Armstrong, Drueke, Spanjer, Andersen, & Spellmeier Take Home Wins at Jr. Fan Club Night

By Greg Soukup

The cool temperatures held the fan count down, but 145 teams showed up to race during the Junior Fan Club Night presented by Kaplan University, Colby Ridge and Froggy 98 Saturday.

All heats and B Features were run without serious incidents.

The NAPA IMCA Sport Modified Feature saw Brandon Spanjer use his pole position start to lead lap 1 in the 29J followed closely by the 25 of Gunnar Pike, Derek Hall in the 44D and Scott Bivens’ S56. Bivens vaulted up to second on lap 2. Lap 6 saw Nate Thompson’s 3T pass Hall for fourth, only to give up the spot the next time around to Trent Roth’s 14T. Joe Schidler looped his K00 in turns 3 & 4 with 5 to go. 2 laps after the restart Roth moved up to third. The yellow lights came on again with 3 to go when Thompson stopped in turns 3 & 4. Roth got past Pike with 2 to go to make the final top 4 Spanjer, Roth, Pike and Bivens.

This was Spanjer’s first victory of the year at Eagle, and his second overall. “The track was really fun tonight; smooth and racy. I knew Trent would be coming hard, so I was watching the leader board. And when he got there, I knew I had to get moving. I need to thank my crew chief Grant Reckling and my Dad for all that they do” he said. Spanjer’s sponsors include PBS Rentals, Little Peanuts Child Care Center, More Than Games LLC, Aqua Plumbing, Dent Buster, Heartland of Nebraska Windows and Jet Racing.

Rick Bradley’s 28B was first back to the flag stand for the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks A Main with Jacob Waldron’s 70, the 38C of Casey Moyer and Cody Leifeld in the 24X hot on his rear bumper. Lap 2 saw a huge pile-up in turn 1, with Sydney Yost’s #20 taking a huge hit and ending up going to the pits on the hook. She was not seriously hurt. Roy Armstrong used the restart to put the 6R into second and Brett Saathoff moved the 11B into fourth. Lap 3 saw a caution for debris in turns 1 & 2. Armstrong moved to the lead 1 lap after the restart. One more lap saw Saathoff and Damon Richards’ 67 spin in turn 4. That moved the 69 of Kenny Roberts into fourth. Just after the green flag flew, the yellow flag was brought out for more debris in turn 2. Dave Carter cracked the top 4 one lap after the restart in the 2C and moved up to third with 10 to go. 3 more laps were in the books when Travis Albracht’s 38A took over the fourth position. Tyler Albracht’s 37A brought out the caution the next lap when it stopped at the top of turn 2. Travis Albracht moved up to third with 3 circuits remaining, then took over the second spot the next lap. The final lap saw Carter moved past Bradley for third. The top 4 were Armstrong, Travis Albracht, Carter and Bradley.

“Thanks to Roger, Michelle and Racine for all of the effort they put into giving us a place to race every week. I want to send out a special hello to my sister Bonnie, and one to my son Adam who moved to Iowa. I want to thank him for all of his help before he had to leave. Also, thanks to my girlfriend Jo and my crew man tonight John” stated Armstrong. Armstrong’s sponsors include Hummer Contracting, NEAPCO, BA Motorsports and Schmidt Machine.

The Kaplan University IMCA Modified Feature’s first lap was led by Jeff Schroyer in the 007. Nathan Landauer’s 11N, the V45 of Rik Gropp and Roger Hadan’s 4 rounded out the top 4. Landauer passed Schroyer on lap 2 as Bob Zoubek vaulted the 33 all the way to second while Gropp and Hadan held onto their spots. Lap 5 saw Jared Hoefelman slow with a flat right rear tire, and the yellow lights were lit in the corners. Hadan and the 8C of Chad Andersen both passed Gropp on lap 7. Anthony Roth’s 60IV stop at the top of turns 1 & 2 with 8 to go for another caution. With 7 laps left Andersen moved up to third and Justin Wulf moved the 86 into fourth the next lap. Andersen got to second the next time around. Norm Ziegenbein looped the 1Z in turns 3 and 4 with2 to go as Hadan dropped out of the race. Andersen used the restart to pass Zoubek for the lead as Shane Hiatt passed Wulf to put the 21H into fourth.  Hiatt edge past Landauer for third, making the top 4 Andersen, Zoubek, Hiatt and Landauer.

This was Andersen’s second victory in a row. “This one wasn’t nearly as easy! I want to thank Roger for the track tonight. It was racy from top to bottom; a little rough, but that’s the way I like it. I can’t thank Jeff and Larry enough for them working late, plus Pat at the track. I was just hanging back; biding my time and saving my tires. Then, they left the top open. I moved up there and really made up ground” related Andersen. Andersen’s sponsors include Runner Freight, Flat Foot Trucking, Lawnsmith and Company, Goldfuss Racing and Fabrication, K2L Graphics and Candy Wrappers.

Next was the Mountain Dew Kick Start IMCA Sport Compact A. Jeremy Bohlen in the 10J, Zach Fosler in the 14Z, Justin Olsen’s 14J and the 5M of Melissa Cronin were the first 4 at the end of lap 1. Olsen moved to second on lap 2 before slowing the next lap, putting Scott Spellmeier’s 88S into fourth. The next circuit saw Spellmeier move to third. Spellmeier advanced to second with 10 to go as Kyle Owen moved the 3B into fourth. Cronin took the fourth spot again the next lap. With 7 left Spellmeier grabbed the lead. Cronin moved up to third with 5 laps left and Cole Krichau grabbed fourth the next time around. The final top 4 were Spellmeier, Bohlen, Cronin and Matt Moyer’s 29 who passed Krichau the last lap.

This was Spellmeier’s first Eagle Raceway victory, coming in his 5^th year of racing and was won from starting in the 8^th position. “I got to the front and the car really liked it. This track is a lot different from the ones I’m used to racing on. I need to thank my Dad and my girlfriend Danni for everything” Spellmeier said. Spellmeier’s sponsors include Twin Rivers Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Joe’s Cakes, Larry’s Tire and Service and Sutton Repair.

Chase Weiler’s 0 led the pack at the end of the first Racesaver IMCA Sprint Car A with Toby Chapman’s 7KX, Stu Snyder in the 23S and the 4X of Jason Danley close behind. Snyder passed Chapman on lap 2 for second, then got past Weiler for first the next circuit as Tyler Drueke put the #12 into fourth. Chapman passed Weiler for second on lap 8 with Drueke following him into third the next time around. Lap 10 saw Trevor Grossenbacher put the 35 into fourth. Drueke got to second on lap 13, and snagged the lead with 9 to go. The top four remained unchanged to the finish with Drueke winning, Snyder second, Chapman third and Grossenbacher fourth.

Drueke’s win came from the 8^th spot on the starting grid. “We were legal tonight. I saw Stu take off, so I knew I had to play it cool. When I saw him hit lapped traffic and get held up, I turned it on. I had to hustle, but still be patient and do nothing wrong. The cushion got a little dangerous towards the end there” he stated. Drueke’s sponsors include Drueke Trucking and Ranch, Zoz Farms, Jeffrey’s Trucking, Reid’s Farmacy and Agri-Builders.

Next Saturday at Eagle Raceway is Armed Forces Night. Front gates open at 5:15 and Adult admission is $10, youths 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free.

Pit gates open at 4 with pit admission being $25.

RESULTS:

IMCA Hobby Stock 05/14/2016
A Feature:

1. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 2. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 3. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 4. Rick Bradley (Council Bluffs, IA), 5. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 6. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 7. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 8. Damon Richards (David City, NE), 9. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 10. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 11. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 12. Chris Klein (Wilber, NE), 13. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 14. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 15. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 16. Jacob Waldron (Beatrice, NE), 17. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 18. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE), 19. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 20. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE) B Feature: 1. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE), 2. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 3. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 4. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 5. Chris Klein (Wilber, NE), 6. Shane Wurtele (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Zach Gimple, 8. Chantel Bade (Lincoln, NE), 9. Tyler Jackson (Lincoln, NE), 10. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE) Heat 1: 1. Rick Bradley (Council Bluffs, IA), 2. Jacob Waldron (Beatrice, NE), 3. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 4. Damon Richards (David City, NE), 5. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 6. Tyler Albracht (Eagle, NE), 7. Shane Wurtele (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Travis Albracht (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 2. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE), 3. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 5. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 6. Joe Copeland (Omaha, NE), 7. Chantel Bade (Lincoln, NE), 8. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE) Heat 3: 1. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 2. Casey Moyer (Auburn, NE), 3. Brett Saathoff (Lincoln, NE), 4. Cody Leifeld (Bennet, NE), 5. Luke Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 6. Tyler Jackson (Lincoln, NE), 7. Chris Klein (Wilber, NE), 8. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE) IMCA Modified 04/16/2016

A Feature: 1. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 3. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 4. Nathan Landauer (Davey, NE), 5. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 6. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 7. Justin Grogg (Hastings, NE), 8. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 9. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 10. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 11. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 12. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 13. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 14. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 15. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 16. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 17. Jeff Schroyer (Elkhorn, NE), 18. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 19. Jared Hoefelman (Lincoln, NE), 20. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 3. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE), 4. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 5. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 7. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE), 8. Michael Howe (Omaha, NE), 9. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE) Heat 1: 1. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 2. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 3. Nathan Landauer (Davey, NE), 4. Justin Grogg (Hastings, NE), 5. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 6. Norm Ziegenbein (Lincoln, NE), 7. Pat Wheeler (Omaha, NE), 8. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE) Heat 2: 1. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 2. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 3. Jared Hoefelman (Lincoln, NE), 4. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, NE), 5. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dustin Andersen (Omaha, NE), 7. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 2. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 3. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 4. Jeff Schroyer (Elkhorn, NE), 5. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jaxon Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 7. Michael Howe (Omaha, NE), 8. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 9. Trevor Baker (Lincoln, NE) IMCA Sport Compact 04/16/2016

A Feature: 1. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 2. Jeremy Bohlen (Percival, IA), 3. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 4. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 5. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 6. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Spencer Pavey III  (Sterling, NE), 8. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 9. Tommy  Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 10. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 11. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 12. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 13. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 14. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 15. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 16. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 17. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 18. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 19. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 20. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 3. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 5. Jordan Masek (Valparaiso, NE), 6. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE), 7. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 8. Jeremey Byfield (Auburn, NE), 9. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE), 10. Jacobi Evans (Lincoln, NE), 11. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 12. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE), 13. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 14. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 15. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 16. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 2. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 3. Fred Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 4. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nick Lindblad (Beatrice, NE), 6. Jordan Masek (Valparaiso, NE), 7. Tyler Masek (Raymond, NE), 8. Justin Callender (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Scott Spellmeier (Beatrice, NE), 2. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 3. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Steven Rol (Hastings, NE), 5. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 6. Rick Hollandsworth (Milford, NE), 7. Kasha Hall (Lincoln, NE), 8. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE) Heat 3: 1. Jeremy Bohlen (Percival, IA), 2. RJ Maas (Wilbur, NE), 3. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 4. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 6. Michelle Nicholson (Omaha, NE), 7. Jeremey Byfield (Auburn, NE), 8. Jacobi Evans (Lincoln, NE) Heat 4: 1. Spencer Pavey III  (Sterling, NE), 2. Tommy  Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 3. Zach Fosler (Eagle, NE), 4. Brian Haller (Lincoln, NE), 5. Brian Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 6. Tom Powell (Hickman, NE), 7. Thomas Miracle (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Shawn Hein (Beatrice, NE) IMCA SportMod 04/16/2016

A Feature: 1. Brandon Spanjer (Crete, NE), 2. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 3. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 4. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 5. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 6. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 7. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 8. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 9. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 10. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 11. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 12. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 13. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 14. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 15. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 16. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 17. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 18. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 19. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 20. Steve Kempt (Shelton, NE), B Feature: 1. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 2. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 3. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 4. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 5. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE), 6. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 7. Matt Andrews (Seward, NE), 8. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 9. Logan Thomsen (Lincoln, NE), 10. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 11. Braydon Latture (Omaha, NE), 12. Jeremy Noonan (Dorchester, NE), 13. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE), 14. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE), 15. Mike Scheinost (Ceresco, NE), 16. Tanner Winberg (Broken Bow, NE), 17. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 18. Travis Patterson (Lincoln, NE), 19. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE), 20. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE) Heat 1: 1. Brandon Spanjer (Crete, NE), 2. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jason Harms (David City, NE), 4. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 7. James Hines (Bellevue, NE), 8. Terry Callender (Lincoln, NE), 9. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE), Heat 2: 1. Derek Hall (Lincoln, NE), 2. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 3. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 4. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Tanner Winberg (Broken Bow, NE), 6. Robert Draper (Valparaiso, NE), 7. Jeremy Noonan (Dorchester, NE), 8. Brad Perkons (Waterloo, NE), 9. Travis Patterson (Lincoln, NE) Heat 3: 1. Gunnar Pike (South Bend, NE), 2. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 3. Scott Bivens (Ceresco, NE), 4. Steve Kempt (Shelton, NE), 5. Shelly Andersen (Lincoln, NE), 6. Joe Schidler (Omaha, NE), 7. Logan Thomsen (Lincoln, NE), 8. Sean Manning (Bennington, NE), 9. Mike Scheinost (Ceresco, NE) Heat 4: 1. Dana Deeke (Waverly, NE), 2. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 3. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 4. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 5. Steve Osmon (Lincoln, NE), 6. Matt Andrews (Seward, NE), 7. Dan Jackson (Crete, NE), 8. Braydon Latture (Omaha, NE), 9. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE) IMCA Sprint 04/16/2016

A Feature: 1. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 2. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 3. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 4. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 5. Jason Danley (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 7. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 8. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 9. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 10. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 11. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 12. Zach Blurton (Quinter, KS), 13. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 14. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 15. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 16. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 17. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 18. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 19. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 20. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE) B Feature: 1. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 2. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 3. Zach Blurton (Quinter, KS), 4. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 5. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mike Johnston (Des Moines, IA), 7. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 8. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 9. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE), 10. Ryan King (Bennet, NE), 11. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 12. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE), 13. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 14. Rick Hansen (Norfolk, NE) Heat 1: 1. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 2. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 3. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 4. Trevor Grossenbacher (Hickman, NE), 5. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 6. Boyd Peterson (Ithaca, NE), 7. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 8. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 9. Dan Satriano (Papillion, NE), 10. Matt Richards (Lincoln, NE) Heat 2: 1. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 2. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 3. Mike Boston (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 5. Jason Danley (Lincoln, NE), 6. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 7. Zach Blurton (Quinter, KS), 8. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 9. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 10. Rick Hansen (Norfolk, NE) Heat 3: 1. Tyler Drueke (Eagle, NE), 2. Nate Weiler (Omaha, NE), 3. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 4. Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE), 5. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 6. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 7. Mike Johnston (Des Moines, IA), 8. Jimmy Grasso (Omaha, NE), 9. Ryan King (Bennet,