MACKU, BORGMAN, VRBKA, AND BOSTON TAKE HOME WINS AT EAGLE
Greg Soukup
(08/27/09)
Clear skies, a slight breeze and nearly perfect temperatures set the stage for fantastic racing Saturday night during McDonalds Junior Fan Club Night at Americas Home Track Eagle Raceway. All heat and B Features were run without major problems.
As the Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks came to the flag stand at the end of their first A Main lap Joe Schidlers 00 was at the point with Joe Ryans 32, the 77D of Keith Dragoo and Don Kros 53 in hot pursuit. Rob Brown moved his #42 into 4th on the second lap and went to the pits after a caution for debris on lap 3. He returned to the track after repairs. RJ Macku vaulted all the way into the 3rd spot in the 1R on the restart and then advanced around Ryan the next lap. It took him only a couple more laps to grab the lead. The top 4 positions remained unchanged until Dragoo overtook Ryan for third with 8 to go. Kevin Anderson brought his #22K up to 4th with 7 to go. Kevin wasnt stopping there however as he moved to third the next lap and then 2 laps later took over 2nd. Roy Armstrong also made the top 4 when he moved his #6R to fourth with just 3 laps remaining. The first four finishing spots were Macku, Anderson, Dragoo and Armstrong.
I managed to win at Beatrice last night and then here tonight to sweep the weekend. Im really happy to be back in Victory Lane at Eagle after a long dry spell and a lot of bad luck RJ said. I need to send out a big thanks to my car builder Brandon Johnson for the great car he stated. RJs sponsors include The Shop Inc., B & B Lawn Service, World of Roofs, Fegley Racing Engines and Pillsworth Remodeling.
The Monster Energy Drink IMCA Modifieds came out next for their A Feature. Jerry Trejos 4t was in the lead on lap #1 followed by Doug Deterdings 13, the 76 of Lance Borgman and George Haneys 12X in hot pursuit. Matt Richards moved his #1R past Haney on the 2nd lap. Trejo got loose on lap 3 allowing Borgman to grab the lead and Deterding to take 2nd with Trejo falling back to third. Richards and the 94 of Dan Nelson both moved around Trejo the next time around. Stacey Wilhelm slowed and moved to the very top of the track on lap 5 before losing a wheel & tire in turn 4 and being towed to the pits. Richards and Nelson pulled another double pass as they both got around Deterding with 8 down. The next lap saw the yellow flag displayed for debris on the track and Dylan Smiths #95 was black flagged and sent to the pits for a broken tie rod after having run in the 5th spot for several laps. Bob Zoubek took the 5S under Deterding for fourth on the restart lap and then he also passed Nelson the next lap when the 94 got loose. Zoubek jumped all the way to 2nd with 9 to go and Nelson followed him into 3rd on the next lap. As the checkered flag flew it was Borgman, Zoubek, Nelson and Richards.
It was great to finally get my first win here at Eagle. This is one of the best places in this part of the country to win at with the great competition here every week. Heck, just making the A is an accomplishment Borgman said. He conclude by stating I want to thank my family especially my dad, Lawrence and everyone else who helps out all the time with the car . Lances sponsors include Belleville Motorsports, Coordsen Farms, Penner Insurance, RMF, Fletchers Decorating and Classic Auto.
Next up were the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts. Melissa Cronins 5M was the early leader and she had her husband Larrys #5, the 7V of Adam Vrbka and the 47 of Scott Lee running close behind her. Lap #2 saw the yellow fly for debris in turn 4. Melissa got extremely sideways on the restart as she entered turn 4. The ensuing melee resulted in the 97 of John Irvine losing a tire and suffering a broken radiator. Melissa also went to the pits after nearly losing her rear bumper. At that time the running order was Larry Cronin, Vrbka, Lee and the 95C of Bob Cigelman. Amanda Rhiley brought her #51 up to fourth with 13 to go. Vrbka and Lee both passed Larry Cronin with 8 laps left and 2 laps later Rhiley also got around Larry for third. 2 more laps were in the books when Larry slowed and headed to the pits, allowing the 21T of Brandon Thornton to grab fourth. Rhiley took 2nd with three to go as Lee slowed. Garrett Rech and Joey Danley took advantage by coming up to third and fourth respectively. The top four finishers were Vrbka, Rhiley, Rech and Danley.
Vrbka stated This was my second win this year, but I felt that I was due. Its been a long time since week 3 out here and weve been having plenty of problems . Adams sponsors include Eagle Automotive, Big Dans Auto Body & Paint and Low Budget Customs.
The final race of the night was for the Budweiser 360 Sprint cars. Trevor Grossenbachers 35AB slowed to a stop on the backstretch on lap 1, bringing about a complete restart. Roger Slukas 29 and the 9J of Mark Schmidt were both moved back 1 row on the restart for a faulty first start. Bobby Becker took advantage of being moved to the front row as his 8B led the first lap. Behind him were Gage Dorrs 17, Tige Jensens 71 and Sluka. 2-time defending points champion Mike Boston had taken little time bringing his #88 to fourth, taking the spot from Sluka on the 2nd lap. The caution lights came on the next lap as the 99C of Nick Clifford and Schmidt got together with both cars heading to the pits. Jensen used the restart lap to pass Dorr. Lap #5 saw Boston jumping around both Dorr and Jensen for position #2 and then taking the point on the next circuit. Becker and Jensen swapped positions 3 times on lap 9 with Jensen taking the position. Jensen pulled his racer to the infield with 14 to go. Jensen had been fighting a leaking oil fitting in both hot laps and his heat and was flying high wide & handsome around the top of the track in the feature, but this time a faulty oil pan gasket resulted in him losing his motor. Josh Riggins inherited the fourth spot after Jensen dropped out. Dorr attempted to pull into the infield with 10 to go, but failed to clear the racing surface causing the yellow to come out. Terry Hollimans #23 took fourth thanks to Dorrs misfortune. On the restart Becker slowed in 3 and 4, allowing Riggins to take over 2nd. That brought about a fierce battle between Becker and Holliman for the next few laps before Holliman spun out in turn 4. John Klabunde was the beneficiary as he grabbed fourth. On the restart Adam Gullions 96KX began to bounce through turn 1 and eventually flipped in turn 2. Klabunde moved up to the 3rd spot with four to go for the last position change in the top 4. The finish showed a top 4 of Boston, Riggins, Klabunde and Becker. After taking the checkered flag Boston got up into the marbles at the top of the track and made hard contact in turn 1 before flipping his racer.
Im speechless right now Boston stated. Hopefully Rick & Michelle will still put up with me for crashing the car tonight he said. Bostons car owner are Rick and Michelle Bowers. Mikes sponsors include Trackside Bar and Grill, E & K Drywall and Eckley Racing Engines.
Next week is Eagle Raceways Season Finale presented by Jack Daniels and lots of the top point positions in all classes are still up for grabs. The Budweiser 360 Sprints, Monster IMCA Modifieds, Valentinos IMCA Hobby Stocks and Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts will all be in action. There will be a banner contest for both the adults and the kids with winners in the Best Appearing, Most Artistic, Fan Favorite and Most Creative categories. Pit gates open at 4:00, front gates open at 5:30 and racing will start at 7:00.
The next weekend will be the Eagle Shootout on Sunday September 6th. NASCAR driver Ken Schrader will not only be racing with his modified, but will be signing autographs before and after the races. The pits will be open from 4 oclock to 5:30 to allow the early arriving fans to get autographs and Ken will also be available after the racing is completed. There will be live music before and after the races featuring Booby Trap . We want everyone to come out and participate in an attempt to set the record for most whoopie cushions sat on at 1 time. The first 8500 fans will receive a free whoopie cushion to use in the attempt.
The following Saturday the 12th is The Nebraska Cup sponsored by Budweiser and Auto Trans Matic. ASCS 360 sprints will vie for the $5000 prize to win the A Feature and non-sanctioned Modifieds will be trying to take home the $1000 top prize in their class. The support class for the evening will be the Auto Trans Matic IMCA Sport Compacts. There will be a free car show for the fans from 3:30 until 5 in the pits. Pit gates open at 2:00 with front gates swinging open at 5. Racing will get under way at 7 oclock. Come out and see if our local racers can defend their home turf against invaders from around the country.
