Schoenberger, Sutton repeat at RPM Speedway

Gorham’s Jason Schoenberger and Tyler Sutton of Beloit made it two feature wins in a row in their respective divisions at RPM Speedway in Hays, KS, on Friday evening, July 9, before a huge crowd on ‘Ladies Night’.

In the Teel’s Trucks IMCA Modified main event, Jesse Richter led the first 4 laps of the 20-lap race before Schoenberger took over the top spot on lap 5. The lone caution waved on lap 9 when Jerry Teel spun. After the restart, Schoenberger stayed to the high line and drove away from the field for his third win of the season at the 3/8-mile oval and second in a row. Danny Morrison Jr. finished second, followed by Marty Clark, Mike Petersilie and point leader Corey Lagroon of Salina. Heat race winners were Schoenberger, Jeremy Zorn, and Travis ‘The Terminator’ Sherfick.

Sutton’s second win in a row came in the Prater Oil Field Services IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature. Kaid Calhoon led the first 3 laps before the caution waved on the next 2 laps for spins. After a restart on lap 5, Sutton passed Calhoon for the top spot. Sutton led the field to the halfway mark and appeared to have the race in hand until Brian Lariviere came to a stop on the backstretch on lap 14, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Sutton was able to hold off rookie Blaine Walt for the win the final two circuits. Calhoon, Clayton Wilson and Chris Heim rounded out the top five. Calhoon and Mathew Crowell were heat race victors.

The Adronics Elrob Manufacturing IMCA Stock Car division was low but put on a great feature. Pat Bedore led the first lap before fellow Stockton driver Adam Balthazor took control. Balthazor led the field at the halfway mark of the 20-lap event, but had heat race winner Terry Cunningham of Wakeeney and

Josh ‘The Hammer’ Hudson right on his heels. Point leader Cunningham then made a pass on lap 12 for the lead and was able to hold on for the victory, his first at Hays this season. Balthazor held off Hudson for the runner-up spot, with Bedore and Jay Schmidt completing the top five.

After winning the second heat race, Aaron Honas of Ellis led all 15 laps in the Lock N Load IMCA Hobby Stock feature. A couple of cautions kept the field close, but Honas was up to the challenge. Jerry Hudson got by Kent Tammen late in the race for second, with Josh Latka fourth and heat one winner G.W. Fuller fifth. Point leader Fuller also won the Oldham Sales cash dash.

The evening’s race sponsors were Rooftops Restaurant & Lounge and Off the Top hair salon, both of Hays.

Racing action returns to RPM Speedway during the Ellis County Fair on Saturday & Sunday, July 17-18. The URSS 305 Sprint Cars return for the annual ‘Wheatshocker Nationals’ both nights.