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Reb report sponsored by Browning Auto Parts
Icebreaker @ Abilene Speedway, presented by Smileys and Showtime Signs & Designs
By J M Hallas
Abilene, Tx.(Feb. 26Th, 2011) Drivers, teams and fans were treated to warm, sunny conditions as day broke for Abilene Speedway's annual Icebreaker. Several new drivers signed in to try their at qualifying for each of the 20-lap feature events for the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. Also on the nights racing card were the Street Stocks and Jr. Mini stocks running heats and features.
Wiley White Wins Another One
Keith White(Academy) once again showed he was the force to be reckoned with in the IMCA Modified class this year. Much the same as last night White ran in the top five throughout the early stages of the 20-lap main. White caught early leader John Gober then moved to the high side to get by Gober just past halfway. From there White survived a couple restarts while Gober was fighting to fend off Andy Gage for second. Tyler Iverson recovered from an early trip to the back for fourth, with Gabe Tucker rounding out the top five.
As the green flag flew on the 20-car IMCA Modified main Gober was first into turn 1 followed by Caleb Stone, Fred Wojtek and Jacob Anson. Just as Scotty Brown got by Anson for fourth yellow waved for a spin by Iverson. On the restart Anson was forced to check up in turn 2 collecting Monte Bolton. Once back to green White was pressuring Brown for fourth. Wojtek looked under Stone for second taking the spot on lap 3.
Brown and White closed on Stone with Brown getting third on lap 4 and White going past on lap 5. White and Brown then ran wheel to wheel for third, with White taking the spot on lap 8 as Dillon Smith got around Stone for fifth. White then picked off Wojtek for second leaving him side by side with Brown for third. At the halfway point it was Gober, White, Wojtek, Brown and Smith in the top five.
White kept the heat on Gober until he slipped past on lap 11 for the lead. Mark Patterson made contact with Iverson, who marching forward, with Patterson getting up on two wheels and stopping for a lap 13 caution. On he restart White good a huge jump, while Brown pressured Wojtek. Wojtek would spin and collect Chase Jupe and Stone. On the next restart Gober tried to hang with White while challenged by Gage. As those two battled, White eased away.
In the pack, Pat McGuire was able to get past Danny Hogue for sixth, but gave the spot back a lap later. In the waning laps Gage tried and tried to find a way around Gober getting along side at times. This gave White in the Tracys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Extreme Graphics, Tony's Custom Carbs, Craftmasters, Belton Pipe, Kempner Iron & Metal, BSB Manufacturing, Temple Iron & Metal, AMSOil, TCI, Centex Motorsports, Hughes Chassis smooth sailing to checkers. Gober was able to hold off Gage for second.
“I was able to run the top or the bottom,†said White. “It would go through the middle and through the rough stuff. The car was just awesome. We passed them on the top and bottom. I think you could see my grinning through my helmet.â€
“When you car you like you become comfortable with it and it's predictable. I try not not to adjust myself out. The car should be an extension of the driver. You just leave them alone and not change a lot.â€
“I'm pretty superstitious about a bunch of stuff, but talking about going three for three isn't one of them. It doesn't bother me. We'd like to sweep the weekend and I'd like to win one in the I-stock. I gave hat one away last night.â€
IMCA Modifieds
1 Keith White, Academy
52 John Gober, Poolville
021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia
98 Tyler Iverson, Brainard, Nebr
28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon
69 Danny Hogue, Abilene
91 Pat McGuire, Belton
303 Chase Jupe, Waco
9 Mark Patterson, Abilene
371 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville
6 Caleb Stone, Hobbs,NM
61 Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan
21 Shane Hiatt, Rising City, Nebr
03 Dillon Smith, China Spring
144 Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee
744 Scotty Brown, Seagoville
89 Bo Newton, Bangs
911 Josh McGaha, Abilene
41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock
131 Jacob Anson, Albion, Nebr
IMCA Modified B-mains(Top 4 to A-main)
B-main 1. 21 Shane Hiatt, Rising City, Nebr, 61 Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan, 371 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville, 91 Pat McGuire, Belton
B-main 2. 303 Chase Jupe Waco, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs, 9 Mark Patterson, Abilene, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene
IMCA Modified heats(Top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1. 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon, 1 Keith White, Academy
Heat 2. 03 Dillon Smith, China Spring, 98 Tyler Iverson, Brainard, Nebr
Heat 3. 144 Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee, 52 John Gober, Poolville
Heat 4. 131 Jacob Anson, Albion, Nebr, 6 Caleb Stone, Hobbs, NM
Heat 5. 911 Josh McGaha, Abilene, 744 Scotty Brown, Seagoville
Heat 6. 41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock, 021 Andy Gage, Whiting, Ia
Poor Paces Sportmod Scramble
Bradley poor and Doug Easterling battled early in the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod main until Easterling fell out with a flat. Jesse Sobbing, running a Northern Sportmod caught Poor with the two making contact sending Poor around. By track rules, the leader was awarded his spot back, while Sobbing went to the tail. The race ended with some controversy under yellow on the final lap with Poor taking the win.
Poor beat Easterling into turn 1 at the start only to have Easterling go by in turns 3-4. Behind them Brad Shirley spun to bring out a caution and a complete restart. Poor again jumped out front in turn 1, but was overtaken by Easterling at the other end. Poor fell in line second with Gary Fox and TJ Green in tow. Poor looked under Easterling and got along side when Easterling pulled up with a flat giving the lead back to Poor on lap 3.
Sobbing, Todd Bartlett and Ronnie Welborn tried three wide coming out of turn 2 and contact was made sending Bartlett around, and Welborn to the pits with damage. Under caution Bartlett let Sobbing know he wasn't happy tagging his door and promptly receiving the black flag. On the restart the top four took off leaving Sobbing side by side with Kenneth Graves for fifth. Sobbing then got past Jeff Turner who slowed and pulled off.
