Hawkeye Downs’ 99th Season Opener Recap, Introducing HD Dawgs

It was picture-perfect weather for the first points race of the 2024 season on Friday, May 3rd. We welcomed our racers and fans to Hawkeye Downs Speedway for D S Disposal night at the races! Drivers came together to battle for wins across six different classes, including the inaugural race for the HD Dawgs, a breakout class on the ½ mile. 

In 2024, Hawkeye Downs has announced its newest class, the HD Dawgs. This class has an established time of 22.000 seconds per lap, competing on the half mile. Sportsman, Mid-American, Hobby Stock, Vintage, Trucks, and Modifieds are welcome as well as any other car that meets the rules of this class. No super late, limited late, Big 8, or 602  asphalt late models. This class is intended for cars that don’t meet any of our Friday Night classes. Will Zamastil took home the heat win in the HD Dawgs, after Drew Nickell and Dave Ballstaedt each broke out. Drivers figured it out for the feature, though, with no breakout issues. Nickell started on the outside front row, took the lead, and managed the gap from Zamastil to bring home the victory.

“Starts are going to be huge in this series,” said Nickell. “Once I got out front, I moved my line up to make sure I didn’t go under the time. It was a lot different.”

In the Legends.Direct Legends Series, the Heat 1 victory went to defending series champion Kacey Korsmo. Heat 2 victor was Nick Slabaugh, but neither could continue the success in the feature with issues that led to them finishing 11th and 13th, respectively. Kevin Korsmo and Danny Lehmkuhl led the field to the green flag. Early on, Kevin had trouble in turn four, scattering the other drivers. He would rebound to 7th. It was Austin Slabaugh who made the pass around the outside of Lehmkuhl and was just fast enough in pace to get the win.

“I can’t remember the last time I made a pass on the outside like that,” Austin said. “I’m still kind of surprised I was able to do it, but the track felt good, and hopefully, the good racing will continue.”

For the Sunline Hornets, Korey Lana came across the line first in heat 1, and defending series champion Corey Crispin won in heat 2. Crispin and Chad Vozenilek picked up right where they left off last year, battling intensely for the win. Crispin looked to the outside several times but was unable to get all the way up to Vozenilek, who captured the win. 

“We got out front, and I had no clue where anybody was at,” Vozenilek said from Green State Credit Union Victory Lane. “I just kept the hammer down.”

It was all Adam Petrzelka in the Anderson Automotive Hobby Stocks, with him collecting one of the heat races and going on to dominate the feature. Jason Sherman won the second heat and went on to finish 3rd in the main behind Jeremy Petersen. 

“I went three-wide and just hope it stuck and got it done,” Petrzelka said. “Hopefully go out next week and do the same thing...”

For the All Seasons Automotive Sportsman class, Brandon Herb won the lone heat race. However, when it came time for the feature, he couldn’t quite keep the pace of Todd Ness, who made an early move to take the lead and didn’t look back. Ness won the feature ahead of Herb, and Rob Aimers claimed an intense battle for third place. 

“…good clean racing, and it was nice to be in victory lane again,” said Ness. When asked if he could have beat Herb in a late-race restart: “I sure would hope so, but you never know, Brandon is a pretty good driver.”

Finally, in the Cassill Motors Sport Mods, Bryan Baxter got the best of Heat 1, while Patrick Flannagan earned it in Heat 2. At the start of the feature, Flannagan quickly jumped three wide to take the lead. The field battled behind, with Tallan Chandler getting to the runner-up spot. It was all Flannagan up front as he returned to victory lane once again. 

“I wanted to try the 3rd groove right away, and it stuck, then I made laps on the bottom,” said Flannagan. “I got my restarts down to a science, so as long as the car sticks and the tires aren’t worn out, I could’ve survived another restart.”

Next Race: Friday, May 10th

Hawkeye Downs racers and fans will return to the track on Friday, May 10th, for NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing with Late Models and the American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S.). Gates open at 6:00pm. Racing begins at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the gate. You can follow Hawkeye Downs Speedway and Expo Center on Facebook for daily updates and RSVP to upcoming races.

Thank you to Ed Siems and Renae Gibson for the photos used in this article.