All First Time Winners at RPM Speedway

     By coincidence, all four feature winners in their respective divisions Friday, evening, August 21, at RPM
Speedway, were first time winners in 2009 at the 3/8-mile oval.

     In the IMCA Modified A-feature, Chapman's Brent Fielder led from green to checkered in the 20-lap event.  Fielder was chased early on by Tyler Hahn, then later by Mike Petersilie, but no one could make a serious challenge at Fielder as he cruised to the finich.  Petersilie finished second, followed by Dave Hardesty, John Fose and Jason Schoenberger.  Heat race winners were Jerry Teel, Dylan Sherfick, and Fielder, while 'Rapid' Ronnie Hill won the B-main.

     Stockton's Adam Balthazor took the lead on lap 2 from Bob Rutherford in the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature and was able to fend off several challengers to make his way to victory lane.  Jason Davis, Cole Wilson, Pat Bedore, Cory Struckhoff and Terry Cunningham all gave chase, but Balthazor was up to the challenge.  struckhoff won the race for the second, followed by Cunningham, Davis and heat two winner Bedore.  First heat winner Wilson was sixth.

     Cody Williams led the first 5 laps of the IMCA Hobby Stock feature before Clearwater's Matthew Crowell took command.  Crowell was able to hang on up front, holding off veteran Jerry Hudson for a trip to the winner's circle.  B J Dauer, Casey Gilmore and Joel Younger rounded out the top five.  Heat race winners were Cody Williams and Leon Pfannenstiel.

     The IMCA Sport Compacts returned to the speedway. 'The Wonder Woman' Nicole Woods led the 9-car field through the halfway mark of the 12-lap race before Jesse Dunlap took over the lead and held off a late charge by point leader Michael Smith for the victory.  Woods finished third, followed by heat race winner Nick Wolff and John Annon.

     In Figure 8 action, Justin Dietz of Wakeeney won the event after a meeting fo the minds with Sam Ummel in the X.

     The evening's race sponsor was Hays Chevrolet. 

     It was also Big Brothers/Big Sisters Night and Racecars and Superstars.  Twelve superstarts completed, raising over $25,000 for BBBS. Rooks County Greg Beougher had the fast time of 21.16 around the 3/8-mile oval.  Russell County's John Berkey raised the most pledges with $5,135.  A raffle for an autographed helmet donated by Michael Smith also raised $109.

     Racing action returns to RPM Speedway on Friday, September 4.  On the card will be the IMCA-sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, along with the URSS 305 Sprint Cars.  Race time is 7:30pm.

    The free screening of One Dream:  Dirt Track Racing will be at 5:30pm prior to the evening's race at the Schenk Building located on the Ellis County Farigrounds.  Portions of the film were shot at RPM Speedway and Wakeeney Speedway this summer and features Sprint car drivers Jon Johnson and Ken Lutters.