Oberlin driver stars on 'Patriotic Night'

Showing their patriotism are the IMCA Hobby Stocks during their parade lap prior to the running of their Feature race on Sunday evening at Dawson County Raceway.

Alyssa Magana

LEXINGTON, Neb. — The competition was as fierce as it had been all season, as drivers challenged for the biggest pay day thus far this season during the Patriotic Night of racing at the Dawson County Raceway Sunday evening.

Doing their best to shine on the oval as well as have a little luck of the draw during a draw/redraw night of racing were David Murray Jr from Oberlin, Kan.; Tyler Andreasen, Kyle Pfeifer, Zach Olmstead and Terry Tritt, as they earned the trip to the Coca-Cola Victory Lane after their respective feature races.

Leading each and every lap, the experience of racing at Dawson County Raceway stood out, as veteran wheelman Murray of Oberlin was able to take his outside front row starting position all the way to the winners circle in the IMCA Modified Feature.

Murray was able to build a cushion after re-starts on lap 10 and lap 18 to cruise to the victory.

Taking advantage of his starting position on the lap 10 restart, Eddie Belec of Arvada, Colo., advanced from third to second and never looked back to earn the runner-up finish after starting the contest in the third row.

Being in the right place at the right time was prosperous for Grand Island’s Andreasen as he garnered the lead on the third lap and never looked back to earn the victory in the IMCA Northern Sport Modified Feature.

Andreasen was able to weather the storm of cautions near the midway point and hold off any and all challenges.

Coming from deep in the field, Dillon Schultz got just what the doctor ordered on his adventure from his sixth row starting position onto the podium in second place.

Schultz of North Platte wasn’t among the podium positions until the final three laps where he would finish as the runner-up for his efforts to conquer traffic.

After knocking on the door of winning a feature and being among the leaders for many weeks, Kyle Pfeifer of Hills City, Kan., was able to not just knock on the door, but bust through the door and win the IMCA Stock Car Feature against a loaded field of competitors.

Continuing his streak of good fortunes, Terry Tritt of York was able to lead all but one lap to win the IMCA Sport Compact feature.

Tritt started the highlighted event on the outside of the third row and sat in fourth place on the opening lap before finding the groove and rhythm he needed to grasp the lead and run away for the victory.

Making a valiant drive on the final lap, Christian Destefano of Cozad moved from fourth to second place to earn the runner-up accolades.

The final top fives:

--IMCA Modified Feature: 1. 97m-David Murray Jr; 2. 3b-Eddie Belec; 3. 30-Jordan Grabouski; 4. 3-Trey Duensing; 5. 19-Chuck Stryker.

--IMCA Northern Sport Modified Feature: 1. 13t-Tyler Andreasen; 2. 554-Dillon Schultz; 3. 97-David Johnson; 4. 15k-Jamey Kennicutt; 5. 99h-Nick Hankins.

--IMCA Stock Car Feature: 1. 54p-Kyle Pfeifer; 2. 30-Jordan Grabouski; 3. 63-Mike Nichols; 4. 35jw-Casey Woken; 5. 51w-BJ Wagoner.

--IMCA Hobby Stock Feature: 1. 98z-Zach Olmstead; 2. 83-Jeff Ware; 3. 04-Sal Hernandez; 4. 88-Jacob Olmstead; 5. 5-Chuck Ledbetter.

--IMCA Sport Compact Feature: 1. 5x-Terry Tritt; 2. 71c-Christian Destefano; 3. 7e-Quincy Eggleston; 4. 85-Justin Smallcomb; 5. 1-Brandon Leonard.