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Third time proves the charm for Bemidji Speedway
By Dennis Peterson
© 2008 All The Dirt! Racing News, Inc.
BEMIDJI, MN (May 11) - Old man winter fought long and hard and postponed the opening of the 2008 racing season two straight weeks at Bemidji Speedway, and the third attempt at a season opener was also in jeopardy after a rain/snow mix covered the ground on Saturday night. But bright sun provided the promise of better times on Mother’s Day Sunday. Drivers, crews and fans were excited to get the ‘08 AMSOIL Dirt Track Series season underway.
Dustin Puffe and Josh Coons held the front row for the Pure Stock feature race. Coons, who was making his return to racing after several years off, took the lead and never looked back as he secured the initial feature victory. Puffe picked up second with Bill Chaboyea, Jr. Jones and Jason Davis trailing.
The Mini Stocks and speedway’s new class, the Hornets, took to the track next for their feature. The Hornets are 4 cylinder front wheel drive stock racers. Art Mertes made it a clean sweep by claiming both the heat and feature win. Mike Floura, Neil Fleming, Michelle Mertes and Chris Dudley finished in the top five.
Conrad Schwinn and Kevin Bahr lined up next to each other for the WISSOTA Mod Four feature. Schwinn, who’s always tough on Bemidji’s track, took the lead over Bahr on the start. Brian Bourquin moved up from his second row start to take over second while Lon Vettleson charged from the fourth row to take over third place. Skyler Smith made some nice moves to power his #16 Mod Four from the fifth row to fourth place. Bahr dropped to fifth.
Schwinn drove out to a big lead early on the smooth fast track before a two car tangle in turn two drew Greg Caspers’ yellow flag.
When racing resumed, Schwinn again pulled away and took the checkered flag. Bourquin ran a strong race to take second. Vettleson, Bahr and Smith rounded out the top five.
The largest field of the night belonged to the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and 23 lined up to start their feature. Dennis Czech, Don Smith and Adam Johnson won the heats so they lined up in front for the start. Smith, a former regular at the speedway, took the lead over Ryan Studanski, who moved up from the second row into second. Czech, Shane Sabraski and Johnson trailed Smith early before a caution slowed the race.
When racing resumed, Smith led Studanski, Czech, Sabraski and Johnson down the front straight. Sabraski drove inside by Czech into third but later had to return to his initial position for another restart. When the green dropped again, Sabraski raced high in the first turn and regained the runner-up position behind Smith. Sabraski raced up door to door with Smith and a nice duel developed for the lead. Dustin Strand, Brian LePier and Adam Johnson raced three-wide for fifth before another caution slowed the race.
Smith continued to lead with Sabraski, Studanski, Czech and Lepier trailing in tight formation. Sabraski drove inside and beat Smith into the first two corners, then came out with the lead on the back straight. Another caution slowed the action in turn four.
Sabraski used the newly acquired front spot to his advantage and pulled out to the lead with Smith chasing. A four-wide battle with Czech, Studanski, Strand and Dan Ebert had the fans standing and cheering. Ebert got by Strand for third as Sabraski took the checkered flag for the win. Smith finished a strong second with Ebert, Strand and Czech trailing at the end of an action packed race.
The final race of the evening belonged to the WISSOTA Super Stocks. The feature field was led on track by heat winners Andy Davey on the pole and Jay Kintner outside. Kintner took the initial lead over Davey with Jeremy Fink, Jeff Reed and Tyler Kintner trailing.
The field spread out around the track quickly except for the battle between Kintner and Davey, who were bumper to bumper. Davey dove low but Kintner held him off. Davey switched his line then, pulled up high and made the pass in the first turn. After racing through lapped cars, Davey picked up his first win of the year with Kintner, Reed, Fink and Tyler Kintner trailing in order.
Next week on Sunday, May 18, there is a WISSOTA Super Stock special at the track. The Northern Super Stock Touring Series event features a top payoff of $1,000 with $100 just to start the feature
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature - Andy Davey, Jay Kintner, Jeff Reed, Jeremy Fink, Tyler Kintner, Jeff Tardy, Dale Lindell, Jerry Davis, Gary Nelson, Jr., Chris Molash
Heat 1 - A. Davey, J. Reed, J. Tardy, D. Lindell, M. Sparby
Heat 2 - J. Kintner, J. Fink, T. Kintner, J. Davis, K. Salin
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature - Shane Sabraski, Bob Smith, Dan Ebert, Dustin Strand, Dennis Czech, Brian Lepier, Ryan Studanski, Adam Johnson, Matt Sparby, Matt Weisman
Heat 1 - D. Czech, R. Studanski, D. Ebert, D. Strand, M. Fullerton
Heat 2 - B. Smith, S. Sabraski, M. Sparby, J. Esler, G. Nelson, Jr.
Heat 3 - A. Johnson, D. Voss, T. Champlin, D. Ness, A. Shimpa
WISSOTA Mod Fours:
Feature - Conrad Schwinn, Brian Bourquin, Lon Vettleson, Kevin Bahr, Skyler Smith, Fran Hauber, Mark Swanson, Brandon Bahr, Jason Crabb, Ev Barrett
Heat 1 - Conrad Schwinn, B. Bourquin, L. Vettleson, S. Smith
Heat 2 - K. Bahr, M. Swanson, F. Hauber, J. Crabb, E. Barrett
Pure Stocks:
Feature - Josh Coons, Dustin Puffe, Bill Chaboyea, Jr. Jones, Jason Davis, Dan Wilson, Wade Schmidt
Heat 1 - Dustin Puffe, Josh Coons, Jr. Jones, Bill Chaboyea, Dan Wilson
Mini Stocks:
Feature - Art Mertes, Mike Floura, Neil Fleming, Michelle Mertes, Chris Dudley, Derek Wangberg, Leanna Barrett, Billy Smith, Troy Hemphill
Heat 1 - Art Mertes, Chris Dudley, Billy Smith, Mike Floura, Neil Fleming
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