rebelracewriter Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Icebreaker @ Abilene Speedway, presented by Smileys and Showtime Signs & Designs By J M Hallas Abilene, Tx.(Feb 25th, 2011) Abilene Speedway kicked off the official IMCA racing season with the annual Icebreaker on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked, red clay track. Combined with the Icebreaker was the first race of three in the new Lone Star Series giving the southern drivers extra chances to pick up additional bonus points for national and regional points championship hunts, as well as running for a separate points fund. Racing included heats, B-mains and an A-main for the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stocks and Hobby's, plus heats and a feature for the Jr. Mini stocks and Pure Stocks. Entries included drivers from seven states, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado. White takes Win One for 2011 Academy's Keith White picked up in 2011 where he left off the previous season, in the Winners Circle. White got by local veteran Tommy Fain and Jacob Anson in the waning laps and eased away with Scotty Brown making a late charge to come home second. Anson, Andy Gage and Chase Jupe rounded out the top five. It may have been a case of opening night jitters as green waved on the 20-car field. Gage jumped out front, but the pack stacked up behind him with Pat McGuire, John Gober, Kelly Allen and Charles Brewer tangling before completing a lap. Gage again got out front on green, but it as short lived as Jacob Anson snuck by to lead lap 2 bringing Chris Bragg along to second. Chris Elliott went around in turn 2 to bring out a lap 3 caution. On the restart both Bragg and Monte Bolton slowed from top five spots and pulled off while caution waved for debris. Elliott and Bo Newton got together on the next try at a restart. Finally back to racing with Anson and Fain putting a gap on Gage, Shane Hiatt and White. Jupe and Brown both closed on that trio while White and Hiatt traded some paint. Brown, using the high side, went around Jupe and Hiatt for fifth as the race neared halfway. At the crossed flags it was Anson, Fain, White, Gage and Brown holding the top five. Brown again used the top to get fourth from Gage on lap 11. Fain then began pressuring Anson for the lead getting along side on lap 13 and taking the point on lap 14. Brown caught White who now had Anson in his sights. Newton spun on lap 15 to bring out a caution that saw White duck under both Fain and Anson on the restart to snag the top spot on lap 16. Fain hung on to White's bumper, but got into to White who jumped a rut in turn 3. Fain rolled to a stop ending his night. Back to green Brown got past Anson for second while Jupe took fifth from Hiatt. White, in the Tracys Auto Sales, AMSOil, Extreme Graphics, Braka Operating, Tony's Custom Carburetors, racinwithneal.com, TCI, Craftmasters, Belton Metals, Tubbs Paint & Body, Centex Motorsports, Hughes Chassis held the lead over Brown the final few laps with Anson and Gage side by side for third. “It was a game of survival out there tonight,” said White. “You had to be able to get through the ruts. I don't think I was he fastest car out there. There were several cars out there that were faster, but I was able to survive it at the end.” “I just try not to use my car up early so I can be there at the end. It doesn't always work out that way. You can kind of pick and choose what lines to run. Something you see early might come to you later. You need to be able to finish so I don't abuse my car.” “I think this Lone Star Series is going to help us I the national points chase.” added White who came up a few points short of a championship. “I was maxed out on wins last year and it was the bonus points that got us.” IMCA Modifieds 1 Keith White, Academy 744 Scotty Brown, Seagoville 131 Jacob Anson, Albion, Nebr 021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia 303 Chase Jupe, Waco 21 Shane Hiatt, Rising City, Nebr 03 Dillon Smith, China Spring 02 David Davis, Sweetwater 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon 9 Mark Patterson, Abilene 89 Bo Newton, Bangs 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene 19 Chris Elliott, Eastland 24 Chris Bragg Springtown 59 Kelly Allen, Sweetwater 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene 91 Pat McGuire, Belton 52 John Gober, Poolville IMCA Modified B-mains(Top 4 to A-main) B-main 1, 52 John Gober, Poolville, Charles Brewer, Abilene, 59 Kelly Allen, Sweetwater, 303 Chase Jupe, Waco B-main 2, 1 Keith White, Academy, 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon, 03 Dillon Smith, China Spring, 02 David Davis, Sweetwater IMCA Modified heats(Top 2 to A-main) Heat 1 21 Shane Hiatt, Rising City, Nebr. 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene Heat 2 744 Scotty Brown, Seagoville, 9 Mark Patterson, Abilene Heat 3 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs Heat 4 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock, 19 Chris Elliott, Eastland Heat 5 021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia, 24 Chris Bragg, Springtown Heat 6 91 Pat McGuire, Belton, 131 Jacob Anson, Albion, Nebr. Earl Edges Easterling for Sportmod Win Tom Earl jr.(Haslet) got the point early in the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod main from Steve Hayes. Earl and Hayes looked to run away and decide things among themselves until the final laps. Doug Easterling, running the top, made a mad dash as the race wound down coming a bit short as Earl out ran him to the line for the victory. Hayes grabbed the early lead in the 20-car main followed by Jeff Kinniard, Todd Bartlett and Earl. Brad Shirley, Robert Speck, Justin Shaw and Easterling found themselves in a melee to bring out an early caution. The restart stacked up with Shaw, Speck and Shirley again getting tangled. Once back to racing Earl was able to get by Kinniard and Bartlett for second while Cody Frank grabbed fourth. Frank then took third from Kinniard with Shane Priddy moving by Bartlett for fifth. Earl got along side Hayes for the lead just as yellow waved for debris in turn 2. On the restart Earl went low on Hayes to get the lead on lap 6, while Priddy and Kinniard were side by side for fourth and Bradley Poor came out of a three wide scrap with sixth. Poor continued his march forward getting spots from Kinniard and Priddy. At halfway it was Earl, Hayes, Frank, Poor and Kinniard in the top five. David Elliott got turned around by Jesse Sobbing to bring a caution. Earl got away clean on the restart with Hayes still pursuit as they eased ahead of Frank, Poor, Easterling and Priddy. Kinniard spun out of the top five, but kept going and caught a break when Elliott looped it the same lap and brought out a caution. Earl and Hayes again snuck ahead, with Poor and Easterling side by side for fourth. With two to go Easterling used the top to pass Poor and Frank. On the last lap Easterling got by Hayes and to Earl's bumper. At the line it was Earl in the Big Jim Racing, North Texas Carpet Care, Performance Transmissions, MobsterbizRadio.com, Reliable Home Service, WCH Engines, Big Chief Chassis holding on for the win. “I was just holding on out there,” said Earl. “It was kind of rough out there. I just tried to go in straight, stay out of the ruts and come off straight. I just went out and found the line that worked best for me. My car would work on top or bottom. I passed Steve Hayes on the top, but had the caution come out. Then on the restart I used the bottom to get the lead. The car was set up just like it is every weekend at Kennedale or Boyd.” IMCA Southern Sportmods 46 Tom Earl jr., Haslet 88 Doug Easterling, Rule 95 Steve Hayes,Eastland 71 Cody Frank, Lorena 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka 12 Gary Fox, Haslet 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene 59 Chad Hertel, Shallowater 690 Todd Bartlett, Abilene 97 Julie Boettler, Farmington, NM 19 David Elliott, Eastland 44 Jeff Turner, Seagoville 99 Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Ia 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater 00 Brad Shirley, Springtown 8 Robert Speck, Abilene 511 Cory Williams, Slaton IMCA Southern Sportmod B-mains(Top to A-main) B-main 1, 12 Gary Fox, Haslet, 44 Jeff Turner, Seagoville, 00 Brad Shirley, Springtown, 8 Robert Speck, Abilene B-main 2, 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka, 59 Chad Hertel, Shallowater, 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater IMCA Southern Sportmod heats(Top 2 to A-main) Heat 1 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene, 95 Steve Hayes, Eastland Heat 2 690 Todd Bartlett, Abilene, 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield Heat 3 46 Tom Earl jr, Haslet, 19 David Elliott, Eastland Heat 4 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford, 511 Cory Williams, Slaton Heat 5 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 99 Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, Ia Heat 6 97 Julie Boettler, Farmington, NM, 71 Cody Frank, Lorena Pritchett earns I-Stock Payday Former IMCA Stock Car National champion Duain Pritchett(Combine) showed his winning form in the IMCA Stock Car 20-lap main. Pritchett used a bobble by early leader Cory Davis to get the lead. Pritchett then battled with long time rival Jeff Turner and Keith White, debuting his new ride, in the final laps for the hard earned win. Davis snagged the top spot as the 19-car feature took the green with Billy Wade and Pritchett in tow. Pritchett got by Wade for second on lap 2, with Jesse Taylor getting third from Wade on lap 3. Don Killen was next to put Wade back a spot followed by Turner, leaving Wade door to door with Shane Priddy. Turner then picked off Killen and Taylor for third. Davis made a mistake on lap 5 with Pritchett seizing the opportunity to get the lead on lap 6. The top five put some distance on White, Jason Batt and Joe Colyer who were slugging it out for sixth. At the midpoint it was Pritchett, Davis, Turner. Killen and Taylor. A bumper in turn 3 brought out the yellow on lap 12. On the restart Davis took a peek low on Pritchett, with White now trying high on Killen for fifth. Turner was able to get under Davis on lap 13 to take over second. With the top three now nose to tail White got past Taylor for fourth then caught Davis for third. White looked up top on Turner as the white flag waved with Taylor and Killen battling with Davis. Pritchett, driving the Arte & Sons Paint & Body, Extreme Graphics, Brads Transmissions, Centex Motorsports, Grumpy Built Chassis held a slight margin on Turner and White as the checkers waved. “Cory(Davis) hit a rut and left me enough room to get under him,” replied Pritchett. “It was pretty easy after that just riding around. I was pushing it as hard as I could. I didn't know where Keith White and Jeff Turner were. I knew they would be coming. I didn't know if it would be from the top or the bottom so I was giving it everything I had.” “I think this 1 car(White) is going to give Jeff and I a run for the points this year. We'll be at Boyd and Kennedale Friday and Saturday night. It will be a real dog fight every night. But we'll be alright.” IMCA Stock Cars 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine 144 Jeff Turner, Seagoville 10 Keith White, Academy 05 Jesse Taylor, Fort Morgan, Colo 15 Don Killen, Des Moines, Ia 771 Shane Priddy, Abilene 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM 18 David Phillips, Abilene 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene 156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo 91 Jason Batt, Harker Heights 19 Michael Sheen, Lamesa 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo 03 Doug Kennemer, Boyd 50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City 45 Mike Kennedy, Cheyenne Wells, Colo 14 Mike Johnston, Des Moines 20 Perry Misner, Garden City, Kan 64 Cary White, Lamesa 58 Brandon Hopper, Lubbock---DNS IMCA Stock Car B-mains(Top 4 to A-main) B-main 1, 156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo, 58 Brandon Hopper, Lubbock, 14 Mike Johnston, Des Moines, 50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City B-main 2, 18 David Phillips, Abilene, 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene, 19 Michael Sheen, Lamesa, 03 Doug Kennemer, Boyd IMCA Stock Cars(Top 2 to A-main) Heat 1 221 Duain Pritchett, 05 Jesse Taylor, Fort Morgan, Colo Heat 2 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 45 Mike Kennedy, Cheyenne Wells, Colo Heat 3 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM, 64 Cary White, Lamesa Heat 4 771 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 15 Don Killen, Des Moines, Ia Heat 5 10 Keith White, Academy, 91 Jason Batt, Harker Heights Heat 6 144 Jeff Turner, Seagoville, 20 Perry Misner, Garden City, Kan Bissonette Best in Hobby Stocks Stephenville's David Bissonette chased early leader John Watson until he found an opening just past halfway. The defending Hobby Stock Southern Region Champion then held off a pack of northern invaders easing out to comfortable lead the final circuits to grab the victory. The win came after a pre-heat race motor change. A big stack up in turn 1 slowed the start of the 20-car, 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. When green finally waved Watson jumped out front with Bissonette on his tail while Adam Armstrong and Jeff Kinniard fell in line third and fourth. Watson and Bissonette swapped a little paint and played a game of bumper tag until yellow waved for an infield tire on the track. The top seven broke away once racing resumed until Kinniard suffered a flat forcing him to pit. Bissonette gave Watson a try on the high side during lap 6, but fell back in line. Behind the lead duo Nyle Godwin took third from Armstrong on lap 7 as Ronnie Gregory and Shawn Slezak ran side by side for 2 laps. At halfway it was Watson, Bissonette, Godwin, Armstrong and Slezak in the top five. Bissonette got along side and by Watson on lap 11 for the lead. Watson then spun, kept it fired and fell back to eighth. Watson then ended up on an infield tire for a lap 14 caution. Bissonette eased ahead on green while Godwin and Slezak battled for third. Bissonette took the white flag with a small lead and ran unchallenged to the checkers in the Big Jims Racing, AVDI, Stephenville Starter & Electric, Ace Tire Service, Bobs Custom Paint, Wilson Tire Company, AMS Race Engines, Terminator Chassis. “I was working on (John) Watson as hard as I could,” commented Bissonette. “I just need a break to get by him. I really haven't found anything different to keep up with the north guys. The thing that made the difference was all these guys helping me change out a motor before the heat race. Bryan Sewell, Jeff Turner the Mims brothers, Josh Whaley, Clint Newell and Malone. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have been able to race tonight. That was the big thing.” IMCA Hobby Stocks 85 David Bissonette, Stephenville 6 Adam Armstrong, Beatrice, Nebr 11 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Ia 35 Shawn Slezak, Milligan, Nebr 38 Allen Montgomery, Ft. Worth 72 Ronnie Gregory, Cross Plains 33 Charles Cosper, Belton 827 Chris Mims, Dublin 177 Tobie Talk, Hawley 44 Bryan Sewell, Seagoville 77 Keith Dragoo, Lincoln, Nebr 20 Jeremy Auten, Clarinda, Ia 10 Ryan Gilland, Beatrice, Nebr 27 Chase Parsons, Abilene 99 John Watson, Des Moines, Ia 63 Andy Roller, Waco 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield 98 Rick Barrett, Joshua 127 Cory Adams, Des Moines 96 Jamie Songer, Waukee, Ia IMCA Hobby Stock B-main(Top 4 to A-main) B-main 1, 20 Jeremy Auten, Clarinda, Ia, 38 Allen Montgomery, Ft. Worth, 827 Chris Mims, Dublin, 63 Andy Roller, Waco B-main 2, 33 Charles Cosper, Belton, 127 Cory Adams, Des Moines, 44 Bryan Sewell, Seagoville, 10 Ryan Gilland, Beatrice, Nebr IMCA Hobby Stock heat(Top 3 to A-main) Heat 1 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield, 27 Chase Parson, Abilene, 177 Tobie Talk, Hawley Heat 2 99 John Watson, Des Moines, Ia, 11 Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Ia, 77 Keith Dragoo, Lincoln, Nebr Heat 3 85 David Bissonette, Stephenville, 6 Adam Armstrong, Beatrice, Nebr, 72 Ronnie Gregory, Cross Plains Heat 4 35 Shawn Slezak, Milligan, Nebr, 96 Jamie Songer, Waukee, Ia, 98 Rick Barrett, Joshua Pure Stocks 98 Jonathon Wright, Clyde 13 Junior Pure Stock heat 13 Junior 98 Jonathon Wright, Clyde Jr Mini Stocks 86 Casey Carnes, Malvern, Ia 3 Colin Deming, Hobbs, NM 12 Calton Pritchett, Forney 00 Jesney Reagan Jr. Mini Stock Heat winner; 3 Colin Deming, Hobbs, NM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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