Saathoff, Noonan, Armstrong, Meyer & Danley conquer Jackpot Jr. Fan Club Night

By Greg Soukup

What a beautiful afternoon and evening! Mid-80’s and sunny gave way to a starry night as Colby Ridge presented Jackpot Junior Fan Club Night at Eagle Raceway Saturday. After lots of rain during the week the track prep crew gave the 133 teams on site a tacky, fast racing surface to compete on and the large crowd was treated to lots of furious action on the high banks.

There was 1 major occurrence in the preliminary action. In the third heat for the ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compacts the 21T of Braydon Thornton lost its right rear tire and went barrel-rolling down the front stretch. He was not seriously injured.

The A Main for the Hoosier Racing Tire IMCA Sportmods saw Rick Flock’s 88F lead lap #1 followed by Josh Pfeifer in the 33J, Steven Muhlecke’s 24X and the 14 of Braydon Latture. Pfeifer snagged the lead on lap 2 as Trevor Noonan moved the 66 into second, Joe Schidler’s K00 grabbed third and Flock held the fourth spot. Latture spun in turns 1 & 2 the next time around, causing a big pileup. Cole Wayman passed Flock on the restart, putting the 18T into fourth. Latture again looped it on lap 8 and was sent to the pits. Noonan grabbed the top spot with 7 to go. Shawn Harker took over the fourth spot in the #40 the next time around, advanced to third 3 laps later and moved up to second after another circuit. Lance Borgman put the 76 into fourth with 2 to go but lost the spot to Wayman on the final lap. The first four to the flag were Noonan, Pfeifer, Schidler and Wayman. However, Pfeifer was penalized 3 spots for failing to slow and running into Harker. That made the official top 4 Noonan, Schidler, Wayman and Borgman.

This was Noonan’s second Eagle Raceway victory, but his first in a Sportmod. “It was fast tonight! It was definitely fun. The track made it really competitive. We had the race with the 33J for a while, and that was exciting. I want to thank my family and my friends for helping me all these years” stated Noonan. Noonan’s sponsors include Brodd’s Small Engine Repair, Longoria’s MMA Academies, Suds ‘N Scissors and Noonan Industries.

The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock Feature was next. Don Hall Jr.’s 92, the 2B of Brooke Fluckiger, Nick Beckman in the 22 and Dave Carter’s 2c were the first 4 back to the flag stand after lap 1. Carter passed Beckman on lap 3. Beckman jumped up to the lead the next time around. Lap 6 saw Carter take over secondwith Brett Saathoff’s 11B moving to third and Roy Armstrong putting the 6R into the fourth spot. Armstrong passed Saathoff the next time around and moved up to second with 9 to go. Tyler Jackson’s #13T lost a tire the next lap, bringing out the caution flag. With 7 laps remaining Jeff Ware put the 83 into fourth as Armstrong took over the lead. Ware moved up to third 2 laps later and took over second on the final circuit. The final top 4 were Armstrong, Ware, Beckman and Carter.

This was Armstrong’s second victory at Eagle this year and he related “It was a really good track tonight. Roger did an excellent job with all of the moisture we got this week. It was pretty smooth with a couple of rough spots, but not bad. With Michelle and Racine doing their fantastic job as always. I saw we had a lot of people in the stands, and it’s good to see that as always. Thanks to my sister Bonnie, my girlfriend Jo and my pit crew guy John”. Armstrong’s sponsors include Hummer Contracting, Schmidt Machine, NEAPCO.

Nate Thompson’s 3T, the 96 of Jaxon Saathoff, Aaron Pella in the 3A and Johnny Saathoff’s 96J led lap #1 of the Runner Freight IMCA Modified A Feature. Jesse Sobbing looped the 81X in turn 4 on lap 2 for a yellow flag period. Chad Andersen moved the 8C into fourth on the restart but lost the spot back to Johnny Saathoff the next time around. Andersen jumped up to third the next lap with Johnny Saathoff holding onto fourth. Lap 6 saw the yellow lights come on in the corner for debris on the track. 1 lap after the restart Johnny Saathoff passed Andersen for third as Bob Zoubek also got around Andersen to put the 5S into fourth. Andersen and Zoubek swapped the fourth spot the next 2 times around. Johnny Saathoff passed Jaxon Saathoff with 8 to go. Zoubek also got past Jaxon Saathoff after another lap. 5 laps remained when Andersen again grabbed fourth. Johnny Saathoff snagged the lead 2 laps later and held onto it to the finish. The top 4 were Johnny Saathoff, Thompson, Zoubek and Andersen.

This was Saathoff’s initial 2018 victory at America’s Home Track. He said “I should have had the win last week but ended up 5 pounds light at the scales. My mother passed away last week, and I wanted to get that win for her, so this week I had to get it done! I was trying to do it for her, and I felt that she helped me get the win. I’m just happy to be back in victory lane. I have so many sponsors and people

behind me that make this car go that I need to thank. I’m 55 years old, and I was trying to keep after it, but the track tonight was really hard on an old guy”. Saathoff’s sponsors include Jet Racing Cars, Speedway Racing Engines, Toobey’s Lumber, Penner Insurance and Independent Equipment.

Lap 1 of the ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compact finale was led by Tommy Etherton’s 24T with Nick Lindblad’s 26, the 18X of Jeff Creek and Justin Callender’s 13BS rounding out the top 4. Ramsey Meyer vaulted all of the way up to third on lap 2 in the 21R with Callender also passing Creek to hold onto fourth. Meyer moved up to second the next time around. 1 more lap saw RJ Maas put the 88K into fourth. Meyer snagged the lead the next circuit. Callender again moved to fourth with 9 to go, lost the spot back to Maas 2 laps later, passed him the next lap and again lost the spot to Maas with 3 to go. With 2 laps remaining there was a yellow for debris on the track. Over the last 2 laps the top 4 spots remained unchanged with Meyer winning, Lindblad second, Etherton third and Maas fourth.

This marked Meyer’s first Eagle Raceway win in 2018 and came from the 12th starting spot. “It’s been a little while since we were down here. Our home track booted our class for another one tonight, so we got a little break from there and figured we’d come down here. This was probably the heaviest track that I’ve raced on down here, but that makes it fun. I’ve got to thank my dad and my brother for all of the time that they put in on the car. Plus, my mother and grandparents for all of their support” said Meyer. Meyer’s sponsors include Tom’s Service in Pierce, Norfolk Transmission and Jet Racing.

The IMCA Sprint Racesaver A Feature’s initial circuit saw Dwight Carter’s 4U, the 19JR of Paul Hendrickson, Joey Danley in the 14 and the 22D of Danny Nekolite the top 4. Trevor Grossenbacher vaulted the 35 up to third on lap 2. Grossenbacher moved up to second the next lap with Danley following him into third and Ryan Kitchen putting the 21 into fourth. Grossenbacher passed Carter for the lead on lap 5 and Danley followed suit the next lap. Kitchen advanced to third on lap 8. Hendrickson went tumbling through turns 1 and 2 the next time around, causing a red flag condition. Hendrickson was not seriously hurt, but his mount was destroyed. Mike Boston put the #51 into the fourth spot on the restart. Danley snagged the lead the next lap and started to pull away from the

field. Boston made the final change in the top 4 when he moved up to third after 2 more laps. The final top 4 were Danley, Grossenbacher, Boston and Kitchen.

Danley became the first repeat winner in the Racesaver class at the track this year. He stated “After 2 rough weeks there we got it done again, and that felt pretty good. The track was tacky and rough; it was a “Cowboy Up” track, and that’s what we like; it puts the race in the hands of the driver. We started eighth and ran up to the front quick, but a couple of cars got crossed up there and Trevor got by me. I thought we were going to have to settle for second, but we were able to track him down there and I guess we kind of ran off from him after that. Sometimes it’s better to run second on a track like this. I mean, he was going a little too high, and getting into the rough spots and that allowed me to catch him”. Danley’s sponsors include Heiserman Flooring, Nissen Hardwood Floors, Automotive Services, Russell Shoulders Racing Engines, CleanRite Sweeping and Empire Fencing.

Next weekend sees Hotsy and Froggy 98 sponsor Freedom Fest 55. Twinky the Clown will be there from 5:30 to 7:30 for the kids. It is also Service Appreciation Night with Police, Fire and Rescue and Military getting free grandstand admission with current service ID or being in uniform. The yearly gigantic fireworks extravaganza will be held following the last feature race.

Front gates open at 5:15 with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:30. Adult admission is $12, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.

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. Roy Armstrong Beatrice, Ne. 2. Jeff Ware Columbus, Ne. 3. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 4. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 5. Brett Saathoff Lincoln, Ne. 6. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 7. Colby Kaspar Columbus, Ne. 8. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne. 9. Mark McKinney Omaha, Ne. 10. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 11. Brooke Fluckiger(r) Columbus, Ne. 12. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 13. Casey Moyer Auburn, Ne. 14. Anthony Petersen Brock, Ne. 15. Tim Lapointe Lincoln, Ne. 16. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 17. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne. 18. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 19. Albert Kiihne Lincoln, Ne. 20. Don Hall Jr Lincoln, Ne. 21. Tyler Jackson Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 1 1. Nick Beckman Lincoln, Ne. 2. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne. 3. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 4. Brooke Fluckiger(r) Columbus, Ne. 5. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 6. Casey Moyer Auburn, Ne. 7. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 2 1. Roy Armstrong Beatrice, Ne. 2. Albert Kiihne Lincoln, Ne. 3. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 4. Brett Saathoff Lincoln, Ne. 5. Colby Kaspar Columbus, Ne. 6. Mark McKinney Omaha, Ne. 7. Anthony Petersen Brock, Ne.

IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 3 1. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 2. Don Hall Jr Lincoln, Ne. 3. Jeff Ware Columbus, Ne. 4. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 5. Tim Lapointe Lincoln, Ne. 6. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 7. Tyler Jackson Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Modified A-Feature 1. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 2. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 3. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 4. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne. 5. Josh Blumer Marysville, Ne. 6. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 7. Jesse Sobbing Malven, Ia. 8. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 9. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 10. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 11. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 12. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 13. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 14. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 15. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 16. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne. 17. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 18. Jan Korth Lincoln, Ne. 19. Pat Wheeler Omaha, Ne. 20. Rodney Stopak Omaha, Ne. 21. Troy Schwartz(r) Beatrice, Ne. DNS. Mike Lineberry Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 1 1. Josh Blumer Marysville, Ne. 2. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 3. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 4. Aaron Pella Lincoln, Ne. 5. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. 6. Rodney Stopak Omaha, Ne. 7. Pat Wheeler Omaha, Ne. 8. Mike Lineberry Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 2 1. Johnny Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 2. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 3. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 4. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 5. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 6. Jan Korth Lincoln, Ne. 7. Troy Schwartz(r) Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA Modified Heat 3 1. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 2. Nate Thompson Fremont, Ne. 3. Jesse Sobbing Malven, Ia. 4. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne. 5. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 6. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 7. Norm Ziegenbein Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact A-Feature 1. Ramsey Meyer Pierce, Ne. 2. Nick Lindblad Beatrice, Ne. 3. Tommy Etherton Lincoln, Ne. 4. Rj Maas Wilber, Ne. 5. Jeff Creek Beatrice, Ne. 6. Josh Young Beatrice, Ne. 7. Justin Callender Lincoln, Ne. 8. Steffen Oaks Lincoln, Ne. 9. Shawn Hein Beatrice, Ne. 10. Kyle Grobeck(r) Omaha, Ne. 11. Josh Johnson Lincoln, Ne. 12. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 13. Louis Pavey Douglas, Ne. 14. Kasha Hall Lincoln, Ne. 15. Jared Jackson Crete, Ne. 16. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 17. Tyler Masek Raymond, Ne. 18. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne. 19. Adam Reifler Lincoln, Ne. 20. Daniel Morris Bellevue, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact B-Feature 1. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne. 2. Tyler Masek Raymond, Ne. 3. Louis Pavey Douglas, Ne. 4. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 5. Kasha Hall Lincoln, Ne. 6. Drew Grobeck Omaha, Ne. 7. John Glasscock(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne. DNS. Devin Bruce Bennet, Ne. DNS. Braydon Thornton(r) Nebraska City, Ne. DNS. Robert Greser Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 1 1. Steffen Oaks Lincoln, Ne. 2. Rj Maas Wilber, Ne. 3. Tommy Etherton Lincoln, Ne. 4. Jared Jackson Crete, Ne. 5. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 6. Tyler Masek Raymond, Ne. 7. Drew Grobeck Omaha, Ne. 8. John Glasscock(r) Lincoln, Ne. 9. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 2 1. Nick Lindblad Beatrice, Ne. 2. Ramsey Meyer Pierce, Ne. 3. Shawn Hein Beatrice, Ne. 4. Adam Reifler Lincoln, Ne. 5. Kyle Grobeck(r) Omaha, Ne. 6. Devin Bruce Bennet, Ne. 7. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 8. Louis Pavey Douglas, Ne. 9. Robert Greser Fremont, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 3 1. Justin Callender Lincoln, Ne. 2. Josh Young Beatrice, Ne. 3. Jeff Creek Beatrice, Ne. 4. Daniel Morris Bellevue, Ne. 5. Josh Johnson Lincoln, Ne. 6. Kasha Hall Lincoln, Ne. 7. Braydon Thornton(r) Nebraska City, Ne. 8. Trenten Fugett Homesville, Ne.

IMCA SportMod A-Feature 1. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 2. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 3. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 4. Lance Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 5. Josh Pfeifer St. Paul, Ne. 6. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 7. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 8. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 9. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 10. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 11. Mary Lenz Lincoln, Ne. 12. Shane Paris Muscatine, Ia. 13. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 14. Scott Bivens Waverly, Ne. 15. Beau Riffel(r) Fremont, Ne. 16. Brock Curtis Papillion, Ne. 17. Devyn Peterson(r) Milford, Ne. 18. Steven Muhlecke Omaha, Ne. 19. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 20. Rich Flock Malcolm, Ne.

IMCA SportMod B-Feature 1. Lance Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 2. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 3. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 4. Shane Paris Muscatine, Ia. 5. Randy Fox Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 7. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne. 8. Tyler Nerud Dorchester, Ne. 9. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 10. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne. 11. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne. 12. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 13. Ahnna Schouten Blair, Ne. 14. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 15. Dana Deeke Waverly, Ne. 16. Jeremy Baker Nebraska City, Ne. 17. Lee Horky Fairbury, Ne. 18. Kyle Trout Bellevue, Ne. DNS. Logan Thomsen Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Derek Hall Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 1 1. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 2. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 3. Devyn Peterson(r) Milford, Ne. 4. Brock Curtis Papillion, Ne. 5. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dion Kovar Rising City, Ne. 7. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shane Paris Muscatine, Ia. 9. Logan Thomsen Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 2 1. Mary Lenz Lincoln, Ne. 2. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 3. Steven Muhlecke Omaha, Ne. 4. Beau Riffel(r) Fremont, Ne. 5. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 6. Randy Fox Lincoln, Ne. 7. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 8. Kyle Trout Bellevue, Ne. 9. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 3 1. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 2. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 3. Rich Flock Malcolm, Ne. 4. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 5. Lance Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 6. Jeremy Baker Nebraska City, Ne. 7. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 8. Ahnna Schouten Blair, Ne. 9. Derek Hall Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA SportMod Heat 4 1. Josh Pfeifer St. Paul, Ne. 2. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 3. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 4. Scott Bivens Waverly, Ne. 5. Dana Deeke Waverly, Ne. 6. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 7. Tyler Nerud Dorchester, Ne. 8. Lee Horky Fairbury, Ne. 9. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne.

IMCA Sprint A-Feature 1. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Hickman, Ne. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 5. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 6. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 9. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 10. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 11. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 12. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne. 13. Danny Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 14. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 15. Tige Jensen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 16. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 17. Paul Hendrickson Lincoln, Ne. 18. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 19. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. DNS. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne.

IMCA Sprint B-Feature 1. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 2. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 3. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tige Jensen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 6. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 7. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 8. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne. 9. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 10. Jd Hommes Rock Rapids, Ia. 11. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 12. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. DNS. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 1 1. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Hickman, Ne. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne. 5. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 6. Tige Jensen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Jd Hommes Rock Rapids, Ia. 9. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. 10. Tim Hilfiker Greenwood, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 2 1. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 2. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 3. Danny Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 4. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 5. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 6. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 7. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 8. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 9. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne.

IMCA Sprint Heat 3 1. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 2. Paul Hendrickson Lincoln, Ne. 3. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 5. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 6. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne.