It was then that I decided not to do a race-by-race recap (but I will definitely hit the highlights, of which there were many). Instead, I thought it would be best suited to talk about the weekend as an experience, not just a race. Below, certain things I heard over the course of the weekend will be introduced by things that I heard at the track.
Before I get to that, rewind to the decision to make the trip to Kansas. Jason Goble of 34 Raceway in West Burlington and I met track owners/promoters Mike and Pam Conkwright at the IMCA National Banquet last November. We had the chance to spend some time with them that weekend and made it a point to head to Thunder Hill as soon as we could. Since Jason works at 34 and I work at Independence Motor Speedway, we knew we'd have to make a post or pre-season trip. I can tell you now, we will definitely be going back...
(Results follow below... waaaaay below.)
"Wow, there are a lot of Mods and SportMods here." - Everyone
This was mentioned by almost everyone I talked to during the weekend. The thing is, it wasn't just quantity, it was quality. And it wasn't just the open wheel divisions, it was all divisions. The pit area was littered with accomplished drivers, many of whom finished in the top 20 in national points in their respective divisions. There were names a lot of people from the region may have read about, but may not have seen compete.
While a number of those drivers were local, a lot of them were out-of-staters or from the other side of Kansas and didn't race Thunder Hill on a regular basis...
"It seems every driver I've entered in the computer is from Iowa." - Carrie Becker
That was the response from speednet/driver registration master Carrie Becker on Friday night when I asked her how many Iowans were in the field. I had already seen Jay Noteboom, Richie Gustin and Jesse Sobbing make their way through the gate, but I knew there were more than just the three of them. Randy Havlik, Devon Havlik, Bill Richards, Dustin Smith and Jay Goosmann were a few.
A number of Iowans did the Hawkeye State proud during the weekend. Most notably, national SportMod champion Sobbing swept the two-day show by winning a pair of 25-lap features. He got to the lead fairly early on Friday night, then held off a hard-charging Tyler Frye to take the win. On Saturday, Sobbing made it look a little easier, however it wasn't his win that gained the most attention. His victory burnout on the front stretch was among the best I've ever seen and those in attendance braved the 30 degree temperature to briefly remove their hands from their pockets to applaud.
The IMCA Modifieds qualified 30 cars for their 30-lap features and started three-wide both nights. As always, the three-wide formation got the blood pumping despite the cold weather.
While he didn't need the three-wide start to put on a show, the always entertaining Jay Noteboom did not disappoint all weekend. He raced his way into contention early on Friday night, then engaged in a thrilling battle with former national champion Jordan Grabouski to take the win.
A couple of mid-race cautions kept the field bunched and allowed Noteboom and Grabouski to swap grooves and put on a thrilling battle for the lead before Noteboom pulled away in impressive form.
On Saturday, it appeared Noteboom and Grabouski would again have the final say in the Modifieds. In what was fittingly the finale of the weekend, it was also one of the best races I've seen all season.
Randy Havlik challenged the leaders throughout the 30-lapper and Grabouski appeared poised to split between his challengers exiting turn four midway through the event. He spun between Havlik and Noteboom and was forced to restart last among the 25 cars still on the speedway.
Brendon Gemmill of Ponca City, Oklahoma, had almost joined the leaders before the caution flag waved. Gemmill, who is known as a front-runner throughout the region, appeared to come out of no where to those who were focused only on the front three before the mid-race stoppage.
On the restart, Gemmill powered past Havlik and Noteboom as if he'd had enough of watching them slice and dice for position. He held off his pursuers to take the thrilling win. Havlik edged past the low side of Noteboom at the line for second.
While I'm not up to speed on many of the drivers from western Iowa, I recognized the name Bill Richards and his #22 when he pulled onto the track for Hobby Stock action. He led Friday's 20-lapper while Milligan, Nebraska's Shawn Slezak worked through the pack. Slezak reeled in the leader at various points and pulled alongside the leader in the waning stages for yet another exciting event. Richards pulled away late to score the victory. It was still a great run, and weekend, for Slezak, who recently purchased his new ride from fellow competitor Adam Armstrong.
Saturday's Hobby Stock feature was as exciting as Friday's. Kent Hustad held off Mike Traskowsky and Brent Alverson to take top honors in that event.
"Wow! Whoa! He has a good run off the bottom. He's going to get him." - Everyone
These words, and others just like it, were heard throughout much of the weekend. So many times the battles off the corners left you breathless. That seemed to be the norm for the IMCA Stock Car division both nights. And, like the Mods and SportMods, so many drivers in the national points chase made the Stock Car action that much more exciting.
Friday night, Jeff Tubbs, Kyle Vanover and Nick Tubbs pulled away from the pack and entertained the crowd in a three-car battle throughout most of that event. The trio swapped the lead during the race, but it was eventually Jeff Tubbs taking the win.
Likewise, there was no shortage of entertainment during Saturday's feature. Again, it was Vanover spending a lot of time out front with Nick Tubbs making an impressive run from an 11th row start. Jason Rogers started up front and had a lot of pressure early. In the end, it was Marvin Griffith Jr. taking the win from a fourth row start with Rogers and Tubbs following. Locals said Griffith has had his share of problems holding the lead, but he held off late contact to take his first win in two years.
"I got my first win ever and nobody was here to see it." - Dan Canady
IMCA Sport Compact driver Dan Canady, a veteran of around a dozen years, had been trying for that elusive win and he finally got it Friday night when he topped a 12-car field.
I briefly met Dan during practice night on Thursday when he was registering his car for the weekend. He was talking with Pam and Carrie in the pit office (which was a very warm and welcome place to be... more on that in a little bit) about dialing in his car on the country roads. He laughed about the neighbor kids lining up on the edge of the road when he took his car out for a test and tune session at home.
Unfortunately for Dan, the win wasn't quite complete. I overheard him talking to a friend on the phone in the pits after his race. He told his friend (who also appeared to question his win) that he "got one," but nobody was there to see it. By nobody, he meant it. No family, no friends, no one. I'm sorry to say I didn't see it, either. I was busy hanging out in the pit office I mentioned earlier. Hey, my feet were cold!
I hope Dan's friends didn't make their way to the track Saturday for him to prove it by winning again. Problems midway through Saturday's feature forced him to an early exit and a last place finish.
Saturday's Sport Compact feature was exciting though (yeah, I saw that one), as Monte Honas held off national points contender Scott Spellmeier to take the exciting win.
"I had never been here before, but I’m coming back. I wish this place was closer." - Everyone who was at Thunder Hill Speedway who had never been there before.
I have never heard so many good comments about a race track from first-time visitors. While I would venture to guess most of the crowd in the grandstands was local (due to the weather), all of the first-time visitors in the pits seemed more than happy with the weekend. Not everyone had as successful of a weekend as they were hoping, but everyone agreed - the track, facilities and crew were second-to-none.
"If you were in a 20-lap race and raced all 20 laps differently, I don’t think you could race it wrong." - Shawn Slezak’s dad
While loading up and getting ready to check out from the hotel Sunday morning, I had the chance to talk to the parents of Hobby Stock driver Shawn Slezak. When it came to the racing surface itself, I think the words from Shawn's dad best summed up Thunder Hill. It was one of the raciest tracks I have ever seen. No, not just this year - ever. To say it was smooth from top to bottom and offered multiple racing grooves all weekend wouldn't do it justice. With sweeping, high-banked corners that measure 100 feet, there was plenty of four and even five-wide racing. The track prep crew nailed it this weekend. For any of our local drivers in Iowa reading this, or anywhere else for that matter, when the schedule comes out next spring, circle Thunder Hill Speedway on your calendars. You simply will not regret it.
"I turned in my microphone for another microphone." - Brandon Conkwright
Brandon is the son of Pam and Mike Conkwright and is a vital part of the team at Thunder Hill. He does the lineups in staging and has also spent some time behind the microphone at the race track. A great kid, Brandon seems to enjoy his role on the track side of the operation. The 16 year old also seemed to have the respect of everyone there. Everyone knew him and nobody afraid to come up to him with questions about the program. I think he'll be good for the sport for a long time to come. The only question I have, Brandon... Did you get any ducks Sunday?
"When you hear people talk about racing family, THIS is what they’re talking about." - Pam Conkwright
"We have the best crew you could ask for." - Mike Conkwright
Mike and Pam never let a moment pass without thanking their crew for their hard work and the great job they were doing. They offered words of encouragement when things got a little crazy and they backed up the calls of their crew without hesitation. Whether it was during the middle of a race when the caution flag waved and a call was to be made or between races, they were on the radio either thanking their staff or offering encouraging words. While promoting a race track can be hectic and scattered at times, they realize and appreciate the dedication of everyone involved in the process.
I think these quotes not only sum up the weekend, but why it's so hard to bring my racing season to an end. The crew at Thunder Hill was fantastic all weekend. Despite the cold weather, the late nights and the craziness that comes with 150 cars in the pits, they were a class act through it all. They treat first-time visitors very well and Jason and I were lucky enough to be treated like royalty.
Friday night we caught the action from the pits and Saturday we stayed on the grandstand side. Mike and Pam and their parents invited us to watch the show from the VIP booth where we had the chance to spend most of Saturday night talking with Mike's dad, Dean. He shared with us the history of the race track, the racing history in that part of the country and filled us in on who was racing and who to watch. It was great to not only see new drivers race, but to get the feel for who we were watching.
With that said, I'm still waiting for the 2013 schedule, Pam! I need to know when to schedule my next visit to Kansas!
That will wrap up my racing travels for 2012. I'll have a recap of the season sometime this fall. In all, I went to 20 tracks, saw 84 events and witnessed 192 different drivers visit victory lane over the course of 397 feature events.
While the on-track action is over for me this year, there are still a number of upcoming events before the book is closed on 2012. Saturday, November 17, is the annual awards banquet for Independence Motor Speedway. If you haven't already made plans to attend, visit www.independencemotorspeedway.com for ticket information. The following Saturday, November 24, I again have the privilege of emceeing the IMCA National Banquet in Lincoln, Nebraska. I look forward to seeing friends, both old and new, in November!
Have a great week!
Thunder On The Hill
Thunder Hill Speedway (Mayetta, Kansas)
IMCA MODIFIED
10/26 Feature - 1. Jay Noteboom (Hinton, Iowa); 2. Grant Junghans (Manhattan); 3. Jordan Grabouski (Beatrice, Neb.); 4. Richie Gustin (Gilman, Iowa); 5. Brendon Gemmill (Ponca City, Okla.); 6. Joe Cleveland (Delphos); 7. Kyle Stallbaumer (Topeka); 8. Devon Havlik (Iowa Falls, Iowa); 9. Kenny Sweet (Wichita); 10. Shane Demey (Denison, Iowa); 11. Scott Brown (Meriden); 12. Jerry Phillips (Galva); 13. Rodger Peck (Minneapolis); 14. Derrick Brown (Meriden); 15. Josh Everhart (Burlingame); 16. Cory Lagroon (Salina); 17. Jesse Richter (Great Bend); 18. Van Gemmill (Ponca City, Okla.); 19. Bobby Bills (Wichita); 20. Larry Sutton (Beloit); 21. Mike Petersilie (Hoisington); 22. Jay Goosmann (Hinton, Iowa); 23. Steve Glenn (Hamilton, Mo.); 24. Allen Halderman (Topeka); 25. Corey Burch (Junction City); 26. Richard Spriggs (Savannah, Mo.); 27. Dustin Smith (Lake City, Iowa); 28. Danny Holt (Topeka); 29. Bob Zoubek (Dorchester, Neb.); 30. Aaron Pella (Lincoln, Neb.).
10/26 Non-Qualifiers - Justin Becker (Holton); Andrew Hille (Hickman, Neb.); David Solberg (Kinsley); Cliff Shepard (Ogden); Justin Jurgens (Beatrice, Neb.,); Randy Havlik (Boone, Iowa); Tom Charles (Bonner Springs); Scott Terry (Tecumseh); Dan Charles (Basehor); Jeremy Zorn (Russell); Anthony Tanner (Topeka); Jason Estes (Winston, Mo.); Michael Bailey (Hoyt); Jeremy Petty (Smolan); Chadd Brown (Great Bend).
10/27 Feature - 1. Brendon Gemmill; 2. Randy Havlik; 3. Jay Noteboom; 4. Grant Junghans; 5. Bobby Bills; 6. Shane Demey; 7. Van Gemmill; 8. Joe Cleveland; 9. Justin Becker; 10. Jordan Grabouski; 11. Derrick Brown; 12. Jay Goosmann; 13. Dustin Smith; 14. Rodger Peck; 15. Allen Halderman; 16. Cliff Shepard; 17. Mike Petersilie; 18. Tom Charles; 19. Kyle Stallbaumer; 20. Jerry Phillips; 21. Kenny Sweet; 22. Jesse Richter; 23. Devon Havlik; 24. Cory Lagroon; 25. Dan Charles; 26. Bob Zoubek; 27. Andrew Hille; 28. Corey Burch; 29. Steve Glenn; 30. Richie Gustin.
10/27 Non-Qualifiers - Anthony Tanner; Melvin Bailey; Michael Bailey; Jason Estes; Tyler Sutton; Jeremy Zorn; Danny Holt; Aaron Pella; Scott Terry; Scott Brown; Justin Jurgens.
IMCA STOCK CAR
10/26 Feature - 1. Jeff Tubbs (Colby); 2. Kyle Vanover (Beatrice, Neb.); 3. Nick Tubbs (Colby); 4. Terry Cunningham (Wakeeney); 5. Arnold Williams (Russell); 6. Greg Deters (Centralia); 7. Justin Murdock (Concordia); 8. Eric Weyer (Centralia); 9. Cody Williams (Park); 10. Jason Davis (Norton); 11. Mike Taylor (Topeka); 12. Tyler Tipton (Weskan); 13. Zachary Henery (Topeka); 14. Anthony Robertson (Savannah, Mo.); 15. Bob Arnold (Salina); 16. Marvin Griffith Jr. (Holton); 17. Ken Fleury Jr. (Manhattan); 18. Alvie Christofferson (St. Joseph, Mo.); 19. Brad Labonte (Lawrence); 20. Jason Rogers (Selden); 21. Matt Haid (Meriden); 22. Brian Labonte (Lawrence); 23. Michael Pepper (Manhattan); 24. Justin Meyer (Bremen).
10/27 Feature - 1. Marvin Griffith Jr.; 2. Jason Rogers; 3. Nick Tubbs; 4. Terry Cunningham; 5. Justin Murdock; 6. Jason Davis; 7. Zachary Henery; 8. Arnold Williams; 9. Eric Weyer; 10. Tyler Tipton; 11. Michael Pepper; 12. Anthony Robertson; 13. Brad Labonte; 14. Cody Williams; 15. Jeff Tubbs; 16. Keith Riley; 17. Kyle Vanover; 18. Alvie Christofferson; 19. Bob Arnold; 20. Greg Deters; 21. Justin Meyer; 22. Jared Nelson; 23. Brian Labonte; 24. Mark Zorn.
IMCA SPORTMOD
10/26 Feature - 1. Jesse Sobbing (Glenwood, Iowa); 2. Tyler Frye (Belleville); 3. Kyle Olberding (Seneca); 4. Kurtis Pihl (Lindsorg); 5. Adam Patch (Holton); 6. Shawn Harker (Nebraska City, Neb.); 7. Curtis Dreasher (Hoyt); 8. Mike Appel (Dodge City); 9. Eddie Schwope Jr. (St. Joseph, Mo.); 10. Austin Carter (New Cambria); 11. Clay Hale (Cameron, Mo.); 12. Rich Boyden (Dover); 13. Jeremy Longmeyer (Lavista, Neb.); 14. Daniel Gottschalk (Ellis); 15. Dan Vavrina (Niwot, Co.); 16. Rick Dreasher (Hoyt); 17. Clint Baker (Meadville, Mo.); 18. Ricky Tanner (Topeka); 19. Brenden Damon (Great Bend); 20. Bryan Rigsby (Topeka); 21. Gary Holthaus (Topeka); 22. Chas Klinkner (Manhattan); 23. Devin Stock (Topeka); 24. Dusty Leonard (Marysville).
10/26 Non-Qualifiers - Gene Becker (Kincaid); Derek Smith (Topeka); Shelly Anderson (Lincoln, Neb.); Jeff Davis (Topeka); Josh Blumer (Marysville); Chance Hug (Mayetta); Eric Spreer (Perry); Greg Sidles (Emmetsburg, Iowa); Daniel Smith (Wichita); Barndon Belvill (Concordia); Jacob Schmutz (Junction City); Bret Degand (Topeka); Josh Appel (Dodge City); Trenton Kleweno (Hays); Mary Lenz (Elmwood, Neb.); C.J. Pfannenstiel (Coller); Rodney Klinkner (Manhattan); Don Strecker (Wakeeney); Darin Nelson (Onaga); Toby Finnell (Manhattan); Ricky Abrams (Silver Lake); Luke Stallbaumer (Tecumseh).
10/27 Feature - 1. Jesse Sobbing; 2. Shawn Harker; 3. Eddie Schwope Jr.; 4. Bryan Rigsby; 5. Kyle Olberding; 6. Daniel Gottschalk; 7. Austin Carter; 8. Mike Appel; 9. Trenton Kleweno; 10. Greg Sidles; 11. Luke Stallbaumer; 12. Josh Appel; 13. Rick Draesher; 14. Clay Hale; 15. Adam Patch; 16. Gary Holthaus; 17. Devin Stock; 18. Jeremy Longmeyer; 19. Daniel Smith; 20. Kurtis Pihl; 21. Tyler Frye; 22. Curtis Draesher; 23. Gene Becker; 24. Rich Boyden.
10/27 Non-Qualifiers - Shelly Anderson; Derek Smith; Ricky Abrams; Bret Degand; Brandon Belvill; Fred Traskowsky; Brendon Damon; Darin Nelson; Rodney Klinkner; Jeremy Couse; Chance Hug; Dan Vavrina; Jacob Schmutz; Chas Klinkner; C.J. Pfannenstiel; Ricky Tanner; Eric Spreer.
IMCA HOBBY STOCK
10/26 Feature - 1. Bill Richards (Audubon, Iowa); 2. Shawn Slezak (Milligan, Neb.,) 3. Kent Hustad (Sioux City, Iowa); 4. Dominic Thyfault (Topeka); 5. Troy Baumgartner (Topeka); 6. Ryan Roschewski (Beatrice, Neb.); 7. Travis Snyder (Beatrice, Neb.); 8. Brian Stich (Topeka); 9. Brent Alverson (Oskaloosa); 10. Jesse Shotts (Topeka); 11. Mallory Walters (Berryton); 12. Tyler Garst (Topeka); 13. Jacob Waldron (Beatrice, Neb.); 14. Kyle Broughman (Onaga); 15. Waylon Banks (Lawrence); 16. Levi Austin (Rosehill); 17. Larry Hunter (Meriden); 18. Lee Farmer (Bethany, Mo.).
10/27 Feature - 1. Kent Hustad; 2. Mike Traskowsky; 3. Brent Alverson; 4. Shawn Slezak; 5. Troy Baumgartner; 6. Bill Richards; 7. Mark Saathoff; 8. Waylon Banks; 9. Brian Stich; 10. Mallory Walters; 11. Kirk Karst; 12. Jesse Shotts; 13. Tyler Garst; 14. Travis Snyder; 15. John Bass; 16. Dominic Thyfault.
IMCA SPORT COMPACT
10/26 Feature - 1. Dan Canady; 2. Chad Bassinger (Nebraska City, Neb.); 3. Kaylee Diekman (Blue Springs, Neb.); 4. Wade Heller (Manhattan); 5. Jarret Beach (Basehor); 6. Jeremy Sammons (Nebraska City, Neb.,); 7. Al Rice (Minneapolis); 8. Leroy Wagner (Bonner Springs); 9. Monte Honas (Ellis); 10. Don Dales (Manhattan); 11. Jeremy Baker (Nebraska City, Neb.); 12. Alex Boyden (Topeka).
10/27 Feature - 1. Monte Honas; 2. Scott Spellmeier; 3. Kaylee Diekman; 4. Alex Boyden; 5. Al Rice; 6. Don Dales; 7. Leroy Wagner; 8. Jarret Beach; 9. Tom Smith; 10. Dan Canady.
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