HOLT, OLBERDING, NICHOLS, STICH, AND FORSBERG TAKE THUNDER HILL CHECKERS

The weather, which several times this year has victimized Thunder Hill Speedway with rainouts, chose to smile on the high banks this Father’s Day weekend.  Early morning showers gave way to warm weather and sunshine, and other area rainouts brought some new faces to the Hill.  When it was all over, however, there were three repeat winners in Victory Lane, along with two new ones.

Longtime Thunder Hill competitor Danny Holt took his first win in the IMCA Modified feature, while Kyle Olberding (IMCA Northern SportMods), Mike Nichols (IMCA Stock Cars), and Brian Stich (IMCA Hobby Stocks) made return trips to the winner’s circle. Rounding out the victory parade was Wichita’s Dustin Forsberg, who 3-wheeled his machine to a win in the Midwest ModLite’s second trip to the track this year.

Allen Halderman brought the IMCA Modified field to the green, flanked by Holt.  Holt was able to gain an advantage early and hold it throughout the feature.  Behind him, early contact between Tom Charles and Jordy Nelson sent the 3-time winning Nelson to the rear.  Nelson proceeded to put on a show cutting his way back through the field to finish third.  At the finish, it was Danny Holt, Mat Stallbaumer, Nelson, Charles, and Halderman.  The third place finish allowed Nelson to extend his track point lead over Justin Becker and Jeff Herbers.

Twenty-Six IMCA Northern SportMods took the green for the feature, led by Bret Degand.  It was a chase from his inside third row starting position to the front for Olberding, who was followed at the checkers by fifth row starting Eddie Schwope Jr., Cory Larson, Bryan Rigsby, and Rodney Klinkner.  Eddie Schwope Jr. remains the point leader over Olberding, who is followed by Mike Taylor, Rich Boyden, and Joey Schwope.

In the IMCA Stock Cars, it must have felt like a version of “Groundhog Day,” as Mike Nichols remains unbeaten at the Hill this year.  Nichols came into the weekend tenth in national IMCA Stock Car point standings, and added to his total by pacing his fourth Thunder Hill feature of the year.  He was followed at the finish by Terry Coder in second.  A rainout at I-35 Speedway produced a rare Thunder Hill visit by Harold Stigall, who finished third.  Rounding out the top five were Matt Haid and Brian LaBonte.  Despite finishing seventh, Marvin Griffith Jr. retains a 14-point lead over Eric Weyer, Tim Lange, Greg Deters, and Haid.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks once again got a good look at Brian Stich’s back bumper, as Stich extended his point lead with another feature win.  Following him at the finish were Jeromy Wagner, Waylon Banks, Rodney Walker, and Eric Stanton.  Behind Stich in points, Walker maintains second position over John Bass and Melissa Bruning.  Absent the last two weeks, Levi Gunn has fallen to fifth position in the point standings.

Next Saturday, June 26, the IMCA Weekly Racing Series continues at Thunder Hill.  Gates open at 4:00 PM, with the driver’s meeting set for 6:15.  Hot laps will hit the track at 7:00, with the first heat at 7:30 PM.  Pit passes will be $25.00.  Grandstand general admission is $10.00, Seniors 65 and up are $8.00 each, kids 6-12 are $5.00, and kids 5 and under are free.  Thunder Hill Speedway is located at 11995 142^nd Road in Mayetta, KS (2 miles West of US-75 and 142^nd Road).  For more information, please visit http://www.racethunderhillspeedway.com.