Icebreaker Challenge Night #2

The weather for night 2 of the 2018 Icebreaker Challenge mirrored the previous evening, but those who braved the cloudy and chilly evening were treated to some fantastic racing action on the high banks of Eagle Raceway. A total of 134 teams towed to compete Saturday night, and put on a show that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

All the preliminary events were run without significant happenings.

The first A Feature was for the Purdue IMCA Sport Modifieds. The race was slowed before a lap could be completed when 4 cars spun in turns 3 and 4. Adam Armstrong in the 6A and Gary Saathoff’s 96 led the first circuit. Lap 3 saw Lance Borgman move up to third in the 76. Shawn Harker cracked the top 4 after 2 more laps, putting the 40 into fourth. Harker moved up to second the next time around as Borgman fell to third and Joe Feyen put the 25X into fourth. 2 more laps were in the books when Borgman again moved to 2^nd. With 4 to go the yellow flag was again brought out for debris on the track. Borgman took over the lead with 3 laps left as Feyen moved up to third. The final top 4 were Borgman, Armstrong, Feyen and Harker.

Borgman managed to sweep both nights of the Icebreaker, just as he had done 2 years ago, adding the $1000 bonus for the feat. “We got lucky and did it again. The track really turned around tonight. It slicked off, had a good top line and was a heck of a lot smoother. Roger did a great job getting the track into shape today. I started fourth row outside. I got up top and started momentum racing. I just had to keep my speed up. I kind of forgot to mention my pit crew last night. If it wasn’t for everybody in my family and my pit crew, I couldn’t be doing this and it wouldn’t be any fun. I need to thank Lawrence Warnke, Joanne, my wife Becky, my Dad, Zach, Josh, Billy and my kids for putting up with my racing. Also, everybody who helps out and makes it possible”. Borgman’s sponsors include Hergott Farms, Penner Insurance, Coordsen Farms, Jordan Grabouski, Novotny Ag, Snyder Car Care, Wehrs Machine and Biggs Sports Bar.

The IMCA Hobby Stock Feature saw Kyle Clough’s 11K first back to the flag stand with Les Lundquist in the 19 and the 53ELI of Marty Steinbach rounding out the top 3. Lundquist took the lead on lap 2 as Eric Bartels put the 25B into third. Clough retook the lead the next lap as Jordan Grabouski put the #30 into fourth before passing Bartels for third the next lap. Kyle Vanouver moved his 19V into fourth with 14 laps remaining. 3 laps later Ron Pettit looped the 12 in turn 4 Grabouski advanced to second on the restart and grabbed the lead with 8 to go. The final change in the top 4 came with 2 to go when Vanouver moved to third. The final top 4 were Grabouski, Lundquist, Vanouver and Clough.

Past track, state and national IMCA points champion in the Modified class; Grabouski is a familiar face at Eagle Raceway. “I drove a stock car a few years back for Kevin VanLaningham and Kyle Berck. Kevin Schmidt and Max Buskin gave me the opportunity to drive this carat some of the bigger specials and we’ve been having a ball with it. Thanks to Brandon and Kyle for getting us set up in the right direction. Denny at CPD got us set up with some shocks. Tonight was probably the best the car has ever been. The track was 900 times better tonight! It was racy, and you could race around it everywhere. I’m pretty happy that Roger got the sheepsfoot out and gave us such a great track. That’s not easy this early in the year”.

The A Feature for the IMCA Racesaver Sprint Cars was next. Jason Martin took advantage of his front row starting position to snag the lead in the 68+1 with Trey Gropp’s 54, the 8G of Jimmy Grasso and Stu Snyder in the 23 close behind. Shon Pointer made a HUGE move on lap 2, putting the 20P into second. Gropp got extremely loose on lap 3, moving Snyder and Grasso to third and fourth. Tyler Drueke passed Grasso the next time around, putting the 12 into fourth. Snyder passed Pointer the next circuit and Drueke also got past Pointer after another lap. The next time around Toby Chapman put the #7 into fourth. Chapman moved to third with 14 left. Gropp looped his sprinter in turn 2 the next time around and the yellow lights were lit. Chapman got past Snyder with 1 to go and Trevor Grossenbacher cracked the top four in his #35. Chapman and Grossenbacher made contact with 4 to go. Grossenbacher did a 360-degree spin and kept going, but he brought out a caution. From there to the finish it was all Martin who took the victory with Chapman, Snyder and Drueke rounding out the top 4.

This was a different ride for Martin. “Yes, actually it’s a brand-new car for Blaine too; he just put it together a couple of weeks ago. I helped him put it together. He gave me the opportunity to drive the car because I don’t have a ride at the moment. I just happened to win it, so it’s a good thing for him; and me! I got a good lucky draw and started outside the front row. I liked the track tonight because it was dry. Typically, it gets too much moisture on the bottom, or on the top; but Roger did a good job with the track tonight, but he always does”. The car’s sponsors include Crop Production Services, McClintock Farms and Peterson Automotive.

The final A Feature on the evening was for the Runner Freight Modifieds and was arguably the best race of the weekend. Tim Ward put his 4TW out front of lap 1 with Jordan Grabouski’s 30, the 6 of Ryan Jenkins and Shane Hiatt in the 21H challenging him. Kelly Shryock moved the 3 into the fourth spot the next time around and passed Jenkins for third after 1 more circuit. Hunter Marriott cracked the top 4 in his #62 with 5 laps in the books. Chad Andersen looped the 8C in turn 3 two laps later. Marriott jumped into the lead on the restart and Grabouski moved back to second the following circuit. With Marriott hugging the bottom and Grabouski hauling around the high side, the battle was on. Grabouski made run after run on Marriott but could not pass him until Grabouski took the top spot away with 12 laps remaining. The last 12 laps saw Marriott try both the top and bottom grooves, but to no avail. Hiatt spun out in turn 4 three laps later, slowing the action. Ricky Thornton Jr. moved up to fourth after 2 more laps, then to third after another pair of circuits. Shryock again got up to fourth with 2 to go. The final top 4 were Grabouski, Marriott, Thornton Jr. and Shryock.

Grabouski’s win began from the outside of the second row on the starting grid. “It was a good battle. Hunter always races me clean, and we had a lot of fun. Again, hats off to Denny at CPD shocks; he dialed us in for the feature. And thanks to GRT for a great car; it’s always fun to drive it. I knew I couldn’t stop and go with Hunter on the bottom. I was going to have to take a different alternative if I wanted to win the race. I think I could have run second on the bottom, but to beat him I was going to have to go where he wasn’t. I found the top in 1 and 2, and found that I could make some hay if I could hit it right. It was just that 1 out of 5 times you hit it wrong and it really screwed you up. That had to be a good show for the fans and it’s always fun when you win the bigger races. I want to thank my crew guys. Merle, Josh, Dillon, Bryson and all of the other guys who help me. My wife of course gets the biggest thanks. We’re going to be having a baby in October. We just found out that news this month, so it’s been a pretty exciting couple of months! I can’t wait for October to see the different side of racing with a kid is like. I’m really excited about it. Maybe we can get him or her a go-kart some day and they can follow in my footsteps”.

Next weekend starts the regular season at Eagle Raceway as the Nebraska Lottery presents ANTE UP! Night. Front gates open at 5:15 with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:30. Adult admission is $10, youths 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free.

As always it will be IMCA racing with the Racesaver Sprint Cars, Runner Freight Modifieds, Purdue University Sport Modifieds, Valentino’s Hobby Stocks and ATV Motorsports Sport Compacts.

Pit gates open at 4 P.M. with pit passes costing $25.

RESULTS

IceBreaker Modified A-Feature

1. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 2. Hunter Marriott Bookefield, Mo. 3. Ricky Thornton Jr  4. Kelly Shryock  5. Tim Ward  6. Dylan Smith Osceola, Ne. 7. Ryan Jenkins Omaha, Ne. 8. Ricky Stephan  9. Eddie Belec Arvada, Co. 10. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 11. Jordy Nelson Marysville, Ks. 12. Jesse Dennis  13. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 14. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 15. Joshua Vogt  16. Josh Blumer Marysville, Ne. 17. Brandon Clough  18. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 19. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 20. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne.

IceBreaker Modified B-Feature

1. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 2. Josh Blumer Marysville, Ne. 3. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 4. Joshua Vogt  5. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 6. Jacob Hobscheidt Plattsmouth, Ne. 7. Randy Foote Stanton, Ia. 8. John Burrow Jr Denver, Co. 9. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne. 10. Brandon Spanjer Crete, Ne. 11. Jesse Skalicky Fargo, Nd. 12. Scott Smith Davenport, Ne. 13. Aj Valim Palmer Lake, Co. 14. Nathan Landauer Davey, Ne. 15. Tyler Sutton Beloit, Ks. 16. Terry Hurt Ft. Calhoun, Ne. 17. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 18. Benjamin Chukuske Welcome, Mn. 19. Clint Homan Bellevue, Ne. 20. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Ashley Schaaf Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker Modified Heat 1

1. Shane Hiatt Rising City, Ne. 2. Tim Ward  3. Ricky Stephan  4. Eddie Belec Arvada, Co. 5. Bob Zoubek Dorchester, Ne. 6. Joshua Vogt  7. Jacob Hobscheidt Plattsmouth, Ne. 8. Bob Ruisinger Bennet, Ne. 9. Nathan Landauer Davey, Ne. 10. Tyler Sutton Beloit, Ks.

IceBreaker Modified Heat 2

1. Jordy Nelson Marysville, Ks. 2. Ricky Thornton Jr  3. Jesse Dennis  4. Mike Densberger Lincoln, Ne. 5. Josh Blumer Marysville, Ne. 6. Aj Valim Palmer Lake, Co. 7. Randy Foote Stanton, Ia. 8. Terry Hurt Ft. Calhoun, Ne. 9. Scott Smith Davenport, Ne.

IceBreaker Modified Heat 3

1. Hunter Marriott Bookefield, Mo. 2. Kelly Shryock  3. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 4. Brandon Clough  5. Justin Wulf Arlington, Ne. 6. John Burrow Jr Denver, Co. 7. Jesse Skalicky Fargo, Nd. 8. Benjamin Chukuske Welcome, Mn. 9. Jared Deterding Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker Modified Heat 4

1. Ryan Jenkins Omaha, Ne. 2. Dylan Smith Osceola, Ne. 3. Chad Andersen Ft Calhoun, Ne. 4. Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 5. Trevor Baker Omaha, Ne. 6. Brandon Spanjer Crete, Ne. 7. Clint Homan Bellevue, Ne. 8. Ashley Schaaf Lincoln, Ne. 9. Rik Gropp Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod A-Feature

1. Lance Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 2. Adam Armstong Beatrice, Ne. 3. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 4. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 5. Karl Brewer Vermillion, Sd. 6. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 7. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 8. Jeff Brunssen Lemars, Ia. 9. Colby Langenberg Norfolk, Ne. 10. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 11. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne. 12. Mary Lenz Lincoln, Ne. 13. Brian Osantowski Columbus, Ne. 14. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 15. Josh Pfeifer St. Paul, Ne. 16. Jason Harms David City, Ne. 17. James Roebuck Genoa, Ne. 18. Dillon Schultz(r) Lincoln, Ne. 19. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 20. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod B-Feature

1. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 2. Josh Pfeifer St. Paul, Ne. 3. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 4. Dillon Schultz(r) Lincoln, Ne. 5. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 6. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 7. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 8. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 9. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne. 10. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne. 11. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 12. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 13. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne. 14. Brock Curtis Papillion, Ne. 15. Bobby Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 16. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 17. Logan Thomsen Lincoln, Ne. 18. Roger Sluka Lincoln, Ne. 19. Jason Heaps Lincoln, Ne. 20. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. DNS. Tony Schultz North Platte, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 1

1. Lance Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 2. Jason Harms David City, Ne. 3. Brian Osantowski Columbus, Ne. 4. Gunnar Pike South Bend, Ne. 5. Arie Schouten Blair, Ne. 6. Trevor Noonan Dorchester, Ne. 7. Roger Sluka Lincoln, Ne. 8. Nick Morris Bellevue, Ne. 9. Jason Heaps Lincoln, Ne. 10. Terry Callender Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 2

1. Colby Langenberg Norfolk, Ne. 2. Gary Saathoff Beatrice, Ne. 3. Anthony Kobus David City, Ne. 4. James Roebuck Genoa, Ne. 5. Josh Pfeifer St. Paul, Ne. 6. Amber Cook Lincoln, Ne. 7. Brock Curtis Papillion, Ne. 8. Bobby Draper Valparaiso, Ne. 9. Tony Schultz North Platte, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 3

1. Joe Schidler Omaha, Ne. 2. Joe Feyen Plattsmouth, Ne. 3. Jeff Brunssen Lemars, Ia. 4. Mary Lenz Lincoln, Ne. 5. Matthew Andrews Malcolm, Ne. 6. Dillon Schultz(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 8. Adam Vrbka Eagle, Ne. 9. Mike Scheinost Ceresco, Ne.

IceBreaker SportMod Heat 4

1. Karl Brewer Vermillion, Sd. 2. Shawn Harker Nebraska City, Ne. 3. Adam Armstong Beatrice, Ne. 4. Cole Wayman Lincoln, Ne. 5. Braydon Latture Omaha, Ne. 6. Logan Thomsen Lincoln, Ne. 7. Hunter Weber Council Bluffs, Ne. 8. Jeremy Down Nebraska City, Ne. 9. Bradley Schreiner(r) Weeping Water, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint A-Feature

1. Jason Martin Lincoln, Ne. 2. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 3. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 4. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 5. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 6. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 7. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 8. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne. 9. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 10. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 11. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 12. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 13. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 14. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 15. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 16. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 17. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 18. Austin McLean Loveland, Co. 19. Trevor Grossenbacher Hickman, Ne. 20. Josh Riggins(r) Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint B-Feature

1. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 2. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 3. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 4. Austin McLean Loveland, Co. 5. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 6. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Paul Hendrickson Lincoln, Ne. 9. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 10. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne. 11. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 12. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. 13. Jeff Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 14. Kaleb Johnson Sioux Falls, Sd. DNS. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint Heat 1

1. Shayle Bade Lincoln, Ne. 2. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 3. Josh Riggins(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 5. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 6. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 7. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 8. Keith Dragoo Greenwood, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint Heat 2

1. Jason Martin Lincoln, Ne. 2. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 3. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Hickman, Ne. 5. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 6. Kaleb Johnson Sioux Falls, Sd. 7. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 8. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint Heat 3

1. Jimmy Grasso Omaha, Ne. 2. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 3. Trey Gropp(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 5. Paul Hendrickson Lincoln, Ne. 6. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. 7. Jeff Pendergast Norfolk, Ne.

IceBreaker Sprint Heat 4

1. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Shon Pointer Grand Island, Ne. 4. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 5. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 6. Austin McLean Loveland, Co. 7. Ryan Kitchen(r) Lincoln, Ne.

IMCA Stock Car A-Feature

1. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 2. Les Lundquist Sioux City, Ne. 3. Kyle Vanover Beatrice, Ne. 4. Kyle Clough Wallace, Ne. 5. Shane Stutzman Milford, Ne. 6. Dan Nelson Holmesville, Ne. 7. Shawn Primrose Norfolk, Ne. 8. Doug Adamy Columbus, Ne. 9. Marty Steinbach Fremont, Ne. 10. Bj Wagoner Colby, Ks. 11. Nick Woodard Elkhorn, Ne. 12. Tanner Pettitt Norfolk, Ne. 13. Eric Bartels Plymouth, Ne. 14. Chad Bruns Wakefield, Ne. 15. Ron Pettitt Norfolk, Ne. 16. Jeff Whiting Gothenburg, Ne. 17. Austin Brauner Platte Center, Ne. 18. John Bruegman Elkhorn, Ne. 19. Eric Rempel Palmyra, Ne. 20. Kyle Dumpert 

IMCA Stock Car B-Feature

1. Shane Stutzman Milford, Ne. 2. Jeff Whiting Gothenburg, Ne. 3. Kyle Dumpert  4. Austin Brauner Platte Center, Ne. 5. Allen Zimmerman Central City, Ne. 6. Tyler Easterday Lexington, Ne. 7. John Meyer Odell, Ne. 8. Tyler Hiner Columbus, Ne. 9. Paul Burck Beatrice, Ne. 10. Jake McCloud Carter Lake, Ia. 11. Tyler Phelps Beatrice, Ne. 12. Matt Boucher Murdock, Ne. 13. Garrett Freese Plymouth, Ne. 14. Greg Taylor 

IMCA Stock Car Heat 1

1. Marty Steinbach Fremont, Ne. 2. Bj Wagoner Colby, Ks. 3. Ron Pettitt Norfolk, Ne. 4. Chad Bruns Wakefield, Ne. 5. Tyler Easterday Lexington, Ne. 6. John Meyer Odell, Ne. 7. Jake McCloud Carter Lake, Ia.

IMCA Stock Car Heat 2

1. Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, Ne. 2. Kyle Vanover Beatrice, Ne. 3. Les Lundquist Sioux City, Ne. 4. Doug Adamy Columbus, Ne. 5. Shane Stutzman Milford, Ne. 6. Austin Brauner Platte Center, Ne. 7. Matt Boucher Murdock, Ne. 8. Kyle Dumpert  9. Paul Burck Beatrice, Ne.

IMCA Stock Car Heat 3

1. Dan Nelson Holmesville, Ne. 2. Eric Rempel Palmyra, Ne. 3. Eric Bartels Plymouth, Ne. 4. John Bruegman Elkhorn, Ne. 5. Greg Taylor  6. Tyler Hiner Columbus, Ne. DQ. Jeff Whiting Gothenburg, Ne.

IMCA Stock Car Heat 4

1. Kyle Clough Wallace, Ne. 2. Nick Woodard Elkhorn, Ne. 3. Tanner Pettitt Norfolk, Ne. 4. Shawn Primrose Norfolk, Ne. 5. Allen Zimmerman Central City, Ne. 6. Tyler Phelps Beatrice, Ne. 7. Garrett Freese Plymouth, Ne.