CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT PARK JEFFERSON 8-30-08
LeRoy Beck
(08/30/08)
Seven champions were crowned as Ver Hoef Automotive presented the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Series at Park Jefferson Speedway. When the final checkered flag had fallen on the points season, there were some familiar faces in Victory Lane, and even more familiar faces picking up championships. Mike Hanson, Marlis Boggs, Dane Martindale, Les Lundquist, Rusty Montagne, Mike Scharn, and Kirk Beatty all picked up season championships.
At the start of the night, there was a buzz surrounding the pit area as Mike Hansen was set to debut his 2009 Razor chassis. After dominating his heat race, many fans figured the same was forthcoming in the feature. However, when there is $1000 on the line in the Arnold Motor Supply Modifieds, Jay Noteboom is usually one of the drivers to beat. On this night, Noteboom and Hansen would trade rolls, and would leave the fans with a great finish to the points racing at Park Jefferson. Noteboom would run the bottom, Hansen the top, with neither driver gaining more than a two car length advantage with Noteboom picking up a hard fought win. Dirk Kirk, Bob Moore, and Ricky Stephan would follow the top two to the line. By virtue of his second place finish, Hansen would win the points championship for 2008.
The most dominant driver in the B&B Salvage Stock Car division all season long has been Mike Scharn. On season championship night, Scharn would pick up his division leading sixth feature win. Consistency has been said to win championships. Scharn would prove that to be true as well with only two finishes outside the top 5. Scharn would overtake early leader Jason Ward on the bottom side of the speedway and not look back. Tony Ritterbush, Ward, Mark Wenzlaff, and James Brower would finish inside the top five.
Another driver that had been the model of consistency all season long has been Kirk Beatty. Coming into the night in the Motor Parts Central Sport Mods, Beatty only had one feature win on the season, but was always at the front of the field. At the drop of the green flag, Beatty clinched his championship, but wanted to add to his win total. Beatty took advantage of his outside front row starting spot and jump to the lead. Beatty would be under relentless pressure from Jeff Brunssen and Harvey VandeWeerd, but Beatty would finish the season strongest. Brunssen, VandeWeerd, Chad TenNapel, and Dan VanBruggen would follow Beatty to the line.
All season long in the Yankton Automotive Machine Hobby Stock division the underlying story has been the rivalry between John Cain and Rusty Montagne, and this night would be no different. Montagne coming into the night had already locked up the points championship. Cain, however, wanted to share in the spotlight as well. Cain came into the night to ensure his car was ready for the Boone Super Nationals. If his performance is any indication, everyone in Boone should keep their eyes on John Cain. Cain would win this race with ease. Almost a full straightaway behind Cain would be Jake McClure, Craig Clift, Bill Woehler, and Montagne.
One week ago, Rich Hesse was stripped of his feature win in the Ver Hoef Automotive BMods due to failing post race inspection. Hesse was out to show that the win was no fluke. Hesse would pick off cars lap by lap until taking the lead just prior to the half way point. The best battle on the speedway was between point leader Les Lundquist and second in points Darin Roepke. Lunquist would lock up the championship with a fifth place finish. At races end, Lundquist would have his championship as he would finish third behind Hesse and Roepke, and ahead of Mark Neal and Todd Saunders.
The closest points battle coming into the night belonged to the Steves Roofing Hornets. Marlis Boggs would come into the night with a scant five point lead in the feature hornet class. Daniel Loggins needed to win, and hope for a little bad luck to get the championship. Both nearly came. Loggins easily outdistanced the field for another feature win. Boggs, debuting a new car, fought the gremlins and limped the car home to a fourth place finish, and a two point advantage in the championships. Austin Pinney, also debuting a new car, would dominate the Novice main event with Dane Martindale clinching his championship as well.
The racing at Park Jefferson Speedway resumes on September 19 & 20 with the South Dakota Nationals, featuring the Jackson Touring Sprints as well as many other events. For more information go to http://www.parkjeffersonspeedway.com
