A Night to Remember: C.O.P.S. Night at Hawkeye Downs

It was a meaningful and emotional night at Hawkeye Downs on Friday, July 14th. The race night sponsored by D S Disposal was one to remember as we recognized the Iowa Concerns for Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) with some entertaining races in the mix. 

In the Sunline Hornets, Korey Lana got sideways on the start scrambling the field. Jay Crabill and Dylan Prohaska battled it out for a lap before Crabill got clear. He would go on to lead the remainder of the race and hold off Corey Crispin who just got to second but didn’t have anything else for him. It’s the first hornet feature win for Crabill at the track. 

Photography by Ed Siems

Dave Ballstaedt led the opening laps of the Performance Foods Sportsman class until a restart from a caution that saw Todd Ness spin with a flat tire. Jim Hanson took the lead and later, Jacob Tiegen would follow to move to the runner-up spot. Tiegen worked Hanson over for several laps but could not get the momentum to make the pass. Hanson would go on to win, with Ness rebounding to 3rd.

It was a lighter field after a wicked incident in the Anderson Automotive Hobby Stock heat but still a great show. Scott Siems led the first six laps of the event, holding off Derek Parrott for several laps until Parrott made the pass on the outside. With just three laps to go, Reggie Mitchell could get to second but didn’t have enough time to challenge Parrott for the victory.

The Legends.Direct Legends had a big night with a $1000-to-win payout and a special night honoring the COPS Foundation. The evening started with Kacey Korsmo breaking the track record in qualifying. He laid down a 14.689, which beat Jacob Tiegen’s lap from last year of a 14.765. 

“Group qualifying is nice because you can follow some faster cars,” Korsmo said. “Our car has been fast all year. It just had to be really smooth.”

After the re-draw, it was Reid Kauffman and Tiegen on the front row for the feature. Tiegen immediately grabbed the lead and didn’t look back as Ka. Korsmo worked his way to 2nd. The battle for the second spot was where the action was, with Michael Weber slipping through to take that spot and Ka. Korsmo in 3rd.

“I was really lucky to get a good starting spot on the draw,” said Tiegen. “It’s never easy, these are all stout drivers. There were a lot of fast cars in the field today.”

The Cassill Motors Sport Mods also saw their share of action when an early caution came out. After another restart just past halfway, Tallan Chandler got into the rear of Patrick Flannagan while battling for second, all but spinning him around. When Flannagan got back to Chandler, he returned the favor sending Chandler around. Both would go to the rear. Another late caution allowed them to rebound with Chandler returning to second and Flannagan bringing home the victory. 

Finally, the Kings Enterprises Late Models had two features to make up for being rained out the previous week. In the first race, Bryce Miller started on the front row and took off to dominate and win his first feature at the track.

In the second race, Mark Ironside grabbed the lead until Jordan Miklas made the move on the outside. He would bring Miller with him. The field would re-stack when Ironside spun with 11 to go. On the restart, Miller battled on the outside until Miklas slipped just a bit, allowing Miller to clear. With six laps to go, Kacey Korsmo got by for 2nd, but Miller would pull off the double victory.

“I love coming down here from Wisconsin,” Miller said. “I really enjoy this track. It’s such a great facility and welcoming atmosphere.”

Make plans to join us on Friday, July 21st for CRST Night at the Races! Our five weekly racing series and the Interstate Power Systems Enduro Sprint Series will join us. Don’t forget! We’re also hosting a FREE kids bicycle giveaway, thanks to Hochstetler Towing. Bring the kids to the races for a chance to win a FREE bicycle!

EVENT SCHEDULE

Pits open 4:30 pm

Gates open 6:00 pm

Hot laps 6:40 pm

Opening ceremonies 7:00 pm

Races begin 7:05 pm

ADMISSION

Tickets are available at the front gate.

Cash or card is accepted.

Adults (18-59) $12

Youth (9-17) $9

Seniors (60+) $9

Veterans $9

Children 8 & Under FREE (with paid adult)

Hawkeye Downs Speedway is proud to be a part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.