2008 Event #2. Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice Nebraska Saturday, March 15th.

(This was the second of two complete events run on this day)

BEATRICE, Neb. (March 15) – Johnny Saathoff won his fifth career Spring Nationals IMCA Modified feature in 11 years, while Jordan  Grabouski came oh-so-close to winning his second on the same day at Beatrice Speedway.

Saathoff regained the lead with 10 laps left in the Saturday evening main event, then ran in front the rest of the way to take the $1,500 checkers ahead of fellow Beatrice hotshoes Grabouski and Dave 
Trauernicht. His collection of Spring Nationals hardware also includes trophies from 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2006.

Grabouski had been first across the finish line in the feature postponed from Friday night to Saturday afternoon. Trauernicht, the 2003 and 2007 Spring Nationals king, made a strong bid from his 10th starting spot. Grant Junghans of Manhattan, Kan., and Marlyn Seidler  of Underwood, N.D., rounded out the top five.

Saathoff and Grabouski drew front row positions for the 30-lapper, with Grabouski taking the early lead ahead of Saathoff, Junghans and  Randy Brands of Boyden, Iowa. Saathoff was leading the pack when the  second circuit was scored, settling in at the point while the fight 
for second through fifth developed behind him.

Seidler motored past Brands on lap four; yellows brought out re-starts on laps 10 and 12 before Trauernicht made his way into the top five. Junghans caught Saathoff at midway but lost the spot four laps later.

A three-car tangle brought the caution back out on lap 23. Grabouski and Trauernicht made their moves into second and third, respectively, following the re-start. Saathoff joins Grabouski on the growing list of Fast Shafts All-Star ballot qualifiers. Modified features at Spring Nationals are also part of the Larry Shaw Racing Blood, Sweat and Tears Modified Series.

Results
IMCA Modified feature –
1. Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice NE
2. Jordan Grabouski, Beatrice NE
3. Dave Trauernicht, Beatrice NE
4. Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS
5. Marlyn Seidler, Underwood, ND
6. Randy Brands, Boyden, IA
7. Chris Alcorn, Lincoln NE
8. Randy Foote, Stanton, IA
9. Jeremy Frenier, Fort Morgan, CO
10. Sean Jerovetz, Sobieski, WI
11. Will Brack, Mead, CO
12. Dan Nelson, Pickrell NE
13. Jeremy Mills, Garner, IA
14. Vern Jackson, Waterloo, IA
15. Jordy Nelson, Marysville, KS
16. Lance Borgman, Beatrice NE
17. Corey Lagroon, Salina, KS
18. Chris Mills, Sioux City, IA
19. Chris Burk, Friend NE
20. Jared Siefert, Green Bay, WI
21. Justin Bell, Deshler NE
22. Jeff Meeker, Northglenn, CO
23. Matt Brack, Mead, CO
24. Jason Murray, Hartford, IA
25. Aaron Pella, Lincoln NE

(top three)
1st heat – 1. Grabouski; 2. Dirk Kirk, 3.Brandon Blochlinger,
2nd heat – 1. Frenier; 2. Jordy Nelson; 3. Lagroon.
3rd heat – 1. Seidler; 2. Dan Nelson; 3. Matt Brack.
4th heat – 1. Foote; 2. Jackson; 3. Josh Gilman
5th heat – 1. Saathoff; 2. Scott Hogan 3. Jeremy  Mills.
6th heat – 1. Jerovetz; 2. Chris Mills; 3. Brandon Hagan.
7th heat – 1. Brands; 2. Borgman; 3. Alcorn.
8th heat – 1. Trauernicht; 2. Murray; 3. Eddie Belec.
9th heat – 1. Pella; 2. Meeker; 3. Dan McKnight.
10th heat – 1. Junghans; 2. Burk; 3. Bell.

(top three)
1st “B” – 1. Jordy Nelson; 2. Will Brack; 3.Lagroon.
2nd “B” – 1. Jackson; 2. Dan Nelson; 3. Matt Brack.
3rd “B” – 1. Chris Mills; 2. Siefert; 3. Jeremy Mills.
4th “B” – 1. Murray; 2. Alcorn; 3. Borgman.
5th “B” – 1. Burk; 2. Bell; 3. Meeker.