PHOTOS: Jefferson duo attack Downs track with wrestling mentality

The words “J-Hawk Wrestler” and the J-Hawk decal on the B7 sportmod applies to its current and previous drivers.

Blake Carson and Tony Olson have driven that car and share the distinction of Cedar Rapids Jefferson wrestlers who compete at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

The talented young drivers earned top-four finishes Friday night during the weekly points races. Carson was second in the sportmod feature, and Olson placed fourth in the modifieds.

Olson, a state qualifier for the J-Hawks in 2004, displays a fiery demeanor behind the wheel, similar to the mentality on the wrestling mat. He attributed it to the eight years of dirt-track racing.

“You have to be an aggressive driver on dirt. I guess it rubs off on asphalt a little bit,” said Olson, who still races on dirt at Independence and Vinton during the week. “It's a little more fun that way. Bigger excitement for fans.”

Olson wasn't able to get into contention Friday night as Tim Plummer dominated the modified feature. He pulled away from the field to win his third this season.

Despite Friday night, Olson's style has powered strong showings the last month, including spots routinely at the front of the pack. He won a special A-modified versus B-modified at the end of July and was credited with his first season points feature win last week.

That first official feature win was a culmination of a lot of work.

“We've been too close too many times not to get one,” Olson said. “It's nice to have it under our belt.”

The Olson racing team learned how the car handled and all the alterations took effect at the right time.

“It all came together at once,” Olson said. “The car is faster and faster every week and finally paying off.”

Carson, a junior and wrestling letterwinner at Jefferson, drove go-carts with Olson as kids in Fairfax. They pit next to each other as well.

Carson notched his own success this season, racing Olson's old sportmod ride. He's been consistent, owning second placing in the IMCA sportsmod season points standings without a feature victory.

Carson said the season has gone “pretty good” and “it's fun” racing with Olson. Carson has received advice, helping him learn and improve.

“He knows the car real good,” said Carson, who conceded Olson was the better driver and wrestler. “I take off him. I watch him and then do the same he does.”

Carson improved on his start in the fourth position, finishing behind Sportmod points leader Scott Kositzky, who won his fifth feature.

Kositzky took the lead for good with seven laps left.

“Dave (Coghlan) kind of slipped up a couple times and I took advantage of him and got away with a clean finish,” Kositzky said.

Kurt Bohnsack's matched his car number last night. Bohnsack won his fourth feature and increased his points seasons lead, grabbing the lead with five laps remaining after advancing from the sixth starting position.

Jim Henson won the Hornets division race, filled with crashes and cautions. Hanson won his second feature this season by starting at the back and steadily weaving through the field.

In the IMCA stock car feature, Duayne Herb and Roland Bohnsack dueled for the last half of the feature, but it was herb doing celebratory doughnuts after his first feature win.