By MIKE HUGHES

Special to The Hays Daily News

HAYS (Aug. 15) -- Jerry Phillips, Terry Cunningham, Troy Robinson, and Jesse Dunlap were all feature winners in their respective divisions at RPM Speedway in Hays, KS, Friday evening, August 15. The big winner though was Big Brothers/Big Sisters as the Race Cars for Superstars returned for the second year, and area celebrities not only competed against each other on the clock in race cars supplied by the local drivers, but also managed to raise over $21,000 for the area Big Brothers/Big Sisters organizations.

Clay Bontrager led the first 6 laps of the 20-lap caution plagued IMCA Modified feature before Wes O'Bannon took the lead. But O'Bannon's lead was short-lived as on the following lap, 'Gentleman' Jerry Phillips of Galva took command. Phillips was able to hold on out front to score his second feature win at Hays this season. Ronnie Hill finished second, followed by Corey Lagroon, Dave Hardesty, and Barry Maupin.

C.J. Pfannenstiel took the lead at the drop of the green of the IMCA Stock Car feature, but on lap 3 Terry Cunningham of Wakeeney took the top spot. The lone caution in the 20-lap race came on lap 10 when Rich Beesley stalled off turn 4. After the restart, Cunningham led the rest of the way to the checkers, while Travis Sherfick was able to grab second in a heated battle with Josh Hudson and Cory Struckhoff. J.R. McCreery placed fifth.

Luke Pfannenstiel of Hays took charge at the start of the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The red flag came out on lap 9 for a 3-car tangle, putting Troy Robinson, Joe Couse, and B.J. Dauer behind Pfannenstiel on the restart. The caution flew 3 more times in the final 6 laps, and Robinson, who challenged Pfannenstiel the second half of the race, made the pass late in the race to take the win, the first ever for the hometown driver. G.W. Fuller, Roger Garrison, Jake Hedlund, and Jerry Hudson rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Sport Compacts saw Jesse Dunlap of Victoria return to victory lane, his second time this season. Michael Smith finished second and Rosie Werth third.

Tim Gassmann had the quick time in the Race Cars for Superstars to win the traveling Silver Cup, while Bob Wertenberger raised the most money among the celebrities.

The evening's race sponsor was Hays Chevrolet.

Racing action returns to RPM Speedway Friday, August 29. It will be Steve King Foundation Night. The United Rebel Sprint Series 305 Sprint Cars return to the 3/8-mile oval, and will join the IMCA-sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. Race time is 7:30 p.m.

Results

IMCA Hobby Stocks

Heat 1: No results.

Heat 2: No results.

Feature: 1. Troy Robinson, 2. G.W. Fuller, 3. Roger Garrison, 4. Jake Hedlund, 5. Jerry Hudson, 6. B.J. Dauer, 7. John McMurtrie, 8. Luke Pfannenstiel, 9. Mathew Crowell, 10. Daniel Irwin, 11. Cody Graham, 12. Joe Couse, 13. Bob Dauer (DNF), 14. Don Strecker (DNF), 15. Jason Caldwell (DNF), 16. Leon Pfannenstiel (DNF), 17. Kent Tammen (DNF), 18. Kurtis Pihl (DNF), 19. Josh Latka (DNF).

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat 1: 1. Terry Cunningham, 2. Travis Sherfick, 3. Josh Hudson, 4. C.J. Pfannenstiel.

Heat 2: 1. J.R. McCreery, 2. Trevor Thornton, 3. Cory Struckhoff, 4. Adam Balthazor.

Feature: 1. Cunningham, 2. Sherfick, 3. Hudson, 4. Struckhoff, 5. McCreery, 6. Thornton, 7. Balthazor, 8. Marty Barth, 9. Todd Lutters, 10. Tracy Holloway, 11. Kyle Tammen, 12. Pfannenstiel (DNF), 13. Rich Beesley (DNF), 14. Craig Werth (DNS).

IMCA Modifieds

Heat 1: 1. Clay Bontrager, 2. Corey Lagroon, 3. Mike Petersilie, 4. Randy Wilson.

Heat 2: 1. Ronnie Hill, 2. Danny Morrison Jr., 3. Dave Hardesty, 4. Jeremy Zorn.

Heat 3: 1. Jason Schoenberger, 2. Dylan Sherfick, 3. Kyle Rohleder, 4. Mark Zorn.

Heat 4: 1. Jerry Phillips, 2. Wes O'Bannon, 3. Tyler Hahn, 4. Barry Maupin.

B-Feature (top 4 advance): 1. Jim Bell, 2. Rob Day, 3. John Fose, 4. Jerry Teel, 5. Rodger Peck, 6. Brian Knoell, 7. Jeff Welsh, 8. Rusty Miller, 9. Marty Clark, 10. Todd Schwarz, 11. Cory McGann, 12. Matt Henke, 13. Wayne Houston (DNF), 14. Jeff Walters (DNF).

A-Feature: 1. Phillips, 2. Hill, 3. Lagroon, 4. Hardesty, 5. Maupin, 6. O'Bannon, 7. Wilson, 8. Schoenberger, 9. Teel, 10. J. Zorn, 11. Petersilie, 12. Morrison, 13. Day, 14. Fose, 15. Bontrager (DNF), 16. Bell (DNF), 17. Sherfick (DNF), 18. M. Zorn (DNF), 19. Hahn (DNF), 20. Rohleder (DNF).

IMCA Sport Compacts

Heat: No results.

Feature: 1. Jesse Dunlap, 2. Michael Smith, 3. Rosie Werth, 4. Art Herzog (DNF).