2006 Track Champions named at 34 Raceway
by Dana Royer/34 Raceway

WEST BURLINGTON, IA (Sept. 2, 2006) ­ Last week (Aug. 26), race fans saw Gary Russell of Biggsville, Illinois win his way to the 2006 34 Raceway IMCA Late Model track championship. This week, (Sept,. 2). Race fans learned the ³rest of the story² following the season championship races for IMCA Modifieds, B Mods, Hobby Stocks and IMCA Stock Cars. Only one of the four classes saw a tight race for the championship with Todd Holsteen holding a narrow three point lead over John Oliver, Jr. in the hobby stock division. When the evening¹s action was completed race fans new the names of the new champions. They are: Todd Holsteen (hobby stocks), Burlington, John Oliver, Jr. (IMCA Stock Cars), Danville, Bill Roberts, Jr. (IMCA Modifieds), Burlington and Jerry Bliesener, Jr. (B-Mods), Burlington.

Racing action at 34 Raceway last Saturday also saw Dan Wenig, Danville, win the hobby stock feature, Dennis LaVeine, Burlington, win the IMCA Modified feature, John Oliver, Jr., Danville, win the IMCA Stock Car feature and Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk, win the B-Mod feature. The Sept. 2 races concluded the point races for the 2006 season but the action is not over. Coming up on Saturday, Sept. 9 the Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders will make their fourth appearance at the 3/8 mile track and the final sprint race of the year at 34 Raceway. The season will conclude on Friday and Saturday, September 15 and 16 when Deery Brothers and Ideal Ready Mix present the 15th annual Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals. In this season championship for the Deery Brothers IMCA Summer Series for Late Models, drivers will be competing for $10,000 to win. Also scheduled to race will be the Hobby Stocks on Friday competing for $500 to win and the Stock Cars on Saturday also competing for $500 to win.

The B-Mods took to the track for the first feature of the night with Jack Evans, Jr. getting his second win this year at 34. Point champion Jerry Bliesener led for the first three laps before hitting a rut and turning sideways. After being hit, Bliesener was forced to pit but his 60 point lead going into the race had already ensured him of the points championship. Following the restart Wyatt Lantz took over the number one spot. On lap six Lantz got too high in turn two and Evans took advantage. Evans led the remaining six laps to get the win.

The second feature race of the evening saw Dan Wenig get his fourth hobby stock win this season. With all eyes set on John Oliver, Jr. and Todd Holsteen the race was on for the hobby stock points title. Holsteen held a narrow 3 point lead over Oliver going into the feature race. All Holsteen had to do was stay with Oliver as Oliver needed to finish ahead of Holsteen three places. Wenig was able to take the lead from Oliver on lap four of the fifteen lap race and worked hard to stay in the lead in this closely competitive class. Oliver dropping to second was still ahead of Holsteen but couldn¹t shake him. Holsteen who had dropped to fourth would again move up to the third spot and that is how the race would end. Wenig took the checkered flag followed by Oliver and Holsteen. Oliver would fail to get a three car lead over Holsteen giving Holsteen the championship by two points. Dennis LaVeine cruised to his third IMCA Modified feature win taking the checkered flag by nearly 1/2 track lead over the rest of the field. Although LaVeine would get the win, the IMCA Modified points championship would go to Bill Roberts, Jr. Roberts held a twenty point lead over LaVeine before the race started and had the championship locked up.

Fans saw yet another exciting finish in the IMCA Stock Car feature with John Oliver, Jr. taking a narrow win in an exciting finish. Oliver took the lead from Kirk Kinsley on lap thirteen of the fifteen lapper in a green, white, checkered finish following a caution. A three way battle between Oliver, Kinsley and Darin Thye gave the fans a show as they raced three wide and bumper to bumper. Oliver would hold on to take the checkered flag while Thye passed Kinsley to take second. Oliver would also claim the 2006 IMCA Stock Car track championship in the class¹s first year at 34 Raceway.

9/2/06 Results
B-Modifieds
A-Main 01 ‹ 1. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk, Iowa; 2. Brandon Savage, Keokuk, Iowa; 3. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 4. Jordon Schram, Sterling, Ill.; 5. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 6. Mitch Higdon, Wever, Iowa; 7. Dave Cloke, Burlington, Iowa; 8. Phillip Beard, Crawfordsville, Iowa; 9. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison, Iowa; 10. Kevin Hetrick, Gladstone, Ill.; 11. Chad Sovern, West Burlington, Iowa; 12. Ryan Atkinson, Mt Pleasant, Iowa; 13. Jerry Bliesener, Jr., Burlington, Iowa; 14. Scott Boles, New London, Iowa. Heat 01 ‹ 1. Kevin Hetrick, Gladstone, Ill.; 2. Jordon Schram, Strerling, Ill.; 3. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 4. Dave Cloke, Burlington, Iowa; 5. Mitch Higdon, Wever, Iowa; 6. Ryan Atkinson, Mt Pleasant, Iowa; 7. Scott Boles, New London, Iowa. Heat 02 ‹ 1. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 2. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk, Iowa; 3. Brandon Savage, Keokuk, Iowa; 4. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison, Iowa; 5. Phillip Beard, Crawfordsville, Iowa; 6. Jerry Bliesener, Jr., Burlington, Iowa; 7. Chad Sovern, West Burlington, Iowa.

Hobby Stocks
A-Main 01 ‹ 1. Dan Wenig, Middletown, Iowa; 2. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, Iowa; 3. Todd Holsteen, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Randy Wachter, Burlington, Iowa; 5. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa; 6. Sky Griffith, Wapello, Iowa; 7. Brodie Dopler, Wapello, Iowa; 8. Tanner Thomann, W. Burlington, Iowa; 9. Ray Raker, Danville, Iowa; 10. Jason Gerdes, Lomax, Ill.; 11. Roger Krieger, Burlington, Iowa; 12. John Brockway, Morning Sun, Iowa; 13. James Lynch, Donnellson, Iowa; 14. Tony Witte, Danville, Iowa; 15. Cale Samberg, Burlington, Iowa; 16. Allen Johnston, Burlington, Iowa; 17. Eric Rowley, Burlington, Iowa; 18. Kelly Skelton, Ft Madison, Iowa; 19. Jamie Smith, Monmouth, Ill.; 20. Victor Hastings, Oquawka, Ill.; 21. Ray Tedrow, New London, Iowa; 22. Doug Fenton, Burlington, Iowa; 23. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 24. Jake Wenig, W. Burlington, Iowa; 25. Chuck Underwood, Burlington, Iowa; 26. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, Iowa. Heat 01 ‹ 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, Iowa; 2. Jake Wenig, W. Burlington, Iowa; 3. Chuck Underwood, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Doug Fenton, Burlington, Iowa; 5. Victor Hastings, Oquawka, Ill.; 6. Jamie Smith, Monmouth, Ill.; 7. Laverne Bowman;; 8. Kelly Skelton, Ft Madison, Iowa; 9. Tanner Thomann, W. Burlington, Iowa; 10. Cale Samberg, Burlington, Iowa.Heat 02 ‹ 1. Brodie Dopler, Wapello, Iowa; 2. Jason Gerdes, Lomax, Ill.; 3. Sky Griffith, Wapello, Iowa; 4. Allen Johnston, Burlington, Iowa; 5. Randy Wachter, Burlington, Iowa; 6. Todd Holsteen, Burlington, Iowa; 7. Eric Rowley, Burlington, Iowa; 8. Ray Raker, Danville, Iowa; 9. Jim Oliver,Sr., West Burlington, Iowa; 10. Ray Tedrow, New London, Iowa. Heat 03 ‹ 1. Dan Wenig, Middletown, Iowa; 2. Tony Witte, Danville, Iowa; 3. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Roger Krieger, Burlington, Iowa; 5. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 6. James Lynch, Donnellson, Iowa; 7. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa; 8. Rudy Oelberg, Wataga, Ill.; 9. John Brockway, Morning Sun, Iowa.

IMCA Modifieds
A-Main 01 ‹ 1. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington, Iowa; 2. Bill Roberts, Jr., Burlington, Iowa; 3. Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Sean Wyett, Danville, Iowa; 5. Paul Lawson, West Point, Iowa; 6. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 7. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, Iowa; 8. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 9. Phillip Cossel, Montrose, Iowa; 10. Brad Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 11. Chad Goff, Monmouth, Ill.; 12. Kyle Kaestner, Burlington, Iowa; 13. Elmer Arnold, Sperry, Iowa. Heat 01 ‹ 1. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington, Iowa; 2. Paul Lawson, West Point, Iowa; 3. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, Iowa; 4. Elmer Arnold, Sperry, Iowa; 5. Kyle Kaestner, Burlington, Iowa; 6. Phillip Cossel, Montrose, Iowa; 7. Bill Roberts, Jr., Burlington, Iowa. Heat 02 ‹ 1. Sean Wyett, Danville, Iowa; 2. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 3. Chad Goff, Monmouth, Ill.; 4. Brad Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 5. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 6. Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa.

IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main 01 ‹ 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, Iowa; 2. Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa; 3. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello, Iowa; 4. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 5. Rod Staats, Columbus Jct., Iowa; 6. Chad Witte, Burlington, Iowa; 7. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun, Iowa; 8. Tim Breuer, Burlington, Iowa; 9. Derek Coleman, New London, Iowa; 10. Patrick Mincer, Columbus Jct, Iowa; 11. Shelly Mizell, Muscatine, Iowa; 12. Shawn Whiting, West Burlington, Iowa; 13. Adam Vantiger, Yarmouth, Iowa; 14. Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa; 15. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 16. Boe McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa. Heat 01 ‹ 1. Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa; 2. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun, Iowa; 3. Tim Breuer, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello, Iowa; 5. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 6. Patrick Mincer, Columbus Jct, Iowa; 7. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 8. Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa.Heat 02 ‹ 1. Derek Coleman, New London, Iowa; 2. Adam Vantiger, Yarmouth, Iowa; 3. Chad Witte, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Rod Staats, Columbus Jct., Iowa; 5. Shelly Mizell, Muscatine, Iowa; 6. Shawn Whiting, West Burlington, Iowa; 7. Boe McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa; 8. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, Iowa.

2006 Top Ten Points Leaders
IMCA Late Models FINAL Point Standings
1 20 Gary Russell Biggsville, Il 517
2 5 Jay Johnson W. Burlington, IA 510
3 14 Boone McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA 487
4 45 Jeff Laue Burlington, IA 460
5 14B Tom Bowling, Jr. Danville, IA 447
6 84 Sam Halstead New London, IA 436
7 25 Lonnie Bailey Quincy, Il 429
8 15 Matt Strassheim Burlington, IA 421
9 52 Matt Bailey Quincy, IL 417
10 69 Tom Goble Burlington, Ia 405

IMCA Modifieds FINAL Point Standings
1 5R Bill Roberts, Jr. Burlington, Ia 626
2 71 Dennis LaVeine Burlington, Ia 606
3 12S Sean Wyett Danville, IA 519
4 15 Phillip Cossel Montrose, IA 518
5 0 Brad Carson Colchester, IL 515
6 14 Kyle Kaestner Burlington, IA 511
7 11d Darin Thye Burlington, Ia 474
8 10A Elmer Arnold Sperry, IA 448
9 58 Andy Krieger West Burl., IA 416
10 77 Josh Foster Montrose, Ia 407

B-Modifieds FINAL Point Standings
1 14B Jerry Bliesener, Jr. Burlington, Ia 614
2 45 Mitch Higdon Wever, IA 561
3 23 Kevin Hetrick Gladstone, IL 552
4 4B Scott Boles New London, Ia 541
5 18B Phillip Beard Crawfordsville, Ia 529
6 2 Chad Sovern West Burl., IA 472
7 26 Jim Kuhlmeier Ft. Madison, Ia 456
8 16D Dave Cloke Burlington, IA 428
9 40 Bob Jennings Mt Pleasant, Ia 337
10 74 Kevin Londrie 234

IMCA Stock Cars FINAL Point Standings
1 5 John Oliver, Jr. Danville, IA 651
2 42 Kirk Kinsley Wapello, IA 632
3 8 Rod Staats Columbus Jct., Ia 605
4 77M Jeff Mueller New London, IA 586
5 94 Boe McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA 564
6 18 Shawn Whiting West Burl., IA 529
7 0 Tim Breuer Burlington, IA 494
8 2c Chad Witte Burlington, IA 493
9 7Z Derek Coleman New London, IA 477
10 47v Adam Vantiger Yarmouth, Ia 444

Hobby Stocks FINAL Point Standings
1 T2 Todd Holsteen Burlington, IA 612
2 41 John Oliver, Jr. Danville, IA 610
3 C21 Dan Wenig Middletown, IA 585
4 8W Randy Wachter Burlington, IA 580
5 60 Luke McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA 548
6 57 Brodie Dopler Wapello, IA 518
7 45 Matt Gavin Monmouth, Il 484
8 92J Sky Griffith Wapello, IA 474
9 15 Tanner Thomann W. Burl., IA 439
10 12 Chad Krogmeier Burlington, IA 437