32 Years was a Heck of a Run

On June 30, Eagle Raceway owner Roger Hadan announced to the remaining sprint car drivers (and the rest of the gathered audience) that this would be the last year of the 360 Sprint Car class. Next season’s sprint car class would consist of IMCA/Racesaver 305-cubic inch cars. The Racesaver motor is a tightly-spec’ed engine, built to minimal cost and requiring to be sealed by a track tech-inspector. Prices vary - but several used engines are selling in the $4000-6000 range. New motors could be built to top spec for $10K. The 360’s could run in 2013, with restrictors (presumably injectors), but in 2014 - only Racesaver-spec motors would be allowed.

Let me get this clear first: I don’t like that this happened. I grew up around this class from its genesis at Midwest Speedway - where I feel is THE birthplace of 360 sprints - and spent two and a half decades of summers around people who may be displaced by the rules change. This class has been running, fundamentally unchanged (but with minor, and noticeable changes) for 32 years in the Lincoln area. It’s a sad day for Eagle’s sprint car clan.

But I think it needed to happen, if only for survival of sprint car racing at Eagle. I’ll explain as a series of responses to issues I’ve heard about and read about over the past few years.

Somebody had to do somethin’ and nobody was doin’ nothin’! Grammatically incorrect, it conveys the message nonetheless. Last year Roger offered up the idea of running a piece on the wing (the so-called COS - Chunk of Sh*t adapter) to reduce downforce, and thus take it easier on tires and reduce the advantage of motors. That was shot down quickly by the teams claiming issues with handling, and effects on their being ready for Eagle’s ASCS shows. I admit that I also needed proof that it would work. But, the idea was abandoned.

In response, the Eagle Sprint Car Committee busted tail and secured a generous point fund that would encourage racers to stick it out the entire season. Hadan agreed to raise the purse, provided a minimum car count was met. Despite the well-intentioned efforts, the car count declined, and despite the initial promise to do so, Hadan kept the purse at the elevated level for the remainder of the season.

My theory has always been the most expensive part of racing is the act of racing. Parts, maintenance, towing, etc. are the most significant costs. The average, middle-class hobby racer can no longer keep up with maintaining these machines. There aren’t enough people or sponsors to keep up with what has become rapidly escalating costs for motors, and parts.

The economy is to blame for the most part. At least I think it's what drove the nail in the coffin. But it is ridiculous to ask a business owner to wait the economy out when there is opportunity in front of them. And if it “comes back,” what does it come back to? The debt-to-earnings ratio of the average American in the mid 2000’s was at a level unseen since the late 1920’s. You know...right before the Great Depression. The average American has less overall wealth than they did in the 1990’s. If you know when the next boom is coming, send me an email so I can buy stock.

The days of subprime and roses are gone. The free flowing credit won’t come back in our lifetime. That means not just loans and credit cards, but loans for business to grow and pay wages that allow the kind of disposable income and sponsorship money to pay for this hobby. The economic comeback will be that of people being able to afford their de-valued house, maybe feeding their family, and paying for gas that’s TRIPLED in price to get to the job that will be paying less. Where does the money for $30-40K motors come from?

The cost of doing business had to be lowered.

The class was fundamentally unchanged for 30 years. That’s the problem.

A steel 360, top wing and spec tire. Really, the class is the same as when it was a revolutionary new way to race, when it received a text & photo spread in a 1982 issue of Open Wheel titled "Save money, go fast at Midwest." The thought of old cars, with a tight rules package and a tightly restricted motor was a novelty in the heydays of “Run Whatcha Brung” during the World of Outlaws formative years.

But the incremental changes were unchecked and allowed the costs to climb. Four-bar suspensions could now run a wing. Fuel Injection was allowed. Aluminum heads (though I agree they were easier to fix), and what I thought was killer: the 25-Square foot wing. Now, there was power to be found, and it could be hooked up. Technology advances allowed for CNC machining to the nth degree, and the law of diminishing returns found every little microscopic advantage in engines, parts, tires...all this with not so microscopic raises in costs. Motors built in your garage? Now motors in some cases are nearing $40,000, albeit rare. A new 360 will run you over 20 grand.

The gap between haves and have-nots is starting to show, even at the ASCS regional level. And now, the “second tier” of sprint cars is being filled with professional racers - with professional equipment.

What it also did was take cars out of the builders, and put them into the hands of the few that could afford the processes to make the parts. No longer could pieces be built, they had to be bought. And, they weren’t repairable...they’re consumable. There was no such thing as innovation to give you cheap competitive advantages. Why waste money on a small purse at a track, when you could instead SELL the part? And now...everyone’s gotta have it. For a price, of course.

Keep adding to the bill.

“We have too much money invested. Any rules change will leave us with obsolete parts!”

I blame the track for part of this. By refusing to confront this long ago, and standardizing to ASCS rules, you left guys building outside the rules, and leaving them with expensive parts, like heads that leave them out on an island as far as the rules go.

But that’s my problem, if you were out on an island when you wanted a competitive advantage, why do you have a problem with being left on an island now with a new rules package? If you didn’t do this and you’re ASCS legal, then aren’t there all those ASCS sprints there eagerly waiting for a used parts deal? 

Or...are there? Is there no used market?

Then it goes back to the original problem - not enough cars. The problem has always been that a class needs not to be affordable but sustainable. The sport mods or stock cars...they can sell the car on the used market and give a new racer something to start with. Can’t they do that with sprint cars? It seems like either the items can’t be sold, or there’s nobody to buy them, be it from lack of demand, or lack of people even able to afford used parts.

In that case, you’ve always been on an island...a more expensive one.

The fan base has changed, but it demands the same

Call it what you want, and deride them all you want, but the average attendance has grown at Eagle since Hadan took over. Whether it be the free nights, whether it be the increase in classes - whatever, the fan base has changed, and it isn’t so skewed to the sprints.

However, Roger has stated many times that he needs sprint cars at the track. But what he also said (indirectly) was: he doesn’t need THESE sprint cars out there. The hardcore fan and the others who are die-hard, come cloudy day or shine, come every week are the dwindling minority. But many like the sprint cars, but are not passionate.

If Roger wanted to get rid of “sprint cars” he would have. Not 360’s, not 305s. None. Instead what he believes he’s doing is satisfying the need of the casual sprint car fan. And those cars need to only fill three criteria: 1. Not start life as a grocery getter 2. have a wing (we saw that in 2008), and 3. be the fastest car out there. Albeit 1-2 seconds slower...all criteria are satisfied. The casual fan will not know the difference.

People are right, Eagle fans expect sprint cars. Roger looks into the pits and sees few. There’s no sign more will come the way things are going. This way, the entry point is lowered and Roger has said, he’d buy cars to fill a field. That price to subsidize the class got cheaper. Can the egos handle being another notch down under the 360’s? Sometimes I think that’s the biggest issue. But remember, some people still don’t think 360’s are “real” sprint cars.

There will still be sprint cars at Eagle.

This isn’t about tradition. It’s about the product.

Old personal bonds, history, that takes a back seat to business. Always has. It did in 1976, the year sprint cars died at Eagle. The product put to the fans in the stands counts. In the world of back-gate promoting, car counts matter. We haven’t seen sprint cars die, but the path they’re going down is NOT certain. Throwing money at it with more purse wasn’t going to make a difference, especially when you have cars traveling to places like Albion and racing for a fraction of the current purse or if rumored offers to race for free tickets were true. It will never be enough money, and soon, it wasn’t going to offset the number of people needing to fill the stands to replace that extra money Roger spent. If sprint cars weren’t delivering, he wasn’t putting out the promised product. The sprints don’t have the luxury of a “sprint car guy” at the helm anymore.

The local heroes are gone along with the legends and the unique machines, it’s simply about loud, fast cars going around in circles.

Everything old will never be new again

The days of 40-car counts in the sprints was the anomaly. It was the result of a convergence after one group left in 2000 then rejoined those who stayed, combined with those who traveled from S. Dakota, IA and MN and those who came over from I-80's defunct class the previous season at Eagle. It didn’t last more than a couple of years (but what years!) and car counts declined ever since. Old timers remembered the days of Opperman, Beckman, Rager, Shuman. But it was quality over quantity then. Car counts were in the teens, and the fan base was more patient. We won’t see those days either.

Mid 20’s car counts was the norm and the goal is to bring just the normal back.

A risk

In the end, Roger is taking a huge gamble here. If you read the message board posts, he’s taking what’s left and sending it down the road. However, he’s stated that he has new blood waiting to get into the new class. This has to work for him. Eagle won’t die, but I think it will suffer if it doesn’t work.

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don’t think everyone will go their separate ways, and I don’t think he will have so much new blood that he won’t have to subsidize some of the car count, either outright providing them with cars or motors.

I think the timing was unfortunate; having some seriously bad tracks early this year didn’t help the cause, nor did lowering the purse. The message could’ve been delivered differently, and I would’ve considered grandfathering the 360s for two years. 

And, most importantly it ain't my money. But what's being spent on tires hooked to state-of-the art 360s? What's being spent on heads and motors? What expense now couldn't be diverted to a competitive 305? 

As Einstein said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Roger could pay a dear price for this.

But the cost of inaction was greater. 

-Jason

ASCS Midwest Update - JMS This Friday

From ASCS Midwest Director Chuck Zitterich

This Friday June 22nd we will be making our 2nd stop of the 2012 season at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, NE.
 
We're getting into the "dog days" of summer where car counts begin to slightly drop off so I'm hoping you all head to McCool this Friday to continue our great 2012 Speedway Motors Midwest season!
 
We are having our tightest point race in the last few seasons, and with the "Big Boys" down in the deep south for the ASCS National Speed Weeks, the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region points race is really up in the air.
 
Hope to see you all this Friday @ McCool Junction
 
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region Top (25) In Points (after the June 15th race @ Cameron, MO)
 
Pos Driver Points
1 Stu Snyder 1083
2 Jordan Boston 970
3 Ryan Roberts 959
4 Trevor Grossenbacher 903
5 Jack Dover 877
6 Gage Dorr 853
7 Randy Hibbs 737
8 Lee Grosz 692
9 Bryan Gossel 658
10 Jason Danley 656
11 Tyler Drueke 636
12 Mark Pace 634
13 Don Droud Jr 598
14 Robby Wolfgang 574
15 Danny Lasoski 531
16 Adam Gullion 530
17 Brian Brown 528
18 Jake Martens 494
19 Davey Heskin 458
20 Kaley Gharst 456
21 Jody Rosenboom 435
22 Eric Lutz 404
23 Doug Lovegrove 395
24 John Klabunde 389
25 Ryan Kitchen 388

ASCS Midwest Update

ASCS Midwest Region Update #12
June 11, 2012

Budweiser Shoot-Out This Friday

Friday June 15th
US36 Raceway * Cameron, MO.
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region
vs
Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region

$1,500 to win A Main!

$500 bonus to win Heat Races!

Pits Open @5:00pm - Racing @ 8:00pm
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ASCS Midwest Region On-Deck:
Fri. June 22nd * McCool Junction, NE (ASCS Midwest)
______________________________________________________________________
Fri. June 29th * Greenwood, NE (ASCS Midwest)
Tue. July 3rd * Cameron, MO (ASCS National vs ASCS Midwest)
Thur. July 5th * Sioux Falls, SD (ASCS Sprint Cars on Display)
* Location Sioux Falls Ford * Free Cook-Out * Driver Autographs
* Plenty of Free Parking for the week for trucks & trailers
Fri. July 6th * Rock Rapids, IA (ASCS National vs ASCS Midwest)
Sat. July 7th * Hartford, SD (ASCS National vs ASCS Midwest)

Editorial - A Victim of Success

Made my first trip to the racetrack Memorial Day weekend - making to Eagle’s “Superganza” (AKA Driver Appreciation, AKA Free ticket night).

Once again, the place was packed, prompting the track to open up the wooden Southwest grandstand. Fans were treated to the normal program, with unseasonably high mid-90’s temperatures, along with additional features as the Sprints and Hobby stocks made up their races from the previous week’s rainout.

I thought I got there early (around 5), but others arrived early with promises of pit tours and pre-race festivities. I ended up parking somewhere near Palmyra.

Much ado has been made over the dry, hard track conditions and the toll it’s taken on Sprint Car tires. The criticism on the message boards and over the phone/in-person grew on owner Roger Hadan’s nerves so much he barred a former sprint car owner and a crew chief from entering the pits for the remainder of the season.

For the record, I think he’s in his right to do so. Using a term I’ve said before, “his hut, his rules.” You can voice an opinion...doesn’t mean it comes without consequence. I won’t argue ‘freedom of speech’ because insisting that is so dumb it doesn’t merit further thought.

OK. About the racing. The track went dry again, no help from a lengthy red flag when a person suffered a medical emergency in the pits, necessitating the need for both ambulances on the grounds. Totally understandable. Some jackass had the audacity to complain about it on Eagle's facebook page. It's part of racing. It happens rarely. I hope if I have a medical emergency, anyone who can put on a band-aid is helping me. Man, people and their First World problems...

The races clicked on, oddly with a hobby stock and modified flipping during their heats. Intermission was not to be track repair time, but Roger’s dismay at what was to be another rubber-down track was obvious over the radio.

I decided to drop off some of my excess baggage back at the car, and come back with just the camera, for one-off shots. I found my vehicle, sat down, grabbed an icy Gatorade out of the cooler and determined I had enough for one night and headed home. To be honest, I actually had to wait for traffic - there was a small, but noticeable stream of cars heading out.

And that brings me to this: the show is a victim of its own success. Roger, for many reasons has made Eagle a destination for fans and cars. Contrary to some belief (and lining up with hard evidence), “cars bring crowds” isn’t true. It is more “crowds bring cars.” There isn’t much that stokes a racer’s ego like running in front of packed stands. The crowd brings energy along with revenue.

But the sheer amount of cars...on a good night is too much for me anymore. The delays and additional entertainment events led to a show that ended at 12:30. My legs, butt, family life...can’t take that on a regular basis.

I’m not bashing Roger by any means. He is blessed with the proverbial “nice problem to have.” But it’s a culture, a way of being that is foreign to me and I’m just not built for it anymore...or at least not now.

The following Saturday, Eagle changed the order of the races to put the sprints first. The result by most accounts was a one-laner in the heats because it was tacky, with rubber down conditions at feature time. By the end of the night, pictures tweeted showed a dusty haze across the track.

I think the major, underlying issue is this: Eagle, because of the great car counts and a desire to end, well..on Saturday forces them to start at 6:30. They hotlap at 5:30. The track is being baked just an hour removed from the usual daily temperature peak for this time of year. The sun is still relatively high in the sky. You’re asking someone to run a day show and expecting the track to be tacky at night. Last year, the water was dumped and dumped leaving a wet, but rough track. To stave off the roughness this year, the track is beaten down like a rented mule, leaving a smooth as (and abrasive as) concrete surface.

Getting that ‘perfect’ track is such a fine line. Do you want it tacky and smooth? Probably ain’t going to happen with that assortment of cars. Dry? OK...I like dry tracks personally, when there’s passing. Can there be some balance here? It’s tough to gauge and it’s an art, not a science. To think Roger is trying to set the track up that way to run off sprints...and more funny, bringing in late models is just ridiculous.

Repeat after me: Roger owns the track. If he wanted sprints out, he would’ve got rid of them a long time ago.

He wouldn’t be paying close to a half-million dollars in purse over his tenure to a class he wanted gone from day one. He wouldn’t be running a season ending sprint show as a big-money event if that were the case. He’d have a lot more late model specials...maybe would’ve run them as support more often. By the way, Late Models will squeeze out a track as quick as sprint cars, with wide-ish tires and more weight.

Contrary to a rumor: he is not under contract to run sprints. Where does that come from?

This weekend’s Eagle Nationals will be interesting - from the track conditions standpoint alone. A 7:00PM start, and only three classes has a major impact on how one sets up the track. If the track holds up and produces an exciting show, the people will yell, “see how it’s done!” and cite the fact that the show was independently promoted.

But that would be unfair. The conditions are totally different.

I plan on attending both nights - and my hope is that it’s a great show, with a lot of cars, great racing and a good time, ending at a reasonable hour. The conditions lend themselves to it.

What happens next week? Well, the game changes again. I’m not saying we need to deal with it, but it’s a problem yet to be solved. I honestly believe Roger is trying to solve it.

-Jason

Eagle Nationals Featuring ASCS National Tour this weekend at Eagle

From ASCS

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 4, 2012) Working on completing the first fifth of the 2012 lineup, a week off after the Steve King Memorial will find the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV back at the track for the 28th running of the Eagle Nationals at the world's fastest third mile; Eagle Raceway just east of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Presented by TBJ Promotions for the third year, event promoter Tony Bruce Jr. holds Eagle Raceway in high regards, "Eagle is probably one of the coolest places we get to go to. The fans are great and very appreciative to have such a great facility."

Featuring a $3,000 winner's purse on June 8th and a $5,000 check on June 9th, the Eagle Nationals stands as one of the most respected open wheel events in the mid-west and for local favorite and reigning champion, Jack Dover, the Eagle Nationals bears even greater meaning.

"It's awesome being this close to home and having your local crowd cheering you on." Says Dover of the Eagle Nationals. "I'd say that's the best thing I like about this race is the fans going crazy for me. It gets me pumped up and makes me drive harder."

After taking a hard hit during the opening laps of ASCS competition at I-80 Speedway on Thursday May 24th, Dover was absent from the Steve King Memorial, doing so in order to rebuild. The decision was a lucrative one as Dover was victorious in double features at Eagle Raceway on Saturday May 26th. "After you get your first win of the season it is real confidence booster. I see us getting a lot more wins this year." Related Dover about his Eagle Raceway triumphs giving thanks to his parents, crew, and sponsors Home Pride and Certified Transmission for the continued support.

In their fourth visit to the third mile oval, the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV enters this weekend's events with the MVT 41 of Jason Johnson reclaiming the points lead by a slim four point margin over series rival Wayne Johnson in the Oil Medics 77. Settings up for a very long title run, neither Jason nor Wayne have yet to finish outside the top 10 this season.

After mechanical woes at Valley and I-80 Speedway, current show position holder Brady Bacon was able to garner an impressive runner up finish before landing the win at the Steve King Memorial; putting the Oil Field Equipment 99 back in the points battle only 45 markers behind after having been 101 points in the hole.

Johnny Herrera currently finds himself forth in points after claiming his fifth top five finish of the season at Jetmore. Still in search of his first win of the season, Herrera sits only 36 points ahead of Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Brad Loyet who has picked up great speed as of late taking six top five finishes in his last eight outings with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV.

Tony Bruce Jr. holds sixth after getting his second win of the year at Valley Speedway with Gary Wright seventh. Danny Wood, who won the Eagle Nationals in 2010, currently sits eighth with Seth Bergman and Dustin Morgan rounding out the top ten.

The Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV
When and Where:
June 8th & 9th - Eagle Raceway - Eagle, Nebraska - Gates Open at 4pm / Racing at 6:30pm
Track Information:
Directions (according to NSD) - I-80 to exit 420, then 11 miles south of SR 63, then west.
Address: 617 South 238th St. Eagle, Nebraska 68347
Phone #: 402-781-2243 or 402-238-2595
Website: www.eagleraceway.com
Past ASCS Winners (Eagle Raceway): Danny Wood (2010), Jason Johnson (2011), Jack Dover (2012)
Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV Points (top 10): 1. Jason Johnson 1,696; 2. Wayne Johnson 1,692; 3. Brady Bacon 1,651 4. Johnny Herrera 1,552; 5. Brad Loyet 1,516; 6. Tony Bruce Jr. 1,488; 7. Gary Wright 1,410; 8. Danny Wood 1,408; 9. Seth Bergman 1,342; 10. Dustin Morgan 1,321
2012 Feature Winners: Jason Johnson-3, Tony Bruce Jr.-2, Wayne Johnson-2, Brady Bacon-1, Seth Bergman-1, Danny Lasoski-1, Jason Martin-1, Dustin Morgan-1, Danny Wood-1

Driver finds inspiration in boys' fight with cancer - Lincoln Journal Star

By KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

Isaac Corter may be the youngest crew chief in the history of auto racing at Eagle Raceway or anywhere else for that matter.

The 13-year-old from Fairbury works with Steve Swarthout's sport modified racing team of Barry Schomberg, Max Harder, Russell Harms and Matthew Keller to get Swarthout to the front of the pack on Saturday nights.

"It was one of the best days in his life," said Isaac's grandmother Donna Kleinbeck. "He's been going to races with his grandpa (Rick) since he was in diapers and now he's down in the pits and loving it."

Last weekend, the No. 23 racer with the TUFF logo for "tough enough to fight cancer," passed to the front of the pack and hung on to win the A main feature race.

Read more: http://journalstar.com/sports/local/motor-sports/driver-finds-inspiration-in-boys-fight-with-cancer/article_c1c060e1-d88b-5db5-8d0f-9887a72efd34.html#ixzz1wYE0QZn9

Two-day USMTS shoot-out set for June 1-2 at Junction Motor Speedway

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. (May 29) -- The USMTS Casey's Cup Series powered by Swan Energy will return to action this weekend as the nation's elite open-wheel modified drivers make their annual trek to the Cornhusker State for the ninth straight year this Friday and Saturday, June 1-2, for the 9th Annual Nebraska Shootout presented by Sam's Club at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb.

Friday's feature winner will garner $2,000 while a top prize of $3,000 is set aside for the driver visiting victory lane on Saturday.

Jon Tesch returns to "The Junction" as the defending champion of the event, winning last year's finale on Saturday while currently retired Dustin Boney picked up the winner's paycheck on Friday.

Tesch is a two-time winner of the event, along with Al Hejna who swept both nights in 2007. Other past winners of the former 'Spring Thaw' include Ryan Gustin, who won his first feature race driving for the Gressel Racing team in 2010. Tommy Myer, John Allen, Justin Boney, Jason Friesen, Johnny Saathoff, Corey Dripps, Jason Hughes and Mark Noble are also past winners, along with nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, who captured the debut event at the Junction Motor Speedway in 2004.

Rodney 'The Rocket' Sanders leads the points coming into this weekend's blockbuster event, with Gustin currently second followed by Stormy Scott, Hughes and Johnny Scott.

There have been eight different winners in the eleven USMTS Casey's Cup Series events so far in 2012.

Race time is set for 7:30 on Friday with the pits opening at 3:30 and grandstands at 5:30. The first heat race on Saturday takes the green flag at 7:00 while the ticket window opens a half-hour earlier at 5:00.

Cruisers and Four-Cylinders will join the action on Friday while Saturday's racing card will be rounded out with NASCAR Late Models, B-Mods and Hobby Stocks.

Admission is just $15 for adults, $4 for kids ages 6 to 12 and children ages 5 and under get in for free both nights. Pit passes are $30 each day, but NASCAR members get in for $20 on Saturday.

Race fans can pick up discount coupons good for $2 off adult admission each day at Casey's General Stores locations in Aurora, Geneva and York. For more information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.caseys.com online.

Located five miles south of I-80 on US 81, the Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering its ninth 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. For more information, call 402-773-5538 or check out www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Reigning NASCAR Nationwide Champion Leads Star Studded Field To Eagle Nationals

PETERSEN MEDIA- The Eagle Nationals at the Eagle Raceway in Nebraska have been a staple since 1981, and the 2012 edition will be the third consecutive year its sanctioned by the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by MavTv as they invade the worlds fastest 1/3 mile oval on June 8th and 9th.

"Our vision at TBJ Promotions is to bring the ASCS National Tour to premiere racetracks across the country," explained TBJ Promotions owner, Tony Bruce, Jr. "Eagle Raceway and its fan base is second to none and we look forward to having one of the best Eagle Nationals yet in 2012."

Those same awesome fans will now be rewarded for their efforts as reigning NASCAR Nationwide Champion, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr will throw his hat into the mix as he will pilot a second Stenhouse/Jason Johnson Racing entry and team with the always strong Jason Johnson.

"I'm very excited to get back on the dirt, and mix it up," said Stenhouse. "It's been a treat to team up with JJR this year, and I am just itching to hop in one of these strong cars and put on a show."

Stenhouse's teammate, Jason Johnson, enters the event second in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour standings and took the top prize of this exact event back in 2010.

"This is a great event and I would like nothing more then to get our car back in victory lane and give us a shot in the arm in the standings," said the defending Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour owner's champion. "It will be fun racing with Ricky (Stenhouse), but we've got to rough him up a little and keep him behind us,"

During last year's rain shortened event, it was Nebraska product, Jack Dover using a late race charge to capitalize on a Jordan Boston miscue, and win the Eagle Nationals just one year after taking a hard lick at racy 1/3 mile oval.

"It's always great getting to race close to home, and to win this race last year during a spotty season was huge," said Dover. "We've been all over the map this year, and I would love nothing more than to grab a win in front of the awesome crowd that always shows up at Eagle."

Though Dover hails from Nebraska, Jordan Boston will lead a strong local contingent into the 2012 Eagle Nationals, and he will do so with a chip on his shoulder.

During last year's event, Boston made his presence felt as he took it to the National boys for the first 28th laps, before he lost the handle exiting turn four, losing the lead, and salvaging a third place finish.

"It would have been huge last year if we could have held on to the lead and picked up that win," said Boston. "They always say you have to lose one before you can win it, so hopefully this year we are in that same position again."

This event typically brings capacity crowds to the Eagle Raceway and TBJ Promotions is currently offering advanced, discounted tickets at our website, www.tbjpromotions.com.

ON TAP: The Eagle Nationals are slated for June 8th and 9th at the Eagle Raceway in Eagle, NE. Racing starts at 7:00pm both nights, and tickets can be purchased at discounted rates at www.tbjpromotions.com

STAY CONNECTED: Keep updated on all TBJ Promotions events, and purchase advance discount tickets to all events by visiting www.tbjpromotions.com.

Editorial: Things I know, Things I think I know and Things I think

I’ve been trolling the boards and results lately. Read a few articles too. I’ll admit at the outset that I have yet to go to a race this season (I know), but I think I can contribute a few things to start.

- Don’t be surprised if the bear being poked with a stick bites back. I was surprised to read and hear of the sprint car folk upset by Eagle Raceway’s Roger Hadan’s strong retort back at the teams’ complaining of a rubber down track the past few weeks. Word from a few people is he was visibly upset and didn’t hold back. Don’t get me wrong: I understand the sprint owner’s plight. A photo from Mitchell Moore showing a rubber-down track top to bottom and the qualified comments of a few drivers should carry weight and be heeded. Tires are expensive. Burning them up on a rubber-down track will drain everyone of money, not just a few guys getting turned over on a rough track. I think things can be fixed, and word is the track was holding up well before the rain last week.

On the other hand, word is very few of the ‘hard’ tires were being bought that night. It’s hard to guess early, but offers have been made to unhook cars with the COS adapter, run harder & narrower tires all to be turned down for reasons having to do with competitiveness with the ASCS. You make your own bed sometimes.

- More disturbing is the rumor that someone has offered $20,000 in sponsorship if Eagle drops sprints from its weekly show. Now I normally would blow this off as a usual tall tale, but knowing who the sponsor could be makes me think there’s a grain of truth. Update: the sponsor I thought it was said they were not planning on doing this. So, I'll just write this rumor off.

- Short track racing, for the most part has become a back-gate driven sport. An article on Race Promoters Monthly’s site suggests this may not be a bad thing. I disagree with that notion. I think that one of the most important methods of sustaining a sport is awareness outside the participation group. The article cited drag racing as an example of a sport that survives the back gate. The problem is, there is a direct analogue to the top level of the sport. There’s a common sanction in NHRA, and the sportsman racer is merely another class of the broad group. The NHRA is built of its weekend members.

NASCAR is not. NASCAR in all respects and despite their meager effort is a different level, with the exception of the Stewarts, Kahne’s and Edwards’s of the world, does not translate back down to the short track save only for turning left. IndyCar racing is just an evolution of karting.

The RPM piece suggests becoming digitally savvy as a way to promote the sport to youth. Nobody has accused short track owners of being pioneers in digital marketing. With the decline of the American car culture...what purpose does short track racing serve today’s technology-leashed youth? Chris Moses had a good point on linking today’s short track adventures with ‘Extreme’ (now called ‘action’) Sports.

Go look at Ken Block - a World Rally Championship (what’s that?) driver who just happens to have some of the ‘sickest’ of viral videos on the internet: the Gymkhana series. Block is THE face of rallying in the U.S. and probably one of the most recognizable people in the entire sport...despite being at best, a middle of the pack driver in the series.

- By the way, Sebastien Loeb is the best driver on the planet.

- There is no great sprint hope coming to buy Eagle.

- A friend of mine (I don’t name them unless they post publicly) suggested that the “A” Modifieds could die before the sprints due to the escalating costs. Barring any more altercations with the promoter...I could see that. I’m not willing to bet the farm on it, but the influx of former “A Mod” drivers to the SportMod class suggests that the Big Boys may have trouble sustaining themselves, just like the sprints. The car counts, at Eagle anyway, are still decent.

- I-80 had an online daily deal offering two-for-the-price-of one tickets for its ASCS National show. Not a mention on dirtdrivers.com or the tracks own website. If you want to promote attendance, at a track who made a move to Friday’s, you need to promote deals like this. I don’t think they’re in a position to do A-B testing. If you’re worried about cannibalizing ticket sales - why bother doing this at all?

- The ASCS National Tour has a 48 hour/250 mile rule for its National Tour participants. Essentially, if a team races any non-ASCS National event at a track within 250 miles, or within 48 hours of a National event, they are docked tow money for the next three races. This however, applies to ASCS REGIONAL events as well, and thus prevents teams from running Junction Motor Speedway on Friday night. One can’t even run a regional event? I guess there’s ASCS and there’s, um, ASCS. Someone has to explain that one to me. I get if it’s IMCA, NCRA, WoO even. But if it’s to protect car counts maybe running nearby shows under your own banner isn’t the issue.

- I’m toying with what to do this weekend. I have Saturday evening off from Dad duties, but going out to a Free Ticket night at Eagle in 100-degree weather sounds less than appealing. I’ve avoided those for the past couple years. A trip to KAM sounds more interesting right now. I may take the long way down Highway 6, a route I find very relaxing. We'll see though. The 45 minutes to Eagle may be easier to swing.

Two Big Shows this week at I-80

On Thursday, May 24 the ASCS Sprints will be at I-80 for a show co-sanctioned by the ASCS National & Midwest divisions. The race will feature the best 360 drivers in the country. Also racing that night will be non-sanctioned Grand Nationals, B Mods and Pro Ams. There will be no entry fee if you pre enter for those three classes, so call (402)-342-3453. Races start at 7:15pm.

Then on Sunday, May 27 its the 11th annual Alphabet Soup Race paying $5,000 to win co-sanctioned by the CornBelt Clash and Midwest Late Model Racing Association. Also racing will be non-sanctioned A Mods for $1,200 to win and Hobby Stocks for $500 to win. There is no entry fee for those two classes if pre registered so call (402)-342-3453 to get pre registered. Races start at 6:35pm.

ASCS Memorial Day Weekend Lineup and Future Events

ASCS Midwest Region Update #7

May 15, 2012
Thursday May 24th
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
vs
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest

Friday May 25th
Junction Motor Speedway
McCool Junction, NE
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Watch for more info on ASCS Midwest Update next Monday May 21st
__________________________________________________________________________

ASCS Midwest Region On-Deck:
Fri. June 8th * Eagle, NE (National & Midwest)
Sat. June 9th * Eagle, NE (National & Midwest)
Fri. June 15th * Cameron, MO (ASCS Midwest)
Fri. June 22nd * McCool Junction, NE (ASCS Midwest)
Fri. June 29th * Greenwood, NE (ASCS Midwest)

Jeff Osborn 1973-2012

Sprint car driver and regular Eagle Raceway competitor Jeff Osborn of Savannah, MO lost his life in a racing accident Saturday night in Grain Valley, MO.

Memorial service information is as follows:

Celebration of Life: 10:00 AM Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Breit-Hawkins and Gladden Funeral Home, Savannah, Missouri. Interment in Savannah Missouri Cemetery. Public visitation and family receiving hours 5 to 8 PM Wednesday.

Memorials are suggested to Trust Fund care of Bank Midwest 801 North 36th Street St. Joseph, Mo.

Eagle Raceway drivers raised over $3000 for Jeff during a helmet pass-around Saturday night.

Taking a (big) step back

"When you think about quitting, you've already quit." - John Madden

"I know it's time." - Brett Favre*

I’ve joked that I’ve been around racing since I could “pee in a pot,” nearly all of my 41 years on Earth. My earliest memories stem back from Mid-Continent Raceway (now Mid-Nebraska Speedway) in the mid-late 70’s. Back then I was a Late Model fan, and Clayton Petersen, Jr. was my favorite driver. I vaguely remember the sprint cars that occasionally frequented the track. When my family moved to Lincoln in the early 80’s, I remember a friend of my father’s being involved with a car and visiting Midwest Speedway, with the new “Modified” sprint class, which after some rules tweaking, later became the 360’s of today.

From there, my father - Dean Orth owned Sprint cars and, in varying capacities, I worked on the machines until the mid-90’s, my final year culminating in spending it on tour with the now-defunct NCRA Outlaw (410) series. Of course, we made many trips to Knoxville, Husets, and various World of Outlaws shows in between our NCRA schedule. It was a great experience.

Soon after my Dad, along with long time racing partner/client/friend Craig Cormack decided to go after the ownership of Eagle Raceway. I joined along working for the track, even after my father retired from the racing scene in ‘99, up until Cormack sold the track to Roger Hadan in 2005. From 2002-2005, I was a full-time employee of Eagle. It was my sole income, and a decent one for someone in their 30’s. I worked part-time for Roger in 2006, and decided to become a blogger/photographer that same year, and was on my own since then. This site was merely a hobby, which on occasion turned a little money - but my day-to-day income is outside of racing.

In 2010, my life took a different turn, with the birth of my son. I’ve been truly blessed. It’s a lot of work, but the rewards are incredible.

It’s said that family makes a different person out of you. That’s no lie. My daily outlook is very different, and sometimes those things that seemed important are now trivial. I don’t know if it is a physiological change, but the priorities in life don’t just fall down the ladder, the urgency fades away.

For years of my late teens to early 20’s, I was a big gun nut and hunter. Knew about anything there was to know about guns and fancied myself a pretty decent shot. I still think I could hold my own after about a hundred practice rounds. But, married life changed that, even when I lived out in the country and had a shooting range outside my own door...I just didn’t care that much. Still don’t. I’ll thumb through a gun magazine now and then at the bookstore, still read some occasional books - but I don’t shoot much and haven’t hunted for over 15 years.

Now, family needs the time I used to give to racing, and the passing of my mother in 2011 made me realize that with a young child and being a father at a relatively late age (some of my high school friends have kids in high school or have graduated), my time with my wife and son was limited, and was very important.

I’ve devoted a lot of my life to the sport. Short of driving, I’ve done it all. While it’s provided me with income, friends, fond memories and relationships that hopefully last the rest of my life, it also tore my family apart, and created animosity amongst long-time associates. Racing can consume one’s life. At times, it’s an important fabric of being, others it’s the bane of one’s existence. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell the difference between the two.

To that end, I think it’s time for me to step back. Way back. In my post last season, I said that I would see how I felt come 2012. I've assessed my feelings. The excitement just isn't there the way it used to be. 

There are a lot of things I’m not really a fan of anymore: the back-gate nature of the show and the long time it takes to run it, the various drama (four of the top five threads on dirtdrivers.com this weekend were someone bitching one way or the other), and that I’ve taken my racing photography about as far as I wanted to go with it. What little time I have to shoot - and photography is my passion - I need to take that time elsewhere.

I'm still a motorsports fan - the vintage circuit is what piques my fancy these days, and now I've become that 'old guy' wishing for the good ol' days.

It’s hard to devote family time, with a young son and mother for something that isn’t lighting my fire anymore.

But despite all the things I have issue with, I’ll miss the people, some of whom I consider trusted friends. That’s the one thing that kept me coming back. I wish I could condense it into 3 hours instead of 8-10 hours on a Saturday.

So, for the first time in over thirty years, I don't have any connection to a car, track, media - I am just a simple fan now.

It doesn’t mean that I won’t be out at the track ever. It just will be much less frequent, maybe one to two times a month. I have to admit, that as long as Lincoln is still playing my new-found interest - Hockey - I’m committed to the Ice Box as my “Jason time.”

After that...I'm not sure. I may still shoot pictures on occasion, but it won't be just a bunch of cars going left all the time. I may blog about the times I go to the track, something that probably will have more meat than just another press release about an upcoming event. I’m not sure what to do with the site yet. I still own the domain and the hosting charges - so I’ll keep it alive. The photo galleries will move but I plan on doing some work to keep the site “simmering” for the time being.

I still enjoy a lot of the people in racing, and still want to maintain my relationships. There are people who still have the same passion for the sport as they did 10, 20, 40 years ago. There are the same stories being told to a new generation and the same memories being made for them.

I want to thank the people who’ve made racing so enjoyable these past years. I don’t want to name names, because there are SO many and I don’t want to be accused of putting the names in some order, missing anyone or slighting anybody. I just want to say there are dozens, if not hundreds and I think highly of ALL of them. True respect.

I hope to see you all at the track - it just may not be as often. 
 

Jason

*The Favre quote is a deliberate joke

Tuttle to call it quits

IMCA Modified driver Lacey Tuttle has decided to hang her helmet up for the time being, according to a post on Facebook. Lacey has been competitive in the A Modified division at Eagle Raceway but early season mechanical issues ended the season. It's too bad - she is capable of hanging with the best of them, especially at the high level of competition at Eagle.

From her facebook post:

"Just wanted to let all my fans know that we put the car up for sale today. Mod racing takes a lot of time and money and with the motor blowing up the first night we just can't do it anymore. It's been a great 8 years racing with my dad and I can't say enough about how much I appreciate all the support I've gotten through the years."

WoO at Eagle Postponed to 9/19

According to Eagle Raceway's messaging service, the World of Outlaws show scheduled for April 27 has been postponed to Sept. 19th.

Sprint car chassis manufacturer moving to Lincoln

An Illinois company that builds chassis for sprint cars plans to move its operations to Lincoln to be closer to Speedway Motors.

Eagle Motorsports of Springfield, Ill., will start operations in Lincoln on May 1 in space owned by Speedway at 300 Speedway Circle just southeast of First and Van Dorn streets.

Mike Tavlin, Speedway's chief financial officer, said Speedway is not buying Eagle Motorsports, nor is it investing in the company, but it will be partnering with the company in other ways.

Read more: http://journalstar.com/business/local/sprint-car-chassis-manufacturer-moving-to-lincoln/article_2ed9a6f3-74cf-56d3-97f9-5e3e1f9c016e.html#ixzz1sJnA4t9i

Four Day Super Mania 2012 at Eagle This Weekend

Open House Super Practice Night -Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Super Mania 2012 Begins! -All classes are welcome to Open House Practice Night!

Front Gate opens at 6pm. Free Front Gate Admission. Limited menu will be available.

Pit Gates open at 5pm. Practice is from 7pm-11pm. Pit Pass $10. All drivers must have all their forms in as soon as possible. Late registration fee =$25. See Driver Info Tab of our website for all forms needed.

Auto Trans Matic presents Ice Breaker Challenge DAY 1* -Friday, April 20, 2012

See the Super Best Nebraska Drive Shaft & Radiator IMCA Modified Drivers Compete! - Supporting classes are Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds (Regional and National Points...no track points)

Front Gates open at 6:00pm, and Racing at 8:00pm. Front Gate Admission: Adults(13+) $12, Youth(6-12) $5 and Child(5 & under) Free.

Pit Gates open at 4pm. Pit Membership Fee (Pit Pass) $25. All drivers must have all their forms in as soon as possible. All drivers must pre-register for this event by April 18, 2012...Late registration fee =$25. See Driver Info Tab of our website for all forms needed.

Auto Trans Matic presents Ice Breaker Challenge DAY 2* -Saturday, April 21, 2012

See the Super Best Nebraska Drive Shaft & Radiator IMCA Modified Drivers Compete! - Supporting classes are Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints, Valentino's IMCA Hobby Stocks, Exhaust Pro's IMCA Sport Compacts (Regional and National Points...no track points)

NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart will be participating in the 2012 Ice Breaker Challenge on April 21st. He also hopes to be able to participate in Friday night's contest, depending on his NASCAR obligations that weekend.

He likes to stay close to his dirt roots, racing sprint cars and midgets when time allows and is a multi-time winner of the coveted Golden Driller at the Chili Bowl. He crossed a big item off of his "Bucket List" when he snagged his first World of Outlaws sprint car win at Oshweken Speedway in Canada last July.

Tony is no stranger to Eagle's high banks either, having won the 1994 Pepsi USAC Summer Midget Classic at the track.

Down deep he is just another racer, and what better place to show his talents than at "America's Home Track"?

Front Gates open at 5:00pm, and Racing at 6:30pm. Front Gate Admission: Adults(13+) $15, Youth(6-12) $5 and Child(5 & under) Free. Front Ticket Booth will open at 3pm on Saturday for early ticket sales. All seats are general admission...first come first serve. Please note: Due to the time limits and with Tony Stewart participating in the event, there will not be an autograph session available.
Be sure to arrive early for a good seat.

Pit Gates open at 4pm. Pit Membership Fee (Pit Pass) $25. All drivers must have all their forms in as soon as possible. All drivers must pre-register for this event by April 18, 2012...Late registration fee =$25. See Driver Info Tab of our website for all forms needed.

ALL minors(17 & under) in the pit area MUST have a signed minor waiver by their parents in front of a notary along with a copy of their birth certificate or valid driver's license. Minor=anyone under 18 years of age. All minors must be supervised by an adult. If minor is not supervised, they will be asked to leave the pit area. (Must be 14 years old to enter pit area)

No outside food or beverage is allowed into the front gate entrance. Thank you for your cooperation. *This is a special event. Discount coupons and regular event passes are not good for this event.

Thanks for supporting Eagle Raceway...America's Home Track!

Then SUNDAY GOKART ACTION!

The Mini E Practice and Mini Ice Breaker Challenge has been rescheduled one more time due to severe storms.

Sunday, April 22nd, Pit Gates will open at 11:00AM. Rookies Only Practice will be from 12pm-1pm. All Classes practice will be from 1pm-2:00pm. Driver check-in for the Mini Ice Breaker ends at 2:00pm. A Short Break will be taken with a pit meeting at 2:00pm, and then the Mini Ice Breaker Challenge heats will begin at 2:30pm.

One low admission price will include both Practice and the Mini Ice Breaker Challenge:

Driver Pass (includes nightly entry fee): $20 (If you are racing in an additional class it is $10 extra)

Hot Pass: $10

Cold Pass: $5

Cold Pass = not allowed on the track, or in the staging area
Hot ...Pass = allowed on track and in staging area (usually the person starting the kart and helping if there is an issue on the track)
Driver Pass = the person who is driving the kart

If you have not already registered your kart number for the season, late number registration is $20.

OUR INSURANCE COMPANY REQUIRES: All minors (17 and younger) entering the pit area MUST have a NOTARIZED minor release waiver signed by BOTH parents/guardians or one parent/guardian must be PRESENT to sign a minor waiver EVERY night that the minor enters the pit area or NO PIT ENTRY.
Any DRIVER who is a minor will also need a copy of thier birth certificate or State ID on file with Mini E.

If you have questions, please call the office. 402-238-2595

Practice Day rescheduled for Sunday, April 22nd! Pit Gates will open at 11:00AM... ROOKIES ONLY PRACTICE is from 12:00PM-1:00PM... ALL CLASSES PRACTICE is from 1:00PM-2:00PM...

Auto Trans Matic Presents The Mini Ice Breaker Challenge Season Opener rescheduled for Sunday, April 22nd!

Sunday, April 22nd is The Mini Ice Breaker Challenge. Pit Gate will open at 11:00AM for practice, Pit Meeting at 2:00PM, Driver Checkin ends at 2:00PM and racing starts at 2:30PM.

Racing all Classes (mid-season championship and full season Championship points):

Flat Karts: Rookie, Jr. Amature, Jr. 1, Jr. 2 Medium, Jr. 2 Heavy, Adult Clone 370, Adult Stock Medium, Adult Stock Heavy, Adult Animal
Cage Karts: Rookie, Jr. 1, Jr. 2, Adult 206 Light, Adult 206 Heavy

ASCS Midwest Headlines Eagle's Icebreaker

Cody Morris, Tulsa, Oklahoma (4-16-2012) - The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region forces prepare for a wild weekend of action this Friday, April 20th and Saturday April 21st at Eagle Raceway.

Eagle, Nebraska's famed 1/3 mile oval will kick off their 2012 calendar with the annual "Icebreaker Challenge" a raucous weekend opener headlined by the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region.

Founded in 1963, "America's Home Track" will host five Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest events this season, with a weekend double of National vs. Midwest action in June before the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest season finale in September.

The 2012 ASCS Midwest campaign commenced two weeks ago with a season opening weekend double at Greenwood, Nebraska's I-80 Speedway. The weekend was split with South Dakota's Robbie Wolfgang snaring his 1st career ASCS victory, before all-time ASCS Midwest winner "Blackjack" Brian Brown added to his Midwest success in the weekend finale.

This upcoming ASCS Midwest double at Eagle Raceway features the 3rd and 4th rounds of 18 ASCS Midwest events in the 2012 campaign.

Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and two-time Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals winner Tony Stewart has expressed his intent to do battle with ASCS Midwest forces this weekend at Eagle if his pavement obligations allow.

Eighteen years after his first Eagle Raceway victory in 1994's USAC Summer Midget Classic, "Smoke" will have some obstructions in his potential quest to re-conquer "America's Fastest 1/3 Mile".

As of Monday, over 30 teams have pre-entered for ASCS Midwest action at the Icebreaker Challenge with Springfield, Nebraska's two-time and defending ASCS Midwest Champion Jack Dover among them. This number will almost certainly rise as Friday's weekend kickoff nears.

Friday gates open at 6pm, with racing set for an 8pm start. Saturday gates open at 5pm, with action beginning at 630pm. For more Eagle Raceway information, including ticket pricing and directions, please visit www.eagleraceway.com

Past ASCS Midwest Region winner at Eagle Raceway:
9/16/11 - Jason Johnson
9/11/11 - Jason Johnson
6/11/11 - Jack Dover (with National)
9/12/10 - Jason Johnson
6/12/10 - Jason Johnson (with National)
6/11/10 - Danny Wood (with National)
9/12/09 - Tony Bruce, Jr.
9/7/08 - Jack Dover
7/19/08 - Jack Dover
7/21/07 - Mike Boston
7/22/06 - Wade Nygaard

The 2012 season marks the 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV, ASCS also consists of eleven different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Jackpot Weekend next up at I-80 Speedway

From I-80 Speedway

This Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14 it's Jackpot Weekend at I-80 Speedway. The two day event will feature complete programs each night for A Mods, Grand Nationals, B Mods, Stock Car/Pro Ams & Hobby Stocks. Hornets will be racing on April 14 only.

A Mods will be racing for the largest purse with $711 to win on Friday night and $1,555 to win on Saturday night. Grand Nationals will be racing for $444 to win on Friday and $1,111 on Saturday night. B Mods will be racing for $333 to win the first night and $777 the second night. Stock Car/ProAms $333 are to win on Friday and $678 on Saturday. Hobby Stocks $299 on Friday and $654 on Saturday and Hornets will be racing on Saturday only for $222 to win.

Entry Fees are $25 for all classes on Friday and on Saturday entry fees are $60 for A Mods, $50 for Grand Nationals, $40 for B Mods and Stock Car/ProAms, $30 for Hobby Stocks and $20 for Hornets.

Pits open at 4pm on Friday with Grandstands opening at 5:30pm and racing at 7pm. Grandstand Admission is $10 for Adults, $5 for Kids (6-12) with 5 and under Free. Pit Passes are $25. On Saturday, the Pits open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4:30pm with racing at 5:55pm. Grandstand Admission is $15 for Adults, $5 for Kids (6-12) with 5 and under Free. Pit Passes are $25.

The fans can also get involved in Jackpot Weekend as well. Some lucky fan will win $111 on Friday night and the Saturday night lucky fan will win $222. For more information, call I-80 Speedway at (402)-342-3453.

Brown captures I-80 ASCS Spring Meltdown Finale

Cody Morris, GREENWOOD, NEBRASKA (4-7-2012) - One night removed from a first-time winner in ASCS victory lane, the finale of the season opening weekend of action for the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest region saw a familiar sight.

Grain Valley, Missouri’s “Blackjack” Brian Brown out dueled South Dakota’s Clint Garner in the first half of the 25 lap ASCS Midwest main event, before fending off a relative(ly) minor late race challenge from Danny Lasoski to earn his series’ best 21st Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region victory.

The largest obstacle to Brown’s victory bid came in the form of a lapped Ryan Roberts, who spun immediately in front of the leader with two circuits remaining. Brown’s evasive maneuver paid off, as he sailed to victory lane in the Brian Brown Racing, FVP, and Casey’s General Store sponsored no. 21 Maxim.

Lasoski settled for runner up honors with Garner settling for the show position at the final stripe. Indianola, Iowa’s Dustin Selvage used the lap 23 caution to his advantage, battling by Minnesota’s Davey Heskin for fourth at the finish line, with the latter closing out the top 5 running order.
Waverly, Nebraska’s Stu Snyder easily earned Hard Charger honors, fighting into the final transfer spot in the evening’s 2nd B Feature event and rallying from 20th to 8th in the final rounds.

Opening night winner Robbie Wolfgang followed his first career ASCS triumph with a 6th place performance in Saturday’s weekend finale, giving the 19 year old Sioux Falls, South Dakota shoe the early nod in the 2012 Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region championship chase.

Andy Jones, Danny Lasoski, Jack Dover, Davey Heskin, and Robbie Wolfgang each earned heat race honors over the impressive 39 car field, with Fargo, Oklahoma’s Taylor Milton and South Dakota’s Ryan Roberts taking winning-style transfers in the twin 10 lap B Features.

RESULTS: April 7th, 2012
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Round 2 of 18
I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, Nebraska
A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown[3]; 2. 1m-Danny Lasoski[7]; 3. 40-Clint Garner[1]; 4. 7-Dustin Selvage[6]; 5. 56-Davey Heskin[4]; 6. 7k-Robby Wolfgang[8]; 7. 24a-Jack Dover[5]; 8. 23s-Stu Snyder[20]; 9. 73-Andy Jones[2]; 10. 18-Ryan Roberts[11]; 11. 4-Jordan Boston[12]; 12. 45c-Russ Hall[19]; 13. 4a-Jon Agan[16]; 14. 4j-Lee Grosz[13]; 15. 2-Don Droud Jr[14]; 16. 97-Carson McCarl[15]; 17. 21k-Ryan Kitchen[10]; 18. 17b-Ryan Bickett[18]; 19. 0-Jeff Osborne[9]; 20. 91-Taylor Milton[17]
Lap Leaders: Garner 1-2; Brown 3; Garner 4-11; Brown 12-25
B Feature 1 (10 Laps): 1. 91-Taylor Milton; 2. 45c-Russ Hall; 3. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher; 4. 14-Jody Rosenboom; 5. 48-Jake Martens; 6. X-Chuck Swenson; 7. 44-Doug Lovegrove; 8. 32-Adam Guillion; 9. 75-Tommy Barber; 10. 6x-Nick Bryan; 11. 81-Jared Jansen; 12. 12L-John Lambertz
Top 2 advance to A Feature
B Feature 2 (10 Laps): 1. 17b-Ryan Bickett; 2. 23s-Stu Snyder; 3. 17-Gage Dorr; 4. 82-Jason Danley; 5. 31-Mark Pace; 6. 20-Casey Friedrichson; 7. 6-Haley Arnold; 8. 2d-Dusty Ballenger; 9. 6g-Bryan Gossel; 10. 5M-Miranda Arnold; 11. 13v-Seth Brahmer
Top 2 advance to A Feature
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 73-Andy Jones; 2. 21k-Ryan Kitchen; 3. 40-Clint Garner; 4. 0-Jeff Osborne; 5. 82-Jason Danley; 6. 2d-Dusty Ballenger; 7. X-Chuck Swenson; 8. 5M-Miranda Arnold
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 1m-Danny Lasoski; 2. 7-Dustin Selvage; 3. 4j-Lee Grosz; 4. 45c-Russ Hall; 5. 32-Adam Guillion; 6. 14-Jody Rosenboom; 7. 48-Jake Martens; 8. 6g-Bryan Gossel
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 24a-Jack Dover; 2. 21-Brian Brown; 3. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher; 4. 2-Don Droud Jr; 5. 97-Carson McCarl; 6. 23s-Stu Snyder; 7. 44-Doug Lovegrove; 8. 81-Jared Jansen
Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. 56-Davey Heskin; 2. 18-Ryan Roberts; 3. 4a-Jon Agan; 4. 17-Gage Dorr; 5. 6x-Nick Bryan; 6. 75-Tommy Barber; 7. 13v-Seth Brahmer; 8. 31-Mark Pace
Heat 5 (8 Laps): 1. 7k-Robby Wolfgang; 2. 4-Jordan Boston; 3. 91-Taylor Milton; 4. 17b-Ryan Bickett; 5. 20-Casey Friedrichson; 6. 6-Haley Arnold; 7. 12L-John Lambertz

Wolfgang wins I-80 ASCS Midwest Opener

Cody Morris, GREENWOOD, NEBRASKA (4-6-2012) - Closing in on an hour long main event, one driver in particular did not mind the delays.
In a wild 2012 ASCS Midwest season opening event at Greenwood, Nebraska’s I-80 Speedway that featured six stoppages, including a late race fuel stop, a young star emerged with the first ASCS accolades of his young career.

Bearing a last name that will forever be synonymous with sprint car success, “Little Wolf” Robbie Wolfgang took his own step in adding to the legend.

The young 19 year old endured nearly an hour’s uneven pace of racing and fended off a pair of ferocious Show Me State assaults to his quest for ASCS victory lane.

While pole sitter Jody Rosenbloom nabbed the lap one lead, Grain Valley, Missouri’s Brian Brown shot from 6th to grab the lap 2 lead. However, Brown’s advantage was short lived as Wolfgang found the rubber and powered by on the 6th circuit.

While “Little Wolf” maintained the point, yet another accomplished sprint car ace was charging from the 5th row to offer challenge. Higginsville, Missouri native Danny “The Dude” Lasoski had just dove under nephew Brian Brown for the runner up spot when lap 11 contact between Brown and Rosenbloom resulted in a flat left rear tire for Brown.

With open track ahead, Wolfgang’s pace continued to hold, until an attempted move around a lapped Carson McCarl on the 25th lap went awry, sending “Little Wolf” high up the track in turn 4 and allowing Lasoski the opening he needed to slip by for the lead.
But fate had a sense of irony, as just 1 lap later, Lasoski’s collision with the same lapped entry left both cars stalled for the final stoppage of the main event. The 35 minute fuel window had been surpassed by this time, transforming what would normally be a short caution period into a red flag stop for refueling.

Back in the top spot exiting the lap 26 restart, Robbie Wolfgang put away the final 4 laps in quick order to claim the 2012 Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region season opener aboard the Bruce Williams’ owned Sioux Falls Ford, Phillips’ Floors, and Stepping Stone Genetics sponsored 7k.
Gregg Bakker finished 2nd with Rosenbloom accepting show position honors. Lee Grosz and Don Droud Jr. completed the top five running order. Lincoln, Nebraska’s Trevor Grossenbacher advanced 11 spots to finish 7th and Hard Charger honors.

Robbie Wolfgang, Jack Dover, Dustin Selvage, and Davey Heskin each earned heat race victories over the 36 car field, with Jon Again taking B Feature honors over an impressive 20 car B main lineup.

The 2012 Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region season opening weekend of action continues and concludes with a Saturday night weekend finale at Nebraska Raceway Park’s I-80 Speedway.

Results: April 6th, 2012
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region Season Opener
I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, Nebraska
A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 7k-Robby Wolfgang[4]; 2. 11x-Gregg Bakker[3]; 3. 14-Jody Rosenboom[1]; 4. 4j-Lee Grosz[14]; 5. 2-Don Droud Jr[9]; 6. X-Chuck Swenson[13]; 7. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher[18]; 8. 24a-Jack Dover[8]; 9. 82-Jason Danley[12]; 10. 23s-Stu Snyder[20]; 11. 56-Davey Heskin[7]; 12. 4a-Jon Agan[17]; 13. 1m-Danny Lasoski[10]; 14. 73-Adam Jones[15]; 15. 17-Gage Dorr[2]; 16. 7-Dustin Selvage[5]; 17. 97-Carson McCarl[11]; 18. 21-Brian Brown[6]; 19. 17b-Ryan Bickett[16]; 20. 31-Mark Pace[19]
Lap Leaders: Rosenbloom 1; Brown 2-5; Wolfgang 6-24; Lasoski 25; Wolfgang 26-30
B Feature 1 (14 Laps): 1. 4a-Jon Agan; 2. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher; 3. 31-Mark Pace; 4. 23s-Stu Snyder; 5. 48-Jake Martens; 6. 4-Jordan Boston; 7. 6g-Bryan Gossel; 8. 121-John Lambertz; 9. 0-Jeff Osborne; 10. 2d-Dusty Ballenger; 11. 5M-Miranda Arnold; 12. 44-Doug Lovegrove; 13. 6-Haley Arnold; 14. 32-Adam Guillion; 15. 20-Casey Friedrichson; 16. 18-Ryan Roberts; 17. 45c-Russ Hall; 18. 75-Tommy Barber; 19. 91-Taylor Milton; 20. 81-Jared Jansen
Top 4 advance to A Feature
Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 7k-Robby Wolfgang; 2. 14-Jody Rosenboom; 3. 17b-Ryan Bickett; 4. 23s-Stu Snyder; 5. 82-Jason Danley; 6. 18-Ryan Roberts; 7. 20-Casey Friedrichson; 8. 32-Adam Guillion; 9. 48-Jake Martens
Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 24a-Jack Dover; 2. 21-Brian Brown; 3. 4j-Lee Grosz; 4. 1m-Danny Lasoski; 5. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher; 6. 45c-Russ Hall; 7. 6-Haley Arnold; 8. 31-Mark Pace; 9. 121-John Lambertz
Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 7-Dustin Selvage; 2. 97-Carson McCarl; 3. 11x-Gregg Bakker; 4. 4a-Jon Agan; 5. 91-Taylor Milton; 6. 6g-Bryan Gossel; 7. 5M-Miranda Arnold; 8. 44-Doug Lovegrove; 9. 4-Jordan Boston
Heat 4 (10 Laps): 1. 56-Davey Heskin; 2. 2-Don Droud Jr; 3. 17-Gage Dorr; 4. 73-Adam Jones; 5. X-Chuck Swenson; 6. 2d-Dusty Ballenger; 7. 0-Jeff Osborne; 8. 75-Tommy Barber; 9. 81-Jared Jansen