Veterans honored at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS - Hanford Post No. 5 American Legion hasn't had a presence at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in recent years. The American Legion group was welcomed back to the track this season.

Last night, Hawkeye Downs and Hanford Post No. 5 teamed to treat veterans and active military personnel to an exciting night at the track's weekly points races during American Legion night.

Hanford Post No. 5 returned to the track this season to participate in pre-race ceremonies, after a few year hiatus.

“(Promoter) Mike (Becker) came to us to do colors,” said Roger Fox, Commander of Hanford Post No. 5 American Legion. “We figured this is a great way to get us out there. Let the public know we're doing what we can for the veterans.”

American Legion members, veterans and active military personnel received free admission. During the evening, the American Legion presented the Colors during the national anthem, sold poppies with the proceeds going to the Veterans Hospital and held a 50/50 raffle, benefiting American Legion programs.

“We're still a viable organization,” said Fox, noting that people mistakenly thought it was closed. “We're also helping Hawkeyes Downs.”

The night drew about 1,200 fans to the track. American Legion members were glad to be asked to join the season's festivities.

“It was nice of them,” Fox said about the invitation to present the Colors this summer. “We do this because we want to do it. We want to honor our flag, our country and our veterans.”

Arnold Port and Bob Millage were two veterans in attendance last night.

Port, a veteran of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars who served 26 years in the Army, Air Corps before retiring from the Air Force, hadn't been to the race track for a number of years, attending Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball games most nights, but came out for the special evening.

“The last time I was out here they were running electric cars,” said Port, 86, of Cedar Rapids. “That's why I'm here.”

Millage, 80, of Cedar Rapids, is an Army veteran, serving in Korea. He came out to see action on the asphalt.

“I normally go to Vinton,” said Millage, adding, “We come out here several times a year.

Kurt Bohnsack was a member of the National Guard for 21 years. The 42-year-old stock car driver said honoring the veterans is important.

“It's a good deal,” Bohnsack said. “You should always honor servicemen because they put their lives on the line.”

Points were on the line in nine points races.

Legend Cars made their first appearance since 2003 at the track. It was a newcomer to the track that walked away with the 20-lap feature victory. rachael Pinkerman, 19, of Barrington Hills, Ill., became what is believed to be the first female Legend Car winner.

Pinkerman ran the high-side of the track perfectly, cutting to the inside to take the lead with about eight laps to go. Pinkerman battled Jeremy Meyer of Cedar Rapids, who finished second, for the lead. She manuevered through lap traffic efficiently. She enjoyed her first experience at hawkeye Downs.

"I love it," Pinkerman said. "I'm definitely coming back."

Tim Plummer, the six-time defending modified season points champ, returned to the division running a late model last week. He took the lead halfway through the feature and captured the victory.

Like Plummer, Andy Duggan is a defending season points champion. Duggan claimed two feature wins in the Sportsmen class, holding off rival Dave McCalla in the first feature that was a makeup after last week's feature was rained out. he came back to win the regularly scheduled feature that saw McCalla wreck on the third turn. The damage could keep McCalla out the rest of the season.

Aric Becker was dialed in, winning his two features in as many weeks at Hawkeye Downs. Becker grasped the lead with seven laps remaining and won before runner-up Scott Kositzky reached the fourth turn.

"I just had a good setup to start the year," Becker said. "I've been tweeking it a little bit, trying to get it better every week."

Brian Franks was impressive winning the stock car feature. After a caution just four laps into the 15-lap feature, Franks was part of a restart that saw the leaders go three-wide for an entire lap before he took the lead for good.

"(Greg) Hentrich was worried about the outside guy so he drove up to block Jim Hanson," Franks said about the end of the three-wide lap. "I just drove underneath for the win."

Kyle Hinrichs persevered a wild and interesting late model feature that saw five cautions, including three before the first lap was even complete.

Hinrichs, who did not race at Hawkeye Downs last season, led from start to finish, leaving the rest of the field to battle for second. Thor Anderson and Griffin McGrath finished second and third, respectively.

Duayne Herb won the hobby stock feature with Jeremy Robbins placing second. Derek Parrott claimed his first feature win this summer.

Hobby stocks - 1. Duayne Herb, 2. Jeremy Robbins, 3. Kandi Floyd, 4. Nathan Ballard, 5. Matt Petrzelka

Modifieds - 1. Tim Plummer, 2. Ryan Luedtke, 3. Arlo Becker, 4. Rodney Rocarek, 5. Brian Allen

Stock cars - 1. Brian Franks, 2. Bob Ahrendson, 3. Brian Beatty, 4. Greg Hentrich, 5. Kurt Bohnsack

Sportsmen (makeup feature) - 1. Andy Duggan, 2. Dave McCalla

Sportsmen - 1. Andy Duggan, 2. Doug Simon, 3. Travis Thompson, 4. Ben Glascock, 5. Dave McCalla

Hornets - 1. Derek Parrott, 2. Brad Chandler, 3. Bryce Bailey, 4. Dallas Chandler, 5. Dan Burhite

Sportsmods - 1. Aric Becker, 2. Scott Kositzky, 3. Blake Carson, 4. Tim Dains

Legend cars - 1. Rachael Pinkerman, 2. Jeremy Meyer, 3. Rob McGolthlen, 4. B.J. Bates, 5. Warren Ropp

Late models - 1. Kyle Hinrichs, 2. Thor Anderson, 3. Griffin McGrath, 4. Brad Dvorak, 5. Justin Jennings