LANE, NELSON, RECH, AND JENSEN BRING HOME THE WINS
Greg Soukup
(07/20/09)
It was an unseasonably cool afternoon and evening at Americas Home Track Eagle Raceway as regular season points racing continued, sponsored by Jack Daniels.
The Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks were the first A Feature to be run. Chad Fegleys 77F led the field as they reached the flag stand on the first lap. The next three cars in line were the 17J of Danny Lane in second, third place went to Dan Jackson in the 98 with the 71K of Josh Kennell in fourth. The running order remained the same as RJ Macku lost the engine in his #1R and came to a halt in turns 3 & 4 with 8 laps remaining, bringing out a red flag. As the field was being lined up for the restart both Kennell and Fegley headed to the pits, Fegley having suffered a flat tire during the hold-up. That put Lane in first, Jackson second, the 22 of Nick Beckman third and the 2C of Dave Carter fourth. On the restart lap Rob Brown moved his 42 into fourth and Carter hit the wall, eventually dropping out. The yellow flag flew again with 5 to go as Mike Hansens 94 made contact with the 92 of Don Hall Jr. and spun to the infield in turn 4. Beckman managed to get past Jackson on the last lap. Lane held on for the win, Jackson finished third and although Brown got turned sideways coming to the checkers, he still managed to cross the line in fourth. Browns racer rode up onto the wall and both Hall Jr. and the 6R of Roy Armstrong made hard contact with him as they finished the race. Browns car had to be towed to the tech area.
This was only my third night out here this year, and I was so happy to get the win. My last win here was last July I think Lane said. I wasnt sure I was going to be here, because we broke a whole bunch of stuff on the front end last week. I really appreciate Thom Marsh and a lot of other people for helping me rebuild it this week. Also, a big thanks to all of the fans for coming out every week, supporting us and rooting us on he finished. Lanes sponsors include Caseys Auto Body and Detailing, Speedy Steves High Performance, Slechta Drywall, werungame.com, Atheys Painting and Huskers Poker.
The Monster Energy Drink IMCA Modifieds then rolled onto the track. Justin Wulfs 86 spun into the pit entrance on the first lap, causing a complete restart. The 11AA of Ed Doc Raines went into the pits to have a flat tire changed. As the field completed a lap Phil Penneys 21 was in the lead, followed by Jan Korth in the 42K, Dan Nelsons 94 and the Z00 of Lacey Tuttle. Nelson moved up to second before they came back to the flag stand, but Justin Jurgens 22J stopped in turn 2 with a flat right front tire. Again Nelson advanced into second on the restart and the next lap Jordan Grabouski vaulted all the way up into third. Nelson grabbed the point on the net lap as Johnny Saathoff came up to fourth after transferring from the B Feature. Saathoff moved to third and Grabouski to second the next time around. George Haney spun his #12X out in turn two shortly after that, causing the yellow flag to be displayed. Grabouski went very high in turns 3 & 4 on the restart lap, allowing Saathoff to move up a spot to second. Dylan Smith snared the fourth position in his #95 with 7 laps to go. As the leaders encountered lapped traffic with 5 left Nelson still held the lead, Saathoff was second, Grabouski was third with Smith in fourth. Despite numerous attempts by Saathoff, Grabouski and Smith the top four remained unchanged to the finish line.
Nelson stated Ive been so close lately. And with the competition at a heck of a level here every week its tough. But it finally paid off; you just have to keep trying . Nelsons sponsors include BMS Mods, Trauernicht Drywall and Nebraska Machine & Tool.
The first lap of the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compact A Main saw Joey Danleys #14 roll in turns 3 & 4. His racer was pushed to the pits as the remaining cars lined up for a complete restart. The second attempt at a green flag lap was halted when Larry Cronins #5 spun on the backstretch. The racers fell into two rows as the restart finally held. The 16T of Tyler Saathoff held the point at the conclusion of the first lap with Mary Lenzs 17 in second, Maynard Kinnersleys 18 third and Garrett Rech holding fourth in the 55. Trevor Noonans #66 lost the right front tire and he came to a stop at the top of turns 3 & 4, eventually causing a red flag after the leaders finished the first circuit. Rech moved into third on the second official lap and then into second the next time around. Jack Prall III moved into fourth on lap 5 and then with 8 to go into third. Rech took the lead from Saathoff with 7 laps left as Saathoff began to fall back. The last caution of the race came with 2 to go as a piece of debris had to be picked up from turn 3. During the stoppage Saathoff retired to the pits with a flat right front tire. Prall III, Lenz and the 21T of Brandon Thornton finished behind Rech who garnered his second win of the season at Eagle Raceway and fifth overall on the year.
Rech was his usual quiet self when his only comment was It was a good clean race . Rechs sponsors include Advanced Auto Glass, Pro Drywall, Davey Tavern, Chrome Envy and Low Budget Customs.
The finale of the nights racing was the Budweiser 360 Sprint A Feature. A bad start to the race saw the 9J of Mark Schmidt make contact with Bill Garrows 3G in turn 1 of the first lap, sending Garrow hard into the rail in turn 2. Roger Slukas X29 could not avoid Garrow and slid into him. Both cars were taken to the pits. The 21 of Ryan Kitchen was sent back 1 row as the racers tried again. Doug Lovegrove led the first complete lap in the 44 as Adam Gullions 96KX, the 23 of Terry Holliman and Kitchen fell in behind him. Gullion got around Lovegrove on lap 2. The 28 of Ken Klabunde came to a rest against one of the infield tires on lap 4 after spinning. Holliman got past Lovegrove on the fourth circuit and the next time around Trevor Grossenbacher grabbed fourth in his 35AB. Grossenbachers night came to an end on lap 7 as he hooked a rut in turn 1 and flipped, coming to a rest on his wheels in turn 2. Mike Bostons 88 also received damage after contact with the 99C of Nick Clifford. Both Boston and Clifford headed to the pits with only Clifford being able to make repairs and return to the track after the red was turned off. As racing resumed Gullion was leading followed by Holliman, Lovegrove and Kitchen.Tige Jensen had found something on the bottom groove of the track in his #71 and was advancing quickly down there, jumping into third with 13 laps left with the 4J of Josh Riggins following him into the fourth spot as Lovegrove pulled to the infield. Holliman moved around Gullion on the next lap. With 3 more laps completed Jensen also passed Gullion, but the 17 of Gage Dorr stopped in turns 3 & 4. That made the running order Holliman, Gullion, Jensen and Riggins. On the restart lap John Klabunde passed Riggins for fourth. With 8 to go Jensen continued running the bottom of the track and moved under Holliman for the lead. From there to the checkers it was a battle of 2 different grooves. Jensen hugging the bottom and Holliman continuing to try and make the cushion work to his advantage. Jensen maintained his lead for the win with Holliman, Gullion and Riggins rounding out the top four after Riggins overtook Klabunde at the end.
Jensen was beaming as he started the interview by saying Ive been waiting SO long to have you interview me for my first win . Prior to tonight, Jensens highest finish was second place, which he managed 4 times since he started racing in 2002. He continued by stating Im so glad that we put this new car together after totaling our other one when the World of Outlaws was here two weeks ago. It was a bare frame Monday in fact . When asked about advancing so well in the bottom groove, Jensen related We planned on running the top, and set up for that. But, I tried the bottom and it was so good I just stayed there. It was a good thing that I ran so well there, because I lost my brakes after that last red . He concluded the interview by saying A big thanks to my car owners; Brian Bailey, and Gary and Adam Grossenbacher and to Richards Machine for the great horsepower . Tiges other sponsors include Horizon Bank, Accent Landscapes, Knight Plumbing and JB Lawn & Sod.
Next week at Eagle Raceway is the annual Kids Night , presented by McDonalds. Children are invited to register for the huge bike giveaway, sponsored by the Bryan Racing Team. Registration for the giveaway will be right inside the main gate. Last year a record 350 bicycles were handed out. Pit gates open at 4 oclock and the front gate swings open at 5:30 with racing at 7. Our regular show will be run featuring the Budweiser 360 sprints, Monster IMCA Modifieds, Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks and Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts.
Saturday August 1st will be another Fan Appreciation Night featuring $5 front gate admission. There will be kids bike races during intermission and Happy D. Klown will be at the track too.
