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Beatrice, NE 9 April 2005

With nowhere to go except to get a bit better, Week 2 went a little better for the R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlos. We once again decided to take both cars to the track and see what would happen. After working on the factory stock all week replacing the hydraulic throwout bearing with a stock bearing and a slave cylinder, we were hopeful things would go better. We'd also had to replace the transmission since the casing on the old one broke while we were putting it in.

Factory Stock Photo by Nick Vrtiska
The weather was partly cloudy with a strong wind. Track officials had apparently put a lot more time into track preparation this week as the corners stayed tacky and there was not nearly the dust as last week. There were some holes about 2 car widths off the bottom of the corners, but you could run the very bottom or a little higher on the track and miss them.

The R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo factory stock was to start on the pole in the 1st heat due to being low points. During hot laps, I found that the transmission would not stay in gear when I let off the gas. I tried to hold it in gear, but that didn't help a lot, either.

I talked to everybody in our heat and told them what was going on with the transmission, so if the inside row got held up, they would know what was happening. I borrowed a hold-down strap to hook onto the shifter in the hopes it would stay in gear with that.

The R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo IMCA stock car felt good in the hot laps and it appeared that all we would have to do to it was check the tire pressure before going out for the heat race. We were to start on the inside of the 2nd row of the 1st heat in that class.

We pulled onto the track in the factory stock and the field quickly lined up. The 6R of Roy Armstrong was to start on the outside pole. If the transmission stayed in gear, I felt we should have a top 3 finish.

Down the back straightaway and the lights were off. Out of turn 4 and the green flag was out. I tried to hug the bottom and as I let out of the gas, the transmission jumped out of gear. I had anticipated that and was holding the shifter with my right hand and steering with the left hand. Without the engine working to slow the car down, the car did not want to turn and I leaned on the 6R pretty hard. I got straightened out, but not before I was in 6th place on the back straightaway. I was able to move a bit higher on the track and stay with the pack. Everybody was working the bottom, but with only one hand to steer, I found a place to run about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up the track. On the 3rd lap, the car just ahead of me slowed and dropped to the inside and I passed. I was holding my breath every lap (I'd never driven a race with one hand) and trying to concentrate on running as smooth as I could. At the checkers, we'd finished 5th, one spot out of making the invert. That put us on the inside of the 6th row in the A Feature.

The limited modified heat races were sandwiched between the factory stock and stock cars, so I had time to get out of one car and strap into the other car. I pretty much decided that we are not going to run both cars on the same night very much more!!

Back on the track with the R & R Racing/Blue Knights IMCA stock car, we got all lined up and took the green flag. I was able to hold this one on the bottom like I wanted to, but everybody else wanted the bottom, too. I stayed close, but was not able to pass anybody. The car seemed to work well anyplace I drove it on the track. Once again, I felt like I was pretty underpowered compared to the other cars. I just concentrated on driving the best line I could - (with BOTH hands!!) and not make any mistakes. My sixth place finish put us on the inside of the 7th row in the A Feature.

We tried to get the tie-down in a better position to hold the shifter in the factory stock, but due to the size of the hooks, it would only work in one spot. At least we would not start in the front and get run over.

I was to start behind the 15j, who won the A Feature last week. I was hoping to be able to keep the car in gear and not run into anybody. We were lined up and the turn 3 flag man is giving us the signal to wave to the crowd. We go under the flagstand and the flagman signals one lap to go for the green. Back down the back chute and the lights flash and go out. We're out of turn 4 but the flagman signals one more lap.

We get bunched back up and once again, the lights are off on the back chute. Out of turn 4 and the green is out! Into turn 1, driving with one hand and holding the shifter with the other, we come out of turn two in good shape. Only one car has passed us.

On about the 3rd lap, the 66 of Jeff Watts slows going down the front straightaway. As I pass him, it looks like he has a flat right front tire. I'd think he must have hooked a rut.

I move back up the track a bit in order to not have to turn as sharp since I'm steering with one hand. I follow the 6B car for a couple of laps, then beat him into turn 3 and pass him. The 22 car is next in my sights and I'm able to quickly get by him. The 40 car is next and I follow him for about 3 laps before passing him on the bottom coming out of turn 4. Everybody seems to be driving fairly straight, but I'm being overly cautious. Several of the cars are new and I'm not sure of what they will do.

I'm able to pass the 54t car high coming oout of turn 4. Another lap or two, I pass the 33d going into turn 3. I'm watching the lap counter and the flagman to see if he's going to be showing the move-over flag any time soon as I've lost sight of the lead pack. The 6R is leading and the 5m is in 2nd place; however I have no way of telling how far apart they are, or how close they are to me.

About 5 laps from the end, the 6R passes me on the bottom coming out of 2. A lap later, the 5m passes me on the bottom coming out of 4. Another lap and the 94j of Jeremy Jensen and the 15j of Jason Jensen pass me low coming out of turn 2. I'm able to stay close enough to have the best seat in the house as the two brothers raced each other for 3rd place. The white flag is out and I have no idea where I'm at as far as a finish, but I'm sure glad it's over! Part way through I caught myself thinking I wish I had one of those ball things on the steering wheel like my uncle had on his John Deere years ago.

I later found that the R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo factory stock finished 10th. Given what we were battling, I'll take it!

I had just enough time to crawl out of one car and put on a couple of tear-aways on the helmet before it was time to line up for the IMCA stock car A Feature.

We pull onto the track and start to line up. Around in front of the grandstand and back down the back straightaway. All drivers wave at the crowd as the crowd waves back. One more time down the back chute and the lights are flashing. Out of turn 4 and the green is waving. It's race time!

I try to get off the bottom and stay out of the ruts. The 89 car is ahead of me and I follow him for about 3 laps. He's another new car and I want to pass him clean. He finally slides high coming out of turn 4 and I pass him. In the meantime, the 98 car, who had started on the pole, dropped out with a flat tire. I stay higher up on the track, trying to stay out of the ruts and out of trouble. A few laps later, the 21F car slowed in turn 3 and pulled toward the top of the track. I passed coming out of turn 4. The 15x was about a half straightaway ahead of me, but I didn't seem to be catching him. I continued to run the high side of the track, fully expecting to be lapped at any time. As I passed under the flagstand, I saw that the flagman had the move-over flag in his hand, but was not actually waving it. I was expecting the leaders to pass at any time, but I still was not being passed. Finally, with about 5 laps to go, the 1B passed me on the bottom coming out of turn 2. On the next lap, the 3 passed me on the bottom coming out of 4. I really expected them to get away from me, but I stayed about 15 car lengths behind and watched the race for the win. They continued to run on the bottom, exchanging the lead several times. As the checkers fell, the 3 nipped the 1B at the line. The R & R Racing/Blue Knights Monte Carlo managed a 10th place finish in the stock car class.

Hopefully, we will be able to come up with a transmission that stays in gear. The stock car shouldn't require anything more than regular maintenance. At idle, the carburetor may need some minor tinkering as I think the float level may be a bit high. Both cars need oil changes and, with another transmission, the factory stock should be ready to go.

Plans now are to race the factory stock at Beatrice on April 16th. The season starts at Deshler on Sunday April 17th and we hope to take the stock car there for the season opener.

We'll see everybody at the races soon!

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

Results - R & R Racing 2005 Beatrice Spring Fling 2005
Opening Night April 2, 2005
Results from April 9, 2005
Results from April 16, 2005
Results from April 23, 2005
Results from April 30 & May 1, 2005
Results from May 7, 2005
Results from May 14, 2005
Results from May 21, 2005
Results from May 28, 2005
Results from June 18, 2005
Results from June 25, 2005
Results from July 2, 2005
Results from July 9, 2005
Results from July 16, 2005
Results from July 23, 2005 (Gage County Fair)
Results from July 30, 2005
Results from August 6, 2005 - Kids' Night
Results from August 20, 2005
Results from August 27, 2005
Results from September 3, 2005
Results from Eagle Raceway September 10, 2005

Archives - April 22, 2000

April 22, 2000 - IMCA Modifieds, Pro-Ams, Factory Stocks, IMCA Hobby Stocks

Photo by Nick Vrtiska

This Saturday turned out to be an excellent day for racing. Forecast called for possible showers later in the evening. With the 6 PM start, racing was over long before any showers came.

The fans saw a lot of good racing in all four classes. In IMCA Hobby Stock, Joel Naaf took the green and never looked back as he took the checkered flag. James Griffeth finished second, Derek Fralin was third and Brian Langdale took a 4th place finish.

Joel Naaf, IMCA Hobby Stock

In Factory Stock, Ronda Mewes got back on track as she won her first Beatrice A Feature in 2000. David Murck also rebounded from first week troubles with a 2nd place finish and Jason Logan kept his points lead with a 3rd place finish.

Ronda Mewes, Factory Stock A Feature Winner In Pro-Ams, Bob Zoubek of Dorchester had a sweep of sorts as he won both the B Feature and came back to take the checkers in the A Feature.

Al Humphrey of Giltner was a guest driver for Kevin Olsen. Even though Al usually drives a Late Model, he seems to still be able to jump into any race car and give it a ride. He'd never been in Kevin's car and finished 3rd in his heat from the back of the pack. He finished 4th in the A Feature as he picked off cars one by one after starting near the back of the pack. It was fun for me to watch and reminisce to years ago when I turned wrenches on Al's Late Model!!

Al "Hombre" Humphrey Takes the 71K to a 4th Place Finish

Johnny Saathoff took the checkers in the IMCA Miller Lite Modified A Feature. Rich Erb of Beatrice won the B Feature and came from the back of the pack to finish 2nd in the A Feature.

The R & R Racing Monte Carlo led the first half of the heat race before fading to a 4th place finish. My old "boss", Al Humphrey, was driving Kevin Olsen's Pro-Am and I got a chance to talk to him and ask for suggestions. After watching Jason in our heat race, Al made some suggestions as to what we might want to do to the car to help out. We ended up with a 3rd place finish in the B Feature, giving us an 18th place starting spot in the A Feature. We finished up the evening with a 12th place finish in the A Feature. I'm hoping Al has some more opportunities to race in Beatrice so we can continue to get good technical advice.

Factory Stock:
First Heat:
1. Scott Boyer, Beatrice
2. Darrin Eisenbarth, Beatrice
3. Brett Goosic, Lincoln
4. Jeff Shew, Beatrice

Second Heat:
1. Dave Murk, Blue Rapids, KS
2. Neal Mittan, Wymore
3. Tim Fralin, Beatrice
4. Jason Rosenthal, Beatrice

Third Heat:
1. RJ Lortscher, Blue Rapids, KS
2. Shane Stutzman, Friend
3. Aron DeWalt, Blue Rapids, KS
4. Todd Laflin, Beatrice

Fourth Heat:
1. Jason Logan, DeWitt
2. Shawn Hein, Beatrice
3. Ronda Mewes, Beatrice
4. Kevin VanLaningham, Beatrice

1st B Feature:
1. Jeff Shew, Beatrice
2. Brian Carnes, Crete
3. Todd Laflin, Beatrice
4. Cory Rains, Dorchester

2nd B Feature:
1. Kevin VanLaningham, Beatrice
2. Mike Schwartz, Beatrice
3. Jason Rosenthal, Beatrice
4. Greg Post, Odell

A Feature:
1. Ronda Mewes, Beatrice
2. David Murk, Blue Rapids, KS
3. Jason Logan, DeWitt
4. Scott Boyer, Beatrice
5. Shane Stutzman, Friend
6. Todd Laflin, Beatrice
7. Neal Mittan, Wymore
8. RJ Lortscher, Blue Rapids, KS
9. Mike Schwartz, Beatrice
10. Tim Fralin, Beatrice
11. Aron Fritzin, Blue Rapids, KS
12. Jason Rosenthal, Beatrice
13. Brian Carnes, Crete
14. Kevin VanLaningham, Beatrice
15. Darin Eisenbarth, Beatrice
16. Brett Goosic, Lincoln
17. Jeff Shew, Beatrice
18. Shawn Hein, Beatrice

IMCA Hobby Stock:
First Heat:
1. Brian Langdale, Beatrice
2. Joel Naaf, Summerfield, KS
3. James Griffeth, Beatrice
4. Chris Klein, DeWitt
Second Heat:
1. Terry Shearer, Auburn
2. Derek Fralin, Beatrice
3. Scott Weins, Beatrice
4. Justin Fritzson, Blue Rapids, KS
A Feature:
1. Joel Naaf, Summerfield, KS
2. James Griffeth, Beatrice
3. Derek Fralin, Beatrice
4. Brian Langdale, Beatrice
5. Terry Shearer, Auburn
6. Scott Wiens, Beatrice
7. Ryan Roschewski, Virginia
8. Justin Fritzson, Blue Rapids, KS
9. Ryan Ohlde, Linn, KS
10. Chris Klein, DeWitt
11. Ryan Gilland, Beatrice
12. Joe Krogman, Marysville, KS

Pro Am:
First Heat:
1. Tracy Arntt, Endicott
2. Brad Anderson, Beatrice
3. Lance Borgman, Beatrice
4. Kyle Halsey, Beatrice

Second Heat:
1. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice
2. Mike Snyder, Beatrice
3 Dan Bohlmeyer, Beatrice
4. Eric Bartels Plymouth

Third Heat:
1. Dan Nelson, Beatrice
2. Benji Legg, Beatrice
3. Al Humphrey, Giltner
4. Brian Florian, Wilber

B Feature:
1. Bob Zoubek, Dorchester
2. Craig Evers, Beatrice
3. Spencer Sutton, Odell
4. Lawrence Warnke, Fairbury

A Feature:
1. Bob Zoubek, Dorchester
2. Dan Nelson, Beatrice
3. Benji Legg, Beatrice
4. Al Humphrey, Giltner
5. Dan Bohlmeyer, Beatrice
6. Spencer Sutton, Odell
7. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice
8. Tracy Arntt, Endicott
9. Eric Bartels, Plymouth
10. Craig Evers, Beatrice
11. Lawrence Warnke, Fairbury
12. Steve Davison, Lincoln
13. Lance Borgman, Beatrice
14. Chad Steel, Beatrice
15. Stacey Wilhelm, Martell
16. Kyle Halsey, Beatrice
17. Brian Florian, Wilber
18. Don Brinson, Lincoln
19. Mike Snyder, Beatrice
20. Brad Anderson, Beatrice

I.M.C.A. Modified:
First Heat:
1. Tom Vanover JR, Beatrice
2. Shawn VanLaningham Beatrice
3. Greg Metz, Washington, KS
4. Rodger Peck, Manhattan, KS

Second Heat:
1. Bryan McAllister, Beatrice
2. Todd Sanford Lincoln
3. Brandon Floyd, Lincoln
4. Rudy Blake, Wilber

Third Heat:
1. Darrick Klima, Belleville, KS
2. Tom Petracek, Wilber
3. Roy Christlieb, Wymore
4. Doug Deterding, Lincoln

Fourth Heat:
1. Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice
2. Dave Hardesty, Minneapolis, KS
3. Stacey Wilhelm, Martell
4. Troy Johnson, Concordia, KS

B Feature:
1. Rich Erb, Beatrice
2. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice
3. Darren Hosick, Lincoln
4. Gary Saathoff, Beatrice
A Feature:
1. Johhny Saathoff, Beatrice
2. Rich Erb, Beatrice
3. Darrick Klima, Belleville, KS
4. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice
5. Tom Vanover, JR Beatrice
6. Roy Christlieb, Wymore
7. Stacey Wilhelm, Martell
8. Greg Metz, Washington, KS
9. Bryan McAllister, Beatrice
10. Troy Johnson, Concordia, KS
11. Darren Hosick, Lincoln
12. Todd Sanford, Lincoln
13. Rodger Peck, Manhattan, KS
14. Rudy Blake, Wilber
15. Doug Deterding, Lincoln
16 Gary Saathoff, Beatrice
17 Brandon Floyd, Lincoln
18 Dave Hardesty, Minneapolis, KS
19 Tom Petracek, Wilber
20 Shawn VanLaningham, Beatrice

Email: blueknightne1@email.com