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Beatrice Speedway, Beatrice, Nebraska 18 June 2005

After getting rained out on June 4th & June 11th, we were ready to do some racing. The day was sunny and breezy with temps about 88 when we showed up at the track. This was the weekend for Homestead Days and we had the stock car in the parade in the morning.

We drew the pole in the 2nd heat in the stock cars and the inside of the 2nd row in the factory stock. During the time off, I'd gotten a different transmission and put it in the factory stock, hoping that would remedy the problem of the transmission jumping out of gear. I later found it did not take care of the problem.

In the factory stock heats, the top 5 finishers would go to the A Feature, with the top four inverted according to points average. The R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo would have to finish 4th or better to make the invert and start close to the front in the A Feature.

At the drop of the green, it was hammer down. I was hoping to keep the transmission in gear by not letting out of the gas very much. As we went into turn 1, the car in front of me got sideways. I braked hard, but bumped his right rear, sending him spinning to the bottom of the track. I was hoping that the officials didn't think I sent him around on purpose. However, everything looked OK and we continued. We were in 5th and hoped to make it to 4th or better to make the invert.

The track was still tacky on the bottom, but higher up it was rough and dry. With 3 to go, the 89 of Ronda Mewes caught a rut and flattened a tire. On the next lap, the 66 of Jeff Watts did the same thing. We finished making the invert, but also threw a belt on the last lap. Hoping it didn't fry the motor.

We'll let it cool down a bit before working on it. In the meantime, I'm making last minute checks on the stock car.

Once again, the stock car class is taking all finishers in the heat to the A Feature. The top 5 make the invert, after that you fall in behind according to where you finish your heat.

The R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo stock car started on the pole in the 2nd heat. I decided to try to stay on the very bottom and not get run over when the green flew. After the last minute checks, I'm strapped in the car and ready to go.

The bottom of the track is fairly smooth, but a bit further up it's rough. We're out of turn 4 and the flag man is showing the green.... we're racing!

Into turn 1 and everybody has cleared me. I'm running as hard as I can, but can't keep up with the hgih dollar engines. I decided early in the season that I was going to use this to help me get more seat time and become more consistent. Try to run the same times lap after lap. As the laps wind down, the next car ahead of me is a straightaway ahead of me. I finish 7th, which will put me on the outside of row 7 to start the A Feature.

The factory stock has cooled down and we're able to work on it. Must have had a dirt clod come up and get in the belt, making it come off. Everything looks good once that is back on. We fill the radiator and start the engine. It sounds like there may be an exhaust leak someplace and I shut it down. I find some loose header bolts on one side of the engine.

We top off the fuel cell and as I'm getting into the car to belt in, I have Jeff change the air pressure on the left side a little bit. When I got the line-up, I found that the R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo factory stock was to start on the inside of the 2nd row. The m64 of Matt Post was to start on the pole, the 33d of Derek Sand was to start on the outside of the front row, and the 54m of Gary McGinty was starting on the outside of the 2nd row.

Going into tonight, I'm 2 points ahead of the 33d and 4 points ahead of the m64. I would really like to be able to finish ahead of both of them tonight.
br> I'm late getting pulled onto the track, but am fortunate that the officials hold my spot for me. I fall in and as we come out of turn 4, it's time to wave to the crowd during the parade lap. One more and we'll be green.

I have been using a ratchet strap on the shifter rod to keep the transmission in high gear. During the slow laps, I have to get into high gear and tighten the strap. It's in an awkward spot and is especially hard to loosen in case I have to shift. We're able to get into high gear and strap it down tight. We're closed up on the back chute and the lights are off, meaning that we will be green when we come out of turn 4.

The green flag is out and we're hammer down! Into turn 1 and out of turn 2, we've cleared the 33d and the 54m. The m64 is in the lead and the R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo is in the hunt, waiting for the driver of the m64 to make a mistake. Out of turn 4 to complete the 1st lap in 2nd place.

As we're going through turn 1 & 2, the 5m of Neal Mittan passes both of us on the high side. Going down the back chute, we're passed by the 35 of Mike Schwartz and as I go into turn 3, the 6R of Roy Armstrong passes me on the high side. We finish the 2nd lap in 5th place.

The car seems to be better on the bottom. It's smoother and there seems to be some moisture there. I'm still running on the back bumper of the m64 and can move on him. In turn 4, I see the front fender of the 23 of Carey Ames on my inside. I want to try to stay further to the bottom to close off his line. As we come out of turn 4, the 35 and 6R get together ahead of us, with the 6R getting turned into the outside wall just past the flagstand. The yellow is out - slow it down and hold your position.

The wrecker is on the track to pull the 6R to the pits, ending his night. As we line up, the 5m leads, 35 is in 2nd, m64 is 3rd and we're 4th. When the green comes out, we have 16 to go.

While we were under the yellow, both Jeff Shew and Tim Fralin were inside turn 1 motioning me to stay on the bottom. At the drop of the green, I go to the inside of the m64 to try to pass him. For about the next 8 laps, we're running side by side, door handle to door handle. I have the bottom groove and he's on the top. I can get a run on him but can't quite clear him. We're also running up on some lap cars that may be a factor.

The 23 had also been trying to pass me, but wasn't able to get by my back bumper. With 8 to go, I finally clear the m64, putting us into 3rd. The 35 is in 2nd, about 10 car lengths ahead of me. I'm slowly reeling him in. I feel like if I drive consistent and don't make any mistakes, I can catch him.

With 6 to go, I'd closed the gap on the 35. As we're into turn 1, a car spins out of control in turn 2 and stops sideways in the track. The 35 dives to the bottom and I follow. In that split second, the stopped car begins to roll toward the bottom of the track. I've already committed and have no place to go. I'm on the brake and cranking the wheel left, but hit him broadside in the driver's door.

I glance off to the left and keep going. The 23 passes me going down the back chute. My hood is wadded up and I'm afraid the radiator is leaking. I'm watching the temp gauge but it's not overheating yet. I can't smell antifreeze and don't notice any fluids coming into the driver's compartment.

We come out of turn 4 and the scoreboard shows me in 4th place with 5 to go. I'm still running the bottom and watching the gauges. Still, everything looks normal.

Going down the back chute, the 66 of Jeff Watts passes me on the outside and we're backed up to 5th place. The temp gauge is coming up a bit; please, hold on for 4 more laps.

Three to go and the 03 of Aaron Roth passes on the outside going down the front straightaway. I seem to be gaining on the 66, who is running on the back bumper of the 23. At the checkers, the 5m wins, 35 is 2nd, 23 is 3rd, 66 is 4th, 03 is 5th and the R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo is 6th; our best finish of 2005.

Even though I was disappointed that I missed a top 4 finish due to a lap car, I was thankful that it wasn't bad enough I couldn't finish. Once the damage was assessed, I found that the radiator was less than 1/8" from being destroyed. The front bars in front of the radiator will have to be replaced. Time consuming, but I needed more practice welding.

No time to rest much as I still have to check tires on the stock car. That's done and the call is already out for us to get lined up. I'm in the car getting the belts on. We're up as soon as the hobby stock A Feature is over.

There are a couple of yellows so I can relax a bit in the car. The hobby stock race finally finishes up and we're on the track. The field takes the parade lap, then back down the back chute. The lights go out and we're ready to go green.

There were suposed to be two cars starting behind me. Not having a rear view mirror, I have no idea what or who is behind me. The 89 of Sam Howard is supposed to start one row behind me on the inside. I was hoping I could beat him into turn one and stay ahead of him for the rest of the race.

Somebody toward the front of the pack is smoking badly. With 3 laps down, the black flag is displayed for the 1 car of Eric Bartels. Before he gets off the track, his engine lets loose and he is sitting on the bottom of the track in turn 2.

I'm still watching my line, knowing that the 89 would be trying to pass me on the bottom. The green comes out and we're off again. About another 5 laps is down when the 99 of Darcy Dobrolovny spins in front of me in 4. He slides to the bottom of the track and I clear him and hope for a run to the finish. If not, he'll probably pass me.

With 7 to go, the yellow is out and the field is closed up. When we go green again, the 99 passes me on the bottom in turn 1. I still have not seen anything of the 89.

The laps wind down. White flag is out, then the checkers. We finish in 13th, and the car can be driven onto the trailer.

Bob Latta from Marysville, KS, gets airborne in his IMCA Hobby Stock during the heat race at Beatrice Speedway. He rolled two times before coming to rest on his wheels and walked away unhurt.
Photo by Nick Vrtiska

As of this writing, the factory stock is close to being done barring any more problems. The stock car is still on the trailer and will have some maintenance done on it.

On Saturday June 25, I have to take the stock car to a nursing home in Beatrice to talk about racing. I'll see how that goes.

Next race (weather permitting) is at Beatrice Speedway on Saturday June 17. Hot laps at 6 and racing at 7. We hope to see everybody there soon.

Ernie
#6 Factory Stock
#6 IMCA Stock car
Beatrice, Nebraska Speedway
Secretary Blue Knights Nebraska I

6/18/2005
IMCA Stock Car
Racing Results for 6-18-05

A Feature:
1 Eric Rempel Palmyra
2 Robby Marsh Hebron
3 Brandon Johnson DeWitt
4 Corey Koca Milligan
5 Josh Carpenter Fairbury
6 James Griffith Beatrice
7 David Murk Blue Rapids KS
8 Lance Borgman Beatrice
9 Derek Fralin Beatrice
10 Todd Laflin Beatrice
11 Mike Sherwood Beatrice
12 Darcy Dobrovolny Waterville KS
13 Ernie Reiss Beatrice
14 Samuel Howard Fairbury
15 Eric Bartels Jansen

IMCA Stock
Point Standings as of 6-18-05

1 321 Brandon Johnson DeWitt
2 315 Lance Borgman Beatrice
2 315 Robby Marsh Hebron
4 313 David Murk Blue Rapids KS
4 313 Josh Carpenter Fairbury
6 309 James Griffith Beatrice
7 308 Todd Laflin Beatrice
8 296 Mike Sherwood Beatrice
9 268 Samuel Howard Fairbury
10 260 Eric Rempel Palmyra
11 245 Ernie Reiss Beatrice
12 167 Corey Koca Milligan
13 162 Eric Bartels Jansen
14 129 Darcey Dobrovolny Waterville KS
15 106 Derek Fralin Beatrice
16 94 Leif Weyer Centralia KS
17 63 Greg Deters Centralia KS
19 60 Francis Dobrovolny Waterville KS
20 59 Terry Franz Concordia KS

Factory Stock
Racing Results for 6-18-05

A Feature:
1 Neal Mittan Wymore
2 Mike Schwartz Beatrice
3 Cary Ames Beatrice
4 Jeff Watts Blue Springs
5 Aaron Roth Pleasant Dale
6 Ernie Reiss Beatrice
7 Matthew Post Beatrice
8 Derek Sand Hanover KS
9 Jason Jensen Cortland
10 Gary McGinty Fairbury
11 Dallas Dobrovolny Waterville KS
12 Tom Creek Wymore
13 Gary Laflin Beatrice
14 Travis Burger Summerfield KS
15 Ronda Mewes Blue Springs
16 Jeremy Jensen Cortland
17 Jeff Stohs Hanover KS
18 Pat Welch Lincoln
19 Matthew Spanjer Fairbury
20 Roy Armstrong Beatrice

Factory Stock
Points as of 6-18-05

1 333 Neal Mittan WYymore
2 324 Jason Jensen Cortland
3 320 Roy Armstrong Beatrice
4 317 Mike Schwartz Beatrice
5 312 Ronda Mewes Blue Springs
6 299 Jeremy Jensen Cortland
7 274 Aaron Roth Pleasant Dale
8 272 Jeff Watts Wymore
9 260 Ernie Reiss Beatrice
10 256 Derek Sand Hanover KS
11 254 Matt Post Beatrice
12 248 Gary Laflin Beatrice
13 231 Tom Creek Wymore
14 220 Travis Burger Summerfield KS
15 210 Shawn Howard Fairbury
16 209 Delmar Wells Hallam
17 201 Gary McGinty Fairbury
18 188 Darcy Dobrovolny Waterville KS
19 152 Carey Ames Beatrice
20 135 Pat Welch Lincoln
21 127 Owen Spanjer Lexington
22 126 Ryan Young Blue Springs
23 105 Matthew Spanjer Fairbury
24 95 Kasey Garvin Manhattan KS
25 26 Kurt Wilson Hanover KS

Photo by Nick Vrtiska

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Email: blueknightne1@email.com