Popular Indee Drivers' Day Car Show kicks off season

Before I talk about the Independence Motor Speedway car show on Saturday, I need to thank Tammy Rasmussen of the Independence Chamber of Commerce and Captain Brian Brinkema of the Independence Police Department for all their help and hard work in making this year's Indee Drivers' Day a great success. Rasmussen and Brinkema played an enormous role in organizing this year's event and we wouldn't have had the great turn-out without all their efforts.

Twenty-six race cars were on display at this year's car show, held on First St. in downtown Independence. A nice variety of entrants from all five weekly racing divisions lined the downtown area, breaking down as follows:
Late Models (6): Curt Martin, Tracey Rigel, Rick Wendling, Greg Hunter, Travis Smock and Joel Brasch;
Modifieds (3): Adam Johnson, Jerry Luloff and Mike Manson;
Stock Cars (6): Sean Johnson, Jason Hocken, Scott Beauregard, Phil Holtz, Norman Chesmore and Russell Damme Jr.;
SportMods (3): Shane Ebaugh, Jim Buhlman and Brandon Smith;
Hobby Stocks (8): Bruce Fraser, Shawn Kuennen, Nathan Christie, Jim Ball, Marcus Wayne, Quinton Miller, Lowell Potter and Vince Buchholz.

Along with three go-karts driven by area youngsters, area racing legend Gary Crawford provided a couple of other conversation pieces for the morning festivities. Crawford had a late-1970s Camaro on display, familiar to the machine he piloted at race tracks throughout the region some 30-plus years ago. He also provided a 1969 Bonneville that will serve as the 2012 pace car for the speedway. The huge crowd of car show-goers was impressed with all of the entries and gave special attention to the cars Crawford displayed.

Award winners included:
Go-karts: Best of Show (Landon and Logan Duffy), Most Unique Graphics (Brady Kohrs);
IMS cars: Best of Show (Mike Manson), Fan Favorite (Marcus Wayne), Most Unique Graphics (Shane Ebaugh).

 

Marcus Wayne - #5 IMCA Hobby Stock - Fan Favorite

  Shane Ebaugh - #14 IMCA SportMod - Most Unique Graphics

 Mike Manson - #49 IMCA Modified - Best of Show

 Gary Crawford's 1970s Camaro

 Gary Crawford's 1969 Bonneville - The Official Pace Car of Independence Motor Speedway

While I was impressed with a lot of the new looks this season, I was most impressed with the Stock Car division entries. Although they weren't award winners on Saturday, Phil Holtz, Jason Hocken and Norman Chesmore will be piloting some sharp looking rides this season. And, as always, defending track champion Sean Johnson has a sweet look to his #8R.

Among the list of drivers above, one name especially stands out. Veteran Greg Hunter, who "retired" some five years ago, will be back in the weekly wars this season in his familiar #7.

Jason Hocken - #JR3 IMCA Stock Car

 Phil Holtz - #7H IMCA Stock Car - This car is so sharp, the graphics leap out at you. It's almost too classy looking to put on a race track!

 Greg Hunter - #7 IMCA Late Model

Travis Smock - #98 IMCA Late Model

Quinton Miller - #73 IMCA Hobby Stock

All of the above photos are courtesy of Scott Tjabring of Action Track Photography, the track photographer at Independence for the last 10-plus years. These photos and more are available at www.actiontrackphotos.com. 

Around 50 cars took part in the annual test and tune session at the fairgrounds following the car show. While the track did tend to tear up a bit as the afternoon went on, Indee race fans seemed impressed with all the hard work Darin Burco, Todd Summers and the crew from S&B Promotions has already done this spring. Darin and Todd are committed to getting the new clay ironed in and smoothed out. 

A number of other cosmetic changes will be noticed by fans this season. An additional concession stand should be completed by next Saturday's opening night. The addition was created to alleviate the congestion in the concession line and prevent fans from missing any racing when they run downstairs to grab a bite to eat. Other changes are also planned to speed up the flow of the line.

A water line was run from the water post near the pit entrance to the infield. Water trucks will now be able to fill up from the infield without needing to drive across the track and through the pits for refills. 

Other changes are planned as the season progresses, all of which should be welcomed by loyal Indee fans. It looks like the 2012 season shows a lot of promise and we're all looking forward to the season opener on Saturday, April 28. Pits will open one hour earlier than normal, at 3 p.m., to allow more time for registration. Grandstands will open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6.

Tonight, I'll head across town to Benton County Speedway for the weather-delayed season points opener here in Vinton. I hope to see you there!