Bergakker Wins Weller Auto Parts 75 @ the Zoo
Brian Bergakker became the first two time winner in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Outlaw Super Late Models at Kalamazoo Speedway on Saturday night. Bergakker participated in a spirited duel with fast qualifier Tyler Roahrig, which saw them start side by side on several of the double file restarts. At one point Roahrig even took the lead but the defending champ was able to wrestle it back from the youngster and hold on for the victory. Billy Shannon used a late race restart to grab second place from Roahrig, who held on to finish third. JR Roahrig finished fourth ahead of 12-time champion Andy Bozell who drove the Greg Cady owned car to a fifth place finish. 2011 champion Phil Bozell finished sixth ahead of Luke Krick, Mark Shook, AJ Foote and Rick Senneker. The point standings took a huge turn as Mike “Bubba” Brooks struggled to a 14th place finish and point leader Jeff Ganus was involved in a scary crash the relegated him to 21st. Bergakker now jumps all the way to the top of the standings but is only eleven points ahead of Brooks. Ganus’s accident drops him all the way to third, but only seventeen points from the lead. Shannon (-84), Shook (-126) and Krick (-135) sit fourth through sixth in the standings heading into next Saturday’s “Steensma 50”.
The battle of the Head brothers was the story of the Super Stock feature, with Buddy coming out victorious over Kenny. Chris Shannon finished a solid third ahead of Ryan Wheeler and Tyler Hufford. Kelli Jo Hofacker was sixth ahead of last week’s winner Ben Beeler, Jordan Hunderman, former champion Matt Corliss and Darren Lane. Buddy now leads Kenny by just 25 points in the championship battle. Hofacker (-87), Lane (-91), Shannon (-112), Hufford (-136) and Hunderman (-154) are in striking distance should the Head brothers encounter problems.
The Pro Stock feature saw Toby Montgomery come out on top over defending champion Lloyd Brooks, Brad VanAvery, Bud Hybels and Brent Hook. Keith Wilfong finished sixth ahead of Greg Brown, Nick DeLongpre, Steven Roden and Ashley Markillie. Notable finishers included John Foote Jr. in 13th. Montgomery also ran the fastest qualifying lap of the evening and won a heat race for a “max points” event. Hybels won the other heat. VanAvery now leads Montgomery by just 36 points. Hybels (-37), Foote Jr. (-43), Hook (-51), Travis Hall (-131), Brooks (-151) and Jerry Pierman (-160) sit third through eighth in the standings heading into this Saturday’s Pro Stock Cash Bash Presented by Best Way Disposal.
A very exciting Mini Stock feature saw Billy Bussema come out on top over Dave Long in late race battle. Jeremy Collins finished third ahead of fast qualifier Jerime Damron and defending champion Frank Stager. Shane Clark was sixth beating out Chaz Hook, Wayne Stack, Doug Smith and Noah Gallandt. Notable finishers included Dennis Zimmerman in13th. Collins and Zimmerman won the heat races. Long now holds a slim three point lead over Damron in the battle for the Mini Stock championship. Clark is now third, 59 points behind while Hook (-81), Collins (-111), Zimmerman (-140) and Gallandt (-159) all still have visions of winning the title.
Jerry Jansen III came out on top of the twenty lap Cyber Stock feature, holding off Jack Cook for the victory. Dion Vrooman finished third ahead of Tyler McGhan and point leader Barry Jenkins. Walter Neilson IV finished sixth beating out fast qualifier Jerry Jansen Jr., Brian Gregersen, Brandon Hoffman and Matt Majewski. Jansen III and Keegan Dykstra won the heats. Jenkins point lead is now 57 over Cook. Nielson IV (-68), McGhan (-72), Vrooman (-97) and Jansen III (-99) all remain with 100 points of the lead.
Next on the schedule is the Veterans 200 Enduro Presented by Allstar Performance. The event rolls off at 7:00 today, Sunday May 26. In addition to the 200 lap main event will be the fan favorite Spectator Drags, as well as a Powder Puff Enduro and Fireworks!
This Saturday, June 1st will see the first appearance of 2013 for the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint Series. A good field of the ultra-fast sprinters is expected for this event. In addition to the Super Sprints, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Outlaw Super Late Models will be in action, running the “Steensma 50”. Three drivers sit within just 17 points of each other in the battle for the title. Also the Pro Stocks will be in action, running the Pro Stock Cash Bash Presented by Best Way Disposal. For more information on Kalamazoo Speedway visit www.kalamazoospeedway.com.
