Legg, Armstrong, Saathoff, Johnson and Martin taste victory during Dirt Cheap Night

By Greg Soukup

Dirt Cheap Night, presented by Great Clips saw a huge crowd turn out to watch the racing action at Eagle Raceway Saturday evening. Warm and breezy conditions during the afternoon gave way to cool temperatures but the competition made sure that nobody got chilled.

There were no major occurrences in the preliminary racing.

The NAPA IMCA Sport Modified main event began with Nate Thompson in the 3T, Roger Sluka’s 5XS, Joe Schidler in the K00 and the S56 of Scott Bivens out front of lap #1. Lap 2 saw Schidler and Bivens move to second and third while Benji Legg also passed Sluka to put the 25 into fourth. Legg got past Bivens the next time around and Bivens fell out of the top 4 when the 14T of Trent Roth moved up to fourth. Roth advanced to third on lap 8 and took over 2nd 3 laps later before giving the spot up to Legg on lap 13. Legg grabbed the lead shortly after that. Shawn Harker jumped to third with 5 laps left but spun the #40 in turns 3 & 4 with 2 to go after contact with Roth. Roth was placed at the rear of the field for the incident. At that time the top 4 were Legg, Thompson, Bivens and Gary Saathoff in the 96. Bivens got around Thompson with 2 to go, making the final top 4 Legg, Bivens, Thompson and Saathoff.

Legg left before being interviewed.

The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock feature saw David Carter in the 21C first back to the flag stand on lap 1 with Tyler Saathoff’s 16T in second. Lap 2 say Chad Fegley’s 13F and the 22 of Nick Beckman jump up to second and third. 1 more lap was being run when Roy Armstrong leap-frogged several cars to snag the lead. Rob Brown looped the #42 the next time around for a caution. Fegley stopped at the entrance to the pits also with heavy damage to his racer. At that time it was Armstrong, Saathoff, Carter and Beckman. Beckman moved up to third on the restart with Mike Hansen also passing Carter the next lap to put the 94 into fourth. Thompson spun into the infield on lap 8 to move the 27 of Jason Kohl into fourth. Armstrong then stretched his lead to over a straightaway for the victory with Beckman second, Hansen third and Kohl fourth.

This was Armstrong’s first victory of the 2014 season. “It’s been a long time! We’ve had a long dry spell. Lots of bad luck and a few driver mistakes in there. I broke a shock with 2 to go and thought I had a flat, so I slowed down a little to be sure I could finish. I want to thank Schmidt Machine of Fairbury, NEAPCO, my girlfriend Jo, my pit crew Don and all of my fans in the stands” stated Armstrong.

Next up were the Kaplan University IMCA Modifieds. Phil Penney’s 21P, the 13 of Doug Deterding, Chad Andersen in the 8c and the 86 of Justin Wulf paced the first circuit. Wulf jumped up to second on lap 2 before falling back to third the next lap. Roger “Chevy” Hadan cracked the top 4 the next time around in his #4. Andersen snagged the lead the next lap and Hadan vaulted up to second on lap 7. Shane Hiatt’s 21H and the 81 of Mike Densberger got together on lap 8 with Densberger going off behind the wrecker with terminal damage. At that time the top 4 were Andersen, Hadan, Penney and Wulf. Johnny Saathoff passed Wulf on the restart to make the 96J fourth. Saathoff jumped up to second on lap 11. 2 more laps were in the books when Jared Hoefelman put the 15H in fourth. Saathoff took over the lead with 7 to go. Hoefelman moved to third with 3 laps left and took second on the final circuit. At the end it was Saathoff, Hoefelman, Andersen and Hadan.

Saathoff left before being interviewed.

Rick Hollandsworth’s 35H led lap 1 of the Sam’s Club IMCA Sport Compact A Feature with the 18R of Thomas Powell, Kevin Staack’s 13K close behind. Lap 3 saw Justin Olsen put the 14J into second. The next time around the 29 of Matt Moyer took over the fourth spot and Olsen took the lead after another lap. Moyer moved to second on lap 6. Tim Horsham cracked the top 4 on lap 8 when he put his #3 into fourth. With 1 lap left Kevin Fearing’s 48 stopped at the top of turn 2. At the checkered flag it was Olsen, Moyer, Horsham and the 25 of Josh Johnson.

This was Olsen’s first Eagle Raceway victory. “That was a great race on an awesome track. I need to thank my family, especially my dad for making this possible” Olsen related. Olsen’s sponsors include Wiestar Towing, Belmont Husky, Custom FX, Central Body Shop and Pit Bull CD Shop.

Lap 1 of the Mud In America Racesaver IMCA Sprint Car A Main saw Brandon Horton the first back to the line in the 1B with Neil Dvorak’s 9D, the 1BX of Toby Chapman and Adam Gullion in the 91 in hot pursuit. Gullion jumped up to second on lap 3. Jason Martin passed Chapman on lap 7 to put the 5X into fourth as Gullion grabbed the lead. 1 more lap was in the books when Martin moved up to third. Jake Bubak put the 9X into fourth on lap 10. The next time around Martin moved to second and set his sights on Gullion. Bubak advanced to third on lap 14. The only caution of the race came on lap 16 when Shon Pointer’s 20P slowed. Martin ran the low line and Gullion hammered the cushion to the end when Gullion caught sight of Martin and moved down to block. On the last lap the pair caught lapped traffic and Gullion went into turns 3 & 4 high enough to allow Martin to sneak beneath and past him coming out of turn 4 and beat him to the line. The final top 4 were Martin, Gullion, Bubak and Horton.

“You had to hit the bottom just right in 3 & 4. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and caught the lapped traffic at the perfect time. Adam hadn’t been running the low line, so he didn’t know where and how to hit it right. That’s where running second helps sometimes. The leader doesn’t know where the cars behind are running” Martin said. Martin’s sponsors include Midwest Linings and Trucks Plus.

NAPA Auto Parts in sponsoring a car show at 6160 Grover Street in Omaha on the 22nd. Contact the office at 402-238-2595 if you wish to participate.

Next Saturday at “America’s Home Track” will be the annual Kid’s Night, presented by Casey’s General Store. Over 250 bikes will be given out to the young fans in attendance at intermission. Children 10 and under must go to the courtyard beginning at 5 o’clock to draw for a chance to win a bicycle. Drawings will be held until the last bike is drawn out. All children will receive a prize.
Bubbles the Clown, Jolly Bean the pirate and face painting will be there from 5 until 7:30.

Front gates open at 5 o’clock with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:30. Front gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youths 6-12 and children 5 and under are free.

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

RESULTS:

IMCA Hobby Stock 7/19/2014

A Feature:1. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 2. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 3. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 4. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 5. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 6. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 7. John Cain (Homer, NE), 8. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 9. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 10. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 11. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 12. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 13. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 14. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 15. Aaron Roth (Lincoln, NE), 16. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 17. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 18. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 19. Caleb Hetrick (Grand Island, NE), 20. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE)

B Feature:1. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 2. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 3. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 4. Aaron Roth (Lincoln, NE), 5. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 6. Ron Novak (Blair, NE), 7. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 8. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 9. Troy Mabbitt (Council Bluffs, IA), 10. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 11. Khrystal Stransky (Lincoln, NE), 12. James Sisk (Council Bluffs, IA), 13. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE), 14. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 15. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 1:1. John Cain (Homer, NE), 2. Roy Armstrong (Beatrice, NE), 3. Kenny Roberts (Lincoln, NE), 4. Rob Brown (Nebraska City, NE), 5. Tim LaPointe (Lincoln, NE), 6. Dan Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 7. Charlie Bartels (Lincoln, NE), 8. Sydney Yost (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Troy Mabbitt (Council Bluffs, IA), 10. James Sisk (Council Bluffs, IA)

Heat 2:1. Nick Beckman (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tyler Saathoff (Holland, NE), 3. Jason Kohl (Missouri Valley, IA), 4. Justin Busboom (Lincoln, NE), 5. Ben Becher (Lincoln, NE), 6. Aaron Roth (Lincoln, NE), 7. Ron Novak (Blair, NE), 8. Tanner Dowty (Fremont, NE), 9. Michael Rice (Elmwood, NE), 10. Khrystal Stransky (Lincoln, NE),

Heat 3:1. Chad Fegley (Eagle, NE), 2. David Carter (Fremont, NE), 3. Mike Hansen (Weeping Water, NE), 4. Caleb Hetrick (Grand Island, NE), 5. Luke Nicholson (Ashland, NE), 6. Denny Berghahn Sr. (Plattsmouth, NE), 7. Mark McKinney (Omaha, NE), 8. Russ Specht (Hastings, NE), 9. Randall Macku (Lincoln, NE), 10. Matt Beckner (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Modified 7/19/2014

A Feature:1. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 2. Jared Hoefelman (Coumbus, NE), 3. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 4. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 5. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 6. Phil Penney (Percival, IA), 7. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 8. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 9. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 10. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 11. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 12. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 13. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 14. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 15. Jim Mathieson (Sioux City, IA), 16. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 17. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 18. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 19. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 20. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 2. Jim Mathieson (Sioux City, IA), 3. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 5. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 6. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE), 7. Michael Lund (Bennington, NE), 8. Stacey Wilhelm (Martell, NE), 9. Phillip Byfield (Auburn, NE), 10. Eric McMillian (Hallam, NE)

Heat 1:1. Chad Andersen (Omaha, NE), 2. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, NE), 3. Doug Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 4. Jared Hoefelman (Coumbus, NE), 5. Mike Densberger (Lincoln, NE), 6. Tim Pickens (Omaha, NE), 7. Eric McMillian (Hallam, NE), 8. Stacey Wilhelm (Martell, NE), 9. Phillip Byfield (Auburn, NE)

Heat 2:1. Roger Hadan (Bennington, NE), 2. Phil Penney (Percival, IA), 3. Johnny Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Rik Gropp (Lincoln, NE), 5. Dustin Gray (Omaha, NE), 6. Jim Mathieson (Sioux City, IA), 7. Jan Korth (Lincoln, NE), 8. Terry Berg (South Sioux City, NE)

Heat 3:1. Nathan Landauer (Lincoln, NE), 2. Anthony Roth (Columbus, NE), 3. Shane Hiatt (Rising City, NE), 4. Justin Wulf (Arlington, NE), 5. Matt Boucher (Murdock, NE), 6. Lowell Holland (Omaha, NE), 7. Jared Deterding (Lincoln, NE), 8. Michael Lund (Bennington, NE)

IMCA Sport Compact 7/19/2014

A Feature:1. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 2. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 3. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 4. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 6. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE), 7. James King (Bennet, NE), 8. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 9. Nick Jensen (Hickman, NE), 10. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 11. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 12. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 13. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 14. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 15. Thomas Powell (Hickman, NE), 16. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 17. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 18. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE), 19. Drew Johnson (Sioux City, IA), 20. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE)

B Feature:1. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 2. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 3. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 4. Thomas Powell (Hickman, NE), 5. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 6. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 7. Tyler Aufenkamp (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Anna Hiebert (Raymond, NE), 10. Allyn Shiveley (Lincoln, NE), 11. Chelsea Zysset (Omaha, NE), 12. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 13. Kurt Beckstrom (Omaha, NE), 14. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA)

Heat 1:1. Larry Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Tim Horsham (Raymond, NE), 3. Drew Johnson (Sioux City, IA), 4. Amanda Rhiley (Bennington, NE), 5. Melissa Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 6. Allyn Shiveley (Lincoln, NE), 7. Thomas Powell (Hickman, NE), 8. Sarah Cronin (Lincoln, NE), 9. Kurt Beckstrom (Omaha, NE), 10. Ole Olsen (Carter Lake, IA)

Heat 2:1. Kevin Staack (Lincoln, NE), 2. Evan Hrabik (Bellevue, NE), 3. Brandon Thornton (Nebraska City, NE), 4. Josh Johnson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Nick Jensen (Hickman, NE), 6. Cole Krichau (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Kyle Owen (Nebraska City, NE), 9. Anna Hiebert (Raymond, NE), 10. Tyler Aufenkamp (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 3:1. Justin Olsen (Lincoln, NE), 2. Matt Moyer (Gretna, NE), 3. Rick Hollandsworth (Lincoln, NE), 4. Kevin Fearing (Lincoln, NE), 5. James King (Bennet, NE), 6. Melissa Etherton (Lincoln, NE), 7. Spencer Pavey III (Sterling, NE), 8. Mitchell Wachter (Syracuse, NE), 9. Chelsea Zysset (Omaha, NE)

IMCA Sport Modified 7/19/2014

A Feature:1. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 2. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 3. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 4. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 5. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 6. Jason Harms (Beatrice, NE), 7. Roger Sluka (Lincoln, NE), 8. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 9. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 10. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 11. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 12. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 13. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 14. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 15. Gary Joens Jr. (Elkhorn, NE), 16. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 17. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 18. Josh Kennell (Hickman, NE), 19. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 20. Herb Slough (Doniphan, NE)

B Feature:1. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 2. Gary Joens Jr. (Elkhorn, NE), 3. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 4. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 5. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 6. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 7. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jamie Bruce (Lincoln, NE), 9. Mike Scheinost (Ashland, NE), 10. Dave Coberly (Council Bluffs, IA), 11. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 12. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 13. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 14. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 15. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 16. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 17. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 18. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE)

C Feature:1. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 2. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE), 3. Jeremy Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 4. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 5. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE), 6. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE), 7. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE), 8. Justin Bonney (Fremont, NE)

Heat 1:1. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, NE), 2. Jason Harms (Beatrice, NE), 3. Herb Slough (Doniphan, NE), 4. Kevin Anderson (Lincoln, NE), 5. Dion Kovar (Rising City, NE), 6. Mike Morton, Jr (Waterloo, NE), 7. Steven Muhlecke (Omaha, NE), 8. Blake Haas (Eagle, NE), 9. Jared Cote (Lincoln, NE), 10. Bryan Adams (Nebraska City, NE)

Heat 2:1. Nate Thompson (Fremont, NE), 2. Blain Petersen (Essex, IA), 3. Trent Roth (Columbus, NE), 4. Josh Kennell (Hickman, NE), 5. Adam Vrbka (Eagle, NE), 6. Jeremy Peckham (Lincoln, NE), 7. Jamie Bruce (Lincoln, NE), 8. Jack Prall III (Union, NE), 9. Terry Callendar (Lincoln, NE), 10. Bob Ruisinger (Bennet, NE)

Heat 3:1. Benji Legg (Beatrice, NE), 2. Joe Schidler (Lincoln, NE), 3. Sean Manning (Firth, NE), 4. Randy Fox (Lincoln, NE), 5. Gary Joens Jr. (Elkhorn, NE), 6. Dave Coberly (Council Bluffs, IA), 7. Jason Trent (Omaha, NE), 8. Trevor Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 9. Justin Bonney (Fremont, NE), 10. Jeremy Noonan (Lincoln, NE)

Heat 4:1. Roger Sluka (Lincoln, NE), 2. Scott Bivens (Waverly, NE), 3. Gary Saathoff (Beatrice, NE), 4. Joe Feyen (Plattsmouth, NE), 5. Mary Lenz (Elmwood, NE), 6. Don Rinke (Lincoln, NE), 7. Mike Scheinost (Ashland, NE), 8. Derick Noonan (Lincoln, NE), 9. Arie Schouten (Blair, NE), 10. Jason Heaps (Lincoln, NE)

IMCA Sprint 7/19/2014

A Feature:1. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 2. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 3. Jake Bubak (Arvada, CO), 4. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 5. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 6. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 7. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 8. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 9. Tadd Holliman (Murray, ne), 10. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 11. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 12. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 13. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 14. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 15. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 16. Neil Dvorak (Stuart, NE), 17. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 18. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 19. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 20. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE)

B Feature:1. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 2. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 3. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 4. Tadd Holliman (Murray, ne), 5. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 6. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 7. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 8. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 9. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 10. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE), 11. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE), 12. Sonny Manley (Gretna, NE), 13. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE)

Heat 1:1. Mike Boston (Alvo, NE), 2. Adam Gullion (Lincoln, NE), 3. Toby Chapman (Panama, NE), 4. Neil Dvorak (Stuart, NE), 5. Jake Bubak (Arvada, CO), 6. Clint Benson (Papillion, NE), 7. Shon Pointer (Grand Island, NE), 8. Bill Garrow (Lincoln, NE), 9. Kyle Flodman (Hickman, NE), 10. Tim Hilfiker (Greenwood, NE)

Heat 2:1. Gene Ackland (Martell, NE), 2. Brandon Horton (Omaha, NE), 3. Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), 4. Terry Richards (Denton, NE), 5. Shayle Bade (Lincoln, ne), 6. Chase Weiler (Lincoln, NE), 7. Joe Miller (Vail, IA), 8. Nick Bryan (Lincoln, NE), 9. Sonny Manley (Gretna, NE)

Heat 3:1. Joey Danley (Lincoln, NE), 2. Richard Weers (Lincoln, NE), 3. Eric Reichwaldt (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Mark Pace (Lincoln, NE), 5. Doug Lovegrove (Waverly, NE), 6. Keith Dragoo (Lincoln, NE), 7. Tadd Holliman (Murray, ne), 8. Lee Bowes (Lincoln, NE), 9. Dwight Carter (Lincoln, NE)