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Fans honor fallen racer at Red River Valley's opener
By Josh Johnson
© 2008 All The Dirt! Racing News, Inc.
WEST FARGO, ND (May 9) – After suffering through weeks of cancellations due to weather, racers and fans flocked to Red River Valley Speedway Friday night to get their taste of WISSOTA AMSOIL Dirt Track Series action on the big half-mile.
Race fans honored the late Eric Monson before racing action started, as Keith Monson, Eric’s father, took some laps around the track in the late racer’s WISSOTA Mod Four.
Shayne Laske continued his winning ways in the WISSOTA Mod Fours. The Moorhead, MN resident took advantage of a front row starting spot and took the early lead. Laske raced unchallenged throughout the feature event, and went on to score his second consecutive feature win of the week. The defending WISSOTA Mod Four national champion was followed across the line by Corry VanMil, Josh Abrahamson, Jay Lere and Tyler Larson.
Rick Schulz held off a small but hungry pack of WISSOTA Street Stocks to take the feature victory. Schulz held a smooth line throughout the race and was never seriously challenged for the win. Jason Babcock fought off numerous attempts for the second spot throughout the race, but was able to walk away with a runner-up finish. Aaron Leininger was able to take home the third spot in front of Levi Babcock and Bob Banish.
Jason Strand appeared to be headed for victory lane in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature, but a caution and restart with four laps remaining proved to be the Portland, ND drivers Achilles heel. Travis Saurer took advantage of the restart and stole the lead. Strand fought for the position throughout the remaining laps, but Saurer proved to be too strong.
During the final laps, polesitter Brock Gronwold caught the leaders and nearly completed the comeback of his career. Gronwold was charged with a caution in the early stages of the feature and, after being sent to the back, he was forced to pick off cars as laps counted down. Gronwold passed Strand for second and then drove up beside Saurer during the final lap. They raced door to door through the final corner before Saurer slipped by and took the thrilling win. Gronwold settled for a hard-earned runner-up finish while Strand came home third. Randy Klein and Ryan Fike rounded out the top five.
Kevin Robertson showed he hasn’t slowed much when the Enderlin, ND product earned the feature win in the WISSOTA Super Stock division. Robertson was hounded all race long by Todd Carter but held on to take the win at the big half-mile. Tim Compson came across the line third, while Dave Shipley and Corky Thomas followed.
Blake Jegtvig appeared to be a man on a mission in the WISSOTA Modified feature. The Hawley, MN driver blasted to the early lead at the drop of the green flag and was never challenged throughout the caution free race. Corey Seckerson didn’t let Jegtvig completely out of his sights, but was unable to put up a challenge for the lead. Seckerson held off Bryce Bjerke throughout the race and scored the runner-up finish. Michael Greseth finished third followed by Chad Ohnstad, who started in row 10.
Fans were treated to a barnburner of a WISSOTA Late Model feature when 23 of the 26 registered cars took the green. Veteran Mitch Johnson took the early lead in the event, but quickly found himself in a battle with Matt Aukland. The two waged an intense fight before Aukland took over the lead. The lead was short lived however, because Aukland’s #12A slowed with front end problems.
Johnson reclaimed the lead and appeared to be well on his way to the feature win before a caution with eight laps remaining put Brad Seng and Michael Johnson on his tail. On the restart, Seng shot up beside Johnson and the two briefly fought for the lead before Seng took over the top spot. Seng went on to claim the feature win followed by Mitch Johnson and Michael Johnson. Jeff Wildung made it to fourth at the finish after starting 23rd.
Racing returns Friday night at the “Fastest Track in the Upper Midwest” for another night of high speed action. The green flag drops at 7 p.m., with gates open at 5 p.m. For more information on the race track or upcoming events, contact the fair office (701) 282-2200 or visit www.redrivervalleyspeedway.com.
WISSOTA Late Models:
Feature - Brad Seng, Mitch Johnson, Michael Johnson, Jeff Wildung, Steven Pfeifer
Heat 1 - Chad Ohnstad, Blake Jegtvig, Greg Meyer, Steven Pfeifer, Scott Johnson
Heat 2 - Mitch Johnson, Matt Aukland, Michael Johnson
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature - Blake Jegtvig, Cory Seckerson, Bryce Bjerke, Mike Greseth, Chad Ohnstad, Jason Grimes, Robert Hellebust, Bob Sagen, Pfeifer, Corky Thomas
Heat 1 - Michael Greseth, Corey Seckerson, Len Kneip, Jason Grimes, Robert Hellebust
Heat 2 - Blake Jegtvig, Bob Sagen, Bryce Bjerke, Steven Pfeifer, Tim Thomas
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature - Kevin Robertson, Todd Carter, Tim Compson, Dave Shipley, Corky Thomas, Scott Jacobson, Jeff Hapala, John Nord, Matt Sparby, Brian Bernotas
Heat 1 - Todd Carter, Scott Jacobson, John Nord, Tim Compson, Brian Bernotas
Heat 2 - Dave Shipley, Kevin Robertson, Corky Thomas, Matt Sparby, Jeff Hapala
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature - Travis Saurer, Brock Gronwold, Jason Strand, Randy Klein, Ryan Fike, Phil Christlieb, Rich Pavlicek, Ryan Mikkelson, Jayson Corell, Mike Anderson
Heat 1 - Brock Gronwold, Travis Saurer, Randy Klein, Ryan Fike, Dennis Swanson
Heat 2 - Ryan Restad, Jason Strand, Phil Christlieb, Jayson Corell, Scott Jacobson
WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature - Rick Schultz, Jason Babcock, Aaron Leininger, Levi Babcock, Bob Banish, James Tandeski, Ernie Geist, Lance Schill, Ryan Pommerer
Heat - Rick Schulz, Levi Babcock, James Tandeski
WISSOTA Mod Fours:
Feature - Shayne Laske, Corry VanMil, Josh Abrahamson, Jay Lere, Tyler Larson, Dean Larson, Dan Erdmann, Karmith Christenson
Heat - Shayne Laske, Jay Lere, Corry VanMil
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