All photos included here are courtesy of Scott Tjabring of Action Track Photos, the official track photographer of the speedway. Around two dozen photos were added to break up the monotony of my 10,000-plus word rant. That's right, settle in, it's a long one. In fact, it covered nearly 40 pages of a Microsoft Word document...
Following the numbers from 2011, which are directly below, I added the season's totals to the all-time statistics. New records and other interesting all-time marks are listed at the end of this blog. When you get to the historical data, all changes due to the accomplishments during the 2011 season, along with new records and matched records will be pink in color. Grab a drink and kick back, this Blitz is the longest (and most informative!) yet. Without further delay, here is the final Stats Blitz of 2011! Enjoy!
Car Count
Division - Average - High - Low
Late Model - 22.1 - 29 - 18
Modified – 24.8 - 29 - 19
Stock Car – 15.9 - 18 - 13
SportMod – 16.8 - 24 - 12
Hobby Stock – 21.3 - 26 - 14
TOTAL – 100.9 - 111 - 83
Points
* 191 drivers earned points this season.
* Among those 191 drivers, 68 different hometowns were represented.
* For the first time since 2007, all five track champions won features.
* No driver held the points lead all 14 weeks. Vince Buchholz (Hobby Stock) led for 11 weeks, Tyler Droste (SportMod) for eight weeks, Adam Johnson (Modified) for six weeks, Sean Johnson (Stock Car) for three weeks and Jon Passick (Late Model) for three weeks.
IN THE HUNT
* 25 drivers remained in the top-10 in the points every week of the season. Those drivers included:
Late Model (4): Darren Ackerman, Tyler Bruening, Jon Passick, Travis Smock;
Modified (5): Mike Burbridge, Troy Cordes, Patrick Flannagan, Adam Johnson, Jerry Luloff;
Stock Car (6): Norman Chesmore, Austin Evens, Tim Helle, Sean Johnson, Dave Stricker, Jarod Weepie;
SportMod (6): Jim Buhlman, Tyler Droste, Danny Dvorak, Lucas Lundry, Ray Lundry, Josh Sherbon;
Hobby Stock (4): Vince Buchholz, Nathan Christie, Chris Wiltse, Steve Wiltse.
* 11 drivers remained in the top-5 in the points every week of the season. Those drivers included:
Late Model (3): Darren Ackerman, Tyler Bruening, Travis Smock;
Modified (2): Patrick Flannagan, Adam Johnson;
Stock Car (4): Norman Chesmore, Sean Johnson, Dave Stricker, Jarod Weepie;
SportMod (1): Tyler Droste;
Hobby Stock (1): Vince Buchholz.
MR. CONSISTENT - IMCA Late Model driver Travis Smock ranked third, fourth or fifth in the division standings after every race night in 2011.
Feature Winners
* There were 37 different feature winners in 70 feature events this season.* In August alone, there were 14 different winners in 20 events. Only Adam Johnson (Modified), Sean Johnson (Stock Car), Tyler Droste (SportMod) and Chris Luloff (Hobby Stock) won multiple features during the month.
* Despite having 37 different winners, incredibly, 15 drivers managed to earn multiple feature wins. They included: Sean Johnson (Stock Car, 9 wins), Tyler Droste (SportMod, 7), Vern Jackson (Modified, 4), Adam Johnson (Modified, 4), Tyler Bruening (Late Model, 3), Chris Luloff (Hobby Stock, 3), Jon Passick (Late Model, 2), Luke Merfeld (Late Model, 2), Troy Cordes (Modified, 2), Dave Stricker (Stock Car, 2), Danny Dvorak (SportMod, 2), Josh Sherbon (SportMod, 2), Chris Wiltse (Hobby Stock, 2), Quinton Miller (Hobby Stock, 2), August Bach (Hobby Stock, 2).
* The five track champions in 2011 accounted for 23 of the 70 total feature wins.
THREE-TIMER - In June, Vern Jackson became the first IMCA Modified driver at Independence to win three straight features since Troy Cordes won the final three events of the 2006 season.
Top-10s
* 142 drivers earned at least one top-10 finish this season. The top-10 leaders in each division were as follows:
Late Model (29 drivers with at least one top 10): Jon Passick (13 top-10s), Tyler Bruening (12), Darren Ackerman (12), Greg Kastli (11), Travis Smock (11);
Modified (32): Jerry Luloff (13), Adam Johnson (12), Patrick Flannagan (12), Troy Cordes (11);
Stock Car (28): Jarod Weepie (the only driver this season with top-10 finishes every week of the season), Dave Stricker (13), Sean Johnson (12), Norman Chesmore (11), Kirk Fauser (10), Austin Evens (10);
SportMod (28): Danny Dvorak (13), Tyler Droste (12), Jim Buhlman (12), Ray Lundry (11), Josh Sherbon (10), Lucas Lundry (10);
Hobby Stock (25): Vince Buchholz (13), Chris Wiltse (11), Rod Grother (11), Justin Lichty (10), Steve Wiltse (10).
PERFECT 10 - IMCA Stock Car driver Jarod Weepie was the only driver this season to earn top-10 finishes all 14 weeks. Dating back to May of 2010, Weepie has earned 26 straight top-10s in the Stock Cars.
Top-5s
* 89 drivers earned at least one top-5 finish this season. The top-5 leaders in each division were as follows:
Late Model (21): Jon Passick (10), Tyler Bruening (10), Greg Kastli (8);
Modified (20): Adam Johnson (8), Jerry Luloff (8), Vern Jackson (7);
Stock Car (16): Jarod Weepie (12), Sean Johnson (10), Dave Stricker (9), Norman Chesmore (7);
SportMod (17): Tyler Droste (11), Jim Buhlman (9), Danny Dvorak (8), Ray Lundry (8), Josh Sherbon (8);
Hobby Stock (15): Vince Buchholz (10), Chris Wiltse (7), Rod Grother (7), Justin Lichty (7), Jamie Whitaker (7), Quinton Miller (7).
FIVE ALIVE - Jim Buhlman (00) earned seven straight top-5 finishes in the middle of the season to stay in the IMCA SportMod points race all year.
Top-3s
* 66 drivers earned at least one top-3 finish this season. The top-3 leaders in each division were as follows:
Late Model (15): Tyler Bruening (7), Jon Passick (6), Greg Kastli (6);
Modified (15): Adam Johnson (6), Vern Jackson (6), Jerry Luloff (5), Troy Cordes (5), Darin Duffy (5);
Stock Car (13): Sean Johnson (9), Dave Stricker (6), Jarod Weepie (5);
SportMod (10): Tyler Droste (10), Jim Buhlman (6), Ray Lundry (6), Danny Dvorak (5);
Hobby Stock (13): Jamie Whitaker (7), Quinton Miller (6), Vince Buchholz (4), Rod Grother (4), Chris Wiltse (4), August Bach (4), Chris Luloff (4).
THREE'S NO CROWD - IMCA SportMod driver Tyler Droste led all drivers at the speedway this season by scoring 10 top-3 finishes in 14 nights of competition.
Feature Lap Leaders
* 80 drivers led at least one lap of feature competition.
* Division lap leaders included:
Late Model (18 total different lap leaders): Luke Merfeld (50 laps led), Jon Passick (47), Tyler Bruening (45), Dean Wagner (36), Luke Pestka (33);
Modified (18): Vern Jackson (50 laps led), Adam Johnson (46), Troy Cordes (27), Justin O'Brien (20), Ronn Lauritzen (17);
Stock Car (13): Sean Johnson (131 laps led), Dave Stricker (26), Kirk Fauser (14), Tim Helle (12), Paul Fauser (7);
SportMod (13): Tyler Droste (50 laps led), Danny Dvorak (45), Josh Sherbon (24), Jim Aschenbrenner (24), Matt McCahen (19);
Hobby Stock (18): Chris Luloff (47 laps led), Jamie Whitaker (30), Rod Grother (17), Justin Stander (16), Scott Pippert (14), Steve Wiltse (14), Quinton Miller (14).
EFFECTIVE LEADER - Luke Merfeld led the most feature laps (50) in IMCA Late Model competition this season. He did so by leading only twice - flag-to-flag during the 25-lap features on June 11 and July 2.
Heat Races
* There were 71 different heat race winners in 171 heat races.* 35 drivers won multiple heat races this season.
* The heat race wins leaders in each division were as follows:
Late Model (16 winners in 36 heats): Tyler Bruening (9), Jon Passick (6), Bryan Klein (5), Greg Kastli (4);
Modified (11 winners in 40 heats): Vern Jackson (8), Johnathan Thimmesch (6), Mike Burbridge (4), Jerry King (4);
Stock Car (12 winners in 26 heats): Sean Johnson (5), Tim Helle (4), Norman Chesmore (3), Paul Fauser (3), Phil Holtz (3);
SportMod (16 winners in 32 heats): Danny Dvorak (5), Josh Sherbon (5), Tyler Droste (4), Lucas Lundry (3);
Hobby Stock (16 winners in 37 heats): Chris Luloff (7), Jamie Whitaker (7), Justin Lichty (4), Rod Grother (3).
FEELING THE HEAT - Tyler Bruening won nine of the 12 IMCA Late Model heat races he entered this season, the best among all drivers at the speedway. He earned second place finishes in each of the other three heats.
Efficiency Stats
* A total of 247 races were run this season.
* A total of 2,660 laps were completed.
* A total of 285 caution flags were thrown.
* The Stock Car division (35 cautions in 40 total events) had the best caution per race ratio by averaging .88 cautions for every race.
* The Stock Cars (35 cautions in 429 total laps) had the best race lap per caution ratio by averaging 12.26 laps of competition completed between caution flags.
* The SportMods had the most cautions per race, averaging 1.50 cautions per event with 69 caution flags thrown during their 46 races. A close second was the Modified division, as they averaged 1.37 cautions per race event with 78 caution flags in 57 races.
* The SportMods had the worst average when it came to laps completed between cautions. They averaged 6.65 laps between yellows. Their 69 cautions came during 459 laps of competition.
* The Hobby Stock division had the best percentage of caution-free races - 30 of their total 51 events ran without a single stoppage (58.8%). The SportMods had the worst percentage of caution-free races - 32 of their 46 races had at least one yellow (69.6%).
* The Stock Cars had the fewest number of cautions during feature competition. The yellow flag waved only 29 times during 14 Stock Car features. The Modifieds had the most, with 52 caution flags in 14 features.
* Overall, 209 of the total 285 cautions (73.3%) came during feature racing.
* The average lap that the first caution waved in the Late Model features was lap 10.79, the best among all divisions. Four Late Model features ran caution-free in 2011, all within a five week span. The Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks each also had one feature go flag-to-flag.
* The average lap that the first caution flag waved in the SportMod features was 2.07, the worst in all divisions. Ten different weeks, the SportMod feature was slowed prior to the completion of the second lap.
* Only once this season did a division make it through an entire program without a single caution - the Late Models on July 16.
JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY - Two, three and even four-wide racing was common in the IMCA Stock Car division this season. Despite the close racing, the Stock Car division had the fewest caution flags in feature competition.
Since the year 1967...
* 658 Late Model feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 97 different winners. On average, a new Late Model winner visits victory lane every 6.8 events.
* 428 Modified feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 78 different winners. On average, a new Modified winner visits victory lane every 5.5 events.
* 272 Stock Car feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 40 different winners. On average, a new Stock Car winner visits victory lane every 6.8 events.
* 51 SportMod feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 14 different winners. On average, a new SportMod winner visits victory lane every 3.6 events.
* 337 Hobby Stock feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 86 different winners. On average, a new Hobby Stock winner visits victory lane every 3.9 events.
* Overall, in the last 45 seasons, 1,746 features have been completed in the five divisions that currently compete at the speedway.
Qualifying Streaks
* The longest currently active feature qualifying streaks for weekly competition in each division include:
Late Model: Darren Ackerman has qualified for 73 consecutive features. His last miss was June 3, 2006.
Modified: Jerry Luloff has qualified for 211 consecutive features. His last miss was July 5, 1997.
Stock Car: Jarod Weepie has qualified for 150 consecutive features. His last miss was June 9, 2001.
Hobby Stock: Rod Grother has qualified for 29 consecutive features. His last miss was August 22, 2009.
SportMod: Jim Buhlman has qualified for all 51 features dating back to the first one at the speedway on June 21, 2008.
"THE ICON" - Jerry Luloff continued to live up to his nickname in 2011. Dating back to July 5, 1997, he has qualified for 211 consecutive IMCA Modified features. He will carry that streak into 2012.
Stuff Nobody Should Know…
* Of the 70 feature winners, 34 came from inside starting spots and 36 from the outside.
* The starting position to produce the most feature winners was outside of row four. A total of 11 feature winners started in that position.
* Five times the Stock Car feature winner came from outside of row four. No other starting position produced more than three feature winners within a division.
* Ten different starting positions produced the 14 Late Model feature winners. No starting position in the Late Models produced more than two winners.
* 80 different drivers cracked the top-10 in his division’s points for at least one week this season.
* 17 different drivers held or shared their division's points lead at some point during the season, including three different Late Models, three Modifieds, three Stock Cars, five SportMods and three Hobby Stocks.
* Adam Johnson (Modified) was the only driver to win a feature after failing to qualify for the point invert in his heat race. He won from the 14th starting spot (after finishing fifth in the second heat) on July 30.
* Adam Johnson's (Modified) final five feature finishes, in order, were 1, 7, 1, 7, 1.
* In 14 nights of racing Jarod Weepie (Stock Cars) finished in a total of five different finishing positions. In 14 features, he had one second place finish, four third places, three fourth places, four fifth places and two eighth place finishes.
* Sean Johnson (Stock Cars) held the lead at some point during 11 of the 14 Stock Car features.
* A car with a letter in its number led 210 of 214 total Stock Car feature laps.
* A car with a letter in its number led only 8 of 203 total Hobby Stock feature laps.
"D"ELIVER- Kirk Fauser was one of many lettered IMCA Stock Cars to lead laps at Independence this season. In fact, he led 14 laps on July 2, on his way to his first career win in the division at Independence.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING...
Okay, here it is, the impact 2011 had on the grand scheme of things - the track history of the speedway. As I mentioned at the top of the blog, all changes, new records or matched records are included in pink text. Again, the numbers listed below relate to weekly points races only. Special events are not included in any statistics provided in the Stats Blitz.LATE MODEL (1967-2011, 45 seasons)
NOTE: My records go back to the start of the 1967 season. The 1965 and 1966 seasons are not included in any of the statistics listed below.
92 AND COUNTING - Curt Martin earned his 92nd career Late Model victory in Independence weekly racing history this season. He now has twice as many wins as Gary Crawford, who sits second on that list.
Feature Wins (97 drivers)
1. Curt Martin 92
2. Gary Crawford 46
3. Ed Sanger 43
4. Greg Kastli 41
5. Rick Wendling 34
6. Jim Burbridge 32
7. Red Dralle 21
8. Greg Hunter 20
T9. Chub Liebe 16
T9. Darren Ackerman 16
11. Denny Osborn 15
T12. Bill Zwanziger 14
T12. Darin Burco 14
T14. Glen Martin 13
T14. Kevin Pittman 13
T16. Al "Doc" Mayner 10
T16. Darin Duffy 10
T16. Red Droste 10
T16. Tyler Bruening 10
20. Bill Barthelmes 9
Dan Nesteby 8
Jeff Aikey 8
Joe Schaefer 8
Curt Hansen 7
Dale Stolte 6
Dale Hackwell Jr. 5
Dean Wagner 5
Les Verly 5
Rick Dralle 5
Terry Neal 5
Bill Beckman 4
Cal Swanson 4
Dennis Dugan 4
Karl Sanger 4
Chad Lerch 3
Dave Bentley 3
Dave Gerner 3
Dave Thorsten 3
Gary Henderson 3
LaVern Carey 3
Tom Fitzpatrick 3
Tysus Pattee 3
Wes Merritt 3
Bob Hesse 2
Bob Hilmer 2
Dan Forsyth 2
Dick Schiltz 2
Gary Tigges 2
Jack Mitchell 2
John Connolly 2
Jon Passick 2
Larry Schmidt 2
Layne Meyer 2
Levi Benn 2
Luke Goedert 2
Luke Merfeld 2
Luke Pestka 2
Lynn Idler 2
Paul Fitzpatrick 2
Randy Wheeler 2
Rob Toland 2
Travis Smock 2
Ty Burger 2
Bernard Reinking 1
Blaine Blessing 1
Brad Osborn 1
Bryan Klein 1
Darrell Sells 1
Dave Bedard 1
Dave Merfeld 1
Dave Noble 1
Dave Plum 1
Dave Stricker 1
Dave Trower 1
Dennis Schwake 1
Dick Heiden 1
Drew Johnson 1
Em Fretheim 1
Greg Bruening 1
Jason Rauen 1
Jim Burger 1
Jim Decker 1
Jim Gallery 1
Joel Brasch 1
John Weers 1
Josh McGowan 1
Ken Kennedy 1
Klaus Stricker 1
Larry Wasserfort 1
Randy Frush 1
Rich Picha 1
Roger Bruggeman 1
Roger Klingfus 1
Scott Welsh 1
Steve Auringer 1
Tom Hughes 1
Vern Jackson 1
MR. BIG - Jon Passick drove to his first career track championship this season in the IMCA Late Model division. Along the way, he picked up his first two career Late Model victories.
Track Champions
NOTE: I have incomplete track champion records for a few years prior to 1981 in the Late Model division so I chose not to include any of them here. Below are the last 31 Late Model track champions.
1981 Greg Kastli
1982 Jim Burbridge
1983 Greg Kastli
1984 Curt Martin
1985 Curt Martin
1986 Curt Martin
1987 Rick Wendling
1988 Greg Hunter
1989 Denny Osborn
1990 Curt Martin
1991 Curt Martin
1992 Greg Hunter
1993 Gary Crawford
1994 Greg Kastli
1995 Rick Wendling
1996 Rick Wendling
1997 Curt Martin
1998 Kevin Pittman
1999 Curt Martin
2000 Darin Burco
2001 Greg Kastli
2002 Greg Kastli
2003 Greg Kastli
2004 C. Martin / D. Ackerman
2005 Curt Martin
2006 Curt Martin
2007 Darren Ackerman
2008 Dale Hackwell Jr.
2009 Darren Ackerman
2010 Tyler Bruening
2011 Jon Passick
Most consecutive seasons with win (all-time/includes 3+ seasons)
18 - Curt Martin (1990-2007)
9 - Gary Crawford (1974-1982)
8 - Greg Kastli (1996-2003)
8 - Glen Martin (1973-1980)
8 - Darren Ackerman (2004-2011)
7 - Jim Burbridge (1986-1992)
7 - Ed Sanger (1968-1974)
6 - Darin Burco (1996-2001)
6 - Chub Liebe (1967-1972)
5 - Red Dralle (1982-1986)
5 - Red Dralle (1974-1980)
5 - Greg Hunter (1997-2001)
5 - Curt Hansen (1969-1973)
4 - Rick Wendling (1987-1990)
4 - Rick Dralle (2007-2010)
4 - Red Droste (1967-1970)
4 - Jim Burbridge (1980-1983)
4 - Greg Hunter (1986-1989)
4 - Gary Crawford (1984-1987)
4 - Al "Doc" Mayner (1970-1973)
3 - Tyler Bruening (2006-2008)
3 - Rick Wendling (1982-1984)
3 - Kevin Pittman (1996-1998)
3 - Jeff Aikey (2005-2007)
3 - Greg Kastli (1981-1983)
3 - Greg Hunter (1993-1995)
3 - Ed Sanger (1984-1986)
3 - Ed Sanger (1980-1982)
3 - Denny Osborn (1996-1998)
3 - Darin Duffy (2003-2005)
3 - Bill Zwanziger (1968-1970)
3 - Bill Barthelmes (1974-1976)
3 - Arthur Nesteby (1974-1976)
Most consecutive seasons with win (active)
8 - Darren Ackerman (2004-?)
PROVEN WINNER - In 2011, Darren Ackerman won an IMCA Late Model feature for the eighth consecutive season at Independence. He is now tied for third all-time in that category.
First-time winners per month
27 - June
24 - July
23 - August
22 - May
1 - April
1 - September
Longest win streak (same season)
3 - Gary Crawford (1977, 1979, 1985, 1993)
3 - Ed Sanger (1972, 1973, 1973)
3 - Curt Martin (1992, 1999, 2004)
3 - Rick Wendling (1996, 1996)
Longest win streak (over two seasons)
4 - Ed Sanger (1973-1974)
Most wins in single season
8 - Ed Sanger (1973)
8 - Curt Martin (2002)
Most number of different winners in a season
12 - 1975
11 - 1970
10 - 1976, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2011
Most consecutive different winners (same season)
9 - 1975
Most consecutive different winners (two seasons)
9 - 1975-1976, 1979-1980
Most consecutive different winners to start season
8 - 1970, 1985
Most consecutive different winners to end season
9 - 1975
Most opening night feature wins
13 - Curt Martin (1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007)
4 - Ed Sanger (1971, 1974, 1978, 1981)
3 - Glen Martin (1967, 1973, 1975)
3 - Bill Barthelmes (1969, 1970, 1976)
3 - Rick Wendling (1982, 1995, 1996)
2 - Gary Crawford (1987, 2003)
2 - Greg Hunter (1993, 1997)
2 - Greg Kastli (2001, 2005)
1 - Red Droste (1968)
1 - Chub Liebe (1972)
1 - Dave Trower (1977)
1 - Tom Fitzpatrick (1979)
1 - Al "Doc" Mayner (1980)
1 - Gary Henderson (1983)
1 - Jeff Aikey (1988)
1 - Red Dralle (1989)
1 - Dean Wagner (2004)
1 - Darren Ackerman (2008)
1 - Rob Toland (2009)
1 - Travis Smock (2010)
1 - Tyler Bruening (2011)
Most season championship feature wins
8 - Curt Martin (1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005)
5 - Ed Sanger (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1981)
4 - Rick Wendling (1982, 1987, 1995, 1996)
3 - Gary Crawford (1977, 1978, 1993)
2 - Red Droste (1967, 1969)
2 - Joe Schaefer (1974, 1975)
2 - Darren Ackerman (2007, 2009)
2 - Tyler Bruening (2008, 2010)
1 - Red Dralle (1985)
1 - Paul Fitzpatrick (1968)
1 - Kevin Pittman (1994)
1 - Jim Burbridge (1980)
1 - Greg Kastli (1999)
1 - Greg Hunter (1988)
1 - Glen Martin (1979)
1 - Denny Osborn (1989)
1 - Dennis Dugan (1992)
1 - Darin Duffy (2004)
1 - Darin Burco (2000)
1 - Dale Hackwell Jr. (2006)
1 - Bill Zwanziger (1983)
1 - Bill Beckman (1976)
1 - Jon Passick (2011)
Rained out twice (2001, 2003)
Most points nights (season)
19 (1997)
Fewest points night (season)
9 (2008)
Most 2 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
14 - Curt Martin
4 - Ed Sanger
4 - Jim Burbridge
3 - Rick Wendling
3 - Bill Zwanziger
2 - Gary Crawford
2 - Greg Kastli
2 - Chub Liebe
2 - Darin Duffy
1 - Red Dralle
1 - Greg Hunter
1 - Darin Burco
1 - Glen Martin
1 - Kevin Pittman
1 - Darren Ackerman
1 - Red Droste
1 - Bill Barthelmes
1 - Arthur Nesteby
1 - Rick Dralle
1 - Jeff Aikey
1 - Tyler Bruening
Most 3 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
4 - Gary Crawford
3 - Ed Sanger
3 - Curt Martin
2 - Rick Wendling
Seasons with no back-to-back feature winners
1980, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2007
Bookend wins (won opener and championship features in same season)
6 - Curt Martin (1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2002)
3 - Rick Wendling (1982, 1995, 1996)
2 - Ed Sanger (1971, 1981)
Most days between first and most recent/last feature wins
11732 - Red Dralle (32 years, 1 month, 14 days)
11732 - Greg Kastli (32 years, 1 month, 14 days)
11004 - Rick Wendling (30 years, 1 month, 17 days)
10584 - Gary Crawford (28 years, 11 months, 22 days)
9926 - Curt Martin (27 years, 2 months, 4 days)
9912 - Denny Osborn (27 years, 1 month, 20 days)
9114 - Jeff Aikey (24 years, 11 months, 14 days)
8330 - Ed Sanger (22 years, 9 months, 21 days)
8050 - Dean Wagner (22 years, 15 days)
7728 - Jim Burbridge (21 years, 1 month, 26 days)
Average number of different winners per season
8.13
Average number of race nights per season
14.62
THE LEGEND - In 2011, Greg Kastli earned the 41st weekly Late Model win of his career at Independence. Coming 32 years, one month and 14 days after his first win in the division at the speedway, he is now tied with the late Red Dralle for the greatest span between first and last/most recent wins.
MODIFIED (1983-2011, 29 seasons)
TOP OF THE CLASS - Four wins in 2011 lifted Vern Jackson back to the top of the all-time IMCA Modified wins list at Independence. In 15 years in the division, Jackson has earned 39 wins in weekly competition at the speedway.
Feature Wins (78 drivers)
1. Vern Jackson 39
2. Darin Duffy 37
3. Troy Cordes 28
4. Tom Bartholomew 22
5. Jerry Luloff 21
6. Jack Mitchell 19
T7. Duane Van Deest 13
T7. Steve Droste 13
9. Scott Hogan 11
10. Timm Jensen 9
T11. Adam Johnson 8
T11. Greg Kastli 8
T11. Joey Schaefer 8
T11. Kevin Pittman 8
T15. Deon Turner 7
T15. Ed Thomas 7
T15. John Light 7
T15. Mark Noble 7
T15. Max Corporon 7
T15. Mike Sampson 7
T15. Ron Barker 7
T15. Tim McBride 7
Corey Dripps 6
Craig Haupt 6
Garry Stuber 6
J.D. Auringer 6
Todd Jensen 6
Keith Pittman 5
Larry Schmidt 5
Tom Fitzpatrick 5
Dan Bohr 4
Don Erger 4
Jason Snyder 4
Jeff Barkdoll 4
Justin O'Brien 4
Mike Krall 4
Owen Grube 3
Randy Trefz 3
Travis Heyer 3
Adam Bolin 2
Dave Bentley 2
Dennis Fink 2
Jamie Aikey 2
Jerry King 2
Jim Abben 2
Johnathan Thimmesch 2
Kevin Peverill 2
Merlin Benning 2
Mike Schulte 2
Ronn Lauritzen 2
Arlo Becker 1
Ben Metcalf 1
Brett Ladehoff 1
Buck Swanson 1
Cory Bauer 1
Dean Mahlstedt 1
Dennis Betzer 1
Denny Ansel 1
Dick Feckers 1
Doug Hillson 1
John Irwin 1
Ken Irvine 1
Kenny Hoeppner 1
Kevin Schroeder 1
Larry Engen 1
Merv Chandler 1
Mike Burbridge 1
Patrick Flannagan 1
Richard Von Krog 1
Richie Gustin 1
Ron Becker 1
Ron Hurst 1
Ron Little 1
Shawn Fisher 1
Tim Donlinger 1
Todd McCombs 1
Tom Hanson 1
Tony Olson 1
NUMBER ONE - Adam Johnson drove to his first career IMCA Modified track championship in 2011. Also the Hobby Stock champion in 1997, this was Johnson's second track title at the speedway.
Track Champions
1983 Jack Mitchell
1984 Jack Mitchell
1985 Duane Van Deest
1986 Greg Kastli
1987 Mark Noble
1988 Craig Haupt
1989 Tom Bartholomew
1990 Tom Bartholomew
1991 Tom Bartholomew
1992 Tom Bartholomew
1993 Owen Grube
1994 Steve Droste
1995 Steve Droste
1996 Steve Droste
1997 Scott Hogan
1998 Scott Hogan
1999 Jerry Luloff
2000 Jerry Luloff
2001 Darin Duffy / Jerry Luloff
2002 Troy Cordes
2003 Scott Hogan
2004 Vern Jackson
2005 Jerry Luloff
2006 Jerry Luloff
2007 J.D. Auringer
2008 Troy Cordes
2009 Darin Duffy
2010 Troy Cordes
2011 Adam Johnson
Most consecutive seasons with win (all-time)
10 - Jerry Luloff (1996-2005)
9 - Vern Jackson (2000-2008)
7 - Tom Bartholomew (1986-1992)
6 - Troy Cordes (2002-2007)
6 - Darin Duffy (1997-2002)
5 - Duane Van Deest (1990-1994)
4 - Steve Droste (1993-1996)
4 - Scott Hogan (1994-1997)
4 - Max Corporon (2007-2010)
4 - Jerry Luloff (2007-2010)
4 - Deon Turner (1989-1992)
3 - Scott Hogan (2002-2004)
3 - Ron Barker (1987-1989)
3 - Owen Grube (1992-1994)
3 - Corey Dripps (1995-1997)
3 - Darin Duffy (2009-2011)
Most consecutive seasons with win (active)
3 - Darin Duffy (2009-2011)
First-time winners per month
25 - May
17 - August
17 - June
14 - July
5 - April
Total features
428
Total winners
78
Longest win streak (same season)
6 - Jack Mitchell (1984)
Longest win streak (over seasons)
4 - Steve Droste (1995-1996)
Most wins in single season
10 - Jack Mitchell (1984)
Most number of different winners in a season
11 (1994, 15-week season)
Career track championships
5 - Jerry Luloff (1999, 2000, co-2001, 2005, 2006)
4 - Tom Bartholomew (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
3 - Steve Droste (1994, 1995, 1996)
3 - Scott Hogan (1997, 1998, 2003)
3 - Troy Cordes (2002, 2008, 2010)
2 - Jack Mitchell (1983, 1984)
2 - Darin Duffy (co-2001, 2009)
1 - Vern Jackson (2004)
1 - Owen Grube (1993)
1 - Mark Noble (1987)
1 - J.D. Auringer (2007)
1 - Greg Kastli (1986)
1 - Duane Van Deest (1985)
1 - Craig Haupt (1988)
1 - Adam Johnson (2011)
Most consecutive different winners (same season)
8 - 1992, 1993 (3 separate times within 1993 season)
Most consecutive different winners (two seasons)
9 - 1992-1993; 1993-1994
Most consecutive different winners to start season
8 - 1993
Most consecutive different winners to end season
8 - 1993
Most opening night feature wins
3 - Vern Jackson (2001, 2003, 2008)
2 - Steve Droste (1995, 1996)
1 - Jack Mitchell (1983)
1 - Mike Krall (1984)
1 - Tom Fitzpatrick (1985)
1 - Greg Kastli (1986)
1 - Todd Jensen (1987)
1 - Craig Haupt (1988)
1 - Kevin Pittman (1989)
1 - John Irwin (1990)
1 - Larry Schmidt (1991)
1 - Deon Turner (1992)
1 - Tim Donlinger (1993)
1 - Duane Van Deest (1994)
1 - Travis Heyer (1997)
1 - Jerry Luloff (1998)
1 - Garry Stuber (1999)
1 - Troy Cordes (2000)
1 - Jerry King (2002)
1 - Scott Hogan (2004)
1 - Joey Schaefer (2005)
1 - Jason Snyder (2006)
1 - J.D. Auringer (2007)
1 - Max Corporon (2009)
1 - Richie Gustin (2010)
1 - Mike Burbridge (2011)
Note: It took 14 years before a driver won his second opening night feature. Prior to 1996, there were 13 different opening night winners.
Most season championship feature wins
4 - Darin Duffy (1997, 1998, 2009, 2010)
3 - Tom Bartholomew (1990, 1991, 1992)
3 - Jerry Luloff (1999, 2002, 2004)
2 - Vern Jackson (2005, 2007)
2 - Troy Cordes (2000, 2006)
2 - Steve Droste (1994, 1995)
2 - Jack Mitchell (1983, 1984)
2 - Duane Van Deest (1985, 1986)
1 - Scott Hogan (1996)
1 - Ron Barker (1989)
1 - Owen Grube (1993)
1 - Mark Noble (1987)
1 - Johnathan Thimmesch (2008)
1 - Craig Haupt (1988)
1 - Adam Johnson (2011)
Rained out twice (2001, 2003)
Track champion with fewest feature wins
0 - Scott Hogan (1998), Jerry Luloff (2006), Troy Cordes (2008, 2010)
Most points nights (season)
19 - 1997
Fewest points night (season)
7 - 1986
Most 2 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
6 - Darin Duffy
Most 3 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
3 - Darin Duffy
Most 6 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Jack Mtchell
Season championship winners/points champion (same season)
3 - Tom Bartholomew (1990, 1991, 1992)
2 - Jack Mitchell (1983, 1984)
2 - Steve Droste (1994, 1995)
1 - Duane Van Deest (1985)
1 - Mark Noble (1987)
1 - Craig Haupt (1988)
1 - Owen Grube (1993)
1 - Jerry Luloff (1999)
1 - Darin Duffy (2009)
1 - Adam Johnson (2011)
Seasons with no back-to-back feature winners
1993, 1994, 2003, 2010
Bookend wins (won opener and championship features in same season)
Jack Mitchell (1983)
Craig Haupt (1988)
Steve Droste (1995)
Troy Cordes (2000)
Most days between first and most recent feature wins
6608 - Timm Jensen (18 years, 1 month, 4 days)
6594 - Darin Duffy (18 years, 20 days)
6552 - Ed Thomas (17 years, 11 months, 9 days)
5530 - Troy Cordes (15 years, 1 month, 22 days)
5159 - Vern Jackson (14 years, 1 month, 15 days)
5089 - Jerry Luloff (13 years, 11 months, 7 days)
5054 - Deon Turner (13 years, 10 months, 2 days)
4326 - Garry Stuber (11 years, 10 months, 4 days)
4081 - Jack Mitchell (11 years, 2 months, 2 days)
3633 - Mike Sampson (9 years, 11 months, 12 days)
CLOSING IN - Darin Duffy picked up his 37th career IMCA Modified win in weekly racing at Independence this season, just shy of 18 years and three weeks after his first win in the division. He now sits just 14 days behind Timm Jensen's record of 18 years, one month and four days between first and most recent wins.
Average number of different winners per season
7.79
Average number of race nights per season
14.76
1st feature winner in division history
Jack Mitchell (5/21/83)
50th feature winner in division history
John Light (6/28/86)
100th feature winner in division history
Deon Turner (7/1/89)
150th feature winner in division history
Timm Jensen (8/15/92)
200th feature winner in division history
Steve Droste (7/6/96)
250th feature winner in division history
Darin Duffy (7/19/99)
300th feature winner in division history
Ben Metcalf (8/17/02)
350th feature winner in division history
J.D. Auringer (5/6/06)
400th feature winner in division history
Darin Duffy (8/29/09)
Monthly sweeps (minimum of 3 races run that month)
June 1984 - Jack Mitchell (3 races)
August 1984 - Jack Mitchell (4 races)
May 1987 - Mark Noble (3 races)
Season opening win following championship night win the season before
1 - Steve Droste (1994-1995)
1 - Scott Hogan (2003-2004)
1 - Vern Jackson (2007-2008)
Won opening night feature and track championship same year
2 - Steve Droste (1995, 1996)
1 - Jack Mitchell (1983)
1 - Greg Kastli (1986)
1 - Craig Haupt (1988)
1 - J.D. Auringer (2007)
Days as career wins leader (days through 8/27/11)
3556 - Tom Bartholomew (8/24/91-5/19/01)
3346 - Jack Mitchell (5/21/83-7/18/92)
2233 - Darin Duffy (5/19/01-8/27/05, 8/8/09-6/11/11)
1855 - Vern Jackson (8/27/05-8/29/09, 7/31/10-8/14/10, 8/21/10-8/27/11)
STOCK CAR (1993-2011, 19 seasons)
PLUS ONE - Although he didn't compete weekly in 2011, IMCA Stock Car driver Dan Trimble (20) did race long enough (his first night at Indee on July 16) to score his 69th career Stock Car win in weekly racing at Independence.
Feature Wins (40 drivers)
1. Dan Trimble 69
2. Brian Irvine 31
T3. Jarod Weepie 18
T3. Justin Temeyer 18
5. Sean Johnson 17
6. Larry Portis 16
7. Tom Schmitt 15
8. Norman Chesmore 14
9. Chris Wessner 9
10. Ken Irvine 7
T11. Curtis Roster 5
T11. Darrin Treptow 5
T11. Lon Gadow 5
T14. Damon Murty 4
T14. Dave Stricker 4
T14. Tony Schimmels 4
T17. Brad Holtkamp 3
T17. Dale Hackwell Jr. 3
T17. Forrest Frost 3
T17. Jerry Schipper 3
David Adams 2
Phil Holtz 2
Robert Walters 2
Bernard Reinking 1
Bob Ahrendsen 1
Chad Albert 1
Cliff Gray 1
Dain Sires 1
Doug Walker 1
Eric Weber 1
Fabian Seitz 1
Jeff Franck 1
Kirk Fauser 1
LaVern Carey 1
Max Leonard 1
Richard Quail 1
Roger Samec 1
Scooter Dulin 1
Steve Meyer 1
Todd Suhr 1
SHOW STEALER - Sean Johnson (8R) led all drivers at the speedway this season with nine feature wins in 14 nights of racing. Those wins carried Johnson to the IMCA Stock Car track championship, the first of his career.
Track Champions
1993 Lon Gadow
1994 Dan Trimble
1995 Larry Portis
1996 Jerry Schipper
1997 Jerry Schipper
1998 Dan Trimble
1999 Dan Trimble
2000 Dan Trimble
2001 Dan Trimble
2002 Dan Trimble
2003 Dan Trimble
2004 Dan Trimble
2005 Jarod Weepie
2006 Dan Trimble
2007 Jarod Weepie
2008 Jarod Weepie
2009 Brian Irvine
2010 Jarod Weepie
2011 Sean Johnson
Most consecutive seasons with win
13 - Dan Trimble (1994-2006)
8 - Jarod Weepie (2000-2007)
Most consecutive seasons with win (active)
4 - Dan Trimble (2008-?)
First-time winners per month
10 - May
10 - June
10 - July
8 - August
2 - April
Total features
276
Total winners
40
Longest win streak (same season)
6 - Dan Trimble - 7/2/94 to 8/6/94 (Norman Chesmore on 8/13/94)
6 - Larry Portis - 7/8/95 to 8/26/95 (end of season)
Longest win streak (over seasons)
7 - Larry Portis - 7/8/95 to 4/27/96 (Jerry Schipper on 5/4/96)
7 - Dan Trimble - 8/14/99 to 6/3/00 (Curtis Roster on 6/10/00)
Most wins in single season
10 - Larry Portis (1995)
Most number of different winners in a season
9 - 2005 (in 16 nights)
Career track championships
9 - Dan Trimble (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
4 - Jarod Weepie (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010)
2 - Jerry Schipper (1996, 1997)
1 - Lon Gadow (1993)
1 - Larry Portis (1995)
1 - Brian Irvine (2009)
1 - Sean Johnson (2011)
Most consecutive different winners (same season)
7 - 5/28/05 to 7/16/05
Most consecutive different winners (two seasons)
NA (not as long as streak directly above)
Most consecutive different winners to start season
5 - 2003 season
Most consecutive different winners to end season
6 - 2006 season
Most opening night feature wins
5 - Dan Trimble
3 - Brian Irvine
2 - Larry Portis
2 - Tom Schmitt
1 - Lon Gadow
1 - Ken Irvine
1 - Jarod Weepie
1 - Fabian Seitz
1 - Norman Chesmore
1 - Justin Temeyer
1 - Sean Johnson
Most season championship feature wins
7 - Dan Trimble
3 - Brian Irvine
2 - Jarod Weepie
1 - Tom Schmitt
1 - Lon Gadow
1 - Larry Portis
1 - Darrin Treptow
1 - Sean Johnson
(Rained out twice - 2001, 2003)
Track champion with fewest feature wins
0 - Jerry Schipper (1997), Jarod Weepie (2008)
Most points nights (season)
19 - 1997 (only season on record with no rainouts)
Fewest points night (season)
9 - 2008 (Wind storm destroyed grandstands in spring)
Most 2 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
9 - Dan Trimble (13 drivers with 2 race win streak)
Most 3 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
3 - Dan Trimble (6 drivers with 3 race win streak)
Most 4 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
2 - Brian Irvine (2 drivers with 4 race win streak)
Most 5 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Chris Wessner, Sean Johnson
Most 6 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Larry Portis and Dan Trimble (2 drivers with 6 race win streak)
Season championship winners/points champion (same season)
5 - Dan Trimble (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
1 - Lon Gadow (1993)
1 - Larry Portis (1995)
1 - Brian Irvine (2009)
1 - Jarod Weepie (2010)
1 - Sean Johnson (2011)
Seasons with no back-to-back feature winners
2006
Bookend wins (won opener and championship features in same season)
4 - Dan Trimble (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000)
2 - Brian Irvine (2007, 2009)
1 - Lon Gadow (1993)
1 - Larry Portis (1995)
1 - Tom Schmitt (2004)
1 - Sean Johnson (2011)
Most days between first and most recent feature wins
6258 - Dan Trimble (17 years, 1 months, 18 days)
5488 - Norman Chesmore (15 years, 9 days)
3668 - Jarod Weepie (10 years, 16 days)
3612 - Justin Temeyer (9 years, 10 months, 21 days)
2205 - Sean Johnson (6 years, 14 days)
2163 - Tony Schimmels (5 years, 11 months, 3 days)
1898 - Tom Schmitt (5 years, 2 months, 9 days)
1855 - Brian Irvine (5 years, 29 days)
1435 - Curtis Roster (3 years, 11 months, 5 days)
1393 - Ken Irvine (3 years, 9 months, 24 days)
Average number of different winners per season
5.84
Average number of race nights per season
14.53
1st feature winner in division history
Lon Gadow (4/24/93)
50th feature winner in division history
Larry Portis (7/20/96)
100th feature winner in division history
Tom Schmitt (7/10/99)
150th feature winner in division history
Tom Schmitt (4/26/03)
200th feature winner in division history
Jarod Weepie (5/27/06)
250th feature winner in division history
Brian Irvine (5/15/10)
Monthly sweeps (minimum of 3 races run that month)
August 1993 - Lon Gadow (3 races)
July 1994 - Dan Trimble (5 races)
August 1995 - Larry Portis (4 races)
July 2007 - Brian Irvine (4 races)
August 2011 - Sean Johnson (4 races)
MAKING HISTORY - No stranger to victory lane in 2011, Sean Johnson added his name to a few other categories in the history book. Johnson became just the sixth different driver in division history to earn book-end victories at Independence - winning on both opening and season championship nights. He also became just the fifth driver in division history to sweep a single calendar month when at least three race nights were completed - he won all four Stock Car features in the month of August.
Season opener win following championship night win season before
3 - Dan Trimble (1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2005-2006)1 - Larry Portis (1995-1996)
1 - Brian Irvine (2008-2009)
Won opening night feature and track championship same year
5 - Dan Trimble (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006)
1 - Lon Gadow (1993)
1 - Larry Portis (1995)
1 - Brian Irvine (2009)
1 - Sean Johnson (2011)
Days as career wins leader (through 8/27/11)
6574 - Dan Trimble (7/16/94-6/8/96, 6/29/96-8/3/96, 8/24/96-8/27/11)
651 - Lon Gadow (4/24/93-7/23/94)
350 - Larry Portis (4/27/96-5/11/96, 5/18/96-7/6/96, 7/20/96-5/3/97)
SPORTMOD (2008-2011, 4 seasons)
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE - Josh Sherbon added a pair of wins in 2011 to bring his all-time division leading total to 12 career IMCA SportMod wins at Independence.
Feature Wins (14 drivers)
1. Josh Sherbon 12
2. Danny Dvorak 9
3. Tyler Droste 8
4. Austin Kaplan 5
T5. Chris Luloff 3
T5. Lucas Lundry 3
T5 Ray Lundry 3
8. Joel Rust 2
T9. Austin Lucas 1
T9. Jim Aschenbrenner 1
T9. Jim Buhlman 1
T9. Joe Docekal 1
T9. Kurt Hogan 1
T9. Kyle Bentley 1
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY - First-time IMCA SportMod track champion Tyler Droste poses with his father, former IMCA Modified track champion Steve Droste, following the youngster's feature win on season championship night.
Track Champions
2008 Danny Dvorak
2009 Kyle Bentley
2010 Austin Kaplan
2011 - Tyler Droste
Most consecutive seasons with win
4 - Josh Sherbon (2008-2011)
3 - Lucas Lundry (2009-2011)
2 - Danny Dvorak (2008-2009)
2 - Austin Kaplan (2009-2010)
Most consecutive seasons with win (active)
4 - Josh Sherbon (2008-?)
3 - Lucas Lundry (2009-?)
First-time winners per month
5 - July
5 - August
2 - June
2 - May
0 - April
Total features
51
Total winners
14
Most wins in single season
7 - Tyler Droste (2011)
6 - Josh Sherbon (2010)
4 - Danny Dvorak (2009)
Most number of different winners in a season
7 - 2009 (in 14 nights)
Career track championships
1 - Danny Dvorak (2008)
1 - Kyle Bentley (2009)
1 - Austin Kaplan (2010)
1 - Tyler Droste (2011)
Most consecutive different winners (same season)
6 - 6/27/09 to 8/8/09
Most consecutive different winners (two seasons)
NA (not as long as streak directly above)
Most consecutive different winners to start season
3 - 2009 season
Most consecutive different winners to end season
5 - 2008 season
Most opening night feature wins
2 - Josh Sherbon (2008, 2009)
1 - Austin Lucas (2010)
1 - Tyler Droste (2011)
Most season championship feature wins
2 - Tyler Droste (2010, 2011)
1 - Jim Buhlman (2008)
1 - Joel Rust (2009)
Track champion with fewest feature wins
0 - Kyle Bentley (2009)
Most points nights (season)
14 - 2009, 2010
Fewest points night (season)
9 - 2008
Most 2 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
3 - Josh Sherbon (all in 2010 season)
3 - Tyler Droste (all in 2011 season)
1 - Chris Luloff (2009)
1 - Austin Kaplan (2010)
Most 3 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
None
Most 4 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
None
Seasons with no back-to-back feature winners
2008
Won opening night feature and track championship same year
1 - Tyler Droste (2011)
Season championship winners/points champion (same season)
1 - Tyler Droste (2011)
Bookend wins (won opener and championship features in same season)
1 - Tyler Droste (2011)
Most days between first and most recent feature wins
1127 - Danny Dvorak (3 years, 1 month, 1 day)
1113 - Josh Sherbon (3 years, 18 days)
700 - Lucas Lundry (1 year, 11 months)
392 - Ray Lundry (1 year, 27 days)
364 - Tyler Droste (11 months, 30 days)
322 - Austin Kaplan (10 months, 18 days)
Average number of different winners per season
6.00
Average number of race nights per season
12.75
1st feature winner in division history
Josh Sherbon (6/21/08)
50th feature winner in division history
Tyler Droste (8/20/11)
Season opener win following championship night win season before
1 - Tyler Droste (2010-2011)
Monthly sweeps (minimum of 3 races run that month)
None
Days as career wins leader (through 8/27/11)
756 - Josh Sherbon (6/21/08-8/2/08, 8/16/08-6/20/09, 7/17/10-8/27/10)
728 - Danny Dvorak (7/5/08-7/12/08, 7/19/08-5/2/09, 5/23/09-7/31/10)
HOBBY STOCK (1989-2011, 23 seasons)
WITHIN A PAIR - Chris Luloff scored three Hobby Stock wins in 2011, drawing him to within two victories of Chris Wessner atop the division's all-time wins list at the speedway. Wessner has reigned as the Hobby Stock wins leader since mid-1995.
Feature Wins (86 drivers)
1. Chris Wessner 20
2. Chris Luloff 18
3. Brian Irvine 16
4. Josh Irvine 13
T5. Patrick Stansbery 11
T5. Vince Buchholz 11
T7. Ken Irvine 10
T7. Nick Wroten 10
T7. Rick Johnson 10
T10. Forrest Frost 9
T10. Jeff Roete 9
T12. Justin Lichty 7
T12. Quinton Miller 7
T14. Chris Schares 6
T14. Rod Grother 6
T14. Steve Holthaus 6
T14. Tim Bartholomew 6
T14. Todd Temeyer 6
T19. Bret Dage 5
T19. David Rice 5
T19. Doug Otto 5
T19. Jerry Luloff 5
T19. Justin Temeyer 5
T19. Kevin Hoehne 5
T19. Lon Gadow 5
T19. Rick Suckow 5
August Bach 4
J.R. Kahler 4
Jamie Whitaker 4
Jarod Weepie 4
Paul Shepherd 4
Scooter Dulin 4
Tim Meeker 4
Adam Johnson 3
Chad Clubine 3
Chris Wiltse 3
Danny Dvorak 3
Derek Reisner 3
Don Arnold 3
Jason Goedken 3
John Meyer 3
Matt Brown 3
Milo Matthias 3
Quinton Reinking 3
Zac Boehmer 3
Bill Meyer 2
Brandon Davis 2
Butch Reid 2
Dwan Waddell 2
Jeff Wedemeier 2
Jim Achenbrenner 2
Joel Brasch 2
John Roete 2
Josh Steere 2
Shane Ebaugh 2
Wes Stanek Jr. 2
Brad Forbes 1
Brian Happel 1
Cliff Tharp 1
Craig Coventry 1
Dale Hackwell Jr. 1
Duane Duffy 1
Greg Sweerin 1
Guy Stacy 1
Jason Rohde 1
Jeremiah Wilson 1
Jim Ball Jr. 1
Joe Sprague 1
Kevin Robinson 1
Kyle Scheel 1
Lloyd Bacon 1
Mark Butler 1
Max Leonard 1
Micheal Smith 1
Mike Ihde 1
Perry Thomsen 1
Randy Wheeler 1
Roger Ciesielski 1
Ron Hufford 1
Russell Damme Jr. 1
Ryan Bochmann 1
Scott Pippert 1
Steve Farr 1
Steve Wiltse 1
Travis Michels 1
Troy Cordes 1
EXCLUSIVE COMPANY - Vince Buchholz became just the third Hobby Stock driver in track history to win a second track championship. The 2011 champion earned his first division title in 2003.
Track Champions
1989 Steve Holthaus
1990 Lon Gadow
1991 Jerry Luloff
1992 Forrest Frost
1993 Bret Dage
1994 Kevin Hoehne
1995 Chris Wessner
1996 Todd Temeyer
1997 Adam Johnson
1998 Nick Wroten
1999 Doug Otto
2000 Jeff Roete
2001 Scooter Dulin
2002 Patrick Stansbery
2003 Vince Buchholz
2004 Brian Irvine
2005 Patrick Stansbery
2006 Paul Shepherd
2007 Josh Irvine
2008 Chris Luloff
2009 Josh Irvine
2010 Rod Grother
2011 Vince Buchholz
Most consecutive seasons with win
6 - Patrick Stansbery (1998-2003)
Most consecutive seasons with win (active)
5 - Justin Lichty (2007-?)
5 - Quinton Miller (2007-?)
3 - August Bach (2009-?)
MIRROR IMAGE - Quinton Miller (shown above) and Justin Lichty (shown below) have been chasing each other up the all-time wins list at Independence since their first career wins in 2007. Lichty's first career wins came in back-to-back weeks that season (July 7 and 14), while Miller's first career wins came in back-to-back formation the following two weeks (July 21 and 28). They are the only two drivers to earn at least one Hobby Stock feature win every season over the last five years. That consistency has paid off for both as they now sit (where else) tied on the all-time wins list with seven victories apiece. They are the only two drivers tied for 12th on the all-time wins list for the Hobby Stocks.
First-time winners per month
25 - July
19 - June
19 - August
19 - May
4 - April
Total features
337
Total winners
86
Longest win streak (same season)
5 - Chris Wessner (1995), Nick Wroten (1998)
Longest win streak (over seasons)
7 - Brian Irvine (2003-2004)
Most wins in single season
9 - Chris Wessner (1995)
Most number of different winners in a season
11 (2006, in 14 nights)
Career track championships
2 - Patrick Stansbery (2002, 2005)
2 - Josh Irvine (2007, 2009)
2 - Vince Buchholz (2003, 2011)
1 - Steve Holthaus (1989)
1 - Lon Gadow (1990)
1 - Jerry Luloff (1991)
1 - Forrest Frost (1992)
1 - Bret Dage (1993)
1 - Kevin Hoehne (1994)
1 - Chris Wessner (1995)
1 - Todd Temeyer (1996)
1 - Adam Johnson (1997)
1 - Nick Wroten (1998)
1 - Doug Otto (1999)
1 - Jeff Roete (2000)
1 - Scooter Dulin (2001)
1 - Brian Irvine (2004)
1 - Paul Shepherd (2006)
1 - Chris Luloff (2008)
1 - Rod Grother (2010)
Most consecutive different winners (same season)
8 (2005)
Most consecutive different winners (two seasons)
7 (1990-1991, 2001-2002)
Most consecutive different winners to start season
6 (2002, 2010)
Most consecutive different winners to end season
8 (2005)
Most opening night feature wins
2 - Lon Gadow
2 - Chris Wessner
1 - Ken Irvine
1 - Forrest Frost
1 - Rick Johnson
1 - Kevin Hoehne
1 - Jason Rohde
1 - Danny Dvorak
1 - Doug Otto
1 - Jeff Roete
1 - Patrick Stansbery
1 - John Meyer
1 - J.R. Kahler
1 - Brian Irvine
1 - Josh Steere
1 - Rod Grother
1 - Micheal Smith
1 - Chris Luloff
1 - Josh Irvine
1 - August Bach
1 - Scott Pippert
Most season championship feature wins
3 - Chris Wessner
2 - Brian Irvine
2 - Chris Luloff
2 - Josh Irvine
1 - Ken Irvine
1 - Rick Suckow
1 - Derek Reisner
1 - Forrest Frost
1 - Rick Johnson
1 - Tim Bartholomew
1 - Nick Wroten
1 - Doug Otto
1 - Patrick Stansbery
1 - Jeff Wedemeier
1 - Rod Grother
1 - Jamie Whitaker
1 - Vince Buchholz
Track champion with fewest feature wins
0 - Patrick Stansbery (2005)
0 - Rod Grother (2010)
Most points nights (season)
19 (1997)
Fewest points night (season)
9 (2008)
Most 2 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
4 - Chris Wessner
Most 3 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Chris Wessner, Brian Irvine, Chris Luloff, Vince Buchholz, Kevin Hoehne, J.R. Kahler
Most 4 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Brian Irvine, Josh Irvine
Most 5 race win streaks (each streak within same season)
1 - Chris Wessner, Nick Wroten
Season championship winners/points champion (same season)
Josh Irvine (2007, 2009)
Forrest Frost (1992)
Chris Wessner (1995)
Nick Wroten (1998)
Doug Otto (1999)
Brian Irvine (2004)
Chris Luloff (2008)
Vince Buchholz (2011)
Seasons with no back-to-back feature winners
1993, 2005, 2008
Bookend wins (won opener and SC features in same season)
Chris Wessner (1995, 1996)
Ken Irvine (1989)
Forrest Frost (1992)
Rick Johnson (1993)
Doug Otto (1999)
Brian Irvine (2004)
Chris Luloff (2008)
Josh Irvine (2009)
Most days between first and most recent feature wins
6664 - Vince Buchholz (18 years, 2 months, 29 days)
2611 - Chris Luloff (7 years, 1 month, 25 days)
2555 - Rod Grother (6 years, 11 months, 30 days)
2191 - Todd Temeyer (5 years, 11 months, 30 days)
2170 - John Meyer (5 years, 11 months, 9 days)
2107 - Derek Reisner (5 years, 9 months, 7 days)
1904 - Jeff Roete (5 years, 2 months, 16 days)
1848 - Patrick Stansbery (5 years, 22 days)
1491 - Rick Johnson (4 years, 30 days)
1491 - Quinton Miller (4 years, 30 days)
Average number of different winners per season
7.61
Average number of race nights per season
14.65
1st feature winner in division history
Ken Irvine (4/29/89)
50th feature winner in division history
Rick Suckow (6/6/92)
100th feature winner in division history
Chris Wessner (8/26/95)
150th feature winner in division history
Jarod Weepie (8/22/98)
200th feature winner in division history
Guy Stacy (6/8/02)
250th feature winner in division history
Bill Meyer (7/9/05)
300th feature winner in division history
Josh Irvine (6/20/09)
Seasn opener win following championship night win season before
2 - Chris Wessner (1994-1995, 1995-1996)
1 - Patrick Stansbery (2000-2001)
1 - Brian Irvine (2003-2004)
Won opening night feature and track championship same season
1 - Lon Gadow (1990)
1 - Forrest Frost (1992)
1 - Kevin Hoehne (1994)
1 - Chris Wessner (1995)
1 - Doug Otto (1999)
1 - Jeff Roete (2000)
1 - Brian Irvine (2004)
1 - Chris Luloff (2008)
1 - Josh Irvine (2009)
Monthly sweeps (minimum of 3 races run that month)
July 1995 - Chris Wessner (3 races)
July 2002 - J.R. Kahler (3 races)
May 2004 - Brian Irvine (3 races)
Days as career wins leader (through 8/27/11)
5894 - Chris Wessner (7/8/95-8/27/11)
2282 - Ken Irvine (4/29/89-7/29/95)
700 - Rick Johnson (8/28/93-7/29/95)
RAINOUT TRENDS
Since 1967, there have been a total of 813 weekly events scheduled at Independence. Of those 813 race nights, 172 were canceled. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
April: 12 rainouts in 26 events for a 53.8% success rate
May: 67 rainouts in 200 events for a 66.5% success rate
June: 37 rainouts in 192 events for an 80.7% success rate
July: 27 rainouts in 200 events for an 86.5% success rate
August: 29 events in 195 events for an 85.1% success rate
April: 7.0% of all rainouts
May: 39.0% of all rainouts
June: 21.5% of all rainouts
July: 15.7% of all rainouts
August: 16.9% of all rainouts
When considering the season in separate halves, where May and June comprise the first half of the season and July and August are the second half (I omitted April since it accounts for so few of the overall events), there have been 104 rainouts in 392 events scheduled for the first half of the season, whereas there have only been 56 rainouts in 395 events scheduled for the second half of the season. That means, historically, 65% of all rainouts have come during the first half of the season, nearly twice as many as in the second half.
The earliest date the track has scheduled a weekly points race is April 24, while the latest date in August has been August 31. When you consider those dates and all dates in between, three to seven races have been scheduled at the speedway on each of those dates over the past 45 years. The most rainouts for a single date in the last 45 years is four. Just four dates - May 7, May 17, May 22 and June 2 - hold that dubious distinction. While no date has rained out every year, there are 31 dates that have never rained out at all.
Here is a look back at the dates that comprised the 2011 schedule, along with the rainout trends as we entered the past season. The status of the 2011 program for each date follows:
April 30: 2 successful shows in 3 attempts (66.6% success rate) / Rained out in 2011
May 7: 1 for 5 (20%) / Completed program in 2011
May 14: 3 for 5 (60%) / Rained out
May 21: 3 for 5 (60%) / Rained out
May 28: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
June 4: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
June 11: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
June 18: 4 for 5 (80%) / Completed
June 25: 4 for 5 (80%) / Completed
July 2: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
July 9: 4 for 5 (80%) / Completed
July 16: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
July 23: 5 for 5 (100%) / Rained out for the first time in track history
July 30: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
August 6: 4 for 5 (80%) / Completed
August 13: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
August 20: 4 for 5 (80%) / Completed
August 27: 5 for 5 (100%) / Completed
If the 2012 reflects the same scheduling pattern as previous years, the following dates will be scheduled next season. Listed with those dates below are their rainout trends over the last 45 years:
April 28: 2 successful shows in 3 attempts (66.6% success rate)
May 5: 4 for 6 (66.6%)
May 12: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
May 19: 4 for 6 (66.6%)
May 26: 3 for 6 (50%)
June 2: 4 for 6 (66.6%)
June 9: 4 for 6 (66.6%)
June 16: 3 for 6 (50%)
June 23: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
June 30: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
July 7: 6 for 6 (100%)
July 14: 6 for 6 (100%)
July 21: 3 for 6 (50%)
July 28: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
August 4: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
August 11: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
August 18: 5 for 6 (83.3%)
August 25: 4 for 6 (66.6%)
Years when the above dates have fallen on the schedule, the track averages 4.8 rainouts for the season, meaning 2012 could be a wetter than average season. Afterall, the average number of weekly races run per season over the last 45 years is 14.62 out of an average of 18.1 scheduled. That means the dates that may fall on the schedule in 2012 result in one more rainout than average. Also, we entered 2011 with nine dates on the calendar that had never rained out. Looking ahead to 2012, there are only two such projected dates on the schedule.
With that, I'm Blitzed out for 2011. Thank you to everyone for your support of the speedway this season. While there will be no more Blitzes until next spring, I do hope to throw out some random facts and other oddities throughout the course of the off-season. Also, if you have old photos from Independence and want to share them with other race fans from the area, I will gladly post them on here and/or the Independence facebook page. If you haven't already checked out the facebook page, there are a number of old driver photos, points sheets and souvenir programs on there in the Days Gone By album.
Since I've been working on this during the week and finishing up some other odds and ends in preparation for my week-long visit to Boone Speedway for next week's IMCA Super Nationals, I didn't schedule any races to hit this week. There are still a lot of specials on the calendar in the coming weeks, along with a few weekly shows remaining in 2011. Be sure to check out the remaining schedule for this season on the Positively Racing Special Events Calendar! I'll see you at the races!
