Houseman, Oaks, Grabouski, Beckman & Harker conquer Roll the Dice 55

By Greg Soukup

Roll the Dice 55-Junior Fan Club Night, presented by Colby Ridge at Eagle Raceway Saturday saw a large crowd and exciting action under sunny skies with a great breeze to keep the fans cooled off.

No serious incidents occurred in the preliminary racing.

The Hoosier Racing Tire IMCA Sportmod A Main had Hunter Weber’s 99W, the 66 of Trevor Noonan and Joe Schidler’s K00 out front of lap 1. Lap 3 saw Arie Schouten put the 99RE into third with Schidler falling t fourth. The next lap saw a caution period. The restart saw Schouten slow on the front stretch, bunching up the field badly and Anthony Kobus slid broadside into the implement tire guarding the pit entrance. At that time, it was Weber, Schidler, Shawn Harker’s 40 and Noonan. Gary Saathoff used the restart to move the 96 into fourth. A debris caution occurred 1 lap after the restart. Noonan slowed on the back stretch on the restart. Harker jumped into the lead on the restart. Schidler moved to second the next time around as Dion Kovar took over the fourth spot in his #18. Saathoff again advanced into fourth the next lap. The next time around Terry Callender’s 5T spun in turns 3 and 4 and the yellow lights again came on in the corners. Saathoff moved to third on the restart with Weber falling to fourth. Schidler got very loose with 8 to go and ended up knocking the implement tire from turn 4 onto the racing surface. That made the top 4 Harker, Saathoff, Weber and Kovar. The final caution of the race came with 6 to go as debris was spotted on the track. Kovar moved up to third on the restart with Adam Vrbka putting the 7V into fourth. Matthew Andrews cracked the top 4 with 2 to go in his #22 making the final top 4 Harker, Saathoff, Kovar and Andrews.

Another victory made #7 for Harker on the year at Eagle Raceway. “I think I got up to fifth on the start. Then, a guy spun out and checked up the field. There was a hole and I shot through it because you never know if they’re going to stop or keep going. I took it while I could because you don’t know if the yellow is going to come out. We had a few more cautions throughout the race so I could move up. But, it was a good race over all and the track was really good tonight. I have to thank my Dad and my son Preston for all of the hard work that they put in” stated Harker. Harker’s sponsors include Speedway Motors, Johnny Saathoff with Jet Racing,

Cole with Lakeside Landscaping, VP Heartland Fuels, Tex Cattle, Kyle Vanouver, D-Sign Shop and Patriot Crane and Rigging.

Rowan Mason led lap #1 of the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock A Feature in the #29 with Nick Beckman’s 22, the 39 of Khrysta Stransky and Tyler Jackson’s 13T rounding out the top 4. Jackson and Casey Moyer’s 38C both passed Stransky on lap 2. Tyler Saathoff’s 16T stopped in turn 4 the next lap for a caution. Mason got loose in turn 2 on the restart allowing Beckman, Jackson and Moyer to move up and Brett Saathoff to put the 11B into fourth. 2 more laps were in the books when Ryan Gilland put the #46 into fourth. A lap later Moyer passed Jackson for second and Gilland moved to third the next time around. Jeff Ware put the 83 into fourth with 9 laps remaining. Gilland moved up to second with 4 to go as Ware advanced to third. Ware passed Gilland with 2 to go making the final top 4 Beckman, Ware, Gilland and Moyer. Gilland was disqualified in post-race tech for an illegal carburetor, moving Brett Saathoff up to fourth.

This marked Beckman’s second win for the season after starting fourth. “When you start up front you’d better win. Khrysta and I got into it a little bit at the start. I kept her as straight as I could for a while, trying to keep her straight. I got to the lead and was able to hold off all of the fast guys. I have to give it to Roger; he does his best with the track every week. I want to dedicate this win to my Mom up in heaven. She always wanted me to get back into a hobby stock, and I did. We’re back doing what we did back then. I want to give it out to Tim Kozak too! I tried winning the race for him the very next weekend after his accident but didn’t get it done. I got ‘er done now” he said. Beckman’s sponsors include ServicePRO Carpet Cleaning, Performance 66, KSR Racing, Goldfuss Racing, D-Sign Shop and the Beverage Connection.

The Runner Freight IMCA Modified finale’s first circuit was led by the 25! Of Trevor Baker, Johnny Saathoff’s 96J, Shane Hiatt in the 21H and Nate Thompson’s 3T. Saathoff grabbed the lead on lap 3. The next circuit saw Rik Gropp put the V45 into fourth. Baker retook the lead after another lap with Jesse Sobbing passing Gropp in the 96X. Aaron Pella looped the 3A in turns 1 and 2 the next lap. Hiatt passed Saathoff for second on the restart but Mike Densberger’s 81 stopped in turn 4. Jordan Grabouski put the 30 into fourth on the restart, moved to third with 7 laps left and took over second the next lap. Grabouski then snagged the

lead with 2 laps left to make the final top 4 Grabouski, Saathoff, Hiatt and Sobbing.

Like Harker, this was Grabouski’s 7th victory at Eagle Raceway in 2018. He asked that I tell everyone that “Mook Trucking offered us a $10,000 bonus if I could get 8 wins here this year”. Please note that if Jordan had his tongue any further in his cheek when he said this, it would have gone through!!! “I want to thank all of my sponsors because they’re the reason that we can come out, have fun and win races. We had a really good car tonight and managed to pass ‘Jet’ for the lead. When I saw it was 5 to go I knew it was time to get up on the wheel” stated Grabouski. Grabouski’s sponsors include Friesen Chevrolet, GRT Race Cars, Twin Rivers, Zeck Ford, Integra Racing Shocks and BP Heartland and PBS Rentals.

Next up was the last race of the evening for the ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compacts. Brad Gallagher’s 26X, the 16W of Bryce Walker, the 98 of Jared Jackson and the 55 of Adam Reifler led lap 1. There was a 4-car pileup in turn 4 on lap 2 and the yellow flag flew. Gallagher headed to the pits during the caution with a flat tire for repairs. That moved Walker, Jackson and Reifler up and put the 17 of Steffen Oaks into fourth. Reifler passed Jackson on lap 3. There were 10 laps remaining when Josh Young put the 13J into fourth. Oaks moved up to second with 7 to go and took the lead the next time around. Reifler advanced to second with 4 laps left but lost the spot to Young the next time around. The final top 4 were Oaks, Young, Reifler and Walker.

The win came from the inside spot on the fifth row of the starting grid. Oaks related “Ever since we had that big pile-up awhile back I just couldn’t get the bad luck off of my back!! It’s nice to finally get rid of it though. I was being really patient. I just waited and started to count down laps and made it happen. I need to thank my Mom and Dad, my Grandpa, Larry, Cole, Josh and everyone else who helps me out”. Oaks’ sponsors include Larry’s Auto Recyclers and DEA DJ Association.

Mike Houseman Jr. jumped to the lap 1 lead in his #4L followed by Ryan King’s 93, the 97 of Nate Johnson and Tim Hilfiker in the 20. Mike Boston jumped up to third on lap 2 in the 51 with the 21 of Ryan Kitchen taking over fourth. Johnson looped his sprint in turn 2 the next time around, collecting the 5 of Stu Snyder. Boston moved up to second on the restart. He advanced to the lead the next time around as Kitchen took over the third position. Lap 6 saw Shon Pointer move the 20P into fourth. Johnson did a 360-degree spin in turn 2 the next lap, causing another caution. Boston began to slow shortly after that, having suffered a broken power steering line and allowing the field to erase a straightaway lead. Houseman Jr. took over the lead with 5 to go as Adam Gullion put the 91 into fourth. Kitchen and Gullion both passed Boston the next circuit. Boston continued to fall back with Pointer again taking over fourth to make the final top 4 Houseman Jr., Kitchen, Gullion and Pointer.

This was win #1 at Eagle Raceway for Houseman Jr. after starting outside of the front row in the feature. “We’ve been here a few times this year and were here last week. With the IMCA points I knew we’d be starting in the back, and there’s a LOT of tough cars here, so we knew we’d have our hands full last week. But, we knew we were going to be starting up front this week. When you start up front of the heat race like we did you have to take advantage of it, especially with the caliber of cars here. I kind of just paced myself there at the beginning because I really didn’t want to push it too hard. Then Mike showed me the top and I decided to move up there. He was setting a pretty good pace up top, but I still didn’t want to push it too much. When he started fading for whatever reason at the end, that’s when I really started pouring it on. This is just my third year in the Racesaver sprints. I started racing a 360 back in about 2004 with one 410 race in there. The Racesaver class saved my career basically. My last year in a 360 was 2014 and we just couldn’t afford it any more. I have a wife and 4 kids and like a lot of us here I have a house payment. This is just a hobby for me. The Racesaver class kept me in the sport that I love and that I grew up with. I’m third generation in this racing deal. It kept us involved! I’ve never had a year like this before. I had 4 wins in my career before this year and this is 9 just this year I think. It’s been a dream come true, really. Thanks to Mike Waddell, my car owner for this chance. He’s spending his retirement funding this operation and you have to respect a guy like that” stated Houseman. Houseman Jr.’s sponsors include Briar King Construction, Mike and Dean Drywall, Prep Kings from Prepkings.com, Phoenix Metals, Nothing But Custom and Infinite Color Works.

Next weekend is High Stakes Showdown, presented by Rotellas. Twinky the Clown will be there from 5:30 to 7:30 for the younger fans.

Front gates open at 5:15 with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:30. Adult and youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free. Those 55 and older receive free front gate admission.

The Racesaver Sprint Cars, Runner Freight Modifieds, Hoosier Racing Tire Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s Hobby Stocks and ATV Motorsports Sport Compacts will all be in competition.

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

RESULTS:

IMCA Hobby Stock A-Feature 1. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jeff Ware Columbus, Ne. 3. Casey Moyer Auburn, Ne. 4. Brett Saathoff Lincoln, Ne. 5. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 6. Tyler Jackson Lincoln, Ne. 7. Rowan Mason(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Albert Kiihne Lincoln, Ne. 9. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 10. Brint Lemke Lincoln, Ne. 11. Brooke Fluckiger(r) Columbus, Ne. 12. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 13. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 14. Anthony Petersen Brock, Ne. 15. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 16. Roy Armstrong Beatrice, Ne. 17. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne. DNS. Chantel Bade Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Scott Santee Omaha, Ne. DQ. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 1 1. Casey Moyer Auburn, Ne. 2. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne. 3. Tyler Jackson Lincoln, Ne. 4. Roy Armstrong Beatrice, Ne. 5. Brint Lemke Lincoln, Ne. 6. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne. DNS. Scott Santee Omaha, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 2 1. Rowan Mason(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 3. Jeff Ware Columbus, Ne. 4. Brett Saathoff Lincoln, Ne. 5. Albert Kiihne Lincoln, Ne. 6. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 7. Anthony Petersen Brock, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 3 1. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 3. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 4. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 5. Brooke Fluckiger(r) Columbus, Ne. 6. Chantel Bade Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Modified A-Feature 1. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 2. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 3. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 4. Jesse Sobbing Malvern, Ia. 5. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 6. Mark Leiting Lincoln, Ne. 7. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 8. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 9. Nathan Landauer Davey, Ne. 10. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 11. Scott Smith Davenport, Ne. 12. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 13. Jan Korth Lincoln, Ne. 14. Rodney Stopak Omaha, Ne. 15. Kale Smith Davenport, Ne. 16. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 17. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 18. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 19. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 20. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne.

IMCA Modified B-Feature 1. Kale Smith Davenport, Ne. 2. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 3. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 4. Jan Korth Lincoln, Ne. 5. Rodney Stopak Omaha, Ne. 6. Brandon Verbeek Hickman, Ne. 7. Jason Britton(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 1 1. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 2. Nathan Landauer Davey, Ne. 3. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 4. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 5. Mark Leiting Lincoln, Ne. 6. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 7. Kale Smith Davenport, Ne. 8. Brandon Verbeek Hickman, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 2 1. Jesse Sobbing Malvern, Ia. 2. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 3. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 4. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 5. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 7. Jan Korth Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 3 1. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 2. Scott Smith Davenport, Ne. 3. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 4. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 5. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 6. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 7. Jason Britton(r) Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact A-Feature 1. Steffen Oaks Lincoln, Ne. 2. Josh Young Beatrice, Ne. 3. Adam Reifler Lincoln, Ne. 4. Bryce Walker(r) Omaha, Ne. 5. Justin Callender Lincoln, Ne. 6. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 7. Rj Maas Wilber, Ne. 8. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 9. Shawn Hein Beatrice, Ne. 10. Kyle Grobeck(r) Omaha, Ne. 11. Josh Johnson Lincoln, Ne. 12. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne. 13. Michelle Nicholson Ashland, Ne. 14. Brad Gallagher Plattsmouth, Ne. 15. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne. 16. Jared Jackson Crete, Ne. 17. Devin Bruce Bennet, Ne. 18. Tommy Etherton Lincoln, Ne. 19. Mark Lamer Carter Lake, Ia. 20. Fred Johnson Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact B-Feature 1. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne. 2. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 3. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne. 4. Justin Callender Lincoln, Ne. 5. Michelle Nicholson Ashland, Ne. 6. Tyler Masek Raymond, Ne. 7. Robert Greser Fremont, Ne. 8. Louis Pavey Douglas, Ne. DNS. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Justin Myre Carter Lake, Ia.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 1 1. Shawn Hein Beatrice, Ne. 2. Kyle Grobeck(r) Omaha, Ne. 3. Jared Jackson Crete, Ne. 4. Josh Johnson Lincoln, Ne. 5. Mark Lamer Carter Lake, Ia. 6. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne. 7. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne. 8. Justin Callender Lincoln, Ne. 9. Justin Myre Carter Lake, Ia.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 2 1. Brad Gallagher Plattsmouth, Ne. 2. Adam Reifler Lincoln, Ne. 3. Rj Maas Wilber, Ne. 4. Steffen Oaks Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 6. Louis Pavey Douglas, Ne. 7. Tyler Masek Raymond, Ne. 8. Robert Greser Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 3 1. Bryce Walker(r) Omaha, Ne. 2. Josh Young Beatrice, Ne. 3. Devin Bruce Bennet, Ne. 4. Fred Johnson Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tommy Etherton Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 7. Michelle Nicholson Ashland, Ne. 8. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA SportMod A-Feature 1. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 2. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 3. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 4. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 5. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 6. Jaylen Wettengel Topeka, Ks. 7. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 8. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 9. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 10. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 11. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 12. Jason Heaps Lincoln, Ne. 13. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne. 14. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne. 15. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne. 16. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 17. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 18. Tyler Hammons Fremont, Ne. 19. Jason Harms David City, Ne. 20. Deven Schelm Omaha, Ne.

IMCA SportMod B-Feature 1. Jaylen Wettengel Topeka, Ks. 2. Tyler Hammons Fremont, Ne. 3. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 4. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne. 5. Jeremy Baker Nebraska City, Ne. 6. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Eric Wilcox 8. Alex Donovan Sterling, Ne. 9. Shawn Davis(r) Burr, Ne. 10. Cole Nadrchal(r) Springfield, Ne. 11. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 12. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 13. Kyle Trout Bellevue, Ne. 14. Bobby Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 15. Travis Patterson Lincoln, Ne. 16. Beau Riffel(r) Fremont, Ne. 17. Rich Flock Malcolm, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 1 1. Deven Schelm Omaha, Ne. 2. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 3. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 4. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 5. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne. 6. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Beau Riffel(r) Fremont, Ne. 8. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 9. Cole Nadrchal(r) Springfield, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 2 1. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 2. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 3. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 4. Jason Heaps Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tyler Hammons Fremont, Ne. 6. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 7. Travis Patterson Lincoln, Ne. 8. Jeremy Baker Nebraska City, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 3 1. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 2. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 3. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 4. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 5. Eric Wilcox 6. Alex Donovan Sterling, Ne. 7. Jaylen Wettengel Topeka, Ks. 8. Rich Flock Malcolm, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 4 1. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne. 2. Jason Harms David City, Ne. 3. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 4. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne. 5. Bobby Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 6. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 7. Shawn Davis(r) Burr, Ne. 8. Kyle Trout Bellevue, Ne.

IMCA Sprint A-Feature 1. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 2. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 5. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 6. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 7. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 8. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 9. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 10. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 11. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 12. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 13. Brandon Horton Omaha, Ne. 14. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 15. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 16. Danny Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 17. Lee Bowes Lincoln, Ne. 18. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 19. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 20. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Sprint B-Feature 1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 5. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 6. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 7. Austin McLean Loveland, Co. 8. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 9. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 10. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne. 11. Jeff Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 13. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 14. Dustin Reeh(r) Council Bluffs, Ia.

IMCA Sprint Heat 1 1. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 2. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Lee Bowes Lincoln, Ne. 5. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 6. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 7. Austin McLean Loveland, Co. 8. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 2 1. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 4. Danny Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 5. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 6. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 7. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 8. Jeff Pendergast Norfolk, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 3 1. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 2. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 3. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 6. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 7. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 4 1. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 2. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Brandon Horton Omaha, Ne. 5. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 6. Dustin Reeh(r) Council Bluffs, Ia. 7. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne.