Abelson flies fastest at Eagle

By Greg Soukup

EAGLE, Neb. (April 23) – Defending national champion Chris Abelson was back in the winner’s circle Saturday at Eagle Raceway.

Abelson held off Shane Hiatt for top honors in the Kaplan University IMCA Modified headliner. Roger Hadan and Bob Zoubek rounded out the top four.

“It’s always easier when you start on the front row,” acknowledged Abelson. “It was a little rough in spots tonight because of the rain but there were different lines you could run to avoid them.”

A total of 180 cars were in the pits.

Jason Martin also parlayed a good starting spot into a run to the checkers, winning the IMCA EMI RaceSaver Sprint Car feature ahead of Tyler Drueke and Shayle Bade.

“I’ll say the same thing that Trevor said last week: It’s easier to win when you start on the front row,” Martin said. “We felt we had the car to win last week so we kept the same set-up. Next week it won’t be so easy when the handicap starts up. But that just makes it more exciting.”

Mark Leiting got the final edge in a NAPA IMCA Northern SportMod feature that saw its share of three-wide action. Jason Kohl kept Roy Armstrong in check following a caution with three laps left in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock main.

Ramsey Meyer led the distance in the Mountain Dew Kick Start IMCA Sport Compact main.