2007 Special Event Schedule

This is great. A reader (who chose to remain anonymous) sent me this compilation of special events for the 2007 season within a few hour's drive of the Lincoln, NE area. This is a great reference to get out and see some racing in the area.

NOTE: These dates are subject to change, rainout, cancellation, etc. Contact each track before making plans or heading out. HeartlandRaceNews.com assumes no liability for errors or event changes.

Day Date Sanction/Event Track City, State Fri 3/16/2007 Mod/Hobby - Spring Nationals Beatrice Speedway Beatrice, NE Sat 3/17/2007 Mod/Hobby - Spring Nationals Beatrice Speedway Beatrice, NE Sun 3/18/2007 Mod/Hobby - Spring Nationals Beatrice Speedway Beatrice, NE Sat 4/7/2007 MLRA I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Fri 4/13/2007 USMTS Blackbird Bend Onawa, IA Fri 4/13/2007 ASCS I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Sat 4/14/2007 USMTS Blackbird Bend Onawa, IA Sat 4/14/2007 NCRA 360 sprint I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Sat 4/14/2007 ASCS I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Fri 4/27/2007 WDRL Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sat 4/28/2007 WOO Sprint Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Fri 5/11/2007 WOO Sprint US36 Osborn, Mo Sat 5/25/2007 NCRA Late Model Mid Nebraska Speedway Doniphan, NE Fri 5/25/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Fri 5/25/2007 ASCS Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Sat 5/26/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Lincoln County Raceway North Platte, NE Sat 5/26/2007 ASCS Lincoln County Raceway North Platte, NE Sun 5/27/2007 NCRA Late Model I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Sun 5/27/2007 MLRA I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE

Sun 5/27/2007 ASCS I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE Mon 5/28/2007 Late Model Beatrice Speedway Beatrice, NE Wed 6/6/2007 USMTS Adams County Corning, IA Fri 6/8/2007 WDRL Eagle Raceway Eagle, NE Sat 6/9/2007 WOO Sprint Eagle Raceway Eagle, NE Wed 6/13/2007 USMTS Thunder Hill Speedway Mayetta, KS Fri 6/15/2007 Woo Late Model Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sat 6/16/2007 Woo Late Model Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sun 6/17/2007 Woo Late Model Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Tue 6/19/2007 USMTS Park Jefferson Speedway Jefferson, SD Fri 6/22/2007 USMTS Rapid Speedway Rock Rapids, IA Fri 6/22/2007 USAC Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sat 6/23/2007 USAC Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Fri 6/29/2007 NCRA Late Model Lincoln County Raceway North Platte, NE Sat 6/30/2007 NCRA Late Model Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Sun 7/1/2007 NCRA Late Model Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Tue 7/3/2007 WOO Sprint Husets Speedway Brandon, SD Mon 7/16/2007 USMTS Butler County Motorplex Rising City, NE Tue 7/17/2007 USMTS Eagle Raceway Eagle, NE Fri 7/20/2007 NCRA Late Model Mid Nebraska Speedway Doniphan, NE Sat 7/21/2007 NCRA Late Model Mid Nebraska Speedway Doniphan, NE

Sat 7/21/2007 ASCS Eagle Raceway Eagle, NE Sun 7/22/2007 WDRL Boone County Albion, NE Mon 7/23/2007 USAC Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Tue 7/24/2007 USAC Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Thu 7/26/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Thu 7/27/2007 Midget Nationals Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Thu 7/28/2007 Midget Nationals Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Thu 8/2/2007 360 Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Fri 8/3/2007 NCRA Late Model Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Fri 8/3/2007 360 Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sat 8/4/2007 NCRA Late Model Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Sat 8/4/2007 360 Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sun 8/5/2007 360 Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Wed 8/8/2007 USMTS Beatrice Spedway Beatrice, NE Wed 8/8/2007 Knoxville Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Thu 8/9/2007 Knoxville Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Fri 8/10/2007 Knoxville Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Sat 8/11/2007 Knoxville Nationals Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA Thu 8/19/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Thu 8/23/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Mid Nebraska Speedway Doniphan, NE

Fri 8/24/2007 NCRA 360 sprint Lincoln County Raceway North Platte, NE Fri 8/24/2007 ASCS Lincoln County Raceway North Platte, NE Sat 9/1/2007 Sprint/Mod/Hobby - NE Cup Eagle Raceway Eagle, NE Sun 9/2/2007 NCRA Late Model Belleville High Banks Belleville, KS Fri 9/3/2007 MLRA Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Mon 9/3/2007 IMCA Boone Speedway Boone, IA Sat 9/4/2007 MLRA Junction Motor Speedway McCool Junction, NE Tue 9/4/2007 IMCA - SuperNationals Boone Speedway Boone, IA Wed 9/5/2007 IMCA - SuperNationals Boone Speedway Boone, IA Thu 9/6/2007 IMCA - SuperNationals Boone Speedway Boone, IA Fri 9/7/2007 IMCA - SuperNationals Boone Speedway Boone, IA Sat 9/8/2007 IMCA - SuperNationals Boone Speedway Boone, IA Fri 9/28/2007 WDRL Lakeside Kansas City Fri 9/28/2007 MLRA Lakeside Kansas City Sat 9/29/2007 WDRL Lakeside Kansas City Sat 9/29/2007 MLRA Lakeside Kansas City

I-80 Speedway presents racing school April 16 & 17

From I-80 Speedway:

Attend the driving/racing school on April 16 and 17 and learn not only about
gas shocks, but front suspension including caster, camber, toe, bump; brake
systems, brake bias, panard bars, torque arms, shock tuning, shock dyno's,
sixth coils, maintenance and scaling (ride heights, wheel weights, ballast
placement, and percentages), and so much more!

The school is being presented by Ray Cook and Skip Arp, and can be attended
by drivers and crew members.

This is an excellent opportunity to further expand your racing knowledge,
without having to travel hundreds of miles, pay lodging, etc. for a school
that is out of state. We're bringing it to you!

Call the track office at 402.342.3453 for more information!

I-80 Looking for Auto Show Participants

The I-80 Speedway Auto Show at Mall of the Bluffs will be March 23-25. We
need cars for the show, so please call the office at 342-3453 and ask for
Tom Liebentritt.

IMCA Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts join Modifieds on Beatrice Spring Nationals card

>From Bill Martin, IMCA Public Relations

BEATRICE, Neb. (March 10) – IMCA Modifieds will be joined by
sanctioned Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts for the first time at
Beatrice Speedway's 14th annual Spring Na­tionals special Friday-
Sunday, March 16-18.

Modifieds chase a $5,000 top prize and a minimum of $500 to
start their 28 car feature, with the winner quali­fying for the Fast
Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. The inaugural IMCA Sunoco Hobby
Stock Challenge pays $600 to win and $100 to start; Sport Compacts
vie for $200 to win and $35 to start.

National, regional and Smiley's Racing Products state points
will be awarded.

An open practice session for all classes is from 5:30-9 p.m.
Thursday. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and hot laps are at 6 p.m. Friday,
with Modi­fied qualifying races and the Sport Compact program getting
underway at 7:30 p.m.

Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m., hot laps are at 4 p.m. and
qualifiers start at 5:30 p.m. Saturday for the Modifieds and Hobby
Stocks.

On Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m. and racing begins at 1 p.m.
for the Modifieds and Hobbies.

Pit passes are $10 on Thursday and $25 each of the next three
nights. There is no charge for grandstand admission for Thursday's
practice session; adult admission is $12 for each night's race program.

Are you ready for some racin'? ASCS is.

From ASCS Midwest
SIOUX FALLS, SD (March 10, 2007)

And so are a number of teams that plan on hitting the road with ASCS in 2007.

The 2007 season opener for the ASCS Northern Plains region and the ASCS Midwest region is only a few weeks away. Both regions will once again begin their seasons at the big ½ mile dirt track just Southwest of Omaha, at the I80 Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, NE.

Fans that traveled down to last years race saw (69) of the areas best sprint car drivers lift the lid on the upper Midwest racing scene for 2006.

It all begins on Friday April 13th as the ASCS Northern Plains drivers go head to head with the ASCS Midwest drivers, and then on Saturday April 14th, the NCRA drivers will join the fun.

After a short layoff, the ASCS Midwest teams will then head south to Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, NE for a Friday night go on May 25th. This will be the first of (2) events held at Junction Motor Speedway as the ASCS Midwest drivers will return on Friday June 29th for an encore performance.

The ASCS Northern Plains teams will resume their schedule with our first ever ASCS National Speedweeks in June. The ASCS National Speedweeks will bring a new level of excitement to the area race fans as these are all National events show casing drivers like Gary Wright, Wayne Johnson, Darren Stewart, Jason Johnson, Travis Rilat, (14) year old Trey Robb, Nick Smith, Gary Lee Maier, Larry Neighbors, and many more ASCS National stars battling against our Midwest drivers such as Toby Chapman, Jack Dover, Mike Chadd, Rick Ideus, Jason Danley, Mark Pace, Luke Cranston and more as well as our ASCS Northern Plains drivers Chuck Swenson, Eric Lutz, Curt Lund, Lee Grosz, Brett Geldner, Jake Peters, Gregg Bakker, Scott Winters, Mike Sitzmann, Jr., Brent Vonk, Dusty Ballenger, Wade Nygaard, Ryan Bickett and many , many more. Excitement and car counts are expected to be high for this first ever ASCS National event here in the upper Midwest.

As it stands now, we will kick off our Speedweeks on Saturday June 16th at the track that many call "the superspeedway of dirt" the Crawford County Speedway in Denison, IA. Sprint cars have been clocked at speeds in excess of 140 mph entering the turns on the HUGE ½ mile track just an hour southeast of Sioux City, IA.

All the teams will then head to Sioux Falls, SD for a huge Tailgate party to be held at the Oaks Hotel on Monday night June 18th. There will be sprint cars on display, autograph sessions and much more. Watch for all the details as this event gets closer.

Then the racing resumes on Tuesday night June 19th at the Interstate I-90 Speedway in Hartford, SD, where Jason Johnson won the June event last year.

Teams will then head "upstream" to the North Central Speedway in Brainerd, MN for stop #3 on Wednesday night June 20th as Cliff, Peggy and the gang will welcome the ASCS troups to their beautiful speedway nestled among the pine trees of northern Minnesota.

ASCS National Race Director, Tommy Estes, Jr. is still trying to fill in another race for either Thursday June 21st, or Friday June 22nd and then the final event of our 2007 ASCS National Speedweeks will take place on Saturday night June 23rd at the Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, SD. You can bet that Orville and his bunch will have the big ½ mile Huron track in great shape as this looks to be one of the best sprint car events the fans in the Huron area will have ever seen.

The ASCS Northern Plains and Midwest regional seasons will then settle down with events just about every weekend thru the end of the summer at various race tracks thru-out the upper Midwest.

We will preview all the upcoming ASCS action in the weeks leading up to each and every race event in 2007.

JMS Stock Car Results Mar. 9-10

3/9/2007 - Junction Motor Speedway
Open Stock Cars A-Main
1) 57v Mike Van Genderen
2) 15w Andy Wilkinson
3) 29 Matt Greiner
4) 1 Shawn Primrose
5) 76 Lance Borgman
6) 22s Shane Stutzman
7) 49x Chad Sanders
8) 64 Nick Hermsen
9) 15x Leif Weyer
10) 3 Joe Zadina
11) 5s Marty Steinbach
12) 9 Jeremy Swanson
13) 20 Tad Behmer
14) 69 Justin Gregg
15) 8j Joe Lavene
16) 5 Brent Drohman
17) 8 Colt Mather
18) 11 Chad Bruns
19) c15 Eric Weyer


3/10/2007 - Junction Motor Speedway
Open Stock Cars A-Main
1) 69 Justin Gregg
2) 57v Mike Van Genderen
3) 15w Andy Wilkinson
4) 22s Shane Stutzman
5) 29 Matt Greiner
6) 5s Marty Steinbach
7) 49x Chad Sanders
8) 76 Lance Borgman
9) c15 Eric Weyer
10) 15x Leif Weyer
11) 3 Joe Zadina
12) 26y Nate Thompson
13) 20 Tad Behmer
14) 9 Jeremy Swanson
15) 8 Colt Mather
16) 5 Brent Drohman

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.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

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.