MACKU, GRABOUSKI, RECH, AND LOVEGROVE WIN AT EAGLE
www.eagleraceway.com
(06/01/09)
Mother Nature decided to switch tactics this weekend. Rather than attempting to rain out the races, she gave us 90 degree temperatures and a strong north wind that led to dusty conditions at Americas Home Track Eagle Raceway tonight.
All 13 heats and 5 B Features were run without major incident.
The Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stock A Feature was the first of the night. As the field rounded turns 3 & 4 on the first lap Dan Jacksons #98 and the 12 of Dan Noonan spun out in turn 4, bringing out a red flag to reset the lineup. At the end of lap 1 Derick Noonan led in the #21 followed by the 33 of Eric Hanson, RJ Macku in the 1R and the M70 of Rick Munson. On lap 3 Macku got past Hanson as did the 6R of Roy Armstrong and Rob Brown in the 42. 3 laps later Hanson lost his right rear tire as the 22K of Kevin Anderson moved up to 4th. Macku used the restart to grab the point and Armstrong and Anderson followed him with Derick Noonan in fourth. The running order for the top 4 remained unchanged to the checkers.
RJ stated I really only have one thing to say. I just want to thank all the fans for coming out and cheering for all of us every week, and mostly my family and Dad for being here every night to support me . RJs sponsors include Big Johnson Racing Chassis, The Shop, Pillsworth Remodeling, World of Roofs and Wollen Racing Engine.
Nineteen year-old Lacey Tuttles Z00 car led the Monster IMCA Modifieds A Main at the end of the first lap with Justin Jurgens 22J in second and the 11AA of Ed Doc Raines in third. The second lap Raines relinquished third to the 4 of Roger Hadan as Bob Zoubek advanced his 5S to fourth. 2 laps later Zoubek moved up to third with Dan Nelsons 94 coming up to fourth. Shortly after that Lance Borgmans 76, the 3 of Chris Alcorn and Rik Gropps V45 came to a stop in turns 1 & 2. Gropp and Alcorn both went to the pits with flat right front tires and were followed by Hadan with unknown difficulties. That made the running order Tuttle, Jurgens, Zoubek and the 3A of Aaron Pella who had got past Nelson. Nelson got back past Pella on lap 7, but held the position for only 1 lap as Jordan Grabouski passed him the next time around for fourth only to give the position back the same lap. However Grabouski made the pass stick the next lap. Jurgens spun to the infield on lap 10 moving Zoubek to second, Grabouski to third and Nelson in fourth. Grabouski passed Zoubek 2 laps later and took only 1 more circuit to take the lead from Tuttle. With 7 laps left Zoubek and Dylan Smiths 95 spun in turns 3 & 4. The running order then was Grabouski, Tuttle, Nelson and the 96 of Johnny Saathoff. Saathoff used the restart to grab third from Nelson. The final yellow of the race came when Smith spun again in turns 1 & 2. At the conclusion of the race it was Grabouski, Tuttle, Saathoff and Nelson.
I didnt know if Id ever win at Eagle this year. Weve had nothing but bad luck the past month or so, and Ive wrecked 2 cars already this year. It was so good to win 2 nights in a row this week, at both Beatrice and Eagle. We had to pull last years car we ran last week and tonight out of the weeds actually, but maybe that changed our luck Jordan said. I need to thank my car owners Ben and Melissa Novotny because I couldnt do it without them. They and my sponsors make it possible to be out here. Also Darcy Ticnor, Eric and my Dad he finished. Jordans sponsors include Bubba Motorsports and Schmidt Machine.
Next on the track were the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts. Jason Miller took advantage of his front row starting spot to take the lead in the #77, but was put back to the second row for jumping the start. At the end of the first official lap Brandon Thorntons 21T led the race followed by the 55 of Garrett Rech, the 4 of David Tadlock and Miller in fourth. The second circuit saw Larry Cronins #5 roll over twice in turns 3 & 4, bringing out the red flag. 5 laps were in the books when Jack Prall IV moved his #45 past Miller for the 4th spot. With 9 laps left Prall IV got up to third as Rech took over the point. Prall IV moved up to second with 5 to go as Joey Danley advanced his #14 to fourth. Danley got past Thornton for third with 2 laps to go. Rech won the race with Prall IV in second, Danley in third and Thornton in fourth.
It was nice to win twice in a row. We won Butler County last night and then again here tonight. The car ran good, and I was glad just to keep it in one piece; winning was a bonus Rech said. He finished by saying Send out a special thanks to my Mom and Dad, Sarah and my cousin Izzie . Garretts sponsors include Low Budget Customers, Advanced Auto Glass, Pro Drywall, Stratton Trucking and the Davey Tavern.
Doug Lovegroves #44 was put back a row for a faulty start to the Budweiser 360 Sprint A Main. As the field came around for a complete restart Gene Acklunds 14G, the 71 of Tige Jensen and Mike Bostons 51 came to a halt in turn 3. All 3 cars went off the track, with only Bostons mount being pushed to the work area. On the third attempt Jason Danleys 82, Brad Krutzs 91 and the 23 of Terry Holliman spun in turns 1 and 2. The officials decided that a single-file restart would be run this time. As the field came around to take the green flag Boston pulled his sprinter in behind them, since the additional yellow had given his crew time to repair his car. As the field finally completed a lap Gage Dorr led the field in the #17 followed by Lovegrove, Nick Cliffords 99C and the 9J of Mark Schmidt. Jeff Griffis got up to 4th in the #3 on lap 5 as Lovegrove grabbed the lead. Griffis gained another position on the next lap as Krutz moved into 4th. Josh Riggins 4J spun to the infield coming out of turn #4 with 15 laps left. Griffis and Krutz took advantage of the restart to advance into second and third. with Clifford in the fourth spot. Krutz vaulted past Griffis the next lap to grab the second spot. On the following lap Griffis spun in turn 4 and Dorr spun to avoid hitting him. That put Clifford in third and the #6 of Nick Bryan in fourth. On the restart lap Ryan Roberts 18 and Boston both passed Clifford and Bryan to take over 3rd and 4th. With 10 laps left Boston passed Roberts for 3rd and 5 laps later overtook second. Jason Danley moved up to fourth 2 circuits later. The final caution of the evening came out as the last lap was to be completed when a car did a 360 spin. As they had been for several laps Boston and Lovegrove continued to battle for the lead, swapping it a couple of times on the last lap. As they came out of turn #4 Lovegrove grabbed the lead for good, beating Boston by just 15/1000s of a second at the flag.
Doug began the interview by stating Its nice to start up front. Weve been experiencing so many problems this year; the shocks and last week it was the mag . And then tonight the engine starting thumping with 10 laps to go. I had to keep feathering it just to keep it running, and it died altogether coming around on the last restart. Somehow I got it refired and thankfully I hammered it and it took off he continued. When it started missing I changed my entry and exit points to keep the fuel from sloshing around. I knew if it stayed running and I came out extra deep and hard on the last corners I could get back past Mike Doug said. Sometimes its a good thing to be a bottom feeder, because tonight the bottom was the only place with any moisture left he concluded. Dougs sponsors include Kemps Our Family Foods, Quik Dump Refuse, All About Grass, Lovegroves Grocery Stores and the Trackside Bar and Grill.
Next week at Eagle Raceway is Student Breakout Night. Students showing a valid student ID will receive a Buy one, get one free offer at the main ticket booth. Students will also have the opportunity to take a Tour de Track aboard a school bus as it takes them around Eagles high banks.
As usual the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts, the Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks, the Monster IMCA Modifieds and the Budweiser 360 Sprints will be racing.
Remember that advance tickets for reserved seating are now on sale for the July 4th World of Outlaws race by calling or e-mailing the office. Contact information can be found at http://www.eagleraceway.com/?page_id=106
