Start Your Engines for April 3

Start your engines

Tad Pospisil of Norfolk is planning on running a full Super Late Model Racing (SLMR) schedule, but the 24-year-old has also targeted a handful of dates in the Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) series, which is the highest form of dirt track auto racing in Nebraska.

For more on Pospisil, see page 3-B

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Molt

Larabee

-B

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Edition is dedicated to Haase Longtime Riviera Raceway promoter remembered by friends Editor’s note: This column was originally published in the Daily News on May 11, 2011. With some alterations, is being rerun with the permission of the Haase family. ***

By JAY PRAUNER

jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com

In remembering Riviera Raceway founder Robert “Bob” Haase, I believe there were four things he loved most on earth.

His family, race night at Riviera, Husker football and . . . to talk.

Perhaps not necessarily in that order.

Haase died May 9, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Norfolk at the age of 74. And after contacting a few of his acquaintances, safe to say the man touched his share of lives.

——— “The fact that Bob allowed the racers to be social after the races was huge to me,” said Brian Larson of Norfolk, the track’s announcer for the past 13 years. “He took the time to talk to the drivers and really get to know them and their families.”

For Larson, racing is only half the social aspect at Riviera.

“It’s almost like a picnic atmosphere. The kids play, the adults visit and reminisce,” Larson said. “Having been to a lot of tracks over the years, the one thing I noticed different right away about Riviera was the

Robert ‘Bob’ Haase family atmosphere. The number of people who stay after the races in the pits makes it more than a night at the stock car races, it’s a night with friends.”

——— And for the past 47 years, those nights have begun with ticket-takers Betty and Gary Uttecht of Madison.

“I took the very first ticket and have been there ever since,” said Betty. “Bob was a delivery man for Clark Brothers and I was working at Van Super Service. He asked if I would take tickets at the races and the rest is history.”

Betty and her husband, Gary, who have missed just three race nights in 47 years, miss their longtime employer.

“Bob was a very positive, optimistic, cool-natured individual,” Betty said. “It didn’t matter what the weather was like, he was always upbeat and ready to go.”

——— Haase will also always hold a special place in the Todd Vollbrecht family of Stanton.

Todd raced at Riviera for many years and later served as the track’s tech inspector.

“I know Bob loved his drivers and I loved him to death,” Vollbrecht said. “He always did what he thought was best for the track — even if some of the drivers disagreed with him, and I respected him for that.”

Over the years, Vollbrecht’s wife, Amy, has helped score the races. The couple also hosts the annual Riviera Raceway season-

ending banquet. Their son, Nelson, started his racing career on the eighth-mile dirt oval.

“Bob was very innovative. Whether it was wearing lime green pants so people would talk, or coming up with a new gimmick, he would try everything to get people to come to the races,” Vollbrecht said.

——— From his colorful radio advertisements, to his sometimes emotional announcements over the public address system at the track, Bob loved to tell stories.

And perhaps nobody, besides Bob’s wife, Janet, listened to more stories than Robert Osborne of Norfolk.

Robert, who has been racing at Riviera Raceway for the past 28 years, worked for Bob at Busy B Auto Sales for 22½ years.

“I broke my arm and had to quit the job I had at the time. Bob’s son, Russ, said his dad needed help and I’ve been wrenching on stuff ever since.” said Osborne, who now owns his own auto repair business. “He was always a good guy to me and was always trying to help other people out.”

——— Haase was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk and how ironic it must have been to have a moment of silence for a man who was never at a loss for words.

AUTO REPAIR/ALIGNMENT

TIRE/WHEEL SALES

P ROUD S PONSORS F OR HOBBY STOCK DRIVERS

Jeb Dunklau #65D • Kaleb Jasperson #4

SPORTS COMPACT DRIVERS

Jordan Uehling #58J • Mike Clemens #32

NORTHERN SPORT MOD Cameron Meyer #21

Check Out Our Feature Vehicle Of The Week At Riviera Raceway

Look For Jeb Or Jeff For All Your Tire Needs 408 S. Main St., Madison, NE

402-454-6500 • 888-547-3395

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30 Sat. 8-Noon

mimickmotorco.com

FINANC AS LOWING 3.99% W AS AC 93080

93125

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

-b

Pospisil taking next step

SLMR Rookie of the Year to test his skills in MLRA series

By JAY PRAUNER

jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com

Tad Pospisil loves a challenge.

As an 8-year-old, he jumped into a gocart because he wanted to beat the older boys.

At age 18, he traded the go-cart for a Late Model because he wanted to run with the big boys.

And now, at age 24, the Norfolk tax accountant wants to swap paint with some good ol’ boys.

As the reigning Rookie of the Year in Nebraska’s Super Late Model Racing (SLMR) series, Pospisil is swimming to deeper waters by targeting a handful of dates in the Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) series, which sanctions regional touring events in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Iowa.

Coming off a 13-win, 33-top 5s season, Pospisil’s wheels are already turning with thoughts of the upcoming season.

“Last year, we expected to win the local races,” said Pospisil, who finished fourth in the SLMR points standings and won a second consecutive Late Model track title at Boone County Raceway in Albion last fall.

“This year, we’re going to run full time in the SLMR series and enter a few MLRA races and see how we stack up.”

It’s not out of the question for a driver

“You don’t win races on the track, you win them in the shop.”

Bill Moyer

Six-Time World 100 winner

who grew up racing against the best of the best.

In his go-carting days, Pospisil raced against current IndyCar driver A.J. Foyt IV and current NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Landon Cassill while on his way to winning three national championships.

Ironically, the highlight of Pospisil’s gocarting career came in a race he didn’t even win.

“It was in Webster City, Iowa. I got sent to the back of the pack during a 15-lap feature,” said Pospisil, the son of Shannon Pospisil and Loretta Keyes. “I ended up coming from 20th place to second, and was passing the leader as we took the checkered flag. He beat me by a nose.”

Upon graduating from Wynot High School in 2006, Pospisil began his Late Model career.

“It got to a point where go-carting wasn’t as fun anymore and wanted to cut down on the travel and race a more local schedule,”

“To become a millionaire in racing, you start with $2 million.”

Jerry Pospisil

Manager for Pospisil racE team

said Pospisil, who began racing on Friday nights at Butler County Motorplex near Rising City. “I remember going through a lot of right rear spoilers from hitting the wall coming off turn two . . . Butler is known for that.

“We won a few heats and my highest feature finish was third,” Pospisil said. “It was a big learning experience. The first couple of years were frustrating. Coming from go-carting and being so successful, I carried over that expectation that I was going to do well and then found out it’s a whole different ballgame. It was discouraging at times, but I stayed positive and tried to keep learning and getting better.”

In 2007, Pospisil survived a serious accident.

“It happened at Wagner Speedway (Wagner, S.D.). It was my second year in Late Models and I had had my car for only about six months and was passing a guy on the high side,” Pospisil said. “He hit me

in the left rear and I ended up rolling six times. They had to flip the car over just to get me out.”

The next season, he won the track’s Late Model points title.

It’s that kind of diligence that has made Pospisil the racer he is today.

“Bill Moyer, one of the top Late Model drivers in the country once said ‘You don’t win races on the track, you win them in the shop,’ ” Pospisil said. “I firmly believe that.

When I get beat, I can’t wait to get back to the shop and try to figure out where I went wrong.”

Pospisil takes care of the majority of the maintenance duties with race-day help from Chad Potts, step-brother Dylan Pospisil and grandfather Jerry Pospisil, who serves as team manager.

With the help of multiple sponsors, including major backers Window World, Canham Maytag, GM Auto Center and Morrissey Motor Company, the team is looking to run a 42-race schedule this season.

“To become a millionaire in racing, you start with $2 million,” said Jerry Pospisil, who figures it costs about $8 a lap to race their No. 04 machine.

Highlighting the season will be the 80lap, $27,000-to-win Silver Dollar Nationals to be held at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., on July 18-20.

Tom’s Service Hometown Service Since 1977

E C I V R E AND S r u o t u o b a t e g r o Don’t f ! t n e m t r a p e D Ser vicytehing from oil changes to n

Stock Cars • Hot Rods • Drag Racing • ATV’s • Motocross • Tractor Pullers AUTHORIZED DEALER

COMPLETE CAR CARE

diesel & We do a s a g , s ir a p re major engine

• Automotive Diagnostics & Repair • Air Conditioning Service & Repair • Tire Sales & Repair • Bulk Fuel Delivery • AAA Roadside Assistance

HOURS: on M .-Fri. 8-6 -4 Sat. 8 Thurs. 8-7 •

rfolk Ave. 3700 W. No , NE Norfolk 35 402-379-08835 -0 1-866-379 rfolk.com utono www.jerrysa

We’ve Got The Right Fuel For You!!

92683

GIVE US A CALL TODAY!

Tom & Karen Meyer - 332 East Main, Pierce, NE 68767 93092

93092

402-329-6795

-b

Driver’s safety gear

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

as displayed by Late Model driver Tad Pospisil of Norfolk

Helmet $400-$1,000

• Burco - Crank Shaft Grinding • Sunnen - CK-10 Block Reconditioning • Flywheel Grinding • Complete Head Shop • Wet Magnafluxing • Racing Shock Service

Racing gloves are specifically designed not only for increased grip and performance, but also for protection against heat and flame.

• Sunnen - Rod Reconditioning • Engine Assembly Service • Line Boring Services • Hines Computerized Balancing • Computerized Dyno Testing 93297

1107 W. Monroe Ave., Norfolk, NE • 402-379-2230

Illustration by jay prauner/Daily News

Gloves $35-$150

Photo by Darin Epperly/Daily News

93292

Modern helmets are designed to disintegrate and dissipate energy on impact. Generally the more economically-priced helmets are made of fiberglass. Some of the more expensive helmets will have a carbon/kevlar/ fiberlass composite shell, and now a few helmet manufacturers are making helmets out of carbon fiber.

93081

“Complete Machine Shop”

‘Raceciever’ $100

Family Built, Owned and Operated For Over 25 Years.

RACES

Every Thursday Night Start Time 8:00 p.m. sharp!

3 miles west of Columbus on Hwy. 30 Speedway: 402-563-1561

Adults: $1000 High School Students w/ID: $500 Children 12 years and under are FREE Pit Passes: $2500

Business Office 402-564-5809

Visit Our Website For Season Schedule

www.us30speedway.racedayprints.com

Like us on 93300

Shoes $75-$175

Racing shoes allow “feel” of the pedals through the soles, which should be able to grip the pedals securely. There should be low, or no, heel elevation and fire resistant with Nomex lining.

A one-way radio that allows flagmen to communicate with drivers when the race goes under caution and where to line up following a yellow flag.

Neck Restraint $600 Most neck restraints are a semihard collar made of carbon fiber and kevlar, and it is held onto the upper body by a harness worn by the driver.

Two flexible tethers on the collar are attached to the helmet to prevent the head from snapping forward or to the side during a wreck

Fire suit $200$1,400 Fire suits are made out of either Proban or Nomex, which are fire-retardant materials that protect against heat and flame.  The suit pictured above was given to Pospisil by former NASCAR and INDY CAR driver John Andretti, nephew of legendary driver Mario Andretti.

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

-b

A very brief history of the IMCA International Motor Contest Association has been around since 1915 Special to the Daily News VINTON, Iowa — The International Motor Contest Association was founded in 1915 and is the oldest active automobile racing sanctioning body in the United States.

Pittsburgh, Pa., native J. Alex Sloan helped found the IMCA and became known as the “maker of champions.”

He left his job as a sportswriter in St. Paul, Minn., in 1905 because of his interest in auto racing.

With partner William Pickens, Sloan staged races across the United States, featuring some of the top drivers of the era.

IMCA-sanctioned races were held at county, state and regional fair venues.

National champions were crowned in the Late Model division from 1949-1977 and in the Sprint Car division from 1925-1941 and 1946-1977 (no champions were named from 1942-45 because of World War II).

Keith Knaack, editor of Hawkeye Racing News, purchased IMCA in the 1970s.

Knaack was the racing pioneer who helped introduce the Modified division.

Affordability and competitiveness were and still are foundations of that division.

Knaack sought to create a class that was economical enough for the “Saturday Night Racer” to compete and have a chance of winning.

The engine claim was introduced with the idea of keeping the “big dollar” engine out of the division. Racers who enjoy the sport as a hobby can compete and have a fair chance of winning, rather than run against drivers with bigger budgets and (sometimes) less ability.

The first IMCA Modified national champion was Dale Fischlein of Davenport, Iowa, in 1982.

IMCA now sanctions seven other divisions. Late Model competition resumed in 1987 and Sprint Cars started again in 1989. National champions have also been named for the Stock Car class since 1988 and the Hobby Stocks since 1991.

Introduced in 2004, the SportMod division now has Northern and Southern versions, both of which crowned

national champions in 2005.

The 2006 season was the first for the sanctioned Sport Compact (four cylinder) class.

IMCA will sanction Modified events in 25 states and Canada this season.

Firsts in IMCA Modified history

 Rick Brinkema of Waterloo, Iowa, won the first IMCA Modified feature, held June 2, 1979, at the Vinton, Iowa, Speedway.  Davenport, Iowa’s Dale Fischlein became the first IMCA driver to win four track titles in a single season in 1982. He was also the IMCA’s first national Modified champion.  Mike Schulte of Norway, Iowa, won both the inaugural Super Nationals championship, and the IMCA National Modified crown in 1983.

Note: The checkered flag used at the first Super Nationals was autographed by the drivers and is now on display at the IMCA home office in Vinton.  Carla Roberts of Fayetteville, Ark., became the first woman to win an IMCA Modified feature in 1985.  Larry Schmidt of New Hampton, Iowa, won the first IMCA Modified anniversary race, a 35-lapper held during I.M.C.A. Homecoming ‘89 at the Vinton Speedway.  Greg Pringle of Calgary, Alberta, topped the point standings in the first season of competition for IMCA Canada. Rounding out the top three were Bill Howse and Dave Martin, also from Calgary.  Regional championships were first awarded in 1993.

The five regional kings were Kenny Hatfield of Phoenix, Ariz., in the Mountain Region; Scott Pounds of Bakersfield, Calif., in the Western Region; Rex Merritt of Billings, Mo., in the South Central Region; Ron Pope of Spencer, Iowa, in the North Central Region; and Dave Bice of Avilla, Indiana, in the Eastern Region.

Jason Wilkinson, Neligh IMCA Hobby Stock

 Finished third in nation in 2012  70 career feature wins in IMCA  Won 28 features in 2012 3 State Championships 2010-12: Nebraska 9 Track titles 2012: Boone County Raceway, Albion

Riviera Raceway, Norfolk

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus 2011: Dawson County Raceway, Lexington

Mid-Nebraska Speedway, Doniphan

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus 2010: Boone County Raceway, Albion

I-80 Speedway, Greenwood

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus Note: Became the first — and remains the only — non-Iowan to win the Hobby Stock main event at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals in 2010.

Kyle Prauner, Norfolk Tiffany Bittner, Norfolk IMCA Hobby Stock

 2012* Lady Eagle champion  2011* Lady Eagle champion *Top point total for female drivers in all IMCA divisions  13 career feature wins in IMCA  Finished 11th in the nation in 2012  Won 7 features in 2012

Cameron Meyer, Pierce IMCA Sport Compact

 2012 national champion  41 career feature wins in IMCA  Won a record 34 features in 2012 2 State Titles 2012: Nebraska. 2011: South Dakota 3 Track Titles 2012: Boone County Raceway, Albion

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus 2011: Park Jefferson, S.D.

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus

IMCA Northern SportMod

 2012 national runner-up  48 career feature wins in IMCA  Won 28 features in 2012 4 State Championships 2010-2012: Nebraska 2007: Nebraska (Modified).

6 Track Titles 2012: Boone County Raceway, Albion

Riviera Raceway, Norfolk

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus 2011: Boone County Raceway, Albion

U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus 2010: U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus

-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

MCSA bringing back memories Midwest Classic Stock Car Association entering second season

By BRUCE VIERGUTZ bruce.viergutz@gmail.com

For some, once the sport of stock car racing gets in your blood, the thicker it gets.

The Midwest Classic Stock Car Association was born last year, and the organization is excited about its second season this spring and summer.

The association is involved in restoring or building stock cars from the 1950s and ’60s all the way up to 1975.

Eric Cerny of Schuyler is the promoter of MSCA and said interest began at a swap meet in Columbus over the winter.

“We kind of came up with a plan,’’ Cerny said. “When we had our first meeting, we had a pretty good response. Then in June, we held our first race at U.S. 30 Speedway in Columbus.’’

The association only had six cars at that first race but grew to 11 cars by the end of the 2012 season.

“We have cars coming from Iowa to Ord,’’ Cerny said. “We only ran in Columbus and Norfolk, but this season we’re going to expand to race on 10 different nights at

Dennis Meyer/Daily NEws

Eric Cerney of Schuyler, founder of the Midwest Classic Stock Car Association, races during a special event held at Riviera Raceway last season. seven different tracks in the region. A couple of tracks want us to come and display a couple of cars and not necessarily race.’’

Cerny said the association patterns itself much like the racers that compete in the coupe model of cars.

“Everybody runs for the same amount of money,’’ Cerny said.

“The winner gets a trophy for the night so there is no incentive of extra money to finish higher.

We stress to race hard but race clean. We try to avoid contact at all costs. It’s not like you can just

pull out old body parts from these cars at any place.’’

About half the cars that race in the association are rebuilt replicas and the others are originally race cars that are restored.

The response from stock car fans has been great, according to

Cerny.

“We’ve had real good crowds checking the cars out,’’ he said.

“I’ve had my car in shows and they have drawn real well.’’

As far as speed goes, Cerny said the older cars can go about as fast as a street stock and have actually raced against them last summer.

“And the guys who raced the older models were pretty competitive,’’ Cerny said. “So we are by no means just huffing and puffing around the track. The guys in their late 30s and 40s like to come out and watch because those are the type of cars they remember watching while growing up. It brings back a lot of memories for them.’’

Cerny said the older models are for those racers who are getting older and don’t want to spend as much time or money racing during the summer but enough to satisfy their appetite.

“So this has been a good fit for those involved,’’ Cerny said. “The main goal is to go out and have fun. This isn’t a class for guys who have to win but for guys to have to race.’’

GRANDSTAND PRICES Adults $10 Ages 14 & up $7 or $5 w/Student ID Age 6-13 - $3 • Ages 5 & Under - Free PIT ADMISSION - $25

93295

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Andy Swanson Owner

Dave Whalen Gen. Sales Mgr.

Cody Torres Sales Mgr.

Tino Carbajal Finance Mgr.

Scott Clarkson Finance Mgr.

Al Lindemoen Used Inventory Manager

Stacy Sullivan Internet Sales

Roger Jochum Sales Consultant

Troy Weinberger Sales Consultant

Brian Harbottle Sales Consultant

Scott Born Sales Consultant

Jamie Tiedtke Sales Consultant

Blake Behmer Sales Consultant

Matt Hahne Sales Consultant

Felipe Martinez Sales Consultant

Jesse Keiser Sales Consultant

-b

www.norfolkgmautocenter.com Sales & Service Hours: 8-7, Mon.-Fri., 8-5, Saturday

West 275 Bypass, Norfolk, NE • 402-371-3377 • 1-800-637-3370

Choice. Quality. Peace of mind.

93083

-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Area track bears new name

Under new management, Boone County Raceway now Albion Speedway

By JAY PRAUNER

jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com

ALBION — At a certain age, upkeep becomes an issue.

So, with management changing hands at the 65year-old dirt track located on the southeast corner of this Boone County community, the timing was right for a facelift of sorts.

A new season has spawned new enthusiasm from a new manager, who quickly put his stamp on things by unveiling a new name for the facility . . . Albion Speedway.

Bryan Molt of Cedar Rapids has taken the reins from the Krohn family, who had leased Boone County Raceway from the town’s fair board for the past 16 years.

“It was in October that the Krohn family let it be known they were retiring,” said Molt, who graduated from Cedar Rapids High School in 2006, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2010. “I caught wind of it and decided to attend a fair board meeting and throw my hat into the ring.”

It appears to be a perfect fit for the 24-year-old marketer/salesman, who is also a former track champion, having won Hobby Stock titles in 2007 and 2008.

“I’ve been around racing my whole life and have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising and public relations,” Molt said. “I thought this was a good opportunity to use my racing background and education to help keep people from the area entertained.”

Highlighting the speedway’s 16-night schedule will be appearances by former NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader.

Wallace will do a meet-andgreet autograph session before racing against the local competition on Friday, May

31, and Schrader will do the same Friday, Aug. 9.

An added show will be the annual Boone County Fair program on Monday, July 8, featuring the Super Late Models Racing (SLMR) series and Nebraska 360 Sprint Cars.

Weekly programs will include six classifications, five of which are sanctioned by the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA).

They are Sports Compact, Hobby Stock, Stock Car, Sport-Mod and Modified.

The track’s top class, Limited Late Model, is nonsanctioned. Molt has competed in the class the past four years but will not race in Albion in 2013. Instead he plans to run between 10 and 15 shows in the SLMR series.

For the past few weeks, a dirt-work company has been resurfacing the 3/8-mile track, readying for a Friday, April 26, practice day.

A couple of other new additions this season include announcer Jimmy Scott of Columbus and flagman Nate Canham of Norfolk.

Leading up to the season, Molt’s main priority has been getting area businesses more involved.

“I want to give them the opportunity to come and promote their products and services,” Molt said.

“We want to do everything we can to incorporate the crowd with the drivers.”

The season opens on Friday, May 3, with a $500-towin feature for the Sport Compacts, and closes on Friday, Aug. 30 with the Boone County Challenge/ Holt County Sprints.

“We want the fans and drivers to feel appreciated,” Molt said. “The bottom line is we want to present a fun environment so everybody has a good time and wants to come back.”

Darin Epperly/Daily News

Bryan Molt of Cedar Rapids is the new manager of Albion Speedway. The track, formally known as Boone County Raceway, is scheduled to open the 2013 season on Friday, May 3.

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

-b

Courtesy Photo

This aerial view shows Stuart Raceway, which was built in 1952 and hosted its first official race in 1953. The track will open for its 61st season of racing on Sunday, May 19.

Dirt track has claim to fame

Volunteers have always played vital role in Stuart Raceway’s rich tradition

By JAY PRAUNER

jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com

STUART — It’s a short track with a long history.

For 60 years, the ¼-mile clay oval called Stuart Raceway has entertained young and old, and in the process has allowed caretakers to proudly promote its claim to fame.

“We are the oldest consecutive-running track that has been in the same location with all volunteer help in the entire nation,” said Keith Larabee, president of the Stuart Stock Car Association.

Stuart Raceway was built in 1952 and hosted its first official race in 1953. The track is set to open for its 61st season of racing on Sunday, May 19.

“It’s phenomenal what goes on behind the scenes. It amazes me every day the amount of people who support the track in a very big way that most people don’t even know about,” Larabee said. “We have ranchers and farmers who not only donate their time, but also their semis, payloaders, and backhoes and don’t ask for anything in return. If it weren’t for those types of people in this community, this track wouldn’t function.”

Sandwiched between ball diamonds and a football field, with a rodeo arena at one end, the track is what it is, according to Larabee, who has been attending the facility since coming with neighbors as a seventh-grader.

“It’s a driver’s track. You have to know where to pass and you have to stay out of trouble,” said the 47-year-old Larabee.

“You just don’t run around the thing wide open. As a driver, you need some finesse, and that’s what I like about it.”

The nine-member association strives to be as good to its drivers as it is to its community.

“We’re all about being family oriented.

Our Sunday program runs from 7 p.m. until 10 or 10:30 p.m. If we run past 11 p.m., we’ve run into some problems,” Larabee said. “Then it’s time to break out the barbecue grills and walk from pit to pit and enjoy the camaraderie. There’s always food involved.”

Two concession stands are run by local organizations. The one behind the grandstand is run by the Stuart Ladies Auxiliary, and the other, in the pits, by the Stuart FFA chapter.

“The neat thing is they keep most of the proceeds as their major fundraiser, but they also donate a portion back into a separate fund for end-of-the-year bonuses for drivers,” Larabee said. “Drivers with a 70 percent attendance rate are eligible for bonus money. It kind of like, you help support the track and we’ll help support you.”

But, as with most tracks, it’s a doubleedged sword. In its heyday, Stuart Raceway’s car count was over 100. Last season, about half that registered.

“You try to keep the price of admission down as low as you can and still be able to generate enough funds to have a good payout so cars will come,” said Larabee, who is a hardware manager/buyer for Krotter Home and Auto. “We like to maintain a level of funds that could sustain the track through bad times and enough to start the next season. Anything extra goes to city park improvements.”

The track runs five classes, three of which are sanctioned by IMCA (International Motor Contest Association), Northern Sport Mod, Sport Compact and Hobby Stock. The two non-sanctioned classes are 360 Limited Sprint and Street Stock.

“We’re leaning more to the IMCA-sanctioned classes because with tracks in Norfolk and Albion, cars are already out there being built for those classes,” Larabee said.

“We want to make it easier for a driver to come to our track and know he can compete legally.”

Larabee estimates hosting around 10 shows this season, highlighted by its popular Fourth-of-July program.

“I think Norfolk and Albion going to IMCA-sanctioned classes were good moves, and it appears it will resolve some of our problems as well,” Larabee said. “The only bad thing about running on Sunday is that if a driver tears up his car on Friday or Saturday, we won’t see them here Sunday.”

Larabee, who grew up in Valentine, moved to Stuart with his wife, Brenda, 26 years ago. He has been associated with the track for the past 24 years, but he loves to hear stories about its prior 36 seasons.

“Volunteers come and go over the years.

We’re trying hard to get some of that early history brought back before we lose it,” Larabee said. “The problem is . . . you have to find people that have been around a long time to actually know that information.”

10-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Omaha shined at Daytona 500 Great American Race’s Harley Earl trophy made in Nebraska

By Lee Ackerman

Special to the Daily News

Last month, at the completion of the Great American Race, the 55th running of the Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson headed to victory lane to celebrate, receive lots of money and the Harley Earl trophy.

As for the trophies (there are two, one for the car owner and one for the driver), they had already completed a 1,400-mile journey to Daytona Beach, from Omaha.

A larger, permanent trophy resides in the Daytona 500 Experience at the Daytona International Speedway.

Each year, two new Harley Earl trophies are created by Omaha artist John Lajba.

Each weighs 54 pounds, stands 18 inches tall and is 22 inches wide and 12 inches deep. The process takes several months and involves several Omaha companies.

Trophies and sculptures are nothing new to Lajba — that’s what he does.

In Omaha, he created the “Road to Omaha” sculpture that greets College World Series fans. If you go to the Durham Western Heritage Museum, you will see the sculptures he created representing train travelers to Omaha. There’s the World War II Memorial sculptor he created for the City of Omaha in 1995 and for NASCAR fans, the statues of Bill France, Sr., and his wife Mary, Bill France, Jr. and Dale Earnhardt that greet you when you

Mike Meadows/Special to the Daily News

visit NASCAR headquarters in Daytona are all Lajba creations.

The body of the car on the Harley Earl trophy starts as a 115-pound block of bronze. Under the caring hands of John Lajba, the journey begins. It gets carved

at Herman Engraving. Along the way, many other pieces need to be made, hand finished, buffed, all of which Lajba will assemble at a later date. During this process the trophy will go to Koley’s, Inc., on Harney Street to be plated.

At the same time, the acrylic base is being created by Acrylicon in Omaha. The base is shaped like a tri-oval to represent Daytona. When the lucite is heated, Acrylicon only has a short time to get it correct or they have to start over. After it’s formed, a lot of time is devoted to hand buffing the base until it’s near perfection.

“I try to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be,” said Lajba. When Lajba has all the pieces, he will spend 1½ to 2 days assembling the trophies, wearing special gloves that do not leave marks on the trophies. After Lajba finishes assembling the trophies and making sure everything is just right, Packages Plus takes over. They place the trophies in a special crate, with special lining and then onto a special pallet.

Then and only then are the trophies sent to Daytona.

“I started doing the Harley Earl trophy in 1996,” said Lajba. “Through the years the process has changed somewhat, as we strive to make the trophies as close to perfect as possible.”

So when the checkered flag falls on the Great American Race each year, most fans wait to see a driver and his crew celebrating in victory lane.

But some will see the Harley Earl trophy hosted in the air and will say to themselves, “Made in Omaha — with tender loving care.”

See Us For ...

Financing Available

MAINTENANCE, ALIGNMENTS, TIRES & BRAKES, COOLING & HEATING etc.

Se Tic ason Sal kets Fo eO r n Now line !

* No Appointments Needed * Competitive Rates * Full Service-All Makes & Models * ASE Certified/Insured * Credit Cards Accepted

Rising City, NE

Mon.-Fri., 8-6 1102 1/2 Riverside Blvd.

Norfolk, NE 68701 Behind Canham Maytag

Phone: 402-379-1855 fullthrottleservice@hotmail.com

93095

SCHEDULE: April 27 & 28 - May 18 & 19 June 22 & 23 - July 20 & 21

93094

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

11-b

12-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

How Columbus track got its name U.S. 30 Speedway set for 27th season

By BRUCE VIERGUTZ bruce.viergutz@gmail.com

When driving on Highway 30 just south of Columbus, one can’t help but see the sign with the race car on top of it.

That, of course, would be the entrance of the U.S. 30 Speedway race track where area racers compete for prizes and money over the spring and summer.

“We’re putting on our 27th year of racing,’’ Sam Lincoln of U.S. 30 Speedway said. “It’s a family-owned operation.

We race IMCA sanctioned Modified cars, Sportsman Models, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts. And we run one added attraction each week.’’

The Speedway also has a special Late Model race on the Fourth of July weekend.

“Many of our drivers also race in Norfolk and Albion,’’ Lincoln said. “The area tracks try to accommodate each other whenever possible.’’

In fact, U.S. 30 Speedway began to race on Thursday nights, which proved to be very successful.

“They turned out to be better than our Sunday night racing,’’ Lincoln said. “Columbus is a manufacturing type of town, which makes for a lot of 14-hour days so Thursday nights worked well — plus it gave drivers another chance to get points.’’

As for the car on top of the U.S. 30 Speedway sign, Lincoln decided that the points champion that year could put up his car and number on top of it.

Darin Epperly/Daily NEws “As it turned out the driver that won used the No. 30 on his car as well,’’ Lincoln said. “Some things are meant to Kenneth Ganskow of Columbus sits in the grandstand of U.S. 30 Speedway. Ganskow and Sam Lincoln of Columbus co-own the track located southwest of Columbus on Highway 30. be.’’

• Ditzy the Clown • Quick Pick Kids’ Big Wheel Racing Series Jefferson, SD

712-560-7245 2013 Season Schedule

April 6 - Carshow at Sugar Daddy’s in North Sioux City, SD April 12 - Open Practice with Pit Party to follow, free food (while it lasts), bonfire and band April 13 (Sat.) - WinnaVegas Casino Resort SD Spring Nationals: Raindate Apr. 14 April 21 - Raceway Park Weekly Racing Series Season Opener April 28 - Coney Auto Sales Weekly Racing Series May 5 - Raceway Park Weekly Racing Series - Pink Out May 10 Golden Auto Sales presents the HRA Wingless Sprint Cars & the Miniakota Micro Sprints.

Supporting classes Skyline Bar & Casino IMCA Sportmods and KISS 107 IMCA Sport Compacts May 12 - KG 95 Weekly Racing Series/Mother’s Day May 19 - Pepsi Cola of Siouxland Weekly Racing Series May 26 - Quick Pick Weekly Racing Series, the Quick Pick Big Wheel Racing Series Season Opener June 2 - Z98 Weekly Racing Series/Mini-Van Olympics June 9 - Champion Signs Weekly Racing Series June 16 - Q102.3 Weekly Racing Series/Father’s Day featuring GOTRA June 23 - Skyline Bar & Casino Weekly Racing Series June 30 - KPTH presents Mid-Season Championship Night July 7 - Raceway Park Weekly Racing Series July 14 - O’Reilly Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series along w/Midwest Classic Stockcar Association July 18 - Rivercade presents IMCA Racing, all 5 IMCA divisions; this is a point night July 21 - Professional Concrete Weekly Racing Series July 28 - Frederick Welding & Sales Weekly Racing Series w/bike give-away August 4 - Steve’s Roofing Weekly Racing Series August 11 - KISS 107 FM Weekly Racing Series with Racecar-Ride-Along August 18 - KOOL 99.5 Weekly Racing Series/Hawaii Night August 23 (Fri.) - Super Late Model Racing (SLMR) Dirt Track Traveling Series w/Skyline Bar & Casino IMCA Sportmods, Frederick Welding & Sales IMCA Hobbystocks, KISS 107 IMCA Sport Compacts August 25 - Raceway Park Weekly Racing Series w/Scout Night September 1 - Prestige Collision & Repair Season Championship Night September 8 - Z98 Weekly Racing Series/No points, Draw-Redraw (No A-mods) Mini-van Olympics September 21 (Sat.) - WinnaVegas Casino Resort presents the SD Fall Nationals: Raindate Sept 22 Schedule Subject to Change

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.racewayparkinc.com

93302

www.bigdaddychassis.com

93494

Adults - $10 • Children under 10 - FREE

Like us on

13-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Young gun Koch, moving on up

Defending Junior Hornet champion joins Hobby Stock division

By JAY PRAUNER

jprauner@norfolkdailynews.com

Darin Epperly/Daily News

Gage Koch of Norfolk began racing at age 12. This season, the now 14-year-old Sacred Heart eighth-grader will move up into Riviera Racway’s Hobby Stock division. scheme, both originating from Brian’s racing days.

“My mother, Denise, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, so we’ve had a breast can-

cer awareness paint scheme on our cars ever since,” said Koch, who won a Street Stock point title at Riviera Raceway in 2005. “My wife’s mother, Dawn, was diag-

Couldn’t place ad. Use the check ads command in the Scoop menu.

93299 Racing Tab N/C Color Miller Machine

Saturday, January 18, 2014 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Visit With Area Vendors

Buy • Sell • Trade

93291

www.racerswinterswapmeet.com • 402-640-1818

New 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 25 Years!

402-371-6032 413 Northwestern Ave. • Norfolk

93299

MOROSOS • J&E PISTONS • SRP-PISTONS • ARP • COMP CAMS•

• CRANE CAMS • LUNATI CAMS

Ag Park - Columbus, NE

E very th in g From R ods To R acin g!

nosed in 2011, so having pink on the car is a tribute to them.”

Denise passed away in January, while Dawn is a cancer survivor.

With the new season and class,

• TOTAL SEAL RINGS • J&E PISTONS • CROWER • FEDERAL-MOGAL

• CROWER • FEDERAL-MOGAL

Two months ago, Gage Koch of Norfolk acquired his learner’s permit to drive.

It’s a requirement that, for a kid who has been racing cars for the past two years, seems somewhat unnecessary.

Now, with Riviera Raceway in Norfolk scheduled to open for its 49th season of racing on Saturday, April 13, the 14-year-old is ready to do some serious driving.

In compliance with track rules, the Sacred Heart eighth-grader must transition out of Riviera’s beginner’s class. In claiming the 2012 Junior Hornet point championship last September, Koch went out with a bang . . . and a jolt, a roll and another roll.

“It was championship night and I was going down the backstretch when I got bumped from behind and turned a little sideways,” Koch recalled. “My momentum took me off the track right where the cars normally exit, and then I hit a dirt pile and started rolling and ended up on my roof.”

For his parents, Brian and Courtney, it was a frightening experience to say the least.

“A lot of family and friends were in attendance that night to see him accept his championship trophy,’’ Mrs. Koch said. “It kind of took the fun out of it.”

Thankfully, Gage escaped serious injury with only minor bumps and bruises.

As for the car? “It was toast,” said Brian Koch, whose Hi-Way Service business is the race team’s main sponsor.

Fortunately, since the Junior Hornet division allows drivers ages 12 through 16 to compete for only two years, a new race car was in order anyway. This year’s Hobby Stock race car will bear the same number (96) and paint

Gage will be going from a frontwheel-drive Honda Prelude — competing in six-car features with speeds around 60 miles per hour — to competing in 15-car features going 70 miles per hour in a rear-wheel-drive Chevy Malibu.

“I know I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m just going to go out and do the best I can,” Gage said.

It’s just the kind of humbling remark a dad likes to hear.

“I feel a lot better putting him in a Hobby Stock now that he’s got some experience,” Brian Koch said. “The Junior Hornet division is a great way to get younger kids involved, instead of just throwing them straight into features against men with a lot bigger car counts.”

With race-day assistance from pit crew members Shawn Langemeier and Jordan Knudson, Gage won 10 of 15 “A” features last season.

Pretty remarkable stuff for a kid who stood less than 5-feet tall and weighed less than 100 pounds when this all started.

“My dad used to race and I liked watching him and thought it would be something I’d like to do,” Gage said. “So, halfway through the 2011 season, I jumped in a car, without any practice, and it was a blast.”

So was winning his first track points title.

“Gage was very consistent last year and did a good job of finishing races,” his father said. “I just think it’s really neat that now we both have track titles from Riviera.”

The race team’s goal for 2013 is to continue learning while flying under the radar. This, according to Gage, shouldn’t be a problem.

“Most of my friends don’t really know a whole lot about racing,” he said.

14-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Past Champions at Riviera Raceway

Grand Nationals 2012 Jim Johnson 2011 Robert Osborne 2010 Chad Jensen 2009 Robert Osborne 2008 Chris Johnson 2007 Robert Osborne 2006 Robert Osborne 2005 Robert Osborne 2004 Robert Osborne 2003 Robert Osborne 2002 Robert Osborne 2001 Robert Osborne 2000 Robert Osborne 1999 Robert Osborne 1998 Reggie Roth 1997 Robert Osborne

2003 Kent Behmer 2002 Kent Behmer 2001 Ron Pettitt 2000 Chris Johnson 1999 Chris Johnson 1998 Chris Johnson 1997 Jim Johnson

Hobby Stocks

2012 Jason Wilkinson 2011 Matt Haase 2010 Tate Weinrich 2009 Jeremy Brabec 2008 Sean Spann 2007 Matt Kersten 2006 Jim Kimmel 2005 Jeremy Brabec

Sport Compact

Street Stocks

2012 Cameron Meyer 2011 Cameron Meyer 2010 Grant Hurlbert 2009 Shannon Pospisil 2008 Eric Sloan 2007 Shannon Pospisil

2012 Troy Bruns 2011 TeJay Mielke 2010 Troy Bruns 2009 Shawn Primrose 2008 Eric Vanosdall 2007 Shawn Primrose 2006 Kent Behmer 2005 Brian Koch 2004 Shawn Primrose

Junior Hornets

2012 Gage Koch 2011 Joey Haase

Darin Epperly/Daily NEws

Riviera Raceway in Norfolk will open for its 49th year of dirt track racing on Saturday, April 13.

Lube, Oil and Filter*

12

$

95

108 S. Main, Hoskins

HOME COOKED DAILY NOON SPECIALS with SALAD BAR Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

MONDAY

With Purchase Of Air Filter Or Cabin Air Filter

All You Can Eat

Taco Bar $5.75

*Includes up to 5 qts. of oil & filter. Synthetic oil & diesels extra.

Expires 5/3/13

1/2 Price Hamburgers & Cheeseburgers THURSDAY

&

$ 35¢ Wings 1.75 Beer Bottles or Cans $ 2.50 Quart Jars $5.00 Pitchers 93290

See us on the web www.cornhuskerauto.com

1-877-798-5012

(402) 565-4283

700 East Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, NE • 402-371-3765 307 East Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, NE • 402-371-3002 2200 W. Pasewalk, Norfolk, NE • 402-644-8020

Monday thru Thursday 8 am-7 pm; Friday 8 am-6 pm; Saturday 8 am-5 pm

Bud Light or Busch Light

Bud Light or Busch Light

Happy Hour: 5 To 7 p.m., Monday-Friday Closed Wednesdays and Sundays 93084

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

15-b

14 tracks within 200 miles of Norfolk Wagner Speedway (Wagner, SD)

Distances from Norfolk 46 miles 50 miles 53 miles 66 miles 88 miles 104 miles 105 miles 113 miles 122 miles 122 miles 134 miles 147 miles 185 miles 195 miles

-

U.S. 30 Speedway Cedar County Raceway Albion Speedway Butler County Motorplex Raceway Park Stuart Community Track Junction Motor Speedway Wagner Speedway I-80 Speedway Mid-Nebraska Speedway Eagle Raceway State Fair Park Raceway Beatrice Speedway Dawson County Raceway

Raceway Park

Cedar County Raceway

Stuart Community Track

(Jefferson, SD)

(Hartington)

(Stuart)

Riviera Raceway (Norfolk)

Albion Speedway

U.S. 30 Speedway

(Albion)

(Columbus)

I-80 Speedway

Butler County Motorplex Dawson County Raceway (Lexington)

(Rising City)

Mid-Nebraska Speedway (Doniphan)

Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction)

(Greenwood)

State Fair Park Raceway (Lincoln)

Eagle Raceway (Eagle)

Beatrice Speedway (Beatrice)

Y OUR O NLY C HOICE F OR P ERFORMANCE P ARTS , S ALES & S ERVICE

biles

owmo n S • s i Jet Sk

2407 S

ACL JEFF KR 50-2338 02) 7 lebeep.com Cell: (4 te sales@

bbcycle

93301

1206 Logan Street, Norfolk • (402) 371-6060 www.rothrace.com or visit us on facebook

Bus 02) 371-2 51 Fax: 4 888-872-91 : e Toll Fre

93296

1 cles • y E 6870 c r N o , t k o l o M f 51 • Nor 371-9128 ATVs • . 13th 4 : (402)

16-b

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Sanctioned

S CH ED U LE

red by ht, Sponso ig N g in n e p April 20 . .Olter Scrap Metal A t egular Nigh April 27. . .R egular Night May 4......R egular Night, GOTRA May 11....R egular Night May 18....R egular Night nty Sprints May 25....R egular Night, Holt Cou June 1. . . . .R egular Night June 8. . . . .R egular NIght ites June 15. . .R egular Night a Modified L June 22. . .R egular Night, Nebrask June 29. . .R ednesday Night Race July 3. . . . . .WFF July 6. . . . . .O FF July 13. . . .O egular Night July 20. . . .R egular Night July 27. . . .R LMR Aug. 3. . . . .S egular Night Aug. 10. . .R egular Night Aug. 17. . .R egular Night, MCSA Aug. 24. . .R hampionship Night nge Aug. 31. . .C bject to cha All dates su

Grand Nationals • IMCA Sport Mods • IMCA Hobby Stocks • IMCA Sport Compacts • Jr. Hornets Races Start at 7:30 p.m.

(Gates open at 6:30 p.m.)

GRANDSTAND ADMISSION: Adults: $10 Student 14-18 With ID: $7 6-13 years: $5 5 and under: FREE

KIDS FREE!

93082

204 Sherwood Rd., Norfolk - 402-371-4242