Ironman Challenge was a series that moved through several tracks and tested driver and crew’s skill and endurance.

Evenson Law Office Ironman Challenge for IMCA Mdifieds and Hobby Stocks, it’s full title, is a series of 10-races at five tracks in a 10-day period of time ending on July 4th. Starting over a week ago the series went to Hawthrone, after starting in Tonopah, then to Lovelock for rounds 5 and 6 while rounds seven and eight were run at Fernley 95A Speedway on Friday and Saturday.

“That as a lot of fun, got to race door-to-door with Robert (Miller) I grew up watching him, he gave me plenty of room to race and I’ve got to tip my hat to him,” Cory Sample said after winning Saturday’s IMCA main. “You know the pass for the lead, it was trecherous, Robert was trying to make his car as wide as he could. On that last restart I was able to get by on the bottom. Fernley 95A they never keep stop working on the racetrack and were trying to make it better tonight. ”

Then he thanked his list of sponsors that included Dakota Diesel Repair, Razor Chassis, Wells Design, Icon Pistons, Bodies by Kanda, Dynamic Drive Line and others.

When the 20-car IMCA field took the green flag the front row had Miller on pole with Sample right beside him. On the green they took off and the race soon became a two-man duel for the lead.

Four laps into the event Mike Martin slowed, pitted then returned but it brought out a caution. On the restart the cars of Malen Gonzalez and Joel Myers got locked together causing another long caution.

That pretty well ended the night for Gonzalez while Myers was able to continue. Soon after that there was another long caution when several cars were involved in a melee in Turn 1.

Once that was cleaned racing resumed but contact between Jeff Olschowka and Saturday’s winner Randy Artz dropped them out of contention as they both spun. After that the race went caution free to the end.

Lap after lap Miller and Sample extended their lead and soon began a side-by-side duel for the point. Finally around the halfway point Sample used an inside move to take the lead.

After that Sample extended his advantage while Miller was solo in second place. Behind them the race was for second and Wade Taylor experienced problems so he parked his card on the infield.

Late in the race Sample began to lap the slower traffic as did Miller. However time ran out and Sample scored the victory followed by Miller, James Thiboudeaux, Riley Simmons and Dwayne Cleveland.

After the dust settled Miller said, “Of course we’d like to win but he was dialed in better than we were and after the way we had some mishaps last night I’m happy. It was fun, we ran side-by-side for a little bit there but he was by far the superior machine tonight but I’ll take second. Want to thank all the fans and Steve (Evenson) for putting this one.

Unlike Friday night there were 10 Hobby Stocks on hand although only nine of them took the green to start their main.

On the green, just like the previous night Rocky Goetz took off and began to leave everyone in his dust. Behind him Jeff Tuttle was trying to make a race of it.

There were only two cautions that slowed the race but every time the green waved Tuttle would jump inside of Goetz, who would just motor away.

In the end Goetz scored his second victory in as many nights followed by Tuttle, David Paine and points leader Bob Vaden.

Vaden and Shayna Robertson went into the night only two points apart for the northern Hobby Stock championship but she was never a factor and ended up eighth.

After taking the checkered flag Goetz said, “I want to thank every one for showing up, I really appreciate all the fan support it’s what makes racing live and breath. I’d like to thank my family, my dad, my mom and especially my brother Royce for getting everything together.”

Goetz also admitted he had no idea how close Tuttle was on the restarts.

For fourth place Vaden it was a great night and extended his points lead in the championship.

At the awards ceremony he said, “The race went pretty good, the worse part of it was that last caution. I think I had third locked up. The car’s handling great, can’t appreciate my crew enough they busted their butt to get me where I am at. I blew the motor mounts so we’re going to throw in new ones as it’s binding up the steering.”

Only four Street Stocks were on hand and Rick Miller had a fairly easy time as he won both the heat race and main. Michael Burns was second in the main while James Huffman dropped out but was scored third.

When it comes to the Dwarf Cars, Joe Frock is the master at 95A. Once again he scored wins in his heat and in the main. Calvin Ryle settle for second but he kept Frock honest and was only a second or two behind while Timothy Fitzpatrick ended up third.

When the green waved on the Super Stock 4 main Danielle Paine took off from her pole position. Just making the race was a feat as she burned out the wiring in her car’s dashboard during the heat race.

A lot of fast work and a bunch of help got her into the main.

A caution bunched the field and when the green waved again Dennis Crook took off and seemed headed to another victory. However he eventually slowed handing the lead to Justin Busch.

Taking the gift Busch roared off the claim the victory followed by Rich Innis and Dennis Crook. Coming home in fourth was Paine followed by Jesse James.

• On Friday, round 7 of the Iron Man Challenge, there were only two classes running at 95A Speedway. However Mother Nature almost threw a monkey wrench into the mix with rain, hail and a blinding dust storm that happened during an IMCA practice.

Fortunately the officials were able to stop that practice and get everyone safely back to the pits. No mean feat when visibility was virtually non-existent.

Finally Mother Nature cooperated and the show got underway with heat races and a B main for the IMCA racers that set their field.

After the traditional 4-wide salute to the fans the field formed up and took the green. But it didn’t go so well so they got to do it twice and then one more time.

No matter because Joel Myers was on point each time while behind him Jeff Olschowka, Randy Artz and Cory Sample were making their way toward the front.

By the time of the first actually caution due to a car slowing in Turn 2 Olschowka was in fourth. On the restart Myers still led but there was a three wide duel for second where Olschowka came out on top and took second place.

Then a car spun in Turn 4 bringing out another caution. By now the race had only gone five laps. On the restart Olschowka took the high line and swept into first.

But four laps later there was another caution that bunched the field. Once racing resumed and Olschowka was on his way with the battle for second continuing as Sample had moved into fifth.

Myers still has his hands full holding off Mark Carrell, Randy Artz and Sample. This allowed Olschowka to open up a slight gap.

Eventually Carrell took second with Artz in third. Then there was a five-car melee in Turn 1 that caused a red flag halting the race.

After a long clean up the field formed but this time it took two attempts to get the race rolling again. Up front Olschowka was soon joined by Artz and Sample.

On the restart Artz dove inside and grabbed the lead while Olschowka had problems with his car, which held Sample up.

Artz took the gift and roared away to claim the victory while Sample didn’t have enough time to make a bid for the lead. Carrell finished third ahead of Travis White and Myers. Unfortunately Olschowka’s problems ended his night and he fell to 15th at the finish.

At the awards ceremony an extremely excited Artz said, “I want to thank the track prep people here for all the hard work they did. This was a phenomenal track tonight, I ran high, low and in the middle. It was a great race, I loved it and thank all your fans for coming out, without you this sport wouldn’t happen.

Then he reflected on his mixed fortunes during the series.

“I think we left that monkey in Lovelock. Last time I raced here I started outside pole and beat Cory by one spot too. It was a tough battle and back and forth for a while. Don’t know if Jeff lost a motor or bobbled or something coming out of Turn 2 but he kind of blocked for me so I got to go low, there was a little rubbng but we came through and I was pretty good I think.”

Then he thanked sponsors Dakota Diesel Repair, J.R. Herrara at Dixon Chasis for building the car, Stomberg Farms out of Minot, North Dakota, Steve Evenson for putting on the series and Cory Sample for his assistance and advice.

As for Sample, well he was a little disappointed at the finish.

” I thought we had a winning car, just trying to get through traffic and I think we showed 52 (Artz) the high line early in the race and I think he definitely used it to his advantage. That last restart I thought we’re going to look pretty good to get by Jeff and then Randy just made the winning move on the bottom and Jeff kind of slipped up and we were blocked so couldn’t make the move.,” he said.

Then he gave special thanks to his father for all the hard work the elder Sample has put in on the car.

Only three Hobby Stocks showed up and the race was all Rocky Goetz has he ran away with it.

At the awards ceremony Goetz said, “Want to thank my brother Royce. He built the car, got to thank him a lot as he just lets me take it out from time to time.”

• In Thursday’s race at Lovelock Speedway runner up Bob Vaden hit one of the track’s tires that mark the course and tore up the front end of his card. He explained that the Vaden and the crew spent most of Friday repairing the damage.

His second place and Shayna Robertson coming in third put them only two points apart going into Saturday.

• Lovelock Speedway was the site for Rounds 5 and 6 on Wednesday and Thursday.

When Thursday’s IMCA main began 19 cars answered the green flag and when it was all over Wade Taylor, after passing five cars on the outside, won followed by Cory Sample and Robert Miller.

The Hobby Stock main was won by David Ausano with Jimmy Berhorst second followed by Bob Shank and Shayna Robertson. That was the race where Vaden damaged his car and didn’t complete all the laps.

Round 5, on Wednesday saw Cory Sample win the IMCA main with Zane DeVillbiss, Wade Taylor and Travis taking second through fourth place.

That night Bob Vaden won the Hobby Stock main with David Ausano and Cody Morris ended up second and third. Shayna Robertson was fifth behind Jimmy Berhorst.

RESULTS

Evenson Law Office Ironman Challenge:

• Round 8

Ferney 95A Speedway – July 2

IMCA Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: 1. Robert Miller, 2. James Thiboudeaux, 3. Chris Nieman, 4. Wade Taylor, 5. Reese Artz, 6. Mike Martin.

+ Heat #2: 1. Dwayne Cleveland, 2. Malen Gonzalez, 3. Joel Myers, 4. Steve McKellip, 5. Royce Goetz, 6.      Andy Strait.

+ Heat #3: 1. Cory Cample, 2. Jeff Olschowka, 3. Travis White, 4. Bill Pearson, 5. Carl Barlow.

+ Heat #4: 1. Riley Simmons, 2. Randy Artz, 3. Matt Murphy, 4. Zane DeVillbiss, 5. Vincent Evenson.

+ B Main (Top 4 Transfer): 1. Reese Artz, 2. Mike Martin, 3. Andy Strait, 4. Royce Goetz, 5. Vincent Evenson, 6. Carl Barlow.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Cory Sample, 2. Robert Miller, 3. James Thiboudeaux, 4. Riley Simmons, 5. Dwayne Cleveland, 6. Chris Nieman, 7. Royce Goetz, 8. Zane DeVillbiss, 9. Jeff Olschowka, 10. Matt Murphy, 11. Reese Artz, 12. Joel Myers, 13. Mike Martin, 14. Steve McKellip, 15. Andy Strait, 16. Travis White, 17. Randy Artz, 18. Wade Taylor, 19. Bill Pearson, 20. Malen Gonzalez.

Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat #1: 1. Rocky Goetz, 2. Bob Vaden, 3. Bob Shank, 4. Shayna Robertson, 5. Jacob Diaz.

+ Heat #2: 1.Dan Diaz, 2. Jeff Tuttle, 3. Jimmy Berhorts, 4. Tim Russell, 5. Cameron Knight.

+ Main (25-Laps): 1. Rocky Goetz, 2. Jeff Tuttle, 3. David Pain, 4. Bob Vaden, 5. Dan Diaz, 6. Jimmy Berhorst, 7. Bob Shank, 8. Shayna Robertson, 9. Tim Russell.

DNS: Jacob Diaz.

Street Stocks:

+ Heat: 1. Rick Miller, 2. George Owen, 3. Michael Burns, 4. James Huffman.

+ Main (10-Laps): 1. Rick Miller, 2. Michael Burns, 3. James Huffman.

DNS: George Owen.

Dwarf Cars:

+ Heat: 1. Joe Frock, 2. Calvin Ryle, 3. Timothy Fitzpatrick, 4. Roy Petersen, 5. Kenny Martin, 6. Glen Sciarani.

+ Main (20-Laps): 1. Joe Frock, 2. Calvin Ryle, 3. Timothy Fitzpatrick, 4. Kenny Martin, 5. Roy Petersen.

DNS: Glen Sciarani.

Super Stock 4:

+ Heat: 1. Dennis Crook, 2. Justin Busch, 3. Rich Innis, 4. Danielle Paine, 5. Jesse James.

+ Main (15-Laps): 1. Justin Busch, 2. Rich Innis, 3. Dennis Crook, 4. Danielle Paine, 5. Jesse James.

• Round 7

Fernley 95A Speedway – July 1

IMCA Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: Joel Myers, 2. Cory Sample, 3. Mark  Carrell, 4. Riley Simmons, 5. Royce Goetz, 6. Vincent Evenson.

+ Heat #2: 1.Travis White, 2. Mike Martin, 3. Walter Ball, 4. James Thiboudeaux, 5. Wade Taylor, 6. Steve McKellip.

+ Heat #3: 1. Randy Artz, 2. Reese Artz, 3. Robert Miller, 4. Chris Nieman, 5. Mark Skender.

+ Heat #4: 1. Jeff Olschowka, 2. Zane DeVillbiss, 3. Malen Gonzalez, 4. Andy Strait, 5. Carl Barlow.

+ B Main (Top 4 Transfer to the A): 1. Wade Taylor, 2. Royce Goetz, 3. Mark Skender, 4. Steve McKellip, 5. Carl Barlow.

DNF – Vincent Evenson.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Randy Artz, 2. Cory Sample, 3. Mark Carrell, 4. Travis White, 5. Joel Myers, 6. Walter Ball, 7. Andy Strait, 8. Royce Goetz, 9. Robert Miller, 10. Mark Skender, 11. Riley Simmons, 12. James Thibodeaux, 13. Malen Gonzalez, 14. Reese Artz, 15. Jeff Olschowka, 16. Steve McKellip, 17. Zane DeVillbiss, 18. Wade Taylor, 19. Chris Nieman, 20. Mike Martin.

Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat: 1. Rocky Goetz, 2. Robert Vaden, 3. Shayna Robertson.

+ Main: 1. Rocky Goetz, 2. Robert Vaden, 3. Shayna Robertson.

 

• Round 6

Lovelock Speedway – June 30

IMCA Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: 1. Robert Miller, 2. Travis White, 3. Joel Meyers, 4. Vincent Evenson.

DNF: Reese Artz.

+ Heat #2: 1. J.D. Jurad, 2. Cory Sample, 3. James Thibodeaux, 4. Zane Devilbiss.

DNF: Andrew Strait.

+ Heat #3: 1. Jeff Olschowka, 2. Wade Tylor, 3. Mike Martin, 4. Randy Artz, 5. Jeff Macedo.

+ Heat #4: 1. Jeff Elerick Jr., 2. Randy McDaniel, 3. Steve McKellip.

DNF – Trevor Gurley.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Wade Taylor, 2. Cory Sample, 3. Robert Miller, 4. Zane Devilbiss, 5. Randy Artz, 6.      Jeff Olschowka, 7. Randy McDaniel, 8. Travis White, 9. Steve McKellip, 10. James Thibodeaux, 11. Mike Martin, 12. Andrew Strait, 13. Vincent Evenson, 14. J.D. Jurad, 15. Reese Artz*, 16. Jeff Elerick Jr.*, 17. Trevor Gurley*, 18. Joel Myers*, 19. Jeff Macedo*.

* = DNF.

Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat: 1. Timm Russell, 2. Bob Shank, 3. Davi Ausano, 4. Bob Vaden, 5. Shayna Robertson, 6. Cody Morris, 7. Tim Russell.

DNF – Jimmy Berhorst.

+ Main (25-Laps): 1. David Ausano, 2. Jimmy Berhorst, 3. Shayna Robertson, 4. Bob Shank, 5.Cody Morris, 6. Tim Russell.

DNF – Bob Vaden.

• Round 5

Lovelock Speedway – June 29

IMCA Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: 1. Robert Miller, 2. Cory Sample, 2. James Thibodeaux, 3. Joel Myers, 4. Vincent Evenson, 5. Joel Meyers, 6. Andrew Strait.

DNF: Trevor Gurley.

+ Heat #2: 1. Jeff Olschowka, 2. Wade Tylor, 3. Randy McDaniel, 4. Travis White, 5. J.D. Jurad, 6. Mike Martin.

+ Heat #3: 1. Randy Artz, 2. Zane Devilbiss, 3. Reese Artz, 4. Steve McKellip, 5. K.C. Kubichek, 6. Jeff Elerick Jr., 7. Vincent Evenson.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Cory Sample, 2. Zane Devilbiss, 3. Wade Taylor, 4. Travis White, 5. Reese Artz, 6. Randy McDaniel, 7.Steve McKellip, 8. K.C. Kubichek, 9. Joel Myers, 10. Andrew Strait, 11. Mike Martin, 12. J.D.Jurad, 13. Joe Olschowka*, 14. James Thibodeaux*, 15. Jeff Elrick Jr.*, 16. Randy Artz*, 17. Trevor Gurley*, 18. Robert Miller*, 19. Vincent Evenson.

*- DNF.

Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat Race: 1. Bob Vaden, 2. David Ausano, 3. Bob Shank, 4. Jimmy Berhorst, 5. Shayna Robertson, 6. Cody Morris.

+ Main (25-Laps): 1. Bob Vaden, 2. David Ausano, 3. Cody Morris, 4. Jimmy Berhorst, 5. Shayna Robertson 6. Bob Shank.