Bowling tops 22 car late model field, Mueller gets first win
By Dana Royer/34 Raceway

BURLINGTON, IA (April 28) ­ Four of the five classes of racing action at 34 Raceway saw first time winners for the 2007 season. Getting wins were Tom Bowling, Jr., Danville, (late models), Rich Smith, Davenport (modifieds), Jeff Mueller, New London, (stock cars) and Doug Fenton, Burlington (hobby stocks). Brian Hetrick of Gladstone, Il, made it two for two in the 305 sprint class following a win last week. In the track¹s second race of the year, 107 cars entered the nights action.

The J and J Steel/Ideal Ready Mix IMCA Late Models held their first points race of the 2007 season and coming out on top was Danville¹s Tom Bowling, Jr. Lonnie Bailey set the pace for the twenty five lap late model feature working to hold off Johnny Johnson for the first half of the race. On lap twelve Bowling, who was running a close third, was able to pass Johnson in turn four and set his sights on the leader. On lap eighteen Bowling took the lead on the back stretch but couldn¹t shake Bailey. The two raced side by side bumper to bumper. Bailey regained his lead on lap twenty and held the lead for three laps. Bowling again got the lead back on lap twenty three, then a caution came out on lap fourteen making for a green, white, checkered finish. Bowling held off Bailey and went on to take the checkered by three car lengths. Bailey finished second and Ron Elbe took third.

Newcomer Rich Smith of Davenport won his first modified feature at 34 Raceway taking the checkered flag in the twenty five car field. Smith took the lead from Jim Redmann on lap four of the twenty lap race pulling away from the field. The battle for second would go on behind him between Sean Wyett and Darin Thye. With Smith holding a commanding lead, Thye would finally get by Wyett with two laps to go to finish second.

The IMCA Stock Cars took to the track for the first feature of the night. Twenty four cars set the field for the fifteen lap race. Jeff Mueller wasted no time taking the lead on lap two followed closely by Kirk Kinsley. Mueller began to pull away from the field midway through the race while Kinsley, Jason Cook and Darin Thye battled for second. By lap fourteen, Chris Webb joined the battle and moved into the fourth spot. Kinsley would hold off both to finish second behind Mueller while Thye took third and Webb fourth. The Stock Cars will not be racing this Saturday, May 5, but will instead race for points during the 410 Outlaw Sprint Show to be held Sunday, May 6.

Brian Hetrick, Gladstone, Illinois, won his second strait Zaiser Fabrication 305 Sprint feature in two weeks. Hetrick took the lead from Jayson Ditsworth on lap five and went on to pull away from the field. After wrecking last week, Donnie Steward came back this week to finish second followed by Dustin Whiting.

Doug Fenton took the lead from Jake Wenig on lap twelve of the fifteen lap Pepsi Hobby Stock Feature in a race the featured twenty six cars. Dan Wenig moved into the second spot but was unable to catch Fenton who then went on to take the checkered flag in the fifteen lap race. Wenig finished second and John Oliver followed for third.

COMING UP....
Scout Night May 5 and 410 Sprints May 6
Coming up this weekend fans will get a double dose of racing action at 34 Raceway. Saturday, May 5 will be Century 21 - Jon Salvador Night with points races for late models, hobby stocks, modifieds and sprints. It will be ³Scout Night² with all scouts (boys and girls) in uniform admitted free to the grandstands. Parents accompanying the scouts will get $1.00 off admission Saturday, May 6 the 410 sprints will return to 34 Raceway with the IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints. What¹s more exciting than the rumble of twenty -plus methanol fueled winged warriors in 800+ horse powered cars. Early entries include Travis Whitney, Scotty Nietzel, Kim Mock, John Haeni, Donny Goeden, Bill alley, Skip Jackson and World of Outlaws Star, Terry McCarl.

Contingency Sponsors
Late Models: Shottenkirk $25 bonus bucks, Electric Rayz Tanning $25 bonus bucks, Snap-On Tools $25 bonus bucks. 305 Sprint Cars: Electric Rayz Tanning $25 bonus bucks, Snap-on Tools $25 bonus bucks. Modifieds: Shottenkirk $25 bonus bucks, Electric Rayz Tanning $25 bonus bucks, Snap -On tools $25 bonus bucks. Stock Cars: Mike¹s Auto parts $25 bonus bucks/Tim Breuer, Electric Rayz Tanning $25 bonus bucks. Hobby Stocks: Mike¹s Auto Parts $25 bonus bucks/Ron Kibbe, Electric Rayz Tanning $25 bonus bucks.

34 Raceway 4/28/07 Results

J & J Steel/Ideal Ready Mix IMCA late Models
FEATURE: 1. Tom Bowling, Jr., Danville, 2. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy, Il., 3. Ron Elbe, Augusta, Il., 4. Johnny Johnson, Burlington, 5. TJ Criss, Oskaloosa, 6. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, 7. Leroy Brenner, Aledo, Il., 8. Matt Ryan, Davenport, 9. Joey Gower, Quincy, Il., 10. Tom Goble, Burlington, 11. Matt Bailey, Quincy, Il., 12. Sam Halstead, New London, 13. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Il., 14. Clink Kirkham, Camden, Il., 15. Nate Beuseling, Coal Valley, 16. Chris Guerrero, Macomb, Il., 17. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, 18. Colby Springsteen, Morning Sun, 19. Cory Richards, Burlington, 20. Matt Strassheim, Burlington, 21. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis, 22. Keith Pratt, Mendon, Il., HEAT WINNERS: L. Bailey, Russell, Bowling.

MILLER LITE IMCA MODIFIEDS
FEATURE: 1. Rich Smith, Davenport, 2. Darin Thye, Burlington, 3. Sean Wyett, Danville, 4. Dean McGee, Galesburg, Il., 5. Bill Parks, Colchester, Il., 6. Andy Krieger, West Burlington, 7. Kevin Goben, Sherrard, Il., 8. Jim Redmann, Lockridge, 9. Brandon Savage, Keokuk, 10. Phillip Cossel, Montrose, 11. Todd Holman, Ottumwa, 12. Brad Carson, Colchester, Il., 13. Kyle Kaestner, Burlington, 14. Bill Roberts, Jr., Burlington, 15. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison, 16. Adam Carson, Colchester, Il., 17. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, 18. Dave Cloke, Burlington, 19. Steve Powell, West Burlington, 20. Scott Boles, New London, 21. Dave Anderson, Burlington, 22. Norm Brakeville, Monmouth, Il., 23. David Goble, Burlington, 24. Mike Weikert, Jr., Muscatine, 25. Kevin Cale, Donnellson. HEAT WINNER: Weikert, Redmann, Anderson.

IMCA STOCK CARS
FEATURE: 1. Jeff Mueller, New London, 2. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello, 3. Darin Thye, Burlington, 4. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Il., 5. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, 6. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun, 7. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, 8. Derek Coleman, New London, 9. Todd Holsteen, Burlington, 10. Tim Breuer, Burlington, 11. Rod Staats, Columbus Jct., 12. Shane Watts, Burlington, 13. Greg Johnson, Burlington, 14. Adam Vantiger, 15. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Il., 16. Patrick Mincer, Columbus Jct., 17. Corey Strothman, New London, 18. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant, 19. Doug Hulls, Carthage, Il., 20. Shawn Whiting, West Burlington, 21. Randy Wachter, Burlington, 22. Ryan Cook, Mt. Pleasant, 23. Derek Goble, Burlington, 24. Doak Allen, Jr. HEAT WINNERS; Breuer, Simmons, Mueller.

PEPSI HOBBY STOCKS
FEATURE: 1. Doug Fenton, Burlington, 2. Dan Wenig, West Burlington, 3. John Oliver, West Burlington, 4. Jason Gerdes, Lomax, Il., 5. Chuck Underwood, Burlington, 6. Dean Kratzer, Montrose, Il., 7. Sky Griffith, Mediapolis, 8. Tony Witte, Danville, 9. Joe Laue, Wapello, 10. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis, 11. Tanner Thomann, West Burlington, 12. Brodie Dopler, Wapello, 13. Ray Raker, Danville, 14. Cale Samberg, Burlington, 15. Russell Passmore, Burlington, 16. Alex Buffington, Wapello, 17. Mike Bolander, Burlington, 18. Blaine Dopler, Wapello, 19. Jake Wenig, Burlington, 20. Brett Timmerman, Wapello, 21. Brian Holmes, Wapello, 22. Laverne Bowman, Burlington, 23. Darin Knight, Wapello, 24. Jarod Conrad, Wayland, 25. Chase Klenk, New London, 26. Ron Kibbe. HEAT WINNERS: Fenton, J. Wenig, Oliver.

ZAISER FABRICATION 305 SPRINTS
FEATURE: 1. Brian Hetrick, Gladstone, Il., 2. Donnie Steward, West Burlington, 3. Dustin Whiting, Burlington, 4. Jayson Ditsworth, Gladstone, Il., 5. Justin Newberry, West Burlington, 6. Gary Bonar, Burlington, 7. Jamie Needham, Moline, Il., 8. Dale Oaks, West Burlington, 9. Kevin Hetrick, Gladstone, Il., 10. Frankie Rodgers. HEAT WINNERS: Ditsworth, Steward.