Goettsch gears up for track title

CEDAR RAPIDS - Tim Goettsch has put his knowledge to good use.

The 24-year-old Bettendorf driver applied the information he learned by working more on his car, figured out the intricacies of the asphalt quarter-mile track and his own racing skill to a successful summer.

In his first full year running legends at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, Goettsch has a commanding points lead for the division's season points title with three weeks remaining. He try for his class-high sixth feature win Friday night during weekly points races, beginning with heat races at 7:30 p.m.

Goettsch began racing go-karts since his mid-teens, and has competed in some legends races at Hawkeye Downs after it was reinstated the class in 2011 .

"It's been a big learning curve," Goettsch said. "I'm thankful I was able to transfer the success I've had in go-karts."

He placed himself in position for a title without being aware to the standings. Goettsch has been focused on learning as much as he can and improving. He admits that it would be a special feat.

"We haven't paid attention to it," said Goettsch, who holds a track-best 68-point lead over Austin Kunert, of Batavia, Ill. "I've just gone out to be consistent.

"It would mean a lot to win it."

Consistency has been key for Goettsch. After opening the season with a ninth and 10th-place finish, Goettsch haven't placed worse than sixth. He has a runner-up performance and was third twice, in addition to claiming the checkered flag last week. The legends division has had the largest fields at the track all season, having between 15-20 cars weekly.

"Legends has proved to be very entertaining," Hawkeye Downs Race Promoter Mike Becker said. "It is very diversified."

The victory during Van Meter Night on June 21 served as a highlight.

"That was probably the most fun and enjoyable race," Goettsch said. "Everybody gave others enough room and raced clean. It was fun to win that race."

Legends are unique in the fact that you can take them all over the world and race them competitively. Goettsch has run in Wisconsin as well.

"The more experience I get and knowledge I gain the more I can go to other tracks," Goettsch said, "and be competitive."

Goettsch is the only points leader, who doesn't already have a championship at Hawkeye Downs.

Dave McCalla has eight wins this season and owns a 26-point lead over Ben Glascock in the sportsman division. McCalla is looking to repeat as track champion for the first time since winning three straight from 2006-08.

Matt Petrzelka returned to victory lane last week after Kandi Floyd won two weeks ago. Petrzelka has more than a 40-point advantage over Matt Lacoursiere, who is the only driver to win in the hobby stock division. Petrzelka is looking for his third consecutive title.

"That got ho-hum there for a while," Becker said. "Mister Petrzelka was the winner every week, but now he's had a couple weeks where he didn't take the trophy home. The others are stepping it up, and it's good for what we do."

Tim Plummer has walked off with trophies from the modified and late model features the last two weeks. It is indicative of the season. Plummer is in command for season points championships in both divisions. It would be his first since 2010 when he swept both classes that year.

Hornet driver Kurt Bohnsack won his sixth feature a week ago, and extended his points lead over Dan Schmidt to almost 50 points. Bohnsack's only other track title came in 2008 when he claimed the stock car crown.

Weekly racing has produced strong shows, especially the last couple weeks. Even though the track desires more cars in each of the six classes, the cars at the track are entertaining.

"The quality of the guys that are here is very good," Becker said. "Some have even said that it's hard for others to come in here, because it's hard keeping up with some of these guys."

Gates open at 6 p.m. with hot laps at 6:35. Admission is $10, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Children 12 years old and younger are free. Among the night's activities, the track will be giving away bicycles to select race fans 14 years old and younger.