Thursday, April 14, 2016
DENNIS MEYER/DAILY NEWS
THE IMCA SPORTMODS Matt Haase of Norfolk (81) and Dudley Schroeder of Armor, S.D., (23) take the green flag for a heat race on opening night at Off Road Speedway in this April 2015 photo.
Start your engines OFF ROAD SPEEDWAY ADDS TO SCHEDULE 360 Sprint Cars coming June 18 Inaugural Bob Haase Memorial set for Sept. 10 By JAY PRAUNER
jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com
With a season under their belts, officials at Off Road Speedway near Norfolk are going above and beyond to maintain the city’s great dirt-track racing tradition. “We have added two events to this year’s schedule,” track owner Kevin Signor said. “We’ve added the 360 Sprint Cars to one of our regular programs, and we’re bringing in the Super Late Model Racing series for a second night — which will be combined with the inaugural Bob Haase Memorial Late Model Championship.” Weather permitting, Off Road Speedway will open Drag racer Larry Meyer of Winside its second season of racing on Saturday, April 16. Late Model racer Mark Luekens of Albion ... please see page 6-A
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
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Signor said 2015 was a success and he’s eager for the 2016 season. “The support from the city of Norfolk and the surrounding communities was awesome,” Signor said. “We had great attendance, and we finished on time each week.” Track promoter Jerry Pospisil agreed. “I was really impressed with our workers. I think everything was run very professionally,” Pospisil said. “Every time we had new fans show up, the reaction was the same … ‘Wow, this is one neat facility.’ ” Pospisil is touting the track’s season-ending, Sept. 10 show, as “the biggest night of racing in Northeast Nebraska. “We had great feedback from the SLMR drivers last year, so getting them a second night is huge,” Pospisil said. “And, for the Bob Hasse Memorial Late Model Championship, we’re going to pay $1,000 to the winner. They don’t see that kind of a payday often.” During its June 18 program, Off Road Speedway will host the 360 Sprint Cars for the first time. “They were dropped from the weekly program at Eagle Raceway in Lincoln and are now a traveling group, racing at various tracks across the state,” Pospisil said. “We’re hearing they’ll be 20-25 of them here, so that will be a treat for our fans.” For a second consecutive season, Off Road Speedway will participate in the Summer Storm Dirt Series. The Summer Storm Dirt Series is a fourtrack collaboration between Boone County
Speedway in Albion, Off Road Speedway, Stuart Raceway and U.S. 30 Speedway in Columbus. Drivers in the Sport Compacts, Hobby Stock, Stock Cars and Northern SportMods accumulate points during an eight race schedule. Off Road Speedway will host The Summer Storm Dirt Series on May 7 and Aug. 13. Pospisil said valuable lessons were also learned from last season. “We had a couple of nights where the dust got the best of us, so we took some soil samples and found out we were lacking magnesium,” Pospisil said. “After getting some great input from some very knowledgeable people, Kevin has went above and beyond what a normal track owner would do and has taken steps to make his racing surface the best it can be.” A few other minor changes include extending the track’s banking in the corners up to the wall to encourage a high racing groove; adding cables to the front-stretch fence for safety; adding five laps to the Grand National “A” feature, which is now 30 laps, and adding two laps to the SportMod “A” feature, which is now 20 laps. The track will be closed July 2 (Fourth of July), July 16 (Madison County Fair) and July 23 (Silver Dollar Nationals). All things considered from last season, Signor and Pospisil agreed the positives far outweighed the negatives. “What we found out was that Off Road Speedway is just a real good atmosphere for racing,” Pospisil said.
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Sport Mods TOP 5 FROM 2015
NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
WE ASKED . . . 1. Who or what inspired you to get into racing? 2. List up to five sponsors 5. Favorite driver? 3. List up to five pit crew members 6. Favorite race track? 4. Favorite manufacturer? 7. Favorite moment of 2015 season?
No. 5K Kyle Prauner, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Jerry Prauner, Battle Creek Razor Chassis; Big Daddy Racecars; Linn Chiropractic; Canham Maytag; Precision Repair Jerry Prauner; Greg Berry; Dennis Hofmann; Joel Prauner Chevy Kyle Busch Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio Tie between winning the $2,500 to win B-Mod Nationals and getting my 100th IMCA SportMod win.
No. 11X Nelson Vollbrecht, Stanton 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Todd Vollbrecht, Stanton BRK Const.; Bill’s Built Racecars; Wehrs Machine; Rock County Tire Co.; KKBH Mortorsports Todd Vollbrecht; Tony Vollbrecht; Parker Vollbrecht; Mark Miller Chevy Martin Truex Jr. Bristol, Tenn. Going from 27th to sixth in a qualifier at SuperNationals in Boone, Iowa, and being one of two guys from Off Road Speedway to make Monday’s show.
No. 75 Troy Bruns, Wayne 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
David Hillle of Pierce and Dallas Heppner of Norfolk D&D Enterprises; White Dog Pub; Fernau Floors; State National Insurance; Spann Auto Travis Birkley; Chad Bruns; Dave Hille; John Hadcock; Johnathan Birkley Chevy Carl Edwards All of them Winning first Sport Mod race and having my kids there when I did it.
No. 1J Colby Langenberg, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Don Lau, Norfolk Langenberg Farms; Don Lau Farms; Ag Specialites; Jaeger Seeds; Pepsi Jon Langenberg; Don Lau; Brent Jochum; Kendal Langenberg; Lexie Langenberg Chevy Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bristol, Tenn. My first laps up in the Sport Mod class.
No. 21 Cameron Meyer, Pierce 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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Mike and Jake Timm, Pierce Tom’s Service; The Clipstons; Norfolk Auto Supply; MAC Tools Ethan Neuhalfen Chevy Kimi Raikkonen (Formula 1) Watkins Glen, N.Y. Winning an ‘A’ feature at Off Road Speedway.
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
WE ASKED . . .
1. Who or what inspired you to get into racing? 2. List up to five sponsors 5. Favorite driver? 3. List up to five pit crew members 6. Favorite race track? 4. Favorite manufacturer? 7. Favorite moment of 2015 season?
Stock Cars TOP 5 FROM 2015
No. 11 Chad Bruns, Wayne 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Troy Bruns of Wayne Felt Farm and Show Cattle; Fernau Floors; White Dog Pub; Klein Electric and Underground Troy Bruns; Travis Birkley; Kenny Rahn; Neil Bruns; Joe Perez Chevy Dale Earnhardt Jr. Martinsville, Va. Winning first track championship at Off Road Speedway.
No. 52 Jason Wilkinson, Neligh 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Ron Wilkinson Big Daddy Racecars; Renner Wraps; Hild Const.; Old Mill Truck Sales; Elgin Body & Glass Kyle Wilkinson; Camerson Wilkinson; Robbie Evans; Ashton Evans; Dean Wilkinson Chevy Dale Earnhardt Sr. Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. Winning at the Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa.
No. 12 Ron Pettitt, Norfolk 1. Dale Primrose, Norfolk 2. Pettitt Plumbing and Heating; Primrose Car Trailers; Crilly Ranch; Island Supply and Norfolk Transmission. 3. Dale Primrose; Marcus Sehi; Tanner Pettitt; Brant Wolfe; Trevor Pettitt 4. Chevy 5. Tony Stewart 6. Bristol, Tenn. 7. Too many to list, all good times.
No. 49 Zach Zentner, Cedar Rapids 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Mark and Jon Schalk, Cedar Rapids Zentner Trans.; Primrose Farms; DC Ag & Chemical; Mescher Farms; Zoucha Hay Grinding Jon Schalk, Jeff VondeWalle; Don Beister, Dave Primrose; Robin Riundback Ford Tony Stewart Bristol, Tenn. Battling week in and week out with Chad Bruns and Ron Pettitt was a lot of fun.
No. 75 John Hadcock, Wayne 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Rod Sherburne of Albion Sebade Const. & Concrete; Arnie’s Ford; Norfolk Alignment; Michael Foods; Biermann Farms Liz Hadcock; Whitney Hadcock; Marcus Hadcock; Chad Bruns; Troy Bruns Pontiac Brad Keselowski Boone County Raceway in Albion Winning first heat race at Off Road Speedway
Late Models TOP 5 FROM 2015
NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
WE ASKED . . . 1. Who or what inspired you to get into racing? 2. List up to five sponsors 5. Favorite driver? 3. List up to five pit crew members 6. Favorite race track? 4. Favorite manufacturer? 7. Favorite moment of 2015 season?
No. 35 Robert Osborne, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
First time I watched a race Auto Zone; Stanton State Bank; L.J. Trucking; Osborne Motors; Performance Transmission Chase Osborne; Shane Austin;Russ White; Greg Miller Chevy Jeff Gordon Bristol, Tenn. Watching my son, Chase, win two features at Off Road Speedway in a Late Model
No. 9 Eric Vanosdall, Winside 1. Ryan Rohde, Carroll 2. Nathan Club Lambs; 3D Farms; Rohde’s Body Shop; SWO Sheet Metal and Fabrication; Vanosdall Quarter Horses 3. Dale Vanosdall; Ryan Rohde; Joel Carlson; Rich Evans; Jeff Johnson 4. Chevy 5. Kevin Harvick 6. Daytona, Fla. 7. Giving my kids a ride in the car around the track.
No. 73 Chad Jensen, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Pat Jensen of Pilger Pfeifer Farms; Matteo Sand & Gravel; NENES; Kimes Financial Wade Pfeifer; Mike Tomasck; Doug Olrich Chevy Tony Stewart Bristol, Tenn. Being an integral part of designing and building Off Road Speedway
No. 78 Travis Birkley, Wakefield 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Chad Bruns Dave and Kim White; Cordells ATV; Redline Aviation; Victor Farms Jay Wirth; Troy Bruns; Chad Bruns; Neil Bruns Ford Carl Edwards Kansas Speedway Winning three times at Off Road Speedway
No. 7J Chris Johnson, Bloomfield 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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Competition Pat Weberg; CHS; Johnson Repair; Eisenhauer Farms; Farmer & Merchants Insurance Devin Johnson; Logan Johnson Chevy Jimmie Johnson Talladega, Ala. When I won my first “A” feature in over 2½ years.
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
Winside drag racer fulfills passion GMC pickup brings out the farmer in Meyer ... at 130 miles per hour By RANDY POSPISHIL
sports@norfolkdailynews.com
Driving down a track at 130 miles per hour is something that will never get old for drag racer Larry Meyer of Winside. “It’s a hobby; I don’t do it to make money,” he said. “It just doesn’t get old to me. I could do it 20 times a day, and each pass is as much fun as the last one.” It’s been a lifelong passion. “I’ve always loved drag racing; there’s something about it that fascinates me,” he said. “My brother-in-law had a race car built, and a neighbor outside of town had a Nova, and there were some other guys who I watched. I guess that’s how I got into it.” Meyer currently drives a 1984 GMC Sonoma pickup, but that doesn’t mean he races just against other pickups. In bracket racing format, it means he has faced either faster or slower cars and pickups, and even a snowmobile and a motorcycle.
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS
LARRY MEYER of Winside stands beside his 1984 GMC Sonoma pickup that he races at Thunder Valley Dragways in Marion, S.D.
“You race whatever pulls something like roller blades said. “It’s crazy; they scoot up next to you, so I have on their skis and have a right along.” Meyer’s first drag racing raced a snowmobile; they put smooth belt on the track,” he experience involved racing a 1973 Chevelle that he had purchased and driven as transportation while attendJEFFERSON, SD • 712-560-7245 ing Winside High School. After graduating in 1983, he • Ditzy the Clown • Quick Pick Kids’ Big Wheel Racing Series turned it into a drag racing Sunday Night Racing - Gates open at 5 p.m., Racing at 6:30 p.m. car. General Admission $10, Kids 10 & Under Free He raced the Chevelle for 10 to 15 years, usually at 2016 SEASON SCHEDULE Scribner’s Nebraska MotorAPRIL JUNE plex, before having children 2 Car Show at Sugar Daddy’s in North Sioux City, SD 5 MOPAR presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series caused him to take about a 8 (Fri.) Day 1: WinnaVegas Casino presents South Dakota Spring 12 Safelite Auto Glass presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series decade off from racing enNationals featuring Miniakota Micro Sprints, IMCA Stockcars, 19 Sign Masters presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series/ IMCA Sportmods, IMCA Hobbystocks & IMCA Sport Compacts tirely. Father’s Day featuring GOTRA (Good Old Time Racing 9 (Sat.) Day 2: WinnaVegas Casino presents South Dakota Spring But then he returned to Association) Nationals featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stockcars, IMCA 26 KPTH Fox 44 presents Mid-Season Championship with the sport and fulfilled his Sportmods, IMCA Hobbystocks, IMCA Sport Compacts and Fireworks dream of racing a pickup. Miniakota Micro Sprints Meyer, who farms southDouble Down for the Stockcars, Sportmods, Hobbystocks and JULY Sport Compacts: meaning you win Friday and Saturday paying
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MAY 1 8 15
Port Neal Welding presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series KG95 presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series/Mother’s Day IMCA Weekly Racing Series featuring the Jim Johnson Memorial 22 Total Motors & 1470 La Preciosa presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series 28 (Sat.) SLMR Late Model Touring Series with IMCA Stockcars, IMCA Hobbystocks and IMCA Sport Compacts 29 Quick Pick presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series along with the Quick Pick Big Wheel Racing Series Season Opener
2016 Awards Banquet TBD. Schedule Subject to Change.
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MID-SEASON BREAK****NO RACING 104.1 The WOLF presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series Professional Concrete presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series Steve’s Roofing presents the IMCA Weekly Racing Series IMCA Weekly Racing Series featuring Midwest Classic Stockcar Association (MCSA)
AUGUST 7 14 21 28
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west of Winside, said, “My dream was always to build a little racing pickup — that may be the farmer side of me, I guess, since farmers always have their pickups. It’s something different; you see some pickups, but the majority are cars.” Meyer bought the pickup for $400 at a State of Nebraska sale in Norfolk in the early 2000s. “It was an old white ‘state truck’ that would run but didn’t have enough power to get up on the trailer. The only reason I bought it was for the body, which was nice and straight,” he said. “I cut off the frame from the cab on back and replaced it with
a fabricated racing suspension, which is an easy way to convert it for racing.” After racing the truck, which is now painted purple, for a couple of years, Meyer decided he “wanted to go a little further” by increasing the horsepower and replacing the transmission and rear end. Now, with six years of racing the pickup under his belt, he competes in the “money class” — seeking cash payouts instead of trophies. It’s a class that allows for enhanced technology features, but also means more difficult competition. “With a 383 engine and 600 horsepower, my best ET (anticipated elapsed time) was 10.1 seconds, at 132 mph,” he said. “But I just built a different engine for it this winter, a 415, with about the same compression, so this one’s going to have about 75 more horsepower in the coming season. I’m guessing that will put me in the 9.70s or 9.80s at maybe 140 mph or more.” So far, Meyer has only raced his truck at South Dakota’s Thunder Valley Dragways, although he’s considering other tracks within reasonable traveling distance. His best finish has been eighth out of about 200 drivers. Meyer’s most gratifying moment to this point is “just the fact that I built it myself and knowing what I can put together and safely go down the track at 130 mph in, I guess. This truck is my pride and joy; racing it is definitely a passion of mine.”
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
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Luekens pays honor to racing roots Albion Late Model driver to sport the number 1 in honor of retired uncle By MIKE RENNING
sports@norfolkdailynews.com
ALBION — Mark Luekens enters his 19th year of racing at Boone County Raceway this year but doesn’t forget where he came from. Luekens — who has won a track title in every class at Boone County except the “A” Modified class — has racing in his blood. His mother, Diana Luekens, is the former Diana Krohn, and if you’ve been to a race in Albion, you’ve probably run into one of the Krohns. “My uncles and cousins got us into racing,” Luekens said. “And we just took it from there.” Nine years ago, Luekens changed his car to the 38-Special number previously driven by his uncle Joe Krohn who passed away at an early age. “He really idolized Joe,” said George Luekens, Mark’s father. “He showed Mark and his brothers a lot about racing.” “I watched Joe race a lot,” Mark said. “I really liked how hard he drove. He didn’t have the most expensive car or equipment, but he was always right up there.”
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS
MARK LUEKENS of Albion will run this season as No. 1, in honor of his uncle, Jim Krohn. His usual number for all but one season of his career has been the No. 12 car. Mark remembers trips to the Krohn farm as a youngster racing go-carts and learning the family trade. “We spent many a Saturday flying around a race track built around a pond at my Grandpa and
Grandma’s,” Mark said. “We had a blast — and we learned a lot racing against all of our cousins.” Now Mark races with the help of his dad and brothers Dan, Tom and David. “I guess I am part of the pit crew,” his father said. “The boys do most of the work on the car — maybe I’m just more the ‘wallet’
of the operation.” In addition to titles at Boone County, the Luekens’ team won three consecutive state titles in the Limited Late Model class at McCool Junction from 2005-07. Mark will honor another of his uncles this season by switching his car over to the No. 1. His uncle, Jim “Bean” Krohn, drove
the 1 car in the early 1970s. “I never got to watch him race in person,” Mark said. “I just remember watching him on some old eight millimeter reels with my family.” According to George Luekens, Bean’s introduction to racing had a rather humorous beginning. “He started with an old Chrysler Imperial — I believe it was about a 1960,” George said. “I am not going to say the exact circumstances, he was just eager to make it into a race car … and, no, it wasn’t stolen or anything like that. It was his car.” Bean actually raced at Albion from 1971 until 1976 and, according to Mark, he still motivates him to be better on the track. “Those old movies are great to watch,” Mark said. “And he’s around to give me advice whenever I want it.” Some of the Krohns are busy helping their kids race now, but they still have time for their cousins. “They have helped me beyond what I can put into words” Mark said. “We may compete on the track, but we’re all family.”
2016 RACING SCHEDULE
APRIL
Friday, April 15. . . .Test and Tune/Show and shine Free Grandstand Admission Friday, April 22. . . .Regular Point Night Friday, April 29. . . .Regular Point Night
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Friday, June 3.......Regular Point Night Friday, June 10.....Regular Point Night Friday, June 17.....Regular Point Night Friday, June 24.....Regular Point Night + “Summer Storm Series”
JULY
Friday, July 1........Regular Point Night Friday, July 8........Regular Point Night Tuesday, July 12...GOTRA & MSCA series “Boone County Fair” Wed., July 13. . . . . . .SLMR Super Late Models with TBD support classes “Boone County Fair” Friday, July 15......No Races! Friday, July 22......No Races! Silver Dollar Nationals Late Models at I-80 in Greenwood, NE Friday, July 29......Regular Point Night
AUGUST Friday, August 5. . .Regular Point Night Friday, August 12. Regular Point Night Friday, August 19. Championship Night
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Hobby Stocks
NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
WE ASKED . . .
1. Who or what inspired you to get into racing? 2. List up to five sponsors 5. Favorite driver? 3. List up to five pit crew members 6. Favorite race track? 4. Favorite manufacturer? 7. Favorite moment of 2015 season?
TOP 5 FROM 2015
No. 77 TeJay Mielke, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Kelly Mielke, Norfolk Red Bull Auto Sales; White Trucking; Kilchemann Farms; BVJ Construction Kelly Mielke; Lance Mielke; Cadie Mielke Chevy Tony Stewart Daytona, Fla. Winning track championship for Hobby Stock at Off Road Speedway..
No. 26 Jeremy Hoskinson, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Watching the races at Riviera Raceway Big Daddy Racecars Heidi Waterman, Dale Bittner, Tiffany Bittner Chevy Dale Earnhardt Bristol, Tenn. Championship night. Track was amazing, and there was good clean racing all around.
No. 4J Brent Jochum, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Kenny Jochum, Elgin Big Daddy Racecars; Pettitt Plumbing & Heating; I&P Const.; Bank of Elgin; Aurora Agronomy Kenny Jochum; Colby Langenberg; Johnny Langenberg; Jordan Afrank Chevy Kyle Busch Bristol, Tenn. Being at Off Road Speedway on Father’s Day with my dad and my son
No. 17K Jim Kimmel, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Ron Pettitt, Norfolk Volkman Plumbing; Mel’s Lounge; Neligh Auto; Norfolk Transmission.; Norfolk Vacuum Nic Kimmel; John Broders; Darold “Lumpy” Lemm; Jason Herbert ; Justin “Bubba” Kesting Ford Greg Biffle Bristol, Tenn. Watching my son, Nic, win in Columbus
No. 4 Mark Arduser, Battle Creek 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Family and friends Norfolk GM; Marx Repair; H&R Block; Breeze Salon; Deer Creek Masonry Chase Arduser; Andy Hrbanek Chevy Dale Earnardt Jr. Talladega, Ala. Winning an “A” feature and finishing third in points in the Summer Storm series.
NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
Season opens May 8 in Stuart Speedway looking forward but not forgetting past By MIKE RENNING
Stuart Speedway
sports@norfolkdailynews.com
Featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stock and IMCA Sport Compacts DATE May 1: May 8: May 15: May 22: May 29: June 5: June 12: June 19: June 26: July 3: July 17: July 24: July 31: Aug. 7: Aug. 14: Aug. 21: Aug. 28: Sept. 4:
Schedule INFORMATION/CLASSES ADDED Test & Tune 2-4:30 p.m. Season opener Mod Lites added Micro Sprints added Ron Little Memorial Mod Lites, Micro Sprints added Micro Sprints added Mod Lites added Regular race night Stock Car Special Micro Sprints added Late Model Special Mod Lites added Regular race night Micro Sprints added Hobby Stock Special Sport Mod Special Micro Sprints added Mod Lites added Championship night Extra night of racing Micro Sprints, Mod Lites added
STUART — The Stuart race track is getting ready for a significant birthday next season when it marks its 65th year of operation. From when racing first started there, the speed limit on the nearby highways has gone from 60 miles per hour to 55 mph and now to 65 mph, but on the track, it has always been “Katie bar the door.” “It’s a wonderful thing to be associated with,” 25-year track manager Keith Larabee said. “It grows on you to stay around with all of the people helping — I’m just a small part of it. Sometimes the big picture is bigger than the event as a whole.” As the track heads into its 65th year, Larabee and company look to the past to honor the people before them. “I have been told there was over 2,000 people at the first race here,” Larabee said. “But there are other things in town that also are impressive — like the lumberyard here is the oldest Maytag dealer in the country. We have a lot of things to be proud of around here.” Larabee is set on bringing the past to the present. “For our 65th anniversary, I would like some of the people involved from
day one to send in things — pictures, articles, whatever,” he said. In fact, all those associated with the track over the decades can submit items, too. “When you have a track like we have here,” he said. “You realize this is a community project — you just keep it going.” Keeping it going for the past 64 years is impressive, but the people in Stuart are not surprised. “It isn’t that there is nothing to do here,” Larabee said, “It is just that what we do, we do well and we all care about it.” Although this season is important, the Stuart Raceway is looking to celebrate its 65th with a bit of fanfare next summer. “There has been such a list of people who have gotten us to where we are at today,” Larabee said. “We just don’t want to forget that fact and how we got here.” The group intends to locate people who have been involved with the track, meet with them and secure the history of the place. “It’s a huge task that we are really looking forward to getting done,” he said. “We’ll do it like we do everything else around here — we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
WE ASKED . . .
1. Who or what inspired you to get into racing? 2. List up to five sponsors 5. Favorite driver? 3. List up to five pit crew members 6. Favorite race track? 4. Favorite manufacturer? 7. Favorite moment of 2015 season?
TOP 5 FROM 2015
No. 21R Ramsey Meyer, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Tom Meyer and Cameron Meyer of Pierce Tom’s Service; The Clipstons; Norfolk Transmission; Taylor’s Bar & Grill; Walton Appliance Tom Meyer; Karen Meyer; Cameron Meyer; Jake Timm; Ethan Neuhalfen Chevy Jason Line (NHRA) Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn Mich. Winning at Off Road Speedway and having Jake Timm finish second in my backup car.
No. 58T Tanner Uehling, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Jordan Uehling and Ronk family, Norfolk Red Bull Auto Sales; Family Hair Care; Wagz Stripping; NAPA (Burke, S.D.); Nathan Cattle Co. Jason Uehling; Jordan Uehling; Dustin Jackson; Mielke Family; Jeb Dunklau Chevy Dale Earnhardt Jr. Daytona, Fla. Wheel-hopped a car and almost rolled.
No. 00 Shannon Pospisil, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Jerry Pospisil, Norfolk Uecker Farms; Model Electric; Dinkel Implement; Flooring Solutions; Window World Rob Uecker; Robyn Pospisil; Zach Pospisil Chevy Don Weyhrich Talladega, Ala. Winning the state championship in Sport Compacts.
No. 7M Lance Mielke, Norfolk 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Kelly Mielke, Norfolk Red Bull Auto Sales, BVJ Const., Wheelers Bar, Mike White Trucking; Kilchenmann Farms Kelly Mielke, TeJay Mielke, Codie Mielke, Tanner Uehling, Jordan Uehling Chevy Tony Stewart Daytona, Fla. Starting behind points leader, running the final laps next to him, then beating him to the line.
No. 22X Dustin Jackson, O’Neill 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
David Jackson, O’Neill D&D Roofing; Brad Fox Grinding; Krieger Trucking; J&L Collision Center; Big Red Vending Stephany Jackson; Jackson Latzel; Jordan Uehling; Darik Fox; Brad Fox Chevy Kyle Larson Bristol, Tenn. The night at Off Road Speedway when we broke a wheel hub and came back to finish third.
NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
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Butler County Speedway Schedule Rising City, Nebraska
Watch For Weekly Race Results Every Monday In The Norfolk Daily News Tune in to norfolkdailynews.com for our live stream coverage on Saturday, June 4th! 122250
June 3: Weekly Racing Series presenting B Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Stars Modlites Regional June 10:Weekly Racing Series presenting B Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Stars Modlites Regional and MCSA & GOTRA June 17: Weekly Racing Series presenting B Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Stars Modlites Regional June 24:Weekly Racing Series presenting B Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Stars Modlites Regional July 1: Weekly Racing Series presenting B Modified National Features, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Stars Modlites Regional & fireworks Oct. 21: Hobby Stock Nationals qualifying, B Mods, Stock Cars, Sport Compacts, GOTRA and NCRA/NSL/NE Sprints Oct 22: Hobby Stock Nationals Features, B Mods, Stock Cars, Stars Modlites and NCRA/NSL/NE Sprints
2,000 HP Super Flow 901 Dyno
Complete Engine Rebuilding-Automotive Machine Shop Service We specialize in aluminum cylinder head repair • Engine rebuilding and repair • Valve Jobs • Reboring • Honing • Rod Resizing • Hot Tank Magnafluxing • Crankshaft Grinding • High Performance Machine Work • Gas & Propane Irrigation New Hines Micro-Computer Engine Balancer Celebrating 28 Years!
402-371-6032 122103
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413 Northwestern Ave. • Norfolk
• CRANE CAMS • LUNATI CAMS
• CROWER • FEDERAL-MOGAL
• TOTAL SEAL RINGS • J&E PISTONS • CROWER • FEDERAL-MOGAL
MOROSOS • J&E PISTONS • SRP-PISTONS • ARP • COMP CAMS•
www.bigdaddyracecars.com Ron & Mari Melcher, Owner/Promoter 3 Miles West on Hwy. 30 • Columbus, NE 68601 Track 402-563-1561 • Cell 402-270-1477 • marimelcher8@gmail.com • www.usthirtyspeedway.com
April 9............Car Show and Practice April 14..........Modifieds Opening Night April 21..........Limited Late Models April 28..........SSN 305 Sprints May 5.............Modifieds May 12...........Limited Late Models Our regular weekly show (RWS): May 15...........Sunday Funday IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Street Stocks, IMCA Hobby May 19...........Modifieds Stocks, & IMCA Sport Compacts May 26...........SSN 305 Sprints June 2............Limited Late Models Sunday Funday: GOTRA, MCSA, Modified Lites, Summer Storm Dirt Series Bike Races, Big Wheel Races, Power Wheels Races June 9............Modifieds & Bombers. June 16..........Limited Late Models June 23..........Modifieds This is a non-sanctioned show June 26..........Sunday Funday June 30..........SLMR July 7.............SSN 305 Sprints July 14...........Fan Appreciation Night 1/2 Price Grandstand Admission July 17...........Sunday Funday July 21...........Modifieds Summer Storm Dirt Series July 28...........Limited Late Models Kids Night Aug. 4............Modifieds Sept. 16..........Late Model Abe Lincoln Memorial Aug. 11..........SSN 305 Sprints Sept. 17..........Modifieds Abe Lincoln Memorial Aug. 18..........Limited Late Models Sept. 24..........Vintage Cornhusker Vintage Nationals Aug. 25..........Modifieds Track Championship Sept. 25..........Vintage Cornhusker Vintage Nationals Aug. 27..........Kenny Wallace Driving Experience Oct. 1.............King Of The Heartland/Practice Aug. 28..........SLMR Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks Oct. 2.............King Of The Heartland Sept. 1............Limited Late Models Track Championship 121367
2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Specializing in stock car and hobby stock chassis and racing parts
402-841-4119 or 402-371-1927 Visit us on facebook at Big Daddy Chassis
www.bigdaddyracecars.com
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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
www.offroadspeedway.com Email- info@offroadranch.net • Admission- Ages 16 & Up- $12 • Ages 7-15- $6 • Ages 6 & Under- Free **Pit passes $25 **Pit passes on special purse nights will be $30 for all classes • Pit Gate Opens At 4:30 • Hot Laps Start At 6:30 • Racing Starts At 7:00
2016 SCHEDULE APRIL 16 - Regular Race Night (NO STOCK CARS) 23 - Regular Race Night 30 - Regular Race Night MAY 7 - Regular Race Night (NECC Night, students in free with student ID) (SUMMER STORM SERIES) 14 - Regular Race Night 21 - SLMR RACE (regular classes but no Grand National Late Models) 28 - Regular Race Night (Law Enforcement and Fire Fighter Night. Free admission with ID) JUNE 4 - Regular Race Night 11 - Regular Race Night (Bike night. Free bikes will be given away) 18 - Regular Race 360 Sprint Cars sponsored by Cubby’s Cenex (NO LATE MODELS OR STOCK CARS) 25 - Regular Race Night
JULY 2 - CLOSED 9 - Regular Race Night (Armed Forces Night. Free admission to all branches with ID) 16 - CLOSED (Madison County Fair) 23 - CLOSED (Silver Dollar Nationals) 30 - Regular Race Night AUGUST 6 - Regular Race Night (kids’ get free rides in a race car)(GOTRAS WILL BE RUNNING) 13 - Regular Race Night (SUMMER STORM DIRT SERIES) 20 - Regular Race Night 27 - Regular Race Night SEPTEMBER 3 - Championship Night (Regular classes) 10 -SLMR & BOB HAASE MEMORIAL LATE MODEL CHAMPIONSHIP
**Regular Race Night consists of Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, ($1000 to win, $200 to start A feature for Memorial Race) (more details to come) IMCA Hobby Stock and IMCA Sport Compacts A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TRACK SPONSORS (OTHER CLASSES TO BE ADDED)
Addison Seamless Gutters Advance Auto ASPM Bauer Built Bauer Underground Big Country Ford Big Daddy Race Cars Boss Hog BRK Construction BSE Racing Parts Burger King Canham Maytag Cornhusker Auto Cornhusker International Culligan Water
D & L Towing Dietz Well Eisemann Supplies Elkhorn Valley Bank Farm Bureau Farmers Pride GCX Graham Tire Gregg’s ATV Hanks Front End Heritage Financial Hi-Way Service Island Supply Jaeger Seeds Jakes Bar
Jensen Construction Jerry’s Standard Johnson Repair Jon Langenberg Farms Karpet Shop Kryger Glass Matteo Sand & Gravel McDonald’s Meisinger Oil Mel’s Drive In Miller Machine Morton Buildings NAPA Nebraska Harvestore Norfolk Daily News
Norfolk Diesel Repair Norfolk GM Norfolk Implement Norfolk Transmission Northeast Community College Osborne Motors Pepsi Co. Pettitt Plumbing and Heating Pinnacle Bank Pizza Hut Precision Components Premier Midwest Reigle Farms Sapp Brothers Petroleum Scott’s Smoke Shack
Scott Race-Farm Bureau Skip Deck Farms Signor Trucking Inc. Speedway Auto Sunny Meadow Teri Medelman Tom’s Service Truck Center Companies US92/94 Rock Weidner Big Boy Toys West-Hodson Concrete Volkman Plumbing and Heating
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