CLASH AT THE DOWNS BECKONS BIG 8 BEST!

2016-06-01

For the second straight year, the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” are set to descend upon Eastern Iowa.

This Friday night June 3, the Big 8 Late Model Series returns to Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids for the running of the McGrathAuto.com “Clash at the Downs II.” Nearly 30 of the most competitive weekly Late Model racers in America are set to test their luck on the 91 year old half-mile, with a strong mix of Big 8 travelers and Hawkeye Downs regulars geared up to battle for a chance to win the 48 lap main event.

Leading the way is reigning Big 8 Late Model Series champion Michael Bilderback, winner of the first Big 8 event of 2016 back in April. On that sunny Sunday at Rockford Speedway, Bilderback was the man to beat, lowering the Rockford track record in qualifying and later dominating the 88 lap “Spring Classic.” Last June, Bilderback was one of the contenders for victory at Hawkeye Downs, before settling for third following a frantic battle for second place with eventual runner-up J Herbst. So far in 2016, Bilderback has lowered the Rockford Speedway track record three more times and has pocketed one feature win and two runner ups at his hometrack, where he leads the point standings.

Last year’s “Clash at the Downs” winner Caleb Adrian and runner up J Herbst have also filed their entries for Friday night’s event. Adrian, who was a multi-time winner at Hawkeye Downs in weekly competition in 2015, makes his first Late Model start of 2016 this Friday night but is considered one of the favorites to win. Herbst is primed for his first-ever Big 8 Series triumph following a strong 2015, which saw him on the podium multiple times with the Big 8 Late Model Series campaign despite running just a limited schedule.

Four-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion Jeremy Miller has thrown his hat in the ring for Friday’s “Clash at the Downs” as well. Miller, a former winner with the now defunct ASA Late Model Series at Hawkeye Downs, is geared up not only to return to victory lane in Eastern Iowa, but to also shake off his tough start to the season in Rockford, which saw him fall out of the 88 lap Spring Classic during the race’s first 20 laps. Cedar Rapids native Griffin McGrath has his sights set on victory in front of the hometown faithful Friday night. McGrath, who set fast time in last years event, looks to improve on last years result at “Clash at the Downs,” which saw him destroy his race car during an incident midway through the 48 lap affair. Always a contender, watch for McGrath to be among the top runners this Friday night.

Other top notch entrants for Friday night’s McGrathAuto.com “Clash at the Downs II” include former Big 8 Series and Rockford Speedway champion “Driver X” Jon Reynolds Jr, reigning Hawkeye Downs champion Brian Gibson, former Dells Raceway Park champions Rich Schumann Jr and Mike Ehde, former Slinger Speedway track champion ‘Insane Wayne’ Freimund, central Wisconsin racing veteran Lyle Nowak and former Hawkeye Downs champion Brad Osborn.

The field at Hawkeye Downs will be filled with great young talent too, including; Minnesota racers Michael Ostdiek, Michael Beamish and Jared Duda, Iowans Brody Willett and Zach Less, former Big 8 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Jesse Bernhagen, former Rockford Speedway Rookie of the Year Mitch Garfield, 16 year-old Wisconsinite Tyler Hromadka and Oconomowoc Wisconsin’s Adam Peschek, who also campaigns an IMCA SportMod on the dirt along with his Big 8 Late Model Series schedule.

McGrathAuto.com “Clash at the Downs II”
Expected Entries (29)

O3- Cody Kippenhan Ypslanti, MI
OO- Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
2- Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
3- Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
3- Dave McCalla Cedar Rapids, IA
5- Jeremy Miller Rockton, IL
X- Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
15- Michael Clapper Dane, WI
15- Todd Oliver Bangor, WI
17- Brian Gibson Walford, IA
17- Grant Greisbach Waukesha, WI
18- Mike Ehde Prairie du Chien, WI
18- Michael Ostdiek Lakeville, MN
20- Zach Less Manchester, IA
28- Jesse Bernhagen Markesan, WI
29- Caleb Adrian Walcott, IA
32- Lyle Nowak Wausau, WI
40- Michael Beamish Eagan, MN
43- Scott Siems Cedar Rapids, IA
44- Mitch Garfield Pingree Grove, IL
53- Jared Duda St Michael, MN
54- Rich Schumann Jr Portage, WI
64- Griffin McGrath Cedar Rapids, IA
66- Adam Peschek Oconomowoc, WI
72- Brad Osborn Janesville, IA
76- Chad Siems Shellsburg, IA
82- J Herbst West Salem, WI
88- Ken Jacoby Columbus, WI
95- Wayne Freimund Elkhorn, WI

EVENT DETAILS:

What: McGrathAuto.com “Clash at the Downs II”
Where: Hawkeye Downs (located at 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404)
When: Friday June 3

Schedule and Information:
3 PM- Big 8 Late Model Series Pits Open
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM- Two (2) 20 minute Big 8 Late Model Series Practice Sessions
5:50 PM- Ticket Windows Open
6 PM- Big 8 Late Model Series Qualifying
6:45 PM- Big 8 Late Model Series Autograph Session until 7:15 PM (under the Grandstands)
7:30 PM- Racing Begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (complete show highlighted by a 48 lap feature)
Mountain Dew Sportsman
Barron Motor Supply Hobby Stocks
Dublin City Pub Legends
Miller Time Hornets

Admission Prices:
Adults (ages 18 +) & Seniors (ages 62 +): $12
Students (ages 11-17) & Seniors: $7
Kids 10 & under: FREE

REMAINING 2016 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri June 3- McGrathAuto.com ‘Clash at the Downs II” (Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, IA)
Fri June 24- Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI)
Fri July 29- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 2- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 24- 8th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Oct 1- 51st Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway)
Sat Oct 8- 47th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com