New faces in Norton’s winner’s circle
By Mike Hughes

NORTON, KS (August 19)—With only one repeat feature winner, several new faces appeared in victory lane at Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton, KS, Saturday evening, August 19.

‘The Red Cloud Rocket’ Lonnie Schriner of Red Cloud, NE, made the trip worthwhile with his first feature win in the IMCA Modified division at Elmwood Park. Schriner is the current point leader at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, NE, where he competes on Saturday night, however with a rainout there, Schriner headed to the ½-mile oval at Norton. After winning the first heat race, Schriner took advantage of his front row starting spot in the feature to grab the lead on lap 2 from Brice Riley and score the win. Several cautions bunched the field throughout the race, but Schriner was up to the challenge. David Murray Jr. worked his way to second with Tim Watts and Brandon Blochlinger close behind. Rick Schwab rounded out the top five. However following the race, track officials docked Murray 2 positions for contact on Blochlinger late in the race in turn 2, moving Watts and Blochlinger both up one position. Brian Calhoon won the other heat race.

Smith Center’s Jason McCartney picked up his first win in the IMCA Stock Car feature. McCartney led the first five laps before being passed by Jason Schoenberger on lap 6. But on the following lap, Schoenberger stalled on the track which brought out a caution. Schoenberger would then retire to the pits. McCartney then led the field back to green and was able to hold off a determined J.R. McCreery for the win. Jason Rogers was a close third, followed by Tyler Hahn and Cory Struckhoff. Schoenberger and McCartney won the two heat races.

Norton’s Kelly Karnopp was the lone repeat winner on the night, scoring his fifth IMCA Hobby Stock feature win. Karnopp took the lead from Logan’s Dustin McClurg on lap 4 and led the rest of the way in the caution free 15-lap race. Adam Balthazor was second, trailed by McClurg, Brady Schoen and Jerry Hudson. Karnopp also was victorious in the heat race.

Mike Hockemeier & Jim Ellis of Arapahoe & Edison, NE, scored their first Cruiser feature win. The Nebraska duo led the first two laps before heat race winners Joe & Jim Carter of Russell took over the top spot. But on the following lap, the Carters lost a wheel in turn 4, ending their night. Hockemeier & Ellis inherited the lead on the restart and led the remaining 6 laps to the checkers. Wes & Chuck Eagleburger finished second, with Macy & Kimberly Thomas third.

Kiser Ag Services of Logan and Stockton was the evening’s race sponsor.

Racing action returns to Elmwood Park Speedway on Saturday evening, September 16. Race time will be 7:00 p.m.



RESULTS

IMCA Hobby Stocks
Heat: 1. Kelly Karnopp, 2. Adam Balthazor, 3. Dustin McClurg, 4. Brady Schoen.

Feature: 1. Karnopp, 2. Balthazor, 3. McClurg, 4. Schoen, 5. Jerry Hudson, 6. Phil Hinger, 7. Laura Hinger.

IMCA Stock Cars
Heat 1: 1. Jason Schoenberger, 2. Jason Rogers, 3. Michael Zajic, 4. Cory Struckhoff.

Heat 2: 1. Jason McCartney, 2. J.R. McCreery, 3. Caleb Peters, 4. Tyler Hahn.

Feature: 1. McCartney, 2. McCreery, 3. Rogers, 4. Hahn, 5. Struckhoff, 6. Peters, 7. Zajic, 8. Josh Hudson (DNF), 9. Jason Davis (DNF), 10. Schoenberger (DNF), 11. Jay Hachmeister.

IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1: 1. Lonnie Schriner, 2. David Murray Jr., 3. Rick Schwab, 4. Mitch Kline.

Heat 2: 1. Brian Calhoon, 2. Brandon Blochlinger, 3. Jason Schoenberger, 4. Brice Riley.

Feature: 1. Schriner, 2. Tim Watts, 3. Blochlinger, 4. Murray, 5. Schwab, 6. Schoenberger, 7. Randy Wilson, 8. Kline, 9. Marty Clark, 10. Riley (DNF), 11. Jerry Teel (DNF), 12. Calhoon (DNF), 13. Randy Washburn (DNS).

Cruisers
Heat: 1. Joe Carter/Jim Carter, 2. Mike Hockemeier/Jim Ellis, 3. Josh Hudson/Tyson Garrison, 4. Macy Thomas/Kimberly Thomas.

Feature: 1. Hockemeier/Ellis, 2. Wes Eagleburger/Chuck Eagleburger, 3. Thomas/Thomas, 4. Jim Palmer/Joann Ellis, 5. Dennis Eagleburger/Roger Deal, 6. Hudson/Garrison (DNF), 7. Carter/Carter (DNF).