Ethan Barrows conquers Night One of Qualifying at RaceSaver Nationals

by Greg Soukup
Friday night at Eagle Raceway saw 89 sprints tow into the pits at Eagle Raceway for the first full night of competition for the 2020 IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, powered by Sunbelt Rentals. A great crowd was on hand to enjoy the racing under sunny skies and mid-80s temperatures. They were treated to 11 heats and 8 features before all was said and done.
There was only one major incident in the preliminary racing and it came in the F Feature when Mike Moore ended up flipping down the front stretch. He was not seriously injured but his car was unable to continue.
The ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compact Feature’s first attempt at a start was called back when Tim Horsham was called for jumping. Ray Harrington led lap 1 in the #70 with Nathan Wahlstrom’s 32X, the 33 of James Mesenbrink and Steve Phillips in the 66. Tim Horsham got past Phillips on lap 2 to put the #3 into fourth and moved to third the next lap. Horsham advanced to second the following circuit and snagged the lead after 2 more laps. Harrington got back to second after 1 more lap. With 5 to go Brian Cronin’s 35 moved into fourth and took over third the following lap. There were 3 laps left when Harrington lost a tire to bring out a caution, moving Mesenbrink back to fourth. The top 4 remained unchanged with Horsham winning, Cronin second, Wahlstrom third and Mesenbrink fourth.
This was Horsham’s first win of the year. He said “I didn’t think I had it in me honestly. I know that Brian Cronin has a way fast car. I was waiting for him to come by me at any second, but I guess he was behind me at the end. My car was really hooking up tonight. I dropped the air pressure with help from my friend Steve Rol. He comes all the way from Hastings every week, a 260-mile round trip, and I couldn’t do it without him. It sure felt good to win one! I didn’t think I could, but happy 2020 to me!!!”. Horsham’s sponsors include U-Pull It, Jerry’s Auto Service, 24-Hour Repair and Divine Designs.
The crowd was polled before the A Main for the IMCA Racesaver Sprints, and the vote was to rework the track. After the track crew finished refreshing the racing surface Ethan Barrow took off from his starting spot on the pole and put the 14S out front of lap 1 with Tyler Drueke’s 12, the 14 of Joey Danley and Chad Koch in the 30 in hot pursuit. Despite numerous failed attempts at catching him, Barrow was on a rail. The only change in the top 4 came with 7 circuits remaining when Trevor Serbus put the #10 into fourth. The green/white/checkered race was seemingly over before it barely got started. The final top 4 were Barrow, Drueke, Danley and Serbus. Also qualifying for Sunday’s Main Event were Cody Ledger, Jake Bubak, Trevor Grossenbacher, Dustin Stroup, and Chad Wilson.
Barrow has been a regular at the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals, but this will be his first time starting on the pole for the Big Dance on Sunday. “It was AWESOME! The car was good, I was good, and I was really proud of the win. I love coming in here. We won the last two shows at home and we just knew that we were really good. We kept our patience and knew that if we put our heads down that we were going to be pretty tough to handle. It feels great to start on the pole for Sunday. Last year we started second row outside. The way we ran tonight and how fast we were, I know that we can run with those guys and stay up there and have a good shot to win. Starting up front means great track position and it’s so important especially when the race goes green to checkered like this race. We’re sitting pretty good” he stated. Barrow’s sponsors include Barrow Excavating, Personal Lawn Care, LES Electrical, Myers Outdoor Maintenance, Jake Dodd’s Music, A+ Trucking & Conveying, Colby Stillon’s Photography, Chris Owings, and Bridlewood Consulting.
Saturday is night #2 of the IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals powered by Sunbelt Rentals. The A Feature for the evening will set up rows 4 through 6 for Sunday’s finale. The Coors Light IMCA Sportmods will be the support class for the evening. Doctor Danger will be on hand to perform 2 more death defying stunts!!
Front gates open at 4:30, hot laps kick off at 5:00 with racing at 6:00. Adult front gate admission is $18, youths 6-12 are just $5 and kids 5 and under are free.
Pit gates open at 3:30 with pit admission being $30.
RESULTS:
IMCA Sport Compact A-Feature
1. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 2. Brian Cronin Lincoln, Ne. 3. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne. 4. James Mesenbrink(r) Lincoln, Ne. 5. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 6. Steve Phillips(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne. 8. Cole Krichau Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Brian Haller Hastings, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 1
1. Brian Cronin Lincoln, Ne. 2. Tim Horsham Raymond, Ne. 3. Nathan Wahlstrom Beatrice, Ne. 4. Dan Markham Plattsmouth, Ne. 5. Brian Haller Hastings, Ne.

IMCA Sport Compact Heat 2
1. James Mesenbrink(r) Lincoln, Ne. 2. Cole Krichau Lincoln, Ne. 3. Steve Phillips(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Ray Harrington Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 3. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 5. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 6. Jake Bubak Lubbock, Tx. 7. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 8. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 9. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 10. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 11. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 12. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 13. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 14. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 15. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 16. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 17. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 18. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 19. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 20. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature
1. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 2. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 3. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 5. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 6. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 7. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 8. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 9. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 10. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 11. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 12. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 13. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 14. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 15. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 16. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 17. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 18. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature
1. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 5. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 6. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 7. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 8. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 9. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 10. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 11. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 12. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 13. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 14. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 15. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature
1. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 2. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 3. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 4. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 5. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 6. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 7. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 8. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 9. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 10. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 11. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 12. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 13. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 14. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 15. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature
1. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 2. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 3. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 4. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 5. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 6. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 7. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 8. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 9. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 10. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 11. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 12. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 13. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 14. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 15. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature
1. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 2. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 3. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 4. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 5. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 8. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 9. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 10. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 11. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. 12. Jamie Manley 13. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 14. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 15. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature
1. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 2. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 3. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 4. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 5. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 6. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 7. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 8. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. 9. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 10. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 11. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 12. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 13. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 14. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 15. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 1
1. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 2. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 3. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 4. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 5. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 6. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 7. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 8. Shane Obanion Avon, In.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 10
1. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 2. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 3. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 4. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 5. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 6. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 7. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 8. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 11
1. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 2. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 3. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 4. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne. 5. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 6. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. 7. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 8. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 9. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 2
1. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 2. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 3. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 4. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 5. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 6. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 7. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 8. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 3
1. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 2. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 3. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 4. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 5. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 6. Brandon Horton Waterloo, Ne. 7. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 8. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 4
1. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 2. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 3. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 4. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 5. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 6. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 7. Rick Pendergast Norfolk, Ne. DNS. Mark Harris Vidor, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 5
1. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 2. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 3. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 4. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 5. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 6. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 7. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. DQ. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 6
1. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 2. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 3. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 4. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 5. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 6. Jamie Manley 7. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 8. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 7
1. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 2. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 3. Mike Boston Lincoln, Ne. 4. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 5. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 6. Philip Heynen Visalia, Ca. 7. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 8. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 8
1. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 2. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 3. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 4. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 5. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 6. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 7. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 8. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Heat 9
1. Jake Bubak Lubbock, Tx. 2. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 3. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 4. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 5. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 6. Matt Etzelmiller Keller, Tx. 7. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 8. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx.

RaceSaver Nationals Sprint H-Feature
1. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 2. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 3. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 4. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 5. Shane Obanion Avon, In. 6. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 7. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca. DNS. Mike Houseman Jr Des Moines, Ia. DNS. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. DNS. Jason Miller Omaha, Ne. DNS. Mark Harris Vidor, Tx. DNS. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne.