Gibson gets support for title run

CEDAR RAPIDS - Call it a family affair.

Brian Gibson may not be in his current position had it not been for his family's support and sacrifice.

The 45-year-old race car driver is on the verge of claiming his first season points title at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. He maintained his lead in the modified division season points standings, finishing second in the feature Friday night at the asphalt track.

It was his family that suggested he dedicate the entire summer to claiming a title. They altered their summer plans to accommodate Gibson's racing.

"We shortened up family vacations," said Gibson, noting they had two short vacations instead of a longer excursion. "The kids wanted me to run for the points."

Last year, Gibson contended for his first track title since starting racing at Hawkeye Downs in 1989. He earned a runner-up finish last year, owning the lead at one point. He kept obligations instead of vying for a points championship, missing two straight weeks which included a trip to a race at Iowa Speedway in Newton.

"It worked out we got second," Gibson said. "We had a good shot of winning it."

His son, Alex, who assisted the team in the pits, step-daughters, Carly and Sydney, and wife, Renae, have been the nucleus of strong support for Gibson's racing. Gibson, a Battalion Chief for the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, praised his wife for allowing him the chance to compete on the track.

"I'm very blessed to have them behind me," Gibson said. "We have good fan support in the stands."

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The season opened with a feature win, but the second didn't come until the end of July. He said his crew chief, Craig Barenz, who is a sponsor with wife, Lori, and Steve Setzer, of Performance Concepts, have worked hard on his car, struggling through some tough weeks in between. His family supported practicing every Wednesday at the track and purchasing new tires.

"Thank God for a supportive crew and family," Gibson said. "We spent some money and got it back in shape."

Gibson made his own sacrifice after 2002 season, quitting his race career to follow his son as he became active in sports. He got back behind the wheel following a family loss, needing a way to release stress, and bought the car from Rodney Rocarek.

"I missed it," Gibson said. "It was the right opportunity at the right time at the right price.

"It's been a good deal."

Alex Gibson, 15 with a birthday coming up this month, said he has entertained the thought of following in his dad tracks. He enjoys watching his dad race the No. 17 modified for now.

"I haven't made up my mind," Alex Gibson said about auto racing. "I have a lot of fun coming out here with him."

The Gibsons have had enough to cheer about. Brian Gibson held a 32-point lead before Friday night and only two weeks left in the season. He runs among the leaders almost every week.

"We've been consistent and have stayed out of trouble," Gibson said. "It has been a fun season. It is a good group of guys to race with."

Gibson came in behind Jake Griffin, who won his fourth feature in the 14-year-old's first season at Hawkeye Downs. Griffin is third in points.

Gibson was second in the sportsman feature, driving the car of an injured Ben Glascock. He placed behind division leader Dave McCalla, who took the lead with more than 10 laps to go and raced to his 10th win of the season.

McCalla said his success is a product of numerous hours working on the car.

“We have a schedule of what we do every single night,” McCalla said. “My neighbors probably hate seeing me outside every night … we go through a lot of beer in the shop and do a lot of work.”

In the late model feature, Andy Edwards and Thor Anderson locked in a tough battle during the 30-lap contest. Edwards took the lead in the opening laps and then had to keep Anderson at bay the rest of the race.

Edwards never gave in to Anderson's challenge, staying in front as Anderson tried to nestle in and pass on the inside for most of the last 15 laps. Edwards crossed the finish line with Anderson right on his bumper and veteran Dudley Fleck right behind Anderson.

“I was loose the whole race. I felt like I had an egg under my foot,” Edwards said. “It's so awesome to race against Thor like that. We've been racing go-karts like that for 15 years, and to do that tonight, to end up where we were it's amazing.”

Kevin Korsmo captured his seventh feature win in the legends class. He dedicated the win to late Police Officer Tim Chapin, who died while on duty.

"We can't do it without the police department," Korsmo said. "They put themselves in harm's way. This officer lost his life doing his job. This race is for him."

Matt Petrzelka continued to dominate the hobby stock division, claiming his ninth feature win. He has a second straight season points title wrapped up. Brad Chandler finished second to Petrzelka in hobby stocks, but won the hornet feature.

HAWKEYE DOWNS SPEEDWAY

Late models

Heat winners - 1st: Andy Edwards; 2nd: Jay Jaspers

Feature - 1. Edwards, 2. Thor Anderson, 3. Dudley Fleck, 4. Jaspers, 5. Jake Griffin

Modifieds

Heat winners - 1st: Ryan Luedtke; 2nd: Jake Griffin

Feature - 1. Griffin, 2. Brian Gibson, 3. Luedtke, 4. Dave McCalla, 5. Travis Thompson

Sportsmen

Heat winner - Dave Ballstaedt

Feature - 1. Dave McCalla, 2. Brian Gibson, 3. Ballstaedt, 4. Greg Hentrich, 5. Bob Ahrendsen

Legends

Trophy dash winner - Caleb Adrian