By MIKE HUGHES

Special to The Hays Daily News

NORTON (July 27) -- Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton was host to their annual Bud Shootout on Sunday evening. The event was sponsored by Budweiser/Western Distributing in Norton.

Nineteen IMCA Modifieds lined up for their main event with 'The Z Man' Mark Zorn of Russell taking the lead at the drop of the green. After a caution on lap 2, track officials sprinkled the track for dust. After the restart, Rodger Peck took the lead from Zorn on lap 5. The only other caution came on lap 6 when Jordan Grabouski stalled in turn 1. Peck continued to lead until he got high in turn 2 on lap 19 and Zorn, who challenged Peck the entire race, took advantage and dove underneath to retake the lead and hold on for the win, his second of the season at Norton. Peck settled for second, followed by Marty Clark, Josh Hudson, and Chad Sterling. Heat race winners were Zorn, Tim Watts, and Gary Kline.

The IMCA Stock Car feature was just as exciting with the top 6 drivers in a close race. Nathan Glendening led early on, followed by Terry Cunningham, Dustin McClurg, Pat Bedore and Cory Struckhoff. The second and final caution came on lap 13 when McClurg spun, ending his run at the front. After the restart, third place Struckhoff got past both Glendening and runner-up Travis Sherfick to take the lead. The Kensington driver held the pack at bay the final 6 laps for his second win on the ¬½-mile oval. Sherfick finished second, followed by Tyler Hahn, Bryan Lariviere, and Glendening. Marty Barth, Lariviere, and Cunningham were the heat race winners.

The IMCA Hobby Stock feature also was exciting with several drivers challenging for the victory. Ricky Runnion led the first 4 laps before the lone caution flag waved on lap 5 for a 3-car tangle. On the restart, fourth place Rhett 'The Rocket' Kingsbury shot past the leaders to sit in the top spot. Kingsbury led through lap 11 before hometown driver Kelly Karnopp took command. Karnopp held off heat two winner Runnion for his 5th win of the year at Elmwood Park. Jerry Hudson finished third, followed by heat one winner Austin Davis, and Kingsbury.

Victoria's Jesse Dunlap led all 10 laps to win his 4th main event at Norton for 2008. Loyd Schoen was second and Michael Smith third. Drew Eagleburger rolled his car hard in turn one on lap 6, and fortunately was not injured. Dunlap also won the heat race.

Racing returns to Elmwood Park Speedway on Saturday evening, August 9, at 7 p.m. The regular four divisions will be joined by the Sport Mods.

RESULTS

IMCA Hobby Stocks

Heat 1: 1. Austin Davis, 2. Jerry Hudson, 3. Jeromy Wagner, 4. Mathew Crowell.

Heat 2: 1. Ricky Runnion, 2. Kelly Karnopp, 3. Kaid Calhoon, 4. Michael Thummel.

Feature: 1. Karnopp, 2. Runnion, 3. Hudson, 4. Davis, 5. Rhett Kingsbury, 6. B.J. Dauer, 7. Frank McClurg, 8. Wagner, 9. Norman Wiechman, 10. Laura Hinger, 11. Matt Christensen (DNF), 12. Calhoon (DNF), 13. Crowell (DNF), 14. Thummel (DNF).

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat 1: 1. Marty Barth, 2. Dustin McClurg, 3. Wheat Lippelmann, 4. J.R. McCreery.

Heat 2: 1. Bryan Lariviere, 2. Travis Sherfick, 3. Bob Rutherford, 4. Michael Zajic.

Heat 3: 1. Terry Cunningham, 2. Pat Bedore, 3. Cory Struckhoff, 4. Nathan Glendening.

Feature: 1. Struckhoff, 2. Sherfick, 3. Tyler Hahn, 4. Lariviere, 5. Glendening, 6. Jason Davis, 7. Adam Balthazor, 8. Cunningham, 9. Barth, 10. Bedore, 11. Rutherford, 12. McClurg, 13. Zajic, 14. Lippelmann, 15. McCreery, 16. Ozzy Kenney (DNF).

IMCA Modifieds

Heat 1: 1. Mark Zorn, 2. Josh Hudson, 3. Brett Behrends, 4. Rodger Peck.

Heat 2: 1. Tim Watts, 2. Chad Sterling, 3. Barry Maupin, 4. Marty Clark.

Heat 3: 1. Gary Kline, 2. Jordan Grabouski, 3. Brian Calhoon, 4. Tyler Hahn.

Feature: 1. Zorn, 2. Peck, 3. Clark, 4. Hudson, 5. Sterling, 6. G. Kline, 7. Watts, 8. Calhoon, 9. Maupin, 10. Mitch Kline, 11. Corey Lagroon, 12. Behrends, 13. Rick Schwab, 14. Hahn, 15. Dylan Sherfick, 16. Doug Shearer, 17. Randy Wilson (DNF), 18. Grabouski (DNF), 19. Mark Hamel (DNF).

4-cylinder Young Guns

Heat: 1. Jesse Dunlap, 2. Alex Loveless, 3. Drew Eagleburger, 4. Loyd Schoen.

Feature: 1. Dunlap, 2. Schoen, 3. Michael Smith, 4. Tyrel Smith, 5. Loveless, 6. Drew Eagleburger (DNF), 7. Dusty Eagleburger (DNF).