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Weiss, Bellefeuille, Richards, Nelson, Fankhauser, Holtquist, and Pederson Top 15th Annual Fall Classic
Two-hundred and forty-one cars checked in to the Ogilvie Raceway Saturday for the 15th Annual Fall Classic, Fridays portion was cancelled after light mist fell at the track all day. Ricky Weiss, Jody Bellefeuille, Tommy Richards, Jeremy Nelson, Sam Fankhauser, Dustin Holtquist, and Matt Pederson added their names to the Fall Classic win list. The WISSOTA Street Stocks were first up for their 20-lap feature, Kyle Dykhoff quickly jumped into the lead with Sam Fankhauser battling with Adam Soltis for the runner up spot, Fankauser would take the spot and then set his sights on Dykhoff, Fankhauser quickly closed the gap and by lap five would challenge Dykhoff for the lead, the two would race by side for several laps until Fankhauser would take over the spot, Aberdeen, South Dakota’s Scott Witkowski was on the move from his thirteenth starting spot, he quickly moved into the top five and then would challenge Dykhoff for the runner up spot in the closing laps, Fankhauser would go on to collect his first Fall Classic win he was followed by Dkyhoff, Witkowski, Gavin Rowland, and Ryan Satter rounding out the top five. The field of 56 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds was cut down to 26 for their 25-lap feature through six heat races and three b-mains. Cody Lee and Brandon Copp led the field to green, Copp jumped into the lead, Lee would retire from the race just a couple laps in, Shane Sabraski then moved into the second spot. Jeremy Nelson cracked the top five a few laps in after starting ninth. Nelson then continued to pick them off one at a time, he would move by Sabraski for second near the halfway point, a caution would bunch up the field and erase Copp’s nearly full straightaway lead. Nelson took full advantage of the restart and would battle with Copp for the lead for several laps before taking the lead and driving away from Copp, Sabraski continued to run third while Jeffrey Lien Jr., and Shane Howell, and Travis Schulte battled for fourth, back up front it was all Jeremy Nelson picking up his second career Fall Classic win, he was followed by Copp, Sabraski, Lien Jr., and Howell at the line. >>READ MORE Ricky Weiss Claims 2018 John Seitz Memorial Title By Mike Spieker
“I’m a little speechless right now,” Weiss in victory lane. “I only knew John [Seitz] for a couple years. I felt like we were getting real close and he was starting to take me under his wing. I know we would have had a lot of good races together and he would have taught me a lot. Like [Don] Shaw said last year, to win this race is awesome and to do it so close to home… I just can’t thank everybody enough.” “Go Hard or Go Home” Pole Dash winner, Dustin Strand, led the field of 26 WISSOTA Late Models to the green flag with Scott Ward to his outside. Strand and Ward traded the top spot in the opening laps until the first caution was displayed on lap two. Ward restarted on the point with Strand in second but under caution, Strand’s No. 71 began smoking heavily. As the race resumed, the smoke from under the hood of Strand’s car intensified but he remained at speed. >>READ MORE 15th annual Fall Classic at the Big O Sees Exciting Format Change You asked for it, you got it! The 2018 Minnesota Truck Headquarters Fall Classic at the Big O will feature TWO COMPELTE SHOWS for all 7 classes for the first time in the event’s 15 year history! ‘Fans and drivers have been asking for several years if we would consider splitting the Fall Classic into two complete national point shows and after testing the water with the Late Models running two complete shows in 2017, the decision has been made to officially change the event to two complete shows for 2018’ said event promoter Chris Stepan. This means that we will run a complete program on Friday (October 5th) and another complete program on Saturday (October 6th) for WISSOTA Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stocks, Mod Fours and Hornets. Both days will be full national points events for those drivers searching for that extra show to help their national points chase. Minnesota Truck Headquarters has returned as the title sponsor of the event for the second straight year and will have some great ‘extras’ for the fans and racers alike all weekend long. >>READ MORE Danny Richards Wins Rice Lake Speedway “Little Dream” and $16,088 Top Prize By Ed Reichert
Sixty drivers from five states and Canada signed in to try and qualify for the Street Stock feature and after two sets of heat races, Olson started on the pole, having earned the highest number of passing points. However, it was rookie driver Dustin Doughty who got a good jump at the start and led the opening lap for the twenty six drivers that took the green. Olson then pulled up beside Doughty and they raced side by side before Olson claimed the top spot. Ryan Satter was on the move as he pulled in to challenge the leaders while Richards, who started sixth on the grid, was also moving up. The first yellow waved with seven laps complete for a spinning Cody Kummer and after racing resumed, Olson continued to show the way with Satter working his way into second past Doughty and then going after leader Olson. >>READ MORE 3rd annual Great Lakes Border Battle driven by G Style Transport Weekend Postponed For Immediate Release FYE Motorsports Promotions - June 29th, 2018 - St. Cloud, Minnesota Strong storms yesterday afternoon, more storms in the area today and a less than ideal weekend weather forecast has forced the postponement of the 3rd annual Great Lakes Border Battle driven by G Style Transport. The weekend, which is highlighted by a $10,000 to win event for the WISSOTA Modifieds, which also features a pair of complete shows for the WISSOTA Late Models, Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks has been rescheduled to October 11th, 12th and 13th, 2018 and will be run with an open practice session on Thursday night (October 11) from 6pm-9pm and then racing action will take place on Friday night (October 12) at 7pm and Saturday night (October 13) at 5pm, with a Sunday (October 14) rain date if necessary. WISSOTA Modifieds will continue to run for a WISSOTA-high $10,000 to win over the course of the weekend and WISSOTA Late Models will race for $2,000 to win a day, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds will run for $1,500 each night, WISSOTA Pure Stocks will race for $250 to win nightly AND the WISSOTA Super Stocks have been added to the program and will run a complete show each night as well. The payout for the Super Stocks will be determined by additional sponsor support and will be released at a later time. Event promoter Chris Stepan said ‘We’ve been monitoring the forecast very closely for the last 7 days nonstop and the most recent models continue to show the potential for heavy rains in the area today and tonight, Saturday during the morning and again in the evening on Saturday and now Sunday’s forecast is calling for more rains, so it is in the best interest of everyone to postpone the event rather than to get everyone here and force everyone to sit around for three days with a less than ideal chance of getting the show in.’ Stepan went on to say ‘not only do we look at all of the weather apps and websites, but we have been in constant contact with the Duluth International Airport and their weather personnel have also advised us of the imminent threat of an inch or more of rain in Superior over the next three days, so although it is a very difficult decision to make, I felt it was in the best interest of everyone involved to postpone it now before everyone got on the road and spent their hard earned money and time for no reason to get here with a greater than 50% chance of us not being able to get the event in as scheduled.’ Of the October rescheduled date, Stepan said ‘the second weekend of October is the final weekend for WISSOTA National points and, as of now, we have the only WISSOTA-sanctioned event that is scheduled, so if we happen to stumble onto a summer-like weather weekend, it should be a great way to wrap up racing in the Northland and to give the national point chasers one more shot at those valuable WISSOTA points before the season concludes. Obviously, we know that the weather can change on a dime in the Twin Ports, but we felt that it was best to give the October weekend a shot and hopefully the weather cooperates for us.’ FYE Motorsports and the Gondik Law Speedway would like to thank everyone for their support of the Border Battle and we hope that you can put the new dates on your calendar and will be here for the event in October. Gondik Law Speedway gets back underway with a pair of events during the Head of the Lakes Fair, on Tuesday, July 10th and Friday, July 13th. For more information, please log on to www.GondikLawSpeedway.com. For more information on the rescheduled Great Lakes Border Battle or for other FYE promoted events, log on to www.FYEMotorsports.com. Cain becomes first two-time Mod Nats Winner at Ogilvie By Ben Kruchten
Jake Smith took the lead early in the WISSOTA Hornet finale. Smith was right at home out front during the first few laps before his sister Brittany came calling. The duo battle side by side for the lead for the better part of three laps before Brittany would seize the advantage. Back in traffic the #99 of Nate Servaty was making moves. With a maneuverable car underneath, Servaty charged from his 15th starting spot to finish fourth at the line. In the end it was all Brittany Smith scoring the win. Jake Smith, Paul George, Servaty and Hunter McDougall all took home top five runs, as well. The story early in the season for the WISSOTA Mod Fours has been the dominance of Dustin Holtquist. Holtquist, the long-time South Dakota native (who now calls St. Joseph, MN home), continued his dominance Sunday night charging from his eighth starting position to remain perfect on the season. Defending WISSOTA Mod Four National Champion Dean Larson settled for a hard fought second place finish just ahead of Dustin’s father, Bob Holtquist. Polesitter Adam Prieve and 10th starting Doug Frederick were each members of the top five finishing order for the Mod Fours, who drew 10 entries. Tyler Larson and Justin Pogones each corralled heat race wins earlier in the program. >>Read More 3rd Annual Great Lakes Border Battle Set at Superior Speedway on June 29th, 30th & July 1st - Make Plans Now!
7 First Time Champions Emerge at 2017 MTH Fall Classic By: Tami Jo Kuehn Ogilvie, MN (October 7) – After Mother Nature cancelled Friday night’s event, the MTH FYE Motorsports Fall Classic was in full effect with 190 cars signing into the pits. The night’s race format was slightly altered due to the cancellation, but the track was in good condition as the night of WISSOTA PolyDome Dirt Track Race Series action began. WISSOTA Street Stock heats were first on the track with two heats. Jay Kesan grabbed the lead in the first heat and led until the checkers, but in the second heat, Jim Gullikson moved to the low groove then the high line to claim the lead. Gullikson started fifth and drove away while Jimmy Randall passed Dan Richards for second. Gullikson went on to win the heat. A solid field of WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds prepared for their round of heats and Andy Miskowic and Travis Schulte brought the drivers to green. Miskowic grabbed the lead but Schulte snuck by him after a couple laps. Schulte went to take the win. Eric Lamm grabbed the lead in heat two, and after a caution, continued on to take the win. Heat three began with some contact in turn one and then a spun car in turn four triggered a caution. Skeeter Estey claimed the lead after each restart and won. The final heat began with Dan Kingsley in the lead while others battled for points. Zach Benson challenged Kingsley on the restart but Grant Hall suffered a mechanical issue and made contact with Matt Kelley sending him towards the wall. Kingsley led the back to green with Benson at his rear. Kingsley broke free from Benson and took the win. >>READ MORE
Shaw Sweeps Seitz Memorial By Mike Spieker GRAND FORKS, N.D. (September 9, 2017) – The 11th annual John Seitz Memorial came to a close Saturday night with a record 211 cars checked in for action. The night was highlighted by the 92-lap, $9,200-to-win Late Model A-main, which was won by Seitz’s brother-in-law, Don Shaw of Ham Lake, Minn. Shaw has openly said the John Seitz Memorial was at the top of his list of events he’s wanted to win in his career. He has been close on several prior occasions, but victory lane has always eluded him. “This is so unbelieveable. This is great,” said Shaw in RydellCars.com Victory Lane. “I would have given this race up for the national points if I had to. This race means so much to me and I tell you what he was riding with me tonight.” On the initial start, Jeffery Massingill and Jake Redezkte made contact in turn one which resulted in a four car pile up. Redezkte and Dustin Strand, who was also involved in the incident, restarted at the tail of the field. The Evergreen Insurance restart brought the field back to green, where 2017 NLRA series champion, Ricky Weiss, powered around the outside of AJ Diemel to take the lead. Seitz Memorial rookie, Ryan Mikkelson, made waves early as he moved into the second position briefly before a mechanical failure forced him pitside. >>READ MORE Don Shaw Wins the Prelude to the Johnny at River Cities Speedway By Mike Spieker GRAND FORKS, N.D. (September 7, 2017) – A stout field of 44 WISSOTA NLRA Late Models were checked in for the series finale Thursday night at River Cities Speedway for the Prelude to the Johnny. Don Shaw dominated the 25-lap Performance Auto main event to score his second win of the season at River Cities and second consecutive NLRA feature win. Shaw started on the outside of the front row and led every trip around the high-banked three-tenths mile bullring en route to the $1,192 payday. “This is huge,” said Shaw in RydellCars.com Victory Lane. “Three nights ago we flipped a car, had to rebuild a different one, throw a motor and stuff in it and get it ready for [the John Seitz Memorial]. I had no idea what we had coming into tonight so to win with all of these guys here in a car I haven’t even ran before is unbelieveable.” Shaw grabbed the lead away from Jake Redetzke on lap one before cruising out to a comfortable lead. On lap five, the caution was displayed for a spin in turn four. Under yellow, the front straightaway lights went out, forcing the race to be red flagged. It took approximately 15 minutes for the lighting to come back on, and when it did, Shaw picked up right where he left off. >>READ MORE 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. Rice Lake Speedway 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 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
Bellefeuille Blasts To Great Lakes Border Battle Victory Lane FYE Motorsports Promotions (July 2nd, 2017) – Superior, Wisconsin 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 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
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: 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! |
The 3rd running of the Great Lakes Border Battle is set to take place at the Superior Speedway in Superior, WI over the 4th of July holiday weekend as it has been over the past several seasons. This year’s Border Battle will feature an open practice on Friday, June 29th with racing action taking place on Saturday, June 30th and Sunday, July 1st. 
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