SAATHOFF JETS TO SIXTH SPRING NATIONALS CROWN
DUSTY WIEGERT
(03/26/09)
BEATRICE, Neb. -- Johnny Saathoff won his career sixth Spring Nationals feature before Ricky Alvarado ruled the IMCA Modifieds at Beatrice Speedways season-opening special for the first time.
Hometown hotshoe Saathoff topped the feature postponed following the late night power outage at the track on Friday, earning $1,000. Alvarado collected the $1,500 check for Saturdays scheduled event; both races were qualifiers for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
Saathoff shot out to an early lead with Jay Noteboom close behind, then pulled out to decent advantage between yellow flags.
With the help of timely cautions, David Murray Jr. moved into the battle and began putting pressure on Saathoff. Murray briefly took the lead while yellows slowed the action with five and then three laps to go.
In the end Saathoff was just too much for Murray, with Alvarado, Jeremy Mills and Greg Metz rounding out the top five. Saathoff also owns hardware from the 1997, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008 Spring Nationals.
Murray and Alvarado drew front row starts for the scheduled feature on Saturday. Alvarado got a jump at the drop of the green with Murray settling in behind.
Several cautions early on were the only holdups as Alvarado pulled away to a full straightaway lead by halfway point, then dominated to take his first Spring Nationals title.
Metz got past Murray at the finish for second. Sean Jerovetz and Noteboom were fourth and fifth, respec tively.
After advancing from 11th to second, Tyler Frye made his move when it mattered most in the rescheduled Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod main.
Coming out of turn four to take the checkered flag, Frye slipped to the inside of Jesse Sobbing to take the win in a photo finish.
Sobbing, Benji Legg and defending national champion Luke Wanninger finished out the top four.
Wanninger won comfortably in Saturdays scheduled event, taking the checkers despite the best efforts of Legg, Sobbing and Frye
R.J. Macku took the early lead from the front row and proved to be no match for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock field.
Ryan Roschewski raced his way to second but count not reel in Macku. Tony Spunaugle, and Eric Chab followed Roschewski across the stripe.
The 16th annual Spring Nationals concludes Sunday with a $2,000 to win feature for the IMCA Modifieds. The Hobby Stocks and IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts also see action.
