Hawkeye Downs: Three Racers Keep Commanding Points Leads

By John Campbell, TV9 Sports

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By Grant Burkhardt

Story Created: Aug 3, 2012 at 10:55 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2012 at 10:55 PM CDT

By Douglas Miles, Reporter

CEDAR RAPIDS — As the race for the season points championship enters its final month at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, some divisions are still very much up for grabs.

While Dave McCalla (sportsmen), Matt Petrzelka (hobby stocks), and Kevin Korsmo (legends) continue to own a commanding points lead in their divisions, the same cannot be said for the hornets with six drivers accounting for the 11 feature victories.

“The hornets have been doing an absolutely amazing job this year,” Hawkeye Downs promoter Mike Becker said last night. “They are racing together so close, and the competition is so tight.”

Hornets, also known as sport compacts or flyers, are an entry-level, 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive hobby car. Points leader Shane Hanson, winner of three features in his fifth season, credits the close bond among drivers with fueling the competitive fire.

“Everyone’s friends,” Hanson said. “So, I mean, it could be a different winner every single night. Competitive-wise it’s really good. That’s what’s fun about the hornet racing this year.”

A points championship would be the first for Hanson, 35, after settling for third in 2009 despite seemingly having it wrapped up entering the final week.

“It’s a huge compliment, I mean everyone’s racing for it,” Hanson said.

“That’s the one thing that I’m really racing for.”

Hanson’s improvement has not been lost on Becker.

“He’s paid attention to the details that matter, he’s focused more, he sees what’s out in front of him, and maybe just Lady Luck has been on his side,” Becker said.

It was McGrath Auto Group Night, so it was only fitting that late model racer Griffin McGrath captured his second feature win of the season.

“We were real loose there. I was just trying to keep it on the track, to be honest with you,” McGrath said in victory lane. “It was good; it felt good.”

Veteran Mike Schulte won his fifth modified feature, and Brad Chandler won his third hobby stocks feature.

Rod McGlothen won for the first time this season in the legends feature.

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