A nice night for racing

CEDAR RAPIDS - All it took was a beautiful Friday evening with graduation and Memorial Day in the rearview mirror to get the crowds back at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Free tickets may have helped as well.

An estimated 2,500 people were on hand Friday night to support their favorite drivers.

Winning feature races were Matt Petrzelka in hobby stocks, Jim Hanson in sportsmen, Kurt Bohnsack in hornets, Bryce Bailey in legends, Tim Plummer in modifieds and Griffin McGrath in late models.

Attendance and car counts have been down at most tracks around the area, and it has been difficult to pin point why.

“I wish I had the answer, I really do,” said Hawkeye Downs promoter. “There are so many things that factor into it that it is hard to say what is causing the lower numbers.”

The not so springlike weather may have played a role in the lack of attendance.

“It's not just here, and it's not just racing. Most every outdoor activity is hurting with numbers,” Becker said. “It was a long winter, and if you think about it, a lot of farmers don't even have their fields planted yet. It has been that kind of year. Hopefully, that will change.”

So with hopes the weather may start to cooperate, it's a good time to take a look at the things taking place with racing at Hawkeye Downs.

“Tonight we have the highest car count of the year, and that is a great thing to see,” Becker said.

According to Becker, the legend class continues to be popular and showing growth. That division brings in the most cars every week.

To a guy like Becker, The weekly racing shows are about drivers and racing.

”I'd like to see us put a more of a focus on the racers this year,” he said. “This is the most talented group we have had out here. On any given night, anyone can win. The drivers are outstanding.

And that's a great show for the fans, It's good for the drivers and racing as a whole.”