On Tuesday night I had the chance to visit a legendary racing facility that was far enough removed from my normal run box that it was not even on my wish list. But when XR Super Series officials announced that their four day extravaganza at the Belleville, Kansas High Banks would include super late models along with Joe Kosiskis' SLMR west division series, my interest was peaked. Perhaps more importantly, grandson Keagan, my racing companion since age seven now lives about half way between my home here in Canton, Mo. and the north central Kansas speed plant. And he was just as enthusiastic about this event as was I. He was able to adjust his work schedule, I made the trek to his house on Monday, and after his shift ended on Tuesday morning, we were off on our racing adventure!
Unfortunately, the excessive heat on Monday combined with the speed of the cars on Monday night resulted in several issues for the super late models, including blistered tires after only eight lap heat races and dangerously high engine temperatures for the cars. So after discussing the situation with the drivers, XR officials decided that the supers would join the SLMR cars on the quarter mile "Low Banks" on Tuesday. While we as well as others were a bit disappointed to not witness racing on the high banks, it seemed like a wise decision, which was born out by the tight action in both classes. Additionally, the super car count swelled from twenty one on Monday to twenty four on Tuesday even though Florida driver Brenden Smith was a no show, with for example Gordy Gundaker deciding to make the trip west when the change was announced. Also, with the heat in mind, start times for both nights was pushed back one hour, with hot laps at 8:00. While this likely provided some relief on Monday, it would not have been as big a deal on Tuesday, as some ominous looking clouds rolled in and temps dropped into the mid eighties. In fact, a couple of sprinkles fell prior to hot laps, but the system moved north of the area, apparently stirring up storms in neighboring Nebraska.
Following hot laps, the SLMR cars, which numbered a disappointing twelve, ran three in a group for two qualifying laps. Jesse Sobbing topped the board with a lap of 13.585 seconds. The XR cars then timed two at a time, with Jimmy Owens turning a quick lap of 13.312 ticks. Owens had actually went off the top of the track during his laps, driving back to staging, then coming back out and turning the fastest lap.
The SLMR cars lined up in what appeared to be a full invert for two heats, with Iowa drivers Curt Schroeder and Darrel Defrance picking up wins. Starting straight up, all three XR heat victories went to the pole sitter, with Owens, Eldora million dollar winner Jonathon Davenport, and Shane Clanton on top.
Following intermission with some track prep thrown in as the crew tried to create a wider racing surface, the SLMR stars lined up for thirty laps. If it was announced, I did not hear it, but I am not sure how the lineup was set. At any rate, Monday night winner Jake Neal and Chargin' Charlie McKenna sat on the front row. As the cars paraded around the .24 mile oval, Andrew Kosiski had a front wheel come off his #53. With the assistance of the wrecker crew, it was put back in place, and Kosiski tagged the tail of the field. McKenna shot to the early lead running the inside line while Neal worked one lane higher. On lap eight, Neal was able to move inside McKenna to take the lead, but the caution flag waved before the lap was scored, putting McKenna back in front. Neal elected to take the outside on the Delaware style restart, and Sobbing cleared him for second. One more lap and Sobbing was in the lead. In the meantime, Kyle Berck had been biding his time, and on the eleventh circuit he jumped to the runner up spot, taking Neal along in third. Berck then went to work trying to reel in the leader, and with seven laps remaining, Neal spun in turn two, bringing out the yellow for a second and final time. Now it was Berck electing to restart on the high side, giving the inside to Bill Leighton Jr. Back under green, Leighton and Berck both cleared Sobbing, and proceeded to run side by side lap after lap. At the checkers, Berck had broken free, powering to the $5,000 win. Leighton settled for second, trailed by Sobbing, Tad Pospisil, and Defrance. Andrew Kosiski recovered to run sixth, followed by Schroeder, Cole Wayman, Brian Kosiski, McKenna, and Corey Zeitner. Neal was the only car failing to complete all thirty laps.
Still not entirely happy with the surface, track officials went to work once again prepping for the fifty lap $40,000 to win finale. It was for sure a lengthy delay, but it did produce some fine racing.
Looking for a sweep, Owens sat on the pole with Davenport alongside. A four car mix up in turn four caused the initial start to be waved off. Davenport took the lap one lead, with third starting Clanton clearing Owens for second on lap two. By the seventh trip around, the leaders were in heavy traffic. Two laps later, Owens early troubles showed again, as he went off the top of the turn, loosing a couple spots. He would do this again, eventually dropping outside the top ten. As Clanton and J.D. worked through traffic, they often ran side by side, swapping the lead until a caution for a spin by Joe Gorby with eighteen laps scored. One more lap was counted before the yellow waved for Kyle Strickler. Behind the front pair, a three car battle for third saw Chris Madden emerge with the spot. Traffic again came into play just after the half way mark, and with thirteen to go Madden swept past Davenport for second. He then went to work trying to run down Clanton, pulling to his rear bumper with about three circuits to go. But Clanton was able to put a pair of lapped cars between himself and Madden, and when they became locked in a side by side battle, Madden could not find a way through. Clanton then cruised to the win ahead of Madden. Davenport, Chris Ferguson, and Gundaker turned in top five runs. The rest of the top ten was Chase Junghans, Pospisil, Scott Bloomquist, Blair Nothdurft, and Jacob Magee. Pospisil was one of three drivers, along with McKenna, and Andrew Kosiski who competed as was required, in separate cars in both divisions.
After hearing stories about this awesome facility for many years, it was neat to be able to take in a race there. Thanks to Barry Braun and the XR team for their efforts, and also to track prep and flagman extraordinaire Mike VanGenderen!
Weather permitting, we hope to join the UMP Summernationals tour tomorrow night at the Davenport Speedway, where IMCA modifieds and IMCA late models will fill out the card.
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