Jake Bubak is the 2020 IMCA RaceSaver Nationals Champion!
By Greg Soukup
What a way to end the 2020 season of racing at America’s Home Track, Eagle Raceway!!! Sunday’s finale to the 8th annual IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals powered by Sunbelt Rentals had everything you could ask for to showcase the best of the best in Racesaver drivers in their quest for the championship belt.
Super sunny skies and upper 90’s temperatures gave way to a beautiful night and the track prep crew gave their usual over the top effort to provide the racers with a pristine surface. The huge crowd was glued to their seats when they weren’t jumping to their feet with excitement!!
One serious incident occurred in the E Feature for the IMCA Racesaver sprints when Nick Barger got sideways in turns 1 and 2 and ended up rolling over. He was not seriously hurt.
Brendon Stigge put the 69S out front of lap 1 of the Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock main event with Jared Jackson’s 98, the 30K of Cole Krichau and Ben Becher in the B4 close behind. Becher moved to third on lap 2. The next lap Mike Hansen jumped up to third in his #94. Chad Borgman took over the fourth spot on lap 6 in the #20. Jeff Oehm looped the 83J in turn 4 on lap 7 for a caution. Becher passed Stigge with 7 to go but Stigge regained the lead before the lap was officially in the books. The final change in the top 4 came with 5 to go when Mike Hansen moved up to second. Stigge took the checkers, Hansen was second, Becher was third and Borgman was fourth.
Stigge related “We came up here opening night of the season and we were going good for a while. We got back up to 6th. We haven’t been back since because we’ve been running down south. It’s been a pretty good year all in all and then to come back here and give it a whirl again it’s been really awesome. I never get lucky enough to start on the pole. I drew bad for the heat race, started 7th, and made it back up to third. We drew good for the feature and started up front. The track had a lot of character tonight. I don’t get to run on a lot of tracks with high banks and a lot of character. I got going and struggled a little bit, then Ben showed me his door and I decided it was time to go again! I did and got the W. I need to thank my guys that help week in and week out and of course my sponsors. I couldn’t do it without any of them. We try to be a relatively decent team. This year has been a really weird year for everybody, but we’ll keep going and finish out strong”. Stigge’s sponsors include Dragoo Construction, Schmidt Machine, Schmitts Inc., Hergott Farms, Z Four Trucking and B A Wasserman Trucking.
The capper for the 4-day event was the A Feature for the IMCA Racesaver Sprints. 27 sprint cars lined up 3-wide, all trying to get the win and take home the $2500 top prize and the championship belt. Ethan Barrow led lap 1 in his #14S followed by Joey Danley’s 14, the 10 of Trevor Serbus and Jake Bubak in the 74B. Tyler Drueke got past Bubak on lap 2 to put the 12 in fourth. The field entered lapped traffic on the 7th circuit. Neil Nickolite spun the 12N in turns 1 and 2 the next lap. Barrow again caught up to lapped traffic on lap 13. 2 laps later Danley spun by himself in turns 1 & 2. That moved Drueke to third and Bubak back into fourth. Drueke dropped back on the restart to move Bubak to third and Trevor Grossenbacher to fourth. Barrow’s right rear tire came off after the center of the wheel broke on lap 18, sending him into the turns 1 & 2 wall. Serbus inherited the lead with Bubak moving to second, Grossenbacher in third and the 21X of Dustin Stroup moving to fourth. Cody Ledger jumped the cushion in 1 & 2 on the restart, climbed and then riding along the wall before rolling over. He went to the pits and rejoined the field minus his wing. Chad Wilson put the 20W into fourth on the restart but gave the spot back to Stroup the next time around. Bubak passed Serbus with 6 circuits remaining. 3 laps later Stroup moved to third. Grossenbacher moved up to second the next lap but slipped back to fourth on the last lap. Your top 4 were Bubak, Serbus, Stroup and Grossenbacher.
This marked the first ever IMCA Sprint Car Racesaver Nationals win for Bubak and came after winning his second consecutive Jake Ita Memorial Race of Champions victory the night before. His win came from outside the second row of the 3-wide start. He said “I didn’t mind starting in the second row, I just didn’t want to start in the middle. But as I told another racer ‘It’s the same for everybody’ so we just go along with it. We moved up fairly quickly, and towards the end it was kind of attrition. Joey ended up bouncing and then spinning out and then Ethan breaking that wheel center was really unfortunate. We had a great weekend for sure. I’m just happy that we were able to capitalize on the opportunity and win the race. We enjoy coming to Eagle Raceway. It’s a track that I feel we do fairly decent at every time. Even if we have to start far back, we always find our way to the front. It’s a fun track!” Bubak’s sponsors include Coyote Candle Company, Sardeson Racing, Maxim Chassis, Momentum Racing Suspension, King Racing Products, Winters Racing Products, Simpson and Ultrashield.
RESULTS:
IMCA Hobby Stock A-Feature
1. Brendon Stigge Fairbury, Ne. 2. Michael Hansen Weeping Water, Ne. 3. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 4. Chad Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 5. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 6. Bradley Schreiner Weeping Water, Ne. 7. Kenny Roberts Lincoln, Ne. 8. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 9. Jared Jackson Lincoln, Ne. 10. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 12. Nick Langan Lincoln, Ne. 13. Jeff Oehm(r) Eagle, Ne. 14. Cole Krichau Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne.
IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 1
1. Jeff Watts Beatrice, Ne. 2. Khrysta Stransky Lincoln, Ne. 3. Brendon Stigge Fairbury, Ne. 4. Jeff Oehm(r) Eagle, Ne. 5. Jared Jackson Lincoln, Ne. 6. Adam Wasserman Fairbury, Ne. 7. Kenny Roberts Lincoln, Ne.
IMCA Hobby Stock Heat 2
1. Michael Hansen Weeping Water, Ne. 2. Ben Becher Lincoln, Ne. 3. Chad Borgman Beatrice, Ne. 4. Cole Krichau Lincoln, Ne. 5. Bradley Schreiner Weeping Water, Ne. 6. David Carter Fremont, Ne. 7. Nick Langan Lincoln, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint A-Feature
1. Jake Bubak Lubbock, Tx. 2. Trevor Serbus Olivia, Mn. 3. Dustin Stroup Fremont, Oh. 4. Trevor Grossenbacher Panama, Ne. 5. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 6. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 7. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 8. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 9. Chad Wilson North Richland Hills, Tx. 10. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 11. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 12. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 13. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 14. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 15. Joey Danley Lincoln, Ne. 16. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 17. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 18. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 19. Cody Ledger Omaha, Ne. 20. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 21. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 22. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 23. Ethan Barrow Bloomington, In. 24. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 25. Tyler Drueke Eagle, Ne. 26. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. DNS. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint B-Feature
1. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 2. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 3. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 4. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 5. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 6. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 7. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 8. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 9. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 10. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 11. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 12. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 13. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 14. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 15. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 16. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 17. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 18. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 19. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 20. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint C-Feature
1. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 2. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 3. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 4. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 5. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 6. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 7. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 8. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 9. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 10. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 11. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 12. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 13. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 14. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint D-Feature
1. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 2. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 3. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 4. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 5. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 6. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 7. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 8. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 9. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 10. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 11. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 12. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 13. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 14. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint E-Feature
1. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 2. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 3. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 4. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 5. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 6. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 7. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 8. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 9. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 10. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 11. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 12. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne. 13. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 14. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint F-Feature
1. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 2. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne. 3. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 4. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 5. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 6. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. 7. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 8. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 9. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 10. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 11. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 12. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 13. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. DNS. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint G-Feature
1. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. 2. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 3. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 4. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 5. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 6. Jamie Manley 7. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 8. Shane Obanion Avon, In. 9. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca.
RaceSaver Nationals Sprint Qualifying 1
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. Toby Chapman Panama, Ne. 11. Jason Danley Lincoln, Ne. 12. Bradley Sterrett Bloomington, In. 13. Claud Estes Iii Godley, Tx. 14. Mark Pace Lincoln, Ne. 15. Jason Martin Crete, Ne. 16. Chad Koch Murdock, Ne. 17. Jay Russell Wathena, Ks. 18. Stuart Snyder Lincoln, Ne. 19. Casey Burkham Combine, Tx. 20. Doug Lovegrove Waverly, Ne. 21. John Ricketts Burleson, Tx. 22. Neil Nickolite Bellwood, Ne. 23. Adam Gullion Lincoln, Ne. 24. Ryan King Bennet, Ne. 25. Zach Blurton Quinter, Ks. 26. Clint Benson Papillion, Ne. 27. Dusty Ballenger Harrisburg, Sd. 28. Gene Ackland Martell, Ne. 29. Brett Becker Odessa, Tx. 30. Jacob Harris Vidor, Tx. 31. Boyd Peterson Ithaca, Ne. 32. Justin Clark Hamersville, Oh. 33. Michelle Parson Abilene, Tx. 34. Justin Melton Justin, Tx. 35. Troy Sanford(r) Lincoln, Ne. 36. Ryan Kitchen Seward, Ne. 37. Chase Brewer Waxahachie, Tx. 38. Brandon Allen St Peter, Mn. 39. Matt Richards Lincoln, Ne. 40. Chris Douglas Amarillo, Tx. 41. Colby Estes Mansfield, Tx. 42. Randy Sterling Morrisdale, Pa. 43. John Paynter Jr Bloomington, In. 44. Tyler Harris Vidor, Tx. 45. Christian Kinnison Denton, Tx. 46. Nate Johnson Hastings, Ne. 47. Chase Weiler Lincoln, Ne. 48. Willy Reed Anderson, Tx. 49. Nathan Weiler Lavista, Ne. 50. Dan Nekolite O’neill, Ne. 51. Charlie Graham Las Cruces, Nm. 52. Kevin Champoux Indianapolis, In. 53. Dewayne White Byhalia, Ms. 54. Mike Moore Des Moines, Ia. 55. Nate Barger Masison, Sd. 56. Gary Kelley Ardmore, Ok. 57. Alex Nalon Pittsboro, In. 58. Dan Satriano Omaha, Ne. 59. Logan Hershey Gillette, Wy. 60. Nick Barger Madison, Sd. 61. Shayle Helget Lincoln, Ne. 62. Michael Oliver San Antonio, Tx. 63. Tom Belsky North Platte, Ne. 64. Jeff Reiman Ft. Worth, Tx. 65. Aaron Guillaume Sioux City, Ia. 66. Tim Fricke Lincoln, Ne. 67. Daniel Estes Jr. Burleson, Tx. 68. Daren Bolac Moyock, Nc. 69. John Webster North Platte, Ne. 70. Bobby Becker Denton, Ne. 71. Jerrad Warhurst Joshua, Tx. 72. Ryan Navratil East Des Moines, Ia. 73. Andrew Jackson Fremont, Ne. 74. Dwight Carter Lincoln, Ne. 75. Dylan McCann Fort Worth, Tx. 76. Bruce Allen Mankato, Mn. 77. Jamie Manley 78. Rick Hansen Omaha, Ne. 79. Junior Jenkins Greenville, Tx. 80. Shane Obanion Avon, In. 81. Sean Quinn Clovis, Ca.