RACES HIGHLIGHTED AT THE FAIR IN SHELBY COUNTY 7-20-08
Shannon Lowe
(07/20/08)
Race day was filled with excitement at Shelby County Speedway during the races on July 12th. The sights and sounds of the Shelby County Fair just beyond the grandstands added to the thrill of the evening. The Kimballton Fire Department operated a rollover simulator for drivers in the pit area before racing began to help drivers be aware of what they need to do if a rollover leaves them wheels up on the race track. The Shelby County Fair Queen and Princesses as well as a kids candy grab and the Stock car King of the Hill highlighted the evening.
In the sport compacts fourteen cars made the feature with Taylor Griffin (87) taking the top honors, James Smith (88s) in second, Terry Romick (5r). Brian Smith in the 55 followed by Shawn Turner in the 31 rounded out the top five.
The hobby stocks had a run of excitement all night long with a rollover in the third heat race. The 77jx car with Shawn Chapman behind the wheel had some contact with the 75 of Kurt Hansen before rolling over between turns 1 and 2. In the feature race, the cars were running 3 and four wide around turns 3 and four when the 22k of Eric Wallis and the 17 of Kenny Hansen came together making Wallis a little loose on the slick track. Kurt Hansen (75) took the advantage over Kenny Hansen and Wallis toward the bottom of the track and moving toward the high side made some contact with Wallis throwing him into the grandstand wall. The resulting rollover left fluid and debris on the track but Wallis walked away. Shannon Andersen took the win, making traffic dodging on a slick track look easy. Corey Madden in the 2c held second over Kurt Hansen in the 75(third) and Kenny Hansen who was fourth. Andy Boeckman went home with a fifth place finish and Shannon Andersens engine as the result of a claim.
It was non stop, all business racing by all drivers in the first Shelby County Speedway Sport mod class that never saw a caution. Mick King (4k) started in 7th and moved to first where he lead the pack to the checkered flag. Luke Wanniger (20) held second place with Joe Mefford (3) in third, David Hulsebus (1H) in fourth and Dennis Cook (45) in fifth.
In the stock cars racing was so close during the heat races you could have thrown a blanket over them and covered the whole pack. Drivers kept the cars close on a slick track and raced 3 and 4 wide nearly the whole race. The checkered flag fell for Dustin Smith (85) with Keith Knop (10x) in second and Chris Ullrich (01U) keeping it close for an exciting finish. Fourth place went to Bill Reetz (26) and Flyin Brian Blessington in fifth.
Corey Zeitner rallied hard from last weeks hard roll over to take the victory in the late models. Vance Tonack in the 1t was second and Jeff Segebart (5s) in third. Craig Roberts in the 23r took home fourth in front of the number 18 car of Don Smith.
Racing in the modified class was as competitive as always with Scott Carlson in the 1s taking the win with Nick Deal (55d) on his heels for second. The 1r of Craig Reetz locked out both ethanol cars, the 2k of Chad Preul and the 92 of Jeff Stephens who finished fourth and fifth.
The top four cars in the Stock car class came back to the track to face off for the Stock Car King of The Hill title. Those drivers were Tim Bengard (19b) of Exira, Randy Archer (20) of Council Bluffs, Bill Osbahr (12) of Avoca and Rick Christensen (37x) of Audubon. Top spot went to Tim Bengard and he was crowned Stock Car King of the Hill in victory lane.
Next week will feature the Northern Sport Mod King of the Hill races sponsored by Heartland Technology Solutions and the Big Wheel/Trike Races at the Shelby County Speedway. Gates open at 5 pm, hot laps begin at 6:30 with racing to begin at 7 pm. See you under the checkered flag!
