By: Kevin Ramsell
Cedar Rapids, IA – The ASA Midwest Tour returns to Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this Saturday for the Miller 100 presented by Van Meter. One driver to watch will be the 2022 speedway champion, Kody King.
The Clear Lake, Iowa driver is running for rookie of the year in the Midwest Tour and will be coming into the fourth race of the season after a tenth-place finish in the Norway 100.
He is also running weekly at Hawkeye Downs looking for his second title at the half-mile oval.
“We’ve had a decent year so far in the pro late weekly at Hawkeye, but we’ve struggled quite a bit with the balance, especially on old tires,” King recently said. “We’re going to keep wrenching on it and hope to get it a bit closer.”
This Saturday night, instead of driving his pro weekly late model, he is stepping up to his super late model and is hoping his experience will bring his first Midwest Tour victory.
“Being a regular at Hawkeye Downs definitely gives me a hand up, but the cars are very different so I don’t think it will make a huge difference,” King explained. “Our super program has been on point this year with crew chief Joe Wood and I think that is what I’m most confident in heading into this weekend.”
Joe Wood, who operates Pathfinder Chassis in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, not only prepares the car for King but also sees him as a mentor.
“We reached out to Pathfinder Chassis along with a few other chassis companies a couple of years back when we were struggling and looking to make a lasting partnership. Joe ’gave all the right answers,’ if you will, and started working together,” King recalled. “Our relationship has only grown over the last couple of years, and we continue to find more success every race.”
As far as being a mentor…
“To keep digging!” King said on one thing he has learned from Wood so far. “Some days you’re going to struggle, but make of it what you can and move onto the next one with a clean slate.”
King will be coming into Saturday night’s event with a special added item to his car.
“I will be partnering with Van Meter Company, which is a large electrical supply company that started in Cedar Rapids,” King announced. “I’m looking forward to carrying them on the quarter panels for the only Super Late Model race at Hawkeye during their 100th year and the rerun of the historic Miller 100 presented by Van Meter.”
For ticket information, please visit midwesttour.racing.
Saturday Racing Divisions: ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Models, Legends, HD Dawgs
Schedule of Events for Saturday:
2pm – Pit Gate Opens
4pm – Front Gate Opens
4pm – ASAMT First Practice
4:45pm – ASAMT Final Practice
5:45pm – Qualifying (ASAMT Autograph Session to follow)
7pm – Racing Begins
General Admission Pricing: Adults: $25, Seniors (60+) & Veterans: $18, Youth (9-17): $12, Ages 8 & Under FREE
Location: Hawkeye Downs Speedway, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Past ASA Midwest Tour Hawkeye Downs Winners:
2007 – Steve Carlson
2008 – Steve Carlson
2009 – Steve Carlson
2010 – Steve Carlson
2011 – Jonathan Eilen
2014 – Ty Majeski
2015 – Ty Majeski
2021 – Ty Majeski
2023 – Gabe Sommers
2024 – Gabe Sommers
Past ‘Miller 100’ Winners (thanks to Kyle Ealy)
1973 – Butch Hartman
1974 – Bill Zwanziger
1975 – Ed Sanger
1976 – Curt Hanson
1977 – Fred Horn
1978 – Curt Hanson (2)
1979 – Verlin Eaker
1980 – Rodney Combs
1981 – Leon Plank
1982 – Ron Jackson
1983 – Roger Dolan
1984 – Ken Walton
1985 – Tom Hearst
1986 – Roger Dolan (2)
1987 – Billy Moyer, Jr
1988 – Billy Moyer, Jr (2)
1989 – Steve Holzhausen
1990 – Larry Phillips
1991 – Joe Shear
1992 – Johnny Spaw
1993 – Mel Walen
1994 – Tom Carlson
1995 – Joe Shear (2)
1996 – Steve Carlson
1997 – Steve Carlson (2)
1998 – Ron Breese, Jr
1999 – Kevin Nuttleman
2000 – Josh Walker
2001 – Steve Carlson (3)
2002 – Justin Diercks
2003 – Justin Diercks
2004 – Charlie Menard
2005 – Stephen Leicht
2006 – Trent Snyder
2007 – Steve Carlson (4)
2008 – Steve Carlson (5)
2009 – Steve Carlson (6)
2010 – Steve Carlson (7)
2011 – Johnathan Eilen
