The Checkered Flag of 2023: Championship Night
Racers and fans wrapped up the 2023 Hawkeye Downs Speedway racing season on Friday, August 18th! Our Championship Night sponsored by Marion Tire Co. and Mt. Vernon Road Tire Co. brought in a great crowd was on hand for a beautiful final night of racing. We hosted our feature races, then celebrated the season with an after-party on the track. Drivers and fans poured onto the asphalt to show support for each and every individual involved in the 2023 racing season. We appreciate everyone who joined us for a fun weekend at the track!
Photo by Ed Siems
By taking the green flag, Corey Crispin earned the track championship in the Sunline Hornets. It was a hectic start with Chad Vozenilek getting out ahead. Just five laps later, Crispin took over the lead. Just one caution came out on the track resulting in Korey Lana battling Crispin briefly but he wasn’t able to hold on. He would succumb to Vozenilek later with Crispin taking the win and championship.
In the Performance Food Sportsman division, the battle was close when they took the green! Todd Ness did everything he could, including making a three-wide move on the outside to go for the lead. Ness would go on to win the race. Hanson and Greg Hentrich made contact, sending Hanson to the back. Hanson would come back to 3rd, and it was enough to win the championship.
Photo by Ed Siems
The Anderson Automotive Hobby Stocks saw three drivers with a chance at the top prize. Derek Parrott and Reggie Mitchell started the race on the front row with Mitchell grabbing the lead. Parrott would battle Adam Petrzelka and fall back to third during the race, which was enough to win the championship by just one point over Mitchell who won the final feature of the year.
Photo by Ed Siems
A second-place finish was more than enough for Kacey Korsmo to win the Legends.Direct Legends championship after a late race restart allowed him to choose the outside and slip into the runner-up spot. Austin Slabaugh went on to claim his fourth win of the season but came up shy for the top spot in points.
Photo by Ed Siems
After a dominant year, Patrick Flannagan just needed to start the race to win the Cassill Motors Sport Mods. That was accomplished while Tallan Chandler led the race and held off Flannagan who made a couple runs at the leader. Flanngan later had a tire issue and slipped backwards. Chandler would earn his third win on the year and a second place in the standings behind Flannagan.
Photo by Ed Siems
Two drivers were in the battle for the late models as it came down to Bryce Miller and Kacey Korsmo. Kody King led the opening half of the feature until Miller caught and cleared him. King would finish second while Miller went on to win the race and the championship. Korsmo had a lap off pace but still ended up third.
Last but certainly not least were the Mighty Bandoleros! They joined us with a fun race between the youngsters from Wisconsin. Several drivers found themselves with loose racecars. It was Bentley Thompson who pulled the spin-and-win during the race. Thompson spun with 13 to go but made his way back to second and inherited the lead with seven to go when the leader, Oliver Weinkauf, went for a spin. Weinkauf would come back to second behind Thompson.
Photo by Ed Siems
A special thank you to all of our racers, sponsors, staff, volunteers, community supporters, and fans for an awesome season! We look forward to seeing you at the track again very soon.
Photo by Ed Siems
Not ready for the racing to be over?! While the regular season is in the books, there are still several events on the track coming up this fall! This includes our September 10th enduro race, our October enduro weekend, drifting events, street drags, and more!
Follow our upcoming events at the track and expo center on social media or our events calendar.
