The 61st Annual Hutchinson Grand Nationals
360 Sprint Car, Modified & Late Model Stock Car
On the Historic Half-Mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Saturday night – July 15, 2017
Sanctioned By – National Championship Racing Association (N.C.R.A.)
Promotional Company – Speedways Inc. of Park City, Kansas
Race Director – C. Ray Hall of Bel Aire, Kansas
Publicity Director / Public Address Announcer – Warren Hardy of Wichita, Kansas
Roving Public Address Announcer – Scott Stiles of Wichita, Kansas
race81speedway.com
Modified*
B Feature Race – 15 Cars – 20 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
0K |
Kevin Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
3 |
2 |
164 |
James Weve |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
2 |
3 |
29 |
Dustin Choate |
Ponca City, Oklahoma |
4 |
4 |
23A |
Aaron Rayl |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
12 |
5 |
16 |
Vickie Leatherman |
Andover, Kansas |
6 |
6 |
29J |
Jeff Oelkers |
Wichita, Kansas |
1 |
7 |
2K |
Kendall Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
10 |
8 |
020 |
Fred Freeman |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
7 |
9 |
29B |
Briar Oelkers |
Wichita, Kansas |
11 |
10 |
54 |
Jim Roney |
Udall, Kansas |
14 |
11 |
70 |
Don Morris |
Junction City, Kansas |
15 |
12 |
MC2 |
Clint McFadden |
Valley Center, Kansas |
9 |
13 |
36 |
Rick McReynolds |
Arlington, Kansas |
8 |
DNF |
11 |
Erick Chesterman |
Wichita, Kansas |
13 |
DQ |
22K |
Kevin Newell |
Wichita, Kansas |
5 |
McReynolds’ car suffered a flat tire on the first lap which caused the yellow flag to be displayed.
McFadden crashed into the outside wall on the second lap at the south end of the racetrack bring out the second yellow flag of the race.
The cars driven by Don Morris and Briar Oelkers collided bring out the third yellow flag of the race.
Modified*
Championship Feature Race – 20 Cars – 19 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
2K |
Kendall Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
16 |
2 |
06 |
Andrew Wallace |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
3 |
211 |
Thomas Andsager |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
4 |
4 |
44 |
Braden Stoner |
Wichita, Kansas |
1 |
5 |
29 |
Dustin Choate |
Ponca City, Oklahoma |
13 |
6 |
54 |
Jim Roney |
Udall, Kansas |
19 |
7 |
23A |
Aaron Rayl |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
14 |
8 |
16 |
Vickie Leatherman |
Andover, Kansas |
15 |
9 |
020 |
Fred Freeman |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
17 |
10 |
7N |
William Nusser |
Larned, Kansas |
8 |
11 |
429 |
Shelby Stucky |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
7 |
12 |
316 |
Spencer Walker |
Wichita, Kansas |
6 |
13 |
0K |
Kevin Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
11 |
14 |
78B |
Blake Moler |
Wichita, Kansas |
10 |
15 |
84 |
Gary Kilbourn |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
9 |
16 |
164 |
James Weve |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
12 |
17 |
29B |
Briar Oelkers |
Wichita, Kansas |
18 |
18 |
M5 |
Harley Peery |
Goddard, Kansas |
5 |
DQ |
22K |
Kevin Newell |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
DNF |
29J |
Jeff Oelkers |
Wichita, Kansas |
DNS |
Jeff Oelkers was to start in 16th place but, since he DNS, everyone scheduled to start behind him was moved up a position before the race started.
The first yellow flag of this race came on the seventh lap due to a wreck in the fourth turn.
The yellow flag came out on the ninth lap due to debris on the racetrack.
Only ten cars were running at the completion of this race.
Newell was the first to finish this race but he was disqualified due to a violation of the rules when it was discovered, during post-race inspection, that his engine was set too far back.
N. C. R. A. Late Model Stock Car
Championship Feature Race – 14 Cars – 25 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
55 |
Chris Kratzer |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
2 |
92 |
Delbert Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
7 |
3 |
7D |
Dusty Leonard |
Marysville, Kansas |
5 |
4 |
60 |
Kip Hughes |
Enid, Oklahoma |
4 |
5 |
199 |
Brandon Givens |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
6 |
6 |
7c |
Jimmy Seagraves |
Wichita, Kansas |
13 |
7 |
L99 |
Loren Dauer |
Lindsborg, Kansas |
8 |
8 |
229 |
Damian Patocka |
Enid, Oklahoma |
9 |
9 |
104 |
Adam Popp |
Haven, Kansas |
10 |
10 |
B1 |
Dustin Bolster |
Belle Plaine, Kansas |
14 |
77 |
Jeremy Petty |
Smolan, Kansas |
11 |
|
DNF |
03 |
Jeremy Bishop |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
12 |
DNF |
D6 |
Rob Day |
WaKeeney, Kansas |
3 |
DNF |
92s |
Dan Smith |
Beloit, Kansas |
1 |
Dan Smith got a jump on pole sitter Kratzer at the start causing a false start.
Dan Smith then crashed into the wall in turn one.
Petty spun into a tire marking one of the corners.
Kratzer let each lap of this race.
N. C. R. A. Modified
C Feature Race – 13 Cars – 12 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
91 |
Ross Shipman |
Belle Plaine, Kansas |
1 |
2 |
65 |
Tyler Davis |
Hayesville, Kansas |
6 |
3 |
11B |
Bill Siemers |
Mulvane, Kansas |
3 |
4 |
M1 |
Cody Gearhart |
Turpin, Oklahoma |
2 |
5 |
25c |
Johnny Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
5 |
6 |
K9 |
Kyler Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
11 |
7 |
23s |
Heath Myers |
Hoisington, Kansas |
4 |
8 |
25x |
Tommy Carter |
Sedgwick, Kansas |
7 |
9 |
23s |
Heath Myers |
Hoisington, Kansas |
13 |
10 |
52c |
Alex Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
9 |
11 |
21B |
Bryce Schniepp |
Wichita, Kansas |
12 |
12 |
3J |
Jake Nightingale |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
8 |
13 |
24 |
Corey Lagroon |
Salina, Kansas |
10 |
DNF |
747c |
Cuyler Calkin |
Wichita, Kansas |
DNS |
DNF |
134 |
Alan Blevins |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
DNS |
The cars driven by Bryce Schniepp and Jake Nightingale got together bring out the caution flag.
N. C. R. A. Modified
B Feature Race – 19 Cars – 20 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
65 |
Tyler Davis |
Haysville, Kansas |
11 |
2 |
29 |
Marlin Farr |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
6 |
3 |
01x |
Beau Davis |
Cheney, Kansas |
2 |
4 |
1M |
Cody Gearhart |
Turpin, Oklahoma |
13 |
5 |
91 |
Ross Shipman |
Belle Plaine, Kansas |
10 |
6 |
96JR |
Joe Herring |
Woodward, Oklahoma |
5 |
7 |
5 |
Jason McGehee |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
8 |
69 |
Cecil Dymond |
Goddard, Kansas |
9 |
9 |
25c |
Johnny Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
14 |
10 |
93B |
Brandon Massey |
Valley Center, Kansas |
8 |
11 |
52c |
Alex Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
19 |
DNF |
191 |
Travis Govern |
Wichita, Kansas |
1 |
DNF |
23s |
Heath Myers |
Hoisington, Kansas |
16 |
DNF |
25x |
Tommy Carter |
Sedgwick, Kansas |
17 |
DNF |
99T |
T. J. Tolan |
Wichita, Kansas |
18 |
DNF |
11B |
Bill Siemers |
Mulvane, Kansas |
12 |
DNF |
K9 |
Kyler Kemp |
Maize, Kansas |
15 |
DNF |
0 |
Kyle Rohleder |
WaKeeney, Kansas |
7 |
DNF |
21c |
Cody Schniepp |
Wichita, Kansas |
4 |
DNF |
5 |
Johnny Whitmore |
Wichita, Kansas |
DNS |
The first yellow flag came out when Alex Cammon spun his car in turn four and Brandon Massey spun out between turns one and two. Both cars were able to restart the race.
The second yellow flag came out for a wreck between turns three and four.
The red flag was displayed for a wreck involving Kyler Kemp and T. J. Nolan.
The third yellow flag was displayed due to a flat left front tire on Jason McGehee’s car.
Tommy Carter’s car dropped out of competition with damage to his right front suspension.
The fourth yellow flag came out when the cars of then leader, Travis Govern, and Heath Myers suffered blown engines.
The fifth yellow flag was displayed for debris on the racetrack. Cody Gearhart also had his hood removed while the field was under this caution.
N. C. R. A. Modified
Championship Feature Race – 21 Cars – 25 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
02 |
Tanner Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Cole Traugott |
Woodward, Oklahoma |
5 |
3 |
4A |
Josh Lanterman |
Derby, Kansas |
7 |
4 |
25 |
Scott Green |
Derby, Kansas |
9 |
5 |
1 |
Kyle Schmidt |
Fayetteville, Arkansas |
3 |
6 |
52 |
Ryan McAninch |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
4 |
7 |
93B |
Brandon Massey |
Valley Center, Kansas |
20 |
8 |
91 |
Ross Shipman |
Belle Plaine, Kansas |
15 |
9 |
96JR |
Jon Herring |
Woodward, Oklahoma |
16 |
10 |
25c |
Johnny Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
19 |
11 |
69 |
Cecil Dymond |
Goddard, Kansas |
18 |
12 |
15 |
Andy Wilkinson |
York, Nebraska |
1 |
13 |
01x |
Beau Davis |
Cheney, Kansas |
13 |
14 |
2KX |
Darrick Klima |
Belleville, Kansas |
10 |
15 |
52c |
Alex Cammon |
Wichita, Kansas |
21 |
16 |
42 |
Darren Moses |
Valley Center, Kansas |
6 |
17 |
4 |
Dan Powers |
Wichita, Kansas |
8 |
DNF |
65 |
Tyler Davis |
Haysville, Kansas |
11 |
DNF |
5 |
Jason McGehee |
Wichita, Kansas |
17 |
DNF |
29 |
Marlin Farr |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
12 |
DNF |
1M |
Cody Gearhart |
Turpin, Oklahoma |
14 |
Schmidt’s car had the #10 on the doors but was officially scored in the races on this weekend as car #1.
The first yellow flag was displayed when Alex Cammon spun in turn two.
The red flag came out when Tyler Davis’ car caught fire in turn three. When the race was restarted, Andy Wilkinson hit the wall between the first and second turns.
The next yellow flag came out for Dan Powers who was experiencing engine trouble, and the next yellow flag, after that, came out for Darren Moses.
Webmaster interview with Tanner Mullens
Webmaster: What about the Hutchinson Nationals have made them special to you and your family?
Tanner: Family tradition makes it what it is.
Webmaster: What is different about the state fair racetrack from the others that you’ve raced on?
Tanner: Everything seems to work out well there. The soil is sandy and that seems to hurt others more than it hurts me.
Webmaster: It appeared to me that you got out of shape in turn two on the first lap of the feature but the next two cars seemed to check up a little letting you get your car straightened out. What happened?
Tanner: I got hit in the left rear in the first turn and that caused me to get a little out of shape in turn two. There were also some ruts up high in turn four that were causing me to slide around a little.
Webmaster: I was surprised to see the other two cars checkup for you. I don’t think they got another chance to pass you. They might not have wanted to take a chance of spinning out in front of the field on the first lap of the feature though.
Tanner: Yeah. When the green goes out, it is time to go for sure.
Webmaster: Did the restarts bother you?
Tanner: Restarts never really hurt me. I didn’t want to get into lapped traffic though.
Webmaster: Do you ever hear the word “Dynasty” at Hutchinson?
Tanner: Dad does.
Webmaster: Do you plan to run in other classes like your father and grandfather have? Why or why not?
Tanner: We raced sprints for a little while but modifieds are where we are. I don’t plan to change anytime soon.
Webmaster: Is the state fairgrounds, or 81 Speedway, your home racetrack?
Tanner: I don’t have a home track. I think you learn more racing on all sizes and shapes.
Buddy Mullens: He is a traveler. If there is a race, he goes to it.
Tanner Mullens after his Championship Feature Race victory at Hutchinson.
Darrin West photo
N. C. R. A. 360 Sprint Car
Championship Feature Race – 12 Cars – 25 Laps
Place |
Car # |
Driver |
From |
Started |
1 |
1J |
Danny Jennings |
Norman, Oklahoma |
1 |
2 |
10c |
Jeremy Campbell |
Wichita, Kansas |
4 |
3 |
81 |
Jon Freeman |
Salina, Kansas |
2 |
4 |
91 |
Jeff Stasa |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
5 |
1x |
Don Droud, Jr. |
Lincoln, Nebraska |
8 |
6 |
88 |
Craig Dollansky |
Elk River, Minnesota |
13 |
7 |
7 |
Michelle Decker |
Guthrie, Oklahoma |
10 |
8 |
20G |
Jake Greider |
Haysville, Kansas |
11 |
9 |
26M |
Fred Mattox |
Drumright, Oklahoma |
7 |
10 |
98 |
J. D. Johnson |
Wichita, Kansas |
6 |
11 |
85 |
Forrest Sutherland |
Cherryvale, Kansas |
9 |
12 |
72 |
Ray Seeman |
Jetmore, Kansas |
5 |
DNF |
50 |
Randy Woodside |
Wichita, Kansas |
DNS |
About his victory, after the race, Danny Jennings said, ““This may just be the biggest victory of my career,” said Jennings. “This has been a tough year for me and my family as my grandpa (Ernest) had a stroke back in February and hasn’t been at the track. He is my mentor, best friend and super hero who had always been with me at the track. We realized this was the 61st running of Hutch and “Pops” always run #61 and I was determined to win this for him.”
This race paid $4,000 for first place.
#1J Danny Jennings
Gary Corneilson photo
Left to right: Shane Carson, Danny Jennings, Scott Stiles and an unidentified trophy girl after Jennings’ victory in the N.C.R.A. 360 Sprint Car feature race
Gary Corneilson photo
Members of the David Grace Motorsports and Jennings Family Racing Team that have been identified so far:
Ricky Jennings at far left, David Grace wearing the orange t-shirt in the middle and Danny Jennings third from the right
Gary Corneilson photo
* Modifieds conforming to 81 Speedway’s AAA modified class, rookie modified class and I. M. C. A.’s modified class all competed as one class in these modified races.
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page