Minnesota Modified Nationals Info
9th annual Performace Auto Minnesota Modified Nationals
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 5th, 6th & 7th, 2013
Viking Speedway ~ Alexandria, Minnesota

           














 


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Grimes Grabs Seven Grand at 2013 Mod Nationals!

 Jamestown, ND driver Jason Grimes recorded the biggest win of his racing career on Sunday night and in the process became the ninth driver to win the Minnesota Modified Nationals presented by Performance Auto. Grimes started Sunday's 60 lap feature event in the number eighteen spot and made a last lap pass on Cody Skytland to claim the feature. In other WISSOTA AMSOIL Dirt Track racing action, Jason VandeKamp, doubled up, and won both Midwest Modified feature races, Jeff Crouse claimed another WISSOTA Super Stock win, and Jeremy Nelson won the non qualifier feature for the WISSOTA Modifieds. The night's event was sponsored by Performance Auto, Allstate, Wildung Racing, and Elden's Fresh Foods.
 
With twelve laps remaining, in a feature that was suspended due to curfew on Saturday night, Ryan Schluesner led a hungry pack of WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds to the green. Head flag man, Layne Roberts, dropped the green and night two of the Mod Nationals was off and running. Schluesner would continue to lead the pack as Tim Ims, Jeremy Kerzman, and Jamie Thorstad did battle for the second through fifth spots. The yellow would fly on the speedway for Ron Saurer who slipped over the banking in turn two and retired to the pit area with mechanical issues. Schluesner once again paced the field to the green and Jason Hoffman and Jason VandeKamp joined the front group along with Josh Muzik. VandeKamp would complete the pass for the lead with three laps left on the board, and the yellow would fly on the following lap, for an incident involving Schluesner, Hoffman, and Muzik. Muzik suffered front end damage and was forced to pull of the speedway, along with Hoffman who was charged with the yellow. VandeKamp lead the field to the green for the final restart and never looked back as he raced to the win. Thorstad came home in the number two spot, Ims was third, Kerzman fourth, and Schluesner rounded out the top five.
 
Next on the agenda was B main number one for the WISSOTA Modifieds. The top two finishing drivers would make the "big dance" later in the evening, while drivers finishing in the number three through nine spot would be put in the last chance qualifying race, later in the day. A pair of Performance Auto drivers, Dev Malmlov and Mike Johnson, manned the front row for the twenty lap event. At the drop of the green Malmlov jumped to the outside of the speedway to gain the race lead. Eight starter Jason Thoennes wasted no time putting his car on the low side of the speedway and jumped into the number two spot behind Malmlov. With six laps in the books, the yellow would come out for Kyle Koehntop, who suffered a flat right rear tire. This put Thoennes and Scot Danzeisen on Malmlov's back bumper as the field came to life once more. With eleven laps remaining Danzeisen worked to the inside of Thoennes and moved into the critical number two spot. The remaining laps would go caution free with Malmlov and Danzeisen advancing to the feature.
 
Jason Grimes and Bobby Gierke led the twelve car b main two to the green and Grimes wasted no time finding that the high side of the speedway was fast as he jumped to an early race lead. Grimes would continue to stretch his advantage as Jamie Trautner moved into the second spot after a battle with Jeremy Nelson. The caution would come out over the speedway with ten laps remaining when Corey Sersha shot over the bank in turn three. Grimes once again jumped to the lead and Nelson moved into the second spot and raced up to challenge the leader. The field would only complete one lap before the yellow came out once more for Jeffery Lein Jr, who spun and collected Brandon Aggen and Skeeter Estey. During the yellow flag period Nelson's car began to smoke and he pulled into the pit area, this moved Trautner back to the second spot. With the green back out, Grimes powered his way to a large advantage as Trautner was being pressured by Terry Engebretson and Aggen for the second spot. Grimes would cruise to the win and Trautner held on to the second spot and both drivers advanced to the feature.
 
Veteran drivers Jeff Wildung and Mike Storck led the final b main to the green and Wildung used his outside starting spot to jump to the lead with Storck in tow. Near the midway point in the race, Brady Gerdes and Johnny Broking were able to get around Storck as the duo battled for the final transfer spot. Meanwhile, back in traffic the best battle on the speedway was between Travis Saurer and Darrell Nelson for the number four spot. Both drivers continued to search for a way to close the gap on Broking and Gerdes. As the cars entered turn three, on the final lap, Broking dove his MB Customs machine to the low side of the speedway in an attempt to make a pass on Gerdes. Broking couldn't make the pass stick and he and Gerdes made contact sending Gerdes over the banking in turn four. It was determined by track officials the Broking was at fault for the yellow, and Gerdes was given credit for the second place finish behind Wildung.
 
With only two tickets left to be punched to the Modified feature, Jason Thoennes and Terry Engebretson led eighteen cars to the green in the modified Last Chance Race. Thoennes quickly jumped to the lead and Engebretson settled into the second spot. As Thoennes continued to stretch his advantage over Engebretson, the best battle on the speedway was between Saurer, Darrell Nelson, and Jeff Broking for the number three spot. Saurer was able to clear Nelson for fourth spot and raced up to challenge Broking with six laps remaining. Meanwhile, up front Thoennes cruised to the win, ensuring he would start the Mod Nationals feature for the ninth consecutive season, and Engebreston would hold on for the second spot.
 
Jeremy Nelson jumped to the early lead in the twenty lap, $1000 to win, modified non qualifier feature. Nelson would lead the first two circuits until Travis Saurer slid off the back stretch brining out the caution. With order restored, Nelson led Darrell Nelson and Danny Bayer to the green. The running order would remain the same and the caution would fly once again on lap ten for Canadian driver Ward Imrie, as he went off turn two. With the field reset J. Nelson once again led D. Nelson to the green. This time a new challenger moved up to challenge D. Nelson, as Scott Greer raced to the inside in an attempt to make a pass. Up front J. Nelson continued to check out and he raced to his first career modified win. D. Nelson came home second, Greer was third, Mike Storck fourth, and Saurer raced his way back to the number five spot.
 
Jeff Crouse and Jeff Kluver paced the seventeen car WISSOTA Super Stock feature to the green. Crouse quickly powered his way to the high side of the track and claimed the race lead as the cars completed lap one. Saturday night's winner, Shane Sabraski quickly jumped into the second spot and set his sights on Crouse. Sabraski would be able to motor by Crouse on the top of the track five laps into the event, but Crouse would stay glued to his back bumper. With eleven laps left Sabraski moved to the bottom of the track in an effort to find more traction. Crouse moved to the high side of the track in turns three and four and completed the pass on Sabraski with ten laps left. On the following lap, the caution would fly for Rocky Yeats, when he slipped off turn two. Crouse led Sabraski and Cory Tammen to the green and the trio began to look for the fastest way around the High Flyin Half Mile speedway. Crouse glued his machine to the high line and would lead the next four laps as Sabraski and Tammen battled for the second spot. With six laps remaining, Dominic Baker and Don Eischens would make contact in turn two brining out the caution. Eischens would retire pit side with damage during the yellow period. Back up front Crouse once again jumped to the cushion and went on to lead the remaining six laps to claim the win. Sabraski was second, Dexton Koch was third, Tammen settled for fourth, and Trevor Saurer rounded out the top five.
 
Twenty nine WISSOTA Midwest Modified drivers lined up for twenty laps of battle on the half mile speedway. Jason Hoffman and Jason VandeKamp paced the field to the green. VandeKamp, who had picked up the most passing points earlier in the night, moved to a quick advantage over Hoffman and Ron Saurer. With one lap complete, Saurer would lose the bite on his machine and slip off the banking brining out the first of many cautions in the twenty lap event. With the green back out, VandeKamp jumped to the lead over Hoffman who was left to battle with Jeremy Kerzman and Dusty Bitzan for the second spot. Hoffman would hold onto the position and the yellow would once again fall on the speedway when Travis Saurer suffered a flat tire and slipped off turn four. VandeKamp lead Hoffman and Kerzman to the green again, and this time Kerzman was able to make the pass of Hoffman to move into the second spot. Meanwhile, the driver on the move was sixteenth starter Brock Gronwold who quickly moved his way up to challenge for the number five spot. VandeKamp would continue to lead and cruised to his second feature win of the night. Bitzan was second, Travis Saurer raced from the back of the field to third, Gronwold was fourth, and Kerzman rounded out the top five.
 
With all the other action in the books, the twenty five car, star studded modified feature rolled onto the speedway. After an out of car introduction session and four wide salute to the fans, Dave Schroeder and Matt Gilbertson led the field to the green. Schroeder wasted no time jumping to the high line on the speedway and took the early lead with Gilbertson in tow. As the leaders began to distance themselves from the field, the main battle on the track was for the number three spot. Jeremy Houle, Dale Mathison, and Cody Skytland locked horns and over the course of the next few laps raced side by side for position. Meanwhile, back in traffic all eyes were on Jason Grimes as he continued to work his way towards the front from his eighteenth starting spot. With twenty laps completed in the feature, Schroeder held a comfortable lead over Gilbertson, Mathison, Houle, Skytland, Kelly Estey, and Grimes. Grimes would make quick work of Estey and raced up to
challenge Skytland for fourth. After a handful of laps, Grimes, who was using the very top of the speedway, moved by Skytland to fourth. On the next lap, Grimes was able to race by Houle and Mathison to move into the number three spot. The mandatory fuel stop yellow would fly over the track at lap thirty and at that point Schroeder led Gilbertson, Grimes, Skytland, Mathison and Houle. Once all cars were filled with fuel, Schroeder led the pack to the green. On the restart, Mathison and Skytland were able to clear Grimes and the duo raced up to challenge Gilbertson for the second spot. The first caution of the race would fly with twenty six laps to go when Jamie Trautner spun exiting turn four. On the restart Schroeder led Gilbertson and Mathison to the green. Skytland and Grimes were able to work their way around Mathison on the restart and the duo looked to close in on Schroeder and Gilbertson. The final caution of the race would fly with twenty three
laps to go for an incident involving Rick Niemi, Brady Gerdes, Terry Engebretson, and Trautner. This put Skytland and Gilbertson back on Schroeder's back bumper for the final restart. As the leaders entered turn one, Schroeder moved from his preferred high line to the low side in order to keep Skytland at bay. As the lead trio raced out of turn two, both Gilbertson and Skytland were able to clear Schroeder. On the following lap, Schroeder was able to get back by Gilbertson and raced up to challenge Skytland, the new leader. With Schroeder running the low side and Skytland the top side, the duo would race side by side for the next handful of laps. Behind the lead back, Grimes was able to clear Gilbertson with thirteen laps to go and quickly closed in on the lead duo. With five laps remaining Grimes looked to make it three wide for the race lead as the cars exited turn four and was able to get by Schroeder in the process. Grimes quickly moved back to the high side of the track in order to track down Skytland. With two laps remaining, Grimes moved to the low side of the speedway in turn one and completed a pass on Skytland, only to see Cody come back and take the lead on the back chute. As the leaders came to the white flag, contact was made as Grimes tried to go back to the low side. As the leaders entered turn one on the final lap, Grimes went to the bottom of the track and was able to pull even with Skytland as the duo drag raced down the back stretch one final time. The duo would enter turn three on the final lap side by side and Skytland looked to the bottom of Grimes, and the pair would make contact sending Skytland spinning in turn three. Grimes would go on to take the checkered and claim the $7000 payday. Schroeder finished in second, Gilbertson a solid third, Jeff Wildung finished fourth after starting nineteenth, and Scot Danzeisen advanced from twentieth to fifth.
 
All of the staff at Viking Speedway and FYE Motorsports would like to thank all the racers, sponsors, and fans for joining them for a great weekend of racing. The high flying half mile speedway, located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, will be back in action with all five WISSOTA classes in action. For more information on the speedway please visit the track online at www.vikingspeedway.net and for more information on FYE Motorsports events, please visit them online at www.fyemotorsports.com.
 
Summary:
 
WISSOTA Modifieds:
 
Feature: Jason Grimes, Dave Schroeder, Matt Gilbertson, Jeff Wildung, Scot Danzeisen, Dale Mathison, Dave Cain, Kelly Estey, Austin Arneson, Shane Sabraski, Brady Gerdes, Bob Broking, Bryce Borgen, Josh Thoennes, Jason Thoennes, Jake Wildman, Mark Noble, Dev Malmlov, Cody Skytland, Jamie Trautner, Jeremy Houle, Rick Niemi, Terry Engebretson, Tony Leiker
 
Non Qualifier Feature: Jeremy Nelson, Darrell Nelson, Scott Greer, Mike Storck, Travis Saurer
 
B Main 1: Malmlov, Danzeisen, Ja. Thoennes, Danny Bayer, Jeff Broking, Ward Imrie, Ryan Mikkelson, Mark Trautner, Mike Johnson, Jason Gross, Brian Haben, Kyle Koehntop, Charlie Hillukka
 
B Main 2: Grimes, J. Trautner, Engebretson, Brandon Aggen, Bobby Gierke, Jeff Flaten, Greer, Corey Sersha, Skeeter Estey, Jeffery Lien Jr., Jeremy Nelson, Scott Tofte, Matt Leer
 
B Main 3: Wildung, Gerdes, Storck, D. Nelson, Travis Saurer, Ryan Kereluk, Johnny Broking, Wildman, Brian Swenson, Brett Hoium, Clayton Wagamon, Cody Erickson, Matt Smith
 
LCQ Race: Ja. Thoennes, Engebretson, Je. Broking, Saurer, D. Nelson, Imrie, Storck, Mikkelson, Aggen, Greer, M. Trautner, Flaten, Johnson, Kereluk, Bayer, Sersha, Wildman, Gierke, Jo. Broking, S. Estey, Swenson
 
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
 
Feature: Jeff Crouse, Shane Sabraski, Dexton Koch, Cory Tammen, Trevor Saurer, Jon Stepan, Dominic Baker, Chris Winter, Rocky Yeats, Matt Miller, Jay Hedtke, David Galbraith, Derek Quinn, Don Eischens, Travis Berends, Jeff Kluver, Bob Holtquist
 
Heat 1: Kluver, Stepan, Quinn, Miller, Hedtke, Holtquist, Yeats, Galbraith, Berends
 
Heat 2: Sabraski, Crouse, Tammen, Koch, Saurer, Eischens, Baker, Winter
 
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
 
Feature: Jason VandeKamp, Dusty Bitzan, Travis Saurer, Brock Gronwold, Jeremy Kerzman, Jason Hoffman, Casey Arneson, Chris Mensen, Josh Muzik, Ryan Schleusner, Corey Storck, Scott Sroufe, Shawn Olson, Jamie Thorstad, Mike Schwardt, Mack Estey, Kyle Reents, Justin Froemming, Ron Saurer, Wyatt Ricks, Tyler Spanswick, Shane Howell, Jeffery Lien Jr, Brandon Spanswick, Matt Weisman, Tim Ims, Andrew Bangsund, Nick James, Randy Laage
 
Heat 1: Thorstad, Hoffman, Froemming, Ims, T. Saurer, Muzik, Lien Jr., James, Howell, Mensen
 
Heat 2: Bitzan, R. Saurer, VandeKamp, Storck, Gronwold, Weisman, Arneson, Laage, Ricks, Schwardt
 
Heat 3: Kerzman, Bangsund, B. Spanswick, Estey, Schleusner, Reents, Sroufe, Olson, T. Spanswick
 
Make up Feature: VandeKamp, Thorstad, Ims, Kerzman, Schleusner, Sroufe, Mensen, T. Saurer, Olson, Lien Jr., Froemming, Reents, Howell, Storck, James, Laage, Ricks, Muzik, Hoffman, R. Saurer, Bangsund, Estey, Vanderby, Gronwold, Bitzan, Lee, Schwardt, Vanoverbeke, Arneson

Sabraski Steals Night 1 of Performance Auto Mod Nationals

Current WISSOTA Super Stock national point leader, Shane Sabraski, held of a lap race surge by Jeff Crouse to claim his 14th feature win of the 2013 season during night one of the 9th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals presented by Performance Auto. Morris & Alexandria Auto Plaza, Wildung Racing, and Alexandria Hospitality also sponsored the nights festivities.
 
After a rain shower hit the speedway around 4:30, the track prep crew went to work to get the track back into racing shape. With the help of all drivers in attendance the speedway was rolled in and racing action began shortly before 9:00pm.
 
With the two Super Stock heat races and three Midwest Modified heat races in the books, the fifty seven modifieds in attendance were divided into six heat races. With passing points being used for the weekend, it was critical for drivers to advance their starting positions in order to lock into the twenty four car Modified Qualifying feature, that was to be held later in the evening.
 
Heat one for the Modifieds rolled onto the speedway and were led to the green by Ham Lake, MN driver Jeremy Houle and local driver Josh Thoennes. At the drop of the green Houle blasted to the lead with Thoennes in tow, while Jeff Wildung settled into the third spot behind the lead duo. As the top five cars began to string themselves out across the speedway, the main battle was for the number eight through ten spots. Tenth starter, Jason Thoennes was able to complete passes on Brandon Aggen and Kyle Koehntop near the midpoint of the heat race. Jason then set his sights on seventh running Corey Sersha, but was unable to complete the pass. Houle cruised to the heat race win, Josh Thoennes was second, and Wildung came home third.
 
Cody Skytland jumped to the early race lead in the second modified heat race, but before the field could complete a lap, the caution would fly on the speedway for an incident involving Jake Wildman and Gillette, Wyoming driver Tony Leiker. Track officials determined that the contact was initiated by Leiker and he tagged the end of the field. During the yellow flag period, fifteen year old Jeffery Lien Jr. would retire to the pits with mechanical issues. Skytland once again led the field the pack to the green and raced to an advantage over previous Mod National winners Travis Saurer and Dale Mathison. Two laps into the heat, Saurer's car began to slow as he entered turn three and he would pull to the pits with mechanical issues, ending his evening. Meanwhile, back in traffic Leiker began his march to the front and raced by Wildman, Ryan Kereluk, and Mike Johnson. Up front Mathison continued to close on Skytland, but Skytland would hold on for the heat
race win. Mathison was second, and Rick Niemi was third.
 
Fresh off a win last weekend at the speedway, Dave Schroeder led heat three to the green, Schroeder wasted no time finding the high line on the speedway and opened a large advantage over second running Jeff Flaten. Behind Flaten, Brian Haben, Shane Sabraski, and Bryce Borgen began charging to the front. The red flag would fly over the track on lap five, when Ulen, MN driver Cody Erickson rolled his #1xx machine over the banking in turn one. Erickson would be ok, but his evening would be over. On the restart, Haben was able to clear Flaten and moved into the second spot and on the following lap Sabraski was able to get by as well. As the drivers exited turn four with two laps to go, Haben's machine would come to a stop on the speedway, bringing out the caution once more. Haben retired to the pits with a flat tire and this moved Sabraski into the second spot behind Schroeder. On the restart Borgen made a move to the low side of the track, but couldn't make
it stick. Schroeder held on for the win, followed by Sabraski, and Borgen.
 
Bob Broking and former Mod Nationals champ, Dave Cain led heat race four to the green, and Broking blasted to the lead in his MB Customs machine. Broking continued to build his lead lap after lap, while Cain was in an early race battle with Performance Auto driver Dev Malmlov. Cain was able to shake Malmlov and settled comfortably into the second spot. The main battle on the speedway was between Bobby Gierke and Darrell Nelson. Lap after lap Nelson tried to make a low side of Gierke, but could not complete the pass. Broking would cruise to the heat race win, with Cain taking second, and Malmlov finished in the third spot.
 
Montevideo, MN pilot Matt Gilbertson and Viking Speedway legend Dennis Bitzan manned the front row for heat race five and Gilbertson wasted no time using his outside starting spot to grab the lead. Bitzan was quickly joined by fourth place starter Jason Grimes and the pair squared off in a battle for second. Three laps into the race, Danny Bayer's machine slowed on the front stretch, and Bayer was able to make it to the pits without the caution being needed. Former Mod Nationals champion Scot Danzeisen, found himself in the fifth spot near the midway point of the race as he continued to try and reel in fourth place running Johnny Broking. Back up front, Gilbertson continued to lead and held of for the dominate win. Bitzan held off Grimes to finish in the number two spot, while Grimes settled for third.
 
After scheduled pole starter Matt Leer scratched from heat race six with an engine issue, Austin Arneson and Clayton Wagamon led the final heat race to the green. Arneson would jump to the lead and planted his #10 machine on the cushion and started to pull away. Two laps into the heat, the yellow would fly on the track for Skeeter Estey. Skeeter and Matt Smith made contact sending Skeeter's #137 machine over the banking in turn three, ending his evening. With the green back out, Arneson once again jumped to the cushion and gained the advantage over Kelly Estey. The main battle on the speedway at this point was for the third spot between veteran drivers Mike Storck and Mark Noble. Lap after lap the pair would swap the spot, and with three laps remaining fifth running Wagamon would pull his car to the infield with an issue. Arneson wouldn't look back and he took home the heat race win, Estey came home in the runner up spot and Storck was able to hold of
Noble for the third spot.
 
Sixteen of the seventeen scheduled starters in the WISSOTA Super Stock class took to the starting grid for their fifteen lap, $500 to win feature. Shane Sabraski used his front row starting spot to get the early lead over Jeff Crouse. The race would be red flagged on lap one for a scary incident involving Jon Stepan. Stepan's car came to a stop entering turn one and it was reported by track announcer Ron Krog, that a piece of mud hit Jon's helmet. After the medics had a chance to talk with Stepan, it was determined that he was able to continue and he tagged the end of the field. Sabraski once again moved out to the lead over Crouse and Cory Tammen. Meanwhile, towards the rear of the field, Stepan began to work his way back to the front, passing multi cars on each lap until he would make contact with Rocky Yeats. Stepan's car slid down the bank sideways and collected Cody Lee and Derek Quinn. Yeats and Lee were able to continue, but Stepan and Quinn's
nights would be over. Sabraski led Crouse and Derrick Lemke to the green this time and again Sabraski jumped to the lead. The main battle on the speedway was for the third spot, as Sabraski and Crouse moved out to a healthy margin on the field. Tammen, Lemke, and Dexton Koch continued to swap the three through five spots lap after lap. The caution would fly for the final time for David Galbraith, whose machine stopped on the back chute. This would give Crouse and Koch one last shot at Sabraski, but to no avail. Sabraski held of for the win, Crouse was second, Tammen third, Koch fourth, and Lemke was scored fifth.
 
After multiple attempts to complete the Midwest modified feature, the event was suspended with twelve laps to go due to the curfew. Day two of the 9th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals presented by Performance Auto, will conclude on Sunday with the conclusion of the Midwest Modified feature, then the qualifying feature for the modifieds still to be run. After the completion of Saturday's events, they will move into Sunday's show, which includes another full show for Midwest modifieds and the super stocks. The non qualified modified drivers will be divided into b-mains and last chance races. The evening will conclude with the 60 lap, $7000 to win, $700 to start WISSOTA Modified feature. A fireworks display sponsored by the city of Alexandria will begin after the races.
 
Summary:
 
WISSOTA Modifieds:
 
Qualifying Feature: To be run on 7/7/13
 
Heat 1: Jeremy Houle, Josh Thoennes, Jeff Wildung, Mark Trautner, Ward Imrie, Ryan Mikkelson, Corey Sersha, Jason Thoennes, Brandon Aggen, Kyle Koehntop
 
Heat 2: Cody Skytland, Dale Mathison, Rick Niemi, Tony Leiker, Mike Johnson, Jake Wildman, Ryan Kereluk, Travis Saurer, Jeffrey Lien Jr.
 
Heat 3: Dave Schroeder, Shane Sabraski, Bryce Borgen, Jeremy Nelson, Jeff Flaten, Jason Gross, Charlie Hillukka, Brian Haben, Cody Erickson
 
Heat 4: Bob Broking, Dave Cain, Dev Malmlov, Robert Gierke, Darrell Nelson, Brady Gerdes, Terry Engebretson, Brian Swenson, Brett Hoium
 
Heat 5: Matt Gilbertson, Dennis Bitzan, Jason Grimes, Johnny Broking, Scot Danzeisen, Scott Tofte, Scott Greer, Jeff Broking, Danny Bayer
 
Heat 6: Austin Arneson, Kelly Estey, Mike Storck, Mark Noble, Jaime Trautner, Clayton Wagamon, Skeeter Estey, Matt Leer, Matt Smith
 
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
 
Feature: Shane Sabraski, Jeff Crouse, Cory Tammen, Dexton Koch, Derrick Lemke, Robert Holtquist, Trevor Saurer, Dominic Baker, Chris Winter, Rocky Yeats, Joe Pellman, Jeff Kluver, David Galbraith, Cody Lee, Jon Stepan, Derek Quinn, Mike Peterson
 
Heat 1: Sabraski, Koch, Lemke, Pellman, Winter, Kluver, Holtquist, Lee, Peterson
 
Heat 2: Stepan, Crouse, Saurer, Tammen, Yeats, Quinn, Galbraith, Baker
 
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
 
Feature: Suspended with 12 laps to go until 7/7/13
 
Heat 1: Jason Vandekamp, Mack Estey, Scott Sroufe, Jeremy Kerzman, Andrew Bangsund, Shane Howell, Tyler Vanderby, Mike Schwardt, Brock Gronwold, Casey Arneson
 
Heat 2: Josh Muzik, Ryan Schleusner, Tim Ims, Jason Hoffman, Kyle Reents, Justin Froemming, Wyatt Ricks, Nick James, Chad VanOverbeke, Haley Lee
 
Heat 3: Ron Saurer, Corey Storck, Jaime Thorstad, Randy Laage, Dusty Bitzan, Travis Saurer, Jeffrey Lien Jr., Shawn Olson, Chris Mensen


Performance Auto Named Title Sponsor of 9th Annual Mod Nationals

For Immediate Release:

St. Cloud, Minnesota (April 12th, 2013)

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan is excited to announce that the 9th running of the $7,000 to win Minnesota Modified Nationals, held annually at the high flying Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN will have a title sponsor for the first time in the event’s existence. ...The race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 6th & 7th with an open practice session on Friday night, July 5th. WISSOTA Modifieds will compete in the traditional 60-lap, $7,000 to win event with WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and WISSOTA Super Stocks competing in two complete programs throughout the course of the weekend as well.

Fargo, North Dakota based Performance Auto has signed on to be the title sponsor of the event, which typically sees over 60 of the Midwest’s best dirt Modified racers compete for the highest winning paycheck in all of WISSOTA. Stepan said ‘Jake and Sharnel have always supported dirt track racing in the upper Midwest to an unbelievable degree in the past and I could not be happier to have Performance Auto on board as the title sponsor of the Mod Nationals for 2013. The Mod Nationals is a marquee event in WISSOTA country and Performance Auto is THE go to place for many, many racers from around the region, so this is a perfect fit for both of us because not only do they have a great business, but they are great people as well.’

In December of 2006, Jake & Sharnel Bitker bought Performance Auto from Rodney & Margaret Harris. Due to continued growth, Performance Auto of Fargo recently moved from its original location on Main Street in Fargo to its new larger home at 3401 1/2 Interstate Blvd, allowing them to better service their ever growing customer base each racing season. Currently, Performance Auto has one physical location in Fargo, but can also be visited at three tracks around the area selling parts directly to its customers during races, and at Performance Auto’s newest addition: the online store.
Performance Auto specializes in providing high quality parts for dirt track racers across North America, servicing customers both in the U.S. as well our neighbors to the North in Canada. Performance Auto carries everything from safety equipment and clothing all the way to the small, hard to find parts you need for your custom built dirt track cars. Race on in today for great parts at a great price. You will find the new online store to be very comprehensive; however, if you run into any questions don't hesitate to call 1-800-373-4641. Fans can also visit Performance Auto on Facebook at Performance Auto of Fargo.

Bitker commented ‘The Mod Nationals is a great event and we are proud to be a part of an event like this in our region, which allows our drivers to come together to run for such a big payday, so if we can help ensure its success, we are happy to do so. Joining forces with FYE Motorsports on this event was a no brainer as we have worked with Chris in the past and he has always done a great job with his events, so Sharnel and I felt like coming on board with the Mod Nationals was a great way to show our area racers that Performance Auto is here to support them.’

The Minnesota Modified Nationals has yet to see a repeat winner and is one of the most highly anticipated weekends of the racing season. For more information on the event, check out www.fyemotorsports.com or call Chris at (715) 497-8916. Fans can also check out www.vikingspeedway.net for upcoming schedule information for the Viking Speedway and everyone is urged to log on to www.performanceautofargo.com and support a great business that supports dirt track racing in a big way.


Saurer Steals Show & Seven Grand Payday
July 8th, 2012 - Viking Speedway - Alexandria, MN
by Ryan Schmitz

Elizabeth, MN driver Travis Saurer jumped to the lead early on in the 60
lap finale at the 8th Annual MN Mod Nationals and held on to collect his
biggest Modified win of his career. Saurer pocketed $7000 for his win
and became the eighth different winner of the event, which is held
annually at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN. Other drivers finding
thier way to victory lane in WISSOTA AMSOIL dirt track series action
included: Dan Ebert and Jason Vandekamp in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
and Cody Lee in the WISSOTA Super Stocks.
 
National championship contenders Travis Saurer and Brian Haben led the
twenty four car WISSOTA Midwest Modified field to the green for the make
up feature from Saturday night. At the drop of the green Saurer jumped
out to an early advantage followed by Haben and Dan Ebert. Near the
midway point in the event Saurer's car began to lose power which
eliminated him from contention and left Ebert and Haben to battle for
the win. With both drivers utilizing Ford power under the hood, they
pulled away from the rest of the field. Ebert would pull away in the
late stages of the race and collected the $500 payday. Haben crossed the
line second, Jamie Thorstad continued his impressive season with a third
place run, Dennis Czech was fourth, and Jeremy Houle rounded out the top
five.
 
With only sixteen cars locked into the main event two bmains were run to
determine eight of the final ten starting spots in the Modified feature.
Local drivers Matt Smith and Dennis Bitzan sat on the front row of the
first b-main and at the drop of the green Smith moved up to the high
side of the speedway and blasted to the lead. Dave Schroeder jumped up
to challenge Smith as the two began to get away from the remaining cars
in the field. The real battle on the track was for the final transfer
spot between Bitzan, Jeff Broking, and Danny Bayer. In the end both
Bayer and Broking were able to get by Bitzan and punch thier tickets for
the big dance. Up front Smith held on to win over Schroder, Bayer, and
Broking. The fifth through twelveth finishes were entered into the
Modified Last Chance race later on in the evening.
 
B-main number two featured a pair of #2 cars on the front row. Rookie
Brady Gerdes and former Mod Nationals champion Dave Cain led the
eighteen car field to the green. Gerdes blasted out to the high side of
the track and worked his way out to an early advantage over Cain and
fourth starter Kelly Estey. The top three cars would remain the same
throughout the event, but the car on the move was Steve Arpin. After a
heat race incident Arpin was forced to start seventeeth in the bmain.
Arpin using both the high and low sides of the speedway worked his way
up to grab the final transfer spot to the big show on the final lap.
Gerdes held on for the win, Estey was second, Cain was third, and Arpin
was fourth.
 
The last chance qualifier race for the modifeds proved to be one of the
better races of the evening as only the winner of the event would get
into the amain. Austin Arneson jumped out to an early advantage over
Dennis Bitzan and Scot Danzeisen. Arneson would continue to hold the
lead and near the half way mark and new driver would come up to
challenge the lead pack. Corky Thomas found the bite on the bottom of
the speedway and he raced up to challenge Danziesen for second spot.
With seven laps to go Thomas and Danziesen would make slight contact and
Thomas retired for the event. Back up front Arneson led Danziesen to the
green and the duo began to race side by side. With the laps ticking down
Danziesen made a charge on the bottom of the speedway and the lead duo
would have contact. It was determined the Arneson was at fault for the
yellow and he was sent to the rear of the pack. This allowed Danziesen
to race unchallenged to the LCQ win and the twenty
fifth starting spot in the big show.
 
Heavy hitters, Shane Sabraski and Jeff Crouse shared the front row in
the Super Stock feature. Crouse used his outside starting spot to his
advantage and jumped to an early advantage as Sabraski settled into
second spot. The duo would break away from the rest of the field and
wage a nice battle for the first ten laps of the twenty lap event. At
that point Crouse's car began to expierience engine issues and he slowed
allowing Sabraski to take the lead. Sabraski would continue to lead for
the next handful of laps until he lost a motor in the #7a machine which
caused him to retire pitside. With the front two drivers out of
contention, Cody Lee assumed the lead with Mike Peterson and Alan
Johnson behind him. Lee would hold on and capture his second win of the
season ahead of Peterson, Johnson, eighteeth starter Trevor Saurer was
fourth, and Jon Stepan was fifth. Heat wins went to Lee and Sabraski
 
The next event on the night's busy schedule was the modified non
qualifier feature. The event paid $1000 to win and featured drivers who
did not qualify for the big dance. Dennis Bitzan bolted out to an early
lead in the fifteen lap event. Jamestown, ND driver Jason Grimes soon
raced up to challenge Bitzan for the lead. The duo began to race away
from the field until Mike Storck found the bite in his #75 machine and
raced up to challenge the lead duo. Storck would get by Grimes with a
handful of laps remaining, but could not find his way around Bitzan, as
he hung on to win. Storck was second, Grimes finished third, Jason
Blasyck was fourth, and Austin Arneson rounded out the top five.
 
Jason Vandekamp and Jeremy Houle lined up side by side on row one of the
night's scheduled Midwest Modified feature. Head flagman Mike Commerford
dropped the green and the two lead drivers flexed thier muscle up front
as they raced out to a nice advantage over the rest of the field. Houle
would continue to work the low side of the speedway as Vandekamp blasted
his car around the banking on the top side. A handful of cautions would
stop racing action, but it was clear that it was a two car battle for
the win. Vandekamp would hold off Houle in the late stages of the race
and picked up the $500 check. Houle was a close second, William Lund
third, Jamie Thorstad fourth, and Ryan Schleusner fifth. Heat race
winners were Schleusner, Josh Muzik, and Dennis Czech.
 
With all weekend's other activity in the books, the twenty six car, star
studded, WISSOTA Modified feature lined up on the front stretch. After
the drivers were introduced, a nice four wide salute to the fans, and
the fireworks were done, the field lined up two by two to do battle for
the big prize. Outside pole sitter Jason Thoennes bolted out to the
early lead with fifth starting Travis Saurer making his way into second
place. The first caution of the feature waved on lap four and Thoennes
continued to lead Saurer, Cody Skytland, Josh Thoennes, and Shane
Sabraski. Order would be restored and at the drop of the green Saurer
made a power move to the low side of the speedway and took the lead from
Thoennes on lap six. The front pack would continue to be the same and
caution would fly on the half mile speedway again on lap tweleve when
five time WISSOTA National Champion Craig Thatcher's car slowed on the
front stretch. At that point Saurer led Thoennes,
Skytland, Matt Gilbertson had worked his way into fourth and Josh
Thoennes was fifth. The field would be reset and once again Saurer
jumped out to a nice advantage as the pack raced at a torrid pace. The
yellow would fly again on lap twenty one for an incident involving Dave
Schroeder and Steve Arpin. Arpin was able to continue and Schroeder
retired pitside with heavy right front damage. Before the field could
complete another lap, the caution came out for third place running Cody
Skytland as his #19b machine slowed on the front chute with apperant
engine troubles. At that point the car on the move was the #99w of USMTS
star Ryan Ruter. Ruter found himself in the top five and poised to make
a run at the front pack. Scot Danziesen and Jeff Broking were making
moves to the front and on lap twenty five the duo came together on the
speedway bringing out the next yellow flag of the 60 lap feature. Both
cars were able to continue on in the event. As the field
lined up, Ruter's car came to a stop in turn two and the push truck was
forced to push the car into the infield. The 99w pit crew went to work,
as he was out of fuel and Ruter got back out to claim the tail of the
field. The field would fire once more and race to the lap thirty fuel
stop. Saurer continued to lead at that point over Thoennes, Thoennes,
Mark Trautner had cracked the top five and sat fourth, and number twenty
starter Kelly Estey sat fifth in line. After the fuel stop, the field
was lined up back up and the green came back out. One lap after the
field was restarted, the yellow came back out when Danziesen and Jamie
Davis came together in turn one. Both drivers suffered flat tires, but
with the help of thier pit crews were able to continue on. Back out
front Saurer and Jason Thoennes continued thier battle for the lead
spot. Thoennes made a hard charge to the bottom of the track to briefly
take the lead with twenty five to go, only to see
Saurer power back by on the high side of the track. The final yellow of
the event would fly with nineteen laps remaining and Saurer continued to
lead the Thoennes brothers, Estey, and twenty fourth starter Steve
Arpin. Once the field came back to life, Saurer left no doubts as he put
his #21x machine on the high cushion and cruised to victory. Jason
Thoennes was second, Josh Thoennes third, Arpin moved up twenty spots to
claim fourth, and Estey was fifth.
 
The staff of Viking Speedway and FYE Motorsports would like to thank all
the fans, drivers, and crew for a great show over the weekend. Also, a
huge thanks to the nights sponsors: Fat Daddy's Bar & Grill, Elden's
Food Fair, NAPA, and Apol's Harley Davidson. The high flying half mile
will be back in action next Saturday night with the AMSOIL Race of
Champions qualifiers. Race time is at 6 pm at the Douglas County
Fairgrounds in Alexandria, MN. For the latest Viking Speedway news
please visit the track at www.vikingspeedway.net. For more information
on FYE Motorsports please visit them at www.fyemotorsports.com.
 
Summary:
 
WISSOTA Modifieds:
 
B-Main 1: Matt Smith, Dave Schroeder, Danny Bayer, Jeff Broking, Dennis
Bitzan, Scot Danziesen, Corky Thomas, Scott Tofte, Dale Mathison, Mike
Storck, Corey Sersha, Peter Loecken, Jason Blasyck, Clayton Wagamon,
Jason Grimes, Darrell Nelson, Rick Niemi, John Sertich, Billy Byholm
 
B-Main 2: Brady Gerdes, Kelly Estey, Dave Cain, Steve Arpin, Austin
Arneson, Dallas Gulbrandson, Scott Greer, Dano Ostrander, Ben Mickelson,
Jamie Trautner, Shawn Keyer, Bobby Gierke, Ryan Canon, Scott Werk, Gary
Reents, Curt Lund, Gavin Paull
 
Last Chance Race: Scot Danziesen, Dennis Bitzan, Dallas Gulbrandson,
Dale Mathison, Shawn Kreyer
 
Non-Qualifying Feature: Dennis Bitzan, Mike Storck, Jason Grimes, Jason
Blasyck, Austin Arneson
 
Feature: Travis Saurer, Jason Thoennes, Josh Thoennes, Steve Arpin,
Kelly Estey, Ryan Ruter, Matt Gilbertson, Scot Danziesen, Dan Ebert,
Mark Trautner, Jeff Broking, Brett Hoium, Brady Gerdes, Jamie Davis,
Kyle Koehntop, Skeeter Estey, Danny Bayer, Matt Smith, Shane Sabraski,
Cody Skytland, Craig Thatcher, Dave Schroeder, Dave Cain, Rick Niemi, JB
Stortz, Rick Jacobson
 
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
 
Heat 1: Sabraski, Flaten, Johnson, Crouse, Winter, Yeats, Dahl, Koch,
Saurer
 
Heat 2: Lee, Stepan, Peterson, Lund, Lore, Weber, Kluver, Holtquist,
Miller
 
Feature: Cody Lee, Mike Peterson, Alan Johnson, Trevor Saurer, Jon
Stepan, Steve Weber, Larry Lund, Chris Winter, Robert Lore, Matt Miller,
Dennis Dahl, Robert Holtquist, Dexton Koch, Rocky Yeats, Shane Sabraski,
Jeff Crouse, Jeff Kluver, Jeff Flaten
 
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
 
Heat 1: Schleusner, Thorstad, Laage, Ims, Ebert, Arneson, Sabrask,
Olson, Berg, Fuhrman, Byholm, R. Saurer
 
Heat 2: Muzik, Lund, Vanderby, Vandekamp, Bitzan, Peterson, Haben,
Reents, Vetjtruba, C. Mensen, Spanswick, T. Saurer
 
Heat 3: Czech, Houle, Braatin, Estey, Greeley, Davis, Deters, Haack,
Vanderby, Eystad, T. Mensen
 
B-Main: Peterson, Vejtruba, Tr. Vanderby, Furhman, Haack, Spanswick, T.
Mensen, Reents, Byholm, Berg, Olson, Eystad, C. Mensen, Davis, Sabraski,
T. Saurer, R. Saurer
 
Feature: Jason Vandekamp, Jeremy Houle, William Lund, Jamie Thorstad,
Ryan Schleusner, Dennis Czech, Mack Estey, Dusty Bitzan, Brian Haben,
Dan Ebert, Tyler Vanderby, Kurt Deters, Travis Vanderby, Kelly Haack,
Ross Fuhrman, Tyler Peterson, Dan Greeley, Casey Arneson, Randy Laage,
Darrin Braaten, Brandon Spanswick, Jason Vejtruba, Josh Muzik, Tim Ims
 
Make up Feature: Dan Ebert, Brain Haben, Jamie Thorstad, Dennis Czech,
Jeremy Houle, Jason Vandekamp, Travis Saurer, Shane Sabraski, William
Lund, Tyler Peterson, Ryan Schleusner, Kurt Deters, Mack Estey, Ross
Fuhrman, Darrin Braaten, Todd Berg, Josh Muzik, Dusty Bitzan, Tanner
Byholm, Corey Eystad, Casey Arneson, Jeff Davis, Ron Saurer, Jason
Hoffman

 

Thoennes Wins Mod Nationals Qualifier
July 7th, 2012 - Viking Speedway - Alexandria, MN
by Ryan Schmitz

 

 

 

 

 

Garfield, MN driver Jason Thoennes held off a late charge by Kelly Estey
and picked up the 25 lap qualifying feature win as night one of the MN
Modified Nationals came to a close. Thoennes will sit on the front row
on the 60 lap $7000 to win feature on Sunday night as a result of his
win. Viking Speedway veteran, Larry Lund, was able to corral the WISSOTA
Super Stock feature win during action earlier in the evening.
 
With the Midwest Modified and Super Stocks heat completed, heat one of
five in for the WISSOTA Modifeds came onto to the track. Rick Niemi and
Jamie Davis manned the front row for the 15 lap event. At the drop off
the green it was apparent that Niemi's car was off the pace and Davis
bolted out to an early advantage. A nice battle behind him insued with
Kelly Estey, Josh Thoennes, and Brett Hoium. Hoium ran the high groove
and was able to garner the runner up spot early in the event. A caution
would fly near the midway point of the race, which erased the large lead
that Davis had built up. Once the green dropped Estey jockeyed to the
low side of the speedway and got by Davis with Thoennes and Hoium in
tow. Estey would hold on to capture the win ahead of Thoennes, Hoium,
Davis and Danny Bayer.
 
Five time WISSOTA national champion, Craig Thatcher and Brooten, MN
driver Dave Schroeder paced the field to the green in heat race two.
Thatcher moved out to a quick lead only to see the caution fly for an
incident that collected Mike Storck, Scot Danziesen, and Austin Arneson
in turn two. With the field lined back up, Thatcher and Schroder jumped
out to do battle for the top spot. Meanwhile, sixth starter Cody
Skytland had other ideas as he bolted his way to the front to race witht
he leaders. Near the halfway point of the race Skytland was able to
manuver his way around both drivers and overtake the lead. He would
never be seriously challenged and went on to score the heat race win.
Following him across the line were Thatcher, Schroeder, Matt Smith, and
Dallas Gulbrandson.
 
Fellow "Shaw by Buzzy" pilots Kyle Koehntop and Scott Tofte shared the
front row for heat race three of five. At the drop of the green Koehntop
put his car on the extreme high side of the speedway and began to pull
away from the field. Back in traffic, sixth starter Jason Thoennes and
eight starter Dave Cain were on the move. The duo engaged in a great
battle with Jeff Broking as all three cars raced for the second spot
behind Koehntop. The yellow would fly twice in a two lap period for Pete
Loecken, who spun in turn three on both occasions. With the laps ticking
down it was clear that Koehntop would not be denied and he cruised to an
impressive heat race win over Thoennes, Cain, Broking, and Tofte.
 
Dan Ebert, who was making his first MN Mod Nationals apperance, and Dano
Ostrander sat on the front row for heat race four. Ebert jumped out to
an early lead as he raced on the high side of the speedway. The yellow
would fly as Ostrander slipped over the banking in turn two just a
couple of laps into the race. This put USMTS star Ryan Ruter on Ebert's
back bumper. Mike Commerford brought the field back to life and Ruter
wasted no time moving to the low side of the track to dispose of Ebert.
Once out front Ruter continued to pour it on as he raced out to a
straightaway advantage and crossed the checkers first. Track officials
then determined that Ruter jumped the restart and was penalized two
positions giving the win to Ebert. Modifed rookie Skeeter Estey was
second, Ruter third, Matt Gilbertson fourth, and ninth starter Mark
Trautner came home fifth.
 
Track point leader Travis Saurer sat on the front row, alongside Big
Lake, MN driver JB Stortz for the final heat race of the evening. Saurer
blasted his #21x machine to the high side of the speedway and left no
doubt in the fan's mind that he was the car to beat as he jumped out to
a nearly straightaway lead in the first ten laps. The real battle on the
speedway was for the fourth spot between Jason Grimes and former Mod
Nationals champion Steve Arpin. The duo battled lap after lap until the
two cars came together near the flag stand and Arpin hit the wall. The
yellow would fly and both drivers were able to continue, although
Arpin's left front tire was flat. With the green flag back out, Arpin
lost control of his Mike's Hard Lemonade 00eh machine and flew off the
track in turn one brining out another yellow. With the field reset,
Saurer bolted out to another large lead and never looked back as he
claimed the heat race win ahead of tenth starter Shane
Sabraski, Stortz, Curt Lund, and Dennis Bitzan.
 
After all the qualifying events were complete, the twenty five WISSOTA
Super Stock field lined up for thier fifteen lap main event. Nineteen
time feature win Shane Sabraski and local veteran Larry Lund manned the
front row as the field came to life. Lund jumped to the highside of the
track and began to pull away as Sabraski settled into the second spot
with Cory Tammen and Jeff Crouse in tow. The running order would
continue to be the same until lap three when Derrick Lemke lost the bite
on his #31x machine and slipped off turn three. The field would be reset
and once again Lund bolted out to an advantage over Sabraski. Tammen and
Crouse were locked in an epic battle for the third spot, as tenth
starter Steve Weber raced up to join the lead pack. Crouse was able to
navigate his way around Tammen near the halfway point and began closing
on Sabraski for second. The yellow would fly again for an incident that
collected track point leader Trevor Saurer and
WISSOTA rookie of the year contender Travis Berends. Once more the
field would be reset and the green flag dropped. Crouse made a power
move to the low side of the speedway in an effort to take the lead with
five laps remaining only to see his car slide over the banking in turn
two. Lund would continue to pull away and went on to claim the $500
payday for his efforts. Sabraski settled for second, Tammen was third,
Weber turned in nice run in fourth, and eleventh starter Cody Lee was
fifth.
 
The final event of the evening was the 25 lap modified qualifying
feature. Brothers Josh and Jason Thoennes shared the front row in the
event, which would determine the starting order for the 60 lapper on
Sunday night. At the drop of the green Jason jumped out to a lead over
his brother and Kelly Estey. The field would continue to click off laps
at a torrid pace until lap eighteen when caution would fly over the
speedway. With the field reset Jason led Estey, Cody Skytland, Josh
Thoennes, and Dave Cain. At the drop of the green it was apperant that
some contact was made between Skytland and Cain as the duo jockeyed for
position. Exiting turn two on the restart, Cain got into the back of
Skytland and sent him spinning bringing out the second caution of the
event. Cain would drop to the tailend and the field once again came to
life with Jason Thoennes leading. Two more yellow flag periods would
occur before another lap could be completed. After the two
cautions the field lined up single file and Jason Thoennes raced out to
a nice cushion over Estey. The final caution of the event flew with two
laps remaining when Brady Gerdes' #2x machine came to a stop on the back
stretch. The race was now a two lap shoot out to the checkered and Jason
Thoennes was able to hang on for the hard fought win. Estey was scored
second, Skytland third, Josh Thoennes fourth, and Sabraski fifth. During
a post race inspection it was determined that was Estey had not made
weight and he was disqualified from the event, moving Skytland into the
runner up spot.
 
Due to time constraints, the WISSOTA Midwest Modifed feature had to be
postponed until the Sunday portion of the Mod Nationals. On behalf of
Viking Speedway and FYE Motorsports, we'd like to thank all the drivers,
fans, crews, and sponsors that help make this weekend possible. For the
latest Viking Speedway news visit the track online at
www.vikingspeedway.net and for FYE events please visit
www.fyemotorsports.com.
 
Summary:
 
WISSOTA Modifeds:
 
Heat 1: Kelly Estey, Josh Thoennes, Brett Hoium, Jamie Davis, Danny
Bayer, Brady Gerdes, Bobby Gierke, Gavin Paull, Rick Niemi, Shawn
Kreyer, John Sertich
 
Heat 2: Cody Skytland, Craig Thatcher, Dave Schroeder, Matt Smith,
Dallas Gulbrandson, Corky Thomas, Austin Arneson, Scot Danziesen, Ben
Mickelson, Mark Esala, Mike Storck
 
Heat 3: Kyle Koehntop, Jason Thoennes, Dave Cain, Jeff Broking, Scott
Tofte, Dale Mathison, Gary Reents, Bill Byholm, Peter Loecken, Darrell
Nelson
 
Heat 4: Dan Ebert, Skeeter Estey, Ryan Ruter, Matt Gilbertson, Mark
Trautner, Rick Jacobson, Scott Greer, Scott Werk, Dano Ostrander, Jamie
Trautner
 
Heat 5: Travis Saurer, Shane Sabraski, JB Stortz, Curt Lund, Dennis
Bitzan, Ryan Canon, Corey Sersha, Jason Grimes, Jason Blascyk, Steve
Arpin
 
Qualifying Feature: Ja. Thoennes, Skytland, Jo. Thoennes, Sabraski,
Saurer, S. Estey, Thatcher, Gilbertson, Ruter, Ebert, Trautner,
Koehntop, Jacobson, Davis, Hoium, Stortz, Gerdes, Bitzan, Lund, Smith,
Cain, Schroeder, Broking, K. Estey
 
 
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
 
Heat 1: Jeff Crouse, Mike Peterson, Steve Weber, Trevor Saurer, Alan
Johnson, Jeff Flaten, Jay Hedtke, Bob Holtquist, Dennis Dahl
 
Heat 2: Shane Sabraski, Cory Tammen, Larry Lund, Jon Stepan, Chris
Winter, Robert Lore, Jeff Hapala, Jason Cook
 
Heat 3: Derrick Lemke, Travis Berends, Max Dondelinger, Cody Lee, Matt
Miller, Jeff Kluver, Dexton Koch, Dominic Baker
 
Feature: Lund, Sabraski, Tammen, Weber, Lee, Stepan, Peterson, Flaten,
Johnson, Winter, Koch, Miller, Cook, Hapala, Lore, Holtquist, Kluver,
Lemke, Hedtke, Crouse, Dahl, Saurer, Berends, Dondelinger, Baker
 
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
 
Heat 1: Jamie Thorstad, Dennis Czech, Ryan Schleusner, William Lund,
Todd Berg, Ron Saurer, Dusty Bitzan, Kyle Reents, Shawn Olson
 
Heat 2: Jeremy Houle, Darrin Braaten, Jason Hoffman, Corey Eystad, Josh
Muzik, Darrin Smith, Brandon
Spanswick, Dan Greeley, Tyler Vanderby
 
Heat 3: Brain Haben, Dan Ebert, Kurt Deters, Shane Sabraski, Tyler
Peterson, Mack Estey, Tanner Byholm, Kelly Haack, Travis Vanderby
 
Heat 4: Travis Saurer, Jason Vandekamp, Ross Fuhrman, Jeff Davis, Casey
Arneson, Hayden Hanson, Tim
Ims, Randy Laage
 
B-Main: R. Saurer, Bitzan, Estey, Peterson, Arneson, Byholm, Olson,
Reents, Vanderby, Haack, Smith, Ims, Greeley, Spanswick, Vanderby,
Hanson, Laage


 

Gustin becomes seventh Mod Nationals Winner

 

By Ray Beste

 

Alexandria, MN (July 3rd, 2011) – Marshalltown, IA ace Ryan Gustin made his first ever appearance to Viking Speedway a memorable one, taking home a $7,000 payday Sunday night at Viking Speedway. Shane Sabraski held off a late surge from Travis Saurer to score the win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main while Dean Larson took top honors in the WISSOTA Mod Four finale. One of the largest crowds ever witnessed at Viking Speedway congregated once again for day two of the 7th Annual “Minnesota Modified Nationals” held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, MN.

 

With 28 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds yet to qualify for the 30-lap, $2,000 to win WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main, two B-mains were held to lock in the final eight competitors. The first B-main was dominated by Villard, MN driver Jason Hoffman. Hoffman moved by George Dalbeck early on and never looked back on his way to victory. Dalbeck, in his first ever visit to the speedway, looked great finishing second ahead of a hard charging Skeeter Estey (started 13th). Glencoe, MN product Josh Larsen was the final driver to qualify for the A-main, moving up four spots from his eighth starting position to finish fourth.

 

Dustin Bitzan looked to have B-main two in hand before suspension trouble sent him pitside handing the lead over the Denis Czech near the midway point of the race. Sixth starter Chris Mensen would patiently work his way by Czech for the lead, ultimately taking the win. Czech, 11th starter Josh Muzik, and Travis Vanderby all punched their tickets to the A-main by finishing in the top four in the second and final B-main. Andrew Nelson reigned victorious in the last chance qualifier becoming the final car to transfer to the feature event.

 

The star studded front row of Scot Danzeisen and Travis Saurer proved to be too much for the competitors of B-main one for the WISSOTA Modifieds with each driver moving on to participate in the main event. Mike Storck, Jake Wildman, Curt Lund, Bryce Borgen, Matt Gilbertson, and Danny Bayer all moved on to the Last Chance qualifier by finishing in spots three through eight.

 

The second of three B-mains was dominated by Manhattan, KS traveler Chase Junghans. Junghans, a regular on the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS), looked very strong during the 20-lap event taking the win in impressive fashion. Eighth starter Terry Engebretson outlasted Shane Edgington and Dave Schroeder to take the final transfer spot in B-main two. Edgington, Schroeder, Shayne Laske, Luke Dykstra, Mark Esala, and Jamie Davis all transferred on to the last chance qualifier.

 

The third and final B-main for the WISSOTA Modifieds went to Kelley Lake, MN hotshoe Kelly Estey. Estey was glued to the bottom of the speedway from the get go and never looked back on his way to victory. Ward Imrie and Jason Miller battled side by side for several laps for the final transfer spot with Miller ultimately taking the position. Imrie, Jayme Lautigar, Steve Lavasseur, Dennis Bitzan, Jason Blascyk, Jamie Trautner all transferred on to the Last Chance Qualifier, which proved to be the final qualifying event of the evening.

 

The final qualifying event of the weekend belonged to the WISSOTA Modifieds with 18 drivers making the call for the 20-lap last chance qualifier. With just two competitors transferring on to the A-main, the fans anticipated an action packed event. Shane Edgington took the early lead but it didn’t last long as Curt Lund moved from his seventh starting position to take the lead on lap eighth. Once out front Lund stretched his advantage and earned himself the 23rd starting spot for the night’s A-main. The best battle on the speedway was for the second spot with Luke Dkystra outlasting fellow Canadian Ward Imrie on his way to qualifying for his first Minnesota Modified Nationals A-main. Lund and Dkystra would prove to make up the 12th and final row of the $7,000 to win main event.

 

With all the qualifying events in the books, the WISSOTA Mod Fours took to the speedway with 12 cars making the call. After the first two circuits, the track began to clear off with Dean Larson taking the lead. Dustin Zieske moved into the second spot before the midway point of the race, drawing closer and closer to Larson as the laps clicked off the board. With two laps remaining, Larson and Zieske caught up to the  of some heavy lap traffic. Larson, however, made few mistakes taking the win over Zieske. Josh Abrahamson, Justin Smith, and Tyler Larson all scored top five finishes for the 1,650 lb. machines. Tom Silver and Abrahamson each scored heat race wins earlier in the evening for the WISSOTA Mod Fours.

 

The best race of the weekend proved to be the $1,000 to win WISSOTA Modified Non-qualifiers race. Alexandria’s own Dwayne Clarke checked out early on and looked as if he had the race in hand despite the fact that Dave Schroeder and Jamie Trautner had other ideas. A mid-race caution put Schroeder and Trautner on the rear bumper of Clarke for a Delaware double-file start. On the restart Schroeder jumped to the lead momentarily before Trautner blasted back on the top side taking the lead. The duo raced side by side for the remainder of the race with Schroeder making a last lap pass for the win coming off of turn four. Schroeder, Trautner, Jason Blascyk, Jody Bellefeuille, and Mark Esala rounded out the top five for the non-qualifiers race.

 

Shane Sabraski took the early lead on lap one of the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main. Sabraski looked smooth out front and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Saurer and VandeKamp battled side by side for the second spot behind Sabraski while Shawn Nolan raced in fourth. Fourteenth starter Steve Houle looked very strong from the get go moving up seven spots early finding a home in the seventh spot, eight laps in. Back in traffic, Kelley Lake, MN hard charger Skeeter Estey began a spirited march to the front just 10 laps in as he cracked the top ten behind the front runners. A few yellows halted action during the middle stages of the event before order was restored. With six laps remaining, Saurer executed a power move on the top side of the speedway moving by Sabraski for the lead. Shane, however, would grab the lead back on the next lap and would never relinquish it in the final four times around. Estey’s magical run finally stalled after moving up 19 positions in 30 laps to finish fourth after starting 23rd! In the end it was Sabraski taking the $2,000 payday. Saurer, Houle, Estey, and VandeKamp all turned in top five performances. Twentieth starter Chris Mensen, Shawn Nolan, William Lund, and 21st starter George Dalbeck rounded out the top ten for the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds.

 

With all the weekend’s activities in the books, Ryan Gustin and Craig Thatcher brought the 25-car field to the green flag. The front row duo was locked in an early battle with it nearly impossible to determine the lap one leader. Thatcher climbed the hill on lap two and grabbed the lead as the field battle side by side from front to back. As the race wore on, Gustin became quicker and quicker taking the lead on lap 14. Fourth starter Dave Cain began to move forward nearing the 30-lap fuel stop taking the second spot from Thatcher in the process. Gustin negotiated a few lapped cars before taking the checkered flags at the conclusion of the first 30 laps. As the cars pulled in to the work area, fifth place running Jason Grimes headed pitside to change tires in an attempt to gain on the competition for the stretch run. With order restored Gustin brought the field back to the green. By this time it was more than apparent that the two cars on the move were fellow row ten starter Kelly Estey and Scot Danzeisen. With two to go, each had cracked the top ten still moving forward in the process. A couple yellows halted action during the ladder stages of the event which bunched up the field behind Gustin. With seven laps remaining it was Gustin followed by Cain, eighth starter Cody Skytland, Darrell Nelson, and Thatcher. The green flag dropped once again with Gustin showing the way. Skytland made a power move on the top side of the speedway and overtook Cain for the second while Darrell Nelson pulled up lame entering turn three. The field was able to negotiate Nelson without any contact with the race staying green. Estey continued his march to the front moving by Thatcher for the fourth spot on the final trip around. In the end it was all Gustin taking his first career Minnesota Modified Nationals Title. Skytland, Cain, Estey, Thatcher, Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Chase Junghans, Ryan Aho, and Jason Grimes rounded out the top 10 in one of the most star-studded fields you will ever see.

 

On behalf of FYE Motorsports and everyone at Viking Speedway we’d like to thank all the drivers, fans, pit crew members, and sponsors that made the weekend a success. Join us once again next Saturday night for another regular race program at the “High Flying ½ mile.” For more information regarding Viking Speedway log onto the track’s website at vikingspeedway.net.

 

SUMMARY:

 

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Ryan Gustin, Cody Skytland, Dave Cain, Kelly Estey, Craig Thatcher, Scot Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Chase Junghans, Ryan Aho, Jason Grimes, Dallas Gulbrandson, Travis Saurer, Shane Sabraski, Josh Thoennes, Kyle Koehntop, Luke Dykstra, Dale Mathison, Jeremy Houle, Curt Lund, Dave Schroeder, Darrell Nelson, Rick Jacobson, Terry Engebretson, Jason Miller, Kyle Wieberdink
B-main 1- Saurer, Danzeisen, Storck, Wildman, Lund
B-main 2- Junghans, Engebretson, Edgington, Schroeder, Laske
B-main 3- Estey, Miller, Imrie, Lautigar, Lavasseur
Last Chance Qualifier- Lund, Dkystra

 

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Shane Sabraski, Travis Saurer, Steve Houle, Skeeter Estey, Jason VandeKamp, Chris Mensen, Shawn Nolan, Brian Haben, William Lund, George Dalbeck, Levi Arneson, Matt Weisman, Denis Czech, Phil Braun, Josh Larsen, Andrew Nelson, Darrin Braaten, Jason Hoffman, Travis Vanderby, Brady Gerdes, Randy Laage, Troy Berends, Matt Suckow, Josh Muzik, Derek Quinn
B-main 1- Hoffman, Dalbeck, Estey, Larsen, Olson
B-main 2- Mensen, Czech, Muzik, Vanderby, Nelson
Last Chance Qualifier- Nelson, S. Olson

 

WISSOTA Mod Fours:
Feature- Dean Larson, Dustin Zieske, Josh Abrahamson, Justin Smith, Tyler Larson, Tom Silver, Ryan Buer, Brandon Linquist, Dustin Holquist, Dwight Gilyard, Chad Funt, Corey Nehk
Heat 1- Silver, D. Larson, T. Larson, D. Holquist, Gilyard, Nehk
Heat 2- Abrahamson, Zieske, Smith, Buer, Lindquist, Funt

 

Thatcher and Lee victorious on night one at Viking

 

By Ray Beste

 

Alexandria, MN (July 2nd, 2011) – Knapp, WI legend Craig Thatcher outlasted Ryan Gustin taking top honors in the 25-lap WISSOTA Modified Qualifying Feature Saturday night at Viking Speedway. Starbuck, MN driver Cody Lee scored his first ever WISSOTA Super Stock victory while Shane Sabraski reigned victorious in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified Qualifying A-main. The capacity crowd in attendance was treated to nail biting finishes in all three divisions taking part in day one action with all three feature events being decided on the final trip around the speedway. Drivers, pit crew members, sponsors, and racing enthusiasts from all over the Upper Midwest packed the Douglas County Fairgrounds once again for the 7th Annual, “Minnesota Modified Nationals.”

 

With all the pre-race activities put to rest, the WISSOTA Super Stocks took to the speedway first to qualify for the night’s 20-lap A-main. Alexandria’s own Jeff Crouse led all 10-laps from the pole taking the win in heat race one while Montevideo, MN traveler Jeremy Jerve moved from his second row outside starting position to take the win in heat race two. Shane Sabraski proved to be passing points leader in the WISSOTA Super Stock division, which drew 16 strong entries.

 

The next item on the docket was five stacked WISSOTA Midwest Modified heat races with some of the best in the business in attendance. Brandon, MN driver Derek Quinn shocked a lot of those in attendance by dominating heat race one while Brady Gerdes nursed a broken left front to the checkers in second. Levi Arneson charged up six positions in the 10-lap affair coming home third ahead of Steve Houle and Zach Hintermeister.

 

Although Jason VandeKamp led early on, it was Travis Saurer reigning victorious in heat race two. Saurer moved out front from his sixth starting position on lap four, never looking back on his way to the win. VandeKamp, George Dalbeck, seventh starter Randy Laage, and Denis Czech rounded out the top five finishing order.

 

Viking Speedway regulars William Lund and Todd Berg drag raced to turn one to see who would grab the early lead in heat race three. Lund was able to get there first and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Despite the fact Lund would lead wire to wire, Sabraski would move up four positions into second locking himself into the night’s qualifying feature with Jason Hoffman finishing third. Berg and Shawn Olson were also members of the top five finishing order as well during heat three.

 

Heat four proved to be a good one with Annandale, MN driver Shawn Nolan taking the win behind the wheel of the Schleusner Motorsports #97 Skyrocket. Nolan battled with defending Viking Speedway track Champion Brian Haben early on before scoring the victory in fine fashion. Haben, Troy Berends, Matt Suckow, and Tim Ims all scored top five runs in heat race four.

 

The fifth and final heat race was dominated by Danube, MN WISSOTA Midwest Modified rookie Phil Braun. Braun worked his way by Kelly Haack and Andrew Nelson never looking back on his way to victory. Matt Weisman charged from eighth to second during the 10-lap affair with Nelson, Darrin Braaten, and Rick Spanswick all scoring top five runs, as well.

 

With 58 WISSOTA Modifieds on hand, they were broken into six heat races. Like in past years, passing points was the system used to determine where an individual would start in night one’s qualifying feature event. The first heat race of the night went green, white, checkered with outside pole sitter Dallas Gulbrandson punching his ticket to the big dance in dominating fashion. Sixth starter Craig Thatcher steadily worked his way forward to finish second with Jake Wildman third, eighth starter Kyle Wieberdink fourth and Jason Miller fifth.

 

Heat two proved to be an absolute slobber-knocker between WISSOTA Modified standouts Dave Cain and Cody Skytland. Cain grabbed the early lead from the pole while Skytland sliced and diced his way to the front moving into second near the midway point of the race. Skytland closed up on the backside of Cain a few times during the middle stages of the event but in the end it was Cain taking the win. Skytland put on his dancing shoes finishing second ahead of Modified standouts Travis Saurer, Jody Bellefeuille, and Shayne Laske; each members of the top five, as well.

 

The most exciting qualifying race of the evening belonged to heat three which featured a battle between Jason Grimes and Scot Danzeisen. After Danzeisen took the lead from the pole early on, Grimes was able to wheel by on the top side of the speedway with three laps remaining. Danzeisen did his best to regain the top spot but was unable to negotiate the #99 of Grimes. In just his second race of the season, Rick Jacobson punched his ticket to the A-main starting eighth and finishing third in heat race three. Jeremy Houle and Ryan Canon finished fourth and fifth respectively in heat three, which featured nine entries.

 

WISSOTA Modified heat four was dominated by Marshalltown, IA traveler Ryan Gustin. Gustin, who starter ninth, wheeled the #19R machine wherever he needed to on his way to a jaw dropping heat race triumph. Josh Thoennes, Chase Junghans, Kelly Estey, and Curt Lund battle for spots two through five with Thoennes coming home second. In the end it was Gustin, Thoennes, Junghans, Estey, and Lund.

 

Ryan Aho took the early lead on lap two of heat five for the WISSOTA Modifieds. It wasn’t long, however, before he was joined by Jason Thoennes. Thoennes, who started sixth, pulled even with Aho several times before finally taking the lead with four laps remaining. Shane Sabraski put his third car of the evening in a feature event moving from eighth to fourth in heat five. Out front it was all Thoennes taking the win. Aho, Ward Imrie, Sabraski, and Dave Schroeder were each members of the top five, as well.

 

The sixth and final heat race was led flag to flag by 2009 Minnesota Modified Nationals Champion Dale Mathison. Mathison looked strong during the 20-lap affair never seriously being challenged. Row four starters Darrell Nelson (second) and Kyle Koehntop (third) each locked them into Saturday night’s $7,000 to win main event while Jayme Lautigar and Shane Edgington rounded out the top five. The final rundown included Mathison, Nelson, Koehntop, Lautigar, and Edgington.

 

With all the qualifying events in the books, the WISSOTA Super Stocks took to the speedway with Larry Lund and Cody Lee starting on the front. The green flag dropped over the field with Lee taking the early advantage. Fourth starter Scott Brown quickly moved up into the third spot behind Lee and Lund while Sabraski cracked the top five on lap two. Lee continued to lead on lap seven while Sabraski continued his onslaught toward the front. Sabraski moved into second with eight laps remaining with ninth starter Jeff Crouse cracking the top five on the same trip around. Lee chose the top with Sabraski on the bottom as the duo locked horns in a battle for the ages. Sabraski edged ahead on more than one occasion but Lee kept his top side momentum up, holding the lead in the process. With the field taking the white flag Sabraski loaded up his #7A machine one final time in an attempt to overtake Lee. Cody, however, made zero mistakes going on to post his first career WISSOTA Super Stock victory. Sabraski settled for a hard fought second ahead of Crouse, who nipped Brown at the line for third. Jeremy Jerve was the final member of the top five.

 

The WISSOTA Midwest Modified Qualifying Feature was a barn burner from the start with past National Champions Shane Sabraski and Travis Saurer battling for the top spot with Jason VandeKamp right at their heels. Sabraski remained smooth throughout the 15-lap affair, fending off Saurer’s advances taking the win in the process. VandeKamp remained within striking distance during the duration of the race coming home third with Brian Haben fourth, and Derek Quinn fifth. Because Sabraski took the win in the night’s Qualifying Feature he was able to choose where he wanted to start Saturday’s $2,000 to win A-main. Sabraski chose the outside pole which meant he would be joined on the front row by Saurer on Saturday night.

 

With the top 16 in passing points locked in, the WISSOTA Modified qualifying feature rolled out onto the speedway for the final event of night number one. WISSOTA standouts Jason Grimes and Rick Jacobson manned the front row starting duties as 25-laps were put up on the board. The green flag waved over the 16-car field with Jacobson taking the early advantage. Third starter Craig Thatcher looked very strong early on moving into second while the rest of the field sliced and diced behind. Ninth starter Ryan Gustin used his familiar diamond maneuver as he cracked the top five just six laps into the event while Thatcher now took the lead out front. Gustin continued his onslaught toward the front moving into second with seven laps remaining while Jason Thoennes looked to be on the move, as well. Thoennes rolled off from the 10th starting spot and moved all the way up to the fifth at the line. Out front the final three laps featured a three car battle between Thatcher, Gustin, and Grimes. Gustin closed up on the backside of Thatcher several times in the remaining laps but it was not enough as Thatcher would take home the win. Gustin, Grimes, Dave Cain, and Jason Thoennes completed the top five putting a cap on night one at the Mod Nationals.

 

As always, for more information regarding Viking Speedway, log onto vikingspeedway.net.

 

SUMMARY:

 

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Qualifying Feature- Craig Thatcher, Ryan Gustin, Jason Grimes, Dave Cain, Jason Thoennes, Rick Jacobson, Ryan Aho, Cody Skytland, Kyle Koehntop, Darrell Nelson, Josh Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Dallas Gulbrandson, Dale Mathison, Kyle Wieberdink, Jeremy Houle
Heat 1- Gulbrandson, Thatcher, Wildman, Wieberdink, Miller, Dykstra, Clarke, Engebretson, Hoium, Schilling
Heat 2- Cain, Skytland, Saurer, Bellefeuille, Laske, Bitzan, Bayer, Gilbertson, Borgen, Tofte
Heat 3- Grimes, Danzeisen, Jacobson, Houle, Canon, Mickelson, Blascyk, Trautner, Werk
Heat 4- Gustin, Jo. Thoennes, Junghans, Estey, Lund, Esala, Davis, Trautner, S. Bruns, Sersha
Heat 5- Ja. Thoennes, Aho, Imrie, Sabraski, Schroeder, Lavasseur, Sjoman, Olson, Arneson
Heat 6- Mathison, Nelson, Koehntop, Lautigar, Edgington, Storck, Hilluka, M. Bruns, Gierke

 

WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Cody Lee, Shane Sabraski, Jeff Crouse, Scott Brown, Jeremy Jerve, Larry Lund, Matt Miller, Jeff Flaten, Mike Peterson, Jon Stepan, Alan Johnson, Jeff Kluver, Ashley Donald, Derrick Lemke, Dusty Peterson, Terry Merten
Heat 1- Jerve, Sabraski, Kluver, D. Peterson, Brown, Donald, Johnson, Lemke
Heat 2- Crouse, Stepan, Lund, Lee, Miller, Flaten, Merten, Peterson

 

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Qualifying Feature- Shane Sabraski, Travis Saurer, Jason VandeKamp, Brian Haben, Derek Quinn
Heat 1- Quinn, Gerdes, Arneson, Houle, Hintermeister, Mensen, Larsen, Thompson, Estey
Heat 2- Saurer, VandeKamp, Dalbeck, Laage, Czech, B. Johnson, Bitzan, Reents, Greeley
Heat 3- Lund, Sabraski, Hoffman, Berg, Olson, B. Spanswick, Thorstad, Bruder, Schleusner
Heat 4- Nolan, Haben, Berends, Suckow, Ims, Rizer, Donahue, Kerzman, Muzik
Heat 5- Braun, Weisman, A. Nelson, Braaten, R. Spanswick, Vanderby, Haack, Tofte




Format Changes to 7th Annual Minnesota Mod Nationals

5-24-11. ~ FYE Motorsports – St. Cloud, MN

The seventh running of the FYE Motorsports promoted $7,000 to win Minnesota Modified Nationals, to be held in July of 2011, will see a format overhaul to try to enhance the biggest paying WISSOTA Modified event anywhere in the country. Event organizers have revamped the event structure in order to hopefully draw more cars and to make the event even bigger and better than it has been over the first six years of its existence. Event promoter Chris Stepan said ‘The Mod Nationals has been an exceptional event over the first six years with awesome racing, but I felt that it was time to make some changes to the overall format of the event with hopes to draw more cars to compete here and to really make this a ‘can’t miss’ event. The talent in the Modified division in and around our area is so great, I want everyone to come out and have a chance at the $7,000 payday, so hopefully some of these changes will entice more guys to come out and give it a shot.’

The first change that fans and drivers will notice is that the event will be moved from its Friday/Saturday format to a Saturday/Sunday event in 2011. An open practice will be held from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, July 1st for anyone wanting some laps before the show starts on Saturday. The preliminary races will then be held on Saturday, July 2nd with a 5pm start time and the remaining qualifying races and main features will be held on Sunday, July 3rd also with a 5pm start time. The city of Alexandria fireworks display will then take place on Sunday night after the event is completed. This will allow Monday, July 4th at 1pm to be utilized as a rain date if needed. Stepan remarked ‘With July 4th being on a Monday in 2011, we felt that it was the right time to switch the event back to a Saturday/Sunday show like it was the first 2 years that we held this race. The 4th of July is a holiday for most folks, so it will work out great as a built in rain date if needed and not running on Friday night will allow for less conflicts with area tracks.’

Another change that folks will notice is that the Modified non-qualifiers will receive $200 if they should not advance into the a-main, this has been raised $50 from previous years, PLUS any Modified driver that pre-enters by the Monday, June 13th 2011 deadline and fails to qualify for the 60-lap $7,000 to win feature will be put into a drawing and 20 names will be pulled out of a hat and those 20 drivers will be lined up in the order that their names were pulled in a newly added Modified Non-Qualifier feature paying $1,000 to win and $75 to start, so on top of the $200 non-qualifier money that all non-qualifiers will receive, 20 of the non-qualifiers will receive additional monies by competing in the non-qualifier feature. Again Stepan commented ‘We decided to raise the non-qualifier pay to match the pre-entry fee so that drivers who don’t get into the $7,000 to win feature get their pre-entered car entry fee back at least plus the addition of the non-qualifier feature will give another 20 drivers a chance to make some additional cash if they saw some bad luck throughout the course of the weekend and didn’t make the big show. Hopefully this non-qualifier feature will give some drivers who maybe don’t feel that they have a shot at the $7,000 the encouragement to come to Viking for the weekend anyway to give it a try.’

Yet another format change will be the fact that the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds will no longer run two compete programs paying $500 to win each day, but new for 2011 fans will see the Midwest Modifieds running the same format as the Modifieds (heat races and a dash on Saturday with b-mains, a last chance race and a feature on Sunday) AND more importantly will see the Midwest Modifieds racing for a never before paid $2,000 to win paycheck in their feature event! Stepan said ‘We have some incredibly talented Midwest Modified drivers in this area and this being the Mod Nationals after all, I decided to step up and offer the Midwest Mod guys a shot at the biggest purse that they have ever seen. I am really looking forward to this 30-lap race.’

And one final change will see that the WISSOTA Super Stocks have been replaced with the WISSOTA Mod Fours as the third division in action, making this a true Mod Nationals weekend as all three classes in competition will be open wheel Modified-type cars. The Mod Fours will not run the same format as the other 2 divisions, however, as they will run a complete program each night including heat races, b-main and feature on Saturday and Sunday, with each night paying an identical $500 to win. Stepan said ‘I have been asked for a few years now why the Mod Fours are not a part of the Mod Nationals, so after giving the Street Stocks and then the Super Stocks a couple of years on the schedule, the decision was made to make the event an all Mod show and add the Mod Fours.’

Several other changes to the event will see all three divisions use the passing points system for qualifying into the feature events. In past years, the Modifieds have used passing points, but the support classes have used the draw/redraw format, but in 2011 all three classes will use the same passing points formula all weekend and the final change is that both the Modifieds and Midwest Modifieds will be allowed to pre-enter to save money on their entry fees in 2011. In the past, only the Mods were allowed to pre-enter, but this coming year, the Midwest Modifieds will be allowed to pre-enter at a discounted rate as well. The Mod Fours will not need to pre-enter as they will run two complete programs over the course of the weekend.

The location of this FYE Motorsports promoted event will remain the same and be held, as usual, at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minnesota. The ‘high flying half mile’ has played host to the event since the inception of it and will continue to do so in 2011. All entry and event information will be posted at www.fyemotorsports.com within the next few weeks or can be found by calling Chris at (715) 497-8916. Mark down July 1st-4th on your calendars for 2011 and be sure to be at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN for the 7th annual Mod Nationals.



Danzeisen takes first Mod Nationals crown at Viking

By Ray Beste

Alexandria, MN (July 3rd, 2010) - For Herman, MN driver Scot Danzeisen, success as been the norm. The 10-time Viking Speedway Modified champion has won nearly every Modified special event ever offered up at the speedway. Until Saturday night, however, Danzeisen had failed in his first five tries to take home the Minnesota Modified Nationals crown. That would change in a big way, however, when Danzeisen scored one of the biggest wins of his career taking home the $7,000 crown in grand fashion. In other action, Mike Peterson took his second win in as many days in the WISSOTA Super Stock division while Brian Haben garnered his first ever Viking Speedway win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main. Sunny skies and a packed grandstand greeted racers during day two action the 6th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals.

Like day one, Mike Peterson took the early lead during action in the WISSOTA Super Stock finale. Peterson used his familiar high line and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Sixth starter Cory Tammen immediately worked his way forward as he took over the second spot just six laps into the event. Jeff Kluver and Jon Stepan waged the most entertaining battle on the speedway for the third spot while Peterson was checked out, out front. Kluver would ultimately take the position from Stepan on a late double file start. Ashley Donald moved up six positions from his 12th starting spot to cap a great run in the sixth spot while Peterson took his second win in as many days out front. In the end it was Peterson ahead of Tammen, Kluver, Stepan, and Jason Vejtruba.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main was dominated by Holloway, MN driver Brian Haben. Haben took the lead from his outside row one starting position and was never seriously challenged during the 20-lap affair. The battle for the second spot was a good one between Shane Sabraski and Matt Weisman. The duo raced side by side for the better part of six laps before tenth starting Sabraski ultimately grabbed the position with three laps remaining. The story of the race, however, was Roscoe, MN driver Pete Loecken. Loecken, who started 19th, ended a beautiful run in the fourth position. Out front it was all Haben taking the win over Sabraski, Weisman, Loecken, and Steve Houle.

After driver introductions and a four wide salute to the fans, order was restored for the 60-lap, $7,000 to win Minnesota Modified Nationals A-main event. Travis Saurer and Dale Mathison led the 25-car starting field to the green as they lit the wick off of turn four. Mathison made a bonsai move for the inside of the Speedway but Saurer did not lift as he held the early advantage out front. Saurer continued to rail the high side and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. The top of the speedway looked to be the preferred line but Kelly Estey was on the march via the bottom groove. Estey worked the bottom of the speedway during the first 30 laps moving up ten positions up into seventh when the fuel stop took place on lap 30. At that point it was Mathison over Saurer, Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, and Dave Cain. After the teams refueled, Mathison once again took off into the lead. Mathison would lead the next thirteen circuits before popping over the banking in turn two giving the lead to Danzeisen in the process. Back in traffic, Don Eischens looked to have the strongest car on the speedway as He and Kelly Estey battled for the fifth spot. Eischens took the spot from Estey with ten laps remaining while Danzeisen was gone out front. Cain made some stellar moves moving up three positions into second while Shayne Laske looked very strong in third. With three laps up on the board, Laske took a peak to the inside of Cain for the second spot. Laske, however, received some bad luck as his machine began to slow on the final lap. Out front it was all Danzeisen as he took the win in convincing fashion over Cain. Jason Grimes moved up one position passed Laske after his machine finally stalled coming for the checkers while Eischens rounded out the top five. Estey, Thoennes, Shane Edgington, 23rd starter Josh Thoennes, and Craig Thatcher rounded out the top ten for the open wheel extravaganza.

From everyone at FYE Motorsports as well as the staff at Viking Speedway, We'd like to thank all the fans, pit crew members, sponsors, and drivers that came out to make the Minnesota Modified Nationals a success. Please check back to
vikingspeedway.net and fyemotorsports.com for further events.

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Scot Danzeisen, Dave Cain, Jason Grimes, Shayne Laske, Don Eischens, Kelly Estey, Jason Thoennes, Shane Edgington, Josh Thoennes, Craig Thatcher, Shane Sabraski, Trent Follmer, Darrell Nelson, Dale Mathison, Mike Storck, Matt Smith, Travis Saurer, Terry Engebretson, Andy Gordon, Erik Peterson, Nate Heinrich, Ryan Aho, Jeremy Houle, Jayme Lautigar, Jay McDonald
B-main 1- McDonald, Storck, Edgington, Peterson, Tofte
B-main 2- Sabraski, Estey, Lautigar, Jo Thoennes, Heinrich
B-main 3- Smith, Aho, Eischens, Houle, Christiansen
LCQ- Heinrich, Christiansen, Tofte, Canon, Holtan

WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Mike Peterson, Cory Tammen, Jeff Kluver, Jon Stepan, Jason Vejtruba, Ashley Donald, Steve Beach, Irvin Cook, Matt Miller, Terry Merten, Andy Bangsund, Cody Lee, Ron Host, Dave Read, Patrick Heikkinen, Cale Berry, Jeff Flaten, Jeff Crouse, Jeremiah Passow
Heat 1- Crouse, Host, Flaten, Read, Kluver, Beach, Passow, Bangsund, Miller, Merten
Heat 2- Vejtruba, Peterson, Tammen, Stepan, Lee, Donald, Cook, Berry, Heikkinen

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Brian Haben, Shane Sabraski, Matt Weisman, Pete Loecken, Steve Houle, Travis Saurer, Ron Saurer, Jason VandeKamp, Nick Bruder, Darrin Braaten, Ryan Schleusner, Scott Gill, Travis Vanderby, Brett Hoium, Dustin Bitzan, Troy Berends, Brady Gerdes, Josh Muzik, Marshal Tofte, Jason Hoffman, Matt Suckow, Jeff Marshall, Skeeter Estey, William Lund
Heat 1- T. Saurer, Muzik, Schleusner, Hoium, Estey, Gill, Bruder, Laage, Olson
Heat 2- Haben, Suckow, Sabraski, VandeKamp, Hoffman, Tofte, Reents, Johnson, Krahn
Heat 3- Berends, R. Saurer, Gerdes, Vanderby, Loecken, Werk, Greeley, Blascyk, Quinn
Heat 4- Houle, Weisman, Braaten, Marshall, Lund, Bitzan, Berg, Spanswick
B-main 1- Tofte, Bitzan, Gill, Bruder, Greeley

Saurer takes the qualifier during night one at Viking
By Ray Beste
Alexandria, MN (July 2nd, 2010) - Travis Saurer earned the right to sit on the outside pole for Saturday night's $7,000 to win main event by taking the win in the WISSOTA Modified Qualifying Feature Friday night at Viking Speedway. In other action, Mike Peterson reigned victorious in the WISSOTA Super Stock division while Thunder Bay, ONT traveler Jeff Marshall drove a flawless race on his way to victory in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified division. Fans, drivers, and pit crew members alike from all over WISSOTA country convened at the steeply banked 1/2 mile located on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, MN.

The WISSOTA Super Stocks were first on the card with Mike Peterson taking the early lead. The action was hot and heavy early on with drivers battling for position all over the speedway. A scary crash that occurred down the backstretch took place eight laps into the event which claimed the run of several drivers. Everyone was okay with Peterson continuing on out front. Jon Stepan and Cory Tammen battled hard for the second spot during the remainder of the event with Stepan ultimately winning the battle. Back in traffic, Winnipeg, MB traveler Ashley Donald moved up 12 spots during the duration of the A-main starting 22nd and finishing 10th. In the end it was Peterson taking the win ahead of Stepan, Tammen, Ron Host, and Cody Lee.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main featured a great battle between three of the best in the business. Jeff Marshall took the early lead while Shane Sabraski and Travis Saurer were left to do battle for second. Sabraski worked the bottom with Saurer up on the shelf. Marshall continued to lead out front with Saurer moving by Sabraski for the second spot nine laps into the event. Saurer quickly closed up on the backside of Marshall for the top spot while a myriad of cautions halted action nearing the midway point of the race. On the restart, Marshall began to distance himself from the field with Saurer holding in second. Back in traffic, Brian Haben had a nice run moving up nine positions during the event taking home a nice sixth place finish. Marshall stretched his advantage in the remaining laps and went on to take the win. Saurer continued his run of consistent finishes coming home second ahead of Sabraski, Matt Weisman, and Princeton, MN legend Ron Jones.

Dale Mathison and Travis Saurer shared the front row starting duties for the WISSOTA Modified Qualifying A-main. Saurer took the lead from the outset with Mathison settling into second. Seventh starter Jason Thoennes worked the bottom of the speedway during the 25-lap event moving up three positions into second while the rest of the field worked the top. Scot Danzeisen used a couple of nice moves to move up four positions during qualifying action coming home sixth. In the end, however, it was Saurer turning in a dominating performance taking the win. Mathison settled into a groove taking home second ahead of Craig Thatcher, Thoennes and eighth starter Jason Grimes. Saurer picked the outside pole for Saturday night's $7,000 to win A-main which would give the pole to Dale Mathison.
SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Qualifying Feature- Travis Saurer, Dale Mathison, Craig Thatcher, Jason Thoennes, Jason Grimes, Scot Danzeisen, Dave Cain, Andy Gordon, Darrell Nelson, Terry Engebretson, Shayne Laske, Trent Follmer
Heat 1- Gordon, Alexander, Cain, Lund, Edgington, Eischens, Storck, Holtan, Gulbrandson, Romdalvik
Heat 2- Mathison, Sabraski, Danzeisen, Tofte, Davis, Lemke, Thoennes, Schroeder, Blascyk, Paul
Heat 3- Follmer, Aho, Saurer, Estey, Lautigar, Houle, Sertich, Sersha, Jeff Broking, Canon
Heat 4- Engebretson, Smith, Nelson, Peterson, Wildman, Gierke, Wilms, Koehntop, Greer
Heat 5- Thatcher, Thoennes, Bitzan, Noble, Wieberdink, Strand, Heikkinen, Ron Jones, Jensen
Heat 6- Grimes, McDonald, Laske, Christiansen, Heinrich, Bayer, Dykstra, Carpenter, Olson

WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Mike Peterson, Jon Stepan, Cory Tammen, Ron Host, Cody Lee, Jason Vejtruba, Jeff Flaten, Jeff Kluver, Jeff Crouse, Ashley Donald, Dave Read, Terry Merten, Irvin Cook, Alan Johnson, Patrick Heikkinen, Andrew Bangsund, Jeremiah Passow, Andy Hofteig, Dominic Baker, Jim Gullikson, Travis Forcier, Frank Fabio, Matt Miller, Don Eischens
Heat 1- Eischens, Stepan, Tammen, Forcier, Vejtruba, Merten, Johnson, Donald
Heat 2- Flaten, Lee, Miller, Bangsund, Fabio, Passow, Heikkinen, Read
Heat 3- Peterson, Hofteig, Host, Crouse, Baker, Kluver, Gullikson, Cook

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Jeff Marshall, Travis Saurer, Shane Sabraski, Matt Weisman, Ron Jones, Brian Haben, Austin Arneson, Brett Hoium, Brady Gerdes, Steve Houle, Jason VandeKamp, Skeeter Estey, Jason Hoffman, Randy Laage, Dustin Bitzan, Scott Gill, Nick Bruder, Ryan Schleusner, Kyle Reents, Todd Berg, William Lund, Josh Muzik, Pete Loecken, Marshal Tofte
Heat 1- T. Saurer, Jones, Hoffman, Reents, Bitzan, Muzik, Laage, Werk, VandeKamp
Heat 2- Arneson, Gerdes, Tofte, Bruder, Gill, Vanderby, Krahn, Johnson, Olson
Heat 3- Weisman, Sabraski, Lund, Haben, Berg, Quinn, Braaten, Blascyk
Heat 4- Marshall, Hoium, Houle, Loecken, Estey, Schleusner, Spanswick, Berends
B-main 1- Muzik, Laage, VandeKamp, Schleusner, Quinn

 

6th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals: Bigger and Better than Ever!

Twin 30’s On Tap In 2010
May 7th 2010 – St. Cloud, Minnesota (Prepared by FYE Motorsports Promotions)

2010’s highest paying and most prestigious WISSOTA Modified event in the entire Midwest is fast approaching and promises to be an event fans of all ages will not want to miss. The 6th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals will once again be held at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN and is set to take place on Friday and Saturday, July 2nd & 3rd 2010 with an open practice night on Thursday, July 1st and an inclement weather date of Sunday, July 4th if necessary.

As usual, the event will see each Modified racer draw for his or her starting position on Friday night for a scheduled set of 8 heat races. The winner of each heat race will automatically redraw for the top 16 starting spots in Friday night’s qualifying feature just as we have done in previous years. This year, just like past events, will be the fact that we will use passing points to qualify the second set of 8 drivers into the qualifying feature on Friday night. How this will work is the driver that is highest in passing points in each individual heat race will qualify for the main event and will also redraw for starting spots 1-16. Just as we have done in the past, the finish from the qualifying feature will determine the top 8 rows for Saturday night’s main event.

Another change that we began several years ago and will continue in 2010 is that we will allow the defending race champion one extra opportunity to put himself into the feature event on Saturday night. This program will work this way: If the defending champion, who happens to be Clearwater, Minnesota driver Dale Mathison, does not win his heat race and happens not to be one of the passing points leaders after heat race competition is over with, we will allow Mr. Mathison to start 17th in Friday night’s 25-lap qualifying feature if he so chooses. Dale must then race his way up into the top three finishing positions of the qualifying feature and if he does that he will secure a guaranteed spot in Saturday night’s main event. If Dale chooses to tag the rear of the qualifying feature and gets up to third or better, he will be guaranteed to start 26th in the $7,000 to win / $700 to start main event on Saturday, but will still be allowed to compete in the qualifying events (c-features, b-features and last chance race) on Saturday to better his starting spot if he so chooses. This not only gives some recognition to the defending champion each year, but it will also give the fans something additional to watch in the qualifying feature on Friday night.

Mathison mentioned ‘Winning the Mod Nationals last year meant a lot to our team. It was our biggest career win by far, both in money won and prestige. There is no better show around for the Modifieds and obviously winning the seven grand meant a lot because there is nowhere else to race for that kind of money! – We will definitely be back to try to become the first 2-time Mod Nationals champion this year.’

The other change to the Modified portion of the show a couple of years ago was that the $7,000 to win feature event on Saturday night was raised to 50 laps instead of the previous 40. Drivers and fans alike loved this change, so with this being the sixth running of the Mod Nationals, event organizers have decided to up the ante again and run this year’s Mod Nationals a-main to 60 laps for the 2010 version of the Mod Nationals. A mandatory fuel stop will take place on lap 30, creating a unique twin thirty lap scenario.

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan commented “The Mod Nationals have been amazing events the past five years with intense racing action and fivedifferent winners over the first five seasons. This year should be no different as I expect the area’s best Mod guys to be out in full force to try to claim the biggest winner’s payday in the Midwest.”

Midwest Modifieds and Super Stocks will be on the card as a support class and will run a complete $500 to win show each night of the Mod Nationals just as they did a year ago. Both support classes will utilize the draw/redraw format each day.

A huge city of Alexandria fireworks display will take place on Saturday night, July 3rd immediately following the conclusion of the 60-lap feature.

The Mod Nationals have never had a repeat winner in the $7,000 to win event. Jason Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Dave Cain, Steve Arpin and Dale Mathison have etched their names into the history books thus far in the five year history of the Mod Nationals.

Nate Heinrich and Shane Sabraksi have won the Midwest Modified portion of the Mod Nationals on two separate occasions, with Danny Bayer, Josh Thoennes, Dallas Gulbrandson, Jeremy Kerzman, Travis Saurer and Dave Schroeder each also claiming a Midwest Modified feature win at the Mod Nationals over the past five seasons.

Jason VandeKamp, Corey Rosen, Dave Rohweder, Scott Paulson, Shawn Wageman and Scott Huston have each captured a Street Stock victory at the Modified Nationals as well over the 3 seasons that the Streeters were a part of the show.

And last, but not least, Jon Stepan and Dave Mass were victorious in the Super Stock portions of the Mod Nationals last season, the first season that the Super Stocks were in action during the Mod Nationals.

Come out to Alexandria and spend the 4th of July holiday weekend witnessing some of the fastest motorsports action around! For more information, please call Chris at (715) 497-8916, check out
www.fyemotorsports.com or email clsracer@hotmail.com.


The new Hampton Inn & Suites will once again serve as the official host hotel for the 6th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals promoted by FYE Motorsports at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN in 2010. The new Hampton Inn & Suites is located at 2705 South Broadway Street in Alexandria, MN and offers a complimentary hot breakfast, indoor pool, whirlpool, state of the art fitness center, wired/wireless high speed internet, a microwave and refrigerator in all guest rooms. The hotel is also conveniently located next to Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill, Garden Center Lanes, the Viking Plaza Mall and Cinema 9 Theatre.  

The special discounted rate that has been set aside for this event is a whopping 25% off of a regular standard rate at only $104.95/night. The management of the Hampton Inn feels confident that the racers/fans will enjoy their experience at the new Hampton Inn & Suites. 

Racers and fans alike can make reservations for the 6th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals, which will be held on July 1st, 2nd, & 3rd 2010 by calling the hotel directly at (320) 763-3360 and mentioning the room block for the Mod Nationals. FYE Motorsports would like to welcome back the Hampton Inn & Suites as the continued host hotel for the Mod Nationals!


2009 Photo Gallery

Night 2 - Mathison pockets 7k at Viking

By Ray Beste
Alexandria, Mn (July 4th, 2009) - Clearwater, Mn hotshoe Dale Mathison became the fifth different driver in the past five seasons to win the Annual $7,000 to win Minnesota Modified Nationals at Viking Speedway. Mathison collected the win during qualifying action on Friday night which put him on the pole for the 50-lap A-main. Princeton, Mn driver Dave Mass picked up a mighty impressive win in WISSOTA Super Stock action while Travis Saurer held off a hard charging Jeff Marshall to pocket the $500 win in WISSOTA Midwest Modified competition. The capacity crowd at Viking witnessed some tremendous two and three wide racing during day two of Amsoil Dirt Track Series Racing held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, Mn.

Like night one, the WISSOTA Super Stocks got the feature festivities underway with Mike Peterson and Dave Mass battling for the point early on. Mass finally grabbed the advantage while eighth starter Don Eischens began to move forward. Eischens had successfully moved up five spots while the cross flags waving over the field on lap ten. A scary incident involving Jon Stepan and Mark Blom halted action during the midway part of the A-main. Stepan took a very hard hit but was okay as well as Blom. The two speedway regulars evenings were ended in the process. On the restart, Mass led over Peterson with Eischens in third. The Super Stocks had a hard time establishing a rhythm during their A-main so with seven laps remaining the checkered flags waved over the field. Mass scored the victory followed by Peterson, Eischens, Jeff Flaten and Todd Carter. Eischens, Flaten and Carter were the victors in WISSOTA Super Stock heat race action earlier in the program.

After the conclusion of the WISSOTA Super Stock A-main, speedway officials decided to blade the track to give the WISSOTA Modifieds to best opportunity to have a track that did not spot rubber. Driver introductions were held followed by a four-wide solute to the fans which sent chills up and down the bodies of the capacity crowd. Twenty-five American flags were held out the window as the 25-car field came down the front straightaway four wide. Order was restored after the classy gesture with Jason Grimes and Dale Mathison manning the front row starting duties. When the green flag dropped, Grimes blasted off into the early lead with Mathison holding the second spot. While most drivers worked the high side of the speedway, Trent Follmer found the bottom to his liking moving by Jason Thoennes and Scot Danzeisen early on taking the third spot in the process. The speedway was lightning fast as Grimes pedaled his Hughes Chassis to a half of a straightaway advantage sixteen laps into the event. The first yellow flag waved over the field after an incident in turn one occurred with several cars spinning to avoid damage. Mathison, like the night before was on the inside of row two along side of Follmer behind Grimes. Mathison got a great jump and once again made a bid for the lead in turn one. Grimes backed his machine into the cushion and pulled even with Mathison as they raced off of turn two. Mathison once again was able to steal the lead from Grimes while Follmer retired pitside with a broken rear axle shortly there after. When the fuel stop occurred on lap 25, Mathison was your new race leader. Head flagman Mike Commerford dropped the green over the field once again. This time it was more than apparent that Kelly Lake, Mn driver Kelly Estey was on the move. Estey entered each turn in the middle groove, while exiting the bottom. Estey moved into seventh with 15 laps remaining while Mathison was gone out front. Ninth starter Dennis Bitzan decided it was go time as well as his car looked strong cracking the top five with 15 to go. The yellow waved once again with sixteen laps remaining. They went back one lap which put Bitzan back in sixth. On the restart, Estey got a great jump as He and Bitzan used the bottom of the speedway to move up to positions three and four in the process. Bitzan and Estey now ignited a great battle for the third spot. Estey used the middle of the speedway once again to disposed of Bitzan for the third spot with eleven to go while Grimes did his best to reel in Mathison. Grimes with ten laps remaining inched closer and closer to Mathison. Blooming Prairie, Mn legend Mark Noble began to come on during the ladder stages of the event as well. After starting 22nd, Noble entered the top ten with seven laps remaining. Bitzan executed a power move on Estey for the third spot with seven laps remaining while Gillette, WY driver Tony Leiker began to come alive. Leiker moved by Thoennes for the fifth spot with three laps remaining and quickly began to catch the backside of Estey for fourth. On the final trip around Leiker ventured to the top shelf in an attempt overtake Estey for the fourth spot. Estey, however, slammed the door and held the position. On the final trip around Mathison made no mistakes and went on to score the biggest win of his racing career. Grimes, who established himself as a person to be reckoned with, had an unbelievable run coming home second ahead of Bitzan, Estey and Leiker.

The final event of the evening belonged to the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds with two of the best in the business on the front row. Travis Saurer and Brock Gronwold brought the 24-car field around as the green flag dropped. Saurer got a good jump and beat Gronwold to turn one taking the opening lap advantage. Gronwold settled into second before immediately receiving pressure from Jeff Marshall. Tenth starter Brett Hoium looked strong early on as well using the high side of the speedway to move into the top five. Ron Jones looked as if he might have the car to beat during the middle stages of the event as He and Brock Gronwold battled for the third spot. Gronwold and Jones made contact on the frontstretch which ended Jones night in the process. The yellow would bunch up the field behind Saurer for the Delaware double-filer restart. Marshall once again moved into second with Gronwold in third being flanked by Hoium. Fifth starter Jason VandeKamp used the final restart to his advantage as he pedaled his #16 machine around the extreme high side of the speedway. VandeKamp made the pass for third spot on the white flag lap. Marshall tried everything in his arsenal to overtake Saurer for the lead but it was not enough as Travis went on to score the victory. Marshall, VandeKamp, Gronwold and Jason Hoffman rounded out the top five running order for the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds. Shane Sabraski was the hard charger of the event starting in the 22nd position and finishing ninth.

Viking Speedway officials as well as the staff at FYE Motorsports would like to thank all the drivers, fans and pit-crew members that made the 5th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals a success. This Tuesday night Viking Speedway will once again host a special event when the Dart Challenge Series and Governor's Ethanol Challenge competitors make their year stop at the high-banked 1/2 mile located in Alexandria, Mn. For more information log onto vikingspeedway.net

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Dale Mathison, Jason Grimes, Dennis Bitzan, Kelly Estey, Tony Leiker, Jason Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Ricky Weiss, Mark Noble, Mark Noble, JJ Schuelke, Craig Thatcher, Dave Cain, Joey Jensen, Andy Gordon, Jason Voigt, Danny Bayer, Scot Danzeisen, Darrell Nelson, Steve Arpin, Scott Gilbertson, Mitch Johnson, Jason Miller, Trent Follmer, Ron Jones, Brad Waits
Heat 1- Leiker, Grimes, Schuelke, Dave Storck, Alexander, Matt Gilbertson, Saurer, Anderson, Eischens, Justin Elmer
Heat 2- Johnson, Nelson, Thatcher, Greer, Ostrander, Duval, Gulbrandson, McDonald, Staff, Blascyk
Heat 3- Weiss, Gordon, Lund, Jones, Koehntop, Edginton, Gierke, Smith, Crouse, Splitstoesser
Heat 4- Mathison, Jensen, Danzeisen, Engebretson, Loveday, Estey, Engelstad, Tofte, Schroeder, Esala
Heat 5- Arpin, Voigt, Cain, Bayer, Gilbertson, Lemke, Mike Storck, Rosser, Hanson
Heat 6- Thoennes, Sabraski, Bitzan, Berry Christiansen, Canon, Jacobson, Romdalvik, VandeKamp
Heat 7- Waits, Follmer, Miller, Noble, Richardson, Wildman, Lavesseur, Nayes, Dykstra
B-main 1- Jones, Schuelke, Sabraski, Miller, Gilbertson
B-main 2- Jensen, Estey, Cain, Noble, Bayer
Last Chance Qualifier - Nelson

WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Dave Mass, Mike Peterson, Don Eischens, Jeff Flaten, Todd Carter, Jason Vejtruba, Larr Lund, Irvin Cook, Cory Tammen, Alan Johnson, Jeremy Jerve, Jeff Hapala, Bryan Hellerman, Dominic Baker, Dusty Peterson, Ashley Donald, Cody Lee, Todd Hauer, Matt Miller, JB Stortz, Jeff Crouse, Jeff Kluver, Bob Holtquist, Mark Blom, Jon Stepan
Heat 1- Eischens, Crouse, Tammen, Stepan, Kluver, Lee, Donald, Peterson, Hapala
Heat 2- Flaten, Vejtruba, Peterson, Lund, Blom, Miller, Hellerman, Holtquist
Heat 3- Carter, Mass, Stortz, Cook, Jerve, Baker, Johnson, Hauer

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Travis Saurer, Jeff Marshall, Jason VandeKamp, Brock Gronwold, Jason Hoffman, Brett Hoium, Jeremy Kerzman, Skeeter Estey, Shane Sabraski, Josh Thoennes, William Lund, Matt Suckow, Brendan Blascyk, Wes Hines, Brooke Hellerman, Ryan Studanski, Travis Vanderby, Scott Gill, Pete Loecken, Ron Jones, Nate Barber, Derek Quinn, Jeremy Houle, Shawn Olson
Heat 1- Gronwold, Marshall, Jones, Quinn, Studanski, Sobolik, Craig, Soderstrom, Haben, Czech
Heat 2- T. Saurer, Kerzman, Thoennes, Lund, Braaten, Pew, Brenny, Caul, Wolkowski
Heat 3- Estey, Hoffman, Hines, Barber, Gill, Sabraski, Greeley, Carter, Bitzan
Heat 4- Suckow, Vanderby, Hellerman, Loecken, Olson, Schmidt, Kuhnau, Weisman, Thorstad
Heat 5- VandeKamp, Hoium, Houle, Blascyk, Smith, Tofte, R. Saurer, Mensen, Anderson
B-main 1- Gill, Studanski, Smith, Haben, Bitzan
B-main 2- Sabraski, Olson, Tofte, Sobolik, Czech
Night 1 - Mathison dominates Minnesota Modified Nationals at Viking

By Ray Beste
2009 Photo Gallery

Alexandria, Mn (July 3rd, 2009) - Dale Mathison captured the win during the 25-lap qualifying feature Friday night at Viking Speedway. After the race Mathison chose the outside of row one for Saturday night's $7,000 to win main event. Jon Stepan continued his great season with a win in the WISSOTA Super Stock division while Jeremy Kerzman tallied a mighty impressive win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified action. Sixty-seven WISSOTA Modifieds checked into the back gate for some great Amsoil Dirt Track Series racing during night one action at the 5th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals.

The night got underway with the WISSOTA Super Stock main event. Pole-sitter Don Eischens looked to be the car to beat early on before a left year flat made him retire pitside. That handed the lead over to Jon Stepan. Stepan remained smooth out front while a few drivers began to make thier moves from deep in the back. Eighteenth and final starter Cory Tammen sliced and diced his way through the field entering the top five with four laps remaining. Tammen was able to move up one more position in the remaining laps ending a great run in fourth. Like Tammen, Annandale's Shawn Nolan used a fast racecar to move up nine positions from his row seven starting spot ending a great run in fifth. In the end, however, it was Stepan picking up his second Viking Speedway victory of the season. Jeff Kluver, Jeff Crouse, Tammen and Nolan joined Stepan in the top five while Matt Miller moved up eleven positions to finish. sixth. Stepan and Eischens were victorious in heat race action for the WISSOTA Super Stocks.

Although it took him a few laps to get to the front, Grey Eagle, Mn mudslinger Jeremy Kerzman dominated Friday night's WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main from his 5th starting position. Great battles could be found all over the speedway but the main attraction was Travis Saurer's charge from deep in the field. After sneaking into the main event through a B-main, Saurer began the event in the 21st starting position. Through a bit of attrition and a very fast racecar Saurer entered the top ten with seven laps still up on the board. Saurer used his familiar diamond maneuver to dispose of most of his rivals while most of the drivers ran the high side of the speedway. Saurer made his final pass on the last trip around ending a beautfiul run in the sixth position. Thunder Bay, Ont pilot Jeff Marshall pressured Kerzman during various times in the event but was never able to overtake Jeremy for the lead. Out front it was all Kerzman as he went on to score the mighty impressive feature triumph. Marshall settled for a hard fought second with Brian Haben third, Josh Thoennes fourth and Princeton, Mn legend Ron Jones fifth. Forty-Six WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds signed in for battle with heat race wins being collected by Jamie Thorstad, Haben, Marshall, Thoennes and Kerzman. The division also feature two B-mains with Travis Saurer and Canadian driver Brady Caul collecting victories in those events.

The final event of the evening belonged to the WISSOTA Modifieds for their 25-lap qualifying A-main. Jason Grimes took the early lead while he fended off charges from Scot Danzeisen. The two fought tooth and nail ahead of the rest of the field while Mathison and Trent Follmer began to join the fray. The caution waved with eleven laps remaining which put Danzeisen and Mathison in the second row behind race leading Grimes. As the entered turn one, Mathison made a banzai move to the bottom of the speedway in turn one. Grimes smashed the loud pedal and pulled even with Mathison as the duo raced door to door down the backstretch. Mathison drove it in deep into turn three taking the lead in the process. Grimes and Danzeisen picked up where they left off and ignited a battle once again, this time for the second position. Jason Thoennes looked strong during the ladder stages of the event as he passed Follmer for the fourth spot with one lap still remaining up on the board. Craig Thatcher, Tony Leiker and Steve Arpin battled for the sixth position with Thatcher ultimately taking seizing hold of the position with four laps remaining. On the final trip around Mathison made no mistakes and went on to score the A-main Qualifying feature victory. Grimes in his new Hughes Chassis turn a lot of heads with a great second place finish followed by Danzeisen, Thoennes and Follmer. The sixty-seven Modifieds were divided into seven heat races with wins being collected by Leiker, Mitch Johnson, Ricky Weiss, Mathison, Arpin, Thoennes and two-time and defending USRA Modified national champion Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Mn.

Saturday's program would feature C and B-mains, the last chance qualifier and the 50-lap A-main finale for the WISSOTA Modifieds as well as a full program for the WISSOTA Super Stocks and WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds once again.

SUMMARY:

Qualifying Feature:
Feature- Dale Mathison, Jason Grimes, Scot Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Trent Follmer, Craig Thatcher, Tony Leiker, Steve Arpin, Dennis Bitzan, Ricky Weiss, Jason Voigt, Brad Waits, Mitch Johnson, Andy Gordon
Heat 1- Leiker, Grimes, Schuelke, Dave Storck, Alexander, Matt Gilbertson, Saurer, Anderson, Eischens, Justin Elmer
Heat 2- Johnson, Nelson, Thatcher, Greer, Ostrander, Duval, Gulbrandson, McDonald, Staff, Blascyk
Heat 3- Weiss, Gordon, Lund, Jones, Koehntop, Edginton, Gierke, Smith, Crouse, Splitstoesser
Heat 4- Mathison, Jensen, Danzeisen, Engebretson, Loveday, Estey, Engelstad, Tofte, Schroeder, Esala
Heat 5- Arpin, Voigt, Cain, Bayer, Gilbertson, Lemke, Mike Storck, Rosser, Hanson
Heat 6- Thoennes, Sabraski, Bitzan, Berry Christiansen, Canon, Jacobson, Romdalvik, VandeKamp
Heat 7- Waits, Follmer, Miller, Noble, Richardson, Wildman, Lavesseur, Nayes, Dykstra

WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Jon Stepan, Jeff Kluver, Jeff Crouse, Cory Tammen, Shawn Nolan, Matt Miller, Irvin Cook, Jeff Flaten, Larry Lund, Frank Fabio, Ashley Donald, Alan Johnson, Bryan Hellerman, Jason Vejtruba, Mark Blom, Mike Peterson, Cody Lee, Don Eischens
Heat 1- Stepan, Blom, Fabio, Crouse, Peterson, Lee, Johnson, Donald, Miller
Heat 2- Eischens, Kluver, Vejtruba, Flaten, Lund, Hellerman, Nolan, Cook, Tammen

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Jeremy Kerzman, Jeff Marshall, Brian Haben, Jason Thoennes, Ron Jones, Travis Saurer, Jason VandeKamp, Marshall Tofte, Shane Sabraski, Ron Saurer, Jason Hoffman, Ryan Mikkelson, Darrin Braaten, Matt Suckow, Skeeter Estey, Shawn Olson, Brady Caul, William Lund, Jamie Thorstad, Dustin Bitzan, Jeremy Houle, Mike Gibson, Brett Hoium, Brian Krog
Heat 1- Thorstad, Gibson, VandeKamp, Hoffman, Olson, Estey, Anderson, Studanski, Berends
Heat 2- Haben, Tofte, Houle, Braaten, Caul, Wolkowski, Sobolik, Hellerman, Johnson
Heat 3- Marshall, Krog, Suckow, Lund, Scott, Vanderby, Greeley, Mensen, Tomford
Heat 4- Thoennes, Bitzan, R. Saurer, Mikkelson, Muzik, Hines, Schmidt, Craig, Loecken
Heat 5- Kerzman, Jones, Sabraski, Hoium, T. Saurer, Gill, Merten, Quinn, Blascyk
B-main 1- T. Saurer, Olson, Blascyk, Tomford
B-main 2- Caul, Estey, Studanski, Muzik, Sobolik


5th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals: Looking Fine In ’09!
February 19th 2009 – St. Cloud, Minnesota (Prepared by FYE Motorsports Promotions)

St. Cloud, Minnesota based FYE Motorsports’ first promoted special event of 2009 will be the 5th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals, which will be on the slate for Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th with a rain date for Sunday, July 5th at 1pm if necessary and an open practice session on Thursday, July 2nd from 6pm to 9pm at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minnesota.

This year’s biggest paying Modified event in the entire Midwest will see each Modified racer draw for his or her starting position on Friday night for a scheduled set of 8 heat races. The winner of each heat race will automatically redraw amongst themselves for the top 8 starting spots in Friday night’s qualifying feature just as we have done in previous years. This year, just like the 2007 and 2008 events, will be the fact that we will use passing points to qualify the second set of 8 drivers into the qualifying feature on Friday night. How this will work is the driver that is highest in passing points in each individual heat race will qualify for the main event and will redraw amongst themselves for starting spots 9-16. Just as we have done in the past, the finish from the qualifying feature will determine the top 8 rows for Saturday night’s main event.

Another change that we began in 2007 and will continue in ‘09 is that we will allow the defending race champion one extra opportunity to put himself into the feature event on Saturday night. This program will work this way: If the defending champion, who happens to be Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada driver Steve Arpin, does not win his heat race and happens not to be one of the passing points leaders after heat race competition is over with, we will allow Mr. Arpin to start 17th in Friday night’s 25-lap qualifying feature if he so chooses. Steve must then race his way up into the top three finishing positions of the qualifying feature and if he does that he will secure a guaranteed spot in Saturday night’s main event. If Steve chooses to tag the rear of the qualifying feature and gets up to third or better, he will be guaranteed to start 26th in the $7,000 to win / $700 to start main event on Saturday, but will still be allowed to compete in the qualifying events (c-features, b-features and last chance race) on Saturday to better his starting spot if he so chooses. This not only gives some recognition to the defending champion each year, but it will also give the fans something additional to watch in the qualifying feature on Friday night.

The other change to the Modified portion of the show a couple of years ago was that the $7,000 to win feature event on Saturday night was raised to 50 laps instead of the previous 40. Drivers and fans alike have asked for this change, so the 50 laps will remain a part of the ’09 version of the Mod Nationals. A mandatory fuel stop will take place on lap 25.

Again in 2009, each of the 8 heat winners will receive a $100 cash bonus courtesy of Duluth, MN based Como Oil & Propane.

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan commented “The Mod Nationals have been amazing events the past four years with intense racing action and three different winners over the first three seasons. This year should be no different as I expect the area’s best Mod guys to be out in full force to try to claim the biggest winner’s payday in the Midwest.”

Midwest Modifieds will be on the card as a support class and will run a complete $500 to win show each night of the Mod Nationals just as they did a year ago.

One final change to the program will see the fact that WISSOTA Super Stocks will be on the card with a full program each night racing for $500 to win as well. The Street Stocks have put on great shows over the past several seasons at the Mod Nationals, but with the declining numbers in the area and the fact that the Super Stocks have sat patiently in the wings waiting for the opportunity, both played into the change being made. Both support classes will utilize the draw/redraw format each day.

A huge city of Alexandria fireworks display will take place on Saturday night, July 4th immediately following the conclusion of the 50-lap feature.

The Mod Nationals have never had a repeat winner in the $7,000 to win event. Jason Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Dave Cain and Steve Arpin have etched their names into the history books thus far in the four year history of the Mod Nationals.

Nate Heinrich and Shane Sabraksi have won the Midwest Modified portion of the Mod Nationals on two separate occasions, with Danny Bayer, Josh Thoennes, Dallas Gulbrandson and Dave Schroeder each also claiming a Midwest Modified feature win at the Mod Nationals over the past four seasons.

Jason VandeKamp, Corey Rosen, Dave Rohweder, Scott Paulson, Shawn Wageman and Scott Huston have each captured a Street Stock victory at the Modified Nationals as well over the past 3 seasons that the Streeters have been a part of the show.

Come out to Alexandria and spend the 4th of July holiday weekend witnessing some of the fastest motorsports action around! For more information, please call Chris at (715) 497-8916, check out
www.fyemotorsports.com or email clsracer@hotmail.com.


 
The new Hampton Inn & Suites has recently signed on as the official host hotel for both the 5th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals and the 7th annual Viking Fall Classic events promoted by FYE Motorsports at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN in 2009. The new Hampton Inn & Suites is located at 2705 South Broadway Street in Alexandria, MN and offers a complimentary hot breakfast, indoor pool, whirlpool, state of the art fitness center, wired/wireless high speed internet, a microwave and refrigerator in all guest rooms. The hotel is also conveniently located next to Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill, Garden Center Lanes, the Viking Plaza Mall and Cinema 9 Theatre.  

The special discounted rate that has been set aside for both events is a whopping 25% off of a regular standard rate at only $104.95/night. The management of the Hampton Inn feels confident that the racers/fans will enjoy their experience at the new Hampton Inn & Suites. 

Racers and fans alike can make reservations for the 5th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals, which will be held on July 2nd, 3rd & 4th 2009 and/or the 7th annual Viking Fall Classic, which will be held on October 8th, 9th & 10th 2009 by calling the hotel directly at (320) 763-3360 and mentioning the room block for the Mod Nationals and/or Fall Classic. FYE Motorsports would like to welcome the Hampton Inn & Suites as the new host hotel for the Mod Nationals and Fall Classic!


2008 Modified Nationals News & Notes

Like I have done in the past, I wanted to throw some of my thoughts surrounding this past weekend’s 4th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals on paper, so here goes…

Weather: Mother Nature sure smiled on us this past weekend, we had a brief (but very scary) rain shower during the fuel stop on Saturday night, it was sure great not to have to worry about anything concerning the weather all weekend. Thanks again mom :-)

Car Counts: For the first time since the 1
st event in 2005, the car count went up, as we had a total of 65 Modifieds (63 competed in the event as 2 did not return after practice night) on hand, with the quality of absolutely amazing with drivers from MN, WI, ND, SD and 2 Canadian provinces on hand for the weekend.

Long Tows: Modified racer Jess Beckett threw Mike Kress’s Midwest Modified into his trailer and the duo hauled from Rapid City, South Dakota this year. Jeff Marshall made the long trip from Thunder Bay, Ontario in his Midwest Modified and Adam Burrows towed all the way from Belgrade, Montana in his #18b Street Stock.

Track Prep: The Viking Speedway staff deserves a HUGE thumbs up for the fantastic racing surface we had all weekend. With 90+* temps and wind all weekend, it could have been a dry, dusty, rubbered up track, but the 2 new tiller machines, along with a lot of water and some TLC by the track prep guys provided one of the best tracks I have ever seen at Viking for the second year in a row at the Mod Nationals.

Fans: Although the crowd was considerably smaller on Friday night than it has ever been on the first night ever before, the people surely came out on Saturday to see the big show on Saturday night and saw a fantastic 50-lapper and boy did they see one phenomenal show. If we can figure out a way to get the people to come out in force on the first night of this show in the future, it should be a tremendous success.

Hard Chargers: We had three drivers that passed twelve (12) cars in the feature event. Mark Noble, Ryan Aho and Corky Thomas all advanced a dozen positions from their original starting spot in the 50-lapper. That’s hard to do considering the quality of competition that was on the track in the main event.

Changes: I don’t for-see making any major changes to this event in the future. It seems to work out very well, so why fix something that isn’t broken? I have some small tweaks that I plan to look into over the winter, but for the most part the 5
th annual Mod Nationals should be along the same lines as this year’s version.

Surprises: Jason Voigt along with rookie Mod racers Brock Gronwold Brady Peterson and Cory Crapser were among the drivers who qualified for the $7,000 to win event for the first time. Each year, we typically have a rookie in the field, but to have three of them this year was a nice surprise.

Bad Luck: Mark Esala blew up a motor in practice on Thursday night, forcing him to miss the remainder of the weekend. Midwest Modified racers Randy Vezina and Wes Hines also suffered motor issues in practice, which sidelined them for the weekend as well.

Winning Chassis: Larry Shaw Race Cars finally stopped the J-car stranglehold on the championships at the Mod Nationals. J-cars had won the first three years, but Steve Arpin in his Shaw by Arpin picked up the cool $7k this year and broke the streak.

Chassis Types: There were 10 J-cars in the 25-car starting field this year, along with 6 Larry Shaw Modifieds, 2 WRC Chassis, and 1 of each of the following: Perfect Chassis, Kraft Kars, Galloper Chassis, Elite Chassis, RCT Race Cars, Eagle Chassis and Fegers Race Cars. In addition, there were another 22 J-cars in attendance, 2 Elites, 1 Victory, 2 more Larry Shaws, 1 Hurricane, 1 WRC, 1 Eagle, 2 Gallopers, 1 Tracer, 1 Dirtworks, 1 GRT by SSR, 1 Skyrocket, 1 Wieberdink and 1 Jones in competition throughout the weekend.

Consistency: After the 4
th running of the Mod Nationals, only a trio of guys can boast that they have made the feature each of the 4 years that the event has been held. Arpin, Jason Thoennes and Craig Thatcher are the only three drivers that have been lucky and good enough to get into the feature all four seasons. Of those three guys, all three of them have an 8th place average over the four seasons, with both Arpin and Thoennes racing to a Mod Nationals victory. Arpin has finished 5th, 26th, 2nd and 1st over the four events, while Thoennes has finishes of 1st, 22nd, 8th an 4th and Thatcher has crossed the line 2nd, 20th, 5th and 8th over the 4 Mod Nationals thus far.

Winning Driver: Of course congratulations are in order for Steve Arpin and the 00 racing team. Steve has certainly won a lot of races over the years, but none bigger than this one. He certainly earned it after having to come from 10th to 2
nd in the Qualifying feature on Friday night, setting himself up to be on the front row for the big show on Saturday, which he lead basically from start to finish, but not without some serious pressure from Kelly Estey and Scot Danzeisen throughout the event.

Street Stocks: We had some of the top dogs in the Streeters here over the course of the weekend, putting on a great show. The Street Stock features each night were some of the best racing a person will see anywhere. The finish on Saturday night was amazing! Congrats to Shawn Wageman and Scott Paulson on their wins. Wagemen will earn a free entry into the John Seitz Memorial at the River Cities Speedway in
Grand Forks for being overall tops in points over the weekend.

Midwest Mods: As usual, Viking has a great group of Midwest Mod drivers and this weekend these guys put on a whale of a show. Congrats to Shane Sabraski and Josh Thoennes for heir $500 paydays. Sabraski will earn a free entry into the John Seitz Memorial at the River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks for being overall tops in points over the weekend.

Upcoming events: Don’t forget the next FYE promoted event at Viking will be the 6th annual Viking Fall Classic, which takes place on October 2
nd, 3rd & 4th. Practice will be Thursday night Oct. 2nd from 6-10 and racing action will be run on Friday & Saturday. Check out www.fyemotorspots.com  for all of the event info.

Overall it was a GREAT weekend once again. Thanks to the Viking Speedway staff, who as a whole are second to none to work with. Also thanks to the fans, drivers, volunteers, sponsors etx who come on board to make this weekend so great each season. The Mod Nationals will surely be better than ever in 2009, so stay tuned for event information to come soon.



Steve Arpin Victorious at 2008 Minnesota Modified Nationals!!


2008 Photo Gallery

By Ray Beste

Alexandria, Mn (July 5th, 2008) - Steve Arpin dominated Saturday night's 50-lap A-main picking up the $7,000 paycheck at Viking Speedway's 4th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals. Arpin's win broke Specialty Fabricating's streak as the Chassis Builder in victory lane. WISSOTA Midwest Modified driver Josh Thoennes picked up the victory in his division's feature event while Scott Paulson endured an unbelievable battle from Shawn Wageman and Cory Rosen to score the win in the WISSOTA Street Stocks. The weekend proved to be a successful one with drivers, fans and pit crew members alike coming out in droves for the annual event located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, Mn.

The WISSOTA Street Stocks were once again the first to get the call. Two of the best in the business in Scott Paulson and Cory Rosen shared the front row as the field stock up two by two behind. The green flag dropped with Paulson gaining a slight advantage off of turn two. Rosen and fourth starter Shawn Wageman wasted little time moving up to do battle with Paulson as the three danced three wide several times for an eight laps stretch. Rosen worked the bottom with Wageman in the middle and Paulson up top. The first three runners were unable to shake free and the trio continued their unbelievable battle for the lead. Tenth starter Jim Williams moved up six positions during the 15-lap affair while the aforementioned drivers continued to get after out front. Seventeenth starter Cory Tammen proved that his car was working well moving up eleven positions in just fifteen laps. Tammen could've used a late caution to see if he could've joined the fray out front. Rosen shook free from Wageman with two laps to go and tried everything he could to overtake Paulson. Paulson, however, held the groove out front and went on to score yet another Viking Speedway win. A hard fought second went to Rosen ahead of Wageman, Williams and Jason Babcock. Scott Horn and Paulson each scored heat race wins earlier in the evening for the WISSOTA Streets.

Speedway regular Brian Haben and Big Lake, Mn invader Karth Mitchell shared the front row starting duties for the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main. Haben took the early advantage from the get go while the field seen many great battles back in traffic. Josh Thoennes stole the lead from Haben on lap three using the high side in turn two which left Haben to do battle with Matt Suckow and Jeff Marshall. Suckow, who started third battled hard with Haben, with Haben eventually holding the spot. Eighth starter Shane Sabraski hung near the middle of the pack early on before making a huge charge late in the race. Sabraski cracked the top five with six laps remaining before disposing of Marshall, Suckow and Haben on restarts. The final yellow of the event waved with four laps remaining which would give Sabraski a chance at Thoennes. Thoennes continued to wheel his machine around the high side of the speedway and eventually went on to score the win. Sabraski had another great run in the second spot ahead of Haben, Suckow and the always hard charging Jeremy Kerzman. Haben, Suckow, Sabraski and Marshall were all victorious in WISSOTA Midwest Modified qualifying action earlier in the show while Brian Krog reigned victorious in the consi.

With all the events of the weekend in the books, the 25-car WISSOTA Modified field rolled out onto the speedway. 50- laps were put up on the board with a planned fuel stop on lap 20. Driver introductions were performed with each driver strapping into their respective machine. Kelly Estey and Steve Arpin brought the 25-car field off of turn four and it was underway. Arpin immediately grabbed the lead on the opening lap while the field stretched in tow. Zach Johnson held the third spot early on while Scot Danzeisen made some nice moves. Danzeisen cracked the top five just three laps in while Arpin was bolted to the speedway out front. Danzeisen was able to work his way past Scott Gilbertson and Johnson to take over the third spot twelves laps into the event while Arpin was on cruise control out front. Dave Cain moved up six positions early on finding himself in the fourth spot when the red/checkered flags waved on lap 20. When order was restored, Arpin once again cruised off to a comfortable advantage this time leaving Estey and Danzeisen to battle for the runner up spot. Danzeisen took the spot on lap 34, with Estey regaining the spot just two laps later. Blooming Prairie, Mn legend Mark Noble began to make his presence known with eighteen laps remaining as he wheeled by Jason Thoennes for the sixth spot. Thoennes, however, battled back and regained the spot just one lap later. Many hard charging efforts were found during the remaining laps while Arpin maintained a huge lead out front. Ryan Aho, Thatcher and Noble had made considerable ground on the field as they battled in an attempt to enter the top five. With five laps remaining the final yellow flag of the event hung over the field. On the restart, Thoennes was able to work to the outside of Cain moving into the fourth spot in the process. Ninteenth starter Aho was very impressive in his first ever Mod Nationals finishing second after disposing of Thatcher for the seventh spot with just two laps remaining. Out front it was all Arpin picking up his first ever Minnesota Modified Nationals title, as well as his first Viking Speedway victory. Scot Danzeisen had a mighty impressive run in the second spot ahead of Estey, Thoennes and Cain. The final eleven drivers that qualified through the B-mains and last chance qualifiers included: Joey Jensen, Mark Noble, Brock Gronwold, Shane Sabraski, Ryan AHo, Dale Mathison, Craig Thatcher, Jeff Hinkemeyer, JJ Schuelke, Corky Thomas and Blake Jegtvig.

FYE Motorsports and Viking Speedway would like to thank all the drivers, fans and pit crew members that made the 4th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals a success.

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Steve Arpin, Scot Danzeisen, Kelly Estey, Jason Thoennes, Dave Cain, Mark Noble, Ryan Aho, Craig Thatcher, Scott Gilbertson, Zach Johnson, Shane Sabraski, Corky Thomas, JJ Schuelke, Jason Voigt, Brock Gronwold, Shawn Peterson, Brady Peterson, Scott Tofte, Blake Jegtvig, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Cory Crapser, Trent Follmer, Don Eischens, Joey Jensen, Dale Mathison
B-main 1- Jensen, Noble, Gronwold, Beckett, Dale, Malmlov, Wildman, Gierke, Dave Storck, Tim Alexander
B-main 2- Sabraski, Aho, Mathison, Bayer, Thomas, Jacobson, Engebretson, Gordon, Schill, Delaine
B-main 3- Thatcher, Hinkemeyer, Schuelke, Gilbertson, Jegtvig, Ostrander, Staff, Canon, Gulbrandson, Nayes
Last Chance Qualifier- Thomas, Jegtvig

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Josh Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Brian Haben, Matt Suckow, Jeremy Kerzman, Jason VandeKamp, Jeff Marshall, Travis Saurer, Brendon Blascyk, Matt Smith, Cale Arneson, Dustin Bitzan, Todd Berg, Karth Mitchell, Gary Reents, Terry Merten, Brett Hoium, Korey Krafthefer, Brian Krog, Joe Schmidt, Marshal Tofte, Bob Smith, Skeeter Estey, Jason Hoffman
Heat 1- Haben, Bitzan, Smith, Merten, Hoium, Krog, Anderson, Loecken, Saurer
Heat 2- Suckow, Mitchell, VandeKamp, Arneson, Schmidt, Austin Arneson, Kress, Bluhm, Muzik
Heat 3- Sabraski, Thoennes, Kerzman, Saurer, Krafthefer, Blascyk, Kuhnau, Reents, Koehntop
Heat 4- Marshall, Hoffman, Estey, Berg, Tofte, Smith, Gary Reents, Lund, Anderson
B-main- Krog, Smith, Blascyk, Gary Reents, Kyle Reents

WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Scott Paulson, Cory Rosen, Shawn Wageman, Jim Williams, Jason Babcock, Cory Tammen, Mark Blom, Ryan Buer, Scott Horn, Adam Burrows, Scott Walker, Justin Vogel, Scott Huston, James Tandeski, Rick Sahli, Thad Jensen, Russ Carlson, Chuck Olson, Randy Laage, Andrew Bangsund
Heat 1- Horn, Burrows, Buer, Olson, Blom, Tandeski, Walker, Huston, Tammen, Vogel
Heat 2- Paulson, Wageman, Rosen, Babcock, Williams, Sahli, Laage, Jensen, Carlson, Bangsund
Wageman, Sabraski and Estey victorious on Night One of the 2008 Minnesota Modified Nationals
By Ray Beste

Alexandria, Mn (July 4th, 2008) - Kelly Estey helf off a mid-race challenge from Steve Arpin to pick up the qualifying feature during opening night action at the 4th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals. Estey chose to start Saturday night's $7,000 to win A-main from the pole which will put Arpin to his outside. Shane Sabraski continued his unbelievable streak of consistency picking up yet another win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified division while Shawn Wageman scored the win in the WISSOTA Street Stocks. 63 WISSOTA Modifieds checked into the backgate to do battle during Amsoil Dirt Track Series racing at Viking Speedway.

Ryan Buer and Rick Sahli manned the front row starting duties for the 15-lap WISSOTA Street Stock A-main. When head flagman Mike Commerford dropped the green, Buer coasted off into the lead. Shawn Wageman, Justin Vogel and Jason Babcock quickly made their way to the front. Buer held the lead while he endured heavy pressure from third row starting Wageman. Buer, Wageman and Vogel danced three wide a few times with Buer maintaining the advantage. With five laps to go, however, Buer pulled up laim in turn three with a broken right front. That handed the lead over to Wageman for the restart. Vogel and Babcock once again ignited a dual for the second spot with Vogel eventually gaining the advantage in the end. Scott Paulson and Jim Williams dueled door to door in the remaining laps with Paulson ultimately picking up the position. Out front it was Wageman scoring yet another Viking Speedway win and the $350 payday that goes with it. Wageman was followed to the line by Vogel, Babcock, Paulson and Williams. Williams, Wageman and Babcock were victorious in heat race action earlier in the program for the WISSOTA Street Stocks.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main was next on the docket with national point leader Shane Sabraski taking the early lead. Sabraski rocketed around the extreme high side of the speedway while tenth starter Josh Thoennes began his march toward the front. Through some crafty moves and good restart, Thoennes found himself up in third spot with six laps remaining. Thoennes was able to dispose of Travis Saurer in the latter stages of the event picking up the second spot for his efforts. Sixteenth starter Matt Smith made some nice moves during the duration of the event finishing a nice run in the eight position. Jeff Marshall and Brian Krog battled side by side for the final three laps before Krog ultimately stole the position on the final lap off of turn four. Sabraski wheeled his Specialty Fabricating machine around the high side of the speedway during the entire event scoring yet another feature win for his efforts. Thoennes moved up eight spots during the event coming home in second with Travis Saurer, Brian Krog and Jeff Marshall rounding out the top five. Four WISSOTA Midwest Modified heat races were held earlier in the evening with victories being collected by Jeremy Kerzman, Jeff Marshall, Brian Krog and Shane Sabraski. The division's lone B-main was won by Jason VandeKamp.

The final race of the night belonged to the WISSOTA Modifieds. With fourteen drivers locked into the A-main, they stacked up two by two with 25 laps put up on the board. Kelly Estey and WISSOTA Modified rookie Brady Peterson were aligned on the front row as the green flag dropped. Estey bolted off into the lead while Zach Johnson quickly moved into second. Outside row five starter Steve Arpin quickly cracked the top five just four laps in running the middle of the speedway. Row seven starters Jason Thoennes and Scot Danzeisen proved they would be a factor early on working their way through the field methodically. Aprin moved by Johnson for the second spot with eleven laps remaining and quickly began to pressure Estey for the lead. Estey worked the extreme high side of the speedway with Arpin rolling through the middle. With seven laps remaining, Arpin took a peak to the inside of Estey as the duo entered turn three. Estey, however, carried his top side momentum down the hill and still held the advantage. From that point on, Estey looked strong out front, eventually scoring the win. Danzeisen and Thoennes each moved up to 6th and 7th respectively during the 25-lap affair while Arpin came home second behind Estey. Johnson, Scott Gilbertson and Don Eischens rounded out the top five finishing order for the WISSOTA Modified qualifying feature. All seven heat race winners locked into the qualifier as well as the top seven in passing points. Eleven more drivers would still qualify for the main event on Saturday.

After the race was over, Estey chose the inside pole for the feature which would put Arpin on the outside of row one for Saturday night's $7,000 to win A-main. Day two would also feature another complete program for the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and WISSOTA Street Stocks.

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Qualifying Feature- Kelly Estey, Steve Arpin, Zach Johnson, Scott Gilbertson, Don Eischens, Scot Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Trent Follmer, Shawn Peterson, Dave Cain, Scott Tofte, Brady Peterson, Cory Crapser, Jason Voigt
Heat 1- Estey, Tofte, Jegtvig, Dev Malmlov, Mike Storck, Jason Schill, Jake Wildman, Shane Eddington, Brad Loveday
Heat 2- Danzeisen, Cain, Dennis Bitzan, Dallas Gulbrandson, Ross Romdalvik, Dano Ostrander, Jim Nystrom, Jim Chyba, Scott Greer
Heat 3- Follmer, S. Peterson, Ron Jones, Thatcher, Danny Bayer, Mark Hanson, Rick Delaine, Mark Froehlich, Paul Knauf
Heat 4- Arpin, Thoennes, Aho, Gronwold, Matt Anderson, Matt Gilbertson, Steve Pfeifer, Alan Olafson, Jess Beckett
Heat 5- B. Peterson, Eischens, Hinkemeyer, Rick Jacobson, Terry Engebretson, Mathison, Bob Gierke, Aaron Holtan, Duane Dale
Heat 6- Johnson, Sabraski, Jensen, Crapser, Noble, Ryan Canon, Jamie Lemke, Jake Hartung, Robert Hellebust
Heat 7- Gilbertson, Voigt, Dave Storck, Thomas, Tim Alexander, Schuelke, Andy Gordon, Bryan Nayes, Danny Staff

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Shane Sabraski, Josh Thoennes, Travis Saurer, Brian Krog, Jeff Marshall, Jason Hoffman, Brian Haben, Matt Smith, Marshal Tofte, Cale Arneson, Terry Merten, Korey Krafthefer, Brendon Blascyk, Kyle Reents, William Lund, Dustin Bitzan, Brett Hoium, Mike Kress, Joe Schmidt, Kyle Koehntop, Gary Reents, Skeeter Estey, Jeremy Kerzman, Jason VandeKamp
Heat 1- Kerzman, Arneson, Tofte, Bitzan, Kress, Koehntop, Logan Williams, Muzik
Heat 2- Marshall, Haben, Thoennes, Schmidt, Lund, Ron Saurer, Berg, Kyle Reents
Heat 3- Krog, Hoffman, Blascyk, Merten, Krafthefer, Mensen, Gary Reents, VandeKamp
Heat 4- Sabraski, Travis Saurer, Estey, Smith, Hoium, Tyler Anderson, Russ Anderson, Mitchell

WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Shawn Wageman, Justin Vogel, Jason Babcock, Scott Paulson, Jim Williams, Mark Blom, Scott Horn, Adam Burrows, Cory Tammen, Scott Huston, James Tandeski, Rick Sahli, Scott Walker, Chris Winter, Thad Jensen, Randy Laage, Andrew Bangsund, Chuck Olson, Andy Miller, Ryan Buer, Matt Kometz
Heat 1- Williams, Paulson, Vogel, Blom, Winter, Miller, Walker
Heat 2- Wageman, Sahli, Horn, Burrows, Tammen, Tandeski, Olson
Heat 3- Babcock, Buer, Huston, Jensen, Kometz, Bangsund, Laage


 Minnesota Modified Nationals: Looking Great In ’08!
April 14th 2008 – St. Cloud, Minnesota (Prepared by FYE Motorsports Promotions)

St. Cloud, Minnesota based FYE Motorsports’ first promoted event of 2008 will be the 4th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals, which will be on the slate for Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th with a rain date for Sunday, July 6th at 1pm if necessary and an open practice session on Thursday, July 3rd from 6pm to 10pm at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minnesota.

This year’s biggest paying Modified event in the entire Midwest will see each Modified racer draw for his or her starting position on Friday night for a scheduled set of 8 heat races. The winner of each heat race will automatically redraw amongst themselves for the top 8 starting spots in Friday night’s qualifying feature just as we have done in previous years. This year, just like the 2007 event, will be the fact that the second place finishers in each heat race will not automatically get in the show. Instead we will use passing points to qualify the second set of 8 drivers into the qualifying feature on Friday night. How this will work is the driver that is highest in passing points in each individual heat race will qualify for the main event and will redraw amongst themselves for starting spots 9-16. Just as we have done in the past, the finish from the qualifying feature will determine the top 8 rows for Saturday night’s main event.

Another change that we began last season was that we will allow the defending race champion one extra opportunity to put himself into the feature event on Saturday night. This program will work this way: If the defending champion, who happens to be Corcoran, Minnesota driver Dave Cain, does not win his heat race and happens not to be one of the passing points leaders after heat race competition is over with, we will allow Mr. Cain to start 17th in Friday night’s 25-lap qualifying feature if he so chooses. Dave must then race his way up into the top three finishing positions of the qualifying feature and if he does that he will secure a guaranteed spot in Saturday night’s main event. If Dave chooses to tag the rear of the qualifying feature and gets up to third or better, he will be guaranteed to start 26th in the $7,000 to win / $700 to start main event on Saturday, but will still be allowed to compete in the qualifying events (c-features, b-features and last chance race) on Saturday to better his starting spot if he so chooses. This not only gives some recognition to the defending champion each year, but it will also give the fans something additional to watch in the qualifying feature on Friday night.

The other change to the Modified portion of the show last year was that the $7,000 to win feature event on Saturday night will be 50 laps instead of the previous 40. Drivers and fans alike have asked for this change, so we have bumped up the laps to 50 for the 2007 event and it was a tremendous success, seeing the $7,000 winner decided on the 50th circuit a season ago. The 50 laps will remain a part of the ’08 version of the Mod Nationals.

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan commented “The Mod Nationals have been amazing events the past three years with intense racing action and three different winners over the first three seasons. This year should be no different as I expect the area’s best Mod guys to be out in full force to try to claim the biggest winner’s payday in the Midwest.”

Midwest Modifieds will be on the card as a support class and will run a complete $500 to win show each night of the Mod Nationals just as they did a year ago. WISSOTA Street Stocks will also be on the card with a full program each night racing for $300 to win as well. Both support classes will utilize the draw/redraw format each day.

The Mod Nationals have never had a repeat winner in the $7,000 to win event. Jason Thoennes, Shane Sabraski and Dave Cain have etched their names into the history books, with Tony Leiker holding the honor of the best average finish in the main event with an 8th place finish over the first three events.

Nate Heinrich has won the Midwest Modified portion of the Mod Nationals on two separate occasions, with Shane Sabraski, Danny Bayer, Dallas Gulbrandson and Dave Schroeder each also claiming a Midwest Modified feature win at the Mod Nationals over the past three seasons.

Jason VandeKamp, Corey Rosen, Dave Rohweder and Scott Huston have each captured a Street Stock victory at the Modified Nationals as well over the past 2 seasons that the Streeters have been a part of the show.

Come out to Alexandria and spend the 4th of July holiday weekend witnessing some of the fastest motorsports action around! For more information, please call Chris at (715) 497-8916, check out www.fyemotorsports.com or email clsracer@hotmail.com.


4th Annual MN Modified Nationals Just Around The Corner

Como Mod Series To Reward Mod Nationals Heat Winners In ‘08

Prepared by FYE Motorsports Promotions – St. Cloud, MN (May 28th 2008)

With the 4th Annual $7,000 to win Minnesota Modified Nationals only 5 weeks away, FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan is busily preparing for WISSOTA’s biggest paying Modified special for the 4th straight year. Not only will this year’s winner receive $7,000 and a 5’ trophy, but he will also etch his name in the record books as being the champion of one of the biggest paying Modified events in the entire country. In fact, in 2008, there are only 10 dirt Modified events anywhere in the world that pay $7,000 to win or more and the Mod Nationals is one of them.

Jason Thoennes, Shane Sabraski and Dave Cain have graced victory lane and raced to the $7,000 winner’s payday over the first three seasons of this mega-event, held at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minnesota over the 4th of July holiday weekend each summer, which typically boasts 60+ cars from 6 states and Canada each year.

A new twist to this year’s Mod Nationals will see each of the Modified heat race winners picking up a $100 bonus each courtesy of the Como Oil & Propane Modified Series. Series Director Joe Stariha has offered up $100 to each of the heat race winners at this year’s Mod Nationals and has also come on board as the official trophy sponsor for the top three finishers in this year’s 50-lap Modified feature event.

Stariha and his wife Jodi are big race fans and are thrilled to come on board and be associated with the biggest paying Modified special in the upper Midwest this season. Stariha said “ I am excited to be a part of the Mod Nationals this year. The Como Mod Series and Mod Nationals have always worked together so that we didn’t book races that conflict with each other in order for the Mod drivers to attend all of our shows plus the Mod Nationals. It is great to see Modified events that pay this kind of money in our area that allow our local drivers to run for these types of purses.”

The Mod Nationals has produced some of the most intense Modified racing action over the past three years, and is expected to do so again in ’08. An open practice will be held from 7p-10p on Thursday night, July 3rd with racing action kicking off on Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th with the city of Alexandria fireworks display being held after the races on Saturday night as well.

For more information regarding the 4th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals, please check out www.fyemotorsprots.com or call Chris at (715) 497-8916.


2007

Sabraski & VandeKamp Win Mod Nationals Night One

McDonald & Cain Earn Front Row For Mod Nationals Main Event

By Ray Beste

Alexandria, Mn (July 6th & 7th) - Opening night of the 2007 Minnesota Modified nationals got underway Friday July 6th with a full program for the WISSOTA Street Stocks and WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds. Along with the support classes, the WISSOTA Modifieds would be on the card as well running eight heat races and a qualifying feature event that would determine the first seven rows for Saturday night's $7,000 to win A-main. Sunny skies and great car counts greated fans and racers alike for the third annual event brought to the fans by FYE Motorsports.

With 61 WISSOTA Modifieds checking into the back gate, seven Modified heat races were held to determine who would make the big dance on Saturday night. Heat one was loaded with heavy hitters with Kevin "Buzzy" Adams and Jess Beckett sharing the front row. Adams led the first two circuits before "Top Shelf Tony" Leiker blew past on the cushion in turn two. Adams, in his first ever visit to the speedway, had a nice run coming home second. Chippewa Falls, Mn driver Bryan Nayes moved up three spots to finish third which would ultimately lock him into the Friday nights qualifying A-main. Mike Storck and John Correll were each members of the top five as well.

Heat number two was dominated by Corcoran, Mn driver Dave Cain. After starting dead last on the grid, Cain slide and diced his way through the field passing Matt Gilbertson for the lead with six laps remaining. Gilbertson, however, had a great run himself moving from his sixth starting position to finish second behind Cain. Scott Tofte, Don Eischens and Randy Tarno were each in the top five as well in heat race two. Gilbertson's passing points would lock him into the qualifying feature as well.

Heat number three was dominated by 2006 event winner Shane Sabraski. The Rice, Mn product blasted off from the outside of row one and was never seriously challenge on his way to victory. Steve Arpin worked his way past Scott Gilbertson, Dallas Gulbrandson and Steve Pfeifer during the event which would put him into the qualifying feature as well. Gulbrandson, Pfeifer and Scott Gilbertson were each members of the top five as well in heat race three.

Heat number four was quite possibly the most loaded heat ever seen at the Minnesota Modified nationals. In an event that featured Craig Thatcher, Jon Tesch, Jason Thoennes, Scot Danzeisen and Jason Miller; the fans anticipated a great 15-lap event. Thatcher grabbed the point early on, on lap three while fifth starter Jon Tesch methodically worked his way forward. Tesch moved past Rick Jacobson in the ladder stages of the event to steal the qualifying feature spot. Jacobson moved up three spots during the duration of the event finishing ahead of Thoennes and Danzeisen. Jason Miller led early and often before a blow motor would end his qualifying run.

On a strength of another great qualifying effort, Browerville, Mn driver Jim Chyba qualified for his third straight Minnesota Modified Nationals feature event. Chyba took the early lead from outside pole before fifth starter Jay McDonald moved up to do battle with four laps remaining. McDonald railed the high side while Chyba worked middle to bottom during the 15-lap contest. Mark Esala had a steady run coming home third ahead of Jamie Lemke and Bryce Bjerke.

Blooming Prairie, Mn legend Mark Noble scored the win in heat race number six. Noble ducked under early leader Terry Engebretson and lap four and was never seriously challenged in the remaining laps. Lowry, Mn driver Zach Johnson would ensure his place in Saturday nights A-main with a second place finish while Engebretson, Jeremy Kerzman and Nate Heinrich rounded out the top five. Noble's effort would qualify him for his second straight Minnesota Modified Nationals feature event.

Central Minnesota was well represented in the seventh and final heat. Local product Ryan Muzik battled tooth and nail with Dennis Bitzan during the final five laps, but scored the win in the end by a car length. Dawson, Mn throttle-masher JJ Schuelke picked up the passing points award finishing third moving up five spots from his eighth starting position. Andy Gordon and Ryan Canon followed the front trio to the line.

With all the qualifying heat races in the books, it was now time for the WISSOTA Street Stock finale. Speedway regulars Aaron Leininger and Mark Blom shared the front row starting duties as head flagman Mike Commerford dropped the green. Blom would lead the opening lap before VandeKamp would sneak by Mark for the point on lap two. Eight starter Dave Rohweder cracked the top five on lap three and looked as if he was likely the fastest car on the speedway. Rohweder disposed of Jason Long for the fourth spot on lap seven while VandeKamp endured pressure from seventh starter Cory Crapser. Crapser's run, however, would end on lap eight when he expired a motor on the backstretch. The yellow flag hung over the field which would bunch of the competitors behind VandeKamp. On the restart, Rohweder moved into third as the laps began to wind down. Rohweder powered by Blom on the bottom of the track in turn three with four laps remaining while VandeKamp looked strong out front. With two to go, Rohweder closed in on the backside of VandeKamp for the lead. During the remaining two laps, Rohweder would take a peak to the inside but never mounted a serious challenge to VandeKamp's first ever Viking Speedway triumph. Rohweder had a great run coming home second ahead of Blom, Long and Justin Vogel. Heat race wins were collected by Blom and Rohweder.

Rice, Mn driver Shane Sabraski ducked under both Brett Hoium and Pete Loecken on the opening lap to grab the lead in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified finale. Sabraski quickly stretched his advantage out front while Hoium was left to do battle with Brian Krog for the second spot. Krog would eventually wrestle the spot away from Hoium while Sabraski was checked out, out front. The best battle on the speedway was for the third spot which featured a three wide battle between Hoium, Kyle Krafthefer and Jake Wildman. Hoium ran the extreme bottom of the race track with Krafthefer and Wildman up on the cushion. Hoium would off each competitor while twelfth starter Josh Thoennes began to work his way forward. With four laps remaining, Thoennes moved by Danny Bayer for the sixth spot as he closed in on the third place trio. In the end it was Hoium holding off Krafthefer, Wildman and Thoennes for the third spot while Sabraski cruised on to an easy victory and $500 paycheck out front. Krog, Hoium, Krafthefer and Wildman were all members of the top five as well. Dave Schroeder picked up the hard charger award starting 24th and finishing 11th.

With all the two barrel classes in the books, it was time for the 25-lap WISSOTA Modified qualifying feature. Where each competitor would finish, would determine their starting spot for Saturday night's $7,000 to win A-main. Muzik grabbed the opening lap advantage while Dave Cain quickly began to march forward. While most cars worked middle to bottom, Cain pedaled his J-Car up on the cushion with great results. Cain moved into fourth on lap three while Gilbertson briefly took the lead out front. Cain continued his spirited march toward the front finding himself at the top of the mountain on lap eighth. "Mr. Modified" Jay McDonald railed the high side of the speedway with great results entering the top five with seven laps remaining. McDonald would wheel by Craig Thatcher for the third spot while Cain began to stretch his advantage out front. Muzik would fade a little bit in the remaining laps but still manage to turn in a great fifth place run. McDonald was able to work his way past Jim Chyba in the remaining laps to take over second as Cain cruised on to the victory out front. Cain chose the outside pole for Saturday nights A-main which meant Jay McDonald and Dave Cain would set the pace for Saturday night's Minnesota Modified Natinonals A-main.

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Qualifying Feature- Dave Cain, Jay McDonald, Jim Chyba, Craig Thatcher, Ryan Muzik, Steve Arpin, Jon Tesch, Mark Noble, JJ Schuelke, Bryan Nayes, Shane Sabraski, Matt Gilbertson, Tony Leiker
Heat 1- Leiker, Adams, Nayes, M. Storck, Correll, Jamie Trautner, Mark Trautner, Beckett, Jegtvig
Heat 2- Cain, M. Gilbertson, Tofte, Eischens, Tarno, Danny Staff, Aaron Holton, Brooks
Heat 3- Sabraski, Arpin, Gulbrandson, Pfeiefer, S. Gilbertson, D. Storck, Tim Alexander, Jason Voigt
Heat 4- Thatcher, Tesch, Jacobson, Thoennes, Danzeisen, Froehlich, Keyser, Miller
Heat 5- Chyba, McDonald, Esala, Lemke, Bjerke, Delaine, Mathison, Borgen
Heat 6- Noble, Johnson, Engebretson, Kerzman, Heinrich, Erik Bjorklund, Bruns, Arne Anderson
Heat 7- Muzik, Bitzan, Schuelke, Gordon, Canon, Grimes, Matt Anderson, Kevin Viebrock

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Shane Sabraski, Brian Krog, Brett Hoium, Kyle Krafthefer, Jake Wildman, Josh Thoennes, Danny Bayer, Jason Hoffman, Zach Schultz, Pete Loecken, Dave Schroeder, Scott Gill, Brian Haben, Terry Merten, William Lund, Korey Krafthefer, Dan Greeley, Matt Smith, Randy Vezina, Marshal Tofte, Todd Berg, Kyle Koehntop, Jeremy Kerzman, Kyle Reents, Russ Anderson, Chris Mensen
Heat 1- Bayer, Hoium, Ko Krafthefer, Tofte, Lund, Smith, Koehtnop, Berg, Vezina
Heat 2- Krog, Ky Krafthefer, Loecken, Schultz, Merten, Hoffman, Haben, Greeley, Mensen
Heat 3- Wildman, Kerzman, Sabraski, Thoennes, Gill, Reents, Anderson, Schroeder

WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Jason VandeKamp, Dave Rohweder, Mark Blom, Jason Long, Justin Vogel, Scott Horn, Kelly Hagel, Kyle Thompson, Andrew Bangsund, Matt Kometz, Aaron Leininger, Jason McCoy, Chris Winter, Cory Crapser, Chris Michaelsohn, Randy Laage, Travis Berends, Shawn Wageman, Ryan Buer, Joe Pellman
Heat 1- Rohweder, Crapser, Wageman, VandeKamp, Long, Horn, Buer, Berends, Hagel, Bangsund
Heat 2- Blom, McCoy, Laage, Leininger, Vogel, Michaelsohn, Thompson, Kometz, Winter, Pellman

Cain Captures $7,000 Mod Nationals Title

Rosen & Bayer In Victory Lane On Mod Nationals Night 2

By Ray Beste

Alexandria, Mn (July 7th, 2007) - Although Jay McDoanld took the lead on lap nineteen, Dave Cain roarded back during the 50-lap WISSOTA Modified event to gain the win at the third Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals. Perennial WISSOTA national front runners Danny Bayer (WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds) and Cory Rosen (WISSOTA Street Stocks) each picked up might impressive wins as well during night two of the Mod Nationals.

Before the 25-car field could be set for the WISSOTA Modifieds, three B-mains and a last chance qualifier had to be held to determine the 25-car starting grid. 20 laps was put up on the score board for the first B-main with Dennis Bitzan and Kevin "Buzzy" Adams aligned on the front row. Adams blasted off to the early lead while Bitzan was left to do battle with Rick Jacobson for the second spot. Bitzan ran the low side of the speedway with Jacobson up top. With only the top three competitors locking into the A-main, the action was hot and heavy early. Scott Tofte was up on the cushion "doing work" on lap fourteen when he overtook Bitzan for the lead in turn four. Jacobson followed Tofte to the highside and dropped Bitzan back to the final transfer spot with four laps remaining. Bitzan and Nate Heinrich would battle door to door during the remaining laps with Bitzan holding on to the transfer spot. Out front it was Tofte picking up the win in dominating fashion. Jacobson, Bitzan, Heinrich and Steve Pfeifer were also members of the top five.

With the track sporting two solid grooves, WISSOTA Modified B-main #2 rolled out next with Dallas Gulbrandson and Mike Storck showing the fifteen car starting field to the green. Gulbrandson beat Storck to turn one and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. The battle for second was a good one early on between Storck and Andy Gordon before eleventh starter Dale Mathison joined the fray. Mathison pedaled his machine on the extreme high side of speedway cracking the top five with six laps remaining. Mathison would dispose of both Gordon and Storck in the remaining laps taking home a very impressive second place finish behind race winner Gulbrandson. Gordon and Randy Tarno rounded out the top five finishing order.

Jamie Lemke scored the victory in B-main #3 in dominating fashion. After sharing the front row with Jason Thoennes, Lemke blasted off and gained an early eight car length advantage over Thoennes. Don Eischens would also move by Thoennes for position in the ladder stages of the event as Thoennes had a motor going away. Scott Gilbertson moved up to do battle with Thoennes on the final lap for the final transfer spot. Thoennes, however, was able to hold off Gilbertson to make it in to his third consecutive Minnesota Modified Nationals A-main. Gilbertson's run was important, however, it would put him on the pole for the last chance qualifier's race.

Gilbertson parlayed his strong B-main finish into a win in the LCQ. Not only would that earn Gilbertson a $700 starting spot in the A-main, but it also gained him a brand new Hoosier race tire donated by Cory Oberg of Premiere Real Estate Services. Bald Knob, AR ace Wayne Brooks was the other to transfer out of the LCQ qualifying for the A-main event.

The WISSOTA Street Stocks were first to get the call for their 15-lap main event with Cory Rosen and Cory Crapser sharing the front row duties. Rosen carried the high side momentum to grab the opening lap advantage while Crapser settled into second. Crapser's weekend took another turn for the worse on lap four when he slowed drastically on the back straightaway. Crapser would once again retire pitside with motor trouble. Seventh starter Shawn Wageman moved into second with four laps remaing as He and Rosen battled for the top spot. Wageman would take a peak to the inside or Rosen several times in the remaining three laps but was never able to overtake Rosen for the win. Out front it was Rosen picking up his first Viking Speedway feature win of the season. Wageman continues to be up front with consistency coming home second ahead of Jason Long, Scott Horn and Aaron Leininger. Crapser and Wageman picked up heat race victories earlier in the evening for the WISSOTA Streets.

Valley City, ND driver Randy Klein took the lead on the opening lap of the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main. Klein would lead early and often while third starter Danny Bayer would move into second. Klein would lead each of the first seven laps before Bayer powered by using the ditch in turn four on lap seven. Jason Hoffman followed Bayer's move and took over second one lap later while Jake Wildman began to march his way to the front. After starting nineteenth, Wildman found himself in the seventh spot with five laps remaining. Joining Wildman in a hard charging effort was Glenwood, Mn driver Dave Schroeder. Schroeder started the 20-lap A-main in the 24th starting position and came home seventh at the line. Wildman would dispose of Ryan Mikkelson and Kyle Krafthefer in the remaining laps ending an unbelievable run in the fourth spot. Out front it was Bayer stretching his advantage in the remaining laps picking up yet another Viking Speedway triumph. Hoffman, Klein, Wildman and Mikkelson rounded out the top five. Brock Gronwold, Bayer and Jeremy Kerzman picked up heat race wins earlier in the contest for the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds.

With all the weekend's activities in the books, the WISSOTA Modifieds rolled out onto the speedway for their 50-lap A-main. Driver introductions took place with each driver readying for the 50-lap contest. Order was quickly restored afterwards as the cars aligned in a four wide salute to the fans. The field stacked up two by two shortly there after with Jay McDoanld and Dave Cain showing the twenty-five car field to the green flag. When the green flag dropped, Cain slammed his right rear tire on the cushion in turn one and carried enough momentum off of turn two to grab the opening lap advantage. McDonald settled in behind and ran near Cain's rear bumper on the high side of the speedway. Cain would hold the lead while Jim Chyba and Craig Thatcher battled for the third spot. Chyba ran the bottom with Thatcher in the middle. Thatcher would overtake the position on lap seventeen while McDonald still applied pressure to Cain up front. With the checkered flags waving for the 20-lap fuel stop, McDonald ducked under Cain for the top spot garnering the position at the line. After the cars re-fueld their machines, McDonald showed the field around once again as the green flag waved. McDonald experimented with the bottom groove on the restart and Cain was once again blasted by off of turn two. Madison, Mn driver Scott Tofte found the high side of the speedway to his liking on lap twenty-three when he moved into sixth. Tofte, after starting fifteenth, looked as if he might have a top five car when the cross flags waved over the field. Back in the pack a few hard charging efforts were found. After switching a motor during intermission, 25th starter Jason Thoennes cracked the top twelve with fifteen laps remaining. Joining Thoennes on a hard-charging voyage was Richmond, Mn pilot Don Eischens. Eischens moved from 20th to 7th during the duration of the 50-lap event. Thoennes would move up four more spots in the remaining laps ending a great run in the eighth spot. Jon Tesch moved into the fourth spot with seven laps remaining as the final yellow of the event waved over the field. On the restart, Tesch made a couple of beautiful moves stick and found himself in the second spot with five to go. Cain continued to run the cushion with Tesch throwing some wicked slide jobs at him in turns one and two. On the final trip around the speedway, Tesch made a bonzai run for the bottom of the speedway in turn one. Tesch, however, made a clean move and allowed Cain room to motor back past. Tesch duplicated his move in turns three and four before a rear axle tube broke dropping him back one position behind Steve Arpin at the line. Out front it was Cain picking up his first ever Viking Speedway win and a nice $7,000 paycheck to boot. Second went to Arpin with Tesch, Shane Sabraski and Craig Thatcher rounding out the top five. Thoennes was the hard charger of the event starting 25th and finishing 8th.

The Folks at FYE Motorsports would like to thank all the fans and drivers that came out to support the 3rd Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals. Without there support an event of this magnitude could not take place. Congrats to Dave Cain on his $7,000 win as well as many others who made the weekend a great one for the fans.

SUMMARY:

WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Dave Cain, Steve Arpin, Jon Tesch, Shane Sabraski, Craig Thatcher, Mark Noble, Don Eischens, Jason Thoennes, Dennis Bitzan, Zach Johnson, Bryan Nayes, Dallas Gulbrandson, Scott Tofte, Tony Leiker, Dale Mathison, Wayne Brooks, Mike Storck, Jay McDonald, Rick Jacobson, Matt Gilbertson, Jim Chyba, Ryan Muzik, Jamie Lemke, JJ Schuelke, Scott Gilbertson
B-main 1- Tofte, Jacobson, Bitzan, Heinrich, Pfeiefer, D. Storck, Keyser, Matt Anderson
B-main 2- Gulbrandson, Mathison, M. Storck, Gordon, Tarno, Viebrock, Follmer, Holton
B-main 3- Lemke, Eischens, Thoennes, Gilbertson, Brooks, Thomas, Staff, Delaine
Last Chance- Gilbertson, Brooks, Gordon, Thomas, Tarno

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Danny Bayer, Jason Hoffman, Randy Klein, Jake Wildman, Ryan Mikkelson, Kyle Krafthefer, Dave Schroeder, Matt Smith, Travis Saurer, Korey Krafthefer, Marshal Tofte, Pete Loecken, Brett Hoium, Chris Mensen, Kyle Reents, Shane Sabraski, Ron Saurer, Terry Merten, Brian Krog, Jeremy Kerzman, Scott Gill, Brock Gronwold, Ross Romdalvik, Kyle Koehntop
Heat 1- Sabraski, Saurer, Smith, Krafthefer, Wildman, Mensen, Schroeder, Russ Anderson
Heat 2- Kerzman, Klein, R. Saurer, Krog, Romdalvik, Gill, Thoennes, Haben
Heat 3- Hoffman, Bayer, Loecken, Ko Krafthefer, Hoium, Vezina, Greeley, Bernstein
Heat 4- Gronwold, Mikkelson, Merten, Reents, Koehntop, Tofte, Don Platow, Bill Lund
B-main- Mensen, Tofte, Gill, Schroeder, Bernstein

WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Cory Rosen, Shawn Wageman, Jason Long, Scott Horn, Aaron Leininger, Mark Blom, Justin Vogel, James Tandeski, Dave Rohweder, Ryan Buer, Nick Thoreson, Chris Winter, Randy Laage, Jason McCoy, Andy Bangsund, Cory Tammen, Kyle Thompson, Matt Kometz, Cory Crapser
Heat 1- Crapser, Blom, Long, Winter, Kometz, McCoy, Bangsund, Tammen, Laage, Thoreson
Heat 2- Wageman, Rosen, Rohweder, Leininger, Horn, Buer, Vogel, Tandeski, Thompson


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