by Christina Danielsen

BRITT, Iowa (May 28, 2001) - After a soggy week in North Iowa, the skies cleared for a beautiful Memorial Day with racers and fans eager to get in some racing action.

On Monday, May 28, Hancock County Speedway hosted the National Kidney Foundation Tour for a Cure in an attempt to raise awareness and money for the foundation. All classes participated in the event while Hobby Stock and Modified drivers from around the area ventured to north Iowa to push themselves further ahead in the tour points race.

Ron Pope of Mason City took the checkered in the modified division for his first 2001 feature win in Britt after taking the lead from Jon Wood of Britt on lap 14. Barb Oudekerk, kidney transplant survivor, of Hampton presented Pope with his trophy. During the presentation Pope enlightened officials and fans that winning the tour race in Britt meant more than money and a trophy.

"I was only born with one kidney," said Pope. "Winning a race for awareness like this means a lot."

Pope wasn't the only driver racing for a personal cause. Jerry Dixon of Webster City races only Kidney Foundation events to help the awareness so his granddaughter, Kaitlyn may one day be cured of her kidney disease. Recently Katilyn received a blood pressure machine from the foundation, but donations like these couldn't be made without the help of citizens who have donated time and money to the Kidney Foundation.

Three features were run in the Hobby Stock class with three advancing from the B-1 and B-2 to the A. Dan Hauglad went home with the win after Jeff Zehr, who led the entire race, refused a motor claim by Tony Smidt, sending him to the back of the pack.

John Campbell created some excitement in the Stock Car class when he went for a ride, rolling his car three times before coming to a stop in the middle of corner one and two with just two laps remaining in the race. Until then, John Pletcher of Britt had a commanding lead. Pletcher gained the lead on corner three of the first lap when the leading trio of Pletcher, John Campbell and Brian Caquelin went three abreast in the corner fighting for the advantage. Pletcher held back the pack on the restart to grab his first feature win of 2001 at Britt.

Don Reimers gave Larry Cook of Moorland a run for his money in the Limited 360 Modified class when six laps into the race Reimers cut to the inside on corner four to take the lead, but he would only stay there for four laps as he exited the track with a flat tire and a chance to win.

Jeff Deal of Fort Dodge took the lead in the Econo Stock feature when it counted, on the last lap, for the checkered and the win.

Racing action continues in Britt on Friday, June 1 for Kids Night, sponsored by First State Bank of Britt and Woden. Starting at 6 p.m. children may come and participate in various games and activities such as a bean bag throw, candy toss, duck pond, face painting, balloon hats and car rides. Car rides in the racecars begin at 6:30 p.m. to help drivers pack the track, hot laps begin at 7 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Results

IMCA MODIFIED

Heat 1: Brad Bakken, Rod Scheruerman, Ross Wyatt, Scott W Badker, Mike Hackenmiller, Troy Cordes, Ryan Hiscocks, Matt Assink, Rick Schuller, Bill Cook

Heat 2: Keith Schmitz, Kevin Stoa, Scott A Anderson, Ron Pope, Jon Wood, Kevin Opheim, Scott Olson, Matt Donald, Joe Hiscocks

Dash: Kevin Stoa, Brad Bakken, Rod Scheruerman, Scott A Anderson, Ross Wyatt, Keith Schmitz

A Feature: Ron Pope, Brad Bakken, Jon Wood, Scott Olson, Rod Scheruerman, Keith Schmitz, Troy Cordes, Mike Hackenmiller, Joe Hiscocks, Bill Cook, Ross Wyatt, Matt Assink, Kevin Opheim, Kevin Stoa, Rick Schuller, Scott W Badker, Ryan Hiscocks, Matt Donald, Scott A Anderson

IMCA STOCK CAR

Heat 1: Rob Hughes, Kim Schleuger, Roger Trip, Dave Baugh, Amy Woodward, Evan Kooiker

Heat 2: John Pletcher, Travis Hoeft, John Campbell, Brian Caquelin, Kevin Hoeft

A Feature: John Pletcher, Rob Hughes, Travis Hoeft, Brian Caquelin, Kim Schleuger, Dave Baugh, Roger Trip, Amy Woodward, Kevin Hoeft, John Campbell, Evan Kooiker

IMCA HOBBY STOCK

Heat 1: Kit Hovel, Chad Palmer, Ben Hoesing, Brent Hanson, Allen Dixon, Justin Burmester, John Madson, Chad Doyle, Doug Mccollough

Heat 2: Jeff Zehr, Earl Webner, Todd Wilson, Toby Boothroyd, Jeff Lodin, Roger Kofron, Tony Smidt, Kyle Schattschneider, Jim Smith

Heat 3: Jared Dirks, Randy Hadacek, Dan Hanselman, Jerry Dixon, Ryan Lund, Craig Florea, Dan Stromer, Jim Francis, Jami Jan

Heat 4: Shane Monson, Rod Miller, Dan Haugland, Michael Grantham, Remington Hill, Chris Evenson, Steve Ruter, Gary Pesicka, Dan Jimenez

B Feature 1: Dan Stromer, Doug Mccollough, Craig Florea, Dan Jimenez, Chris Evenson, Remington Hill, Steve Ruter, Ryan Lund, Gary Pesicka

B Feature 2: Jeff Lodin, John Madson, Roger Kofron, Tony Smidt, Chad Doyle, Justin Burmester, Allen Dixon, Jim Francis, Jami Jan, Kyle Schattschneider, Jim Smith

A Feature: Dan Haugland, Shane Monson, Ben Hoesing, Rod Miller, Dan Hanselman, Kit Hovel, Todd Wilson, Earl Webner, Jerry Dixon, Toby Boothroyd, Chad Palmer, Dan Stromer, Michael Grantham, John Madson, Tony Smidt, Roger Kofron, Doug Mccollough, Craig Florea, Brent Hanson, Jared Dirks, Dan Jimenez, Jeff Lodin, Randy Hadacek, Jeff Zehr

LIMITED 360 MODIFIED

Heat 1: Lance Gardner, Josh Omans, Don Reimers, Dick Manske, Tim Woodward, Matt Prehn, Kevin Knudson, Jamie Anderson

Heat 2: Ed Green, Larry Cook, Chuck Gatewood, Scott Sheehan, Jeramie Faber, Shawn Plymesser, Ryan Ruter

A Feature: Larry Cook, Ed Green, Matt Prehn, Dick Manske, Josh Omans, Chuck Gatewood, Jeramie Faber, Shawn Plymesser, Kevin Knudson, Scott Sheehan, Jamie Anderson, Don Reimers, Tim Woodward, Ryan Ruter, Lance Gardner

ECONO STOCK

Heat: Nathan Weig, Lance Deal, Jeff Deal, Jason Vansickel, Wesley Houser, Michael Schadeodorf, Chris Webb, Tim Chapman, Cory Gansen

A Feature: Jeff Deal, Jason Vansickel, Lance Deal, Michael Schadeodorf, Wesley Houser, Tim Chapman, Chris Webb, Cory Gansen, Nathan Weig