VANDE WEERD MAKES IT A THREEPEAT AT PARK JEFFERSON
LeRoy Beck
(05/10/09)
Harvey VandeWeerd has made Park Jefferson Speedway his personal playground early in the 2009 season. VandeWeerd picked up his third straight win as the Sioux City Journal presented the NASCAR Whelen All American Series at Park Jefferson Speedway. Another quick night on the speedway also brought Rusty Montagne, Zach Ankrum, Reese Coffee, and Jason Ward into Victory Lane
The VerHoef Automotive NASCAR Modified feature showcased two premier talents as Jay Noteboom and Reese Coffee would wage an intense battle for the race win. Coffee would take the lead on lap four by consistently working the bottom of the speedway running the Coffee preferred low line. As Coffee took the lead, the high line charging Noteboom would work his way into the second spot. A few late cautions would keep the field bunched tight as Noteboom and Coffee worked high and low respectively trying to gain a clear cut advantage on the other. A late race bobble from Noteboom would allow the smooth running Coffee to gain an advantage he would not lose. Following Coffee and Noteboom to the line were Jason Edwardson, Bob Moore, and Jimmy Cole.
Winning three races in a row is no easy feat; especially when you consider the high level of competition that race weekly at Park Jefferson in the Motor Parts Central 360mod division. Taking all of that in to account, an eleventh starting Harvey VandeWeerd had the deck heavily stacked against him. But that made no matter to the Alton, IA native. VandeWeerd gained seven spots in the first three laps, and then stalked the top three cars, taking the spots at will finally taking the top spot for good on lap twelve. A final restart gave a glimmer of hope to the field, but VandeWeerd took off from the field winning comfortably pulling Rich Headid, Jon Felix, Karl Brewer, and Jeff Brunssen in tow.
A wild lap one would set the stage for an exciting B&B Salvage Stock Car Feature. Pole sitter Glenn Wynia would spin in turn two with the entire field staring him down. Great driving allowed all cars to continue, some slightly damaged. Jason Ward would take advantage of his outside front row starting spot to take the lead with Wynias troubles. Ward would be under constant barrage from Jeff Larson. Larson ran a line higher on the speedway than any old timer could remember seeing, but made it work, and made it fast. Larson continuously showed his front bumper to the outside of Ward, but couldnt complete the pass as Ward would take the win by two car lengths. Eli Zevenbergren, Mitch Dowhower and Curt VanBeek would follow the top two.
2008 was a great success for Rusty Montagne in the Yankton Automotive Machine Hobby Stocks. A number of wins and a track championship in the rear view mirror, the target is clearly on the back of Montagne. Two nights into the point season, Montage is two for two with two more feature wins. Jake McClure and Paul Menard started the feature with the intent of making it a two car race for the win. McClure and Menard showcased their great abilities running a great race for the top spot. As the top two pulled away, Montage would work his way to the front. Montage would make a tremendous high low move to work past Menard, and then get past McClure coming to halfway point. Montage would run away from the field unchallenged for his second straight win on a right front tire that went flat in Victory Lane. McClure would hold on for second ahead of Menard, Bill Woehler, and John Cain.
Many of the drivers in the Steves Roofing Hornet division are younger drivers looking for a start in racing. Zach Ankrum is a fifteen year old young man entering his second season racing at Park Jefferson Speedway. Ankrum looked like a veteran as he over took Jeff Goodier early on and held off two hard chargers for his first win at Park Jefferson Speedway. Ankrum, and family, were ecstatic in Victory Lane for the first of many feature wins to come. Following Ankrum were Chuck Rose, Marlis Boggs, Goodier, and Dane Martindale.
Next Saturday Night, Coors and Coors Light present the 2009 NASCAR Whelen All American Series at Park Jefferson Speedway. For more information on Park Jefferson Speedway visit http://www.parkjeffersonspeedway.com or visit the NASCAR Home Tracks page at http://localracing.nascar.com/tracks
