(Racing Every Friday Night)
Race Results
August 20, 2004
Mike Sandvig grabs First Rapid Speedway Win
By Shawn Neisteadt
(August 20, 2004-Rock Rapids, IA) It takes a lot to pass a veteran for the lead. It takes even more when that pass on the veteran is the pass for the lead, on the final lap of a race, and for a first ever win. Mike Sandvig had what it takes to do just that in the Sprint Car feature Friday night at Rapid Speedway.
Doug Martens took the initial lead of the event with Gordy Vogelaar following in second. With one lap counted, the caution flag came out for the first time in the 18 lap event when the #10 of Justin Jacobsma spun in turn one. Steve Ballenger passed Sandvig for third on the restart, but that was negated as the caution came out once again. This time it was for the defending champion, Butch Hanssen, who had spun in turn four.
Steve Ballenger was moving again on the restart as the again took third from Sandvig. On the second lap, Rob Danielson slid past the #7 of Sandvig and for fourth. Sandvig battled back and reclaimed fourth as they entered turn one on the next circuit.
Jody Rosenboom was trying to make his way into the top five when things went sour on his night. Rosenboom tagged another car entering turn one and looped his #6. Jordan Martens was hard on the bonders but slid into Rosenboom's machine. Martens was able to restart, but Rosenboom was out. The caution came out one lap after the restart when the throttle on the #24 of Randy Droescher stuck opon. Droescher was able to continue, but retired from the event a few laps later.
On the restart, Vogelaar went to the high side of Doug Martens and became the new leader as they raced off turn four. On the fifth lap, Sandvig went on the charge as he passed Steve Ballenger and then Martens entering the third turn moving him up to second. One lap later, Steve Ballenger passed Doug Martens for third.
Dusty Ballenger was making his way through the field as he rode the rim of the speedway. The rim riding put the #2d by Martens and Danielson on lap 11 moving Dusty Ballenger into fourth. Sandvig made a charge for the lead with six laps to go in turn two, but it was Vogelaar pulling away. "I showed him my nose a little to early," said Sandvig later.
At the white flag, Vogelaar continued to lead, but it was Sandvig dipping to the bottom in turn one. That allowed the cars to get side-by-side. They races for the win on the final lap, and taking the lead in the final turn was Sandvig as the drove to his first ever win at Rapid Speedway. Vogelaar was second with third going to Steve Ballenger. Dusty Ballenger came from ninth to fourth with fifth going to Doug Martens. Doug Martens and Rob Danielson won the heat races.
It is hard to believe, but it was the first win of the season for Darrin Korthals in the Late Model Stock Car feature. The defending champion had finished many nights in the second place, but Friday night broke the goose egg on the year for Korthals. Korthals led the entire distance of the event for the win. Darwin Klaassen and Rick Goth crossed the finish line door-to-door with Klaassen taking second. Scott Overgaard was fourthe with Brad Klaassen fifth. Korthals and Justin Glaser won the heat races.
A move in turn four on with four laps to go gave the lead of the Sportsmen feature to Anthony Mann. Mann led the final laps to take the win. Chris Huisman led the opening 8 laps and finished second. Third went to Nick Beyenhof with Mel Elsberry following. Don Gerritsen Jr finished fifth. Elsberry and Greg Roeman won the heat races.
Kevin Joachim inherited the lead of the Hobby Stock feature after several cars tangled. Joachim led the rest of the way for his second career win. Larry Kracht was second with Jeff Deighton third. Mark Vanden Top was fourth. Justin Arends finished fifth after leading a good chunk of the race then going to the tail after a flat tire.
NMRA 360 Sprints
Heat #1: 1. Doug Martens, Ward, S.D.; 2. Dusty Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; 3. Randy Rosenboom, Rock Rapids; 4. Randy Droescher, Larchwood; 5. Butch Hanssen, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 6. Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington, Minn.; 7. Justin Jacobsma, Hull; 8. Brent Vonk, Hudson, S.D..
Heat #2: 1. Robert Danielson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 2. Mike Sandvig, Spencer; 3. Jordan Martens, Harrisburg, S.D.; 4. Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids; 5. Steve Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; 6. Mitch Coburn, Garretson, S.D.; 7. Brian Baker, Rock Rapids.
A Feature: 1. Mike Sandvig, Spencer; 2. Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington, Minn.; 3. Steve Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; 4. Dusty Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; 5. Doug Martens, Ward, S.D.; 6. Brian Baker, Rock Rapids; 7. Robert Danielson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 8. Brent Vonk, Hudson, S.D.; 9. Randy Rosenboom, Rock Rapids; 10. Butch Hanssen, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 11. Jordan Martens, Harrisburg, S.D.; 12. Mitch Coburn, Garretson, S.D.; 13. Randy Droescher, Larchwood; 14. Justin Jacobsma, Hull; 15. Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids.
NMRA Late Model Stock Cars
Heat #1: 1. Justin Glaser, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 2. Heath Warntjes, Boyden; 3. Scott Overgaard, LuVerne, Minn.; 4. Doug Brinkhous, Rock Rapids; 5. Rick Vander Weide, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 6. Mark Henry, Rock Rapids.
Heat #2: 1. Darrin Korthals, Rock Rapids; 2. Darwin Klaassen, Little Rock; 3. Rick Goth, Madison, S.D.; 4. Mark DeBoer, Adrian, Minn.; 5. Brad Klaassen, Adrian, Minn..
A Feature: 1. Darrin Korthals, Rock Rapids; 2. Darwin Klaassen, Little Rock; 3. Rick Goth, Madison, S.D.; 4. Scott Overgaard, LuVerne, Minn.; 5. Brad Klaassen, Adrian, Minn.; 6. Rick Vander Weide, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 7. Doug Brinkhous, Rock Rapids; 8. Mark Henry, Rock Rapids; 9. Heath Warntjes, Boyden; 10. Justin Glaser, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 11. Mark DeBoer, Adrian, Minn..
NMRA Sportsmen
Heat #1: 1. Mel Elsberry, Orange City; 2. Anthony Mann, Brandon, S.D.; 3. Marty Halouska, Worthing, S.D.; 4. Donald Gerritsen Jr, Rock Rapids; 5. Nick Beyenhof, Rock Rapids; 6. Brad Winesburg, Madison, S.D..
Heat #2: 1. Greg Roemen, Ellsworth, Minn.; 2. Chris Huisman, Rock Rapids; 3. Kevin Broesder, George; 4. Bob Dafoe, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 5. Billy Sprock, George.
A Feature: 1. Anthony Mann, Brandon, S.D.; 2. Chris Huisman, Rock Rapids; 3. Nick Beyenhof, Rock Rapids; 4. Mel Elsberry, Orange City; 5. Donald Gerritsen Jr, Rock Rapids; 6. Kevin Broesder, George; 7. Greg Roemen, Ellsworth, Minn.; 8. Marty Halouska, Worthing, S.D.; 9. Bob Dafoe, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 10. Billy Sprock, George; 11. Brad Winesburg, Madison, S.D..
NMRA Hobby Stocks
Heat #1: 1. Justin Arends, Little Rock; 2. Kevin Joachim, Larchwood; 3. Dereck VanDerBrink, Rock Rapids; 4. Josh Klay, Magnolia, Minn.; 5. Jeff Deighton, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 6. Travis Jansma, Hudson, S.D..
Heat #2: 1. Alicia Ahrendt, Inwood; 2. Anthony DeHaan, Alton; 3. Mark VandenTop, Rock Rapids; 4. Denton Potter, Larchwood; 5. Colter Deutsch, Kanaranzi, Minn..
Heat #3: 1. Seth Stegenga, LuVerne, Minn.; 2. Jon DeBoer, Little Rock; 3. Larry Kracht, Magnolia, Minn.; 4. Robert Carlson, LuVerne, Minn.; 5. Bobbi Kracht, Magnolia, Minn..
A Feature: 1. Kevin Joachim, Larchwood; 2. Larry Kracht, Magnolia, Minn.; 3. Jeff Deighton, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 4. Mark VandenTop, Rock Rapids; 5. Justin Arends, Little Rock; 6. Travis Jansma, Hudson, S.D.; 7. Alicia Ahrendt, Inwood; 8. Bobbi Kracht, Magnolia, Minn.; 9. Jon DeBoer, Little Rock; 10. Anthony DeHaan, Alton; 11. Dereck VanDerBrink, Rock Rapids; 12. Robert Carlson, LuVerne, Minn.; 13. Colter Deutsch, Kanaranzi, Minn.; 14. Seth Stegenga, LuVerne, Minn.; 15. Denton Potter, Larchwood; 16. Josh Klay, Magnolia, Minn..