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By Travis Johnson
I-80 Speedway Greenwood, Nebraska (August 25, 2017)— The Nebraska 360 Carpetland & Malvern Bank Sprint Series returned from a 4 week vacation and resumed its season at I-80 Speedway for the “Speedy” Bill Smith Memorial. This race paid tribute to one of the most influential people in the automotive industry and founder of Speedway Motors.
It has been a season of highs and lows for Jack Dover, but mostly lows as he has torn up race cars and has had night after night of mechanical issues. To say the least, this was much deserved to a man that is the winningest sprint car driver in the Nebraska 360 Carpetland & Malvern Bank Sprint Series.
Jack Dover who had power steering issues in his heat race and was forced to start 20th tonight in the A feature overcame low odds and took the win at the “Speedy” Bill Smith Memorial at I-80 Speedway! It was a last lap pass on Seth Brahmer, down the backstretch, that sealed the win for Dover
A delighted Dover shared his thoughts about his 4th win this season with the series. “Holy Smokes! I don’t even know my thoughts right now. I still can’t even gather that I won it from the 20th starting position. This rented motor was in pieces Monday and Tuesday and we’ve been having some motor troubles and I didn’t have a motor. I called Zach Wood at Speedway and asked if he had that new motor ready and he said no, but I can get it ready though! They busted their butts at Speedway Motors and got me a good piece here and its a brand new motor and this showed that it’s a good piece.”
Seth Brahmer and Jason Danley brought the field to the green flag for the first of 3 heat races. Jack Dover got a great start from the 5th spot to move to 2nd by turn #1 on the first lap. Brahmer kept his lead on lap 2 as Dover and John Klabunde battled for second. Brahmer’s 3 tenths of a second lead over Dover, was dwindling down by lap 5 as Dover continued his hunt on Brahmer. But it was on lap 6 that Dover took to the low part of the track with a power steering issue. Brahmer held on for the win followed by John Klabunde, Jason Danley, Tadd Holliman, and Carson McCarl.
Jordan Boston and Bobby Becker were your front row starters for the 8 lap heat race #2. Ryan Roberts jumped the start bringing the yellow out for another try at the green flag. Jordan Boston rocketed to a 5 car lead on the start followed by Cody Ledger and Stu Snyder. The battle for 2nd made for a great battle between Ledger and Snyder but in turn 1, on lap 2, Ledger jumped the cushion and slammed his car into the wall bringing out the 2nd yellow of the heat. Word from the pits that he broke a right front spindle that caused him to hit the wall. Boston got a great start to resume the heat as Ryan Roberts jumped inside Snyder for 2nd but was unable to hold on. Chris Martin pulled a great slider on Roberts for 3rd as he began his hunt for Stu Snyder. Jordan Boston held onto the lead as Snyder finished 2nd, Chris Martin 3rd, T.J. Artz 4th, and Bobby Becker rounding out 5th.
The final heat race positioned Shayle Bade and Jason Martin on the front row. Blaine Petersen was unable to make the call to start on the outside of the front row. Martin propelled his car to the lead as Tyler Drueke moved to 2nd followed by Shayle Bade. Martin’s lead had stretched to about 12 cars over Ledger. The field remained single file as Jason Martin took the win followed by Tyler Drueke, Shayle Bade, John Carney II, and Don Droud Jr.
Chris Martin was your Saldana Racing Products Pole sitter for the 24 Lap A feature with Jordan Boston to his outside. Seth Brahmer got a great start to take the lead from Chris Martin in turn 2. By lap 4, Jack Dover had moved up 8 positions to 12th from a 20th place starting spot. Brahmer continued his lead but lap traffic had come into play by lap 5 as Jason Martin began to hunt down Brahmer. Mike Kay brought out the first yellow as he spun down the backstretch on lap 9. Seth Brahmer was your leader followed by, Jason Martin, Chris Martin, Jordan Boston, and Tyler Drueke.
Brtahmer shot out of a cannon on the restart to continue his lead as Jason Martin closed in his distance on Brahmer 1 lap later. Dover was now up to 8th but Cody Ledger slowed on lap 12 and took his car to the pits with a flat tire. Jason Martin took a tumble on lap 13 as he flipped in turn 4 bringing out the red flag.
Brahmer, Chris Martin and Jordan Boston were your top 3 on the restart. With 8 togo Brahmer continued his lead over Martin but Jack Dover was on the move who took to the 5th spot. With 4 laps togo, the caution flew as Shayle Bade and John Klabunde came to a stop in turn 4.
The top 5 for the restart were Brahmer, Chris Martin, Jordan Boston, Jack Dover and Tyler Drueke. Dover took it to the low side in turn 2 to take 3rd from Boston. Dover blew by Chris Martin with 3 togo to move to 2nd. Dover took the lead from Brahmer on the last lap down the backstretch to bring the overflowing crowd to their feet and take the win!
A Main (24 Laps)
- Jack Dover
- Seth Brauer
- Chris Martin
- Tyler Drueke
- Jordan Boston
- Don Droud Jr.
- Stuart Snyder
- Ryan Roberts
- Jason Danley
- John Klabunde
- T.J. Artz
- Tadd Holliman
- Blain Petersen
- Bobby Becker
- Mike Kay
- Jason Becker
- Shayle Bade
- John Carney II
- Jason Martin
- Cody Ledger
- Carson McCarl
Contingency Awards
Saldana Racing Products Pole Award- Chris Martin
Electrical Systems Inc. $300 Podium Draw- Tyler Drueke
Speedway Motors $200 Hard Charger Certificate- Jack Dover
Wesmar Racing Engines “Move of the Race”- Jack Dover
M & W Aluminum Products Certificate- Shayle Bade
BR Motorsports Certificate- John Klabunde
King Racing Products Certificate- Tadd Holliman
Keizer Aluminum Race Wheels Certrificate- Jason Becker
This evening, we will move north to Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, South Dakota in a co-sanctioned event with the MSTS series in a north vs. south shootout. Gates open at 4 with racing at 7. Adults are $25, Children 6-16 are $12, and Seniors are $20.
Stay updated on all of our news and schedule by visiting www.nebraska360sprints.com or for live results, visit us on our Facebook page at Ne360sprints.
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