Saathoff snares chilly Spring Nationals victory at Beatrice
By Scott Wisdom

Beatrice, Neb. (March 18, 2006) ­ Prevailing over conditions that were more typical of winter than of spring, Johnny Saathoff topped the Saturday Spring Nationals feature for IMCA Modifieds at Beatrice Speedway.

With heat race and pole dash victories under his belt from Friday's program, Saathoff shot to the lead in Saturday's main event and led the second place car by as much as half a straightaway.

Several cautions kept the race close, however, but Saathoff held Jay Noteboom of Hinton, Iowa, at bay for the $3,300 payday. Defending race winner Brian Foote of Essex, Iowa, was third.

Rounding out the top five were Ricky Stephan of South Sioux City and Cory Lagroon of Salina, Kan.

The Spring Nationals victory was the career fourth for Saathoff.

Mike VanGenderen of Newton, Iowa, made a last lap dash to win the Spring Fling feature for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, following a late caution involving a couple front running contenders.

The Modified main event was moved up a day because of snow and bitterly cold temperatures. Eight states and one Canadian province were represented in the feature.

Feature Results

Modifieds ­ 1. Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice; 2. Jay Noteboom, Hinton, Iowa; 3. Brian Foote, Essex, Iowa; 4. Ricky Stephan, South Sioux City; 5. Cory Lagroon, Salina, Kan.; 6. Chris Alcorn, Lincoln; 7. Greg Metz, Washington, Kan.; 8. Ed Turnbull, Estevan, Sask.; 9. Joren Boyce, Minot, N.D.; 10. Kenny Ziegler, Junction City, Kan.; 11. Dan Bohlmeyer, Beatrice; 12. Bill Bader II, Omaha; 13. Brent Schlake, Blue Springs; 14. Spencer Sutton, Odell; 15. Jason Logan, Diller; 16. Kevin Lisafeld, Lampann, Sask.; 17. Mark Neal North Sioux City, S.D.; 18. Chris Pruitt, Stuart, Iowa; 19. Aaron Turnbull, Estevan, Sask.; 20. Eric McMillian, Home, Kan.; 21. Myron DeYoung, Crystal, Mich.; 22. Marlyn Seidler, Underwood, N.D.; 23. Jason Pursley, Wheatland, Mo.; 24. David Werbelow, Shawano, Wis.; 25. Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa; 26. Jeff Jones, Council Bluffs, Iowa; 27. Rick Germar, Red Oak, Iowa; 28. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice.

Stock Cars ­ 1. Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa; 2. Randy Killen, Des Moines, Iowa; 3. Todd Laflin, Beatrice; 4. Jeremy Bell, Hastings; 5. Bryan LaRiviere, Wichita, Kan.; 6. Dustin Schmidt, Fairbury; 7. Mike Pierrard, Green Bay, Wis.; 8. Leif Weyer, Centralia, Kan.; 9. Brent Reierson, Arlington, Minn.; 10. Clayton Deppe, Kellogg, Iowa; 11. Eric Weyer, Centralia, Kan.; 12. Tony Ditch, North Platte; 13. Lance Borgman, Beatrice; 14. Troy Jerovetz, Green Bay, Wis.; 15. Joe Luethje, Zearing, Iowa; 16. Josh Carpenter, Fairbury; 17. Tim Bengard, Exira, Iowa; 18. Tyler Phelps, Beatrice; 19. Luke Veren, Haverhill, Iowa; 20. Eric Rempel, Palmyra; 21. Jason Kreft, Carleton; 22. Shane Stutzman, Milford; 23. Sam Howard, Alexandria; 24. Chris Neisen, Burlington, Minn.; 25. Kraig Gretz, Kewaunee, Wis.; 26. Dustin Vis, LeGrand, Iowa; 27. Michael Dancer, North Platte, Neb.; 28. Terry Fletcher, North Platte; 29. Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa.