6/12/2017
Park Jefferson International Speedway
Z98 Night sees familiar faces in Victory Lane
A good crowd and a clean night of racing were featured on Z98 night at the Park Jefferson Speedway this past Saturday. When it was done, some familiar faces were in victory lane.
The saying goes if you aren’t good, be lucky. Well Andy Hoffman has been both in 2017. The now 3 time winner has been rising up the point standings, but in doing so, has been able to pass cars. This past Saturday, Hoffman was also lucky as he drew the pole for the biggest hobby stock race of the regular season in the Road to the Iron Cup for Hobby Stocks. With a purse bolstered by Motor Parts Central and Stephan Welding, Hoffman was able to cruise from his front row starting spot to take the $450 check. Paul Menard and Craig Clift were in hot pursuit and rounded out the top 3.
In the SignMasters Modifieds, it was the Hinton Hammer Jay Noteboom sweeping in for the top spot. Noteboom has been venturing out to a number of tracks this season without really chasing points, and use a narrow track to his advantage to take the win. Ricky Stephan and Shane Demey had a great battle to round out the top 3 spots with Jim Thies coming from seventh just missing a podium finish.
The J&J Fitting Stock Cars never fail to disappoint when the 66Z of Elijah Zevenbergen is in the show. Zevenbergen and Zach Olivier consistently put on one of the most exciting features week in week out. Both drivers started in row 6, and passed 10 of the toughest stock car drivers in the area. With longtime feature winning drivers like Bo Lundquist, Greg Taylor and Aaron Cain sitting ahead of them, Zevenbergen and Olivier picked their way to the top spots and are now back firmly in control of the point lead. Greg Taylor put in a stellar run to finish third.
In the Schaeffer Oil Sport Modifieds, it was Dave Riley, better known for his Hobby Stock runs, picking up the top spot. Riley was able to hold off the challenges of Rusty Montagne and was able to make quick work of Cody Thompson to pick up an exciting win that was very popular with the crowd. The Sport Modified division has a great host of regular competitors and drivers of vast experience every week.
The IMCA Fox 620 Sport Compacts saw a feature victory go to Luke Jackson. Jackson finished the race in 3rd place behind Jake Newsom and Tyler Thompson, however both were disqualified for illegal modifications to the front wheel drive machines. Jackson was awarded the win after astute tech by Lou DeVries and crew. David Bates earned the silver and Derek Boggs had an impressive finish for the bronze.
In the Keizer Wheels Championship Sprints, it was first timer Eric Lutz pulling into victory lane. Lutz has been on fire wherever he runs, and just finished sweeping a weekend of racing at the Black Hills Speedway in the ASCS Frontier Region. Lutz was able to take advantage of his front row starting spot to get the jump on Greg Bakker and Casey Friederichsen. Bakker, the form track prep manager at Park, was strong in his State Bank of Fairmont #11 and had some opportunities to get by Lutz but Lutz’s #5 machine was too strong. Casey Friedrichsen had a strong finish to take third.
In the IMCA RACESaver divisions 2nd night ever at Park Jefferson, it was veteran John “Longhair” Lambertz picking up the win over Shane Fick and winner Colin Smith. Lambertz, who has more experience than Fick has age, was able to take the jump from the first row and cruise to his first win at the facility. Fick and Smith put on a good show for the runner up spot and young Elliot Amdahl finished in 4th.
Park Jefferson will be closed this week to allow fans to attend the Sioux City Awesome Biker Nights festival. Racing will resume on June 24th with the return of the Late Model Stockcar Series on Pedersen Machine night.
Submitted By: Adam Adamson
