KOENS WINS ASA FEATURE IN FRONT OF BOAT RACE CROWD

Source: DCS Media Relations
Date: 04/14/2008

Wade Koens raced to his first ever Late Model feature victory while capturing the American Speed Association/Sherm’s Boat Race Opener, Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway an ASA Member Track in Roseburg, Oregon.

Koens passed former track champion Dale Roth, coming out of Turn 2 on Lap 32 of the 35-Lap ASA Premier Division Main Event. Roth was experiencing handling problems and Koens was ready to seize the opportunity.

“My spotter told me (Roth) was getting loose,” Koens said. “He went into a 4-wheel slide into Turn 1 and I dipped in low and tried to make a clean pass. There was some contact, but as I came out of Turn 2, I just took off.”

For Koens, a 1991 Roseburg High graduate, the race day began with more mechanical frustration, much the same, as he’s experienced in his first four years of racing.

“As soon as we unloaded, we noticed we had trouble,” Koens said. “At first we thought maybe it was an axel, but then learned it was the clutch. Dad (fellow racer, Harlan Koens) and John Dumire worked so hard to get our setup just right.”

The crew of the No. 28 spent three hours under the car with the clutch replacement and Koens missed the qualifying session, forcing him to start in the back of the 9-car field.

Following the regular racing program, more than 1,500 fans on hand witnessed the headlined, bizarre boat race.

Competitors flooded a water-soaked racetrack, driving vehicles ranging from sedans to vans to duel-axel trucks all while dragging boats chained to their respective rigs. The mission was to dislodge the boats with the last driver pulling a boat, or partial boat, to be deemed the winner.

Clint Hatfield and Ben Herbert were the final two survivors, with the Hatfield, the reigning J-Car champion receiving the nod for the trophy. Josh Cox had the final remaining complete boat, but his truck succumbed to mechanical failure.

In earlier feature racing, Dan Fouts won the 25-Lap Street Stock main.

The Roseburg racer bested Winston’s Gary Perry and Grants Pass’ Rick Jump, who were second and third respectively. Fouts also recorded win the trophy dash and timing session. Perry and Tyrell Mead each won their respective heat races.

Rob Mueller started the new season where he left off in the Mini Stock class. The Roseburg driver and reigning points champ won the 25-Lap main and clocked in the best time during the qualifying round. Winston’s Jim Smith finished second in the main, second in qualifying and won the fast heat. Jason Williams, Sutherlinm, won the first heat and Jason Gotz, Damascus, won the trophy dash.

Jeff Solberg and Andy Nelson finished first and second respectively in the Hornet feature. Tyler Risley, Dillard, and Nelson each won heats.

Trent Estes, Roseburg, and Kris Nace, Glendale, each won ASA Heats. John Cornilsen, Oakland, won the J-Car Heat.

Racing resumes Saturday at the Douglas County Speedway featuring the ASA Premiers, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hornets, Mini Vans and J-Cars. Gates open at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 6:35 p.m.

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