September 2, 2023 | By Greg Soukup

Jason Danley tops Eagle Nationals night 2

Eagle, NE —  Night 2 of the IMCA Racesaver Sprint Car Nationals, presented by Twin Rivers Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Ram and Twin Rivers Ford Friday at Eagle Raceway saw temperatures in the mid-90’s, an unrelenting sun and a strong southerly breeze that led to dry track conditions during the heats. Not wanting to give the later heat contestants a handicap, Roger Hadan and the crack track team waited until after the heats to recondition the racing surface. Then they went to work in earnest to ensure great conditions for all of the drivers.

There were several serious incidents in the preliminary action. Heat 11 saw Ryan Navratil’s 12P get very high in turn 1, climb the wall and go flipping through turn 2. Navratil had previously made contact with the 23 of Junior Jenkins in turn 4, losing his front bumper.

Then, in the G Feature Colby Stubblefield went too coming out of turn 4, made contact with the front stretch wall with the 2X and did a slow roll over.
In the B Feature Channin Tankersley flipped the 64 going into turn 3, resulting in an engine fire that was quickly extinguished. Then, on the restart, Kevin Rutherford ‘s 9 wheel hopped the 20 of Chad Wilson and ended up flipping down the front stretch. With 2 laps left, Lee Goos Jr. got too high in turn 3, hit the wall and ended up flipping.

None of the drivers were seriously injured, but a lot of damage to their cars meant a long night and early morning for the crews.

The Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stocks rolled out for the A Feature. Michael Wade put the #12 out front of lap 1 with the 10 of Michael Hansen, Dan Markham’s 6 and the 3N of Neil Pella rounding out the top 4. Lap 2 saw Brett Saathoff pass Pella to put the 11B into fourth. Markham got past Hansen for second on lap 6. Ryan Gilland joined the top 4 on lap 8, passing Saathoff for the spot in his #46. Pella spun out in turns 1 & 2 the next time around for a caution. Gilland advanced to third with 9 to go. 2 laps later the 17T of Troy Dowty came to a halt in turn 4 for another caution. Gilland grabbed the second spot with 6 circuits remaining. The next time around Tanner Dowty spun coming out of turn 3 after contact from the 57 of Bubba Wilcox. Ian Roschewski, having no place to go, rammed headlong into Dowty and his engine burst into flames when his carburetor was knocked loose. Neither driver was seriously hurt. Fletcher Petersen looped the 33 on the back stretch on the restart, collecting the 11D of Dawson Kubes and the yellow lights were lit in the corners. Adam Wasserman jumped up to fourth in his 41 with 3 to go. Nick Langan spun the 24 out at the bottom of turn 2 the next lap. The race was called for time at that point. Your top 4 were Wade, Gilland, Markham and Wasserman.

This was Michael’s third win at Eagle in 2023. He said “It was nice starting out front. The track was a little bit greasy up top, but you have to expect that when they reworked the track before the sprint car B. I want to say thanks to all of the fans for coming out and supporting me. A big thanks to all of my sponsors, friends and family who make it possible for me to race”. Michael’s sponsors include Hoppe Farms, Complete Ag, East Side Bar and Grill JR Storalls and City Slickers.

The finale for the evening was the A Feature for the IMCA Racesaver Sprints. The race would determine who would fill the 9 spots of the front 3 rows of Sunday’s Big Dance. Jason Danley took advantage of his pole position on the starting grid to put the 4X out front of lap 1, followed by Stu Snyder in the 5, Bill Johnson’s 56 and the 76 of Jay Russell. Matt Johnson passed Russell on lap 2 to put the 30 into fourth. Unfortunately, the 30 did a 360 in turns 1 and 2 on lap 5, kept going but was sent to the pits to remove the front bumper which had been detached when Jeremy Huish’s 88J didn’t quite clear him during the spin. He returned to the field at the tail of the field. That moved Russell back into the fourth spot. Lap 13 saw Russell pass Bill Johnson for third. 2 laps later Huish took over the fourth spot from Bill Johnson and moved up to third the next time around. With just 6 circuits left Huish got past Snyder to take over the second position. The final change in the top 4 came on the final lap when Tyler Drueke advanced to fourth in the #12 after winning the B Feature and starting 13th in the A.

Jason got the chance to start on the pole of the race by winning his heat. He was drenched in sweat and looked to be completely exhausted in victory lane. He stated “You know, one bad thing about starting on the front row and getting the lead early like that, you don’t know how close anybody is and if the line you are running is the right one or if you need to move around. I thought that at some point I would have to get off of the bottom in 1 and 2, but I told myself that until I hear somebody I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and just trying to hit my marks. There were a couple of times I got a little sideways getting into one because it was a little slick but I was getting such a run coming off of turn 2 that I didn’t want to give up on it until I saw someone. Some nights are just your night, and tonight was one of those nights where our Speedway shocks were perfect, our Speedway engine ran incredibly, our Schnee chassis was great and my crew did an awesome job and everything just came together. I’ve got to thank my crew. Mark, my Dad, my uncle Harold, of course always my brother and Joey’s crew. It’s a group effort. We always try to help each other out wherever we can. Thanks to all of the fans for coming out and a big thanks to Roger and Racine for putting this deal together every year. This is such an awesome deal! I’ve run the 360 Nationals and lots of other big races in my career but this one is right up at the top. They’re doing a heck of a job with it”. I asked him if he thought that we should do the interview again on Sunday night, to which he replied “I don’t think that I could take it! I would probably break down if that happened”. Jason’s sponsors include Climatech Heating and Air, Speedway Racing Engines, Speedway Shocks.

RESULTS:

Hobby Stock-IMCA A-Feature

1. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 2. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne. 3. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 4. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 5. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 6. Michael Hansen Weeping Water, Ne. 7. Neil Pella Adams, Ne. 8. Dylan Reicks(r) Lincoln, Ne. 9. Trenton Dowty Fremont, Ne. 10. Nick Jensen Hickman, Ne. 11. Dawson Kubes Fairbury, Ne. 12. Brad Burhenne Council Bluffs, Ia. 13. Nick Langan Albion, Ne. 14. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne. 15. Bubba Wilcox 16. Fletcher Petersen Lincoln, Ne. 17. Ian Roschewski Beatrice, Ne. 18. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 19. Troy Dowty Fremont, Ne. 20. Jason Halagarda Plattsmouth, Ne. 21. Dave Blanton Bellevue, Ne. DNS. Jared Jackson Lincoln, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 1

1. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 2. Michael Hansen Weeping Water, Ne. 3. Troy Dowty Fremont, Ne. 4. Nick Langan Albion, Ne. 5. Trenton Dowty Fremont, Ne. 6. Bubba Wilcox 7. Dave Blanton Bellevue, Ne. 8. Jared Jackson Lincoln, Ne.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 2

1. Neil Pella Adams, Ne. 2. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 3. Michael Wade Dorchester, Ne. 4. Nick Jensen Hickman, Ne. 5. Dylan Reicks(r) Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jason Halagarda Plattsmouth, Ne. 7. Brad Burhenne Council Bluffs, Ia.

Hobby Stock-IMCA Heat 3

1. Ryan Gilland Sterling, Ne. 2. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 3. Tyler Saathoff Holland, Ne. 4. Tanner Dowty Fremont, Ne. 5. Dawson Kubes Fairbury, Ne. 6. Fletcher Petersen Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ian Roschewski Beatrice, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature

1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 3. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 4. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 5. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 6. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 7. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 8. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 9. Bill Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 10. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 11. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 12. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 13. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 14. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 15. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 16. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 17. Cole Wayman(r) Lincoln, Ne. 18. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 19. Matt Johnson Saint Peter, Mn. 20. Nick Barger Madison, Sd.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature

1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 3. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 4. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 5. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 6. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 7. Cole Wayman(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 9. Jeb Sessums Cleburne, Tx. 10. Aj Hopkins Avon, In. 11. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 12. Lee Goos Jr Hartford, Sd. 13. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 14. Kevin Rutherford Flowermound, Tx. 15. Channin Tankersley Dayton, Tx. 16. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 17. Ryder Laplante Calera, Ok. 18. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature

1. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 2. Lee Goos Jr Hartford, Sd. 3. Aj Hopkins Avon, In. 4. Ryder Laplante Calera, Ok. 5. Jeb Sessums Cleburne, Tx. 6. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 7. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 8. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 9. Andrew Sullivan Milford, Ia. 10. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 11. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 12. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 13. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 14. Koby Werkmeister Armour, Sd. 15. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 16. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature

1. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 2. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 3. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 4. Jeb Sessums Cleburne, Tx. 5. Daniel Nekolite O`neill, Ne. 6. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 7. Jacob Gomola Guy Mills, Pa. 8. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 9. Owen Carlson Somerset, Wi. 10. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 11. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 12. Ken Duke Jr Selinsgrove, Pa. 13. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 14. Kade Higday Pleasant Hill, Ia. 15. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 16. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature

1. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 2. Owen Carlson Somerset, Wi. 3. Kade Higday Pleasant Hill, Ia. 4. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 5. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 6. Kayla Martin Brownsburg, In. 7. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. 8. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 9. Corby Scherb Decatur, Tx. 10. Austin Fox Spencer, Ia. 11. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 12. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 13. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 14. James Reed Kearney, Ne. 15. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 16. Owen Dimm Mifflintown, Pa.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature

1. Kade Higday Pleasant Hill, Ia. 2. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 3. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 4. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 5. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 6. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 7. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 8. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 9. Dustin Clark Washington, In. 10. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 11. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 12. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 13. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 14. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. DNS. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. DNS. Jordan Rupe Crossroads, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature

1. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 2. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia. 3. Dustin Clark Washington, In. 4. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 5. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 6. Breckton Crouch Lubbock, Tx. 7. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo. 8. Michalob Voeltz Madison, Sd. 9. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 10. Justin Bolte Fremont, Ne. 11. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 12. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 13. Glenn Worrell Powhatan, Va. 14. Colby Stubblefield Seagoville, Tx. DNS. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1

1. Bill Johnson St. Peter, Mn. 2. Kevin Rutherford Flowermound, Tx. 3. Aj Hopkins Avon, In. 4. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 5. Jack Hall Yukon, Ok. 6. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 7. Breckton Crouch Lubbock, Tx. 8. Colby Stubblefield Seagoville, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10

1. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 2. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 3. Ryder Laplante Calera, Ok. 4. Jeb Sessums Cleburne, Tx. 5. Conner Thomas Post, Tx. 6. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. 7. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11

1. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 2. Chris Graf Glencoe, Mn. 3. Andrew Sullivan Milford, Ia. 4. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 6. Ryan Navratil Altoona, Ia. 7. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 12

1. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 2. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 3. Josh Riggins Lincoln, Ne. 4. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 5. James Reed Kearney, Ne. 6. Jordan Rupe Crossroads, Tx. 7. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2

1. Matt Johnson Saint Peter, Mn. 2. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 3. Koby Werkmeister Armour, Sd. 4. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 5. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 6. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 7. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 8. Michalob Voeltz Madison, Sd.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3

1. Shayle Bade Raymond, Ne. 2. Channin Tankersley Dayton, Tx. 3. Nathan Weiler Omaha, Ne. 4. Claud Estes Godley, Tx. 5. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 6. Kade Higday Pleasant Hill, Ia. 7. Bill Garrow Lincoln, Ne. 8. Glenn Worrell Powhatan, Va.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4

1. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 4. Landon Thompson Haslet, Tx. 5. Owen Dimm Mifflintown, Pa. 6. Alex Davenport Lincoln, Ne. 7. Dustin Clark Washington, In.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5

1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Cole Wayman(r) Lincoln, Ne. 3. Bret Klabunde Omaha, Ne. 4. Ken Duke Jr Selinsgrove, Pa. 5. Austin Fox Spencer, Ia. 6. Heath Nestrick Caddo Mills, Tx. 7. Jacob Dye Albany, Mo.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6

1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Lee Goos Jr Hartford, Sd. 4. Cole Vanderheiden Papillion, Ne. 5. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 6. Dylan Waxdahl Hartford, Sd. 7. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7

1. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 2. Joey Danley Martell, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Jacob Gomola Guy Mills, Pa. 5. Corby Scherb Decatur, Tx. 6. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 7. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8

1. Jeremy Huish Ness City, Ks. 2. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 3. Jeremy Schultz Stewart, Mn. 4. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 5. Kayla Martin Brownsburg, In. 6. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 7. Justin Bolte Fremont, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9

1. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 2. Jake Galusha Lincoln, Ne. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Daniel Nekolite O`neill, Ne. 5. Owen Carlson Somerset, Wi. 6. Alex Salzman Lincoln, Ne. 7. Brandon Bosma Rock Rapids, Ia.