Tourville Breaks the Bank At Rice Lake Speedway; Wins $15,400 in “Little Dream”

By Ed Reichert

Rice Lake WI, August 1 – Passing two time winner of the Street Stock “Little Dream” race Tim Johnson with just over a lap to go, Keith Tourville won his first ever “Little Dream” on a record breaking night for the event. The twenty third annual running of this nationally known and unique event saw records shattered once again.

This race, which is unique in that businesses and individuals contribute money to built up the purse, saw Tourville go home with a record top prize for the event. The thirty lap Street Stock feature race paid an impressive $15,400 to win with most of the other finishing positions also enhanced thanks to contributions from the crowd.

This year's race, sanctioned once again by WISSOTA, and administered by FYE Motorsports Promotions, drew fifty seven entrants from four states and Canada and was the second highest number of competitors ever for the event. The companion Midwest Modified main event was won by Joe Chaplin Jr.

Twenty five drivers took the green flag for the Street Stock main event with Eric Olson getting the jump on Johnson to take the early lead. Johnson and Jim Gullikson were the main challengers to Olson in the early going with the leaders running three wide on several occasions. Both Johnson and Gullikson came close to taking over the lead on different occasions only to have Olson fight them off.

The race was slowed several times in the first fifteen laps of the event by several minor spins that kept the field bunched.

Behind the top three in the running order, Sam Fankhauser, Tommy Richards, Ron Hanestad and Jeff Crouse were running in close formation while Tourville rolled along consistently in the top five but not challenging the leaders at this point.

The yellow flew for a slowing Jordan Tollakson at the halfway point of the race with Olson still maintaining a tight lead over Johnson and Gullikson. Tourville had advantage to fourth by this point with Fankhauser, Crouse and Kyle Genett now joining the leaders.
Back on the green, Johnson made his move on the outside and was able to drive past Olson to take over the lead with Gullikson following suit a few laps later to take over second. Gullikson then began to challenge hard for the top spot as he several times nosed up beside Johnson, only to have Tim fight him off once again.

Things got very crazy starting at about lap twenty five with the yellow waving four times without a lap being scored. The leader Johnson was turned around twice in turn four as the battle for the top spot got very heated. Both times Johnson was restored to the top spot and both Olson and Gullikson were penalized to the back of the pack for instigating the contact that sent the leader spinning.

Tourville had kept his nose clean and with the shuffling of the leaders, he now found himself running in second spot and with an open track ahead of him. On the final restart, he jumped to the outside and immediately found success as he was able to edge up on the leader and soon they were nearly door handle to door handle.

Tourville continued to apply heavy pressure while continuing to use the second lane on the track and as the white flag appeared, Keith was able to clear Johnson and claim the lead. Johnson came back hard on the final circuit, throwing his car hard into turn four but Tourville maintained his line and beat Johnson to the finish line by a car length for the stunning and surprising upset win. Kolby Kiehl had gradually worked his way to the front and then really gained ground the final five laps as he came from fifteenth to finish a strong third with Fankhauser and Karl Genett completing the top five.

Scored sixth through tenth were Justin Vogel, Hunter VanGilder, Jimmy Randall, Charlie Shiek and Danny Richards.

Despite the multitude of yellow flags(eleven slow downs in all), twenty one of the twenty five starters were still on the track at the finish with all on the lead lap.

Perhaps the most stunning fact of all was the fact that Tourville was driving the winning car for the very first time, having finalized a deal just Tuesday morning to drive a car for the Blowers Racing Team out of Waseca Minnesota. Tourville drove as a second driver to Mike Blowers, driving the car normally raced by Blowers' son Bobby, a rookie in the class. However, Tourville's business, Player Motorsports, did build both of the Blowers' cars.

Tourville celebrated his win with a smoky “burndown” on the front chute of the track as the large crowd on hand applauded the winner and the winning team celebrated their triumph.

The Midwest Modified main event saw Aric Lindberg lead the first half of the race as he tried to win his third feature race of the year at Rice Lake. He was being closely pursued by Joe Chaplin Jr, Jeffrey Lien Jr and Shane Halopka. Michael Truscott was also on the move, as he charged up from the fourth row and looked to be ready to challenge for the lead.

A yellow slowed his momentum however, and Chaplin Jr used the restart to make a still challenge for the lead. He dove low into turn one and was able to get under the leader and take over the top spot. Truscott moved into second and tried his best to catch the leader, but Chaplin Jr had a good clean line on the track and he drove home for the win with Truscott several car lengths behind at the finish. Halopka finished a close third with Lien Jr and Lindberg rounding out the top five.

There will be no racing at the speedway this coming Saturday, August 5th. Racing will resume on August 12th with a full five division program. It will also be Hall of Fame night with six new members slated to join the Rice Lake Speedway Hall of Fame including Clayton Hargrave, Joe Lapcinski, Terry Foltz, Jim Rude, Paul Harelstad and the late Duane Mahder.

As usual, warmups start at 6:30 pm with racing at 7 pm.

SUMMARY

Rice Lake Speedway
Rice Lake WI
August 1, 2017

WISSOTA Street Stocks

“Little Dream Race” 30 lap Feature – Keith Tourville(Webster), Tim Johnson(Brainerd MN), Kolby Kiehl(Barron), Sam Fankhauser(Rice Lake), Karl Genett(Auburndale), Justin Vogel(Brooten MN), Hunter VanGilder(Rice Lake), Jimmy Randall(Rice Lake), Charlie Shiek(Foley MN), Danny Richards(Mondovi), Ryan Kostreba, Mike Blowers, Kirk Bogdanovic, Scott Huston, Mike Knudtson, Kyle Genett, Eric Olson, Jay Kesan, Jeff Crouse, Justin Pogones, James Wall, Jim Gullikson, Tommy Richards, Jordan Tollakson, Ron Hanestad

15 lap Non Qualifier – Kyle Howland(Zimmerman MN), Royce Jawaski(Adrian ND), Don Cook(Barron), Chris Michaelsohn(Wishek ND), Eric Riley(Morris MN), Brett Miller(Alexandria MN), Justin Tammen(Clara City MN), Preston Blackwell(Miller SD), Andy Cimfl(Rice Lake), Shawn Amundson(Rice Lake), Mitch Kesan, Nate Langeberg, Gavin Rowland

15 lap B Feature – Pogones(Zimmerman MN), Randall, Kirk Bogdanovic(Phillips), Howland, Cook, Riley, Cimfl, Danny Hanson, M. Kesan, Wall, Tammen, Dustin White, Daniel Aberle, Tiffany Noreikis, Rob Rodziczak, Steven Richards, Barrett Berg, Kevin Bogdanovic

B Feature 2 – Kostreba(Elk River MN), Huston(Benson MN), VanGilder, Miller, Jawaski, Amundson, Rowland, Langeberg, Michaelsohn, Blackwell, Nick Schwebach, Blayne Baloun, Parker Anderson, Brandon Fah, Josh Bach, Warren Hanson, Kyle Dykhoff, Braden Brauer

10 lap Heat 1 – Johnson, Knudtson(Osseo), Jawaski, Kostreba, Pogones(Zimmerman MN), Cook, Cimfl, Noreikis, Bach, Rodziczak
Heat 2 – Olson(Ladysmith), Fankhauser, Miller, Howland, Riley, Kyle Hauge, Kevin Bogdanovic, D. Hanson, Brit Bromann, Fah
Heat 3 – Crouse(Alexandria MN), Vogel, Tourville, Blowers(Waseca MN), Tammen, Huston, Berg, Baloun, Nick Traynor
Heat 4 - Shiek, Hanestad(Glenwood City), Aberle(Finley ND), Blackwell, Brauer(Eyota MN), Rowland, Anderson, Schwebach,W. Hanson
Heat 5 – T. Richards(Mondovi), Kyle Genett, Karl Genett, Dykhoff(Perham MN), VanGilder, White, Randall, Wall, S. Richards
Heat 6 – Gullikson, Tollakson(Montevideo MN), D. Richards, Kiehl, J. Kesan(Weyerhaeuser), Kirk Bogdanovic, Langeberg, M. Kesan, Michaelsohn
Heat 7 – Tourville, Huston, Tammen, Crouse, Rowland(Ogilvie MN), Aberle, Brauer, Baloun, Blackwell, Berg
Heat 8 – Fankhauser, Karl Genett, T. Richards, White(Conover), ,D. Hanson(Alma), Miller, Kevin Bogdanovic, Wall, Bromann, Fah
Heat 9 – J. Kesan, Kiehl, Tollakson, Knudtson, Cimfl, M. Kesan, Bach, Noreikis, Rodziczak, Cook
Heat 10 – Johnson, Gullikson, Pogones, D. Richards, Kirk Bogdanovic, Kostreba, Jawaski, Michaelsohn, Langeberg
Heat 11 – Randall, Olson, Kyle Genett, Dykhoff, VanGilder, Riley, Hauge, S. Richards, Howland
Heat 12 – Blowers, Hanestad, Amundson, Vogel, Shiek, Schwebach, Anderson, W. Hanson

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds

20 lap Feature – Joe Chaplin Jr(Cameron), Michael Truscott(Chippewa Falls), Shane Halopka(Greenwood), Jeffrey Lien Jr. (Mora MN), Aric Lindberg(Dallas), Jason VandeKamp(Scandia MN), Austin Ellis(Rice Lake), Grant Southworth(Bloomer), Mark Thomas(Menomonie), Travis Anderson(Colfax), Reid Tiegs, Nick Koehler, Jamie Bisonette, Ross Fuhrman, Calvin Iverson, Brady Larson, Jason Olson, Gunnar Watkins, Fran Hanson, Kyle Schell, Tyler Vernon, Shadow Kitchner, Denny Cutsforth, Cory Asmussen

10 lap B Feature – Kitchner(Arkansas), Asmussen(Waseca MN), Iverson(Eleva), B. Larson(Amery), Mark Barta(Rice Lake), Cody Wall, Scott Meeds, Mitchell Larson, Craig Elliott

10 lap Heat 1 – Watkins(Elk Mound), Lindberg, Schell(Lisbon ND), Bisonette(Dallas), Olson(Augusta), M. Larson, B. Larson, Meeds
Heat 2 – Anderson, Lien Jr, Fuhrman(Ashland), Hanson(Almena), Tiegs(Dallas), Asmussen, Barta
Heat 3 – Southworth, Chaplin Jr, VandeKamp, Koehler(Bloomer), Cutsforth(Rice Lake), Elliott, Wall
Heat 4 – Truscott, Halopka, Thomas, Vernon(Ashland), Ellis, Kitchner, Iverson

Bellefeuille Blasts To Great Lakes Border Battle Victory Lane

FYE Motorsports Promotions (July 2nd, 2017) – Superior, Wisconsin

Night 2 of the 2nd running of the Great Lakes Border Battle at the AMSOIL Speedway in Superior, WI was held on Sunday, July 2nd with sunny skies and another great crowd in attendance to witness the crowning of the Border Battle champion for the second season in a row.  

51 Midwest Modifieds, 43 Modifieds and 14 Pure Stocks were in attendance on night two, which featured a full program of Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks, along with a pair of b-mains, a last chance race and the 60-lap, $10,500 to win Modified main event.

Modified b-main action saw the top 6 finishers transfer into the big show, with Kelly Estey and Al Uotinen winning their respective b-mains and earning seventh row starting spots for the 60-lapper. Drivers finishing 7th on back in the b-mains were given one last chance to get into the program with a last chance race, with only the winner transferring and Jeff Spacek nipped Pat Cook in a photo finish to steal the final transfer spot in a thriller. Cook and Steve Lavasseur were drawn as the two provisional starters, earning starting spots 26 and 27 in the main event. >>READ MORE

Bellefeuille Bags Budweiser Pole Dash; Earns Pole for Great Lakes Border Battle

FYE Motorsports Promotions (July 1st, 2017) – Superior, Wisconsin

The 2nd running of the Great Lakes Border Battle at the AMSOIL Speedway in Superior, WI took place over the 4th of July holiday weekend for the second season in a row in front of huge crowds and an overflowing pit area filled with WISSOTA Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds, Pure Stocks and for the first time ever, the WISSOTA Late Models were a part of the Border Battle as well.

45 Midwest Modifieds, 43 Modifieds, 21 Late Models and 16 Pure Stocks were in attendance on the opening night, which featured a full program of Late Models, Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks, along with two rounds of heat races and a pole dash for the Modifieds.

Modified heat race action saw Jeff Spacek, Darrell Nelson, Deven VanHouse, Al Uotinen, Jody Bellefeuille, Neil Balduc, Matt Leer, Scott Greer, Steve Stuart and Ashley Anderson race to checkered flags in some very highly contested heat races and then saw Bellefeullie lead all 12 laps in the nightcap Budweiser Pole Dash to put his #11 car on the pole for Sunday night’s 60-lap, $10,500 to win main event. Shane Sabraski would charge from his fifth starting spot to put his #7a on the outside of row one along with Bellefeuille for one of the richest races of the season. >>READ MORE

Mike Anderson Storms From 14th To Win Mod Nationals By 0.014sec In Epic Photo Finish

By: Tami Jo Kuehn

Ogilvie, MN (May 28) – Mother Nature put the drivers and fans at Ogilvie Raceway through the ringer Sunday night with on and off rain showers, but after a delayed start to the program, the 12th Annual Wehrs Machine Minnesota Modified Nationals kicked off.

The night of WISSOTA PolyDome Dirt Track Race Series action began with heats for the support classes followed by B Features for the Modifieds as well as a Last Chance race to get drivers qualified for the 50 lap main event. 26 Modifieds made the cut for the big dance, and put on a great race with a phenomenal finish.

After a slight change in the line-up, the WISSOTA Mod Fours were up first for the night. Mitch Hribar and Robert Holtquist led the drivers to green and Hribar sped away with the point. Holtquist held second and Dean Larson took third, but soon Holtquist slid into the infield. A couple other cars made contact in turn one which brought out a caution. Hribar was alone on the restart with Larson and Trever Roediger to his rear. Hribar drove away when the green dropped and Larson retook second. Justin Pogones moved to Roediger’s side and they battled for third. Pogones nosed ahead but Roeidger kept close and retook his side. Hribar and Larson moved past slower cars and soon Pogones and Roediger were there too. Pogones made the pass first and broke free of Roediger, however the yellow waved. Hribar remained in command on the restart while Larson retained second. They pulled away from the field while Pogones and Roediger resumed the battle for third. Roediger worked Pogones, moved low on the track and made the pass. Hribar led the remaining laps and took the win and swept the Mod Four features of the weekend. >>READ MORE

2nd Annual Great Lakes Border Battle Set at AMSOIL Speedway July 1st & 2nd
Plus… Late Models Added to Saturday Night!

The 2nd running of the Great Lakes Border Battle is set to take place at the AMSOIL Speedway in Superior, WI over the 4th of July holiday weekend with a small tweak in this year’s schedule. This year’s Border Battle will feature an open practice on Friday, June 30th with racing action taking place on Saturday, July 1st and Sunday, July 2nd. WISSOTA Modifieds will once again be the headliner division, racing for a whopping $10,000 paycheck for the second consecutive season. WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds ($1,000 to win each night) and WISSOTA Pure Stocks ($250 to win each night) will both be back on the card with complete programs each night as was the case in 2016 as well. Plus, an addition to the program will feature WISSOTA Late Models being in competition on Saturday night for a 1-day event paying $1,500 to win!

FYE Motorsports Promotions has once again leased the AMSOIL Speedway for this blockbuster event that saw Elmwood, Wisconsin racer Jake Hartung race to the biggest win of his career during the inaugural event over the 4th of July weekend this past year. Sixty open wheel Modifieds, over 50 Midwest Modifieds and over 30 Pure Stocks competed during the inaugural event in 2016 and we hope and expect to have those types of numbers again this summer.

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan said ‘with Canada Day on a Saturday this year and the 4th of July on Tuesday, we slid the schedule back a day this year to allow for Monday (which should be a holiday for most people) to be our rain date if needed, plus racing Saturday/Sunday conflicts with fewer area tracks, so we were able to disrupt our neighbors normal racing schedules less this year than a year ago. This event was supported so well by our US and Canadian drivers and fans that we wanted to make sure the 2nd annual event fit into everyone’s schedules just as well as last year’s event did.’

‘Also and very importantly, the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI has switched nights to race on Friday (June 30th) instead of Saturday (July 1st) to allow their racers and fans to come to Superior to be a part of the Border Battle and the Proctor Speedway in Proctor, MN has taken Sunday (July 2nd) off so that we can have this event in Superior for the second straight year as well. It’s awesome when tracks can work together for the betterment of racing in a certain area. Plus, Cedar Lake doesn’t race Modifieds or Late Models that weekend, Hibbing, Emo and Ogilvie are off completely and Rice Lake has let their Mods that night as well. Thanks to Eric, Danny, Dennis, Nate, Bob, Dave and Trevor and all of the tracks for working with us so that your local drivers can make the trek to Superior to have a shot at participating in a huge paying event.’

Stepan went on to say ‘the addition of Late Models to the program on Saturday night adds another top division for fans to watch and adds to the overall ‘must see’ excitement of the weekend. It’s tough to run Late Models with a high paying Modified event, but thanks in part to our great event sponsors including Beltline Body Shop, Propane Strategies, Badger Storage and Excavating, Southworth Chevrolet, Accurate Auto Repair and Village Lanes, we are able to add the Lates on Saturday night of this year’s Border Battle. We are currently still searching for several additional sponsors to make this event bigger and better than it was a year ago, so if anyone has any interest in coming on board, be sure to let me know.’

Open practice for anyone interested will take place on Friday night from 6p-9p and then the Modifieds will run heat races and a qualifying feature on Saturday night with the b-mains, last chance race and 60-lap, $10,000 to win feature on Sunday. The Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks will run complete programs each night as they did a year ago. Late Models will run a complete program on Saturday night.

More information will be released in coming weeks, so please check out www.FYEMotorsports.com or call Chris at (715) 497-8916 for all event details.

2017 Minnesota Mod Nationals New Home: The Big O

For Immediate Release:
St. Cloud, Minnesota (November 14th, 2016)

FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan is excited to announce that the 12th running of the Minnesota Modified Nationals, held previously at the Viking Speedway has been relocated to the state-of-the-art Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, Minnesota for the 2017 racing season.

Stepan said ‘with the tremendous success of the Fall Classic we just held at Ogilvie in October, it was a no brainer to work to move the Mod Nationals to the Big O as well. Ogilvie is not only known for its awesome facility, friendly staff and great location, but the Modified racing that typically takes place at Ogilvie is second to none and I personally cannot wait to see who comes out on top of the Mod Nationals at its new home!’ The race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 27th & 28th with an open practice session on Friday night, May 26th and a rain date for Memorial Day Monday, May 29th if needed.

WISSOTA Modifieds will compete in the traditional event, which will pay a whopping $12,000 to win with WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and WISSOTA Mod Fours competing in two complete programs throughout the course of the weekend as well, plus WISSOTA Hornets will be racing a full show on Saturday night.

Times, prices, payouts etx will be released within the next month, but fans and drivers should start planning their Memorial Day weekend schedule to be at the Big O for the 12th annual Minnesota Modified Nationals!