Peebles, Bolton, White, Ogle, Montgomery score in Saturday’s racing at the “Ice Breaker”

February 23, 2009

Here is J M Hallas’ summary of the Saturday night racing action at Abilene Speedway’s “Ice Breaker”

305 Sprint Cars

The 305 Sprint Cars were a mix of the West Texas Sprint Series (WTSS) and Sprint Series of Texas (SST). A good field of 17 winged warriors added to the total car count along with excitement for the fans who were huddled together as temperatures began to dip below the freezing mark.

Lubbock’s Preston Peebles wasted little time getting to the front of the 305 Sprint Car main event. Peebles grabbed the lead from Josh Hawkins on lap 2 and proceeded to put the rest of the field in his wake, going unchallenged to the checkers in a race cut to 15 laps after a slew of of early cautions.

At the drop of the green, Hawkins was first into turn 1 for the early lead followed by Peebles, Gary Floyd and Brandon Howle. Lap one saw lots of action starting when Dennis Smith got into the back stretch wall. On the restart, the middle of the pack stacked up leaving Marty Stanford stopped in turn two. On the next try Howle and Kolt Walker tangled collecting Tim Ridgeway. The third attempt had Walker and Brian Holland get hooked together in turn one for another yellow.

Finally under green, Peebles jumped up to the high side and sailed past Hawkins for the lead on lap two. The top four of Peebles, Hawkins, Floyd and Curt Barnett separated themselves out leaving Jerry Graves, Leighton Crouch and Josh Baughman battling for fifth. Peebles was quickly into traffic on lap six nearly getting clipped on the front straight.

In traffic Floyd was able to reel in Hawkins near the halfway point, with Peebles holding nearly a half track lead and with Barnett and Crouch rounding out the top five. Floyd used lapped cars to work his way around Hawkins for second on lap 12, but Peebles was nowhere in sight. Peebles cruised on to the victory in the Allstar Conversions, Allstar Automotive & Tire, Dick Sweat ASI Race Engines, Maxim Chassis.

305 Sprint Cars
1. 11 Preston Peebles, Lubbock (WTSS)
2. 58 Gary Floyd, San Angelo (WTSS)
3. 80 Josh Hawkins, Whitehouse (SST)
4. 43 Curt Barnett, El Paso (WTSS)
5. 0 Leighton Crouch, Lubbock (WTSS)
6. 12 Jerry Graves, Lubbock (WTSS)
7. 17 Josh Baughman, Odessa (WTSS)
8. 85 Brad Hawkins, Whitehouse (SST)
9. 30 Shane Gloeckler
10. 21 Brian Holland, Humble (SST)
11. 47 Kolt Walker, Graham (SST)
12. 41 Tim Ridgeway, Midland (WTSS)
13. 77 Brandon Howle, Odessa (WTSS)
14. 9 Marty Stanford, McKinney (SST)
15. 24 Dennis Smith, Zephyr (SST)
113 Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, Okla—DNS
13 Matt Brooks, Hewitt—DNS

305 Sprint Car heats;
Heat 1, 43 Curt Barnett, El Paso, 12 Jerry Graves, Lubbock, 58 Gary Floyd, San Angelo, 80 Josh Hawkins, Whitehouse
Heat 2, 9 Marty Stanford, McKinney, 47 Kolt Walker, Graham, 11 Preston Peebles, Lubbock, 0 Leighton Crouch, Lubbock(113 Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK–DQ motor seal was second)

IMCA Modifieds

Racing in memory of his son Justin, Lubbock’s Monte Bolton led all 20 laps of the IMCA Modified A-main. Bolton’s flag to flag run wasn’t easy as veteran Bob Sikes kept the pressure on throughout the race. Sikes tried high, low and on the bumper of Bolton but to no avail as Bolton held steady as a rock for the win.

When green waved on the 20-lap event, Bolton quickly jumped out front with Sikes second and Steve Hayes moving up to third. In the pack it was three wide in the scramble for seventh before things sorted out. Sikes took his first look for the lead on lap 2 trying the bottom side. By lap two the top three has eased away from David Davis, Brian Flowers and Chris Dawson battling for fourth, while Robbie Edwards and Josh McGaha were side-by-side for seventh.

Davis and Flowers were wheel-to-wheel for fourth on lap six, while Edwards was still alongside McGaha. Dawson saw his top five run end on lap eight when he slowed and was unable to exit the track.

Once back under green, Bolton, Sikes and Hayes stayed nose to tail, with McGaha and Flowers side by side for fifth and last night’s winner, Keith White moving up to eighth.

Sikes was continuing to look for a way around Bolton, but at the same time trying to fend off Hayes. Edwards picked off another spot getting by Flowers for sixth. At the crossed flags it was Bolton, Sikes, Hayes, Davis and McGaha in the top five spots. McGaha lost fifth to Edwards on lap 10, who then began to look under Davis on lap 11. Flowers and McGaha made contact fighting for the spot that caused Flowers to spin with a flat, collecting Jeff Emerson on lap 13.

On the restart, Edwards continued his charge getting by Davis for fourth and looking under Hayes. Sikes took a peek inside Bolton on lap 15 while Dillon Smith got back by White. Edwards got by Hayes for third on lap 16 while McGaha took fifth from Davis. Sikes got the bumper of Bolton on lap 17 as Edwards now put the heat on for second.

Edward’s run to the front ended in a shower of sparks when he pounded the back stretch wall trying the high side of Sikes.

Once back to green McGaha got around Hayes for third, while Bolton got a little breathing room on Sikes. On the final lap Bolton was able to finally shake off Sikes running on to the checkers in the Braka Operating , Sidebiter Chassis powered with a Cottle Race Engine.

“This one is for Justin,” said Bolton as he donned his son’s ski cap in Victory Lane. “To get the win for him is always special. After every race if we didn’t win he’d ask me what the problem was. ‘Can you fix it? Can you win?’ So any time we win I know he’s smiling at us with his arm raised up in the air. That was his sign for a win. Every time we win something, it’s very special. Our whole race deal is a family thing. We just try to have a good time and enjoy ourselves.”

“My starting position was one key. If you start up front it’s hard for them to pass. On the second race day, the track usually gets slick all over. The Sprint Cars all pretty much ran one groove around the bottom so it rubbered it up. It was a good racy track though.”

“I have to thank the guys behind me for not roughing me up too much trying to get by. In the back of your mind you know who’s behind you, but you just try to focus on hitting your marks. Just be as consistent as you can. I had some car issues of my own, so I had my hands full all night.”

Saturday night IMCA Modified honors at the Abilene Speedway Ice Breaker special went to Monte Bolton

IMCA Modifieds
1. 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock
2. 16 Bob Sikes, Eunice, N.M.
3. 911 Josh McGaha, Brown wood
4. 12 Steve Hayes, Eastland
5. 02 David Davis Sweetwater
6. 1 Keith White, Academy
7. 03 Dillon Smith, China Spring
8. 24 Chris Bragg, Springtown
9. 6 Jason Schoenberger, Gorham. Kan.
10. 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene
11. 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene
12. 44 Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee
13. 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon
14. 104 Kevin Switzer, Millsap
15. 43 Robbie Edwards, Eastland
16. 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene
17. 35 Jeff Emerson, Sherman
18. 86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, N.M.
19 26 Darin Leonard, Corpus Christi
20. 7 Chris Dawson, Post

IMCA Modified heats (Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1; 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 03 Dillon Smith, China Grove
2; 911 Josh McGaha, Brownwood, 7 Chris Dawson, Post
3; 16 Bob Sikes, Eunice, N.M., 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene
4; 02 David Davis, Sweetwater, 86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, N.M.
5; 12 Steve Hayes, Eastland, 35 Jeff Emerson, Sherman
6; 43 Robbie Edwards, Eastland, 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock

IMCA Modified B-mains (Top 4 o A-main)
B-main 1; 1 Keith White, Academy, 44 Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee, 6 Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan., 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon
B-main 2; 24 Chris Bragg, Springtown, 104 Kevin Switzer, Millsap, 26 Darin Leonard, Corpus Christi, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene

IMCA Southern Sportmods

Looking to defend his 2008 IMCA Southern Sportmod title, three-time champ Keith White took the first of the IMCA Sportmod Regional races. White tracked early leader Danny Hogue and made a high side move to get the top spot on lap 15. From there White inched away from Hogue and the rest of the field to take the checkers.

Hogue jumped out front on green, but Jeff Turner and Tommy Fain got tangled in mid-pack to bring out the caution. Hogue repeated the move on the second start, with White getting by Chris Meyers for second. The top five quickly sorted out single file, with Turner and Bill Pittaway side by side for seventh. Pittaway finally secured the spot on lap five with White now turning up the heat on Hogue.

White tried the high side on lap 7, but Hogue slammed the door. Turner took sixth from Pittaway on lap eight after Josh McGaha began to fade. At halfway the top five were Hogue, White, Myers, Justin Shaw and Gabe Tucker. White again looked high on lap 11, but backed off when the back stretch wall came up.

White regrouped for another charge on lap 14 and shot by Hogue coming out of turn 2 to take the lead on lap 15.

Just as Tucker was making a move on Shaw for fourth, Tyler Fain spun to bring out a yellow on lap 16.

Everyone got away clean on the restart with White easing away from Hogue. At the checkers it was White by a comfortable margin in the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, All Tex Cabling, Tubbs Paint & Body, TCI, Belton Metals, Carroll’s Race Engines, Big Chief Chassis.

“This made up for Friday night,” stated White. “It definitely paid more. I don’t think the track owed us one, flats happen. It was a good race. Danny Hogue and I had a good hard fought race. It was fun. We talked about it again this morning and they had as good of time as I did. You can’t beat that.”

“I picked the only spot you could really pass on. I knew it was tight up there. I smacked the wall in the same spot with my Modified. We hung bumpers a couple times and I had to drive it to the right to get off him. I thought the Sprint Cars would tighten up the track more. I ran the B-main in the Modified and it was tighter than the Sportmod feature.”

“A double on Sunday would be good. It would be nice with two (wins) in each class. That’s probably high hopes, but we came here to win.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

1. 11 Keith White, Academy
2. 8 Danny Hogue, Abilene
3. 007 Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M.
4. 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater
5. 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon
6. 44 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
7. 137 Dean Abbey, Comanche
8. 37 Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi
9. 38 Matt Meuller, Stamford
10. 2 Mark Patterson, Abilene
11. 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene
12. 74 Ted Thomas, Post
13. 99 Gary Underwood, Abilene
14. 5 Kevin Green, Robinson
15. 95 Steven Abbey, Comanche
16. 77 Tyler Fain, Abilene
17. 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka
18. 112 Brandon Stewart, Academy
19. 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene
20. 911 Josh McGaha, Brownwood

IMCA SSM heats (Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1; 8 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 007 Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M. 2, 137 Dean Abbey, Comanche, 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater
3, 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon, 44 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
4, 11 Keith White, Academy, 112 Brandon Stewart, Academy
5, 2 Mark Patterson, Abilene, 74 Ted Thomas, Post
6, 911 Josh McGaha, Brownwood, Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi

IMCA SSM B-mains (Top 4 to A-main)
B-main 1; 38 Matt Meuller, Stamford, 95 Steven Abbey, Comanche, 77 Tyler Fain, Abilene, 5 Kevin Green, Robinson
B-main 2; 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene, 99 Gary Underwood, Abilene, 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka

IMCA Stock Cars

Veteran Modified driver Vince Ogle missed making the main by one spot, but made up for it as the Lubbock pilot took it out on the IMCA Stock Car field. Ogle led flag to flag surviving challenges from several drivers along with three-wide action.

The 20-lap I-Stock main started with Matt Guillaume, Ogle and Jeremy Gettler going three wide for the lead with Ogle coming out on top. As that battle settled down, Billy Wade and TJ Wilson were side by side for fourth. As the top three continued to run nose to tail, with Gettler taking a look inside on lap four.

Jason Batt spun in tun four, while Eric Jones rolled to a stop on the back stretch to bring out the yellow.

Kevin Opheim made a big move on the restart, but got into Guillaume sending him around. Guillaume was able to keep rolling but Opheim began to fade with flat, separating the field. This left Ogle with a good lead over Gettler and Wilson, who had a gap back to Duain Pritchett and Dustin Locke at the mid-point of the race.

Wilson battled to get around Gettler getting by on lap 12, while Pritchett closed on Gettler. Wilson caught Ogle for the lead and took a look inside on lap 14, but was not able to complete the pass. The lead quartet caught traffic on lap 15 with Ogle getting through clean. Wilson got hung up with the lapped car of Wayne Stremmel sending them both around. Wilson never stopped, but Stremmel was unable to go bringing out a caution.

With the yellow charged to Stremmel, Wilson got his spot back for the restart and as green waved again Ogle, Wilson and Gettler were three wide for the lead. Ogle and Wilson traded some paint with Wilson ending up on the back stretch wall to bring the caution back out.

Once back to green Ogle had Gettler again taking a look inside for the lead. Gettler also had Pritchett to deal with as Pritchett was trying to top groove looking for second. Gettler gave it his best shot on the last lap but slid high off turn 1 loosing numerous spots. As Pritchett and Locke ran door to door for second, Ogle in a car owned by Earl Johnson and sponsored by Fletcher Motorsports, Carburetor Corner, was taking the surprise win.

“The owner (Earl Johnson) does a good job on the car and keeps in going,” replied Ogle. “I knew after the Modified race that you could make it work through the middle. If I just ran up towards the top they might under me going in, but I could hold them off coming out(of the corner). Earl will get over and get a wrench on it if I tell what I need”

“I was pretty worried about that three wide restart. The track is kind of narrow to go three wide. It all came out good for me.”

IMCA Stock Cars
1. 17 Vince Ogle, Lubbock
2. 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine
3. 8 Dustin Locke, Eunice, N.M.
4. 57 JJ Heinz, Green Bay, Wisc.
5. 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo
6. 50 Matt Guillaume, Tomball
7. 01 Tony Ritterbush, Dunlap, Iowa
8. 55 Mart Wampler, Snyder
9. 122 Bill Brzezinski, Roby
10. 19 Jason Batt, Killeen
11. 150 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City
12.23 Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa
13. 02 Wayne Stremmel, Snyder
14. 157 Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa
15. 62 TJ Wilson, Van
16. 441 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
17. 144 Kevin Opheim, Mason City, Iowa
18. 69 Kirk Martin, Aledo
19. 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, N.M.
20. 84 Eric Jones, Killeen
21. 9 John Armstrong, Merkel

IMCA Stock Car heats (Top 4 redraw)
Heat 1; 17 Vince Ogle, Lubbock, 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 144 Kevin Opheim, Mason City, Iowa, 19 Jason Batt, Killeen
2; 50 Matt Guillaume, Tomball, 1 Willie Free, Snyder, 62 TJ Wilson, Van, 55 Mart Wampler, Snyder
3; 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine, 23 Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa, 57 JJ Heinz, Green Bay, Wisc., 157 Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa

IMCA Hobby Stock

Proving Friday night was no fluke, Ft. Worth’s Allen Montgomery again showed the 20-car IMCA Hobby Stock field nothing but his rear bumper. Picking of where he left off, Montgomery grabbed the point on lap 1 and never looked back. Jeff Kinniard made a run at Montgomery on the final lap but came up short giving Montgomery the back to back wins.

When green waved at the start of the 20 lapper, Montgomery beat Colby Deming into turn 1 for the lead. David Bissonette got pas Deming on lap two for second. The top five singled themselves out with Bryan Sewell and Andy Roller door to door for sixth. Kinniard got along side Deming on lap 6 and took third. Tobie Talk brought out the caution on lap 7 when he spun in turn four.

On the restart Bissonette took a quick look on Montgomery, with Kinniard and Deming again side by side and Sewell getting around Charles Cosper for fifth. Coming to the midway point it was Montgomery, Bissonette, Kinniard, Deming and Sewell in the top five. Deming would slap and nearly climb the back stretch wall on lap 10 ending is top-five run.

Shortly after green waved again Kinniard made a move on Bissonette getting along side on lap 15. Sewell closed in on that duo almost going three wide on lap 16. This gave Montgomery the chance to put some distance on the trio. Kinniard got by Bissonette on lap 17 and went on a charge for the leader. Kinniard caught Montgomery as the white flag waved but came up a little short as Montgomery in the Ace Tire Service, Extreme Graphics, Texas Star Racing, Matt’s Repair, Destroyer Chassis took the back to back win.

“Tonight was just mainly luck,” said Montgomery. “I drew number one and just held on to it. The car wasn’t working as good as it was last night. It was fast enough I guess. I was able to stay up there. The track rubbered up a lot more than I thought. I had it too tight and it wouldn’t turn in the center of the corner.”

“All I hope for is a top four every night. To sweep the weekend, that would be great. Two years ago I won 13 races, last year I didn’t win any. You never know when your last one will be so you make the best out of every one you get.”

IMCA Hobby Stocks
1. 38 Allen Montgomery, F. Worth
2. 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield
3. 44 Bryan Sewell, Seagoville
4. 33 Charles Cosper, Belton
5 63 Andy Roller, Bellmead
6 85 David Bissonette, Stephenville
7. 111 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Iowa
8. 87 Matt Drottz, Ankeny
9. 22 Todd Reitzler, Grinnell, Iowa
10. 46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville
11. 84 Jeremy Montgomery, Ft. Worth
12. 41 Tommy Phillips, Abilene
13. 818 Dustin Mims, Dublin
14. 71 Jaron Sharon,
15. 77 Tobie Talk, Abilene
16. 56 Melvin Burrows, Gatesville
17. 37 Randy Abbey, Comanche
18. 65 Colby Deming, Hobs, N.M.
19. 7 Dale Roys, Merkel
20. 9 Joe Parker, Mineral Wells

IMCA Hobby Stock heats (Top 3 to A-main)
Heat 1; 111 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Iowa, 41 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 63 Andy Roller, Bellmead
2; 33 Charles Cosper, Belton, 38 Allen Montgomery, Ft. Worth, 87 Matt Drottz, Ankeny, Iowa
3; 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield, 44 Bryan Sewell, Seagoville, 85 David Bissonette, Stephenville
4; 65 Colby Deming, Hobbs, N.M., 71 Jaron Shahon, 77 Tobie Talk, Abilene

IMCA Hobby Stock B-mains (Top 4 to A-main)
B-main 1; 22 Todd Reitzler, Grinnell, Iowa, 818 Dustin Mims, Dublin, 7 Dale Roys, Merkel, 9 Joe Parker, Mineral Wells
B-main 2; 84 Jeremy Montgomery, Ft. Worth, 46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville, 56 Melvin Burrows, Gatesville, 37 Randy Abbey, Comanche

The Jr Mini Stock feature came down to the last lap before it was settled. Aaron Elliott had stayed glued on Bryce Pritchett’s bumper for he entire race. As the two youngsters took the white flag it was till anyone’s race. Going into turn three the two made contact with Pritchett getting worst of it as he spun around. At the checkers it was 13 year-old, Elliott in the Pinto sponsored by David Elliott, Fletcher Motorsports, L&M Farms and Tin Top Customs, taking the victory.

Jr Mini Stock feature
1. 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley
2. 62 Jonathon Davis, Sweetwater
3.121 Bryce Pritchett, Combine

Jr Mini Stock heat; 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley

Pure Stock feature
1. 71 Cory Clinkenbeard
2. 00
3. 61 Cal Collier
4.72 Ronnie Gregory

Pure Stock heat; 72 Ronnie Gregory, Cross Pla

by J M Hallas

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Posted by NickHolt · Filed Under Dirt Tracks, Thunderhill Raceway
Tagged: Abilene Speedway, Bob Sikes, Hallas, Ice breaker, Icebreaker, IMCA, IMCA Modifieds, Keith, modifieds, Monte Bolton, Preston Peebles, sprint cars