top of page
Writer's pictureSheldon Wickwar

Championship Preview-Thomas County Speedway

08/06/2024

Thomas County Speedway

Colby, Kansas

By: Sheldon Wickwar


A picture of the Thomas County Speedway Logo
The Thomas County Speedway Logo

Race fans it is time to crown track champions in Colby! Friday night August 9th, your favorite stars battle it out one final time this season during the Jeff Hartwell Memorial races! Championships will be awarded to the five IMCA classes!


A quick refresher on how points work: per the IMCA rulebook, "Weekly ‘A’ Feature win is 40 points, with each subsequent position worth one point less, with 24th position in feature worth 17 points. If more than 24 cars start feature, all positions from 24th back receive 17 points." and further "If less than ten entries for any given night, for each car less than ten, one point fewer than normal is awarded for feature finish. For example, if nine cars entered, feature win would then be worth 39 points; for eight entries, win would be worth 38 points, etc."

There is also a requirement of each class running at least four shows at a certain track to be considered for IMCA points.


The hobby stock top ten in points look like this going into championship night:

  1. Morgan Olmstead 191PTS

  2. Bret Conness 179PTS

  3. Cash Tubbs 164PTS

  4. Austin Janousek 160PTS

  5. Trent Matson 149PTS

  6. Hayden Ogorzolka 141PTS

  7. Brady Bencken 119PTS

  8. Bingston Rogers 97PTS

  9. Cole Schulte 90PTS

  10. Mike Kennedy 88PTS

Morgan Olmstead has held a strong showing in Colby, with three wins, a second, and a ninth-place finish in five events. Bret Conness has a second, third, fifth, sixth, and tenth place finish in five events. Cash Tubbs is on the outside looking in but would be the beneficiary if Conness or Olmstead either stumble Friday or not make it to the event. Austin Janousek sits just four points behind Tubbs in a similar boat. Trent Matson even with a win, and Olmstead/Conness not receiving points Friday would finish second, two points back.


The sport compact top ten in points look like this:

  1. Kyle Mortensen 188PTS

  2. Brock Leibhart 187PTS

  3. Ted Trumbo 185PTS

  4. Jason Colby 133PTS

  5. Tyson Plumisto 131PTS

  6. Jared Coon 127PTS

  7. Madison Reed 109PTS

  8. Chase Cloe 101PTS

  9. James Bader 90PTS

  10. Gage Porter 76PTS

Kyle Mortensen, last week's winner has himself in the lead by a single point, his finishes this year include a first, two seconds, a third and a fourth. Brock Leibhart sits in second, he has finishes of a first, two seconds, a third, and a fifth. Ted Trumbo sits third with a great opportunity to capture another track title at Thomas County Speedway! Jason Colby sits as the first driver mathematically out of a championship shot.


The modified top ten in points look like:

  1. Eddie Belec 153PTS

  2. Dylan Sherfick 152PTS

  3. Kyle Rohleder 147PTS

  4. Drew Miller 126PTS

  5. Clay Money 109PTS

  6. Jeremy Frenier 99PTS

  7. Trevor Geist 97PTS

  8. Don Geist 94PTS

  9. Mike Bainter 91PTS

  10. Brett Berry 78PTS

Eddie Belec has one win, a second, a third and a fourth-place finish on the year to give himself a one-point advantage in the standings. Dylan Sherfick has three second place finishes on the year and a fifth-place finish giving him a great shot at claiming the track championship. Kyle Rohleder sits in the catbird's seat with a chance to pounce on the leaders Friday, with Drew Miller holding an outside shot at stealing the championship. Clay Money is the first driver mathematically eliminated from championship hopes.


The top ten in stock car points looks like:

  1. Kyle Pfeifer 155PTS

  2. Tathan Burkhart 147PTS

  3. Doug Holzmeister 141PTS

  4. Jeff Tubbs 140PTS

  5. Wheat Lippelman 128PTS

  6. Dusty Springer 126PTS

  7. Chris Oliver 1o5PTS

  8. Troy Burkhart 73PTS

  9. Jason Rogers 37PTS

  10. Tyler Tipton 36PTS

Kyle Pfeifer's four wins have propelled him to the top spot, while his runner up dancing partner Tathan Burkhart sits eight points out, the duo have been battling it out weekly in Colby, and other area tracks. It will be quite interesting to see who claims the stock car championship. Doug Holzmeister and Jeff Tubbs have the best chance of pouncing on the championship if the front-runners stumble, while Wheat Lippelman and Dusty Springer have the outside chances of stealing the championship. Chris Oliver is the first driver mathematically eliminated from championship contention.


The sport mod top ten in points looks like:

  1. Blaine Walt 156PTS

  2. Monty Nordyke 143PTS

  3. Brendyn Nordyke 140PTS

  4. Ryan Kirchoff 137PTS

  5. Josh Barnhart 134PTS

  6. Donovan Ohlrogge 116PTS

  7. Adam Weber 110PTS

  8. Brianna Maughlin 106PTS

  9. Brady Bencken 105PTS

  10. Jack Kirchoff 102PTS

Blaine Walts, two wins and one second and one fourth place finishes has himself comfortable with a thirteen-point advantage. The consistent veteran knows exactly what he needs to do to find himself taking home the TCS championship. Colorado's father/son duo of Monty and Brendyn Nordyke would like to spoil Walt's championship hopes, while Ryan Kirchoff would like to rekindle that winning energy to pull off a surprise championship. Josh Barnhart still has an outside chance, as well as Donovan Ohlrogge who would need to win and have the front-runner's stumble. The first mathematically eliminated driver would be Adam Weber.


Be sure to join us this Friday in Colby, Kansas at the Thomas County Speedway to honor one of the best Jeff Hartwell and to also celebrate the 2024 season and crown our champions! Hot laps should be at 7 or 7:30PM with racing to follow!

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page