Beatrice IMCA Modified driver Johnny Saathoff came away as a double winner at the 2009 IMCA Modified Spring Nationals at the Beatrice Speedway.

Saathoff claimed two of three A Features in the Modified division over the weekend.

The Beatrice driver won the $1,000-to-win Friday night A Feature, which was postponed to Saturday due to a power outage, and then claimed the $2,000-to-win main even during Sunday’s final day of racing.

“It’s great to be able to win with this caliber of competition,” Saathoff said. “With all these cars from around the United States, it’s great to get two wins, especially at my age.”

Saathoff was followed across the finish line in his first feature win by David Murray Jr. of Oberlin, Kan., and Ricky Alvarado of Delta, Colo.

Jeremy Mills of Garner, Iowa, and Greg Metz of Washington, Kan., rounded out the top five.

Alvarado won the $1,500-to-win Modified feature during Saturday night’s program with Metz second, Murray third, Sean Jerovetz of Sobieski, Wis., fourth and Jay Noteboom of Hinton, Iowa, fifth.

On Sunday, Metz finished second to Saatthoff with Noteboom third, Dominic Ursetta of Arvada, Colo, fourth and Alverado fifth.

Saathoff said by the feature races Sunday, the Beatrice track was “rubbed up.”

The Beatrice driver started the day on the outside of the front row for his heat race.

“I got a break when the other guys got loose and I dove underneath them,” Saathoff said.

As the winner of the 12th and final heat, Saathoff took the final “draw” number for starting the feature, which was No. 1.

That put Satthoff on pole on the inside of the front row.

Saathoff said it was good to see a large number of racers in Beatrice for the weekend.

“With the economy, it was really good to see everyone back,” Saathoff said.

Beatrice Speedway promoter Toby Kruse said it was an “incredible” weekend at the local race track.

“We had right at 250 cars from 12 states and Canada here over the weekend,” Kruse said.

Kruse said with that many out of town drivers, it should be a “boost” to the local community.

“The community rolls the red carpet out for the racers and they take care of the community,” Kruse said.  “It’s great the way they support each other.”

In all, over the three days, there were 126 IMCA Modifieds, alone competing during the three-day event.

“People could not believe the number of cars or the level of competition,” Kruse said. “The competition here was as tough as anywhere in the country.”

The 16th annual Spring Nationals were held Friday through Sunday with IMCA SportMod competing Friday and Saturday, IMCA Hobby Stocks Saturday and Sunday, IMCA Sport Compacts Sunday and Factory Stocks Sunday.

SportMod feature winners were Tyler Frye of Belleville, Kan., and Luke Wanninger of Jefferson, Iowa.

A pair of Lincoln drivers claimed Hobby Stock victories as R.J. Macku won the Saturday night feature and Andy Gregg claimed the Sunday event.

Alex Fink of Omaha won the IMCA Sport Compact feature, while Damon Murty of Chelsea, Iowa, claimed the Factory Stock win.