Sprint Invaders Make History This Saturday at Hawkeye Downs!
by Bill Wright
September 30, 2025 – The Mohrfeld Solar Sprint Invaders will hit new territory this Saturday, October 4. The historic Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa will play host to the series for the first time. Dirt has been added to the quarter-mile oval, reviving interest in the racetrack for dirt track fans in the Midwest. “Dirt at the Downs” is running for a few weeks and is part of the 100th year of racing at the famous facility.
It has been some time since sprint cars have run at Hawkeye Downs. From 1999 to 2004 the USAC National Sprint Cars raced on the pavement. Dave Steele, JJ Yeley, Michael Lewis, Bobby East, Brian Tyler, Jason McCord and Dave Darland were amongst the winners. Gary Fedewa, Steve Surniak and Hank Lower won with the Auto Value Super Sprints in 2001.
The pavement came to Hawkeye Downs in 1989, and before that time, the track played host to many sprint car events. Sprint car drivers in the track’s “Wall of Fame” include Emory Collins, Gus Schrader, Jerry Blundy, Lee Kunzman, Buzz Rose, Doug Wolfgang, Johnny Rutherford, Jim McElreath, Cliff Blundy, John Gerber, Eddie Leavitt and Shane Carson to name a few.
The race will conclude the 2025 season for the Mohrfeld Solar Sprint Invaders. Show up points totaling 200 points will be awarded. Tasker Phillips will clinch his first Sprint Invaders championship by running on Saturday. Terry McCarl is second in points, followed by Colton Fisher, Cody Wehrle and McCain Richards.
Hot laps are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, with racing to follow. Tickets are $20, with Seniors (60+) and Students 9-17 $18. Kids 8 and under are FREE. Nostalgia Open Wheel Cars, Sport Mods and Sport Compacts are also on the card!
Keep apprised of the latest on the Sprint Invaders by visiting our Facebook page, or our website at www.SprintInvaders.org.
2025 Sprint Invaders Schedule
Saturday, April 12 – 34 Raceway (Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA)
Sunday, April 13 – Stuart International Speedway (Chase Porter, St. Joseph, MO)*
Friday, May 9 – Davenport Speedway (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Friday, May 16 – CJ Speedway (Wind)
Sunday, May 25 – 34 Raceway (Joe B. Miller, Millersville, MO)
Friday, June 20 – Scotland County Speedway (JJ Hickle, Quilcene, WA)
Saturday, June 21 – 34 Raceway (Rain)
Sunday, June 22 – Quincy Raceways (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Sunday, July 6 – Benton County Speedway (Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA)
Thursday, July 17 – Southern Iowa Speedway (Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA)
Monday, July 28 – Bloomfield Speedway (Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA)
Friday, August 22 – Lee County Speedway (Colton Fisher, Danville, IA)
Sunday, August 31 – Spoon River Speedway (Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA)
Saturday, September 27 – 34 Raceway (West Burlington, IA) “Fall Haul”
Saturday, October 4 – Hawkeye Downs Speedway (Cedar Rapids, IA)
*co-sanctioned with Malvern Bank 360 Sprint Series
2025 Sprint Invaders Top 20 Driver Points (Feature Wins)
- Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 2463
- Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 2366 (1)
- Colton Fisher, Danville, IA, 2365 (1)
- Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA, 2246
- McCain Richards, Burlington, IA, 2166
- Riley Scott, Quincy, IL, 1918
- Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA, 1668 (1)
- Josh Schnederman, West Burlington, IA, 1666 (1)
- Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 1653 (2)
- Luke Verardi, Taylorville, IL, 1630
- Nathan Murders, Burlington, IA, 1583
- Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington, IA, 1523
- Cam Sorrels, Hallsville, MO, 1498
- JJ Hickle, Quilcene, WA, 1470 (2)
- Alex Vande Voort, Knoxville, IA, 1357
- Tyler Lee, Cedar Rapids, IA, 1355
- Cam Martin, Ankeny,IA, 1195
- Dustin Clark, Agency, IA, 1183
- Jake Blackhurst, Hanna City, IL, 1149
- Cole Mincer, Burlington, IA, 1097
Series Sponsors
Title Sponsor – Mohrfeld Solar
A Main Sponsor – Alchemy Skin & Health
Shake-up Dash Sponsor – Agriland FS Winterset
Heat Sponsors – Randall’s Performance, Woodworth Attorney at Law, Morning Sun Farm Implement, Golden Eagle Distributors
B Main Sponsor – Golden Eagle Distributors
$50 Draw Sponsor (for drivers drawing a 50) – Avis Rent A Car/Budget Car Rental
$75 Hard Charger Sponsor – In Honor of Christine Wahl-Levitt by Scott Donlan
Season Champion and Point Participant at Banquet – K-1 Race Gear
Contingency Sponsors
Hoosier, Midland Performance, K-1 Racegear, Rocket Graphics, Bell Helmets, Stronghurst Collision Refinish (SCR), King Racing Products, DMI, BMRS, KSE Racing Products, Saldana Racing Products
- administrator on Sep 30, 2025
- Article Date: 9/30/2025