Fall Nationals concludes season at RPM Speedway
By Mike Hughes
HAYS, KS (October 10-12)—Over 230 race teams, representing 11 states and Canada, converged on RPM Speedway in Hays, KS, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, October 10-12, for the 7th annual Fall Nationals.
The Sport Compacts ran a complete program on Thursday night. On Friday night, heat races and qualifiers were ran for the Hobby Stocks, Northern Sport Mods, Stock Cars and Modifieds. Those 4 divisions then returned on Saturday night for last chance races and the main events, with over $60,000 in prize money on the line.
The 40-lap Modified feature saw 3 former national champions in the line-up of the all star field. At the drop of the green, Scott Drake jumped to a quick lead. Dominic Ursetta took the lead on lap 4, but Drake regained the lead on the following lap. But polesitter John Hansen of Brush, CO, was a man on a mission. Hansen took the lead on lap 14 and never looked back as he lapped half of the 24-car field enroute to the win and a $5,000 check in the winner’s circle. Ursetta, of Arvada, CO, held off fellow Arvada driver Eddie Belec for the runner-up spot, with Drake, of Joplin, MO, and Jeremy Frenier of Fort Morgan, CO, rounding out the top five.
Mike Nichols of Harlan, IA, would take advantage of his pole starting position and lead all 30 laps in the Stock Car feature to claim the win and the $3,000 paycheck. Several cautions gave the field a chance, but Nichols had his #63 dialed in and held off a stellar field for the victory. Jason Rogers of Selden chased Nichols most of the distance but had to settle for second, followed by RPM Speedway track champion Jeff Tubbs of Colby, Chris Adams of Mcintire, IA, and ‘The Hammer’ Josh Hudson of Kensington.
The 25-lap Northern Sport Mod feature was close early on with ‘The Frye Man’ Tyler Frye of Belleville and Greg Metz of Washington. Frye led the first 3 laps, then Metz took charge. The caution waved on lap 4 when Jake Krone went off the track, and Metz led the field back to green. But Frye shot past Metz on the restart and would hold off Metz for his 4th fall nationals championship at the 3/8-mile oval and a $2,000 winner’s check. Bucklin’s Clay Sellard, Daniel Gottschalk of Ellis, and hometown driver Trenton Kleweno completed the top five.
Russell’s Ron Wehling took the lead from Kyle Bond of Gibbon, NE, on lap 2 of the 20-lap Hobby Stock feature and would lead the rest of the distance to pick up the victory and a $1,000 payday. The lone caution waved on lap 6 for a multi car spin, which gave the field a shot at Wehling. But the Russell driver drove away for a trip to the winner’s circle. Brandon Beeter of Minot, ND, finished second, followed by Jesse VanLaningham of Beatrice, NE; Jamie Songer of Ankeny, IA; and Goodland’s Eric Ross.
On Thursday evening, Lanny Bolton of Aurora, CO, jumped out to the early lead in the 20-lap Sport Compact feature, but 2 laps later was passed by Monte Honas. Honas would only lead one lap before Lanny Bolton regained the poin. But one lap past the halfway mark, Lanny’s son Mitch Bolton of Grand Junction, CO, took the lead and led the remaining distance for the win. Lanny finished second, followed by Josh Modde of Des Moine, IA; Honas, and Zach Olmstead of Overton, NE.
The 3rd Annual Wall of Fame award was presented to the late Greg Close.
Sponsors for the fall nationals included Xtreme Motorsports, D & B Motors, Unrein Oil, Rock Ridge Ranch, Honas Tank Service, D C Services, Budweiser, Skillet & Sons Trucking and Quality Oil Well Cementing.
The track management would like to thank all the sponsors, staff members, volunteers, drivers and fans for their support this past season.
RESULTS
IMCA Sport Compacts
Feature: 1. Mitch Bolton, 2. Lanny Bolton, 3. Monte Honas, 5. Zach Olmstead, 6. Kirk Pfannenstiel, 7. Madison Reed, 8. Andrew Soderlund (DNF), 9. Madison Reed (DNF), 10. Tanner Chapin (DNS), 11. Jacob Olmstead (DNS).
IMCA Hobby Stocks
Last Chance #1 (top 4 advance): 1. Brian Stich, 2. Jamie Songer, 3. Luke Pfannenstiel, 4. Russ Specht, 5. Dillon Thompson, 6. Noah Ludwig, 7. Patrick Thyfault, 8. Brady Bencken, 9. Travis Coop (DNF), 10. Curt Kennedy (DNF), 11. Roger Garrison (DNS).
Last Chance #2 (top 4 advance): 1. Jeromy Wagner, 2. Gary Goudy Sr., 3. Darren Unrein, 4. Brady Weinman, 5. Tyson Canas, 6. Aaron Gray, 7. Chip Broeduss, 8. Robert Emmons, 9. Oscar Runyon, 10. Michael Johnson, DQ – Gary Pemberton.
Last Chance #3 (top 4 advance): 1. Brock Beeter, 2. Cody Davis, 3. Austin Davis, 4. Daniel Irwin, 5. Kelly Pihl, 6. Leon Pfannenstiel, 7. Colton Pfeifer, 8. Gary Goudy Jr., 9. Irvin Earl, 10. Mark Normandin (DNF), 11. Brian Weinhold (DNS), 12. Dan Pittman (DNS).
Feature: 1. Ron Wehling, 2. Brandon Beeter, 3. Jesse VanLaningham, 4. Jamie Songer, 5. Eric Ross, 6. Sterling Sorenson, 7. Garrett Hager, 8. Jason Fusselman, 9. Brock Beeter, 10. G.W. Fuller, 11. Kurt Hansen, 12. Cody Davis, 13. Jeromy Wagner, 14. Brian Stich, 15. Daniel Irwin, 16. Austin Davis, 17. Kyle Bond, 18. Jake Pemberton, 19. Brady Weinman, 20. Darren Unrein, 21. Russ Specht, 22. Gary Goudy Sr., 23. Luke Pfannenstiel, 24. Mike Traskowsky (DNF).
IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Last Chance #1 (top 3 advance): 1. Zach Schultz, 2. Bryan Herrick, 3. Mason Daughters, 4. Tanner Portenier, 5. Mark Franklin, 6. Tony Fisher, 7. Cory Struckhoff (DNF), 8. Mark Axelson (DNF), 9. Cody Stefanski (DNF), 10. Randle McRoberts (DNF), 11. Brian May (DNF), 12. Kyle Olberding (DNF).
Last Chance #2 (top 3 advance): 1. Austin Carter, 2. Bryan Harkness, 3. Cody Pancake, 4. Jeremy Sigler, 5. Shane Meeks, 6. Rick Dreasher, 7. Jerrod Couse (DNF), 8. Jeremy Couse (DNF), 9. Toph Harman (DNF), 10. Dylan Book (DNF), 11. Ryan Gier (DNF).
Last Chance #3 (top 3 advance): 1. Jon Plowman, 2. Nick Dieter, 3. Darick Lamberson, 4. Troy Attwood, 5. Jimmy Ness, 6. Chance Miller, 7. Dakota Sproul, 8. Fred Traskowsky (DNF), 9. Clayton Wilson (DNF), 10. Adam Stenzl (DNF), 11. Mike Appel (DNF).
Last Chance #4 (top 3 advance): 1. Austin Walker, 2. Josh Appel, 3. Brendon Damon, 4. Clay Money, 5. Clinton Hockersmith, 6. Taylor Metz, 7. Kaid Calhoon, 8. Dan Lauer, 9. Kevin Tabor, 10. Andrew Bertsch (DNF), 11. Gary Goudy Jr. (DNF), 12. Kamren Gruber (DNF).
Feature: 1. Tyler Frye, 2. Greg Metz, 3. Clay Sellard, 4. Daniel Gottschalk, 5. Trenton Kleweno, 6. Dustin Daniels, 7. Tyler Sutton, 8. Jake Krone, 9. Ben Kates, 10. Mason Daughters, 11. Jon Plowman, 12. Nick Dieter, 13. Blaine Walt, 14. Kurtis Pihl, 15. Austin Carter, 16. Zach Schultz, 17. Austin Walker, 18. Brendon Damon, 19. Bryan Herrick, 20. Cody Pancake, 21. Darick Lamberson (DNF), 22. Josh Appel (DNF), 23. Bryan Harkness (DNF), 24. Dillon Schultz (DNF).
IMCA Stock Cars
Last Chance #1 (top 3 advance): 1. Chris Adams, 2. Arnold Williams, 3. Randy Dowell, 4. Keith Riley, 5. Tyler Hahn, 6. Justin Lewis, 7. Jay Hachmeister, 8. Jason Stevens, 9. Bob Rutherford, 10. Nate Moore, 11. Mike Kennedy, 12. Don Schweister (DNF), 13. Cody Zimmerman (DNS).
Last Chance #2 (top 3 advance): 1. Angel Munoz, 2. Eric Munoz, 3. Brendon Eilts, 4. Pat Bedore, 5. Jason Davis, 6. Michael Pepper, 7. Marlin Hogie, 8. Travis Thelander, 9. Wes Baier (DNF), 10. Josh Crombie (DNF), 11. Dave Plowman (DNF).
Last Chance #3 (top 3 advance): 1. Tyler Tipton, 2. Jordan Grabouski, 3. Casey Woken, 4. Kyle Werkmeister, 5. Michael Dancer, 6. Scot Granzella, 7. Scott Krause-Mahan, 8. Shane Matile, 9. Ron Hartman (DNF), 10. Brett Copeland (DNF), 11. Rod Staats (DNS).
Last Chance #4 (top 3 advance): 1. Lance Borgman, 2. Mark Zorn, 3. Bruce Plumisto, 4. Casey Werkmeister, 5. Jim Powell, 6. Geoff Jermark, 7. Bob Arnold, 8. Robert Hoing, 9. John Annon, 10. Nolan Remus (DNF), 11. Brian Labonte (DNF), 12. Cody Williams (DNF), 13. Jim Buss (DNF).
Feature: 1. Mike Nichols, 2. Jason Rogers, 3. Jeff Tubbs, 4. Chris Adams, 5. Josh Hudson, 6. Nick Tubbs, 7. Lance Borgman, 8. Bruce Plumisto, 9. Mark Zorn, 10. Tyler Tipton, 11. Casey Woken, 12. B.J. Wagoner, 13. Eric Munoz, 14. Andrew Altenburg, 15. Terry Cunningham, 16. Randy Dowell, 17. Brendon Eilts, 18. Angel Munoz, 19. Elijah Zevenberger (DNF), 20. Chris Heim (DNF), 21. Perry Misner (DNF), 22. Kyle Vanover (DNF), 23. Jordan Grabouski (DNF), 24. Arnold Williams (DNF).
IMCA Modifieds
Last Chance #1 (top 3 advance): 1. Kyle Rohleder, 2. Michael Wadel, 3. Matt Gilbertson, 4. Charles Stryker, 5. Kevin Gray, 6. Nick Link, 7. Scott Brown, 8. Bobby Bills, 9. Danny Keller, 10. Paul Jones, 11. Milo Lippelmann, 12. Jesse Smith (DNF), 13. Bill Albin (DNS).
Last Chance #2 (top 3 advance): 1. Jordan Grabouski, 2. Regan Tafoya, 3. Jeremy Zorn, 4. Rob Day, 5. Mike Martin, 6. Brian Calhoon, 7. David Solberg, 8. Clayton Hogie, 9. Corey Lagroon (DNF), 10. Alex Albin (DNF), 11. Colton Osborne (DNS), 12. Matt Henke (DNS).
Last Chance #3 (top 3 advance): 1. Brendon Gemmill, 2. Hunter Marriett, 3. Jack Sartain, 4. Travis Hagan, 5. Jerry Phillips, 6. Clifford Shepard, 7. Joel Lane, 8. Corey Burch, 9. Cody Blessing (DNF), 10. William Gould (DNS), 11. Benny Lovell (DNS).
Last Chance #4 (top 3 advance): 1. Jesse Taylor, 2. Greg Gustus, 3. Mike Petersilie, 4. Ronnie Hill, 5. Van Gemmill, 6. Jason Haug, 7. Kale Beavers, 8. Jesse Richter, 9. Rodger Peck, 10. Chadd Brown, 11. John Burrow Jr., 12. Grant Florence.
Feature: 1. John Hansen, 2. Dominic Ursetta, 3. Eddie Belec, 4. Scott Drake, 5. Jeremy Frenier, 6. Cody Gearhart, 7. Johnny Saathoff, 8. Jesse Sobbing, 9. Dylan Sherfick, 10. David Murray, 11. Brendon Gemmill, 12. Hunter Marriett, 13. Kyle Rohleder, 14. Jason Schoenberger, 15. Regan Tafoya, 16. Jeremy Zorn, 17. Greg Gustus, 18. Jesse Taylor, 19. Mike Petersilie, 20. Jack Sartain (DNF), 21. Travis Sherfick (DNF), 22. Jordan Grabouski (DNF), 23. Matt Gilbertson (DNF), 24. Michael Wadel (DNF).
Category: Kansas / Nebraska, RPM Speedway
