Clash at the Downs 2025 Recap
On Friday, June 6th, the Big 8 Late Model Series rolled into town for the 11th edition of the Clash at the Downs sponsored by McGrath Auto. The weather was picture-perfect, the stands were packed, and the night was full of impressive racing to go along with it!
HD DAWGS
Todd Ness took control in the heat race as Garrett Warren worked to get around him. Warren struggled a bit with the handling but was able to take the lead from Ness with two to go. Warren crossed the line ahead of Ness but had a breakout of 21.992 seconds on the final lap, which moved him to the rear of the field, giving Ness the win.
In the feature, it became a three-car battle between Ness, Warren, and Dave Ballstaedt. Ballstaedt made a run on the outside and took the lead with 11 to go. A couple of laps later, Warren slipped inside of Ness to take the runner-up position. When the race was winding down with two to go, Ness spun on the backstretch, bringing out the yellow. On the restart, it was a fierce battle between Warren and Ballstaedt, but Ballstaedt held on to win the feature.
SUNLINE HORNETS
When the green flew in the Sunline Hornet heat, Don Stephens showed the way with the rest of the field two-wide behind. With 6 to go, contact was made between John Carnahan and Chad Vozenilek, which caused a flat tire for Carnahan. Jamie Wood briefly had the lead until Kurt Bohnsack got ahead and claimed the win.
Photo: Ed Siems
Duane Hochstedler showed the way for the first three laps of the feature event while Vozenilek and Bohnsack battled behind, and just one lap later, Bohnsack got to 2nd. He took the battle to the outside of Hochstedler and cleared for the lead. Carnahan ended his night with another flat tire that would bring out the yellow flag and give Vozenilek a shot at Bohnsack. On the restart, Bohnsack had a good launch and was able to pull into Green State Credit Union Victory Lane once again.
ANDERSON AUTOMOTIVE HOBBY STOCKS
Hayden Sherman went looking for the lead on the inside of Scott Siems, but the two touched, and that allowed Brayden Beauregard to take the lead. With 5 to go, Adam Petrzelka made the pass on Siems for 2nd. The white flag had Petrzelka looking inside of Beauregard, and it was a photo finish with Petrzelka getting the win.
On the pace lap of the feature, Sherman had a mechanical issue, which ended his night. Siems led the first lap, but Petrzelka quickly took it after using a three-wide move. In the scrum, Jason Sherman grabbed the 2nd position. Beauregard went for a single-car spin with 5 to go, which brought out the caution. On the restart, Petrzelka would get away to win once again, and Jason Sherman and Siems finished on the podium.
ALL SEASONS AUTOMOTIVE SPORTSMAN
In the first heat, Dave Ballstaedt got around the outside of Josh Sevey. A few laps later, Sevey spun, with Greg Hentrich being sent to the rear. Ballstaedt went on to the heat win, with Bob Ahrendsen taking 2nd.
Heat two saw Will Zamastil controlling the group until he wiggled, they went three-wide, and Corey Crispin took advantage. Todd Ness pushed the pace on the outside of Crispin at the end, but couldn’t get it done, and Crispin took the win.
Despite having some struggles in the class this season, Crispin led the majority of the feature race and looked to be headed toward his first win in the class. With 5 to go, Ness got up to battle with Crispin. Two laps remaining, Ness made contact with Crispin, sending him around. Both drivers would have to go to the rear, which left Brandon Herb and Hentrich to fight for the victory. On the restart, Herb would get clear and take the feature win in the final two laps.
CASSILL MOTORS SPORT MODS
Nathan Ballard continued his 2025 dominance by winning the first heat race over Steve Schnoor and Chad Siems.
Heat two had a bit of action with Stacy Olson and Bryan Baxter jousting for the lead. Baxter nosed ahead before the caution came out for a single-car spin. With 4 to go, Tallan Chandler took advantage and cleared Baxter on the backstretch of 2 to go. On the final lap, Baxter spun in the final corner while Chandler crossed the finish line.
Photo: Ed Siems
The dominance of Ballard came to an end in the feature event, as Chandler kept control throughout the feature event. Despite getting to 2nd almost immediately, Ballard would have to settle for that position at the end of the night, ahead of Baxter. It was the first win of the year for Chandler, the only person besides Ballard to win in the class thus far.
BIG 8 SERIES
It was a strong showing from the local drivers in the 48-lap feature, with Kacey Korsmo leading the way early. Michael Weber would drive up to 2nd before the end of the event, just did not have enough for the leader. Griffin McGrath, who set fast time during qualifying, had trouble early in the event when he made contact with the turn-three wall, leaving him with damage.
Overall, it was Randy Sargent from Illinois, who picked up his 3rd Big 8 Series win, and he became the 11th different winner in 11 Big 8 races at Hawkeye Downs.
Photo: Ed Siems
NEXT RACE: Friday, June 13th
Racing continues on Friday, June 13th, with our NASCAR Advanced Auto Weekly Racing Series, plus the return of the American Iron Racing Series! Hills Bank will be hosting its group on the Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill Party Deck.
Gates open at 6pm, with racing scheduled to begin at 7pm. Tickets are available now on MyRacePass.
