Frankel, Vrohoticky and Gavin get wins at Fastrak Challenge
By Dana Royer

BURLINGTON, IA  (Sept. 10) ­ With the 2007 point season completed racing continues to go strong at Burlington¹s 34 Raceway. Saturday, Sept. 8 the track hosted the Fastrak Challenge for IMCA Late Models, IMCA Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. A challenge was issued to the pole sitters of each feature race. Would they be confident to start from the rear of the field instead of the front row? If they did and won the race they would collect another $500. But none of the three feature pole sitters, Ron Elbe (late models), Trent Vrohoticky (stock
cars) and Russell Passmore (hobby stocks) were brave enough to take the challenge and chose to keep their poll positions. Only Vrohoticky would keep his pole and also win the race. The ³challenge² also gave racers the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming J & J Steel/Ideal Ready Mix /Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals this weekend and the 1st annual Stock Car and Hobby Stock Nationals on Sept. 29.

With the J & J Steel/Ideal Ready Mix /Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals coming up Sept. 14 and 15, late model racers converged on 34 Raceway last Saturday to prepare for the big show that pays $10,000 to the winner of the 100 lap feature. Time trials and heat races were held prior to the 25 lap feature. Burlington¹s Johnny Johnson was the fastest around the 3/8 mile track during time trials. Twenty five cars set the field for the 35 lap feature with Ron Elbe and Keith Pratt on the front row. Pratt took the early lead and began to pull away from the field by lap five. Running into lap traffic, Pratt¹s lead would be cut by Jason Frankel as they worked through the cars. A red flag was brought out on lap eighteen for an ambulance call behind the grandstands. When racing resumed Frankel took advantage and got past Pratt two laps later. Frankel then began to pull way from Pratt and went on to take the checkered flag for the third time this year at 34. The late models will cap off the 2007 season at 34 Raceway this weekend during the Late Model Nationals. Fans can expect to see the best of the best in IMCA late model racing as the Deery Brothers Summer Series holds its season finale during the Nationals.

The IMCA Stock Cars took to the track for their fifteen lap feature with Trent Vrohoticky and Greg Johnson on the front row. Vrohoticky took the early lead with a battle for second raging behind him between Johnson, Ryan Cook and Jason Cook. Joining the group would be John Oliver, Jr., Oliver got by Johnson on lap eight for second before a caution came out on lap nine. Oliver and Vrohoticky raced side by side, bumper to bumper for the next couple laps before Vrohoticky would begin to slightly pull away. Vrohoticky would go on to take the checkered flag in a close finish by 2 car lengths.

Thirty-three hobby stocks raced four heats and a B-Main to qualify for the 25 car feature and taking the win would be Matt Gavin of Kirkwood, Il., Chuck Underwood took the early lead before Rob Wilsey would get by following a restart on lap three. Wilsey would pull away from the field, but a caution on lap eight would close the gap. Gavin moved up to the second spot from his sixth row start by lap nine and had his sights set on Wilsey. Then on the final lap as they came out of turn four, Gavin made his move and passed Wilsey as they headed for the checkered flag. Gavin took the win on his last lap pass.

34 Raceway results from 9/8/07

IMCA LATE MODELS FEATURE: 1. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Il., 2. Keith Pratt, Mendon, Il., 3. Shawn Mulvany, Moline, I., 4. Ron Elbe, Augusta, Il., 5. Sam Halstead, New London, Ia., 6. Justin Reed, Quincy, Il., 7. Jeremy Grady, Story City, Ia., 8. Nate Beuseling, Coal Valley, Il., 9. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake, Ia., 10. Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, Il., 11. Jason Perry, Payson, Il., 12. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, Ia., 13. Darren Ackerman, Readlyn, Ia., 14. Tom Goble, Burlington, Ia., 15. Joey Gower, Quincy, Il., 16. Cory Goldbeck, Dewitt, Ia., 17. Robby Warner, Quincy, Il., 18. Adam Helmick, Fort Madison, Ia., 19. Jerry Dedrick, Vinton, Ia., 20. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Il., 21. Jeff Bair, Solon, Ia., 22, Robert Toland, Jr., Milan, Ia., 23. Johnny Johnson, Burlington, Ia., 24. Jamie Aikey, Cedar Falls, Ia., 25. Jerry Weisnerberger. HEAT WINNER: Darbyshire, Bair, Pratt, Elbe. FAST TIME: Johnny Johnson.

IMCA STOCK CARS FEATURE: 1. Trent Vrohoticky, Columbus Jct., Ia., 2. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, Ia., 3. Ryan Cook, Mt. Pleasant, Ia., 4. Greg Johnson, Burlington, Ia., 5. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, Ia., 6. Abe Huls, Carthage, Il., 7. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Il., 8. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello, Ia., 9. Shane Watts, Burlington, Ia.., 10. Dennis Harwood, West Point, Ia., 11. Corey Strothman, New London, Ia., 12. Ray Raker, Danville, Ia., 13. John Brockway, Morning Sun, Ia., 14. Joe Gerdes, Burlington, Ia., 15. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant, Ia., HEAT WINNERS: Johnson, Vrohoticky.

HOBBY STOCKS FEATURE: 1. Matt Gavin, Kirkwood, Il., 2. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, Ia., 3. Chuck Underwood, Burlington, Ia., 4. Russell Passmore, Burlington, Ia., 5. Blaine Dopler, Wapello, Ia., 6. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson, Ia., 7. Keith Reed, Fowler, Il., 8. Sky Griffith, Wapello, Ia., 9. Jim Lynch, Donnellson, Ia., 10. Jeremy Pundt, 11. Jeremy Tompkins, Columbus Junction, Ia., 12. Todd Lange, Stronghurst, Il., 13. Doug Fenton, Burlington, Ia., 14. Jake Wenig, Burlington, Ia., 15. Alex Buffington, Wapello, Ia., 16. Dan Wenig, West Burlington, Ia., 17. Jarod Conrad, Wayland, Ia., 18. Randy Samburg, Burlington, 19. Tanner Thomann, West Burlington, Ia., 20. Jason Gerdes, Lomax, Il., 21. Brodie Dopler, Wapello, Ia., 22. Dean Kratzer, Montrose, Ia., 23. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk, Ia., 24. Brian Holmes, Wapello, Ia., 25. Ed Sammons, Rome, Ia. HEAT WINNERS: Wilsey, D. Wenig, Underwood, Passmore. B-MAIN, Lynch.