Herb, Lehmkuhl, Yoerger Highlight Winners

In the last race before the calendar turns to June, the action didn’t disappoint with our regular racing classes (besides hobby stocks) and the HD Dawgs and American Iron Racing Series on Friday, May 31st at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids.  

Photo by Ed Siems

It was win number two of the season for Danny Lehmkuhl in the Legends.Direct Legends Series. After a move under Kacey Korsmo late in the feature race, it was enough to secure the victory. Though it’s his second win of the year, he made it clear winning in the Legends doesn’t come easy.

“I try to pay attention to detail every single week,” Lehmkuhl said. “When you are in a spec class like this, there’s not a lot you can do setup-wise.”

There was another exciting battle in the Sunline Hornets, where a caution allowed Corey Crispin to battle Chad Vozenilek on the outside groove. Vozenilek, who was on crutches from a leg injury, held on to pick up his third win of the year.

After taking a year off in 2023, Brandon Herb is back in his Sportsman car and driving alongside the rest of the All Seasons Automotive Sportsman class. Herb went back to Green State Credit Union Victory Lane. Herb kept his momentum on the high groove, holding off Greg Hentrich on the inside and Todd Ness behind them both. 

Photo by Ed Siems

“We got the car dialed in, and I think we got it,” Herb said. “The outside lane is really slippery, so you have to anticipate it and be ready to turn right a little.”

Photo by Ed Siems

The time was finally right for Bruce Yoerger in the American Iron Racing Series to get the win at Hawkeye Downs after many strong runs over the years. He outran Bart Miller and Tracy Quigly on his way to victory.

“I was running late, we just threw the car together,” says Yoerger. “We just barely made it on time and got lucky.”

Just one week went by without Patrick Flannagan winning the Cassill Motors Sport Mods. He returned to his winning ways Friday night over Chad Siems and Bryan Baxter, who have seen their fair share of struggles this year. After early contact, Tallan Chandler had to take his injured #22 to the pits, and he finished 13th despite showing more speed the last couple of weeks.

Before his unfortunate luck in the Sport Mods, Chandler gave Drew Nickell a run for his money in the HD Dawgs. Nickell focused on momentum on the straightaways while Chandler made his runs in the corner. Chandler didn’t have enough time to make a move before the checkered flag came out, and Nickell picked up his 3rd win in the series.

Next Race: Friday, June 7th

This Friday, June 7th, the Big 8 Series is back with the McGrath Auto “Clash at the Downs X” along with the American Iron Racing Series, HD Dawgs, and the NASCAR Advanced Auto Weekly Classes. The Sunline Hornets will have this week OFF - there will be no racing this week for Hornets.

Thanks to McGrath Auto, general admission is just $5. You read that right - reduced price admission to celebrate an epic night of racing at Hawkeye Downs Speedway! Gates open at 5:30pm; qualifying begins at 5:45pm. Racing begins at 7:05pm. Don’t miss out! See you at the track.