My apologies to those who used to follow my blog, and I promise to do better from now on. Yes; I know that I've said that before (more than once), but I mean it this time!! If I don't follow up, you all can issue me 1 demerit per week that I don't post.
Over 4 months have gone by since the season's last competition at Eagle Raceway, so I've gotten back into the saddle of writing about my Saturday home during the warm months. Today, I'm passing along the interviews that I did with both the IMCA Sport Compact and IMCA Hobby Stock points champions from last year. I hope that you enjoy them, and as always feel free to comment.
First, the Sport Compact Champion; Tommy Etherton.
It's been 4 months since the season ended, and with nearly 10 weeks left before Eagle Raceway kicks off its 2018 season, I wanted to help fill that empty feeling we all get this time of year. So, this week kicks off a series of interviews with last year's champions, starting with your 2017 IMCA Sport Compact victor and winner of the Young Gun award at the Eagle Raceway banquet.
Tommy Etherton, 18 from Lincoln is in just his 3rd year ever racing. "I actually got a ride in my sister's car (Melissa) when she had to sit out a couple of weeks due to injury. I had never raced anything before that; I started in the compact at Eagle Raceway. Then I just stayed with it ever since" related Etherton.
When asked if he was enjoying the experience, he said "Oh! I'm loving it!! It's a lower class, and I wish that I could move up, but it's always competitive and always a lot of fun. It's affordable for sure, and a lot of the people in our class are a heck of a driver. But, it's easy to afford and I think that's why a lot of people race in the class".
When asked what was different this season that allowed him to become the points champion he stated "We ran a lot more consistent this year. I don't think we ever even ran outside of the top 10 this year. We maybe didn't have a winning car each and every week, but we knew that if we were consistent and were there every week that we would be up there at the end. We didn't get even 1 win this year, and we didn't have any mechanical problems or anything. It ended up being a great season".
I then asked what it was like, being the Eagle Raceway champion. He replied "It still hasn't really sunk in yet. But, it means a lot to me for sure. A lot of those drivers out there have been doing it for so long, and it's everybody's ultimate goal to win at Eagle. I want to thank my parents, Kenny and Angie Johnson, and all of my friends for helping me be able to race and get this honor. They all do so much for me. I also want to thank the fans for all of the support they showed me throughout the year. Lastly, I want to thank Roger, Michelle and Racine for giving us such a great track to race at every weekend. We will definitely be back next year trying to make it 2 in a row!!".
Then, the IMCA Hobby Stock Champion; Jeff Ware.
When I spoke to your 2017 Eagle Raceway IMCA Hobby Stock Champion, Jeff Ware, I inquired as to what he was doing. The 25-year old from Columbus, Nebraska told me he was wrapping race cars over in Iowa. It seems that he is always working with, racing or thinking about race cars. Jeff won not only the points at Eagle, but another track and to top it off grabbed the Nebraska State Championship to boot.
"I started racing Hobby Stocks when I was 14, because that's when IMCA will let you start running, but technically I've been racing since I was 6. I started out in go-karts back in 1998 I believe. I've been racing every year since then" he said.
This was Ware's first year racing a full season at Eagle Raceway. "I've raced there multiple times, but this was my first full year. I finished deep in a big special that Eagle had a few years back, a $1000 to win hobby stock show. Before this year I mainly raced at Columbus and Albion, but I've never run a track full time on Saturdays. Eagle Raceway is by far my favorite track! It's racy everywhere. You can run the bottom or the top. They have a great group of guys to run against, and always plenty of cars. You don't have to show up and worry about much. There's a big crowd, and the fans are really great" he continued.
I then asked why he enjoyed competing at Eagle Raceway and he stated "Yeah! Absolutely!! Especially getting to race against Roy (Armstrong). He's won the track championship there multiple times, and to get the chance to go out there and race against him, night after night keeps you on edge for sure. I think I only won the points by 4 or 5 points; something like that, so he kept it a close battle all season. He definitely doesn't give up; he knows what he's doing".
He then told me the secret to getting the points championship. "The key to the championship by far was all of the work and effort that we put in night after night. Luckily, on my car I have a great support system. When I'm at work my Dad works on the car. I also have a couple of buddies, Damon Richards and Austin Brauner, who work on the car and help me out. Charger Chassis makes a car that's second to none; it's the premier chassis out there. Also there is T & R Auto Repair, Hein Auto Body, Shane, Vince and Madison, plus Demon Decals who make the car look extraordinary every week".
He concluded the interview by stating "We appreciate everyone who supports local dirt track racing. We don't want to see any more tracks close like Butler Raceway did. Tell everybody to keep supporting Eagle Raceway so that we can keep racing and putting on a great show for the fans".
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