McCook driver zooms to top five at North Platte

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Getting the chance to shine in front of an Independence Day crowd, the competitors battled from beginning to end to punch their tickets to the winners circle at the Red, White and Boom Night of racing action at Lincoln County Raceway Saturday evening.

Stepping into the bright lights of the winners circle were the quartet of Colton Osborn, Troy Bayne, Mikey Dancer and Luke Wassom, as they claimed top honors in their respective IMCA divisions.

In the most exciting feature of the evening, Bob Chalupa of McCook, Nebraska was the early leader as he started on the pole of the IMCA Stock Car feature. Chalupa led the first five laps on his way to a fourth place finish.

Chalupa relinquished the lead to Mikey Dancer of North Platte on the sixth lap. Dancer started the feature in the fourth row and had to work through traffic to gain the lead and never look back to win the feature.

Hot on the heels of Dancer was Colton Osborn of Cozad, as he encountered heavier traffic coming from his fifth row starting spot during the feature. Osborn ran out of a real estate on making a move for the lead as the checkered flag was waved and the Cozad hotshoe was forced to settle with runner-up honors.

Heat race winner Jeff Whiting of Gothenburg, Nebraska was able to continue his string of good fortunes as he finished third overall after starting in the third row when the green flag was waved. Travis Demilt of Ogallala, Nebraska and Chalupa finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Putting on a dominating performance to lead from beginning to end, the efforts of Colton Osborn were rewarded with an IMCA Modified feature victory. fifth in the feature event.

Rocking and rolling to a winning tune, Troy Bayne of Hershey piloted his hot rod to a IMCA Northern Sport Modified victory after starting on the outside of the front row when the green flag was dropped.

The IMCA Hobby Stock feature event was as good as advertised, as 12 competitors challenged for top honors. When all the smoke was diminishing, Awesome Luke Wassom of Broken Bow, Nebraska was in the winner’s circle.

Racing action returns to Lincoln County raceway this upcoming Saturdaywith all five IMCA classes competing for accolades.

Racing action is slated to start at 7 p.m.

Watch for more details about high area placers this summer.