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Hawkeye Downs champions have been crowned
Weather forced the cancellation of championship night on Aug. 15, titles were secured in each division as the 2025 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series
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CEDAR RAPIDS - A new class of champions has been crowned at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.
While inclement weather forced the cancellation of championship night on Aug. 15, titles were secured in each division as the 2025 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series came to a close.
The champions are Kurt Bohnsack (Hornets), Kevin Korsmo (Legends), Todd Ness (Sportsmans), Tallan Chandler (Sports Mods), Adam Petrzelka (Hobby Stocks), Michael Weber (Late Models) and Garrett Warren (HD Dawgs).
Kurt Bohnsack (Hornets)
It was an impressive season for Bohnsack of Ely. He took the checkered flag six times in 12 features.
“This title is in the 100th anniversary year, so I’m super excited about that,” Bohnsack said. “That was my goal at the beginning of the year, and it actually worked out.”
In a competitive Hornets class, Bohnsack finished top five in every race.
“Chad (Vozenilek) and (John) Carnahan were the two guys closest to me in points and they didn't make it easy,” Bohnsack said. “I had to work for every race, every point I got. I enjoyed it.”
Bohnsack began racing at Hawkeye Downs in 1996. This was his fifth championship at the track — first since his Hobby Stock title in 2018.
He plans to retire from racing.
“Car is already sold, actually,” Bohnsack said. “I didn't want to retire, but it's just about getting older and letting those guys take over and have fun. I can just watch them now.”
Kevin Korsmo (Legends)
In what was the tightest points race at this year, Wall of Famer Kevin Korsmo of Atkins edged Ames’ Dallas Kibbe by two points.
“It was a no-lose situation for me because either way we did it, we were going to have a Legends Direct-Miller Performance Car champion, so I’m the lucky one to come out on top,” Korsmo said. “Dallas has plenty of years — I’m going to be 62. He’s going to have plenty of time to make it up, so I’m not going to complain about this one.”
This was Korsmo’s ninth track title at Hawkeye Downs — 11th for Korsmo Racing with son Kacey Korsmo.
“It’s very meaningful, probably the most meaningful of all of them to be honest — and that’s because of the 100th year,” Korsmo said. “I don’t points race. I haven’t looked at a points sheet in years. But this year … it means a ton to me.”
He plans to race again next year, which will be his 37th at HD.
“I just race at Hawkeye Downs and that's the only place that I really feel like racing,” Korsmo said.“I don't really care about racing full time in points … again, with it being the 100th year, it was important. But in the future, I'll still race.”
Todd Ness (Sportsmans)
Cedar Rapids’ Ness secured his second straight Sportsmans title — third in four years.
“Winning my third track title in four years means that I beat all the hard days, learned from my failures and overcame all the adversity I was faced with,” Ness said. “Each one means more than anyone could imagine.”
It was another dominant campaign for Ness, winning five of 12 features.
“The competition is tough — from veterans like (Cory) Houdek to up and coming young guys like (Corey) Crispin,” Ness said. “These guys wrench on their cars and get better every week, so all their hard work really shows when we are out on the track.
“Being a 100th year champion feels significant because I’ve become a part of the legacy that Hawkeye Downs has created for a century. Starting as a kid running around the grandstands, watching all the drivers in circles on the track feels good. I hope my journey inspires the next generation to do the same.”
Tallan Chandler (Sports Mods)
Chandler, of Norway, ended his season winning eight consecutive features to capture a second straight Sports Mods title.
“I love racing, and I love everything about it,” Chandler said. “My dad, he puts everything into the car. It's just fun to be out there and be able to win and show him that all the work's paid off.”
Chandler’s impressive season included a three-week stretch of wins with former NASCAR drivers competing in the field — July 18 (Kenny Wallace), July 25 (Ken Schrader) and July 30 (Landon Cassill).
“It was great getting to race against all different kinds of people,” Chandler said. “It was really fun, especially the NASCAR drivers, they were fun to race against, and being able to beat them was the best.”
Adam Petrzelka (Hobby Stocks)
Mirroring his 2024 championship season, Petrzelka of Norway was near perfect, winning 11 of 12 features. He took second on June 13 – the lone blemish of his 2025 campaign.
“It’s been nothing but good, except those two I lost,” Petrzelka said of his 2024 and 2025 seasons.“The first one (championship) was a little more special just because it was the first, but the second was special, too, because it’s the 100th year of racing here. They both have their perks.”
Michael Weber (Late Models)
Marion’s Weber won five of nine Late Model features, netting his first track title at HD.
“It means all the time we put into building this car over the offseason was worth it,” Weber said. “Winning the championship of the 100th anniversary is special because for a track to survive 100 years is pretty incredible. Hopefully it continues for another 100 years.”
Weber was top five in every race.
Garrett Warren (HD Dawgs)
In HD Dawgs’ second season, Garrett Warren of Indianola took the title after winning five of eight features. Warren held off second-place finisher David Ballstaedt and last year’s champion, Will Zamastil, to the claim to crown.
“It feels great, especially for my first full season on asphalt,” Warren said. “I just want to say thanks to everyone at the track and everybody that was out there making the racing good this year.”
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