DROESCHER WINS 360 MASTERS CLASSIC AT I-90 SPEEDWAY

   HARTFORD, S.D. — A fantastic crowd turned out Saturday for something new on I-90 Speedway’s schedule this season – the 360 Sprint Car Masters Classic for drivers at least 50 years old.  The field of 11 racers, some of whom are still active behind the wheel, had combined for eight track titles and 40 feature wins at I-90 Speedway and well over 200 years of racing experience.

   1990 track champion Randy Droescher, winningest among the group with 9 career wins at Hartford, led all 20 laps from the pole to capture the checkered flag in the immediately popular contest.  Local racer Kevin Flowers finished a strong second while Dave Ekern of Brookings, South Dakota, came from eighth to finish third.

   The field included many other recognizable names, all of whom continue to support dirt track racing in differing capcities, including Steve Ballenger, Terry Karn, Fran Bruns, Buck Wilson, Ross Schenk, Scott Van Maanen, James Krueger and I-90 Speedway promoter Lyle Howey III.

   Fans were also happy to see Jerimiah Jordahl earn his first career Hard Core Speed Shop 360 Sprint Car win at I-90.  Jordahl caught up with Terry Chester on the 12th lap of the 20 lap A-Main.  In talking about holding the lead, Jordahl said, “The moisture started coming back up and I knew we needed to get to the bottom.”  Chester finished second.  Dusty Ballenger charged hard from 10th to third but never got the caution flag he needed to get closer to the eventual winner.

   Jordahl’s only previous win at I-90 Speedway came over 10 years ago in a Sportsman.

   The most exciting finish of the night, and maybe so far this season, came in the Express Copy and Printing Late Model Street Stock feature.  Dale Furby gained the lead on the third lap and held it until the white flag lap when Craig Hanisch came out of nowhere to pass both Furby and Gary Brown, Jr.  However, a caution brought out by Fred Konechne turned the race into a green/white/checker shootout.

Furby, Brown and Hanisch raced three-wide for nearly the entire white flag lap until Brown used the cushion to give him a nice run off the fourth turn to reach the finish line just before Hanisch and Furby as nearly everyone in the grandstand was on their feet.

   Dave Kennedy let go of a lot of frustration as he cruised to his first USRA B-Modified feature win this year.  Kennedy led all 15 laps and looked very smooth as he was able to pull away from his main challengers Tracy Johnson and Craig Hanisch.  “We replaced all the springs and shocks.  It came along and it was great,” Kennedy said.  Kennedy is no stranger to victory lane at I-90 Speedway, but his best feature finish this season was seventh prior to his win.

   It wasn’t the first time Travis Schreurs said, “I’d rather be lucky than good anyday,” after a race.  But the statement had obvious meaning after Saturday’s Hobby Stock feature.  Dylan Fitzpatrick led the first 10 laps of the feature with Paul Hartley in tow.  The field was on the white flag lap when the caution flew.  While under parade laps, Fitzpatrick pulled off the track due to a flat tire.  Schreurs jumped on the opportunity and led the green/white/checker laps to earn his third consecutive feature win.  The four-time defending track champion has finished no worse than fourth at the season’s halfway point.

   Fast Auto Wash Super Chargers points leader Laura Ebbesen has finished either first or second in each of the last five weeks after her fourth win of the season.  She passed Michael Pechous on the second lap of the 10 lap main event.

   Next Saturday night is I-90 Speedway’s annual fireworks show.  A large fireworks display will follow the races.  Plus, free race car rides for kids before the evening’s racing action will take place as part of Kids Night.

360 SPRINT CAR MASTERS CLASSIC

   A Feature:  1. Randy Droescher, 2. Kevin Flowers, 3. Dave Ekern, 4. Scott Van Maanen, 5. Steve Ballenger, 6. Terry Karn, 7. Lyle Howey III, 8. Buck Wilson, 9. Ross Schenk, 10. Fran Bruns, 11. James Krueger

   Heat Winners:  Steve Ballenger, Scott Van Maanen

360 SPRINT CARS

   A Feature:  1. Jerimiah Jordahl, 2. Terry Chester, 3. Dusty Ballenger, 4. Justin Glaser, 5. Ryan Bickett, 6. Johnn Cressman, 7. John Lambertz, 8. Mike Young, 9. Randy Droescher, 10. Kevin Ingle, 11. Kevin Flowers, 12. Justin Jacobsma, 13. Cory Krueger, 14. Troy Schreurs, 15. Rick Hansen, 16. Ryan Jones, 17. Scott Van Maanen, 18. Dave Ekern, 19. Jared Jansen, 20. Luke Nagel, 21. Denzil Smith, Jr.

   Heat Winners:  Ryan Bickett, Mike Young, Randy Droescher

LATE MODEL STREET STOCKS

   A Feature:  1. Gary Brown, Jr., 2. Craig Hanisch, 3. Dale Furby, 4. Don Bickett, 5. Scott Borkowski, 6. Kipp De Groot, 7. Dan Jensen, 8. Terry Prouty, 9. Brylee Gough, 10. Zach Van Voorst, 11. Howard Baartman, 12. Fred Konechne, 13. Matt Steuerwald, 14. Jim Hoing, 15. Cory Yeigh, 16. John Hoing, 17. Billy Prouty

   Heat Winners:  Craig Hanisch, Howard Baartman, Dale Furby

USRA B-MODIFIEDS

   A Feature:  1. Dave Kennedy, 2. Tracy Johnson, 3. Craig Hanisch, 4. Dustin Kruse, 5. Tim Dann, 6. Tyler Johnson, 7. Devon Schlumbohm, 8. Mitch Van Engen, 9. Harvey Vande Weerd, 10. Tyler Tesch, 11. Brock Hess, 12. Dave Mulder, 13. Chris Goetz, 14. Kole Nordquist, 15. Jeremy Rozeboom, 16. Greg Roeman, 17. Danny Harmon

   Heat Winners:  Tracy Johnson, Dave Kennedy, Tyler Johnson

HOBBY STOCKS

   A Feature:  1. Travis Schreurs, 2. Tim Waltner, 3. Paul Hartley, 4. Jordan Kott, 5. Brian Hoing, 6. Zach Olivier, 7. Ryan Korthals, 8. Mike Kiggins, 9. Kermit Rose, 10. Dustin Gulbrandson, 11. Jason Scott, 12. Derek Baartman, 13. Aaron Van Voorst, 14. Brad Hallem, 15. Dylan Fitzpatrick, 16. Derrick Scott, 17. Dusty Van Der Brink, 18. Walter Kiggins, 19. Mike Chaney, 20. Don Brady, Jr.

   Heat Winners:  Jordan Kott, Paul Hartley, Dustin Gulbrandson

SUPER CHARGERS

   A Feature:  1. Laura Ebbesen, 2. Joe Blake, 3. Jessica Brandt, 4. Tammy Lingen, 5. Connor Vande Weerd, 6. Michael Pechous, 7. Kelsey Hennings, 8. Donna Bumann, 9. Pam Rose

   Heat Winners:  Michael Pechous, Joe Blake