7/6/2014
FYE Motorsports Promotions
Arneson Ambushes Field For WISSOTA Record $10,001 Mod Nationals Victory
ALEXANDRIA, MN (July 6, 2014) - Fargo, ND driver Austin Arneson held off former Mod Nationals champions Scot Danzeisen and Dale Mathison to win the 10th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals Championship presented by Performance Auto on a beautiful Sunday evening. In doing so, Arneson picked up the biggest win of his young career and the largest Modified payout in WISSOTA history, $10,001.
In other AMSOIL Dirt Track Series action, Shane Sabraski picked up wins in both the Midwest Modified and Super Stock divisions. The night's festivites were sponsored by Allstate Insurance and Elden's Fresh Foods.
Austin Arneson and Dale Mathison paced the star-studded 29-car WISSOTA Modified feature to the green for the 70-lap, $10,001-to-win feature event. At the drop of the green, Mathison made a power move and quickly moved ahead of Arneson along with Joey Jensen, who settled into the number two spot. On lap two, fourth starter and last year's Mod Nationals champion, Jason Grimes, slipped over the banking, which dropped him to the back of the field. With six laps in the books, Travis Saurer, who was running in the top 15, slowed and pulled into the infield pit area with mechanical issues.
Back up front, Mathison continued to lead Jensen and Arneson before the first caution came out with only 10 laps in the books. Zach Johnson brought out the yellow, but was able to make a quick tire change and tagged the end of the field.
Mathison paced the field to the green and Arneson moved to the extreme high side of the speedway and completed the pass on both Mathison and Jensen to move back into the lead. With Arneson in firm control out front and Mathison a solid second, Kelly Estey moved into the third spot with Jason Thoennes in fourth. The second caution of the event came out on lap 18 when Dev Malmlov's Performance Auto machine came to a stop on the back chute.
That put Mathison and Estey on Arneson's back bumper for the restart and Arneson once again moved out to the lead while Mathison and Estey battled for second. Meanwhile, back in traffic, Mike Stearns began his charge to the front and moved into the top five with 49 laps remaining.
Stearns was able to clear Estey for third with 43 laps remaining and set his sights on Mathison for the second spot. Arneson led the field to the fuel-stop yellow on lap 30 with Mathison in second, Stearns third, Estey fourth and Scot Danzeisen fifth.
With the cars refueled, Arneson led Mathison and Stearns to the green; he jumped back to the cushion and into the lead while Mathison and Stearns locked horns for the second spot. The caution once again came out with 37 laps left on the board when Dennis Bitzan shot off the banking in turn one.
Arneson led the field to the green, moved his machine back to the cushion and took off to a nice lead while Stearns and Danzeisen looked for a way around Mathison for second. With 23 laps remaining, Stearns' machine jumped the cushion and that allowed Danzeisen to get by into the third spot behind Arneson and Mathison. Mathison continued to look for a way around Arneson, but to no avial. The caution came out once more when fifth place runner Cody Skytland cut a tire on the front chute. Skytland was able to make a tire change and tagged the end of the field with only 19 laps remaining.
On the ensuing restart, Mathison's car struggled to get off the line and Danzeisen was able to move into the second spot before he began his assult on Arneson. Lap after lap, Danzeisen moved his familiar orange machine to the low side of the speedway in an attempt to take the lead. With 15 laps remaining, Danzeisen made a strong run to the low side of turn two and took the lead when the cars motored down the back chute. When the leaders entered turn three, Arneson blasted to the high side of the track and the duo raced side by side to the flagstand. Arneson gained the advantage once again while Danzeisen settled into the second spot. Meanwhile, back in traffic, the duo of Dave Cain and Blake Jegtvig had moved into the top 10 after starting in the number 22 and 23 spots, respectively. The caution came out again with 10 laps remaining for a Jeremy Nelson spin in turn two.
Danzeisen and Mathison were back on Arneson's back bumper one more time, but once again Arneson was able to fight off the duo. The final yellow flew with only two laps remaining when Darrell Nelson slowed on the back stretch. That set up a green-white-checkered finish for the big prize.
Arneson led the field to the green and planted his right rear on the cushion while Danzeisen and Mathison looked to the low side, but Arneson continued to lead when the pack took the white flag. On the final lap, Arneson pulled away and raced to the $10,001 win ahead of Danzeisen, Skytland, who raced back to third, Mathison and Jason Thoennes.
Mark Esala led the WISSOTA Modified non-qualifer feature from flag to flag and picked up the $1,000 check. Jamie Trautner, Brady Gerdes, Jason Blasyck and Brian Haben rounded out the top five.
A stong field of 11 WISSOTA Super Stocks took to the track for their 15-lap feature event. Head flagman Mike Blom dropped the green and Shane Sabraski jumped to the high side of the track and claimed the lead. When the cars entered the back chute on the opening lap, Jeff Crouse had already moved his Dairy Queen South machine into second after starting in the number eight spot. Rice, MN driver Dexton Koch was able to make a pass on Crouse on the following circuit and moved into the second spot behind Sabraski. The lone caution of the event flew with eight laps remaining when Derek Quinn slid off the banking in turn two.
Sabraski paced the field to the green and again moved to the lead with Koch in second. The battle for third began to heat up when Trevor Saurer moved to the inside of Crouse and completed a pass on lap 10. Out front, Sabraski continued to widen his lead while Saurer raced up to challenge Koch for the number two spot. Sabraski cruised to the win with Saurer in second, Koch third, Crouse in the number four spot and Mike Peterson fifth.
The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds took to the speedway and, at the drop of the green, Shane Sabraski shot to the high side of the track and into the lead while Mack Estey and Cody Lee battled for the number two spot. The driver on the move was Jason VandeKamp, who quickly powered into fourth behind Sabraski, Estey and Lee. Estey made a strong move to the low side of the speedway but Sabraski continued to lead when the race was checkered due to a multi-car accident and time constraints. Sabraski was declared the winner, Estey settled for second, Lee was third, VandeKamp came home fourth and Jamie Thorstad rounded out the top five.
Viking Speedway is a high banked half mile speedway located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria, MN. The track will be back in action Saturday, July 12 with all regular classes in action. Race time is 6:45 p.m. For more information the speedway, please visit online at www.vikingspeedway.net.
SUMMARY
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature - Austin Arneson, Scot Danzeisen, Cody Skytland, Dale Mathison, Jason Thoennes, Blake Jegtvig, Dave Cain, Jesse Glenz, Corky Thomas, Kelly Estey, Shaun Peterson, Jeremy Nelson, Andy Gordon, Matt Leer, Jeff Wildung, Josh Thoennes, Darrell Nelson, Zach Johnson, Mike Stearns, Joey Jensen, Jason Grimes, Matt Gilbertson, Dennis Bitzan, Shane Sabraski, Scott Greer, Dev Malmlov, Don Eischens, Travis Saurer, Bob Broking
B Feature 1 - Gilbertson, Johnson, Cain, Brett Hoium, Casy Arneson, Terry Engebretson, Brian Haben, Scott Greer, Tyler Peterson, Shane Sabraski, Clayton Wagamon, Dano Ostrander, Mark Esala, Todd Berg, Brady Gerdes, Jamie Trautner, Chris Mensen
B Feature 2 - J. Nelson, D. Nelson, Jegtvig, Corky Thomas, Cory Tammen, Aaron Holtan, Alex Engelstad, Jason Blascyk, Cody Erickson, Jeff Broking, Landon Atkinson, Dennis Bitzan, Phil Braun, Nikki Wrazidlo, Rodney Sanders, Mark Trautner, Dave Schroeder
B Feature 3 - B. Broking, Malmlov, Gordon, Jordan Foster, Skeeter Estey, Johnny Broking, Tyler Limoges, Bobby Gierke, Jake Wildman, Corey Sersha, Jake Bitker, Tim Thomas, Jerome Guyot, Shaun Peterson, Mike Johnson, Jeff Flaten, Danny Bayer
Last Chance - Corky Thomas, Casey Arneson, Cory Tammen, Alex Engelstad, Terry Engebretson, Brian Haben, Corey Sersha, Clayton Wagamon, Jake Bitker, Cody Erickson, Jason Blascyk, Jordan Foster, Johnny Broking, Brett Hoium, Jake Wildman, Aaron Holtan, Skeeter Estey, Jeff Broking, Dano Ostrander, Tyler Limoges, Bobby Gierke, Tyler Peterson, Scott Greer, Shane Sabraski, Landon Atkinson
Non Qualifier Feature - Mark Esala, Jamie Trautner, Brady Gerdes, Jason Blasyck, Brian Haben
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature - Shane Sabraski, Trevor Saurer, Dexton Koch, Jeff Crouse, Mike Peterson, Dan Gullikson, Denis Czech, Derek Quinn, Jason Cook, Donna Schmidt, Jon Stepan
Heat 1 - Saurer, Czech, Gullikson, Schmidt, Quinn, Stepan
Heat 2 - Crouse, Sabraski, Peterson, Koch, Cook
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature - Shane Sabraski, Mack Estey, Cody Lee, Jason VandeKamp, Jamie Thorstad, Jason Hoffman, Travis Saurer, Denis Czech, Andrew Bangsund, Tyler Peterson, Corey Storck, William Lund, Justin Froemming, Tim Ims, Blake Swenson, Shawn Olson, Tyler Vanderby, Shane Howell, Hayden Hanson, Jeff Nelson, Wade Skindelien, McKenzie Gerdes, Shawn Fernkes, Haley Lee
Heat 1 - T. Saurer, VandeKamp, Storck, Froemming, Skindelien, Hanson, R. Saurer, VanOverbeke, Backman
Heat 2 - Thorstad, Estey, Nelson, Vanderby, Lund, Muzik, Cousins, Lick, Boelens
Heat 3 - Sabraski, Czech, Bangsund, Olson, Gerdes, Fernkes, James, Ricks, Deters
Heat 4 - C. Lee, Hoffman, Peterson, Swenson, H. Lee, Ims, Howell, Kruger
B Feature - H. Lee, Hanson, Gerdes, Fernkes, Howell, Ims, Luke Lick, Kurt Deters, Ryan Cousins, Ron Saurer, Chad VanOverbeke, Blake Boelens, Josh Muzik, Wyatt Ricks, Nick James, Shane Kruger, Josh Backman
Mathison and Arneson Earn Front Row For 10th Annual Mod Nationals
By Ryan Schmitz
ALEXANDRIA, MN (July 5) - The 10th Annual Minnesota Modified Nationals presented by Performance Auto kicked off on a sunny and hot Saturday night at Viking Speedway. A great field of 67 WISSOTA Modifieds was on hand and all looked to lock into Sunday's 70-lap finale. A solid group of 40 Sower Power Midwest Modifieds and 15 Alexandria Refrigeration Super Stocks were also on hand for a complete show. The evening's festivities were sponsored by Pederson's Agri Service and Diamond Buick GMC.
The finale on Saturday was the 25-lap WISSOTA Modified qualifying feature to set the lineup for Sunday's $10,001 to win feature. Austin Arneson sat on the outside of row one and quickly moved out to the lead with Joey Jensen in the second spot. The caution flew on lap three for Travis Saurer, who went over the banking in turn two.
Arneson once again blasted to the lead while Dale Mathison moved ahead of Jensen into the second spot. Meanwhile, back in traffic, Jason Thoennes and Cody Skytland began to make their move to the front of the field. They had the fan's attention as they sliced and diced through car after car.
Mathison started to chip away at Arneson's lead and pulled even with him on the back chute with five laps remaining. Arneson powered back on the high side and held on for the win ahead of Mathison, Jensen, Jason Grimes and Kelly Estey.
All 15 of the scheduled starters in the WISSOTA Super Stocks rolled to the speedway for their feature event. Andy Hofteig and local pilot Brian Hellerman led the field to the green before Hellerman quickly moved to the front of the pack. He was, however, overtaken by Shane Sabraski, who shot to the lead from his second-row starting spot. Sabraski worked the bottom of the speedway while track point leader Jeff Crouse put his car on the top side. The caution lights blinked over the half-mile speedway on lap seven for debris.
Crouse and Mike Peterson were on Sabraski's back bumper for the restart.
Crouse made a move to the bottom of the speedway in an attempt to clear Sabraski, but could not make the pass. Peterson worked his way past Crouse and raced up to challenge Sabraski. While Sabraski continued to stretch his lead, Crouse and Peterson were joined by Trevor Saurer in the battle for the second through fourth spots. Up front, Sabraski continued to lead and cruised to the feature win. Peterson had a solid second-place run, Crouse was third, Saurer was fourth and Derek Quinn rounded out the top five after an early race spin.
After a B-main trimmed the field from 40 to 24, the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds were on the track for their $500-to-win feature event. Andrew Bangsund and Jason Vandekamp paced the field to the green and head flagman Mike Blom brought the field to life. Vandekamp cleared Bangsund when the cars shot down the back chute on the opening circuit and led lap one. Travis Saurer wasted no time and disposed of Bangsund. He then quickly moved into position and challenged Vandekamp for the lead. Saurer and Vandekamp had the crowd on the edge of their seats while they raced side by side for several laps. Saurer cleared Vandekamp on lap eight and claimed the lead.
Up front, Saurer continued to lead, but the main battle on the track was for the third spot with Bangsund, Cody Lee, Jason Hoffman and Jason Schill all in the mix. While the laps ticked down, Saurer continued to lead and claimed the win after a great race. Vandekamp was second, Bangsund third, Hoffman fourth and Wisconsin visitor Schill was fifth.
The field of 67 WISSOTA Modifieds were split into seven 15-lap heat races.
Bob Broking took the lead early in the first heat and pulled away for the victory. Danny Bayer wrestled the second spot away from reigning WISSOTA Late Model National Champion Zach Johnson amid lapped traffic in the closing circuits. Johnny Broking finished fourth.
Jason Thoennes, a former champion of the race, started on the front row and dominated the second heat. Don Eischens moved past Jeremy Nelson for second with three laps to go while Scot Danzeisen raced from ninth to claim fourth at the finish.
Austin Arneson led flag to flag for the victory in heat race three.
Rodney Sanders climbed from ninth to second, but blew his motor as he took the checkered flag. Dave Cain, another former champion of the race, finished third and Mike Stearns rallied from the tail after a caution to finish fourth.
Josh Thoennes started on the pole and cruised to the victory in heat four. Matt Gilbertson slipped into second and stayed there to the finish while Brett Hoium was third and Dennis Bitzan was fourth.
Joey Jensen stole the lead from Darrell Nelson on lap nine and led the rest of the way for the win in heat five. Nelson held on for second with Corky Thomas third and Jordan Foster fourth.
Defending race winner Jason Grimes took the lead from Aaron Holtan early in the sixth heat and pulled away for the win. Kelly Estey crossed the line in second while ninth-starter Dale Mathison advanced to finish third. Brady Gerdes finished fourth.
Cody Skytland used the pole position to drive away from the pack and won by nearly a half lap in the seventh and final heat race. Jesse Glenz finished second ahead of Travis Saurer and Jeff Wildung.
SUMMARY
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Heat 1 - Bob Broking, Danny Bayer, Zach Johnson, Johnny Broking, Terry Engebretson, Tyler Peterson, Clayton Wagamon, Landon Atkinson, Phil Braun, Jake Bitker
Heat 2 - Jason Thoennes, Don Eischens, Jeremy Nelson, Scot Danziesen, Jerome Guyot, Alex Engelstad, Corey Sersha, Tim Thomans, Jeff Flaten, Bob Gierke
Heat 3 - Austin Arneson, Rodney Sanders, Dave Cain, Mike Stearns, Dano Ostrander, Skeeter Estey, Blake Jegtvig, Cody Erickson, Shaun Peterson, Casey Arneson
Heat 4 - Josh Thoennes, Matt Gilbertson, Brett Hoium, Dennis Bitzan, Matt Leer, Shane Sabraski, Tyler Limoges, Brain Haben, Todd Berg, Arne Anderson
Heat 5 - Joey Jensen, Darrell Nelson, Corky Thomas, Jordon Foster, Andy Gordon, Jamie Trautner, Jeff Broking, Jason Blascyk, Nikki Wrazidlo
Heat 6 - Jason Grimes, Kelly Estey, Dale Mathison, Brady Gerdes, Aaron Holtan, Dave Schroeder, Scott Greer, Mike Johnson, Mark Esala
Heat 7 - Cody Skytland, Jesse Glenz, Travis Saurer, Jeff Wildung, Cory Tammen, Dev Malmlov, Jake Wildman, Chris Mensen, Mark Trautner
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature - Shane Sabraski, Mike Peterson, Jeff Crouse, Trevor Saurer, Derek Quinn, Jon Stepan, Dexton Koch, Rocky Yeats, Bryan Hellerman, Jason Cook, Jeremy Tyson, Christopher Lynch, Andy Hofteig, Craig Hiemstra, Larry Lund
Heat 1 - Cook, Stepan, Hellerman, Peterson, Koch, Quinn, Lund, Saurer
Heat 2 - Sabraski, Crouse, Yeats, Hofteig, Tyson, Lynch
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature - Travis Saurer, Jason Vandekamp, Andrew Bangsund, Jason Hoffman, Jason Schill, Cody Lee, William Lund, Jamie Thorstad, Justin Froemming, Rob VanMil, Ron Saurer, Blake Swenson, Shane Sabraski, Hayden Hanson, Shawn Olson, Tyler Peterson, Kurt Deters, Corey Storck, Tim Ims, Ryan Cousins, Shawn Fernkes, Wade Skindelien, Nick Bruder, Mack Estey
Heat 1 - Vandekamp, C. Lee, Hoffman, Deters, Cousins, Kramer, Bruder, Gerdes, VanOverbeke, Backman
Heat 2 - Schill, T. Saurer, Swenson, Olson, Storck, Peterson, H. Lee, Vanderby, Ricks, Johnson
Heat 3 - Thorstad, Bangsund, Skineleien, VanMil, Sabraski, Estey, Ims, James, Schwardt, Muzik
Heat 4 - Hanson, Lund, R. Saurer, Froemming, Fernkes, Nelson, Kruger, Haack, Boelens, Howell
B Feature - Sabraski, Peterson, Estey, Bruder, Ims, Fernkes, Jeff Nelson, Shane Howell, McKenzie Gerdes, Tyler Vanderby, Chad VanOverbeke, Blake Boelens, Wyatt Ricks, Nick James, Josh Muzik, Kelly Haack, Haley Lee, Cory Kramer, Josh Backman, Shane Kruger, Dick Schwardt, Dalton Johnson
Article Credit: Article by Ryan Schmitz