Exhibition driver Jamie Iverson poses for a photo in victory lane after winning the Bob Iverson Memorial Race on July 27, 2024 at Escanaba Speedway. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — For nearly 50 years, Bob Iverson was a staple in the Upper Peninsula’s racing scene.

He was remembered not only for his mean streak on the track, but for his kindness and willingness to help others enter the sport.

Saturday’s Bob Iverson Memorial Race aimed to capture the spirit of the late legend. But no one in attendance could’ve imagined what happened at Escanaba Speedway on Saturday.

First there was the return of Bob Iverson’s son Jamie Iverson, who’s dealt with his fair share of back issues which has kept him off the track. But how does one not push through the pain in honor of their late father?

Then came the extra layer of icing on the cake. Jamie Iverson entered the race in a specific car. This wasn’t any ordinary car. This was the car Bob Iverson dominated with for decades.

The Hyde Hustler made its grand return to Escanaba Speedway. And in typical Hyde Hustler fashion, it was the first car to cross the finish line.

On a night where Bob Iverson’s legacy was in remembrance, Jamie Iverson paid the ultimate tribute with the win in his dad’s iconic car, arguably the most memorable win of Jamie Iverspn’s career.

“It was great to be back on the track,” Jamie Iverson said. “My mom really wanted to see the car back out there again. I know my dad would have loved to see it.”

Terry Royer came in second and won the heat race in the exhibition class while Abi Yelle finished third after a big wreck in Norway on Friday night. Ron Anderson came home with a fourth place finish and David Broeders came in fifth.

In the super modified class, Scott Degnan picked up his seventh feature win of the season. Drake Degnan had a solid run and finished second while Bradley Seppanen came home third and Jesse Denome and Rick Ness rounded out the top five. Paul Hosking picked up the win in heat race action.

In the youth micro sprints, Nathan Winling Jr. came back from a nasty roll in heat race action to get the checkered flag for his second feature win of the season. Amelia Hart followed up last week’s win with a second place finish and won the heat race. Julia Maki came in third and Carson Wagner and Easton Winling rounded out the top five.

In the sportsman micro sprints, Braxton Lundquist used a last lap pass on Andrew Karl to pick up his fifth feature win of the season. Andrew Karl came in second and picked up the heat win while Macy Degnan came in third. Kristy Karl and Chase Richer rounded out the top five.

In the 600 sprint class, they took off the wings for the first of three wingless shows with Ethan Manninen picking up the feature win. Logan Getzloff finished second and won the heat race. Chase Richer finished second and Robert Buttry and Scott Richer rounded out the top five.

In the sport modified class, Jesse Denome picked up a heat and feature sweep. Second place went to Matt Valiquette while Lonnie Dalgord finished third. Anthony Harper and Evin Gagne rounded out the top five. Lance Salo and Kyle Johnson won the other two heat races.

In the sport compacts, Tombo Waselesky found his way back to victory lane for his fifth feature win of the season. Mark Isley came away with a second place finish and Dominick Lantagne finished third. Tanner Olson was fourth and Brian VanDrese came in fifth and won the heat race.

In the street stocks, Cody Turner picked up his first career feature win. Jeremy Sebeck came home with a second place finish and Tony Begovac came in third and won his heat race. Qwentin Johnsen and Jimmy Reath rounded out the top five. Brayden Lundquist won the other heat race.