Andersen, Leiting, Richards, Krichau, & Bowes are Victorious Mother’s Day Weekend
Story by Greg Soukup
Photos by Joe Orth
138 teams pulled into the pits for Moms Rock! Night, presented by Pepsi Saturday evening at Eagle Raceway. It was cloudy and breezy, but that didn’t matter to the fans or racers. There was great racing and plenty of action throughout the night.
No major incidents happened during the heats and B features.
Shelly Andersen looped her 5S in front of the field going into turn 4 on lap 1 of the NAPA IMCA Sport Modified A Feature, causing a huge pile-up behind her. After a complete restart Mark Leiting had jumped the 20M into the lead with Gary Saathoff’s 96, the 99RE of Arie Schouten and Adam Armstrong’s 6A rounding out the top 4. Robert Draper’s #62 spun in turns 3 & 4 on lap 2 for another caution. Armstrong moved up to third on lap 5. Draper again spun out in turn 4 with 6 to go for the final yellow flag of the race. Joe Schidler passed Schouten on the final lap to put the K00 into fourth. The final top 4 were Leiting, Saathoff, Armstrong and Schidler.
This was Leiting’s second win in a row this season at Eagle Raceway. “I got lucky and missed the wreck in turn 4 at the start. I had committed to the high side, and luckily there was enough room to get by. I just protected the bottom from then on, and held on. Thanks to Roger for giving us a smooth track to run on” he related. Leiting’s sponsors include MPI Custom Homes, Traditions Pub, KVC Foster Care, Ben Bleicher Home Realty, Roca Tavern, K2L Grahics, Goldfuss Racing and Fabrication, Williams Welding, Terry’s Electric, People’s Mortgage, Big Johnson Race Cars, Home and Farm Insurance, Hill’s Pest Control and Midtown Plumbing.
The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks came out next. Luke Nicholson’s 55N, the 62 of Justin Busboom, Cody Leifeld in the 24X and Tim LaPointe’s 18 led the pack after lap 1. Leifeld moved past Busboom on lap 2 for second and Dave Carter put the 2C into fourth. Nicholson spun on lap 6 on the front stretch, causing a huge back-up. When the cars started moving again, Damon Richards in the 67 was out front, Leifeld was second, Tyler Saathoff in the 16T was third and Busboom was fourth. Jeff Watts moved to fourth with 11 to go in his #66. Busboom jumped to second shortly after that. 9 laps were left when Leifeld spun out on the back stretch. 2 laps after the restart Saathoff moved up to second. There was a final caution with 7 remaining for debris. Carter again moved to fourth on the restart. Busboom slowed on the last lap, falling back to ninth. That made the final top 4 Richards, Saathoff, Carter and the 6R of Roy Armstrong.
The win was Richards’ first Eagle Raceway A Feature victory. “To be honest, I felt dumb running the bottom because I’m used to the top. I started fourth row inside, and they were running from the top to the bottom. The best place for me was the bottom, so I stuck with it” stated Richards. Richards’ sponsors are Charger Chassis and Demon Decals.
Next were the Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds. Chad Andersen’s 8c, the 8A of Dustin Andersen, Jeff Schroyer in the 007 and Johnny Saathoff’s 96J were the top 4 after the first circuit. The second lap saw Tim Pickens spin the 00 out on the back stretch. Dustin Andersen passed Chad Andersen on lap 10 as Justin Wulf put the 86 up into third. Chad Andersen got the lead back with 8 to go. 2 laps later Anthony Roth moved the 60IV into fourth, then passed Wulf 2 laps later for third. Wulf spun to the infield with 3 to go. At the finish it was Chad Andersen, Dustin Andersen, Roth and Hiatt the top 4.
Chad said “I haven’t had that much fun racing in a long, long time! Dustin and I don’t get to start on the front row together very often. It was awesome racing with him like that. When he passed me I knew that whoever got out front and got to the top first was going to get the win. I want to thank Jeff, Larry, Pat and Rob for all of their help”. Chad’s sponsors include Runner Freight, Flat Foot Trucking, Lawnsmith and Company; Goldfuss Racing and Fabrication, K2L Graphics, and Candy Wrappers.
RJ Maas was first back to the flag stand on lap 1 of the Mountain Dew Kick Start IMCA Sport Compact A Main. Following the 88K in the top 4 were the 69 of Fred Johnson, Melissa Cronin’s 5M and the 10J of Jeremy Bohlen. Bohlen moved past Cronin on lap 2. Cole Krichau cracked the top 4 on lap 6 when he moved the 30K past Cronin before getting around Bohlen for third while Spencer Pavey III also passed Cronin, putting the 32 into fourth. Krichau moved up to third the next lap. Pavey also got into third with 6 laps left. The next circuit saw Kyle Owen put the 3B into fourth. The final change in the top 4 came with 3 to go when Krichau passed Maas to take the lead. The first four were Krichau, Maas, Pavey III and Owen.
This victory was Krichau’s first ever at Eagle Raceway. “I didn’t think I could get the win, but I did it. I want to thank Larry’s Auto Recycling and Moonlight Ranch for sponsoring us and giving us a place to stay. Also to Larry and Melissa Cronin for letting me race for them. Also, to Erica for getting me into racing in the first place” said Krichau.
The first lap of the Racesaver IMCA Sprint Car A saw the pack backed up in turns 3 & 4. Trevor Grossenbacher’s 35 went flipping, destroying the car after contact with the 4X of Jason Danley. Brandon Horton and Doug Lovegrove were also involved and went to the pits. When a lap was officially in the books Boyd Peterson’s 57B, the 93 of Ryan King, Joey Danley in the 14 and the 73 of Lee Bowes led the field. King grabbed the lead on lap 2 and Danley also passed Peterson to move to second. Jason Danley spun in turn 1 the next time around. Joey Danley got the lead on the restart, but the yellow lights were lit when Peterson did a 360 degree spin and went to the infield. That moved Bowes to third and the 5 of Ron Love into fourth. On the restart it was Shayle Bade’s turn to do a 360 spin and send the 03 to the infield. Bowes took second on the restart. Peterson again did a 360 degree spin the next lap and the yellow flag flew again as Peterson was disqualified for two unassisted yellows. King again took over the second spot on the restart as Tyler Drueke moved into fourth in the #12 before taking third on lap 7. Drueke advanced to second with 14 laps left. Bowes passed King with 6 to go. Drueke got past Danley with 2 laps remaining to take the lead. The first four to the checkers were Drueke, Danley, Bowes and Love. However, after lengthy teching both Drueke and Danley were disqualified for their engines being over the maximum valve lift limit. That gave the win to Bowes with Love, King and Matt Richards rounding out the top 4.
This was the first ever sprint car victory for Bowes, who stated “That’s not the way that we wanted to get a win, but I’ll take it. It’s great to get a win in my 5th year of sprint car racing, after being away from racing of any kind for 25 years. This was a long time coming, and I’m just thrilled to get my first. I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to my mother Donna and my wife Michelle. A big thank you to my Dad, Jay Bogue and Jeff Printz for sticking around all of those long nights. I don’t have any sponsors this year, because I wasn’t sure how much I was going to be able to race”.
Next week Kaplan University, Colby Ridge and Froggy 98 present Junior Fan Club Night. Sam’s Club will sponsor a kid’s candy dash at intermission. Front gates open at 5:15 and admission prices are $10 for adults, youths 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free. Pit gates open at 4:00 and pit admission is $25. Hot laps start at 5:30 and racing kicks off at 6:30. The Racesaver IMCA Sprints, Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks and Mountain Dew Kick Start IMCA Sport Compacts will all be in action.
RESULTS:
IMCA Hobby Stock 4/24/2016 A Feature:
- Damon Richards (David City, NE), 2. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 3. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 4. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Jeff Watts (Beatrice, NE), 6. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 7. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 8. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 9. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 10. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 11. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 12. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 13. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 14. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 15. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 16. Shane Wurtele (Nebraska City, NE), 17. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 18. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 19. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 20. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE) B Feature: 1. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 2. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 3. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 4. Shane Wurtele (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 6. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE), 7. Mariah Bade (Lincoln, NE), 8. Brint Lemke (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 2. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 3. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 4. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 5. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 7. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE) Heat 2: 1. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 2. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 3. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 4. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 5. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mariah Bade (Lincoln, NE), 7. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 8. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Damon Richards (David City, NE), 2. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 3. Jeff Watts (Beatrice, NE), 4. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 5. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 6. Shane Wurtele (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Brint Lemke (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA Modified 4/24/2016
A Feature: 1. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 3. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 4. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 5. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 6. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 7. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 8. Jeff Schroyer (Elkhorn, NE), 9. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 10. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 11. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 12. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 13. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE), 14. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 15. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 16. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 17. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 18. Ashley Schaaf (Lincoln, NE), 19. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 20. Tim Pickens (Bellevue, NE) B Feature: 1. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 2. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 3. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 4. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 5. Ashley Schaaf (Lincoln, NE), 6. Michael Howe (Omaha, NE), 7. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 8. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE) Heat 1: 1. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 3. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 4. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE), 5. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 7. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 3. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 4. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tim Pickens (Bellevue, NE), 6. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 7. Ashley Schaaf (Lincoln, NE), 8. Michael Howe (Omaha, NE) Heat 3: 1. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 2. Jeff Schroyer (Elkhorn, NE), 3. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 4. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 7. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE)
IMCA Sport Compact 4/24/2016
A Feature: 1. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 2. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 3. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 4. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 6. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 7. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE), 8. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 9. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 10. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 11. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 12. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 13. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 14. Tommy Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 15. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 16. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 17. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 18. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 19. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 20. Jeremy Bohlen (Percival, IA) B Feature: 1. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 2. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 3. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 4. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE), 6. Nick Morris, 7. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 8. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 10. Jeremey Byfield (Auburn, NE), 11. Jordan Masek (Valparaiso, NE), 12. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 13. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 14. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE), 15. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 16. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE), 17. Kyle Grobeck (Omaha, NE), 18. Jacobi Evans (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 2. Jeremy Bohlen (Percival, IA), 3. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 4. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 5. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 6. Jeremey Byfield (Auburn, NE), 7. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 8. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Jacobi Evans (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 2. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 4. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 6. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jordan Masek (Valparaiso, NE), 8. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 9. Nick Morris Heat 3: 1. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 3. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE), 5. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 6. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 7. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE) Heat 4: 1. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 3. Tommy Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 4. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 5. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 6. Kyle Grobeck (Omaha, NE), 7. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE)
IMCA SportMod 4/24/2016
A Feature: 1. Mark Leiting (Lincoln, NE), 2. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 3. Adam Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 4. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 5. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 6. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 7. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 8. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 9. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 10. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 11. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 12. Mike Scheinost (Ceresco, NE), 13. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE), 14. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 15. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 16. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 17. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 18. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 19. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 20. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE) B Feature: 1. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 2. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 3. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 4. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 6. Travis Patterson (Lincoln, NE), 7. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE), 8. Braydon Latture (Omaha, NE), 9. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 10. TJ Wallingford (Bellwood, NE), 11. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 12. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 13. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE), 14. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Mark Leiting (Lincoln, NE), 2. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 3. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 4. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 5. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE), 6. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 7. TJ Wallingford (Bellwood, NE), 8. Braydon Latture (Omaha, NE), 9. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 10. Travis Patterson (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 2. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 3. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 4. Ken Eckhoff (Hooper, NE), 5. Mike Scheinost (Ceresco, NE), 6. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 8. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 9. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 10. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 2. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 3. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Adam Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 6. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 7. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 8. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE), 9. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE)
IMCA Sprint 4/24/2016
A Feature: 1. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 2. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 3. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 4. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 5. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 6. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 7. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 8. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 9. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 10. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 11. Jason Danley (Lincoln, NE), 12. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE), 13. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 14. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 15. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 16. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 17. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 18. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 19. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 20. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 2. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 3. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 4. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 5. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 6. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 9. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 10. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE), 11. Rick Hansen (Norfolk, NE), 12. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 13. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 14. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE) Heat 1: 1. Jason Danley (Lincoln, NE), 2. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 3. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 4. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 5. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 6. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 7. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 8. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 9. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE), 10. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 2. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 3. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 4. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 5. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 6. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 7. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 9. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 10. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE), 3. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 4. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 5. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 6. Rick Hansen (Norfolk, NE), 7. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 8. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 9. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE)
