7/2/2017
Malvern Bank 360 Sprints
Calvin Landis Takes Knoxville!
There wasn’t a better place to be this 4th of July weekend other than Knoxville Raceway. The Carpetland Nebraska 360 Sprint Series presented by Malvern Bank made their way to the most famous 1/2 mile dirt track in the world. The event was co-sanctioned with the Upper Midwest Sprint Series in conjunction with their weekly 360 racing program. Forty cars were in attendance making up four heat races.
The first heat race was lead to the green flag by Nebraska’s Josh Riggins with Kade Morton on his outside. Riggins got a a great start leading the field to the 1st green flag lap. Brooke Tatnell moved to 2nd from 4th holding off Chris Martin. The field remained steady giving Riggins the lead followed by Tatnell, Chris Martin, Kade Morton, and Sawyer Phillips.
Heat two saw Christian Bowman and Joe Beaver on the front row. Stu Snyder got a great start and was knocking on the door of leader Christian Bowman as they completed 3 laps. The race was for 3rd place between Joe Beaver and Devin Kline as Beaver slammed the door on Kline holding on to 3rd. The lead by Bowman had stretched to 10 cars over Snyder but Troy Manteufel got sideways on the front stretch bringing out the first yellow of the heat. The heat resumed with Bowman in the lead, Snyder 2nd and Joe Beaver 3rd. Snyder and Beaver put on a great show for the fans but Snyder slid the berm and allowed Beaver to finish 2nd in turn 4. The race was won by Christian Bowman followed by Joe Beaver, Stu Snyder, Devin Kline, and Mitchell Alexander.
The third heat race had Clint Garner and Jamie Ball on the front row. Nate Vanhaaften and Jon Again touched in turn 3, on lap #1, allowing Roberts to move to 5th. Garner, by lap 3, had created a half a straightaway lead over Jamie Ball with Jason Martin running 3rd and Vanhaaften in 4th. The field remained single file giving Clint Garner the lead followed by Jamie Ball, Jason Martin, Nate Vanhaaften and Jon Agan.
The 4th and final heat race was lead by Nebraska 360 Sprint Series regulars John Klabunde and Cody Ledger. Calvin Landis made a great charge to the front chasing down 2nd place running McKenna Haase but Cody Ledger extended his lead by a dozen cars by lap 3. The battle remained for 2nd as Landis got by Haase in turn 1 as she jumped the cushion. Ledger completed his dominance of the heat race by winning by a half a straightaway followed by Calvin Landis, McKenna Haase, Matt Moro, and T.J. Artz.
A big thank you to Howard Law as the drivers finishing in 2nd and 24th, of the A main, will receive an extra $200.
The front row of the B main saw Kade Morton and T.J. Artz lead 18 other cars to the green flag. Sawyer Phillips got a great start as he took the lead off of turn #2 with Kade Morton in tow. The battle for 5th ensued between Seth Brahmer and Cody Wehrle as Brahmer was on the hunt for 4th as he passed T.J. Artz for that spot. Sawyer Phillips, with a 5.6 second lead over Morton extended his lead every lap. John Klabunde looked strong as he maneuvered through traffic but it was Sawyer Phillips who took the lead followed by Kade Morton, John Klabunde, and Seth Brahmer.
The Saldana Racing Products pole sitter for the $1300 to win, 20 lap A main, was Brooke Tatnell and along side of him was Calvin Landen. Tatnell got a great start but McKenna Haase took a terrible tumble, as she clipped the rear of Chris Martin, in turn 1, and rolled multiple times. She was able to get out of the car unscathed.
On the restart, Brooke Tatnell got another good start as Calvin Landis took over the lead going down the backstretch. A lap later, Devin Kline got sideways in turn 4 bringing out another yellow with 2 laps down. Jason Martin from the 14th starting position is up 5 positions to 9th.
Calvin Landis took the green but Joe Beaver came to rest in turn one after a spin.
The 3rd restart of the feature Matt Moro to over take Jon Agan for 4th. Moro continued his charging taking 2nd from Tatnell. Jason Martin, up 7 positions in 6 laps, was on the hunt for 6th running Chris Martin. Landis, with 8 togo, came into lap traffic with a front stretch lead over Agan. Cody Ledger moved to 7th as Jason Martin got loose in turn 4. The 3 way battle for 3rd switched positions between Tatnell, Ryan Giles, and Matt Moro. With 5 togo, time was running out for Agan. Jon Agan brought out the yellow as he slowed down the front stretch giving up 2nd place.
With 2 laps to go, Landis was unstoppable and extended his distance over Tatnell. Calvin Landis took the win followed by, Matt Moro, Brooke Tatnell, Ryan Giles and Cody Ledger finishing 5th.
The is Landis’ 3rd 360ci win of his career and 47th overall piloting a sprint car. “My crew stuck with me, and they stuck behind me,” he stated.
Contingency Awards
M&W Aluminum Certificate- Clint Garner
BR Motorsports Certificate- Cody Ledger
King Racing Products Certificate- Jason Martin
Saldana Racing Products Pole Award- Brooke Tatnell
Wesmar Racing Engines Move of the Race- Matt Moro
Speedway Motors Hard Charger- Sawyer Phillips
Howard Law $200 each- 2nd Place Finisher - Matt Moro
24th Place Finisher - McKenna Haase
A Main Finish (20 Laps)
- Calvin Landis
- Matt Moro
- Brooke Tatnell
- Ryan Giles
- Cody Ledger
- Clint Garner
- Jason Martin
- Sawyer Phillips
- Jamie Ball
- Nate Vanhaaften
- Stu Snyder
- Devin Kline
- John Klabunde
- Kade Morton
- Jon Agan
- Chris Martin
- Tyler Groenendyk
- Josh Riggins
- Mitchell Alexander
- Seth Brauer
- Christian Bowman
- Ryan Roberts
- Joe Beaver
- McKenna Haase
The Carpetland Nebraska 360 Sprint Series presented by Malvern Bank will head north to Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota next Friday night the 7th. This is a co-sanctioned event with the Midwest Sprint Touring Series.
For more information, please visit our website at www.nebraska360sprintseries.com or follow us on Facebook for up to date results.
Article Credit: Travis Johnson
Submitted By: Travis Johnson
