Sustaire, Hertel, Phillips, Armstrong, Boatman, Pritchett power to Icebreaker wins

Abilene Speedway officially kicked off its 2012 season with their annual Icebreaker races, presented by Smiley and Showtime Signs & Designs. Drivers from north and south converged on the high-banked, red clay, ¼ mile oval for an early jump on not only track points, but IMCA regional and national points as well. Nearly 200 cars signed cars signed in with drivers from as far north as Iowa, and as far south as Corpus Christi.

Fridays race with the first of three separate one-day shows for all four IMCA classes(Modifieds, Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby’s), plus the Street Stocks and Jr. Mini Stocks. Saturday and Sunday’s show are the first of the Lone Star Series events for that tours championship.

Sustaire Swipes Modified Main

Kevin Sustaire (Emory) christened his new Addiction Chassis with checkers in the IMCA Modified heat and main event. Pat McGuire grabbed the point early in the 20-lap, 20-car showdown, but gave way to Tyler Iverson, then Charles Brewer before halfway. On a mid-race restart, Sustaire and Iverson overhauled Brewer, with Sustaire claiming the top spot. Sustaire built a nice margin while Brewer and Iverson slugged it out for second until a caution rebunched the pack. Sustaire held off Brewer and regional Modified champ, Keith White to snag the checkers.As green waved on the IMCA Modified A-main it was Pat McGuire jumping to the lead trailed by Sustaire and Iverson with Brewer and Vince Ogle side by side for fifth. A former Super Nationals champion, Jimmy Gustin got by Ogle for fifth, while Iverson got around Sustaire for second. Brewer wrestled third away from Sustaire as Josh McGaha worked his way up past Gustin for fifth.

An infield tire on the track slowed the action on lap 6. On the restart Iverson tried the top of McGuire giving up the spot to Brewer, while Gustin blasted his way up to third. Iverson finally got the top to work and went past McGuire for the lead on lap 7. Brewer, staying low, was able to dig under Iverson for the lead on lap 8, while Gustin clipped an infield tire knocking the front end out, and pulling to the infield.

Coming to the crossed flags it was now Brewer, McGaha, Iverson, Sustaire and White cracking the top five. Brewer did a half spin, in front of the pack, after a tap by McGaha for a lap 10 yellow. McGaha was sent to the back for the restart that saw Sustaire on the low side and Iverson on top both sail by Brewer.

Sustaire secured the lead on lap 11, with Iverson, Brewer, White and McGuire in pursuit. Sustaire stretched out his lead as Brewer and Iverson battled for second and White lurking in fourth. Brewer took second back from Iverson on lap 15 with White following to third. Monte Bolton had problems after contact with Andy Gage and stopped on the front stretch for a lap 16 caution.

Once back to green it was Sustaire, Brewer and White breaking away as Iverson began to fade moving McGuire and Danny Hogue up to fourth and fifth. Sustaire held the line and was able to capture the checkers in his new Sustaire Plumbing, Darby Diesel Repair, KR Motorsports, Parker Real Estate, TL Motorsports, Bent Tree Motel, Racinwithneal.com, All-star Graphics, Afco, Smileys, Machine Works powered, Addiction Chassis.

“We were real happy with the new car,” commented Sustaire. “It’s our eighth race on it and Brian has a good baseline set up for it. We got some good information from JR and combined it with our stuff. It all just kind of came together.”

“I knew on that restart that (Tyler) Iverson would go high and (Charles) Brewer would try to protect the bottom. Brewer pushed up a little and left the bottom open and I made my move to the front. I wasn’t too worried about getting passed on that late restart. The track was pretty used up and if I just hit my marks, stayed on the bottom, no one would be able to go by up top.”

“We didn’t go into this weekend with too high of expectations, just hoping for top fives. We’re going to run the Lone Star Series and used tonight and practice on Thursday as a tune up for that. I got a lot of help from my dad to get ready. We were pressed for time and he helped out around the shop after slowing down the past couple years.”

IMCA Modified results

71 Kevin Sustaire, Emory
72 Charles Brewer, Abilene
1 Keith White, Academy
9 Pat McGuire, Belton
69 Danny Hogue, Abilene
7 Vince Ogle, Lubbock
23 Chris Elliott, Eastland
99 Tristan Sikes, Eunice, NM
37 Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi
52 John Gober, Poolville
161 Bob Sikes, Eunice, NM
444 Joe Spillman, Marble Falls
21 Jason Borlace, San Antonio
29 Jamie Campbell, Adkins
90 Tommy Fain, Abilene
98Tyler Iverson, Brainard, Nebr.
41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock
021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia.
911 Josh McGaha, Abilene
19 Jimmy Gustin, Marshalltown, Ia.IMCA Modified B-mains(Top 4 to A-main)
B-main #1 021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia., 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 52 John Gober, Poolville, 29 Jamie Campbell, Adkins
B-main #2 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock, 161 Bob Sikes, Eunice, NM, 23 Chris Elliott, Eastland

IMCA Modified heats(Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1 911 Josh McGaha, Abilene, 19 Jimmy Gustin, Marshalltown, Ia.
Heat 2 444 Joe Spillman, Marble Falls, 98 Tyler Iverson, Brainard, Nebr.
Heat 3 99 Triston Sikes, Eunice, NM., 1 Keith White, Academy
Heat 4 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene, 37 Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi
Heat 5 9 Pat McGuire, Belton, 7 Vince Ogle, Lubbock
Heat 6 71 Kevin Sustaire, Emory, 21 Jason Borlace, San AntonioHertel Hustles to Sportmod Sweep

At the start of the 20-lap, 24-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature, Chad Hertel(Abilene) got a big jump from the pole when Bret Sheppard slid high and fell back. Hertel was chased by Nick Roberts, then Bradley Poor as the race came to halfway. Matt Mueller moved into second behind Hertel, with Southern Sportmod national champ, Dean Abbey joining the fight. A late restart put Mueller on Hertel’s rear bumper, but Hertel was up to the task holding off Mueller the final two circuits for the victory.With four Southern Sportmods added to cover the spots taken by Northern Sportmods, 24-cars took the green with Hertel getting a good jump chased by Roberts, Poor, Ronnie Welborn, and David Elliott. Welborn got sideways in front of Elliott and Mueller, who were wheel to wheel, and got pushed around in turn 1. Both Welborn and Elliott were sent to the back for the restart.

Back to green, Hertel got away clean while Poor took second from Roberts. Jesse Sobbing took a ride through the infield, while Cameron Winegar tagged a tire for a lap 3 caution. Hertel and Poor edged ahead on green with Roberts and Mueller swapping third. Mueller finally got the spot while Doug Easterling got fifth from Stephen Robison.

The dreaded infield tire caused another caution on lap 5 getting kicked on the track. As the top three broke away, Abbey got past Robison for sixth. Mueller went to the top and worked his way around Poor for second. Coming to halfway it was Hertel, Mueller, Poor, Easterling and Abbey in the top five. Abbey, Easterling and Poor were three wide for third on lap 11 with Abbey getting the spot.

Up front the lead duo was hitting traffic allowing to close in quickly, while James Blaylock made the top ten after starting in the back. Hertel diced through slower cars, while Poor and Easterling split a lapped car three wide. Lap 17 saw yellow slow the pace, again for an infield tire on the track. Hertel got a good restart and got a slight bit of breathing room on Mueller by two car lengths.

With two to go Kevin Rutherford went around on the front stretch to bring out a yellow and restack the field. This time Mueller hung on to the bumper of Hertel for the final two laps, but couldn’t mount a serious challenge. At the checkers it was Hertel in the Graco Oilfield Services, PUR Champion, Showtime Signs & Designs, Fletcher Motorsports, Smileys Chassis taking the win.

“This is my biggest win ever at Abilene Speedway,” related Hertel. “I’ve never been able to win any of the big races here. There was plenty of bite off the corners and I just had to stay steady and smooth to hold everyone off. Matt(Mueller) is tough to beat here. He’s a good driver and track champion.”

“We’re looking for more the same the rest of the weekend. We’ve got a good set up and our car is pretty good. A lot of it will be the luck of the draw, especially on Sunday.”

“I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to do something, you’ve got to do it right. I’m in my shop just about 24/7, and always doing something on the car. We looked at this as just another race weekend and did our normal routine.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
59 Chad Hertel, Abilene
38 Matt Mueller, Stamford
26 Dean Abbey, Haslet
48 Bradley Poor, Abilene
7 Stephen Robison, Abilene
88 Doug Easterling, Rule
12 James Blaylock, Okla
223 Nick Roberts
766 Shane Priddy, Abilene
5 Tad Reutzel, Burt, Ia
166 Johnny Torres, San Antonio
20 Ronnie Welborn, Princeton
58 Sid Kiphen, Gatesville
511 Cory Williams, Slaton
95 Steve Hayes, Eastland
690 Todd Bartlett, Abilene
37 Cody Leonard, Sinton
29 Cameron Winegar
118 Robby Crabtree, Clyde
98 Bret Sheppard, Malvern, Ia
9 Kevin Rutherford
19 David Elliott, Eastland
55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater
999 Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Ia.

IMCA Southern Sportmod B-mains(Top 4 to A-main)

B-main #1 99 Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Ia., 26 Dean Abbey, Haslet, 166 Johnny Torres, San Antonio, 12 James Blaylock, Okla.
B-main #2 58 Sid Kiphen, Gatesville, 9 Kevin Rutherford, 118 Robby Crabtree, Clyde, 5 Tad Reutzel, Burt, Ia.

IMCA Southern Sportmod heats(Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 690 Todd Bartlett, Abilene,
Heat 2 20 Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, 511 Cory Williams, Slaton
Heat 3 59 Chad Hertel, Abilene, David Elliott, Eastland
Heat 4 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene, 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater
Heat 5 223 Nick Roberts, 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford
Heat 6 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene, 98 Bret Sheppard, Malvern, Ia

Phillips Fast in I-Stock Thriller

Abilene Speedway local, David Phillips drove the race of his life during the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car main event. Phillips got out front from the pole, with Iowa’s Don Killen on his tail, where he stayed throughout. If that wasn’t enough, national champion, Keith White began closing on the leaders as well. After a late caution, Killen tried the inside of Phillips, but Phillips held on using momentum off the top. The two were side by side coming to the checkers, but it was Phillips, who lost a heartbreaker at Abilene’s Southern Challenge last fall, scoring the win.As the 20-car I-Stock feature took the green, polesitter Phillips cleared the pack, but a multi-car melee in turn 1 slowed the action quickly. Again Phillips got out front on green with Killen in tow and Terry Wojtek, Matt Guillaume and Nyle Godwin in pursuit. White made his way by Godwin for fifth, with two, three and four wide racing in the pack.

Yellow waved on lap 2 for debris after Kenneth Graves bounced off the back wall and stopped by the hot pit. Once back to green to top four pulled ahead while Jason Adcock took fifth from Brendan Silts. Coming through the field, Jeff Turner and Damon Murty were on the charge moving to sixth and seventh. As Phillips put some distance on Killen, White got past Guillaume for third.

Just before halfway, caution came out for the trunk off Lewis Hammond’s car. Back under green Phillips inched away from Killen, while Turner and Adcock ran side by side, with Murty and JC Howell door to door behind them. White closed the gap on Killen while Guillaume, Adcock and Turner slugged it out for fourth.

Billy Wade brought out a yellow going for a spin after contact with Silts on lap 18. As green waved again, Phillips and Killen stayed together with Killen getting underneath in turn 4. It was side by side down the front stretch and into turn 1. Phillips was off turn 2 with Killen in tow and got a little pressure in turn 4. Phillips in the Golden Chick, Abilene Powder Coating, 4D Electric, A City Speed, C&M Farms, Showtime Signs & Designs, Fletcher Motorsports, Big Johns Chassis, hung on for the victory.

“This is a little redemption after losing the Southern Challenge last year,” replied Phillips. “I was excited to finish up front since we started in the same position as the Challenge, and had the same clutch issue during practice. I’ve been racing here for 7 years and this is my biggest win here. It’s nice having two of the bigger shows in Texas at my home track since we don’t travel much.”

“I felt him(Killen) back there on those final laps. I missed my marks in (turns) 3-4 and saw him get inside me. We gave each other all the room that we needed and I was able to hang on. I enjoy the tough competition that these two big shows bring down here. It was cool that Keith(White) pulled up along side to congratulate me.”

“I just try to run my own race and not worry what anyone else is doing. If they’re going to pass me, I hope they’ll do it clean. I’d like to get 3 wins this weekend, but if I can have a good weekend and not tear up the car, it will be successful enough for us.”

IMCA Stock Cars
18 David Phillips, Abilene
81 Don Killen, Des Moines, Ia.
10 Keith White, Academy
501 Matt Guillaume, Tomball
156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo
103 JC Howell, Mabank
99 Damon Murty, Chelsea, Ia.
44 Jeff Turner, Seagoville
221 Duain Pritchett, Combine
28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM
20 Brandon Clough
69 Kirk Martin, Aledo
22 Billy Wade, San Angelo
122 Bill Brzezinski, Roby
110 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Ia.
29 Brendan Silts
169 Lewis Hammond, Midland
182 Adam Schwarz
50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City
4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka

IMCA Stock Car B-mains(Top 4 to A-main)
B-main #1 156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo, 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 169 Lewis Hammond, Midland, 69 Kirk Martin, Aledo
B-main #2 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine, 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM., 103 JC Howell, Mabank, 182 Adam Schwarz

IMCA Stock Car heats(Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1 20 Brandon Clough, 110 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Ia.
Heat 2 10 Keith White, Academy, 99 Damon Murty, Chelsea, Ia.
Heat 3 18 David Phillips. Abilene, 29 Brendan Silts
Heat 4 50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City, 122 Bill Brzezinski, Roby
Heat 5 501 Matt Guillaume, Tomball, 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka
Heat 6 81 Don Killen, Des Moines, Ia., 44 Jeff Turner, Seagoville

Armstrong Aces Hobby Stocks

Beatrice Nebraska’s Adam Armstrong made the long trip south pay off in the 20-car IMCA Hobby Stock feature. John Watson broke out front at the start of the 20-lapper and built a good lead over Armstrong who moved to second early. Watson looked to have the race well in hand, until the lead duo caught the back of the pack. Armstrong moved to the top, while Watson stuck to the bottom and got hung up with a slower car. Armstrong would the lead the final five laps to grab the victory.

Watson eased out front as green dropped on the IMCA Hobby Stock feature trailed by Sonny O’Hair, Armstrong, Justin Cass and Jamie Songer. Armstrong quickly dispensed of O’Hair while David Bissonnette worked his way up to the top five, and Hobby Stock champ, Shannon Anderson making his way through the pack. Cass picked off third from O’Hair, with Anderson now on his bumper.

At the mid-point it was Watson and Armstrong with big leads, Cass, Anderson and O’Hair in the top five. Watson caught the back of the pack on lap 12 and had Armstrong sneaking up. As they ran up on slower cars running side by side, Watson tried low, while Armstrong went up top. Watson got together with the slower car as Armstrong went three wide around them for the lead.

Aaron Elliott expired a motor on lap 16 for the races only caution and re-racked the field. Armstrong and Watson eased ahead while Anderson battled with Cass for third. Anderson got the spot with two to go, as Armstrong, in the Jet Racing, A 1st Rate Pumping Service, Auto Zone, Extreme Motorsports, Schmidt Machine, Twin Rivers Dodge, shop built car ran on to the checkers.

“I don’t know if I had anything for him(Watson),” said Armstrong. “He was better in (turns) 3-4, while I was better in 1-2. He’s tough and if it wouldn’t have been for lapped traffic he probably would have won. He chose the bottom, no one was up top so I tried there. We made some contact with the lapped cars getting through, but I was able to get the lead.”

“We were down here last year, picked up a win and a couple of seconds. I like traveling around to different tracks and was looking forward to coming back down here again. Our season doesn’t start until late March and I was looking to get a jump on things with a new car and new motor.”

“I usually run Beatrice(Nebr.) on Friday night, then Minneapolis(Kan.) on Saturday. Both are 3/8 mile tracks where this is a ¼ mile. I really enjoy this racing on a smaller, tighter track. This is the first chance I’ve had to run against four-time national champion, Shannon Anderson.”

IMCA Hobby Stocks
6 Adam Armstrong, Beatrice, Nebr.
4 John Watson, Des Moines, Ia.
78 Shannon Anderson, Des Moines, Ia.
56 Justin Cass, Abilene
25 Jeremy Carter, Joshua
85 David Bissonnette, Stephenville
11 Bud Ohliger, Abilene
96 Jamie Songer, Ankeny, Ia.
17 John Grindstaff, Venus
34 Tracy Haynes, Willow Park
27 Chase Parson, Abilene
15 Terry Comer III, Hawley
18 Jim Hall, Jackson, Nebr
777 Tom Love, Jackson, Nebr.
0 Rodney Sparks, Hawley
46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville
21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley
1 Chase Neill, Joshua
2 Sonny O’Hair
10 Taylor Bellomy

IMCA Hobby Stock B-main(Top 8 to A-main)
18 Jim Hall, Jackson, Nebr., 17 John Grindstaff, Venus, 0 Rodney Sparks, Hawley, 25 Jeremy Carter, Joshua, 15 Terry Comer III, Hawley, 27 Chase Parson, Abilene, 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley, 777 Tom Love, Jackson, Nebr.

IMCA Hobby Stock heats(Top 3 to A-main)
Heat 1 78 Shannon Anderson, Des Moines, 4 John Watson, Des Moines, 2 Sonny O’Hair
Heat 2 85 David Bissonnette, Stephenville, 10 Taylor Bellomy, Chase Neill, Joshua
Heat 3 56 Justin Cass, Abilene, 96 Jamie Songer, Ankeny, Ia, 46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville
Heat 4 6 Adam Armstrong, Beatrice, Nebr., 34 Tracy Haynes, Willow Park, 11 Bud Ohliger, Abilene

Boatman Takes Street Stock Birthday Bash
Ken Boatman(Whitehouse) celebrated his birthday how every racer wishes he could, with a pair of checkered flags. Boatman took his heat race win, then fought his way to get the lead from Luke Lindsey, in the feature. Boatman had to pass L. Lindsey twice after his first shot at the lead was negated by a poorly timed caution. Not to be denied, Boatman shot past L. Lindsey on the ensuing restart, and pulled away to take the victory.

Street Stocks
75 Ken Boatman, Whitehouse
83 Chris Brock
82 Richard Wells
444 Luke Lindsey, Granbury
44 Scott Kristinek, Littlefield
223 Clint Pelzel, Miles
183 Justin Lewis
500 William McNeely, Hamlin
124 Ryan Wilkerson, Midland
66 Michael Bowen, Merkel
1 John Rister, Anson
11 Tom McGaha, Hawley
21 Jaxon Elliott, Hawley
15 William Malloy, San Angelo
011 Chris Pippin, McCaulley
28 Jayson Garner, Hamlin
8 Billy Lindsey, Merkel
67 Tony Marcum
77 Jason Parker, Hamlin
27 Brandy Hamlin, Abilene
86 Tanner Martin, Clyde—DNS

Street Stock heat winners, 444 Luke Lindsey, Granbury, 75 Ken Boatman, Whitehouse, 011 Chris Pippin, McCaulley

Pritchett Powers to Jr. Mini Stock Sweep
Calton Pritchett left little in doubt in the Jr. Mini Stock class easily running away to victories in the heat race and feature. Pritchett built comfortable margins in both races and was chased, from a distance, in the feature by Jesney Reagan and Shelly Lusk.

Jr. Mini Stocks
12 Calton Pritchett, Combine
00 Jesney Reagan, Abilene
01 Shelly Lusk, Merkel
13 Madison Pillow, Cisco
26 Tylan Davis, Sweetwater
31 Kody Priddy, Abilene

Jr. Mini Stock heat winner, 12 Calton, Pritchett, Combine

by JM Hallas