by Dale Leech
The much anticipated opener of Minneapolis Raceway’s 2011 season provided all the excitement, pop and sizzle that everyone expected plus much more.
On a very cool but beautiful night, 96 cars in four IMCA classes opened another exciting season of racing competition.
Adding to the buzz were the addition of several top flight drivers from Nebraska who journeyed to Minneapolis due to rainouts. These additions added to the great competition always provided by area drivers, treating the fans to more than they had dreamed of when they had awoken on Saturday morning. Adding to the intrigue of the races was the draw/redraw status for opening positions of each race, so the drivers that normally might be points leaders were set in various starting positions in the field where you normally might not see them. This provided great challengers for some, and disadvantages for others.
In the T&R Dirt Construction IMCA Sportsman Modifieds Feature race, three time defending champion Tyler Frye drew the inside pole second row position. With his traditional skill and speed, Frye was making moves to gain the lead going into turn 3 of the first lap. From then on Frye owned the race, building up huge leads during the first 9 laps. Then the first of two cautions occurred, drawing the field together for restarts. Each time Frye immediately distanced himself from the pack to win with a large lead, his 28th in the division at the MRW. Frye needs 5 more wins to tie the track record for feature wins in one division. Tyler Sutton won the “B” Feature race and then drove a great race from a 7th row starting position to finish 2nd to Frye in the “A” Feature. The Heat race winners were Dusty Schmidt, Steve Meeks, Jacob Krone, and Frye.
For the Feature race of the Bank of Tescott IMCA Stock Cars, 5 area drivers drew spots in the top 6 positions, while Kyle Vanover of Beatrice, Ne., drew the 2nd row outside position. Within a few laps Vanover had taken the lead from front row starters Bob Arnold and Tony Steenson and began building a very comfortable lead the race. The first caution occurred at 13 laps remaining. Out of this restart, Vanover retained his lead while Jason Schoenburger was able to pass and catch Tony Steenson. With the 2nd caution Schoenburger used the restart to stay close to Vanover and mount a challenge. After an exciting duel, Vanover pulled away for the win, his first at the MRW. Winning the Heat races were Justin Murdock and Vanover.
Then it was time for the Coors Lite IMCA Hobby Stocks to run their Feature race. Adam Armstrong, from the Beatrice, Ne. area whose only other appearance at the MRW was on 4/18/2009 when he picked up a Feature win, drew the inside pole front row position.
Armstrong was provided a challenge by Casey Gilmore, Dalton Remus, and Tony Slothower out of the first two rows for a few laps but was able to build a comfortable lead. Through two caution restarts, Armstrong was able to maintain his lead and win going away over fellow Nebraskan, Brendon Stigge, and defending division champion Tony Slothower. Winners of the Heat races were G.W. Fuller, Mike Traskowsky, and Armstrong.
Finally, the Casey’s General Store IMCA Modifieds took to the track for their much anticipated 24 lap Feature race. Chris Vogan and Jordan Grabouski drew the pole positions for a race that unfortunately not only featured great competition but also 11 caution restarts. The number one and two leaders from 2010, Corey Lagroon and Danny Morrison, Jr., had the misfortune of drawing 13th row starting positions. Despite the cautions, the fans were treated to outstanding competition from the drivers out of the first 5 rows, with several lead changes. Jordan Grabouski was able to establish an early lead. Fellow Nebraskan, Tyler Iverson moved up from 4 rows and provided an early challenge to Grabouski for the lead. Going into the 14th lap, Brandon Blochlinger was able to pass both Grabouski and Iverson, but had to give up the lead for a caution restart and was never able to regain the lead. Grabouski dropped out of the race due to mechanical issues leaving the lead to Iverson who then was challenged by another Nebraksan, Jarad Hoefelman who worked his way up from a 10th row starting position. Iverson and Hoefleman then battled out the remainder of the race with Tim Echevarria and Brandon Blochlinger, never far behind. Three green checkered flag caution restarts occurred at the end of the race, with Iverson and Hoefleman putting on quite a duel for the last lap. Iverson drove masterfully and took the checkered for his first feature win at the MRW. Jacob Anson, Lance Borgman, and Grabouski won the heat races.
Next Saturday, April 30 the schedule begins a four week stretch of all 6 regular classes racing at the MRW. Pit Gates will open at 4pm, followed by the Grand Stands at 5pm. Hot Laps begin at 6pm followed by Green Flag racing at 7pm. General Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 7 – 14, and free for kids 6 and under.
Minneapolis Raceway
Race Results for 4/23/2011
Hobby – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 06A Adam Armstrong ,
2 69 Brendon Stigge Fairbury, NE
3 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS
4 39 Jake Hedlund McPherson, KS
5 08G Casey Gilmore Chapman, KS
6 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS
7 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
8 31M Aaron McBride Barnard, KS
9 07R Dalton Remus Downs, KS
10 02 Ryan Roschewski Beatrice, KS
11 03C Jacob Caldwell Clearwater, KS
12 21K Mike Wilson Beloit, KS
13 60P Chris Pollet ,
14 2 Ron Rous Salina, KS
15 34B Justin Wurtz Manhattan, KS
16 85 Kevin Lilley Gypsum, KS
17 37J Michael Schneider Wamego, KS
18 04 Robert Piper Delphos, KS
19 05K Kelly Pihl Lindsborg, ks
20 03J Jordan Junker Beatrice, NE
21 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS
Hobby – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 06A Adam Armstrong ,
2 69 Brendon Stigge Fairbury, NE
3 2 Ron Rous Salina, KS
4 05K Kelly Pihl Lindsborg, ks
5 37J Michael Schneider Wamego, KS
6 03C Jacob Caldwell Clearwater, KS
7 02 Ryan Roschewski Beatrice, KS
Hobby – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS
2 31M Aaron McBride Barnard, KS
3 85 Kevin Lilley Gypsum, KS
4 07R Dalton Remus Downs, KS
5 21K Mike Wilson Beloit, KS
6 04 Robert Piper Delphos, KS
7 03J Jordan Junker Beatrice, NE
Hobby – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
2 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS
3 39 Jake Hedlund McPherson, KS
4 08G Casey Gilmore Chapman, KS
5 60P Chris Pollet ,
6 34B Justin Wurtz Manhattan, KS
7 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS
Modified – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 98T Tyler Iverson Albion, NE
2 15H Jarad Hoefelman Columbus, NE
3 35 Tim Echevarria Junction City, KS
4 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS
5 719 Joe Cleveland Delphos, KS
6 76 Lance Borgman Beatrice, NE
7 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS
8 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS
9 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS
10 11 Steve Burch Junction City, KS
11 7 Corey Burch Junction City, KS
12 22 Justin Jurgens Beatrice, NE
13 01V Chris Vogan Minneapolis, KS
14 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS
15 09J Geoff Jermark Beloit, ks
16 57 Kenny Cross Salina, KS
17 02B Bobby Bills Wichita, ks
18 18 Bryan Ward Salina, ks
19 30G Jordan Grabouski ,
20 13J Jacob Anson Albion, ne
21 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS
22 59W Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS
23 10 Matt Henke Osborne, KS
24 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS
25 819 Shannon Johnson Salina, KS
26 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS
27 71 Jason Caldwell Salina, KS
Modified – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 98T Tyler Iverson Albion, NE
2 35 Tim Echevarria Junction City, KS
3 7 Corey Burch Junction City, KS
4 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS
5 10 Matt Henke Osborne, KS
6 22 Justin Jurgens Beatrice, NE
7 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS
Modified – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 30G Jordan Grabouski ,
2 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS
3 09J Geoff Jermark Beloit, ks
4 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS
5 57 Kenny Cross Salina, KS
6 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS
7 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS
Modified – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 76 Lance Borgman Beatrice, NE
2 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS
3 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS
4 819 Shannon Johnson Salina, KS
5 11 Steve Burch Junction City, KS
6 18 Bryan Ward Salina, ks
Modified – Heat 4
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 13J Jacob Anson Albion, ne
2 01V Chris Vogan Minneapolis, KS
3 719 Joe Cleveland Delphos, KS
4 02B Bobby Bills Wichita, ks
5 15H Jarad Hoefelman Columbus, NE
6 59W Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS
7 71 Jason Caldwell Salina, KS
Sportsman – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS
2 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS
3 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS
4 01X Troy Wachsnicht Morganville, KS
5 97T Troy Attwood Smith Center, KS
6 08J Josh Rice Minneapolis, KS
7 04N Jason Nelssen ,
8 74 Rick Rohr Pickrell, Ne
9 69 Dusty Scmidt Fairbury, KS
10 9 Jerry Lambeth Salina, KS
11 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
12 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS
13 04C Chris Humphries Salina, KS
14 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
15 32 Ryan Ohlde Linn, KS
16 69C Tim Mcburney Salina, ks
17 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, ks
18 26X Shane Meeks ,
19 38 Shaylon Holoway Osborne, KS
20 34 Max Harder Blue Springs, NE
Sportsman – B Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS
2 9 Jerry Lambeth Salina, KS
3 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS
4 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, ks
5 69C Tim Mcburney Salina, ks
6 04C Chris Humphries Salina, KS
7 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
8 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
9 83 Tracy Holloway Osborne, KS
10 28 Gary Utley Salina, KS
11 01L Alex Lovless Salina, KS
12 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS
13 1J Jacob Schmutz Manhattan, ks
14 36 Chad Markley Abilene, KS
15 73D Terry Blessing Junction City, KS
16 11J Jesse Levin Salina, KS
17 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS
Sportsman – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 69 Dusty Scmidt Fairbury, KS
2 01X Troy Wachsnicht Morganville, KS
3 97T Troy Attwood Smith Center, KS
4 69C Tim Mcburney Salina, ks
5 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
6 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, ks
7 83 Tracy Holloway Osborne, KS
8 36 Chad Markley Abilene, KS
Sportsman – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 26X Shane Meeks ,
2 04N Jason Nelssen ,
3 32 Ryan Ohlde Linn, KS
4 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS
5 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS
6 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS
7 04C Chris Humphries Salina, KS
Sportsman – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS
2 74 Rick Rohr Pickrell, Ne
3 34 Max Harder Blue Springs, NE
4 11J Jesse Levin Salina, KS
5 28 Gary Utley Salina, KS
6 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
7 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS
Sportsman – Heat 4
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS
2 38 Shaylon Holoway Osborne, KS
3 08J Josh Rice Minneapolis, KS
4 9 Jerry Lambeth Salina, KS
5 01L Alex Lovless Salina, KS
6 73D Terry Blessing Junction City, KS
7 1J Jacob Schmutz Manhattan, ks
Stock Car – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 19 Kyle Vanover Beatrice, NE
2 06X Jason Schoenburger Russell, KS
3 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS
4 59S Tony Steenson ,
5 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS
6 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS
7 24M Justin Murdock Concordia, KS
8 21F Terry Franz Concordia, KS
9 6 Jared Remus Downs, KS
10 91E Scot Granzella Salina, KS
11 43 Wylie Pumarlo Morganville, KS
12 7 Brian Hickman Minneapolis, KS
13 63C Austin Carter Beloit, KS
14 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS
15 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS
16 03F Robbie Ferris Abilene, KS
17 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS
18 1 Chase Conaway Smith Center, KS
Stock Car – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 19 Kyle Vanover Beatrice, NE
2 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS
3 21F Terry Franz Concordia, KS
4 63C Austin Carter Beloit, KS
5 59S Tony Steenson ,
6 7 Brian Hickman Minneapolis, KS
7 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS
8 1 Chase Conaway Smith Center, KS
9 91E Scot Granzella Salina, KS
Stock Car – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 24M Justin Murdock Concordia, KS
2 06X Jason Schoenburger Russell, KS
3 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS
4 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS
5 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS
6 6 Jared Remus Downs, KS
7 43 Wylie Pumarlo Morganville, KS
8 03F Robbie Ferris Abilene, KS
9 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS