McCOOL, NE (May 12) - On May 12, a gorgeous evening came to a close with the roar of engines and lights turning on at Junction Motor Speedway outside of McCool Junction on Highway 81. The Street Stock cars and drivers were down to meet and greet the fans under the grandstands. There was also a time for fans and drivers to thank their moms and present them with a carnation at intermission.

After intermission, the Feature races began with the Holiday Inn Four Cylinders taking to the inner short track. Jeremy Foos, from Aurora, dueled for first place throughout several laps with Ryan Pederson, from Sutton, in the #99 car. Foos came from the third row to eventually capture the checkered flag while #99 fell behind to sixth place.

The Cruisers quickly followed with Ken & Drew Barry, from Superior, having the lead from the green flag to the checkered flag. The race was fairly uneventful but a fast 20 laps. Vick & Josh Jacobitz, from Nelson, Nebraska, challenged for 5 laps before they finished in fourth place. Stacey Orlando & Brent Hager (Henderson) took second place.

During the Hobby Stocks’ twelfth lap, John Schmidt (Fairmot), in the 00 car, tangled with Levi Gunn (Superior). Schmidt’s car flipped over in the third turn in front of some relatives who came from England to see him race. A great race ensued, as with 10 laps left to go, Jason Wilkinson (Neligh) came from the fifth row and dove to third place. Wade Wagenblast (Deshler) was holding first place with Brent Kassik (Milligan) in second. The three drivers ran neck-in-neck, occasionally trading places, for the remainder of the race. Coming out of the fourth corner, Jason Wilkinson slipped to the inside to take the victory from Kassik by a fender.

From the start of the Modifieds, it was the #21 car, driven by Wade Cross of Phillips, who passed four cars in the back straight a way before staying in fourth. He quickly took position at first with 17 laps left. He held the lead from Dean Wilkinson of Oakdale and Justin Bell from Omaha. The race ran from start to finish without incident as #21 ran away from the field with an easy win.

In the NAPA Late Models, the ninth lap had Chad Humston, from Giltner, with a flat tire and the 15w car of Mike Wiarda (Aurora) spinning out. John Bridges, of Columbus, took control of the lead and kept Bo Egge (Kearney), Don Smith Jr. (Norfolk) and Al Humphrey (Giltner) at bay. Mike Wiarda came all the way from the back to slip into third place behind Bridges and Egge.

The Street Stock Cars ran last since the drivers had met with their fans under the grandstands. After a caution with only two laps remaining, the placings were Andy Wilkinson (York) in first with Shane Stutzmen (Milford), Jason Wilkinson (Neligh) and Brent Drohman (Deshler) following. The # 15 car of Andy Wilkinson and Stutzman’s 22s traded a touch or two in and out of the corners. Stutzman went high and took control of first place and never looked back. An exciting finish since the first through fourth place cars where all within reach of the win.

Next week will be the Future Farmers of America night with several local chapters helping with the races. The drivers of the Hobby Stock cars will be on the front concourse to meet fans and exhibit their cars.


5/12/2007 - Junction Motor Speedway Results..

NAPA CNCTA Late Models A Main

1) z17 John Bridges
2) 1x Bo Egge
3) 15w Mike Wiarda
4) 18 Don Smith Jr
5) 6 Al Humphrey
6) 5x Mike Marushak
7) 82 Robbie Andersen
8) 3 Dan Jackson
9) 16x Tom Svoboda
10) 1 Chad Humston

Modifieds A Main

1) 21 Wade Cross
2) 8 Justin Bell
3) 52 Dean Wilkinson
4) 55 Shane Stutzman
5) 52s Jeremiah Sillman
6) 50 Scott Smith
7) 72 Mike Lineberry
8) 7 James Libre
9) 07 Mike Goldfuss
10) 47L John Lee

Stock Cars A Main

1) 22s Shane Stutzman
2) 15 Andy Wilkinson
3) 5 Brent Drohman
4) 52 Jason Wilkinson
5) 19 Mel Franz
6) 55 Ron L. Veleba
7) 15s Herb Slough
8) 44 Bryon Boersen
9) 27 Bryce Taylor
10) 11 CJ Simons

Hobby Stocks A Main

1) 27 Jason Wilkinson
2) 21k Brent Kassik
3) 97 Wade Wagenblast
4) 2 Jerod Timmermans
5) 67 Darin Verba
6) 57jr Micah Veleba
7) 12s Todd Slama
8) 15 Ryan Krumbach
9) 53 Tyler Easterday
10) 7d Levi Gunn

Holiday Inn 4 Cylinder Front Wheel Drive A Main

1) 6j Jeremy Foos
2) 10t Troy Hofmann
3) 15w Sam Wiarda
4) 61 Chuck Wergin
5) 50 Andy Sole
6) 99 Ryan Pedersen
7) 26 Michael Wiese
8) 44 Caleb Hetrick
9) 8 Clinton Baker

Two Person Cruisers A Main

1) 77 Ken Barry / Drew Barry
2) 68 Stacey Orlando / Brent Hager
3) 22 John Verba / Steve Verba
4) 69J Vic Jacobitz / Josh Jacobitz
5) 11 Bill Lewis / Jim Lewis
6) 01 Teri Aspegren / Jerrod Aspegren
7) 21 Dustin Nunnenkamp / Austin Carlson
8) 27 Robert Stacy / Christopher Stacy