggest events in Nebraska takes place this weekend at Eagle Raceway as the Eagle Nationals run for the first time without the World of Outlaws. In its place run the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Tour (the "national tour").
People have speculated as to the car count, looking at last year's count of over 50 at the Nebraska Cup as an indicator. Looking at the few national tour car counts, I'm guessing just south of 50 will make the trip. But, that's fine by me. It will probably be one of the most competitive fields to hit the track this season and a storyline of the locals defending their home turf should add to the drama. I'm looking forward to it - particularly Saturday night's $6K to win main event, with the always competitive IMCA Modifieds complementing the sprints and the compacts rounding out the action.
- The increased car count should be quite a turnaround from last week, when only 18 sprints took to the track, the lowest regular season count in over 10 years. Notably missing were Trevor Grossenbacher, who was in Mayetta, KS defending his NCRA point lead, and Tige Jensen, who had to agonize in the stands due to engine problems. Tige is expected to be back in action for this weekend.
- In other newsworthy bits, Brad Brown announced that sprint driver Mike Boston has abruptly parted company with car owner Rick Bowers. I have no idea of the particulars, but something had to be festering because two consecutive DNFs shouldn't have been the sole cause of breaking up a team that had dominated Eagle for the past two years. In a strange twist, Mike's son Jordan is expected to take over the driving duties. I don't see Mike being rideless for long, so anyone expecting a break is out of luck.
- Tadd Holliman broke an awful string of bad luck after coming back from a season ending injury last year. Holliman dominated the sprint A feature and took win number two for Rhoten Racing, following Stu Snyder's win last week.
- Once again, there were none of the traditional fireworks prior to the start of the A feature, but there were plenty later.
The Sport Mod A feature started off with a fizzle, with 5 yellow flags before two laps were officially completed. It ended with a bang as Kevin Jochum threw sparks off the wall as he beat Gary Saathoff and Jesse Sobbing. One could cover the top three with a blanket as they came out of turn four, with Sobbing attempting a banzai slide coming out of four, but Jochum held on and kept it the straightest of the three to take the victory. Sobbing and Saathoff had words in the tech area regarding contact between them earlier in the race. Eagle officials wisely placed Jochum's machine between the two.
- More fireworks flew earlier in the sport compact division after the heat races as Mike Simpson "took issue" with one of the teenage drivers in the pits, resulting in several officials breaking up a melee with other family members and other crews getting involved.
This is supposed to be fun and a learning experience, guys. Its my biggest beef with this class...some people take it WAY too seriously, especially considering several of the drivers have never driven on the road or don't have their driver's licenses yet.
Come on. Again, another reason why I think one's time in the compacts should be limited.
- I 80 filled the stands with their free admission night, and a performance by the cheerleaders of the Omaha Beef football team. There seems to be an interest in racing, but what can be done to get them to pay for it?
I've got a few more takes, but those will each get separate pieces. Until then, be safe.
- Jason
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