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PERSEVERENCE PAYS OFF, EGAN CONQUERS ‘CLASH AT THE DOWNS’

Story by: Caleb Slouha (Hawkeye Downs PR)

Leading up to the start of the “Clash at the Downs V” at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids Iowa on Friday night, Nick Egan wasn’t thinking this would be his breakthrough week.

After a big wreck at his home track in Wisconsin just five days prior, Egan was left with a bent stub among other significant damage. The team worked hard to get it fixed just in time to make the trip to Iowa for the opening race of the 2019 Big 8 Late Model Series season.

“At two o’clock this morning we were just about ready to load up,” the 2018 series rookie said in victory lane. “The only testing I had was driving it to the hauler, it’s really scary coming to a big track with no testing after a big wreck like that.”

Their hard work paid off, as Egan survived the chaos throughout the race to grab his first career series victory at the end.

Calamity struck even before racing even began, when Minnesota’s Grant Brown had an issue in qualifying and went into the turn three wall, ending his night.

Then it was time for the 48 lap feature event. Before a full lap of green was made, Chad Walen and Mark Ironside made contact—prompting a full restart. Matt Lundberg took the early lead until Brody Willett assumed the top spot on the race’s third lap.

Willett continued to lead until a caution came out with 16 to go, meaning fast qualifier, Griffin McGrath, would be lined up right behind him. Two laps later, the drivers made contact coming out of turn four, sending both head-on into the wall. Both drivers were okay, but their night was over.

When the race was restarted, it was Michael Bilderback and Egan who led the charge. As the two got side by side, slight contact was made, giving Egan the head spot and dropping Bilderback backwards. From there it was clear sailing for Egan, who was able to drive away and collect his first-ever Big 8 Late Model Series victory in just his second full season racing with the series.

“We were lined up for the red flag, I saw Mikey (Bilderback) looked like he had a tire going down, and I knew I could get by him,” Egan said. “We took a big swing at it after the heat race, and the adjustments we made really helped and brought us here.”

A second place finish was enough for a big smile as Lundberg climbed out of the car. When asked if he thought he would end up where he did:

“Early on? No!,’ He said. “As the night went on the car got better and better and the cautions helped us cool the tires down then we were able to get by guys.”

The next event for the Big 8 Late Model Series is scheduled for Friday, June 28th at Madison International Speedway in Oregon Wisconsin, with the traditional running of the “Salute to America” 48 lap event. Along with a large post-race Fireworks Display, the Big 8 ‘weekly warriors’ are set to share the spotlight at Madison with the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series.

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REYNOLDS’ TWELFTH SERIES VICTORY IS A PERFECT TEN

Story By: Adam Glatczak

Jon Reynolds, Jr.’s 2018 trip to State Park Speedway was a lot like
his 2014 visit to the track.

In both trips, the number 10 figured heavily into the equation, maybe
all too appropriate for the Loves Park, Ill., racer known as Driver X.
More importantly, the final results were a success both times for
Reynolds, including Friday night when he won the 58-lap Big 8 Late
Models feature, highlighting the first night of the 38th annual Larry
Detjens Memorial at the track.

Reynolds came from starting 10th in the field, took the lead from
Michael Ostdiek on lap 32 and pulled away to win by a full
straightaway over Ostdiek and the field for his second Big 8 win in
the series’ seven visits to State Park Speedway. It also was the 12th
Big 8 feature win all-time for Reynolds, who is one victory behind
leaders Michael Bilderback and Jeremy Miller for series honors.

“I don’t know if you believe in numbers or not,” said Reynolds to
track announcer Curt Keene in victory lane after the race, “but in
2014 when we won here, we parked in pit stall number 10, we won the
heat and we won the feature. Today we pitted in pit stall number 10,
we won the heat and we won the feature.”

The pass that would decide the race’s eventual winner didn’t come
easily for Reynolds. He got inside Ostdiek on the backstretch on the
32nd circuit and cleared him quickly as Ostdiek backed off in the
corner in an attempt to cross over underneath Reynolds himself.

Reynolds was not fazed, but Ostdiek was not finished, either. The 2016
winner of the Big 8’s trip to the track got into the back of Reynolds
two laps later in turns three and four, causing both cars to get
loose. Reynolds saved his car from spinning, and Grant Brown briefly
made his way all the way up to second, sneaking past Ostdiek.

Brown and Ostdiek would battle for second for the next 14 laps,
including getting side-by-side on two different occasions. That was
good news for Reynolds, who worked lapped traffic and drove away from
the rest of the leaders to build a big lead he never relinquished.

The race’s opening stages were dominated by Nick Egan, who started on
the pole and led the first 19 laps convincingly. Egan showed strength
while pulling away after the first restart, but was never the same
after the second restart. He drifted up the track on the second and
was passed by Ostdiek on lap 20, and soon faded back to fifth before
being involved in a tangle with Rayce Haase on lap 26 that sent both
to the back.

Reynolds bided his time early but got some help when the race’s
complexion changed dramatically on the 17th lap. Racing deep in the
pack, Hunter Drefahl and Todd Handrick got together in turn one, with
Handrick’s car coming to a stop in the middle of the track. The
leaders came around and a number of them ran straight into trouble,
with third-place Jacob Nottestad, points leader Miller and fast
qualifier Brody Willett all suffering damage that took them out of the
race.

There was more bad news for frontrunners a few laps later after the
restart. A fierce battle for position on lap 18 resulted in the cars
of Ostdiek, Jerry Mueller and Joe Neisius going three-wide into turn
three.

All three cars came out without incident, but the same couldn’t be
said when another three-wide run into the third turn resulted in
contact between third-place Jerry Mueller and State Park Speedway
regular Travis Volm, causing the latter to spin into the middle of the
track between the third and fourth turns. Minnesota’s Jared Duda was
unable to avoid him, causing heavy damage to the nose of Volm’s car.

Volm was able to return despite missing the front nose sheet metal on
his car and briefly moved back up to fifth, but the rest of the race
belonged to Reynolds.

Ostdiek finished second in his first start on the tour this year,
while Neisius finished third. Brown finished fourth and Mueller came
back to finish fifth.

“This is definitely a racy track, we just came up a little short,”
said Ostdiek. “I think we were a second-place car, Reynolds he sure
was quick…but all in all it was a good night for us.”

“It’s our first time here, it’s definitely got some quirks, it’s
tricky to drive this place,” said Neisius. “I’ll take a third coming
out here against these guys that have been here several times.”

Race Results
Larry Detjens Memorial Race (58 laps)
State Park Speedway (Wausau, WI)
Friday July 27 2018

1. Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
2. Michael Ostdiek Lakeville, MN
3. Joe Neisius Rosemount, MN
4. Grant Brown Prior Lake, MN
5. Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
6. Nick Egan Slinger, WI
7. Todd Handrick Wausau, WI
8. Rayce Haase Wausau, WI
9. Dave Cabelka Wausau, WI
10. Travis Volm Mosinee, WI
11. Jared Duda St Michael, MN
12. Mark Greb Coralville, IA
13. Chris Storey Burlington, WI
14. Jacob Nottestad Stoughton, WI
15. Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
16. Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
17. Hunter Drefahl Evansville, WI
18. Justin Woller Kimberly, WI

Preliminary Race Winners: Ostdiek, Miller, Reynolds
Fast Qualifier: Willett
Car Count: 18 Big 8 Late Models

Big 8 Late Model Series Point Standings
(Top 10, as of 7/28/18)

1. 43 Jeremy Miller 323
2. X Jon Reynolds Jr 294
3. 00 Brody Willett 271
4. 13 Nick Egan ® 252
5. 14 Grant Brown ® 245
6. 75 Joe Neisius 222
7. 97 Jacob Nottestad ® 221
8. 49 Jerry Mueller 217
9. 66 Chris Storey 169
10. 42 Ryan Kamish 159

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7/27/2018 – Big 8 Series State Park Speedway Results

Big 8 Late Model Series
A-Main 01 — 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 2. Michael Ostdiek, Lakeville, Minn.; 3. Joe Neisius, Rosemount,
Minn.; 4. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 5. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 6. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 7. Todd
Handrick, Wausau, Wis; 8. Rayce Haase, Wausau, Wis; 9. Dave Cabelka, Wausau, Wis; 10. Travis Volm, Mosinee,
Wis; 11. Jared Duda, St Michael, Minn.; 12. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa; 13. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 14.
Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 15. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 16. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 17. Hunter
Drefahl, Evansville, Wis; 18. Justin Woller, Kimberly, Wis.

Heat 01 — 1. Michael Ostdiek, Lakeville, Minn.; 2. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 3. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 4.
Jared Duda, St Michael, Minn.; 5. Dave Cabelka, Wausau, Wis; 6. Hunter Drefahl, Evansville, Wis.

Heat 02 — 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 2. Travis Volm, Mosinee, Wis; 3. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 4. Todd
Handrick, Wausau, Wis; 5. Rayce Haase, Wausau, Wis; 6. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa.

Heat 03 — 1. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 2. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 3. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 4.
Joe Neisius, Rosemount, Minn.; 5. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 6. Justin Woller, Kimberly, Wis.

Time Trial — 1. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 2. Travis Volm, Mosinee, Wis; 3. Michael Ostdiek, Lakeville, Minn.;
4. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 5. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 6. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 7. Joe Neisius,
Rosemount, Minn.; 8. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 9. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 10. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park;
11. Rayce Haase, Wausau, Wis; 12. Dave Cabelka, Wausau, Wis; 13. Justin Woller, Kimberly, Wis; 14. Mark Greb,
Coralville, Iowa; 15. Jared Duda, St Michael, Minn.; 16. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 17. Todd Handrick,
Wausau, Wis; 18. Hunter Drefahl, Evansville, Wis.

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Bilderback Big 8’s Best at Madison

Although he might not race at Madison as much as he did last year, Michael Bilderback made the most of it tonight by winning the Montgomery Ward 48 for the Big 8 Late Models as part of Colony Brands Salute to America Night at Madison.

Jacob Nottestad and John Baumeister Jr. brought the field of twenty-seven Big 8 Late Models to the green flag with Nottestad gaining a slight advantage before the first caution flag waved on lap 2 for an incident back in the pack.

Nottestad was able to maintain his lead after the restart followed by Baumeister Jr. who passed Ryan Kamish for second on lap 3. Bilderback moved into third on lap 5 followed by Bobby Wilberg shortly before the caution flag waved on lap 6 for a spin.

Bilderback moved into second on the restart and on lap 9 worked his way to the inside of Nottestad coming out of turn four to take the lead. Back in the pack past winners Dale Nottestad and Jeremy Miller were up to the seventh and eight place positions.

Out front it was smooth sailing for Bilderback as he gladly welcomed the tight competition for top five positioning in his rear view mirror. By lap 20 his lead was up to ten car lengths while Jacob Nottestad and Baumeister Jr. were in a spirited battle for second.

Bilderback’s advantage would be negated when Pat Richgels made heavy contact with the wall in turn one bringing out the caution flag on lap 23.

Again, the restart was favorable for Bilderback as he quickly took a three car length lead over Baumeister Jr. who had overtaken Jacob Nottestad for second. But the car on the move now was Dale Nottestad who had worked his way up to fourth and pulled alongside Jacob Nottestad on lap 27 and eventually took the third position two laps later before the caution flag was displayed again for two cars that got together in turn two.

The cat and mouse game with the Big 8 cone continued as drivers chose the inside or outside lines behind Bilderback. After the green flag, Miller was now the car on the move as he moved up to fourth and on lap 33 would pull to the inside of Dale Nottestad and take over the third spot.

Three more cautions, the third on lap 42 involving top five cars of Dale Nottestad and Wilberg, and three more restarts were no problem for Bilderback who held off the hard-charging Miller to pick up the victory. Baumeister Jr. finished third followed by Jon Reynolds Jr. and Jacob Nottestad.

It was Bilderback’s first Big 8 win at Madison. He is now tied for most wins in the Big 8 Late Model Series.

Miller set fast time in qualifying and also picked up a win in the heat races along with Zack Riddle, Kamish, and Baumeister Jr.

Montgomery Ward 48 Unofficial Results
(1-10) Michael Bilderback, Jeremy Miller, John Baumeister Jr., Jon Reynolds Jr, Jacob Nottestad, Zack Riddle, Brody Willett, Ryan Kamish, Nick Egan, Brent Edmunds

(11-20) Grant Brown, Troy Hintzsche, Dale Nottestad, Bobby Wilberg, Jerry Mueller, Brady Liddle, Justin Neisus, Matt Lundberg, Chris Storey, Pat Richgels

(21-27) Shane Morrissey, Dylan Moore, Hunter Drefahl, Bill Drefahl, Michael Haggar, Joe Neisus, Mark Greb

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6/29/2018 – Big 8 Series Results

A-Main 01 — 1. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 2. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 3. John Baumeister, Jr., Beloit, Wis;
4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 5. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 6. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 7. Brody
Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 8. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 9. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 10. Brent Edmunds,
Monticello, Wis; 11. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 12. Troy Hintzsche, Genoa; 13. Dale Nottestad, Cambridge,
Wis; 14. Bobby Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 15. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 16. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 17. Justin
Neisius, Eagan, Minn.; 18. Matt Lundberg, Rockton; 19. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 20. Pat Richgels,
Watertown, Wis; 21. Shane Morrissey, Cuba City, Wis; 22. Dylan Moore, Northfield, Minn.; 23. Hunter Drefahl,
Evansville, Wis; 24. Bill Drefahl, Jr, Evansville, Wis; 25. Michael Haggar, Hanover, Minn.; 26. Joe Neisius,

Heat 01 — 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 2. Matt Lundberg, Rockton; 3. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 4. Brent
Edmunds, Monticello, Wis; 5. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 6. Hunter Drefahl, Evansville, Wis; 7. Michael Haggar,

Heat 02 — 1. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 3. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton,
Wis; 4. Bobby Wilberg, Beloit, Wis; 5. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 6. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 7. Bill
Drefahl, Jr, Evansville, Wis.

Heat 03 — 1. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 2. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 3. Joe Neisius, Rosemount, Minn.;
4. Dale Nottestad, Cambridge, Wis; 5. Pat Richgels, Watertown, Wis; 6. Troy Hintzsche, Genoa; 7. Chris Storey,

Heat 04 — 1. John Baumeister, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 2. Shane Morrissey, Cuba City, Wis; 3. Michael Bilderback, South
Beloit; 4. Dylan Moore, Northfield, Minn.; 5. Justin Neisius, Eagan, Minn.; 6. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa.

Time Trial — 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 3. Brady Liddle, Oregon, Wis; 4. Shane
Morrissey, Cuba City, Wis; 5. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 6. Zack Riddle, Cottage Grove, Wis; 7. Dale Nottestad,
Cambridge, Wis; 8. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit; 9. Brent Edmunds, Monticello, Wis; 10. Bobby Wilberg,
Beloit, Wis; 11. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 12. John Baumeister, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 13. Nick Egan, Slinger,
Wis; 14. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 15. Pat Richgels, Watertown, Wis; 16. Justin Neisius, Eagan, Minn.; 17.
Matt Lundberg, Rockton; 18. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 19. Troy Hintzsche, Genoa; 20. Dylan Moore,
Northfield, Minn.; 21. Michael Haggar, Hanover, Minn.; 22. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 23. Joe Neisius,
Rosemount, Minn.; 24. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa; 25. Hunter Drefahl, Evansville, Wis; 26. Chris Storey,

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STAR STUDDED FIELD SET FOR MADISON’S SALUTE TO AMERICA

By: Tom Ace

This Friday night June 29, the Big 8 Late Model Series makes one of it’s traditional stops for one of the series’ more well known events.

The ‘Best Weekly Warriors in the Country’ descend upon Madison International Speedway this weekend for the Colony Brands ‘Salute to America,’ a 48 lap showcase of some of the great champions in Big 8 late Model Series history.

A glance at the Expected Entry list shows a total of 48 career Big 8 Late Model Series victories represented in the field as well as nearly 50 track and series championships among the drivers who plan to do battle on ‘Wisconsin’s Fastest Half Mile’ this Friday night.

Leading the way is current Big 8 Late Model Series point leader Jeremy Miller, who started the 2018 season off right by collecting the top prize during the season opening ‘Clash at the Downs’ June 1 at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The win started Miller’s quest for an unprecedented fifth Series championship the right way. A four-time track champion at ‘MIS,’ Miller has also won the last two Series stops at his home track and a three-peat would further solidify his chances of a ‘high five’ at seasons end.

But the list of challengers is very deep for this Friday night’s tilt and includes names like three-time Big 8 Series champion Michael Bilderback, multi-time Madison International Speedway champion Bobby Wilberg, former ‘Salute to America’ winner and Rockford Speedway point leader ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr, three-time Madison International Speedway champion Dale Nottestad and 2015 Madison International Speedway champion Zach Riddle. Of those drivers listed, Nottestad is a three-time Series winner at ‘MIS,’ more than any other active Big 8 racer, while Riddle has won two of his three career Big 8 Series events at MIS.

Other drivers to keep an eye on this weekend include former Salute to America winners Brady Liddle and John Baumeister Jr. Baumeister was also the winner of last Friday night’s 30 lap feature race at MIS. Iowa teenager Brody Willett is ‘locked in’ on grabbing his first career Series win, but will have to hold off the likes of former Madison International Speedway Rookie of the Year Matt Lundberg and Minnesota hot shoes Joe Neisius and Ryan Kamish.

Young talent taking to the track for Friday night’s Salute to America includes Big 8 Rookie of the Year candidates Grant Brown, Nick Egan and Jacob Nottestad as well as local favorite Brent Edmunds and 2017 Big 8 Series Rookie of the Year Tyler Brown.

Adding to the excitement of this year’s event, the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series makes it’s first ever trip to Madison International Speedway for a 100 lap race to run in companion with the Big 8 Late Model Series. Following the racing program, the largest racetrack Fireworks Display in the Midwest lights up the sky.

For more information on Madison International Speedway and the Salute to America, please visit misracing.com or call 608-835-9700.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

Colony Brands Salute to America Madison International Speedway Expected Entry List (as of 6/26)

00- Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
2- Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
X- Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
13- Nick Egan Slinger, WI
14- Grant Brown Prior Lake, MN
14- Zach Riddle Cottage Grove, WI
15- Pat Richgels Lake Mills, WI
18- Brady Liddle Oregon, WI
19- John Baumeister Jr Beloit, WI
20- Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
21- Mike Lloyd Davis, IL
21- Shane Morrissey Cuba City, WI
28- Bobby Wilberg Beloit, WI
34- Troy Hintzsche Genoa, IL
42- Ryan Kamish Farmington, MN
43- Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
49- Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
51- Dale Nottestad Cambridge, WI
66- Chris Storey Burlington, WI
71- Mark Greb Coralville, IA
75- Joe Neisius Rosemount, MN
78- Matt Lundberg Rockton, IL
87- Brent Edmunds Monticello, WI
97- Jacob Nottestad Stoughton, WI

Colony Brands Salute to America ORDER OF EVENTS

3:30 pm- Pit Gate Opens 5:00 pm- Big 8 Late Model Practice (until 4:55 pm) 6:15 pm- Qualifying Begins (Big 8 Series, USAC Silver Crown) 7:10 pm- Drivers Meeting 7:30 pm Racing Begins!

Big 8 Series Heat Races (10 laps)

USAC Silver Crown Series 100 lap race

Big 8 Series Colony Brands ‘Salute to America’ (48 laps)

FIREWORKS Display following the races

REMAINING 2018 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE: Fri June 29- Colony Brands Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI) Fri July 27- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI) Tues Aug 7- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI) Sat Sept 22- 10th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN) Sat Sept 29- 53rd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway) Sat Oct 6- 49th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com

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MILLER CLAIMS CAUTION-FREE BIG 8 OPENER

Jeremy Miller, three-time Big 8 Series champion, advanced from his tenth starting position to claim victory in the caution-free 48 lap McGrath Family of Dealerships “Clash at the Downs” at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Iowa Friday night.

The victory is Miller’s thirteenth career Big 8 Series win, which leads the all-time series wins list.
Miller grabbed the lead on the race’s 18th lap and slowly padded his lead from there over the course of the race’s final 30 laps.

“The outside just went at the start, I got lucky,” Miller said from victory lane. “I got up to third, and it was just meant to be tonight. Just a good night.”

Griffin McGrath, a Hawkeye Downs regular, captured his third career Big 8 Series fast qualifier award and made his way through the field to finish second, which was one spot short for his liking.

“The car was decent, it just sucked the first ten laps,” said McGrath. “I just could not get on the top, which is exactly what I like to do. I just couldn’t get up there with him.”

Another Hawkeye Downs regular rounding out the top-three was multi-time track champion Brian Gibson, who made his first start of the year in the Big 8 stop at Hawkeye Downs Friday night. The drive felt great for Gibson, who dealt with many challenges on route to his best Big 8 finish, including losing brakes early in the race, and being on a fire call all night before thanks to his responsibilities as a local fire department chief.

“(Third place), no brakes, up all night with no sleep. On Wednesday in practice we were way out in left field…it’s a moral victory without a doubt,” Gibson said. “I wish the brakes would have been working better I think we would have had something for Jeremy (Miller) and definitely Griff (McGrath).”

The Big 8 Late Model Series next heads to Madison International Speedway on Friday night June 29th for the annual ‘Salute to America’ event, a race in which Miller is the defending champion. The Big 8 Series will run alongside the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series at Madison on June 29 and the evening is scheduled to be capped off by a large Fireworks display.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

Official Race Results
McGrath Family of Dealerships “Clash at the Downs IV” (48 laps)
Hawkeye Downs Speedway (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Friday June 1, 2018

1. Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
2. Griffin McGrath Cedar Rapids, IA
3. Brian Gibson Walford, IA
4. Nick Egan Slinger, WI
5. Matt Lundberg Rockton, IL
6. Jacob Goede Carver, MN
7. Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
8. Joe Neisius Rosemount, MN
9. Ryan Kamish Farmington, MN
10. Dylan Moore Northfield, MN
11. Grant Brown Prior Lake, MN
12. Michael Haggar Hanover, MN
13. Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
14. Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
15. Jacob Nottestad Stoughton, WI
16. Chris Storey Burlington, WI
17. Mark Greb Coralville, IA
18. Scott Siems Cedar Rapids, IA
19. Chad Siems Shellsburg, IA
20. Brad Osborn Janesville, IA
21. Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL

Heat Race Winners: McGrath, Willett, Miller
Fast Qualifier: McGrath
Car Count: 21 Big 8 Series Late Models

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Hawkeye Downs Results

Big 8 Late Model Series
A-Main 01 — 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 2. Griffin McGrath, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 3. Brian Gibson, Walford, Iowa;
4. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 5. Matt Lundberg, Rockton; 6. Jacob Goede, Carver, Minn.; 7. Brody Willett, Alburnett,
Iowa; 8. Joe Neisius, Rosemount, Minn.; 9. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 10. Dylan Moore, Northfield, Minn.;
11. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 12. Michael Haggar, Hanover, Minn.; 13. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 14.
Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 15. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 16. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 17. Mark
Greb, Coralville, Iowa; 18. Scott Siems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 19. Chad Siems, Shellsburg, Iowa; 20. Brad Osborn,
Janesville, Iowa; 21. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream.

Heat 01 — 1. Griffin McGrath, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Jacob Goede, Carver, Minn.; 3. Matt Lundberg, Rockton; 4.
Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis; 5. Michael Haggar, Hanover, Minn.; 6. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream; 7. Brad
Osborn, Janesville, Iowa.

Heat 02 — 1. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 2. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 3. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 4.
Dylan Moore, Northfield, Minn.; 5. Brian Gibson, Walford, Iowa; 6. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa; 7. Chad Siems,

Heat 03 — 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockford; 2. Joe Neisius, Rosemount, Minn.; 3. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 4.
Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 5. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 6. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 7. Scott Siems, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa.

Time Trial — 1. Griffin McGrath, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Brody Willett, Alburnett, Iowa; 3. Jeremy Miller, Rockford;
4. Jacob Goede, Carver, Minn.; 5. Brian Gibson, Walford, Iowa; 6. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Loves Park; 7. Matt
Lundberg, Rockton; 8. Grant Brown, Prior Lake, Minn.; 9. Ryan Kamish, Farmington, Minn.; 10. Brad Osborn,
Janesville, Iowa; 11. Dylan Moore, Northfield, Minn.; 12. Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis; 13. Michael Haggar, Hanover,
Minn.; 14. Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis; 15. Joe Neisius, Rosemount, Minn.; 16. Jacob Nottestad, Stoughton, Wis;
17. Mark Greb, Coralville, Iowa; 18. Chris Storey, Burlington, Wis; 19. Tyler Brown, Carol Stream; 20. Chad Siems,
Shellsburg, Iowa; 21. Scott Siems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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IT’S FINALLY LATE MODEL SHOWTIME AT HAWKEYE DOWNS!

By: Kip Ripley

For a fourth consecutive year, the Big 8 Late Model Series returns to Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

But this year, for the first time ever, the ‘Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” will start their season at Hawkeye Downs.

Following the weekend washout of the annual season opening Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway back in April, the 2018 Big 8 Late Model Series season will officially tip-off at the 93 year old half-mile located in Eastern Iowa.

The McGrath Family of Dealerships “Clash at the Downs IV” takes place this Friday night June 1 at Hawkeye Downs and if tradition holds true, the race itself will feature a strong field of cars and a thrilling finish. An average of 27 cars have entered the three previous editions of this event with each feature coming down to some tense moments at the end of 48 laps.

Hometown drivers will be among the favorites this Friday night, including Alburnett teen Brody Willett and Cedar Rapids Late Model ace Griffin McGrath. Willett, who won the Opening Night feature race at Hawkeye Downs two weeks ago, finished third in last year’s Big 8 Series points and is hungry for his first ever Series win. A late-race tangle one year ago at the “Clash” dashed any hopes Willett had of winning the big race on his hometrack and with that in mind, Willett may be a force to be reckoned with Friday night.

McGrath has been fast in each of the three previous editions of the “Clash,” setting Fast Time in both 2015 and 2017 while finishing runner up in the 48 lap feature race each of the last two seasons. Last year, McGrath ended up one spot short of victory while Minnesota’s Joe Neisius captured his first ever Big 8 Series win. Neisius is not only entered in this weekends event, but plans to chase the Big 8 Series championship in 2018.

Four-time Big 8 Series champion Jeremy Miller returns to Hawkeye Downs this weekend in search of a series-leading 13th career win. Miller has seen success in the past at Hawkeye Downs, but has yet to taste victory in a Big 8 Series race at at the big half mile. Minnesota’s Ryan Kamish was a solid fifth place finisher in last season’s “Clash at the Downs.” The finish helped propel Kamish to fourth place in Big 8 Series points and this year the Lakeville native returns to the Series once again.

Multi-time Hawkeye Downs track champion Brian Gibson is also entered in this Friday night’s ‘Clash,’ aiming for a first Big 8 Series win. Gibson’s previous best Big 8 finish is fourth in the inaugural running of the event in 2015. Former Big 8 and Rockford Speedway champion ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr has thrown his name into the ring for Friday night’s big-go-round in Cedar Rapids and is joined by former Madison International Speedway Rookie of the Year Matt Lundberg and reigning Big 8 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Tyler Brown.

A crop of fresh and talented faces also join the Big 8 Series fray in 2018, including Prior Lake Minnesota’s Grant Brown, Slinger Wisconsin’s Nick Egan and Cambridge Wisconsin’s Jacob Nottestad. All three drivers should be a force to be reckoned with by season’s end.

McGrath Family of Dealerships “Clash at the Downs IV”
Expected Entries (21 as of May 30)

00 Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
X Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
13 Nick Egan Slinger, WI
14 Grant Brown Prior Lake, MN
17 Brian Gibson Walford, IA
19 Michael Haggar Hanover, MN
20 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
43 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
43 Scott Siems Cedar Rapids, IA
49 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
53 Jared Duda St Michael, MN
58 Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN
64 Griffin McGrath Cedar Rapids, IA
66 Chris Storey Burlington, WI
71 Mark Greb Coralville, IA
72 Brad Osborn Janesville, IA
75 Joe Neisius Rosemount, MN
76 Chad Siems Shellsburg, IA
78 Matt Lundberg Rockton, IL
80 Ryan Kamish Lakeville, MN
97 Jacob Nottestad Cambridge, WI

McGrath Family of Dealerships
‘’Clash at the Downs IV’
ORDER OF EVENTS

3:00 pm- Pit Gate Opens for Big 8 Series teams
4:30 pm- Big 8 Late Model Practice (until 4:55 pm)
5:10 pm – Big 8 Late Model Series Final Practice (until 5:30 pm)
6:00 pm – Big 8 Late Model Qualifying (Note: Drivers meeting to follow)
6:45 pm – 7:05 pm Big 8 Autograph Session under Flag-Stand
7:25 pm PRE-RACE CEREMONIES
7:30 pm HEAT RACES

BIG 8 SERIES HEAT RACES– 10 laps
Sportsman Heats
Legends Heats
BIG 8 SERIES LAST CHANCE RACE– 12 laps (if necessary)
Hobby Stock Heats
Hornet Heats

–Intermission–

**In-Car Intros for Late Model Feature**
BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES ‘Clash at the Downs IV” (48 laps)
**Top 3 LM Finishers to the frontstretch**

(Remaining Four Feature races to follow the Big 8 Race)

REMAINING 2018 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri June 1- ‘Clash at the Downs IV” presented by McGrath Family of Dealerships (Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, IA)
Fri June 29- Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI)
Fri July 27- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 7- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 22- 10th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 29- 53rd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway)
Sat Oct 6- 49th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com

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“CLASH AT THE DOWNS IV” ENTRY NOW ONLINE

2018 Hawkeye Downs Entry

Big 8 Series officials today have released the entry form for “Clash at the Downs IV” presented by the McGrath Family of Dealerships set to take place at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Iowa on Friday June 1.

The entry form may be found on the series’ website (big8series.com) under the “Entries” heading. Advance entries will be accepted until 11:59 PM on Wednesday May 30.

For the first time ever, “Clash at the Downs IV'” is set to open the Big 8 Late Model Series points chase with the cancellation of April’s ‘Spring Classic’ at Rockford Speedway following unseasonably cold and winter-like conditions.

Pit Gates open at 3 PM on Friday June 1, with Practice beginning at 4:30 PM. Qualifying takes place at 6 PM with racing set to begin at 7:30 PM. The Big 8 Late Model Series is set to run a full program of preliminary races and a 48 lap feature and will be joined by the full compliment of Hawkeye Downs support classes.

Those looking to Practice before the event are welcomed to take part in the Wednesday night Open Practice sessions at Hawkeye Downs, which start at 5 PM and run until 7 PM.

For more information on Hawkeye Downs, please visit hawkeyedowns.org or call 319-365-8656.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

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