Friday, June 12, 2020

Aikey Takes The SLMR Thursday Night Thunder Win in Webster City

Intial my schedule at the beginning of the season had me attending the Malvern Bank SLMR Series race at the Hamilton County Speedway but with the whole COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the early season visit it mean having to wait until June. The Super Late Models Racing Series was also suppose to make two visits last year but got rained out.

On Thursday Night, the wait for fans and drivers was over as the Malvern Bank SLMR "West" Series and the Newly Haulin' with Hoker Trucking SLMR "East" Series took to the Hamilton County Speedway driven by Spangler Automotive for some Thursday Night Thunder action. The racing surface was smooth and wide but at times did not seem like that forcing track crew to go out and rip it up before the A Features.

Sixty-Two cars signed in to race on the historic half mile at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds including Thirty-Five SLMR Late Models. Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods had ten entries, Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks had fourteen and the My Race Pass USRA Tuners had three cars. Jeff Aikey took the SLMR win meanwile Levi Chipp, Eric Stanton and Matt Oberhelman all took Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series feature wins.

Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods 15 lap feature was first up. Levi Chipp started on the pole position and after holding off hometown favorite Ty Griffith, Latimer pulled away and went on to take the win.  For Chipp, his second win at the Hamilton County Speedway as he picked up the feature win last saturday. Griffith started fifth and ended up second. Nate Whitehurst finished third, Brandon Toftee was fourth and Doug McCollough was fifth

In the My Race Pass USRA Tuners 10 lap feature, Fort Dodge's Matt Oberhelman wrestled the early race lead from Marshalltown's John Gill. Oberhelman held off any challenge Gill had and took his first win at the Hamilton County Speedway this season. Gill finished second and Justin Nielson of Luverne finished third.

After Time Trials, four heats, two consolation races and provisionals all determined for the Malvern Bank and Haulin' with Hoker Trucking SLMR Late Model Series 35 lap feature event. Omaha, Nebraska drivers Jake Neal and Ben Schaller led the field to the green. Neal edged out the  seven-time champion and winningest IMCA Summer Series driver, Jeff Aikey by a nose at the line on lap one. Stuart's feature winner Tad Pospisil from Norfolk, Nebraska ran third early by Schaller and Lavista, Nebraska drive Bill Leighton. Aikey took the top spot away on lap two and powered away from the field. On lap four, the caution came out when Kale Kosiski came to a stop.

On the restart, the red flag was displayed when there was a pile-up in turn four involving seven-time SLMR Series Champion Kyle Berck, Sherrill's Jeff Tharp, Newton's Curt Schroeder and Dylan Schmer from Aurora, Nebraska. After getting Tharp and Berck untagled, Berck headed to the pit to get work from his crew meanwhile Tharp was towed back to the pits. The caution came out again on the restart when Neal had his throttle get stuck wide open forcing him to pound the turn 1 wall. Neal climbed from the car, a little sore but okay meanwhile the 8 Ball car was taken to the pits.

Aikey again powered away on the restart and he did it again on after the caution on lap thirteen. Leighton and Pospisil traded some side romance allowing Aikey to pull away on the lap 13. Aikey looked to be heading on to take the win when a caution came out on lap 22 for Zach Zeitner spun and back into the wall in turn four.  Aike continued to be the captain of the ship as he pulled away but the caution came out on lap 29 forcing a green-white-checkered finish. After the initial restart also having a caution when Schmer, Brad Perdue and Brian Kosiski getting together in turn two.

Aikey was not faxed as he went on to take the $3,000 and the feature win for Car Owner Rick Dralle. 2017 SLMR series Champ Tad Pospisil got by Bill Leight from the runner-up honors. Gibbon, Nebraska driver Josh Leonard finished fourth, Oxford's Andy Eckrich was fifth. Cory Dumpert, Corey Zeitner, Ben Schaller, Justin Kay and "Hollywood" Jason Hahne finished sixth through tenth respectively. Kyle Berck set fast time in time trials, manage to finish twelfth after having to start towards the back. "Ironman" Darrel DeFrance was hard charger in the feature event, moving up twelve spots from twenty-sixth to finish fourteenth.

Final feature of the night was the Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks 12 lap feature. Corey Roe led the first five laps before Eric Stanton took the top spot away on lap six. The only caution came out on lap eight for John Ades and Jake Blau getting together in turn two. Stanton was not fazed as he went on to take the second win in Webster City. Roe finished second by holding off challenges from Eric Knutson late. Knutson settled for third, fourteenth place starter Jeremy Crimmins was fourth and Scott Dobel finished fifth.

Racing action came to and end at 10:26 pm putting into another fantastic night at the historic half mile.

Malvern Bank SLMR "West" Series continues on as they head to their home track, the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska on Friday Night June 12th before they are on hiatus again until July 11th at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska on July 12th at Boone County Raceway in Albion, Nebraska. Next West Series Race in Iowa currently scheduled is on July 18th at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan.

Haulin' with Hoker Trucking SLMR "East" Series will resume Friday June 19th at CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, Saturday June 20th at 34 Raceway in West Burlington and Sunday June 21st at the Bullring at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds in East Moline, Illinois. Following week, Friday June 26th at Lafayette County Speedway (Darlington, Wisconsin), Saturday June 27th at the Independence Motor Speedway in Indepedence and Sunday June 28th at the Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City.

Action resumes on Saturday Night June 13th at the Hamilton County Speedway with "Racing for the Right Reasons" featuring Super Late Models powered by Jerry Goebel State Farm racing for $1,000 to win. Olsen Family USRA Modifieds, Seneca Foundry USRA Stock Cars, Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods, Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks and MyRacePass USRA Tuners racing for Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series points. Pits Open at 4pm, Grandstands Open at 5pm and Racing beings at 7:30pm. Grandstands are just $5 for ages 12 and older meanwhile Kids Ages 11 and under get in free. Pit Passes are $40 for Ages 11 and older, Ages 6-10 are $20, Kids 5 and under are free.

For more information on the SLMR Late Model Series, call the office at 402-342-3453, check out SLMRseries.com or Like Super Late Model Racing (SLMR) Series on Facebook. 

For more information about the Hamilton County Speedway,  call the office at (515) 832-6000 or check out HamiltonCoSpeedway.com or Like the Hamilton County Speedway on Facebook or Follow on the Hamilton County Speedway on Twitter.

Hamilton County Speedway driven by Spangler Automotive
Thursday, June 11th, 2020


Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown.

MALVERN BANK / HAULIN' WITH HOKER TRUCKING
SLMR SUPER LATE MODELS

Qualifying (2 laps):
1. 14 Kyle Berck (Marquette, Neb.) 18.865; 2. 98 Ben Schaller (Omaha, Neb.) 19.293; 3. 77 Jeff Aikey (Cedar Falls) 19.405; 4. 11 Lyle Klein (Sherrill) 19.447; 5. 04 Tad Pospisil (Norfolk, Neb.) 19.513; 6. 6 Cory Dumpert (York, Neb.) 19.523; 7. 1 Dylan Schmer (Aurora, Neb.) 19.609; 8. 56 Andy Eckrich (Oxford) 19.630; 9. 10T Jeff Tharp (Sherrill) 19.694; 10. 8 Jake Neal (Omaha, Neb.) 19.696; 11. 24 Bill Leighton Jr (Lavisa, Neb.) 19.738; 12. 85 Josh Leonard (Gibbon, Neb.) 19.747; 13. 76 Zach Zeitner (Bellevue, Neb.) 19.759; 14. 01 Jacob Hobscheidt (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 19.799; 15. 07 Matt Ryan (Davenport) 19.806; 16. 4K Josh Krug (Omaha, Neb.) 19.807; 17. 26JR Corey Zeitner (Omaha, Neb.) 19.841; 18. 44 Luke Goedert (Guttenberg) 19.844; 19. 52 Brian Kosiski (Papillon, Neb.) 19.861; 20. 22C Charlie McKenna (Ames) 19.862; 21. 76H Jason Hahne (Webster City) 19.865; 22. 56 Chris Spieker (Massena) 19.874; 23. 40 Joel Callahan (Dubuque) 19.924; 24. 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland) 20.028; 25. 99D Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown) 20.037; 26. 91 Gabe Umbarger (Garner) 20.131; 27. 23 Paul Conrad (Colo) 20.133; 28. 93 Jay Johnson (West Burlington) 20.301; 29. 35 Kale Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.) 20.365; 30. 22 Jill George (Cedar Falls) 20.366; 31. 15C Curt Schroeder (Newton) 20.384; 32. 0 Dewayne Kiefer (Bloomsdale, Mo.) 20.399; 33. 112 Tyler Smith (Gibbon, Neb.) 20.619; 35. 15X Ryan Griffith (Webster City) 20.799; 36. 25 Brad Perdue (Council Bluffs) 20.850

Speedway Motors Heat #1
(8 laps):
1. (1) 76H Jason Hahne (Webster City); 2. (2) 26JR Corey Zeitner (Omaha, Neb.); 3. (5) 04 Tad Pospisil (Norfolk, Neb.); 4. (8) 35 Kale Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.); 5. (7) 99D Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown); 6. (3) 76 Zach Zeitner (Bellevue, Neb.); 7. (4) 10T Jeff Tharp (Sherrill); 8. (6) 14 Kyle Berck (Marquette, Neb.)

Keyser Manufacturing Heat #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 44 Luke Goedert (Guttenberg); 2. (1) 56 Chris Spieker (Massena); 3. (4) 8 Jake Neal (Omaha, Neb.); 4. (6) 98 Ben Schaller (Omaha, Neb.); 5. (3) 01 Jacob Hobscheidt (Plattsmouth, Neb.); 6. (5) 6 Cory Dumpert (York, Neb.); 7. (7) 91 Gabe Umbarger (Garner); 8. (9) 15X Ryan Griffith (Webster City); 9. (8) 22 Jill George (Cedar Falls)

Dynamic Drivelines Heat #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 40 Joel Callahan (Dubuque); 2. (4) 24 Bill Leighton (La Vista, Neb.); 3. (2) 52 Brian Kosiski (Papillion, Neb.); 4. (3) 07 Matt Ryan (Davenport); 5. (6) 77 Jeff Aikey (Cedar Falls); 6. (5) 1 Dylan Schmer (Aurora, Neb.); 7. (8) 15C Curt Schroeder (Newton); 8. (9) 25 Brad Perdue (Council Bluffs); 9. (7) 23 Paul Conrad, Colo, Iowa

Kosiski Auto Parts Heat #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 22C Charlie McKenna (Ames); 2. (1) 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland); 3. (4) 85 Josh Leonard (Gibbon, Neb.); 4. (6) 11 Lyle Klein (Sherrill); 5. (5) 56 Andy Eckrich (Oxford); 6. (3) 4K Josh Krug (Omaha, Neb.); 7. (7) 93 Jay Johnson (West Burlington); 8. (8) 0 Dewayne Kiefer (Bloomsdale, Mo.)

"B" Feature #1 (8 laps):
1. (1) 52 Brian Kosiski (Papillion, Neb.); 2. (2) 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland); 3. (4) 76 Zach Zeitner (Bellevue, Neb.); 4. (6) 91 Gabe Umbarger (Garner); 5. (3) 01 Jacob Hobscheidt (Plattsmouth, Neb.); 6. (7) 15C Curt Schroeder (Newton); 7. (9) 25 Brad Perdue (Council Bluffs); 8. (10) 112 Tyler Smith (Gibbon, Neb.); 9. (8) 23 Paul Conrad (Colo); 10. (5) 35 Kale Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.)

"B" Feature #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 56 Chris Spieker (Massena); 2. (3) 10T Jeff Tharp (Sherrill); 3. (7) 0 Dewayne Kiefer (Bloomsdale, Mo.); 4. (5) 99D Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown); 5. (8) 15X Ryan Griffith (Webster City); 6. (4) 4K Josh Krug (Omaha, Neb.); 7. (9) 22 Jill George (Cedar Falls); 8. (2) 14 Kyle Berck (Marquette, Neb.); 9. (6) 93 Jay Johnson (West Burlington)

Malvern Bank & Hoker Trucking "A" Feature (30 laps):
1. (4) 77 Jeff Aikey (Cedar Falls); 2. (3) 04 Tad Pospisil (Norfolk, Neb.); 3. (5) 24 Bill Leighton (Lavista, Neb.); 4. (7) 85 Josh Leonard (Gibbon, Neb.); 5. (10) 56 Andy Eckrich (Oxford); 6. (14) 6 Cory Dumpert (York, Neb.); 7. (11) 26JR Corey Zeitner (Omaha, Neb.); 8. (2) 98 Ben Schaller (Omaha, Neb.); 9. (19) 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland); 10. (12) 76H Jason Hahne (Webster City); 11. (13) 40 Joel Callahan (Dubuque); 12. (21) 14 Kyle Berck (Marquette, Neb.); 13. (8) 44 Luke Goedert (Guttenberg); 14. (26) 99D Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown); 15. (17) 52 Brian Kosiski (Papillion, Neb.); 16. (22) 15C Curt Schroeder (Newton); 17. (15) 1 Dylan Schmer (Aurora, Neb.); 18. (23) 25 Brad Perdue (Council Bluffs); 19. (18) 56 Chris Spieker (Massena); 20. (9) 22C Charlie McKenna (Ames); 21. (6) 11 Lyle Klein (Sherrill); 22. (25) 76 Zach Zeitner (Bellevue, Neb.); 23. (1) 8 Jake Neal (Omaha, Neb.); 24. (20) 10T Jeff Tharp (Sherrill); 25. (24) 35 Kale Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.); 26. (16) 07 Matt Ryan (Davenport)

STEIN HEATING & COOLING
USRA B-MODS

Heat #1 (6 laps):
1. (4) 56 Ty Griffith (Webster City); 2. (1) 9J Jeremiah Reed (Otho); 3. (3) 85T Brandon Toftee (Otho); 4. (2) 88 Bryer McCoy (Webster City); 5. (5) 34 Braden Scharn (Sac City)

Heat #2 (6 laps):
1. (2) 49 Nate Whitehurst (Mason City); 2. (3) 85 Ben Moudry (Protivin); 3. (4) 66 Levi Chipp (Latimer); 4. (1) 1 Doug McCollough (Webster City); 5. (5) D1 Damion Elliott (Webster City)

Feature (15 laps):
1. (1) 66 Levi Chipp (Latimer); 2. (5) 56 Ty Griffith (Webster City); 3. (4) 49 Nate Whitehurst (Mason City); 4. (3) 85T Brandon Toftee (Otho); 5. (8) 1 Doug McCollough (Webster City); 6. (7) 88 Bryer McCoy (Webster City); 7. (9) 34 Braden Scharn (Sac City); 8. (2) 9J Jeremiah Reed (Otho); 9. (10) D1 Damion Elliott (Webster City); 10. (6) 85 Ben Moudry (Protivin)

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat #1 (6 laps):
1. (1) 83 Scott Dobel (Manly); 2. (2) 4D Daniel Ayers (Webster City); 3. (6) 12K Eric Knutson (Slater); 4. (7) 7B Eric Stanton (Carlisle); 5. (5) 42T Tyson Overton (Carlisle); 6. (4) 34 Lincoln Miller (Eagle Grove); 7. (3) 6 Dustin Gulbrandson (Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Heat #2 (6 laps):
1. (1) 35 Riley Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 2. (6) 8R Cory Roe (Webster City); 3. (7) 24R Roger Haupt (Webster City); 4. (3) 10 John Ades (Rippey); 5. (5) 136 Tanner Green (Hampton); 6. (4) 56 Jake Blau (Latimer); DQ – (2) 15 Jeremy Crimmins (Fort Dodge)

Feature (12 laps):
1. (4) 7B Eric Stanton (Carlisle); 2. (2) 8R Cory Roe (Webster City); 3. (3) 12K Eric Knutson (Slater); 4. (14) 15 Jeremy Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 5. (8) 83 Scott Dobel (Manly); 6. (13) 6 Dustin Gulbrandson (Sioux Falls, S.D.); 7. (1) 4D Daniel Ayers (Webster City); 8. (7) 24R Roger Haupt (Webster City); 9. (5) 35 Riley Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 10. (9) 42T Tyson Overton (Carlisle); 11. (11) 34 Lincoln Miller (Eagle Grove); 12. (6) 10 John Ades (Rippey); 13. (12) 56 Jake Blau (Latimer); 14. (10) 136 Tanner Green (Hampton)

MYRACEPASS
USRA TUNERS

Heat (5 laps):
1. (1) 41 Matt Oberhelman (Fort Dodge); 2. (2) 02 John Gill (Marshalltown); 3. (3) 13J Justin Nielson (Lu Verne)

Feature (10 laps):
1. (2) 41 Matt Oberhelman (Fort Dodge); 2. (1) 02 John Gill (Marshalltown); 3. (3) 13J Justin Nielson (Lu Verne)