By: Kevin Ramsell
Cedar Rapids, IA – In the 17 years of the ASA Midwest Tour, the drivers that compete are always a blend of young & new to savvy veterans. With the parity in the rules today, each event provides a unique drivers list for the fans. Rarely, do you see the exact same field competing at each event.
The Hawkeye 100 presented by Cassill Motors will be one of those unique events this Saturday night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
What will make this one unique? Justin Mondeik will be coming to the 1/2-mile paved oval with something that no one else in the field as on their records, a victory in the ASA Midwest Tour.
The Gleason, Wisconsin driver has two victories in the Tour. His second came three weeks ago when he won his second Larry Detjens Memorial race at State Park Speedway in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin.
Coming into this Saturday night, five drivers on the entry list have had success in the past at Hawkeye Downs.
Bryce Miller made his big step up to Super Late Models in 2024 and has competed in select races while still running for a championship in the Midwest Truck Series. The Columbus, Wisconsin driver won four late model feature events en route to the Hawkeye Downs late model championship last year.
Clear Lake, Iowa’s Kody King won a late model feature at Hawkeye Downs during his 2022 Championship season at his home track and has several runner-up finishes. King will be making his fourth start in the Midwest Tour on Saturday.
Many will say that Levon Van Der Geest is due to get his first ASAMT victory and Hawkeye Downs could be where that happens. Last year, the Merrill, Wisconsin driver finished third in the Hawkeye 100 and finished second in the Midwest Truck Series event in 2020.
Joe Valento is running for the Rookie of the Year in the ASAMT and is hoping to tighten his battle with fellow rookie Ty Fredrickson for the end of season award. The Scandia, Minnesota driver finished 13th in last year’s Hawkeye 100 and held off Van Der Geest for the Midwest Truck Series victory in 2020.
Tristan Swanson is fresh off a Legends feature win at Hawkeye Downs and recently picked up the North American Cup Super Late Model victory at Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The New Market, Minnesota driver is eager to compete this Saturday night.
Riley Stenjem finished second in the Hawkeye 100 in 2023. The Utica, Wisconsin native currently sits sixth in points this season with one top-five finish.
Ty Fredrickson, son of two-time ASAMT champion Dan Fredrickson, is already making waves in his first full season in super late model racing with few victories under his belt. At the age of 15, he is already showing how quick he adapts to the track and has been competitive in just about every race he has competed in so far this season.
Brent Edmunds finished fourth last year in the Hawkeye 100 and has a podium finish at this year’s Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway. The Monroe, Wisconsin driver was looking at another possible top-five finish in the Gandrud Auto Group 250 at Wisconsin International Raceway until getting caught up in a late race caution.
Verona, Wisconsin’s John Beale came close to his first ASAMT win last season at State Park Speedway until a late battle for the lead caused him to spin and loose this opportunity to get that checkered flag. He was victories and championships throughout Wisconsin, and will have former ASAMT champion Dalton Zehr assisting his efforts on Saturday.
2023 ASAMT Rookie of the Year Bryan Syer-Keske had a strong showing at Hawkeye Downs last year, leading a majority of the laps. He will be back with some “unfinished business.”
Other drivers looking for their first ASAMT victory on Saturday night include: Joe Ross, Jerry Mueller, Steve Seligman, Kendrick Kreyer, James Lynch, Jason Stark and Dylan Bates.
The odds are in favor that we could see a first time winner on Saturday night or witness Justin Mondeik getting his second victory of the 2024 season.
For ticket information, please visit midwesttour.racing.
Saturday Racing Divisions: The ASA Midwest Tour, Hornets, Legends, Bandoleros, HD Dawgs
Schedule of Events for Saturday:
2pm – Pit Gate Opens
4pm – ASAMT First Practice
4:45pm – ASAMT Final Practice
5:30pm – Front Gate Opens
5:45pm – Qualifying (ASAMT Autograph Session to follow)
7pm – Racing Begins
General Admission Pricing: Adults: $20, Seniors (60+) & Veterans: $15, Youth (9-17): $15, Ages 8 & Under FREE
Location: Hawkeye Downs Speedway, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Past 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