NASCAR veteran Schrader competes at RPM Speedway

August 5th

     NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader invaded RPM Speedway in Hays, KS, Wednesday evening, August 5th, to compete in the IMCA Modified division. A full moon made for some wild racing action in the A and B-features in all four divisions.

     Chris Vogan took the lead at the drop of the green in the IMCA Modified A-feature, trailed by Salina's Corey Lagroon and Mike Petersilie.  The caution flag waved several times on lap 2, with one multi-car incident taking out Schrader for the remainder of the night.  Then on lap 9, Lagroon got under Vogan in turn 2 and drove off for his first win of the season at RPM Speedway.  vogan finished second, followed by Ronnie Hill, Jerry Phillips and Mike Petersilie.  Heat race winners were Jason Schoenberger, Vogan, Tim Leiker, and Lagroon, while 'The Minneapolis Missle' Dave Hardesty took top honors in the B-feature.

     Dustin McClurg took advantage of his pole position starting spot to jump to the lead in the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A-main.  But on lap 8, 'The Terminator' Travis Sherfick of Wakeeney made the winning move, getting past McClurg and driving off for his 3rd win this season at the 3/8-mile oval.  Second heat race winner Dustin Daniels closed in late on leader but settled for the runner-up spot, followed by Pat Bedore, Casey Werkmeister and Terry Cunningham.  B-feature winner Cory struckhoff was sixth.  Kyle Werkmeister and Casey Werkmeister also won heat races.

     It took several tries to get the IMCA Hobby Stock feature underway, but when it did Tony Slothower took command.  That command was short-lived however as Marquette's BJ Dauer took over the top spot and drove on for his 7th win at Hays this year.  GW Fuller, Slothower, Mathew Crowell and Josh Latka rounded out the top five.  Fuller, Latka and Crowell were victorious in their heat races.

     The IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature also saw it's share of cautions, enough so that track officials cut the race from the scheduled 15 laps to 12.  Brian conness led the first half of the race with Tyler Frye right behind.  Then on lap 7, Frye made his move under Conness in turn 2 to take the lead.  After the final caution on lap 11, officials decided on a green-white-checkered finish.  Heat two winner Frye was able to pull away from Conness for his second win this year at RPM Speedway.  Shawn Meeks finished third, trailed by Troy Attwood and Fred Traskowsky.  Josh Rice won the other heat race.

     The evening's race sponsor was S & W Supply/Federated Auto Parts.

     Racing action returns to RPM Speedway on Friday, August 21.  It will be Big Brothers/Big Sisters night.  On the card will be the IMCA Modifieds, Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.  Race time is 7:30pm.