Hejna completes sweep of 4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw

>From www.usmts.com

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. (March 11, 2007) –- A large crowd of race-hungry
fans jammed the grandstands of the Junction Motor Speedway for
Saturday's 4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw as the O'Reilly Auto Parts
United States Modified Touring Series staged a thrilling main event to
put the wraps on a memorable weekend doubleheader at the 3/8-mile clay
oval.

Although the starting field and track conditions were much different
than Friday night's season opener, the end result was the same. After
leading every lap from the pole position in the Holley "A" Main, Al
Hejna was back in victory lane for the second time in less than 24
hours. But the path to victory was nothing like the night before.

The feature race saw Hejna and Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, on the
front row -- just how they finished Friday's nightcap -- but it took
three tries before one lap could be completed. After two quick
cautions to start the 35-lapper, the red flag waved as several cars
collided on the front stretch which resulted in Josh Reisch of
Luverne, Minn., getting airborne in full view of the fans. Reisch was
uninjured in the melee, but the same could not be said for his
Modified.

During the race stoppage, Shryock was forced to change a broken shock
while sixth-starting Jay Noteboom changed a pair of flat tires. Both
drivers had to restart at the tail of the field with no laps yet
completed.

When the race went back to green, Hejna sped away from the field with
2005 event winner Johnny 'The Jet' Saathoff in tow. The two quickly
distanced themselves from the field and engaged in a fierce battle
through every turn with Hejna holding a slight advantage with each
passing lap. While the duo left the pack behind, both Shryock and
Noteboom were charging back through the field and into the top-5 by
the midway point of the race.

With 12 laps to go, Saathoff dove low entering the first turn as Hejna
held firm to his line. The two made contact and sent Saathoff spinning
to a stop at the bottom of the turn and bringing out the caution flag.
While the incident erased Saathoff's chance to become the first repeat
winner of the Nebraska Spring Thaw, it was nearly a disaster for Hejna
too. The Clear Lake, Iowa, pilot was unable to get his No. 7 Skyrocket
Modified back into gear and came to a stop on the front stretch. With
assistance from a push truck, Hejna was able to engage his
transmission and resume his place at the front of the field for the
restart.

With Shryock now in second place, Hejna executed a flawless restart
and padded his advantage over the eight-time defending O'Reilly USMTS
champ and paced the last dozen circuits to secure his second win of
the weekend and fourth in a row going back to last season's finale.
The win was worth $3,000 and solidified his spot at the top of the
points standings in both national points and the Western Region.

Shryock settled for the runner-up paycheck for the second straight
night while Noteboom steered his new Razor Chassis to a third-place
finish. Equally as impressive, Saathoff clawed his way back through
the field as well and garnered fourth at the finish line. Veteran Mark
Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., who ran third for most of the race,
hung on for fifth.

The top-5 served as a showcase of the parity between the combinations
of equipment choices by O'Reilly USMTS competitors. Four different
chassis manufacturers were represented with Hejna and Shryock in
Skyrockets, Noteboom in a Razor, Saathoff in his Jet Mod and Noble
driving a KraftKar. Even more noteworthy was the fact that both
Noteboom and Saathoff were two of just three entrants taking advantage
of an eight-inch spoiler (all others were allowed five inches) to
accompany their engine packages. Noteboom utilized the new Brodix spec
heads while Saathoff was powered by a flat-tappet "claimer" engine.
Noteboom was also the lone racer of the weekend sporting a quick
change rearend, which is permitted for the 2007 season.

Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year contender Andrew Gordon
of Murdock, Minn., turned a lot of heads during the event by finishing
sixth in Saturday's nightcap to go along with an eighth-place run on
Friday. Brian Shaw finished seventh and Zack VanderBeek came from 23rd
to take eighth and earn the Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger
honors. Scott Green was ninth and Blake Jegtvig rounded out the top-10
finishers.

The West Siloam Speedway near West Siloam Springs, Okla., will play
host to the first-ever event for the newly-formed USMTS Southern
Series with a dynamic double-bill doubleheader on Friday and Saturday,
March 16-17. The two-day lidlifter at Rick and Julie Magnuson's
3/8-mile high-banked oval will also be the second O'Reilly USMTS
National Event of the season -- the only combination event on this
year's calendar. Friday's main event carries a top prize of $2,000
while the winner of Saturday's "A" main will pocket $3,000.

Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday. Hot laps are slated for 6 with races
at 7. On Saturday, gates open at 3 p.m. and hot laps will begin at 6.
The green flag is scheduled to wave at 6:30. Grandstand tickets are
$13 on Friday and $15 on Saturday. Senior citizens get in for $10 on
Friday and $12 on Saturday. Pit passes are $30 both nights.

Joining the card on Friday will be West Siloam Speedway's Pure Stock,
Limited Late Model and E-Mod divisions. On Saturday, the event will
feature Pure Stock, Factory Stock and E-Mod classes in support of the
O'Reilly USMTS Modifieds. Saturday will be the Jeff Rowlan Season
Opener -- a Factory Stock special paying $500 to win.

To learn more about the O'Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified
Touring Series, call the headquarters office at (515) 832-7944 or
visit www.USMTS.com online.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
O'Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series
4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw - Night 2 of 2
Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, Neb.
Saturday, March 10, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting
position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in Home Pride Passing
Points accumulated in the Heats are locked into the Holley "A" Main,
with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (10 laps):
1. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (5)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (10)
3. 3a - Chris Alcorn -- Lincoln, NE (4)
4. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (7)
5. 1k - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (2)
6. 5j - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (1)
7. 85d - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (3)
8. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (9)
9. 19 - Jake Bitker -- Halsted, MN (8)
10. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (6) DNF

HEAT #2 (10 laps):
1. 128 - Mark Trautner -- Mahnomen, MN (2)
2. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (3)
3. 18s - Brent Bohmont -- Martell, NE (6)
4. z98 - Denny Johnson -- Sioux City, IA (4)
5. 47 - Ryan Canon -- Clearwater, MN (7)
6. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (5)
7. 07 - Mike Goldfuss -- Dwight, NE (1)
8. 6b - Blake Borgan -- Perley, MN (9)
9. 31 - Andy Kotek -- Wood Lake, MN (10)
10. 76s - Daniel Svee -- Colfax, WI (8)

HEAT #3 (10 laps):
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (3)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (2)
3. 96j - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (9)
4. 92 - Jeff Stephens -- Arion, IA (1)
5. 8 - Justin Bell -- Omaha, NE (7)
6. 97m - David Murray -- Oberlin, KS (5) DNF
7. 71 - Jeff James -- Stanton, IA (4) DNF
8. 52s - Jeremiah Sillman -- Murdock, NE (6) DNF
9. 21 - Wade Cross -- Phillips, NE (8) DNS

HEAT #4 (10 laps):
1. 00c - Chris Mills -- Sioux City, IA (1)
2. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)
3. 28 - Ryan Hill -- Liberal, KS (3)
4. 31j - Barry Sandeman -- Creston, IA (9)
5. 2j - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (4)
6. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (6)
7. 2g - Troy Girolamo -- Strum, WI (2) DNF
8. 3rw - Ronnie Wallace -- North Platte, NE (8) DNF
9. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (5) DNF

HEAT #5 (10 laps):
1. 21 - Andrew Gordon -- Murdock, MN (1)
2. 7n - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (7)
3. 31j - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (8)
4. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (9)
5. 21h - Brandon Hagan -- Culbertson, NE (2)
6. 70 - Loren Dauer -- Lindsborg, KS (6)
7. 9r - Robby Haines -- Benkelman, NE (3)
8. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (4) DNF
9. 94 - Dustin Huehl -- Smolan, KS (5) DNF

HEAT #6 (10 laps):
1. 2x - Lyle Shepard -- Manhattan, KS (4)
2. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (3)
3. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (9)
4. 27 - Clint Homan -- Bellevue, NE (2)
5. 15x - Dan DeMay -- Denison, IA (8)
6. 29e - Eric Rempel -- Palmyra, NE (6)
7. 94h - Don Hagan -- McCook, NE (7)
8. 4k - Kent Willms -- Willmar, MN (5) DNF
9. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (1) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (3)
2. 2j - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (6)
3. 47 - Ryan Canon -- Clearwater, MN (5)
4. 31j - Barry Sandeman -- Creston, IA (2)
5. z98 - Denny Johnson -- Sioux City, IA (4)
6. 70 - Loren Dauer -- Lindsborg, KS (8)
7. 6b - Blake Borgan -- Perley, MN (11)
8. 9r - Robby Haines -- Benkelman, NE (10)
9. 76s - Daniel Svee -- Colfax, WI (15)
10. 94 - Dustin Huehl -- Smolan, KS (14) DNF
11. 07 - Mike Goldfuss -- Dwight, NE (9) DNF
12. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (1) DNF
13. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (7) DNF
14. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (12) DNS
15. 19 - Jake Bitker -- Halsted, MN (13) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (2)
2. 18s - Brent Bohmont -- Martell, NE (1)
3. 92 - Jeff Stephens -- Arion, IA (4)
4. 97m - David Murray -- Oberlin, KS (7)
5. 8 - Justin Bell -- Omaha, NE (5)
6. 21h - Brandon Hagan -- Culbertson, NE (6)
7. 52s - Jeremiah Sillman -- Murdock, NE (11)
8. 28 - Ryan Hill -- Liberal, KS (3)
9. 94h - Don Hagan -- McCook, NE (10)
10. 29e - Eric Rempel -- Palmyra, NE (8)
11. 71 - Jeff James -- Stanton, IA (9) DNS
12. 4k - Kent Willms -- Willmar, MN (12) DNS
13. 21 - Wade Cross -- Philips, NE (13) DNS
14. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (14) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #3 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (1)
2. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (13)
3. 1k - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (5)
4. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (7)
5. 3a - Chris Alcorn -- Lincoln, NE (2)
6. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (14)
7. 27 - Clint Homan -- Bellevue, NE (4)
8. 15x - Dan DeMay -- Denison, IA (3) DNF
9. 85d - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (8) DNF
10. 2g - Troy Girolamo -- Strum, WI (9) DNS
11. 5j - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (6) DNS
12. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (10) DNS
13. 3rw - Ronnie Wallace -- North Platte, NE (11) DNS
14. 31 - Andy Kotek -- Wood Lake, MN (12) DNS

HOLLEY "A" MAIN (35 laps):
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (2)
3. 7n - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (6)
4. 96j - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (3)
5. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8)
6. 21 - Andrew Gordon -- Murdock, MN (11)
7. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (15)
8. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (23)
9. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (9)
10. 2j - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (17)
11. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (16)
12. 1k - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (22)
13. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (13)
14. 27 - Clint Homan -- Bellevue, NE (24)
15. 31j - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (12)
16. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (25) DNF
17. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (14) DNF
18. 00c - Chris Mills -- Sioux City, IA (10) DNF
19. 2x - Lyle Shepard -- Manhattan, KS (7) DNF
20. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (19) DNF
21. 18s - Brent Bohmont -- Martell, NE (18) DNF
22. 47 - Ryan Canon -- Clearwater, MN (20) DNF
23. 128 - Mark Trautner -- Mahnomen, MN (5) DNF
24. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (4) DNF
25. 92 - Jeff Stephens -- Arion, IA (21) DNF

AMSOIL Lap Leaders: Hejna 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Hejna 35.
Provisional Starters: VanderBeek (regional), Homan (national), Friesen (track).
Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger: VanderBeek (started 23rd, finished 8th).
Next Race: Friday, March 16, West Siloam Speedway, W. Siloam Springs, Okla.
O'Reilly National Points: Hejna 210, Shryock 193, Noteboom 170,
Karrick 169, Tesch 168, VanderBeek 164, Gordon 162, Klima 151, Noble
137, Sponsler 136.
Western Region Points: Hejna 210, Shryock 193, Noteboom 170, Karrick
169, Tesch 168, VanderBeek 164, Gordon 162, Klima 151, Noble 137,
Sponsler 136.
Home Pride Passing Points (National): Shryock 19½, Noble 16½, Green
16½, Noteboom 15, Hejna 13½.
Home Pride Passing Points (Western): Shryock 19½, Noble 16½, Green
16½, Noteboom 15, Hejna 13½.
Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Gordon 48,
Sponsler 40, Klima 40, Rasmussen 34, Homan 34, Green 34.
Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 20, J-Car 14, Razor 14, GRT 13, BMS 11.

Contingency Awards:
Belleville Motorsports – Noble, Rasmussen, Klima.
GRT Race Cars – not awarded.
Hawk Performance – VanderBeek.
Isky Racing Cams – Reisch.
Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Noble, Sponsler.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock.
Marsh Racing Wheels – not awarded.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Noteboom.
Quarter Master – Hejna, Green.
QuickTime Performance Parts – not awarded.
Real Racing Wheels – McEwan, Tesch.

Hejna hauls to O’Reilly USMTS victory at Junction Motor Speedway

From USMTS.com

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. – With a stout racecar, flawless driving and a little help from lapped traffic, Al Hejna picked up where he left off in 2006 with a victory in Friday night’s season opener for the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series in the 4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb.With the $2,000 victory, Hejna made it three in a row going back to last October’s back-to-back wins at the season finale in Memphis, Mo. – his fourth win in the last five races.

Before the start of the Holley “A” Main, it looked like luck was on the side of eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, as he drew the pole position for the 30-lapper. But perhaps the luck was with Hejna, who drew the seventh starting spot to match the digit on his familiar black No. 7 Skyrocket Modified.

At the drop of the green flag, Shryock steered his No. 3 Skyrocket to a three-car-length advantage with Sutton, Neb.’s Jason Friesen giving chase. Friesen, who captured last year’s O’Reilly USMTS opener here, pressured Shryock for the first 12 laps before a broken driveshaft sidelined the local ace.

On the restart, Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa, assumed the role of the hunter and kept pace with Shryock until lapped traffic came into play on lap 16. Hejna was able to motor by VanderBeek, then set his sights on the leader. Slowed by a lapped car on lap 18, Shryock moved up he track while Hejna slipped underneath to lead the 19th circuit. From there, the ‘A-Train’ raced untouched to the winners circle.

“I need to catch my breath, I was holding it there for those last five laps,” Hejna said in victory lane. “The lapped traffic played a big part there. He (Shryock) got a bit high down in turn 4 and I was fortunate to get by him.”Rebounding from a near spin earlier in the main event, BMS Modified builder and driver Darrick Klima of Belleville, Kan., nipped VanderBeek at the finish line to score a third-place paycheck and break up the top-5 sweep by the Skyrocket machines. Tim Karrick of Bashor, Kan., held off Johnny ‘The Jet’ Saathoff for fifth.

After struggling to make the final transfer spot in the second Real Racing Wheels “B” Main, Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., raced from the 22nd starting spot to finish seventh and earn the Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger honors.

Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year contender Andrew Gordon of Murdock, Minn., was eighth, while Mark Dotson of Cameron, Mo., finished ninth with Jay Noteboom of Hinton, Iowa, rounding out the top-10.

On Saturday, the O’Reilly USMTS stars and cars will take to the track again, with the winner of the “A” Main taking home a $3,000 top prize. Gates will open at noon on Saturday with hot laps slated for 3:30 p.m. and racing to follow.

Open Stock Cars will also be on the card racing for $300 to win.Located five miles south of I-80 (York exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering its fourth year of operation. The track is a super-fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters office at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.USMTS.com online.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series
4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw - Night 1 of 2
Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, Neb.
Friday, March 9, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the Heats are locked into the Holley “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (10 laps):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (1)
2. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8)
3. 9R - Robby Haines -- Benkelman, NE (2)
4. 7N - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (9)
5. 92 - Jeff Stephens -- Arion, IA (6)
6. 15x - Dan DeMay -- Denison, IA (3)
7. 19 - Jake Bitker -- Halsted, MN (4)
8. 31J - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (7) DNF
9. 07 - Mike Goldfuss -- Dwight, NE (5) DNS

HEAT #2 (10 laps):
1. 1F - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (5)
2. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (9)
3. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (3)
4. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (7)
5. 47 - Ryan Canon -- Clearwater, MN (2)
6. 21H - Brandon Hagan -- Culbertson, NE (6)
7. 2G - Troy Girolamo -- Strum, WI (1)
8. 76s - Daniel Svee -- Colfax, WI (8)
9. z98 - Denny Johnson -- Sioux City, IA (4) DNF

HEAT #3 (10 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (6)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (1)
3. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (4)
4. 2 - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (2)
5. 14J - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (3)
6. 128 - Mark Trautner -- Mahnomen, MN (8)
7. 18s - Brent Bohmont -- Martell, NE (7)
8. 1R - Matt Richards -- Lincoln, NE (9)
9. 21 - Wade Cross -- Phillips, NE (5) DNF

HEAT #4 (10 laps):
1. 96J - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (2)
2. 1K - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (3)
3. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (8)
4. 4K - Kent Willms -- Willmar, MN (7)
5. 19s - Charles Stryker -- Eddyville, NE (4)
6. 70 - Loren Dauer -- Lindsborg, KS (9)
7. 31 - Andy Kotek -- Wood Lake, MN (1)
8. 94H - Don Hagan -- McCook, NE (5)
9. 28 - Ryan Hill -- Liberal, KS (6) DNF

HEAT #5 (10 laps):
1. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (6)
2. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (1)
3. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (7)
4. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (3)
5. 85D - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (9)
6. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (2)
7. 5J - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (8)
8. 83 - Jesse Cowles -- Sioux City, IA (5) DNF
9. 29E - Eric Rempel – Palmyra, NE (4)

HEAT #6 (10 laps):
1. 21 - Andrew Gordon -- Murdock, MN (5)
2. 27 - Clint Homan -- Bellevue, NE (4)
3. 97M - David Murray -- Oberlin, KS (6)
4. 33 - Kyle Berck -- Marquette, NE (9)
5. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (3)
6. 6B - Blake Borgan -- Perley, MN (7)
7. 8 - Justin Bell -- Omaha, NE (2)
8. 31 - Barry Sandeman -- Creston, IA (8) DNF
9. 00c - Chris Mills -- Sioux City, IA (1) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 33 - Kyle Berck -- Marquette, NE (3)
2. 97M - David Murray -- Oberlin, KS (1)
3. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (4)
4. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (2)
5. 85D - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (6)
6. 6B - Blake Borgan -- Perley, MN (11)
7. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (10)
8. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (7)
9. 29E - Eric Rempel -- Palmyra, NE (21)
10. 21H - Brandon Hagan -- Culbertson, NE (12)
11. 5J - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (13)
12. 76s - Daniel Svee -- Colfax, WI (17)
13. 1R - Matt Richards -- Lincoln, NE (16)
14. 31 - Andy Kotek -- Wood Lake, MN (15)
15. 14J - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (9)
16. 70 - Loren Dauer -- Lindsborg, KS (8) DNF
17. 21 - Wade Cross -- Philips, NE (20) DNF
18. 2G - Troy Girolamo -- Strum, WI (14) DNF
19. 83 - Jesse Cowles -- Sioux City, IA (18) DNF
20. 9R - Robby Haines -- Benkelman, NE (5) DNF
21. 07 - Mike Goldfuss -- Dwight, NE (19) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 7N - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (2)
2. 2 - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (6)
3. 31 - Barry Sandeman -- Creston, IA (18)
4. 31J - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (16)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (1)
6. 15x - Dan DeMay -- Denison, IA (11)
7. 4K - Kent Willms -- Willmar, MN (4)
8. 19 - Jake Bitker -- Halsted, MN (13)
9. 8 - Justin Bell -- Omaha, NE (15)
10. z98 - Denny Johnson -- Sioux City, IA (19)
11. 94 - Don Hagan -- McCook, NE (17) DNF
12. 18s - Brent Bohmont -- Martell, NE (14) DNF
13. 92 - Jeff Stephens -- Arion, IA (7) DNF
14. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (3) DNF
15. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (12) DNF
16. 28 - Ryan Hill -- Liberal, KS (20) DNF
17. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (5) DNF
18. 47 - Ryan Canon -- Clearwater, MN (8) DNF
19. 128 - Mark Trautner -- Mahnomen, MN (10) DNF
20. 00c - Chris Mills -- Sioux City, IA (21) DNF
21. 19s - Charles Stryker -- Eddyville, NE (9) DNS

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (7)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)
3. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (9)
4. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (5)
5. 1K - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (12)
6. 96J - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (3)
7. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (22)
8. 21 - Andrew Gordon -- Murdock, MN (2)
9. 85D - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (21)
10. 7N - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (14)
11. 2 - Blake Jegtvig -- Hawley, MN (16)
12. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (19)
13. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (17)
14. 31J - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (20)
15. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (24)
16. 27 - Clint Homan -- Bellevue, NE (10)
17. 31 - Barry Sandeman -- Creston, IA (18) DNF
18. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (23) DNF
19. 33 - Kyle Berck -- Marquette, NE (13) DNF
20. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (8) DNF
21. 97M - David Murray -- Oberlin, KS (15) DNF
22. 1F - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (4) DNF
23. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (11) DNF
24. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6) DNF

AMSOIL Lap Leaders: Shryock 1-18, Hejna 19-30.
Total Laps Led: Shryock 18, Hejna 12.
Provisional Starters: McEwan (regional), Poidinger (national).
Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger: Tesch (started 22nd, finished 7th).
Next Race: Saturday, March 10, Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, Neb.
O’Reilly National Points: Hejna 107, Shryock 98, Tesch 93, VanderBeek 88, Noteboom 76, Sponsler 70, Rasmussen 70, Poidinger 62, Homan 60, McEwan 56.
Western Region Points: Hejna 107, Shryock 98, Klima 97, Tesch 93, VanderBeek 88, Gordon 76, Noteboom 76, Cole 75, Sponsler 70, Rasmussen 70.
Home Pride Passing Points (National): Hejna 10½, Noble 9, Shryock 7½, Green 7½, Noteboom 7½.
Home Pride Passing Points (Western): Hejna 10½, Noble 9, Shryock 7½, Green 7½, Klima 7½, Noteboom 7½.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Sponsler 21, Rasmussen 19, Homan 17, Green 15, Schwab 10, Trautner 10.
Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 10, BMS 9, GRT 8, J-Car 7, Owens 6.Contingency Awards:
Belleville Motorsports – Karrick, Noteboom, Poidinger, Green.
GRT Race Cars – not awarded.
Hawk Performance – Gordon.
Isky Racing Cams – VanderBeek.
Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Karrick, Sponsler.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock, VanderBeek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – not awarded.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Klima.
Quarter Master – Hejna, Dotson.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Tesch.
Real Racing Wheels – Noteboom.

New Poll

The new poll asks whether or not you would be interested in a "speedweek" at
either one track, or nearby tracks to each other. Would you attend, how many
days would you attend or is it class/track dependent?

Task force supports motorsports facility

Good news that was surprising to some.

* * *

Task force supports motorsports facility
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007 - 10:27:29 am CST
A county committee tasked with evaluating whether motorsports have a future
in Lancaster County unanimously signed off Wednesday on a report that's now
headed to the County Board.

In the report, the Motorsports Task Force came to several conclusions --
including that a motorsports facility in the county presents a unique
economic development opportunity for Lancaster County and the city of
Lincoln.

The group is recommending the city and county work closely to maximize the
possibily of developing such a facility.

The final report also concludes the greatest economic impact can be achieved
through private development -- and that public funding should be limited in
any potential project. The group is asking the county board to declare, by
resolution, support for motorsports and to pledge its intent to help private
investors with "the appropriate use of county resources" in locating and
developing a motorsports facility.

The County Board appointed the group in December, which gave the group two
months to study the potential economic, social and environmental impact of a
motorsports facility in Lancaster County. The appointment came as the board
was facing a proposal for a drag strip in the northern part of the county.

Autograph Day Goal - "Make a Statement"

Here's an open letter to the racing community from Midwest Racers Autograph
Day founder Gary Dominguez. I think it speaks volumes - Jason

* * *

Dear Friends,

I'd like to thank you past and present for your support of Midwest Racers
Autograph Day. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my committee that
has become another family to me. Without their hard work and volunteering,
there would be no Autograph Day!

This years Autograph Day is not only a statement for racers and their
sponsors, it is a statement for survival of their sport. With some area
tracks lacking attendance, and the politically charged atmosphere regarding
motorsports lately, it is imperative we show our solidarity on April 7th.

To the racers, I am asking each and every one of you to bring your race
machines, and place them on display from 11-4PM. Extend the invitation to
your family, sponsors and sphere of influence to attend also.

To the fans I am asking you to attend and show your support of the hard
working souls that put their racing machines on the track every week.
Encourage your family and friends that support motorsports to attend also.

As you know, our event is free to all racers and spectators. Our only source
of income is from our sponsors. If you would like to become one of our
sponsors, we have several affordable options available. We even have a
memorial sponsorship you can dedicate to a loved one that is no longer with
us.

Friends, I can't stress enough to you the importance of April 7th 2007. I
always refer to the racing community as the "Racing Family". Whether you
think it is valid or vulgar, it is the truth. In my 30+ years of racing I
have seen many changes, but the one thing that does not change is our
closeness with our particular sports. As racers we get angry, say nasty
things to each other, and sometimes fight amongst ourselves, but when one of
us is down, or hurting, the others always come in to support each other. If
that's not a family, then I don't know what a family is. Now is the time for
our family to come together, and let the powers that be know we are here to
stay!

As I have said before, "There is NO Family like a Racing Family!"

Thanks to all of you and God Bless,

Gary Dominguez- Founder

Results from the last poll.

Question: How far would you (or do you) drive to see a normal, weekly race?

Summary: 44 answers have been submitted.
0-5 miles 9% (4 votes)
6-20 miles 22% (10 votes)
21-50 miles 25% (11 votes)
50-100 miles 25% (11 votes)
more than 100 miles 18% (8 votes)

Motor sports committee scraps online survey

BY JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 - 10:28:32 am CST

A County Board-appointed committee that has spent the last two months
determining whether motor sports have a future in Lancaster County has
decided to throw out an online survey it created to measure demand.

The Motor Sports Task Force decided unanimously Wednesday morning to forgo
distributing the unscientific questionnaire, citing concerns about changes
made by the County Board.

The County Board last week approved the survey for posting on the county's
Web site after eliminating nearly a third of the 20 questions and making
other changes. Because of the revision, task force Chairman Russ Bayer
decided the survey needed review.

Link to full article:

http://www.journalstar.com/news/local/doc45e5ae8299037892663760.txt

Butler County Cuts to Limited '07 Schedule

From Butlercountymotorplex.com

After announcing a Friday schedule in December this unfortunate news came out Saturday:

The families of the Butler County Motorplex would like to extend their appreciation to those who supported the racetrack during the 2005 and 2006 season. For various reasons we have made the decision not to run our weekly Friday night show for the 2007 season. But, there will be events scheduled throughout the 2007 season. The dates for these events will be announced, and should not conflict with any surrounding track events. Visit Butler County Motorplex.com for the special event dates. The racetrack will remain For Sale, and if you need information on that contact Charlotte at (402-209-0921) or John Stock at Stock Realty & Auction Co.(402-920-3180 or 866-920-3180). Again, we do appreciate your continued support.

Long-awaited O’Reilly USMTS season-opener nears

From USMTS.com

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- It will have been 118 long and cold days since the last checkered flag waved, but the wait is nearly over for thousands of race fans and drivers throughout America’s heartland as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is set kick off a thrilling 2007 season with the 4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 9-10.

This will be the first race of the season for the O’Reilly USMTS, and the first pair of points races for drivers seeking the Western Region title. Last year’s event saw more than 70 drivers sign in to do battle, and even more are expected for this year’s clash as area racers look to score some early-season points in the Western Region.

Last season, local favorite Jason Friesen of Sutton, Neb., shocked the touring titans with a win on opening night at JMS. Although it was his only win in 37 starts during the 2007 campaign, Friesen remained a force to be reckoned with and wound up third in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship final points standings.

On Saturday night last year, Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., captured his first of four main event wins during the season -- his first ever at Junction Motor Speedway -- as he sped on to a fifth place finish in the season's final rankings.

Some of the other O’Reilly USMTS road warriors expected include eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, last year’s title runner-up Zack VanderBeek, Tommy Myer, Al and Mike Hejna, Brad McEwan, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Jay Poidinger, Dean Mahlstedt, Mark Noble, Jason Hughes, Randy Timms, Steve Arpin, Jay Noteboom, Mike Wedelstadt, Corey Dripps, Mike Spaulding, Willy Kraft, Jim Horejsi and many more.

Local hotshoes expected to contend for this year’s title include Kevin Larkins, Matt Richards, Jeremy Tibben, Jake Neal, David Murray Jr., Chevy Hadan, Jon Thompson, Tim Echevarria, Wade Cross, Chad Dolan, Kurt Johnson, Danny McKeighan, Darrick Klima, John Allen, Ricky Stephan, Johnny Saathoff, Dirk Kirk and many more.

Located five miles south of I-80 (York exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering it's fourth year of operation. The track is a super-fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with hot laps slated for 6:30 and racing action to follow. Friday night’s O’Reilly USMTS feature winner will pocket a $2,000 paycheck. On Saturday, the O’Reilly USMTS stars and cars will take to the track again, with the winner of the “A” Main taking home a $3,000 top prize. Gates will open at noon on Saturday with hot laps slated for 3:30 p.m. and racing to follow. If needed, Sunday will be used as a raindate with a noon start time.

Open Stock Cars will also be on the racing card both nights, racing for $250 and $300 to win, respectively.

This is a race you won’t want to miss! For more information, contact Junction Motor Speedway by calling (402) 773-5538 or online at www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.

To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call (515) 832-7944 or visit www.USMTS.com online.

World of Outlaws Format Changes Geared To Create Excitement

I know this is about a week old, but I think it's big news for all of dirt track racing being the WoO is still the largest, single dirt track sanctioning body. I'll have more to say about this later. - Jason

From worldofoutlaws.com

By Tony Veneziano, WoO Sprint Series PR Director

Barberville, FL — To provide even more exciting racing for fans, World
of Outlaws officials announced during the 36th Annual Florida DIRTcar
Nationals Presented By Mopar Speedshop several procedural changes for
the 2007 season, including some tweaks to the race night format,
restarts, realignments, the work area and push lane staging.

One of the most noticeable differences from recent years involves heat
races. These qualifying events will be inverted by four, meaning the
quickest driver during time trials will start fourth in his or her heat
race, as opposed to sixth in the past. The first- and second-place
finishers in each heat will qualify for the dash, followed by the next
two fastest qualifiers who transfer from the heats during a standard
four heat-race program. Those 10 cars will make up dash which will
continue to set the Top 10 starting spots for the A-main. A pill draw on
the front stretch, time-permitting, will create the dash line-up.

"It absolutely puts more importance on winning a heat race," said World
of Outlaws Series Director Carlton Reimers. "Here again we believe this
simplifies the program for the viewing audience as well as the live
audience. They know when that heat race crosses the finish line that the
first and second place cars are going to the dash. It absolutely makes
being in first or second place in the heat more important."

Looking to curb confusion among fans, especially those new to the sport,
lapped cars will now go to the tail of the field for realignment on a
restart, thus making it easier for the fans to identify which cars are
battling for the lead. Also, cars one or more laps down will receive one
of their laps back when they restart at the tail end of the field.

"We wanted to make the race format way simpler for new fans and for
casual fan to be able to follow our racing," Reimers said. "We feel like
it will look better on television, and someone watching will know that
the first, second and third cars in line, are in first, second, and
third place. We also feel it will lead to more exciting finishes without
the lapped car being in there. We believe it will make the whole program
look better, especially on television."

Also new for 2007, when a car visits the work area it will have two
minutes to fix whatever problem it has encountered and then must be
ready to be pushed off.

"This again simplifies things," Reimers stated. "Every track is
different, there are no true quarter or half-miles. It varied from track
to track how far the work area was, and how fast the pace car was going
and clicking off the laps. We felt it was better to go with a time
limit. When one car goes to the work area and gets off the wrecker and
in a position to be worked on, he will go on a two minute clock. If we
have multiple cars going there, it will not start until the last car
gets there."

Another amendment in 2007 is that most two-day events will become two
one-day events with no second night "locked-in" cars. These events will
be conducted and pointed as such, with full championship points available..

"The main reason for doing it that way was for the fans," Reimers said.
"We are making a conscious effort to listen to our fans and our
promoters, and what they want to see is more of our racing. With the
four cars locked into the feature from the preliminary night, they
actually did not start racing until the dash. Someone pays a feature
night price for a ticket and comes in to see one of their stars, and all
of a sudden they don't see them until the dash, and they feel like they
want to see them all night long. If you come on Friday night or Saturday
night, you will see everyone race. You will see everyone qualify and
everybody heat race through the entire program."

In addition, staging in the push lane will be timed as well. Any car not
in the staging lane once the allotted time has expired will be penalized
two starting positions.

The changes, implemented in conjunction with the season-opening events
at Volusia Speedway Park, will be in effect for the entire 2007 season.

Online survey to measure interest in motor sports appears a no go

By JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star
Friday, Feb 16, 2007 - 12:06:28 am CST

A plan to gauge support for a motor sports facility in Lancaster County through an online survey met defeat Thursday after failing to convince county officials it would have any merit.

A County Board-appointed task force that’s spent several weeks studying whether motor sports have a future in the county created the unscientific 20-question survey.

Without the budget for a scientific survey, task force members said they believed it was an economical way to get a snapshot of interest levels.

The group had expected to use the responses in its report due to the County Board by March 1.
County Administrative Officer Kerry Eagan, who chaired this week’s task force meeting, took the survey to the County Board for approval Thursday, along with a request for up to a few hundred dollars to add controls to prevent a survey taker from submitting multiple responses.

The survey included questions designed to identify the types of events people would participate in or attend, how many they might attend and how many people might go with them.

It also delved into details — asking drag racers for the make, model, year and horsepower of their cars.

Demand really isn’t a question left unanswered, Commissioner Ray Stevens said, referring to the flood of e-mails commissioners have received in support of a motor sports facility.

Click here for remainder of article

Speedway Motors update

Brad on IBRACN.com has more info regarding the change in sponsorship plans at Speedway Motors. His website states:

"The powers that be at Speedway Motors held a meeting last night to discuss their sponsorship plans for 2007. Recently, all sponsorships were put on hold...to the surprise of some of the drivers involved. It was decided last night that Speedway Motors will continue to sponsor Billy Alley, Danny Lasoski, and Jason Martin. All other sponsorships will be eliminated for 2007."

New Poll! How many miles would you drive

Check out the new poll on the right side of the page. How many miles would you drive for a weekly show?

Poll Results - How many races per month

Here's the results to the first poll

Question: How many races do you attend each month?

Summary:67 answers have been submitted.
More than 4 per month 64% (43 votes)
3-4 per month 17% (12 votes)
1-2 per month 8% (6 votes)
Less than once per month 8% (6 votes)

Greg Metz Benefit Feb. 17

A benefit for IMCA Modified driver Greg Metz will be held Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Washington Bowl in Washington KS at 6:00PM. A dance will follow. For more information, the flyer is available by clicking here (PDF format)

Junction Motor Speedway 2006 Banquet Recap

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.

Alley, Humston to pilot Late Models in '07

Another bite from IBRACN.com says that Billy Alley and Chad Humston are going to spend time behind the wheel of Late Models this season. Alley will be driving for Ed Kosiski at I-80 weekly and Humston will race for Rick Hunnicutt weekly at Junction Motor Speedway. Both are expected to race Sprint cars during the season; Alley will drive the VerMeer owned #55 at Knoxville and surrounding races, while Humston will make occasional drives in the open wheeler at selected races this season.

Correction: While Alley will race a Late Model this season it has been reported that Alley will be driving for Al Belt and Scott Saltzman

Jason: with sprint car racing in a state of flux right now, and the POTENTIAL to race for more money on the various late model circuits, one has to wonder what the future holds...

Speedway Motors Pulling Sponsorships?

Brad Brown is reporting on his site, IBRACN.com that Speedway Motors has ended its sponsorships with teams effective immediately. According to the site, Speedway Motors sprint car driver Billy Alley "found out when he went into Speedway Motors to pick up some parts and was told that there is no deal any longer." Other drivers of note include WoO driver Danny Lasoski, IMCA modified driver Kevin Larkins and late model driver Kyle Berck.

ASCS Midwest Region Schedule Set

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (February 8, 2007) – The American Sprint Car
Series Midwest Region is set to bring the best in Sprint Car racing action
to Nebraska and the surrounding areas for a third consecutive year in 2007.

And, after drivers hailing from Lincoln, NE, claimed the series title each
of the past two years (Billy Alley in 2005 and Toby Chapman in 2006), it is
only appropriate that the series kicks off the season at nearby Greenwood,
NE, with a two-night stand versus the ASCS Northern Plains Region at
Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway on April 13 and 14. The highly
anticipated season opener attracted a stellar field of 69 entries in 2006.

Then, after the first of two stops at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool
Junction, NE, on May 25, the stakes are upped for the Midwest Region as well
as the Northern Plains Regions, as they both join forces with the O'Reilly
ASCS National Tour for a full week of intense Sprint Car action.

Currently, the week is set to kick off at Crawford County Speedway in
Denison, IA, on June 16. Other stops include I-90 Speedway in Hartford, SD,
on June 19, North Central Speedway in Brainerd, MN, on June 20, and Dakota
State Fair Speedway in Huron, SD, on June 23. At least two more dates are
expected to be added to the ASCS Northern swing in the coming weeks.

Once the ASCS Northern Speedweek is in the books, the ASCS Midwest Region
makes a second stop at Junction Motor Speedway on June 29.

The ASCS Midwest Region then takes on the ASCS Northern Plains Region in the
two-night North vs. South Shootout, which takes place at Crawford County
Speedway on July 20 and Eagle (NE) Raceway on July 21.

The series then returns to I-80 Speedway on Tuesday night, August 14, in a
spectacular twin bill of Sprint Car racing action with the O'Reilly Sprint
Bandits Tour 'N Topless series.

The ASCS Midwest Region then concludes the 2007 season with it's
Championship race atop the high banks of U.S. 36 Raceway in Cameron, MO, on
September 7.

Several other dates for the ASCS Midwest Region are still in the works and
will be announced shortly.

Along with each of the other ASCS Regions and the ASCS National Tour, two
representatives from the ASCS Midwest Region will be invited to compete in
the ASCS/Wesmar Racing Engines Challenge at Devil's Bowl Speedway's Winter
Nationals in Mesquite, TX, on October 13. The winner of that event will
walk away with a new Wesmar Engine.

2007 ASCS Midwest Region Schedule:

Apr 13 I-80 Speedway @ Nebraska Raceway Park (Greenwood, NE) – vs. Northern
Plains
Apr 14 I-80 Speedway @ Nebraska Raceway Park (Greenwood, NE) – vs. Northern
Plains
May 25 Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, NE)
* - Jun 14 TBA
* - Jun 15 Crawford County Speedway (Denison, IA)
Jun 29 Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, NE)
July 20 Crawford County Speedway (Denison, IA) – vs. Northern Plains
July 21 Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE) – vs. Northern Plains
Aug 5 Brodix Tournament of Champions (Knoxville, IA) – No points
Aug 14 I-80 Speedway @ Nebraska Raceway Park (Greenwood, NE)
Sept 7 U.S. 36 Raceway (Cameron, MO)
Oct 13 ASCS/Wesmar Racing Engines Challenge (Two Invites per Region)

* - Events held in conjunction with O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour
National series.

Beatrice Registration Session

Posted by Tim Fralin on Dirtdrivers.com

Sunday Feb 25th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Gage County Ag Hall (fair
Office). There will be no rules meetings just registration.

Rules Changes for Factory Stocks will be
1. IMCA Stamped Hoosiers will be allowed
2. You may cut out the trunk area between the frame rails

Cruisers
1. IMCA Stamped Hoosier Tires will be added to your tire selection
2. sbc engines will be allowed, no alum heads, and you will need an
additional 500 lbs on top of the current weight rule.

Motor Sports Task Force tackles sound

BY JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star

Link to article on Lincoln Journal Star.com

The rumble of a top-fuel dragster and the screech of a pro-stock motorcycle
blasted through the meeting room.

The sounds roared through two large speakers, holding the attention of
committee members tasked with deciding whether motor sports have a future in
Lancaster County.

One after another, the brief bellows filled the room at the County/City
Building on the command of acoustics expert Dominique Chéenne, who stood at
the controls of the PowerPoint presentation.

This was their education.

And they learned.

They learned about decibels and pitch and the sound spectrum. They learned
noise carries farther on hot, humid summer days. Grass and soft ground can
muffle certain sounds, but not all.

And the most important lesson, perhaps: Sound and noise are not the same.

"The definition of noise, and we have to agree on that one, it is unwanted
sound," said Chéenne, director of acoustics in the Audio Arts and Acoustics
Department at Chicago's Columbia College.

That kind of education is essential as the committee goes about
understanding all of the impacts associated with a motor sports facility,
said committee Chairman Russ Bayer.

The task force is midway through its two-month study of potential economic,
environmental and social factors. The County Board created the committee in
December to gather more information before the board decides on a proposed
drag strip in northern Lancaster County.

Greg Sanford wants to build the drag strip along U.S. 77 between Branched
Oak and Davey roads.

The committee, made up primarily of citizens, has until March 1 to complete
its report.

It has formed subcommittees to take on specific issues, sending them to pore
over maps and regulations and assemble experts for briefings.

Members are planning a day-trip to Topeka, Kan., to tour a motor sports
complex. Next week, they plan to roll out a survey at www.lincoln.ne.gov to
gauge demand for motor sports.

"We have a long way to go in the next 30 days," said Bayer, who has
previously acknowledged the two-month study would be a challenge.

The committee also is considering a recently released report that measured
the potential economic impact a drag racing facility could have on Lincoln
and Lancaster County. The study, commissioned by Sanford, was conducted by
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research and showed a
drag racing center could bring nearly $10 million a year in local spending
and create 200 jobs paying a total of $3.5 million a year, by conservative
figures.

Bureau Director Eric Thompson is scheduled to address the report with the
committee Feb. 14.

The committee understands its role as information gatherer, Bayer said, and
its members know the final decision falls to the County Board. It will work
to close as many gaps in understanding as possible before March 1, but there
questions could remain, he said.

"I think we at least owe the board something," he said.

Take the poll!

I've added this little freebie poll to the site. If it works out and doesn't generate a lot of crappy spam then I'm going to keep it. Otherwise, maybe I'll just fork over for the pay version.

Anyhow I plan on updating the poll a couple of times a month for the sake of entertainment. Enjoy!

WDRL Unveils 2007 "World Tour"

27 race nights in six Midwestern states make up action-packed series
schedule

By Tom Lathen
WORLD Dirt Racing League

(Gilman City, MO) The WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Late Model Series
has unveiled its tentative 2007 schedule. This year's "WORLD Tour" consists
of 27 race nights in the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and Illinois.

"Although it took a little longer than we anticipated to get things firmed
up, we are extremely pleased with this year's schedule," commented series
founder and President Jim Wilson. "Again this year, we have worked very hard
to, as much as possible, tie series events together to make things
manageable for our race teams, series officials, and fans."

Added Wilson, "We are looking forward to a very exciting 2007 season."

Four first-time venues, Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa, Eagle Raceway
near Eagle, Nebraska, Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, and Quad City
Raceway in East Moline, Illinois, are included on the 2007 slate of events.
Dubuque Speedway's exciting high-banked 3/8-mile oval will be the venue for
Simmons Promotions' annual "Rumble on the River" over Memorial Day weekend.
The two-night event will feature qualifying and a $2,000 to win Race of
Champions on Sunday night, May 27, with the following night, May 28,
featuring the $7,000 to win 100-lap "Rumble" feature event.

A 50-lap $5,000 to win event on Friday night, June 8, will be held at Eagle
Raceway's state-of-the-art 1/3-mile high-banked bullring, with Highway 3
Raceway and Quad City Raceway hosting back-to-back events on Sunday and
Monday, September 2 and 3. Highway 3 Raceway is a semi-banked ½-mile oval,
with Quad City Raceway featuring a fan-friendly ¼-mile high- banked oval.
Another highlight of the 2007 schedule is the prestigious ninth-annual
"Masters" at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin. The two-night
event at the high-banked 3/8-mile facility will feature a $5,000 to win main
event on Friday, June 15, with a whopping $10,000 top prize on the line for
the following night's 50-lap marquee event.

Leading up the "Masters" are series events on June 13 and 14 at Red Cedar
Speedway in Menomonie, Wisconsin and Superior Speedway in Superior
Wisconsin, with a series event at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls,
Wisconsin scheduled for Sunday, July 17, directly following the annual west
central Wisconsin event.

Series drivers will make a second trip to the Badger state of Wisconsin on
Wednesday and Thursday, August 1 and 2 with back-to-back return visits to
Superior Speedway and Cedar Lake Speedway. Both venues will feature 50-lap
$5,000 to win main events, leading up to Cedar Lake's non-sanctioned USA
Nationals, scheduled for August 3-4.

The fabled Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa will host the WDRL's
season-opener on Friday night, April 6, as well as the two-night curtain
closer on Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6. The early October event will
consist of two complete series programs, with Friday night's 20-lap main
event paying $2,500 to the winner and Saturday night's 50-lap feature
offering a paycheck of $7,500 to the winner.

Three nights of racing are also scheduled at West Liberty Raceway in West
Liberty, Iowa this season. Series drivers will attack the Muscatine County
Fairgrounds ½-mile on Saturday, April 7 for a $5,000 to win event, with the
revival of the "Liberty 100" scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 21
and 22. "Liberty 100" qualifying will be held on Friday night, with the
100-lap $7,000 to win feature event scheduled for the following night.
PolyDome Late Model Series drivers will invade "The Sprint Car Capitol of
the World," Knoxville Raceway on Friday, April 27, a night after the first
of two series appearances on the ½-mile at Freeport Raceway Park in
Freeport, Illinois. The second series event at Freeport is scheduled for
Wednesday night, August 8.

Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas will again host the annual "Late
Model Showdown" on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29. The
back-to-back $3,000 and $5,000 to win events are scheduled to coincide with
the NASCAR Busch and Nextel Cup events at Kansas Speedway the same weekend.

Again this season, Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota will host
the annual "Labor Day Dual," featuring the open-wheeled Modifieds of the
United States Modified Touring Series on the same card with the WORLD Dirt
Racing League Late Models. The 50-lap WDRL feature event, set for Saturday
September 1, will pay $5,000 to the winner.

Series drivers will make their second consecutive appearance at Boone County
Raceway in Albion, Nebraska on Sunday July 22. The $5,000 to win event on the
tight 3/8-mile semi-banked oval will be a part of the annual Boone County
Fair.

According to Wilson, additional series events may be added to this year's
WDRL schedule in the next few weeks.
"Although scheduling for 2007 is nearly complete, we still see this as a
'working' schedule," he stressed. "We are still talking with a couple of
promoters and hope to be able to find dates that will work for their
facilities as well as for the series."

2007 WORLD DIRT RACING LEAGUE "WORLD TOUR"

Fri. April 6 Davenport Speedway, Davenport IA - 40 Laps $5000
Sat. April 7 West Liberty Raceway, West Liberty IA - 50 Laps $5000
Thu. April 26 Freeport Raceway Park, Freeport IL - 40 Laps $5000
Fri. April 27 Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville IA - 40 Laps $5000
Sat. May 26 Echo Valley Speedway, West Union IA - 50 Laps $5000
Sun. May 27 Dubuque County Speedway, Dubuque IA - "Race of Champions" - 20
Laps $2000
Sun. May 28 Dubuque County Speedway, Dubuque IA - "Rumble by the River" -
100 Laps $7000
Fri. June 8 Eagle Raceway, Eagle Nebraska - 50 Laps $5000
Wed. June 13 Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie WI - 50 Laps $5000
Thu. June 14 Superior Speedway, Superior Wisconsin - 50 Laps $5000
Fri. June 15 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI - "The Masters" - 50 Laps
$5000
Sat. June 16 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI - "The Masters" - 50 Laps
$10000
Sun. June 17 Eagle Valley Speedway, Jim Falls WI - 50 Laps $5000
Sat. July 21 TBA
Sun. July 22 Boone County Speedway, Albion NE - 50 Laps $5000
Wed. August 1 Superior Speedway, Superior WI - 50 Laps $5000
Thu. August 2 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI - 50 Laps $5000
Wed. August 8 Freeport Raceway Park, Freeport IL - 40 Laps $5000
Sat. September 1 Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley MN - 50 Laps $5000
Sun. September 2 Highway 3 Raceway, Allison IA - 30 Laps $4000
Mon. September 3 Quad City Raceway, East Moline IL - 50 Laps $5000
Fri. September 21 West Liberty Raceway, West Liberty IA - "Liberty 100"
Qualifying
Sat. September 22 West Liberty Raceway, West Liberty IA - "Liberty 100" -
100 Laps $7000
Fri. September 28 Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City KS - 30 Laps $3000
Sat. September 29 Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City KS - 50 Laps $5000
Fri. October 5 Davenport Speedway, Davenport IA - 20 Laps $2500
Sat. October 6 Davenport Speedway, Davenport IA - 50 Laps $7500

Speed Bowl ready for new season

By Mike Hughes

RED CLOUD, NE—Promoters Don & Paula Bolt have announced the 2007 race schedule at The Speed Bowl in Red Cloud, NE. The Friday night weekly program starts on April 13 and runs thru August 24.

The new 4-cylinder ‘Young Guns’ division will join the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks and Cruisers on the 3/8-mile oval. The Mod Lites will return twice this year, and the GOTRA (Good Ol’ Time Racers Association) also makes a return appearance.

The pit gate will open at 5:00 p.m., the grandstands at 6:00, with racing getting underway at 8:00.

For more information, contact the Bolts at (785) 678-2416 or (785) 678-8037.

2007 Schedule
April 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18 (Mod Lites), 25
June 1, 8, 15 (GOTRA), 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27 (Thunder Series)
August 3, 10, 17 (Mod Lites), 24

Drag strip could pump $10 million into local economy

BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 - 12:29:17 am CST

Imagine if Lincoln hosted two extra Nebraska football games every year.

That's the kind of economic impact a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study
says a proposed drag racing facility could have on Lincoln and Lancaster
County.

The study, by UNL's Bureau of Business Research, showed a drag racing center
like the one proposed north of Lincoln could bring nearly $10 million a year
in additional local spending and create 200 jobs paying a total of $3.5
million a year.

The study also said $6 million of that spending would benefit the state as a
whole, as would 120 of the jobs paying $2.1 million.

And those are conservative estimates, said Eric Thompson, the bureau's
director.

Using more liberal figures, the study concluded the local economic impact
could be as high as $23.2 million a year, with higher figures for employment
and earnings as well.

"We tried to be very careful and conservative with our estimate," he said.

Even using the conservative estimate, Thompson said, a track would have a
"big impact."

"Even as careful as we were, $10 million is a big impact year after year,"
he said.

The study estimated a track like the one motorsports entrepreneur Greg
Sanford is proposing would have 60 race dates a year with mostly local
events drawing 1,000 people per day and a couple of larger events drawing
8,000 people apiece.

Sanford said his proposed initial racing calendar would have 70-80 dates,
and he said most other tracks used as comparisons draw more spectators than
what was used in the study.

But he said he was OK with conservative estimates.

" I want to always underpromise and overgive," Sanford said.

Sanford, who commissioned the UNL study, has proposed building a
quarter-mile drag strip with initial seating for at least 5,000 people on
160 acres along U.S. 77 between Branched Oak and Davey Roads.

In application materials, he estimated attracting 500 to 1,750 participants
and spectators for local events and from about 3,500 to more than 20,000 for
regional and national events.

The proposal is on hold while a task force convened by the Lancaster County
Board looks at the pros and cons of putting a motorsports facility in the
county.

The group is expected to issue a report to the County Board by March 1.

Karen Kurbis, a member of the motorsports task force and an opponent of the
proposed location, said she didn't think the study was "being that
conservative."

Kurbis, who said she was speaking in her capacity as a concerned neighbor
and property owner and not as a task force member, said the numbers in the
report looked more like what might be generated five years down the road,
not right away.

"You don't start off playing Nebraska football on day one," she said. "You
build up to it."

Jeff Maul, executive director of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau
and another member of the task force, said he hadn't seen the report and
wouldn't feel comfortable commenting on it.

Link to article

Eagle Raceway adds IMCA Sport Compacts for 2007, Replacing Tuners

From Bill Martin, IMCA Public Relations 319 472-2201, x225

EAGLE, Neb. (Jan. 23) – Eagle Raceway adds another IMCA division to its Saturday night race programs for the sec­ond time in as many seasons, with Sport Compacts new to the show starting in 2007.The tuner class of 4-cylinder, front wheel drive cars which averaged 30 entries a night and drew 60 different entries over the course of the 2006 campaign will take the track as Sport Compacts this year.

“Rules for the two classes were basically the same,” promoter Roger Hadan said. “Right now, we’ve got about 80 of these cars registered for this season.”

Sport Compacts will race at Eagle in a Sunday, April 15 enduro set for two hours or 200 laps. Opening night for the new point season is April 21.

A fixture for sanctioned Modifieds since 1985, Eagle averaged 25 IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks in running that divi­sion the first time last year.

Hadan expects the Hobbies to average around 40 entries on Saturdays this season.Points races for the IMCA divisions continue through Aug. 25. Drivers competing five consecutive weeks at Eagle will get free admission to the pits when they tow in for the sixth straight weekly show.

Junction Motor Speedway will host 3rd Cornhusker Midget Challenge

Millstadt, IL – Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, NE will be home to the 3rd Annual Cornhusker Midget Challenge hosted by the O’Reilly POWRi (Performance Open Wheel Racing, Inc) midget series as well as USAC and SMRS sanctioning bodies. The three midget organizations have come together to sanction the 3/8-mile dirt oval as a prelude to the Belleville Midget Nationals.

The first night of racing will be on Monday July 23, which will include qualifying, heats, semis and a 25 lap A-main. The top four competitors from Mondays A-main will be locked into the Tuesday July 24th A-Main. The balance of the field will start again on Tuesday with qualifying, heats, semis and finish with a 40 lap A-main.

“We are looking forward to having the top midget teams in the country compete at Junction Motor Speedway,” said Delmar Friesen, promoter of Junction Motor Speedway. “To have the opportunity to have POWRi champ Brad Kuhn, USAC Champ Jerry Coons Jr., and SMRS champ Brady Bacon who was last years JMS winner driving for Kasey Kahne as well as the Tony Stewart team competing all at one place will be phenomenal for our fans,” continued Friesen.

Following the races on Monday July 24th and Tuesday July 25th at JMS the race teams will head to 81 Speedway in Wichita, KS on Wednesday July 25th where USAC will host the O’Reilly POWRi and SMRS midget teams before taking Thursday off to regroup for the Belleville Midget Nationals.

For more information log on to www.powri.com, www.usacracing.com, or www.smrsmidgets.com

Parker / Griffis Back in 2007 at Eagle Raceway.

Dennis Parker, owner of the #3 Sprint car at Eagle Raceway announced he'll be back in 2007 with Jeff Griffis behind the wheel again. They'll run Eagle Weekly with the exception of the non-wing shows.

If anyone in the E. Nebraska area or races at the tracks in E. Nebraska has some "silly season" news for me, let me know by email

Home region points given at special events for IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

From Bill Martin, IMCA Public Relations

VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 19) – IMCA Modified, Stock Car and Hobby Stock driv­ers competing at approved special events around the country can take points earned at those races back to their home region this sea­son.

“Earning points at a cou­ple special events early or late in the season allows more drivers the opportunity to get closer to the 50 race cap we introduced for na­tional and regional points last year,” explained IMCA Vice President of Opera­tions Brett Root.

“Statistically, two thirds of our drivers race once a week,” he added. “If those drivers want the opportunity to race more often for points, our system should encourage that.”

The Ice Bowl at Tal­ladega Short Track was the first event on the list of designated specials. Home region points will also be given throughout the Winter Series at West Valley Speedway, at the Feb. 9-10 Mardi Gras Bash at Deep South Speed­way and at the Feb. 23-25 Ice Breaker at Abilene Speed­way.

“There are necessary reasons why we have had regional boundaries and 50 race caps in the past,” Root said. “But in certain instances those caps pe­nalize racers and sanctioned tracks and their special events, and we have to ad­dress those issues. We want IMCA drivers to attend spe­cial events whenever possible and the 50 race cap which we put into place last season addresses any racer who is attempting to gain an unfair advantage by simply racing more nights.”

IMCA will reserve the right to designate the spe­cials at which home region points are awarded to all drivers.

No out of region points will be awarded for travel­ing drivers competing at weekly sanctioned pro­grams.

Beatrice Speedway Hall of Fame now online

Posted by "Extreme Motorsports" on dirtdrivers.com

Our website is now up and running. Please remember, it is only in it's beginning stages. We have a lot more info to be added. We would like to also thank Scott and Ronda Wisdom for their work on it. Let us know what you think or if you have any ideas for other features. Thanks!www.beatricespeedwayhof.com

One year old!

Heartland Racenews.com launched today one year ago. I'm surprised I stuck it out this long.

I appreciate all your comments, good and bad as well as look for new ways to improve the site. In just one year, it's been a "cute little site" (according to one person) and it's grown to something that's widely read by many of the movers and shakers in racing media...as I know from my emails.

This year I'm looking to grow bigger and stretch my legs out a little more. I'm surprised by the amount of traffic even during the offseason, and much more during the regular season. The site is well over 1.2 million "hits" (though that's an antiquated measurement).

Maybe, just maybe there will be some Heartland RaceNews.com merchandise.

Again, thanks for all the readership and your support.

U.S. 30 Speedway Awards Presentation

US 30 Speedway will present awards on Saturday Jan. 20th in the Platte Center Auditorium, Platte Center, Ne. at 7:00 P. M. 2007 plans will be announced and trophies will be awarded to the top 14 Modified drivers, top 11 Hobby Stock drivers, top 5 Street Stock drivers, top 2 Hornet Drivers and 1 Limited Late Model driver. 21 drivers will receive Perfect Attendance Awards. It's FREE Admission. Bring your own beverages, food if desired, and a dancing partner. After the presentations, the flagman, Scott Ridenour will be the DJ for your entertainment. Everyone is invited.

Durst 6th in Chili Bowl Feature

From www.chilibowl.com

Ryan Durst of Lincoln won the 8th heat, was 3rd in A qualifier #4 and finished 6th in the A main Thursday night at the Chili Bowl midget nationals in Tulsa, OK.

Wish list for 2007 (in no particular order, and by no means complete)

1. That promoters quit trying to compete with each other and start focusing on the entire sport as a whole. We're in a crunch for entertainment dollars and I can bet that $3/gallon gas will be visible again next summer.

2. I intend to go to more races outside my comfort zone since I'm getting a new car.
Anyone that can get me a deal on a NEW Honda CR-V, Mazda 5, Subaru Forester or Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute or something else...I'm all ears. BTW, my little '98 Saturn is for sale. It's a great work/school/second car.

3. I'm wanting to print my own pictures this coming year. I won't be using your generic Best Buy el-cheapo printer either. It will help me improve my pictures and get them, the way I want them printed and also get these done MUCH quicker than I've been in the past. To anyone who has suffered through my delays, I apologize. I've still got more pics to get out.

Next season I'm also going to 8x10's and larger only. The economics of 4x6's are such that I just can't make it worth my time. Despite what it costs per print, I also have to factor the fact that whether it be a 4x6 or 8x10, I still crop, sharpen, color manage , etc. Essentially with digital you can't drop off the film and have the machine do it for you. We're the photo lab now. I have to count the time involved. Yes, most photos are OK out of the camera - but I aim for better than that. I'm not looking to make money at this at all and my goal is to make fine pictures not get jollies off being able to get money. If it works for others, more power to them...but it seems like the ones who do it for a year get all gung-ho at the beginning of the year then fade away. I'm shooting for the website, but I can't afford to lose money just for the sake of an ego boost.

4. To get more info from race teams on what they've got going on. New sponsorships, cars, etc. Feel free to email me. I also want to do more interviews this year.

5. I'd love to see the World of Outlaws produce real marketing material to tracks. Since they continue rely on the promoter to market their product why not produce top-level product and a consistent brand identity? They have the ability to make high quality generic 15 & 30-second TV and radio spots, and announcers can just tag the date/time/ticket information at the end. They can supply complete print ad graphics that the newspaper just needs to add date/time/place info. With the Outdoor Channel's power they can produce some slick stuff.

Here's my feeling: the better promoters do, the more likely they will try to add shows or pay more sanctioning fees, instead of cutting shows like Eagle did. While were at it, why not have ASCS, WDRL, POWRi, USAC, etc. produce promo materials as well? In the current model, where the sanction bodies rely on sanction fees for income, and the promoter's money comes on tickets a promoters success translates directly to the sanctioning body's success.

6. I hope every race I go to starts within 5 minutes of the posted start time.

Yeah, good luck Jason.

Last year I went to two shows that started more than 30 minutes late, with no water truck breakdown, rain just before the show, long line at the pit gate etc. In other words, no excuse. If you did that at the movie theater, you'd have to call the cops because of the disturbance. While we're at it, no more 30+ minute intermissions either with the exception of a special event. If a track has its act together, 15-20 minutes is plenty of time to get beer/hot dogs/relieved, etc.

7. Also, I hope the back gate specials go away. Enough of the 4-5 hour, 6-class spinfests. Move things along. Promoters - don't be afraid to put your foot down when races run long. There's no reason A features should take an hour to run without red flags. Even then know when to call it a night. More fans than you think will appreciate it.

8. I want to get to Butler County Speedway again. The last time I was there was in May of 2003. I'd also like to go to Mid-Nebraska. That's where I spent my very early years.

9. I also need to get to Knoxville again. It's been far too long since I've been there. I won't admit how long.

That's it for now...

Do you realize we're only 2 months away from the start of racing around here?

Droud, Jr., Forbes in Chili Bowl Action

Full results at www.chilibowl.com

Don Droud Jr, Lincoln, NE: Winner of third heat, 9th in A qualifier #2, 13th
in A feature

Rik Forbes, Omaha, NE: 4th in Heat 2, 11th in A qualifier #1, 9th in B main
#2

Dover 9th, Love 11th in Chili Bowl B-Mains

Full results for the race here

Sprinfield, NE driver Trish Dover ran 3rd in the 9th heat of Tuesday's Chili Bowl pre-qualifier Tuesday night. Lincoln's Kellen Love ran fourth in the first heat.

Dover finished the night 5th in the first B main, with love coming home 11th in the second B main.

The top 15 from Tuesday's A feature qualify to compete in the Thursday and Friday qualifiers. The remainder from Tuesday will run in the early features on Saturday.

Drivers Honored at I-80 Banquet

By Jim Brennan

OMAHA, NE (January 6, 2007) – With over 500 people in attendance, I-80
Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park honored the many deserving drivers who
participated in the Saturday & Sunday night NASCAR Weekly Series by Dodge
In 2006. The banquet was held at the American Legion Post #374 in Millard,
Nebraska.

The evening started with a speech from Clem Droste, the NASCAR
representative for the region. Joe Proctor emceed the event and gave a recap
of the 2006 season. Joe also gave thanks for the outstanding people that
help
In putting on the best weekly show in the Midwest. Joe Kosiski, representing
Land Developers Inc., the owners of Nebraska Raceway Park, had a short
Welcome address and thanked all those who supported I-80 during the 2006
Race season. He also addressed the upcoming season by asking for continued
Support and to put the fun back in racing.

The American Legion folks once again out did themselves with the fine
banquet
Buffet.

Proctor also mentioned the people we lost from the I-80 family in 2006
Larry
Protasky and Steve Light saying a few words about each and what they meant
to racing and their families.

Then it was time for the awards portion of the show starting Novice Hornet
class.
Nate Christensen, who had 8 feature wins in 2006.
In the Pro-Hornet class Lindsey Yost won the championship. Lindsey had no
feature wins in 2006, but her consistency in the top 5 and top 10 won her
the
Championship. She is moving up to the Crate Late Model class in 2007. The
Most Improved driver award went to Brandon Wergin; there was a tie for
Rookie of the Year between Corey Hutchison and Steve England; The Best
Appearing Car went to Will McConnell in his M & M's machine; The Most
Popular driver was
Lindsey Yost. The Best Appearing and Most Popular driver were voted on
during
the season by the fans.

Next up were the B-Mods and Harry Nixon was crowned Champion with 4 feature
wins. The Most Improved driver went to Nixon; Rookie of the Year was
Jim Hendricks Jr.; Best Appearing Car went to Nixon; Most Popular driver
was Daryl Weilage

The 305 Sprint Car drivers were honored next with Trish Dover receiveing the
Champions trophy over Matthew Stelzer by virtue of having more feature wins
then Stelzer. They were tied in points at 374. Trish had 4 feature wins and
Matthew 1. Trish and Matthew were Co-Rookies of the Year; the Best Appearing
Car award went to Michael Oliver and the Most Popular Driver was Trish
Dover.

Bill Leighton Jr. was the Crate Late Model Champion with 4 feature wins and
was the runner up in the NASCAR Division IV points; the Most Improved
Driver was Brad Soll; Soll was also the Rookie of the Year; the Best
Appearing Car award went to Ron Tex Jr.; and the Most Popular Driver was
Dave Livingston.

In the Hobby Stock Class Jesse Sobbing was the Point Champion with 6 feature
Wins under his belt. Sobbing also received the Most Improved Driver Award;
the
Rookie of the Year was Josh True; the Best Appearing Car went to Bob
Kracher; and the Most Popular Driver was Tom Myers.

Dave Doll was the Grand National point champion with 3 feature wins. The
Most Improved Driver award went to Harley Moen; the Rookie of the Year was
Kenny Edwards; Edwards also received the Best Appearing Car award; the Most
Popular Driver award went to Joey Bauer Jr.

Scotty Hartman was the Pro-am point champion. The Most Improved Driver
Award went to Chad Sanders; Rookie of the Year was Mike Gillespie; Best
Appearing Car went to Steve Peoples; Chad Sanders was the Most Popular
driver.

The Home Pride Pro-Modified Champion was Brian Foote. The Most Improved
Driver was Jeremiah Sillman; Rookie of the Year was Justin Clark; Best
Appearing Car went to Staci Stava; and the Most Popular Driver was Brian
Foote.

Bryant Goldsmith was the Super Late Model Point Champion in just his 2nd
year behind the wheel. Goldsmith also received the Rising Star Award. The
Most Improved Driver Award was a tie between Bill Leighton Jr. and Keith
Mander Jr;
Rookie of the Year was Jerry Warner; Best Appearing Car went to Keith Mander
Jr.; and the Most Popular Driver for the 2nd straight year was Scott "Mad
Dog"
Koskovich.

The ASCS 360 Sprint Car Midwest Region Awards were also handed out with
Toby Chapman taking the title. Rookie of the Year was Jack Dover, who
finished 2nd in points; Mark Pace was named the Most Improved Driver. Chad
Humston was the Hard Luck driver of the year.

There was a drawing for 2 Lincoln Electric Welders for a driver from each
night.
The winners were Ron Tex Jr. from the Saturday night show and Jerry Warner
from the Sunday night show.

Also season long Sponsors were recognized as well as Media Appreciation
Awards presented to local media reps. Lee Ackerman and Nick Rubek from the
Omaha World Herald; Steve Sigafoose from the Council Bluffs Non-Pareil;
The Lincoln Journal Stars reporters; Travis Justice at KMTV.

As the awards were wrapping up we received a surprise visit from Carl
Edwards,
who flew in from Charlotte on his private plane. He thanked the owners for
putting on a 1st rate show and giving his brother a chance to race. He also
said this was part of the dream he lived on his way up. He said himself and
Clint Bowyer enjoyed their appearance back in July.

Welcome

Welcome to Heartland Race News.com!


My name is Jason Orth, and I’m the editor, staff, and head bottlewasher of this new site. The goal of Heartland Race News is to provide a “one-stop” outlet for Southeastern Nebraska tracks, race teams, and sanctioning bodies to get information to fans. Along with that, I’ll include race reports, photos and commentary.


The goal is not to compete with some of the other websites on the net, but to complement them. You’ll find no message boards here and I don’t plan to install one anytime soon. Heartland Race News will focus on tracks in SE Nebraska, and the focus is not on any one class, but all classes of racing at those tracks: Sprints, Stocks, Karts, 4-Cylinders, Buses, whatever.


Much of the content will be reader-contributed. It’s free to send information, and I’m looking for any type of info you find interesting to race fans. Is there an upcoming race? Perhaps you want to congratulate a driver or a crew member? Maybe it’s a new sponsor for your track or car? We may even have a few interviews and rumors here and there. I’m looking for content that promotes racing, keeps people interested and the people and businesses that support it.


Heartland Race News wants to keep things thoughtful, positive, and promote racing in a time where our sport really needs it.


What’s my goal?


Well, if you thought it was making money, you’re kidding yourself. There isn’t a lot of money to be made here. But, what I want to do is get out and enjoy racing and do what I liked best, writing and taking photos. By doing this site, I stay informed of what’s going on and for the first time in about 20 years, don’t have to work at a track or on a car on a summer Saturday!


And who are you?


I’ve been around racetracks for nearly all of my 35 years on this Earth. I remember seeing late models at Mid-Continent (now Mid-Nebraska) Speedway when I was a little kid, then moving to Lincoln and watching the birth of the 360 Sprint class at Midwest Speedway and Eagle Raceway’s rise to one of the Midwest’s best tracks. From there my father, Dean Orth owned several sprint cars I had the privilege to work on: the #98 of Dennis Diekmann, to the Mike Cacak-piloted #30d, the “caution sign” Cliffs Notes #4A driven by Joe Wade and Ed Bowes, and various “BK” cars, the #4BK of Lonnie Jensen up to the #1BK driven by Don Droud, Jr. on the NCRA Outlaw Sprint tour in 1996.


In 1997 I went to the “third” side of the fence when my father and Craig Cormack took over Eagle Raceway. I started at the pit gate and moved on to scoring & lineups and writing press releases and race recaps. My dad left Eagle after the 1999 season, but I stayed on. In 2002 I became a full time employee at Eagle Raceway as the Assistant General Manager and PR Director. In 2004 I wrote releases and compiled points for the World of Outlaws Sprint series, while Craig was VP of Race Operations.


Craig Cormack closed Eagle Entertainment, LLC in 2005 and leased the track. From there, I decided that for once I would enjoy the races and get my Saturday nights back. So this year I’m going to pick and choose my races and do the part I enjoyed the most at Eagle Raceway, but didn’t always have time for.


The Format?


I’m going to work with a “blog” format. If you’ve been to hoseheads.com, you’ll see what I mean. A blog is a list of articles, sometimes the full text, or sometimes just summaries with links to the article. This format is a good way to keep current content on top and it’s easy for a one-man show to operate. If this grows enough, I may start an email list, an RSS feed and perhaps one day a print or PDF version. But for now we’ll keep it web-site based.


How often will you update?


I plan on updating as much as possible. Obviously during the race season updates will be more frequent, but my goal is at least 2-3 times a week during the season.


How do I get material posted?


Send me an email (the address and link is on the top right-hand corner of the page). I’ll take a look at it before posting. That said, not everything that gets emailed will automatically be posted. I don’t want to post unsubstantiated rumors, slams, or things not race-related. Giving a shoutout to your crew chief for making a great setup call is one thing, but telling us his dog had puppies is something else. Sending me information about the point leader getting DQ’ed is OK, but an anonymous email telling me that a dirty SOB is a cheater is not. Read the submission guidelines for details.

The obligatory disclaimer:

Heartland RaceNews.com accepts no liability for errors or delays provided by original or third-party sources. All material is copyright Heartland RaceNews.com unless otherwise noted. Material not copyrighted by Heartland RaceNews.com is used under the fair use guidelines of the U.S. Copyright Code and does not endorse, sponsor, or verify the content provided by third parties and leaves all liability to the originating presenter of the information.

Bottom line: it's up to you to check the dates, times, location, etc. I post what is presented for consumption. Mistakes, delays or problems may arise. It happens.


How can I place an ad?


I’m not going to post free classifieds, but if you want to buy ad space, send me an email and we’ll talk.


As always, if you have any comments or suggestions, please email me!


Jason

Motor sports task force meets, sets priorities

BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 - 12:16:37 am CST
Faced with having to issue a report in less than two months, a group tasked with evaluating motor sports possibilities in the county wasted no time getting down to business Wednesday.

With some members yet to be appointed, the motor sports task force met for the first time and charted a course for its very short future.

The nine voting members present Wednesday quickly decided the No. 1 issue should be whether there are places in the county big enough to accommodate a motor sports facility and meet all current and proposed county regulations. The group also named two other priorities: determining demand for motor sports facilities and looking at the potential economic, social and environmental concerns that would go with them.

The group needs to determine, “Where we’re going to have it ... Does it make sense ... And how we’re going to do it,” said Russ Bayer, a local businessman and task force chairman.

The members decided to form subcommittees to begin meeting next week to examine those three issues in more depth.

The group also decided it should look at several forms of motor sports and not limit itself to drag racing because there is a proposal to build a drag strip in northern Lancaster County.

Faced with making a controversial and unpopular decision on Greg Sanford’s plans for a drag strip along U.S. 77, the County Board put the proposal on hold and formed the task force.

“We have to kind of keep that in the back of our mind, (but) that’s not our issue,” said Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeff Maul, an advisory member of the task force. “We need to look at motor sports as a whole.”

Bayer agreed.

The task force, which is slated to have 13 voting members and four advisory members, tentatively plans to meet again as a full group Jan. 24. It is expected to issue a report to the County Board by March 1, something Bayer acknowledged may be difficult.

“Certainly we’ll deliver something by March 1,” he said. “I’m not sure what it will be.”

JMS Banquet Feb. 3

The York Holiday Inn & Convention Center cordially invites you to the 2006 Junction Motor Speedway Awards Banquet on Saturday-February 3rd. The evening will start with a cash bar for Happy Hour from 5PM to 6PM. The meal will be held in the Holiday Inn Ball Room followed by a DVD presentation and digital photo review of ’06 racing action at JMS by Workman Photos, then the awards portion of the evening will commence. Cost per person is $20.00 for dinner and banquet attendance. There will be no tickets sold at the door.

Banquet tickets can be reserved by calling Barb at 402-773-5538 ext. 539 or by sending an e-mail request to; barb@junctionmotorspeedway.com.


The cut-off date to order tickets is Wednesday-January 24th. Checks and mail reservations can be sent to:

JMS Banquet Tickets
Junction Motor Speedway
PO Box 524
Sutton, NE 68979

Who: First 250 reservations
What: JMS Awards Banquet
When: Saturday-February 3rd
Where: York Holiday Inn and Convention Center
Why: Fun, Friends, Food, Door Prizes and Awards
Time: 5:00 Happy Hour
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Awards

Proper attire please. For those attending the banquet and wish to stay over for the night, the Holiday Inn is extending the JMS Racer rate. For room reservations, call the York Holiday Inn at 1-800-934-5495.
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center-
Experience the true meaning of the word "hospitality." Enjoy a fun-upbeat dining experience with a neighbor you know and love, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. Even better, you will experience all this under one roof. This unique Applebee's is truly one of a kind, they serve a full menu for breakfast. While here, enjoy a dip in the heated indoor pool, workout in the fitness center and relax in a hot tub. Whether you are here on business, the Junction Motor Speedway Race Banquet or just want to check your email, they have a high-speed business center available. The business center is open 24/7 and is also equipped with a copier, scanner, fax and telephone.

www.HolidayInn.com
www.JunctionMotorSpeedway.com

Barb
402-773-5538 ext. 539
Junction Motor Speedway
PO Box 524
Sutton, Ne 68979