Anderson, Albracht, Dover, Krichau, & Gropp conquer Freedom Fest

Anderson, Albracht, Dover, Krichau, & Gropp conquer Freedom Fest

By Greg Soukup

The pits were full with 140 teams, the stands were jammed with fans, and the weather was perfect. The rains of the last 2 Saturdays were forgotten as Freedom Fest, presented by Coors Light was held Saturday at Eagle Raceway.

There were 3 major incidents in the preliminary action, all occurring in the Racesaver IMCA Sprint cars.

In the first heat, the 8G of Jimmy Grasso spun in front of the field at the start and ended up rolling over, landing on its wheels. In heat 2, Adam Gullion’s #91 bicycled in turns 3 and 4 and went flying up and over the Armco, coming to rest against the catch fence at the exit to turn 4. In the B Feature, Jason Becker’s 17B flipped in turn 1. None of the 3 drivers suffered serious injuries, and only Becker was unable to make repairs in time to continue.

Shelly Andersen led the NAPA IMCA Sport Modified A in her 5S with the 27 of Anthony Kobus, the 44D of Derek Hall and Mary Lenz in the 17 rounding out the top 4. Arie Schouten passed Lenz on lap 2 to put the 99RE into fourth, before taking third the next time around. Jason Harms took over fourth as the 6R got past Hall. The only caution of the race came with 10 laps in the books when Joe Schidler spun the K00 in turn 1, then headed to the pits. Lap 11 saw Harms take third from Schouten. Harms moved to second with 6 to go and Trent Roth put the 14T into fourth. The top 4 were Andersen, Harms, Kobus and Roth.

This is Andersen’s first season back in the car after taking 2 years off to give birth to her daughter Lexi. “The car felt really good tonight. Roger Sluka and Bruce Hascall do wonders with it. My cousin Jessie passed away Tuesday, and I talked to my aunt on the way out to the races tonight. This win is dedicated to Jessie and my family. I want to thank Ed Sluka, my dad Jim Sasse and all of my angels who were watching over me tonight” said Andersen. Andersen’s sponsors include VFW Post 10648, Farm Bureau Financial Services-Chad Christensen, Pressure’s On Mobil Wash, Security First Bank, Neil Zank, Sluka Farms, Max Muscle Metro, Carol Hascall Hanes, Signed by Charlie, Nancy Ruby Photographer, Brinkman Fabrication and Repair.

Rick Bradley’s 28B, the 38C of Casey Moyer, Allyn Shively in the 01 and Luke Nicholson’s 55N led the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Lap 2 saw Travis

Albracht’s 38A jump up into the third spot and Roy Armstrong took over fourth in the 6R. Albracht grabbed the lead on lap 7. The next lap saw Damon Richards grab fourth in his #67. 2 laps later Richards moved to third as Bradley retook fourth. Armstrong moved back into fourth with 7 to go and then vaulted up to second the next time around but Travis Albracht’s 37A and Richards’ got together and the caution lights were lit. That made the top 4 Travis Albracht, Armstrong, Bradley and Justin Busboom in the 62. The final change in the top 4 came with 2 to go as Busboom moved up to third.

This was Albracht’s first Eagle Raceway victory. “Tonight felt different. I knew I was sitting good, but I saw Roy down under me a couple of times. I’d seen that probably 100 times before. I did what I had to do to make sure this time was different. I want to thank Emily, my mom and dad and all of the others who help me out; Tyler, Abby, Steph, Trevor, Rachelle and Doyle” said Albracht. Albracht’s sponsors include Slezak Brothers, Big Daddy Race Cars, Pinnacle Bank, Nelson Transportation, IES Electric and London Storage.

Next up was the Kaplan University IMCA Modified A Feature. Aaron Pella in the 3A, Trevor Baker’s 25!, Rik Gropp in the V45 and Roger “Chevy” Hadan’s #4 were the first four back to the flag stand on lap 1. Baker passed Pella on lap 2. Gropp also got past Pella on lap 3, but Doug Deterding hit the wall in turns 3 & 4 to slow the action. Pella retook the lead on lap 4 and Gropp moved the second the following circuit. Lap 7 saw Baker move back to the point and Hadan grab third. 2 more laps were in the books when Hadan moved to second. The next lap saw Bob Zoubek crack the top 4 in his 33Z and then move to third the next lap. The yellow lights were lit again with 8 to go as Justin Wulf’s 86 stopped on the back stretch. Hadan grabbed the lead on the restart with Gropp jumping to second and Baker holding onto third. With 3 to go Gropp passed Hadan to take the lead and Shane Hiatt moved to fourth in the closing laps. At the finish it was Gropp, Hadan, Zoubek and Hiatt.

This was Gropp’s first victory since he took home the trophy in the 2008 Icebreaker Challenge. Gropp stated “When that last caution came out, I moved to the bottom and got going pretty good. Then I moved up about ½ car and moved to the lead. I want to thank all of the fans who come out every week, and especially all of the kids who come and sign the car every week. Also my pit crew

TJ, Pat, Doug, Little Jeff and Tuna. My special thanks goes to my car owner Keith Klein and his company Vermeer for staying with me for 33 years. Also, my wife of 36 years who puts up with my racing”.

The Mountain Dew Kick Start IMCA Sport Compact A saw Amana Rhiley lead lap 1 in her #51 with the 5H of Shawn Hein, Michelle Nicholson in the 88 and the 88K of RJ Maas close on her rear bumper. Maas moved to third on lap 2 but slowed dramatically on the next lap, putting the 18R of Tom Powell third and Cole Krichau in the 30K fourth. Steven Rol’s #33 went barrel-rolling in turn 4 on lap 6 after contact with Fred Johnson’s 69. Rol was not seriously injured. Krichau moved to third with 6 to go, and Scott Spellmeier put the 88S into fourth the next lap. 1 more lap was in the books when Rhiley slowed and went to the pits. That made the top 4 Hein, Krichau, Powell and Spellmeier. Krichau took the lead the next lap. Hein slowed on the last lap, making the top 4 Krichau, Powell, Spellmeier and the 24R of Dillon Richards.

Krichau’s victory came from the 11th starting position. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to the lead, but I just was in the right spot at the right time” said Krichau. Krichau’s sponsors include Moonlight Ranch and Larry’s Auto Salvage.

Ryan King’s #93, the 03 of Shayle Bade, Shon Pointer in the 20P and Boyd Peterson’s 57B led the Racesaver IMCA Sprint Car A Feature. Gene Ackland passed Peterson on lap 2 to put the 14G into fourth. Pointer took second the next lap and lap 4 saw the yellow flag fly for debris in turn 3. Toby Chapman put the 7KX into fourth on the restart, but Ackland got back to fourth the next lap and took over third the following circuit. Joey Danley’s #14 got sideways in turn3 on lap 10 and the caution lights were lit again. Jack Dover used the restart to put the 84 into third. Peterson looped in turn four however, putting Dover back to fourth. Dover got back into third on the restart. With 8 to go Pointer got past King to take the lead as Dover moved to second. The next time around Dover took over the lead, moving Pointer to second. At the checkers, the first four were Dover, Pointer, King and Ackland. However; in post-race tech inspection Pointer’s wing was found to be too far forward, resulting in him being disqualified. The official top four were Dover, King, Ackland and the 5X of Jason Martin.

Dover made a fantastic run, having come through the B Feature and moving from his 16th starting spot to 6 by the first caution flag. Dover’s only previous Racesaver

IMCA Sprint Car victory came 2 years previous when he took home the crown for the Sprint Nationals. Dover said “I have to thank Chris Roseland for letting me drive his car and giving me a great piece tonight, and Steve for helping me get the car ready. It was really good tonight, and it feels so good to get a win after all of the bad luck we’ve been having”. Dover’s sponsors include Backlund Plumbing and Omaha WinWater Company.

Next Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night at Eagle Raceway. Front gate tickets for all fans 6 years old and up are just $5, with children 5 and under free. Front gates open at 5:15 with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:30.

Pit gates open at 4 P.M. with pit passes costing $25.

RESULTS:

IMCA Hobby Stock 07/09/2016 A Feature: 1. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 4. Rick Bradley (Council Bluffs, IA), 5. Jeff Watts (Beatrice, NE), 6. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 7. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 9. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 10. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 11. Allyn Shiveley (Lincoln, NE), 12. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 13. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 14. Mariah Bade (Lincoln, NE), 15. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 16. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 17. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 18. Damon Richards (David City, NE), 19. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 20. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), B Feature: 1. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 2. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 3. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 4. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Mariah Bade (Lincoln, NE), 6. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jesse Jewell (Ithaca, NE), 8. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 2. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 3. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 4. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 5. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 6. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 7. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 8. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Allyn Shiveley (Lincoln, NE), 2. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 3. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 4. Damon Richards (David City, NE), 5. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mariah Bade (Lincoln, NE), 7. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jesse Jewell (Ithaca, NE) Heat 3: 1. Rick Bradley (Council Bluffs, IA), 2. Jeff Watts (Beatrice, NE), 3. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 4. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 5. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 6. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 7. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE) IMCA

Modified 07/09/2016 A Feature: 1. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 2. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 3. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 4. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 5. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 6. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 7. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 8. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 9. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 10. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 11. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 12. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 13. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 14. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 15. Tim Pickens (Bellevue, NE), 16. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 17. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 18. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 19. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 20. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 2. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 3. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 4. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 6. Andrew Hille (Hickman, NE), 7. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 8. Peter Shoup (Lincoln, NE), 9. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE) Heat 1: 1. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 2. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 3. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 4. Tim Pickens (Bellevue, NE), 5. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 6. Andrew Hille (Hickman, NE), 7. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 8. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE) Heat 2: 1. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 2. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 3. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 4. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 6. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 7. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 8. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), Heat 3: 1. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 2. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 3. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 4. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 5. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Philip Loseke (Milford, NE), 7. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 8. Peter Shoup (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sport Compact 07/09/2016 A Feature: 1. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 3. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 4. Dillon Richards (Dewitt, ne), 5. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 6. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE), 7. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 8. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 9. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 10. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 11. Ryan Smith (Beatrice, NE), 12. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 13. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 14. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 15. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 16. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 17. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 18. Tommy Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 19. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 20. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 2. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 3. Tommy Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 4. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Lindsey Theisen (Omaha, NE), 6. Kyle Grobeck (Omaha, NE), 7. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 8. Josh Black (Beatrice, NE), 9. Steffen Oaks (Lincoln, NE), 10. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE), 11. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 12. Joshua Young, 13. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 14. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 15. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 16. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 17. Justin Brown (Beatrice, NE), 18. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE), 19. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 2. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE), 3. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 4. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Kyle Grobeck (Omaha, NE), 6. Lindsey Theisen (Omaha, NE), 7. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 8. Josh Black (Beatrice, NE), 9. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 2. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 3. Dillon Richards (Dewitt, ne), 4. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tommy Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 6. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 7. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 8. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 3. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 4. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 5. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 6. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE), 7. Joshua Young, 8. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE) Heat 4: 1. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 2. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 3. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 4. Ryan Smith (Beatrice, NE), 5. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 6. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 7. Steffen Oaks (Lincoln, NE), 8. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 9. Justin Brown (Beatrice, NE)

IMCA SportMod 07/09/2016 A Feature: 1. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 2. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 3. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 4. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 5. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 6. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 7. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 8. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 9. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 10. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 11. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 12. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 13. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 14. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 15. Trevor Noonan (Dorchester, NE), 16. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 17. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 18. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 19. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 20. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 2. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 3. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 4. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 5. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE), 6. Justin Beemer (Waterloo, NE), 7. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 9. Lance Todd (Lincoln, NE), 10. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 11. Troy Sanford (Lincoln, NE), 12. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 13. Logan Thomsen (Lincoln, NE), 14. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, IA), 15. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 2. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 3. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 5. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 6. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE), 7. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE) Heat 2: 1. Anthony Kobus (David City, NE), 2. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 3. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 4. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Troy Sanford (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 7. Lance Todd (Lincoln, NE), 8. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 2. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 3. Trevor Noonan (Dorchester, NE), 4. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 5. Justin Beemer (Waterloo, NE), 6. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 7. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 8.Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE) Heat 4: 1. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 2. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 3. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 4. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 6. Logan Thomsen (Lincoln, NE), 7. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, IA)

IMCA Sprint 07/09/2016 A Feature: 1. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 2. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 3. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 4. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 6. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 7. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 8. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 9. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 10. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 11. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 12. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 13. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 14. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 15. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 16. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE), 17. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 18. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 19. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 20. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE) B Feature: 1. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 2. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 3. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 4. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 5. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 6. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 7. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 8. Daniel Nekolite (Lincoln, NE), 9. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE), 10. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 11. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 12. Jason Becker (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 2. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 4. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 5. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 6. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE), 7. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 8. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 9. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE) Heat 2: 1. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 2. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 3. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 4. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE), 6. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 7. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 8. Jason Becker (Lincoln, NE), 9. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 2. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 3. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 4. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 5. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 6. Ron Love (Lincoln, NE), 7. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 8. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 9. Daniel Nekolite (Lincoln, NE)

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