Schaben notches first Norton win
By Mike Hughes

NORTON, KS (July 15, 2006) - The temperatures and racing action were both hot at Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton, KS, Saturday evening, July 15.

After finishing second one week ago, Nate Schaben garnered his first win of the season at Norton in the IMCA Modified main event. Schaben, who also won the first heat race, led Randy Washburn, Mitch Kline, Brandon Blochlinger, and heat two winner Rick Schwab to the checkers.

Kensington’s Cory Struckhoff put his #32 IMCA Stock Car in victory lane, his second of the year at Elmwood Park. Jason Rogers finished second, followed by Dan Lauer, J.R. McCreery and Caleb Peters. Heat race winners included Michael Zajic and Josh Hudson.

Kelly Karnopp of Norton won his second IMCA Hobby Stock feature in a row at the half-mile oval. The race got off to a shaky start when Laura Hinger and Phil Hinger tangled, causing Phil to roll his #18 race car. Both drivers suffered bumps and bruises but escaped unharmed. Heat two winner Brady Schoen finished in the runner-up spot, followed by Adam Balthazor, heat one victor Dustin McClurg, and Jerry Hudson.

Wes & Chuck Eagleburger of Norton picked up feature win number four on the season in the Cruiser division. They were chased to the finish line by the two heat race winners, Joe & Jim Carter and Michael Hockemeier & Jim Ellis.

Next up for Elmwood Park Speedway is the Norton County Fair races July 29-30. A regular race program will take place Saturday night at 7:00, while the annual Bud Shootout will be held Sunday starting at 6:30. The regular four divisions will be in action.



RESULTS

IMCA Hobby Stocks
Heat 1: 1. Dustin McClurg, 2. Kelly Karnopp, 3. Brent Schoen, 4. Laura Hinger.
Heat 2: 1. Brady Schoen, 2. Adam Balthazor, 3. Jerry Hudson, 4. Phil Hinger.

Feature: 1. Karnopp, 2. Brady Schoen, 3. Balthazor, 4. McClurg, 5. Hudson, 6. Brent Schoen, 7. P. Hinger (DNF), 8. L. Hinger (DNF).

IMCA Stock Cars
Heat 1: 1. Michael Zajic, 2. Caleb Peters, 3. Cory Struckhoff, 4. J.R. McCreery.
Heat 2: 1. Josh Hudson, 2. Jason Rogers, 3. Jason Schoenberger, 4. Dan Lauer.

Feature: 1. Struckhoff, 2. Rogers, 3. Lauer, 4. McCreery, 5. Peters, 6. Zajic, 7. Tyler Hahn (DNF), 8. Hudson (DNF), 9. Schoenberger (DNF).

IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1: 1. Nate Schaben, 2. Brice Riley, 3. Brandon Blochlinger, 4. Brian Calhoon.
Heat 2: 1. Rick Schwab, 2. Mitch Kline, 3. Randy Washburn, 4. Chad Dolan.

Feature: 1. Schaben, 2. Washburn, 3. Kline, 4. Blochlinger, 5. Schwab, 6. Jason Schoenberger, 7. Marty Clark, 8. Calhoon, 9. Tim Watts, 10. Dolan, 11. Doug Shearer, 12. Riley (DNF), 13. Jeff Walters (DNF).

Cruisers
Heat 1: 1. Michael Hockemeier/Jim Ellis, 2. Macy Thomas/Kimberly Thomas, 3. Jeremy Simmons/Roger Deal, 4. Brandon St. Clair/Scott St. Clair.
Heat 2: 1. Joe Carter/Jim Carter, 2. Wes Eagleburger/Chuck Eagleburger, 3. Rhona Annon/Joann Ellis, 4. Nick Horn/Tim Horn.

Feature: 1. Eagleburger/Eagleburger, 2. Carter/Carter, 3. Hockemeier/Ellis, 4. Thomas/Thomas, 5. Horn/Horn, 6. Annon/Ellis, 7. St. Clair/St. Clair, 8. Simmons/Deal (DNF).