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Johnson, Doar, Shaw, Mikkelson and Rosen Victorious at "Classic" |
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 Zach Johnson |
 Pat Doar |
 Don Shaw |
 Cory Rosen |
 Lucas Oil |
 Ryan Mikkelson |
More Photos
2008 Race Report By Ray Beste
Alexandria, Mn (October 3rd-4th, 2008) - Zach Johnson put on a cap on his 2008 WISSOTA Late Model National Championship by winning the 6th Annual Viking Fall Classic held at Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Mn. Pat Doar charged from mid-pack to garner his first ever Fall Classic trophy in the WISSOTA Modifieds while Don Shaw picked up his third straight win in the WISSOTA Super Stock division. Perhaps the most impressive run of the weekend was turned in by Jamestown, ND driver Ryan Mikkelson who scored the win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified division. Cory Rosen put an exclamation point on another great season by winning the WISSOTA Street Stock finale. 263 race teams participated in the year end spectacular with drivers and fans showing up from all over WISSOTA country, for one of the last sanctioned events of the season. Two solid days of Amsoil Dirt Track Series action was seen by the aforementioned spectators and drivers.
With a whopping 263 race teams packing the pits, many thought some of the heat race action would have to be pushed off to Saturday afternoon. They were wrong, however, as each division was able to complete the heat races during the 4 hours of race time slated for Friday night. The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds got the program underway. The 68 cars in attendance were divided into seven heat races with Matt Weisman, Brian Haben, Josh Thoennes, Dusty Bitzan, Ryan Mikkelson, Randy Klein and Brock Gronwold all picking up victories. Other drivers to qualify for the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main through the heat races included: Brendan Blascyk, Wes Hines, Cale Arneson, Andy Jones, Brandon Nelson, Jeremy Kerzman and Travis Saurer. Saturday's installment of the Fall Classic would feature three B-mains with the top three from each transferring on to Saturday night's main event.
The WISSOTA Street Stock division boasted 52 cars with heat race wins going to Cory Rosen, Justin Pogones, Henry Peters, Cory Tammen, Jim Williams and Scott Paulson. Other drivers to qualifying for the main event through the heat races included: Justin Vogel, James Tandeski, Devin Neske, Jason Babcock, Cory Crapser, Tyler Lambert, Rusty Kollman, Levi Babcock, Travis Berends, Kris Peterson, Shawn Wageman and Mike Jans. Two WISSOTA Street Stock B-mains were scheduled for Saturday with the top three in each putting on their dancing shoes for Saturday night's feature event.
Five WISSOTA Super Stock heat races were held during Friday night's qualifying action. The 50 car field was divided into five 10-car qualifying events with Jason Vejtruba, Todd Carter, Corky Thomas, Rick Kobs and JB Stortz all reigning victorious in heat race action. Don Shaw, Jon Stepan, Dave Mass, Mike Peterson, Roger Host, Jeff Flaten, Tim Johnson, Matt Sparby, Jim Gullikson and Shawn Nolan were all successful in qualifying for Saturday night's main event as well through heat race action held on Friday night. The top two in each of Saturday's twin B-mains would transfer on to Saturday night's A-main feature event for the WISSOTA Super Stocks.
A loaded field of 58 Modifieds took to the speedway next. Heat race wins were collected by Scott Gilbertson, Keith Tourville, Ron Jones, Jason Thoennes, Craig Thatcher and Joey Jensen. Second place finishes in Friday night's heat race action were collected by Terry Engebretson, Pat Doar, Scott Tofte, Jay Richardson, Danny Bayer and Dale Mathison. A third place finish would too garner a driver a spot in Saturday night's main event. The final six drivers to qualify through the heat races included: JJ Schuelke, Shane Sabraski, Dennis Bitzan, Scot Danzeisen, Randy Tarno and Kent Wilms. Two large B-mains were scheduled for Saturday afternoon with the top two finishers from each qualifying them self for Saturday night's $3,000 to win main event.
The WISSOTA Late Models boasted a nice car count of 35. Those 35 drivers were split into four heat races with Dave Tyrchniewicz, Shaun Peterson, Don Shaw and Zach Johnson all garnering heat race victories. The top five drivers in each heat race would qualify for Saturday's $4,000 to win main event. These drivers included: Jeff Wildung, Ricky Weiss, Blaine Doppler, Scott Greer, Shawn Kirwin, Brad Seng, Joel Cryderman, Dave Zimmerman, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Pat Doar, Mike Balcaen, Rick Schroeder, Danny Bayer, Ryan Corbett, Matt Aukland, Brady Johanneck.
With all the heat race action in the books, Saturday's portion of the Fall Classic got underway at 3:00 p.m. The first three drivers to lock themselves into Saturday night's A-main were WISSOTA Midwest Modified pilots Jason Hoffman, Josh "Buzz" Muzik and Shane Sabraski. The 2nd WISSOTA Midwest Modified B-main seen Ron Saurer, Ryan Restad and Kyle Koehntop sneak their way into the main event by running 1-2-3 in the second consi. The 3rd and final consi was collected by Korey Krafthefer. Krafthefer was followed to the line by Modified legend Ron Jones and Pete Loecken. Marshal Tofte would receive the provisional to set the lineup for Saturday night's $1,000 to win main event.
The first of two WISSOTA Street Stock B-mains was held next with Atwater, Mn driver Ryan Buer scoring the victory. Buer was followed to the line by a very game Scott Walker and third place finishing Chuck Olson. The 2nd and final B-main was collected by Luck, WI driver Chanda Fjorden-Nord. Chanda reigned victorious in B-main number two followed to the line by fellow transfers Mark Blom and Roger Christiansen.
Speedway regulars Larry Lund and Dominic Baker transfered through B-main number one for the WISSOTA Super Stocks while Derek Lemke picked up the win in the second. Canadian driver Leo Feeleus picked up the 2nd and final transfer spot in B-main two with a last lap, last corner pass on Eric Thiesse and Paul Veert.
The WISSOTA Modified B-mains were dominated by Jamestown, ND veteran John Corell and Elk River, Mn mudslinger Trent Follmer. Brad Loveday and Don Eischens each garnered transfer spots as well with Jamie Lemke picking up the champions provisional setting Saturday night's A-main field.
The WISSOTA Late Model division only had one B-main qualifier which was dominated by 2007 Viking Fall Classic Champion Lance Matthees. Matthees took the lead from the get go and proceeded to check out on the field in a very short time. Dave Mass, Tom Corcoran and Joey Jensen each garnered transfer spots as well setting Saturday nights Late Model A-main.
With all heat races, qualifiers and tributes in the books, the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds were first to get the call. Young drivers Brian Haben and Ryan Mikkelson shared the front row starting duties as head flagman Mike Commerford dropped the green. Mikkelson charged his Elite Chassis machine into turn one taking the lead as the field spread out down the backstretch. On lap three, however, Haben suffered a mechanical breakdown which caused a chain reaction sending Cale Arneson into a series of rolls on the front stretch. Arneson and Kyle Koehntop were unable to continue. Order was restored and Mikkelson once again showed the front runners to the green. While Mikkelson stretched his advantage out front, Josh Thoennes and Brock Gronwold waged a great battle for the second spot. Twentieth starter Ron Jones moved up eleven positions in the first seven laps finding himself in ninth while Mikkelson still lead out front. Gronwold worked to the inside and also to the outside of Thoennes but was unable to take the spot for the time being. Thirteenth starter Travis Saurer and seventeenth starter Korey Krafthefer began to work their way through the field as the cross flags showed signaling there was 12 laps in the books. Yellow flags hampered the middle of the event before order was restored and Thoennes and Gronwold ignited their memorable battle once again. Saurer and Krafthefer each entered the top five with four laps remaining while Jones moved up to seventh when the final checkered flags waved. Thoennes was able to hold off Gronwold in the end for the second spot while Mikkelson cruised on to his first ever Viking Speedway victory. Out front it was Mikkelson scoring the win ahead Thoennes, Gronwold, Saurer and Krafthefer. Jones picked up the hard charger award starting 20th and finishing 7th.
Two of the best in the business in Cory Tammen and Cory Rosen were aligned on the front row for the 25-car WISSOTA Street Stock main event. Rosen beat Tammen to turn one and grabbed the lead as the field exited turn two. Rosen kept his momentum up on the high side and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Tammen settled into the second spot while eighth starter Shawn Wageman cracked the top five early on. Near the midway point of the race, the yellow flag waved for an incident in turn two. During that time, second place runner Cory Tammen headed pit side to change a flat tire. That would now hand the second place spot to Wageman, who was very fast near the midway point of the race. Back in traffic, Tyler Lambert and Mark Blom began picking their competitors off one by one. Lambert, who started the event in 16th, cracked the top five with six to go while Blom moved to fifth from his 22nd starting position. Rosen continued to work the high line with five laps still up on the board while Wageman followed closely. Babcock, Lambert and Blom battled for the third spot while Rosen and Wageman began to distance themselves from the pack. On the final lap, Rosen jumped the cushion in turn three which allowed Wageman to work to the inside off of turn four. When the two front runners crossed the line, it was Rosen taking the victory by a half of a car length. Fourteenth starter, Babcock, finished third ahead of the hard charging duo of Lambert and Blom. Blom was the hard charger of the event moving up 17 positions in 20 laps.
Ham Lake, Mn driver Don Shaw took the lead from the outside of row one during opening lap action in the WISSOTA Late Model division. Shaw immediately stretched his advantage out front while Jeff Wildung quickly moved his way forward from his third starting spot. Pole-sitter Danny Bayer remained strong early on before fading back to the seventh spot five laps in. Two drivers who were more than apparently on the move were Joel Cryderman and Lance Matthees. Cryderman, who started the event in the sixteenth spot, moved up eight positions in the first twelve laps finding himself in the eighth position. Matthees, who started twenty-first, cracked the top ten, fifteen laps into the event. Shaw continued to lead out front while the lap cars started to become part of the equation. Eighth starter Zach Johnson moved by Wildung for the second spot on lap twenty-one before tracking down Shaw for the lead with fourteen laps remaining. Shaw rode the high side with Johnson in the ditch. The two remained side by side for the better part of the five laps before Johnson took the lead off of turn four. Cryderman and Mathees cracked the top five with six laps remaining but were unable to make anymore progress in the final laps. Wildung closed up on the backside of Shaw for the second spot with three laps to go and was able to overtake Don using the high groove in turn two. In the end, however, it was Johnson picking up the biggest win of his young career. Wildung had another great run in the second spot ahead of Shaw, Cryderman and Matthees. Matthees moved up 16 spots during the 40-lap affair garnering the hard charger award in the process.
Joey Jensen took the lead on the opening lap of the WISSOTA Modified finale. Jensen held the lead early on while the action was hot and heavy behind. Sixth starter Ron Jones looked as if he might be the car to beat early on when he moved into second on lap seven. Fifteenth starter Scot Danzeisen looked very impressive with 22 laps still up on the board as he moved into seventh just eight laps into the event. Jensen still held the lead on lap twelve as Pat Doar and Craig Thatcher were now locked into a battle for the second spot. Danny Bayer moved into the top five from his eleventh starting spot on lap seventeen and looked as if he might spoil the party. Doar, however, found the high side of the speedway to his liking as he pedaled by Jensen for the top spot with ten laps remaining. A late restart would put Thatcher and Jensen next to each other behind Doar for the final time. As the field entered turn one, Thatcher was able to work his way past Jensen for the second spot while Doar continued to pound the high side of the speedway. JJ Schuelke and Jason Thoennes had a great battle going for the sixth spot with Schuelke eventually grabbing the spot in the end. Schuelke ran very well moving up eleven positions during the duration of the A-main. Danzeisen continued to chip away at the field, and with two laps remaining was able to dispose of Jensen for the third spot. Thatcher tried everything to reel in Doar, but in the end it was Pat taking his first ever WISSOTA Modified win at Viking. Doar was joined in the star studded top five by Thatcher, Danzeisen, Jensen and Bayer. Don Eischens picked up the hard charger award, starting 22nd and finishing 8th.
The final event of the 2008 season belonged to the WISSOTA Super Stocks. Tim Johnson stoled the lead from Corky Thomas early on and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Johnson held the lead until lap five when Don Shaw blasted by on the extreme high side of the speedway. With the track sporting a very racy surface, many drivers began to move forward. Myriad of yellow flags halted action before Shaw and Johnson began to get after it once again for the point. Shaw continued to run the high side while Johnson diamonded the corners in attempt to overtake Shaw. Johnson was able to pull even on more than one occasion, but was unable to overtake Shaw out front. Shawn Nolan made a hard charger from deep in the field. With four laps remaining, Shawn found himself in a great battle with Dave Mass for the fourth spot. Nolan actually overtook Mass for a short time, before Dave worked back to the inside taking the position in the end. Deer Park, WI native Rick Kobs looked very strong during Saturday night's A-main as well finishing third in his Fegers Super Stock mount. For the third time in his career, and third year in a row, Don Shaw picked up the Fall Classic win in the Super Stock division. Shaw was joined in the top five by Johnson, Kobs, Mass and Nolan. Nolan picked up the hard charger award starting 20th and finishing 5th.
FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan and all the staff at Viking Speedway would like to thank all the fans, drivers, pit crew members and sponsors that made the 6th Annual Viking Fall Classic a success. With the help of all you great people, an event of this magnitude would not be possible. Stay tuned to www.fyemotorsports.com for dates of next year's FYE events. We hope to see you all back here next year.
SUMMARY:
WISSOTA Late Models:
Feature- Zach Johnson, Jeff Wildung, Don Shaw, Joel Cryderman, Lance Matthees, Dave Tyrchniewicz, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Mike Balcaen, Brad Seng, Dave Zimmerman, Pat Doar, Pat Doar, Dave Mass, Scott Greer, Tom Corcoran, Shaun Peterson, Blaine Doppler, Ricky Weiss, Danny Bayer, Rick Schroeder, Shawn Kirwin, Ryan Corbett, Joey Jensen, Rick Nelson, Matt Aukland, Brady Johanneck
Heat 1- Tyrchniewicz, Wildung, Weiss, Doppler, Greer, Eilers, Bruns, Dyrdahl, Jensen
Heat 2- Peterson, Kirwin, Seng, Cryderman, Zimmerman, Matthees, Corcoran, Nelson, Lehn
Heat 3- Shaw, Hinkemeyer, Doar, Balcaen, Schroeder, Mass, Mueller, Jegtvig, Chris Lehn
Heat 4- Z. Johnson, Bayer, Corbett, Aukland, Johanneck, Brian Diede, Rick Nelson, Williamson
B-main- Matthees, Mass, Corcoran, Jensen, Mueller
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Pat Doar, Craig Thatcher, Scot Danzeisen, Joey Jensen, Danny Bayer, JJ Schuelke, Jason Thoennes, Don Eischens, Dennis Bitzan, Ron Jones, Dale Mathison, Rick Jacobson, John Corell, Jay McDonald, Keith Tourville, Shane Sabraski, Jay Richardson, Kent Wilms, Terry Engebretson, Trent Follmer, Scott Gilbertson, Randy Tarno, Scott Tofte, Jamie Lemke, Brad Loveday
Heat 1- Scott Gilbertson, Engebretson, Schuelke, Lemke, Corell, Edgington, Nayes, Aukland, Cain, Matt Gilbertson
Heat 2- Tourville, Doar, Sabraski, Follmer, Eischens, J. Trautner, Froehlich, Lofthus, Blue, Thiesse
Heat 3- Jones, Tofte, Bitzan, Loveday, Duval, Miskowic, Arneson, Laske, Nystrom, Bryce Bjerke
Heat 4- Thoennes, Richardson, Danzeisen, Romdalvik, McDonald, Sexton, Thomas, M. Trautner, Wildman, Frollik
Heat 5- Thatcher, Bayer, Tarno, Mike Storck, Jegtvig, Mike Anderson, Williamson, Blood, Olafson
Heat 6- Jensen, Mathison, Wilms, Jacobson, Bruns, Alexander, Schroeder, Arne Anderson, Gulbrandson
B-main 1- Corell, Loveday, Lemke, Edgington, Jegtvig, Cain, Duval, Gilbertson, Storck, Wildman
B-main 2- Follmer, Eischens, Jacobson, Trautner, Romdalvik, Gulbrandson, Bruns, Sexton, Thomas, Schroeder
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Don Shaw, Tim Johnson, Rick Kobs, Dave Mass, Shawn Nolan, Todd Carter, Larry Lund, Jon Stepan, Cory Tammen, Ed Rolfson, JB Stortz, Dominic Baker, Mike Peterson, Jason Vejtruba, Jeff Flaten, Cal Rossner, Jim Gullikson, Jim Urseth, Corky Thomas, Ron Host, Derrick Lemke, Leo Feeleus, Matt Sparby, Zach Schultz, Scott Brown
Heat 1- Vejtruba, Shaw, Stepan, Schultz, Baker, Collins, Shipley, Eischens, Thiesse, Lancaster
Heat 2- Carter, Mass, Peterson, Rolfson, Lemke, Gangl, Wilson, Johnson, Miller, Host
Heat 3- Thomas, Roger Host, Flaten, Tammen, Lund, Hauer, Sauby, Brown, Yeats, Feeleus
Heat 4- Kobs, Tim Johnson, Sparby, Rossner, Hellerman, Veert, Jerve, Lee, Kluver, Lawrence
Heat 5- Stortz, Gullikson, Nolan, Urseth, Lindell, Pellersels, Cleveland, Thieschafer, Read, Balcaen
B-main 1- Lund, Baker, Gangl, Wilson, Eischens
B-main 2- Lemke, Feeleus, Thiesse, Balcaen, Collins
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Ryan Mikkelson, Josh Thoennes, Brock Gronwold, Travis Saurer, Korey Krafthefer, Matt Weisman, Ron Jones, Ron Saurer, Jason Hoffman, Shane Sabraski, Jeremy Kerzman, Ryan Restad, Marshal Tofte, Brandon Nelson, Pete Loecken, Wes Hines, Brendan Blascyk, Dustin Bitzan, Josh Muzik, Andy Jones, Kyle Koehntop, Cale Arneson, Brian Haben, Randy Klein
Heat 1- Weisman, Blascyk, Vezina, Koehntop, Smith, Schultz, Zenner, Mensen, Kipka, Dowdell
Heat 2- Haben, Hines, R. Saurer, Jones, Kollman, Heinle, Sogge, Kuhnau, Menk, Hellerman
Heat 3- Thoennes, Arneson, Krafthefer, Hoffman, Thorstad, Loecken, Smith, Limoges, Brenny, Kyle Reents
Heat 4- Bitzan, Andy Jones, Muzik, Al Sadek, Krog, Ims, Merten, Bintz, Czech, Stall
Heat 5- Mikkelson, Nelson, Restad, Sniezek, Tofte, Olson, Pavlicek, Kuhlman, Greeley
Heat 6- Klein, Kerzman, Jumbeck, Hoium, VandeKamp, Schmidt, Vanderby, Deering
Heat 7- Gronwold, Saurer, Sabraski, Reents, Berg, Studanski, Swanson, Sparby, Anderson
B-main 1- Hoffman, Muzik, Sabraski, Kollman, Ims, Smith, Studanski, Czech, Limoges, Kuhnau
B-main 2- Ron Saurer, Restad, Koehntop, Thorstad, Hoium, Reents, Swanson, Olson, Greeley, Merten
B-main 3- Krafthefer, Jones, Loecken, VandeKamp, Mensen, Berg, Pavlicek, Jumbeck, Sniezek, Kuhlman
WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Cory Rosen, Shawn Wageman, Jason Babcock, Tyler Lambert, Mark Blom, Scott Paulson, Henry Peters, Devin Neske, Rusty Kollman, Kris Peterson, Cory Tammen, James Tandeski, Ryan Buer, Roger Christiansen, Chuck Olson, Levi Babcock, Cory Crapser, Scott Walker, Scott Horn, Chanda Fjorden-Nord, Justin Vogel, Mike Jans, Justin Pogones, Travis Berends, Jim Williams
Heat 1- Rosen, Vogel, Tandeski, Juven, McCain, Rhode, Johnson, Horn, Huston
Heat 2- Pogones, Neske, Babcock, Fjorden-Nord, Christiansen, Sorrell, Blumke, Blom, Kern
Heat 3- Peters, Crapser, Lambert, Buer, Olson, Sahli, Miskowic, Leininger, Burrows
Heat 4- Tammen, Kollman, Babcock, Goulet, Schmidt, Peterson, Wall, Jacobson, Severson
Heat 5- Williams, Berends, Kris Peterson, Bangsund, Walker, Laage, Berg, Becker
Heat 6- Paulson, Wageman, Jans, Winter, Swartz, Potter, Voigt, Forcier
B-main 1- Buer, Walker, Olson, Blumke, Juven, Burrows, Huston, Horn, Wall, Sahli
B-main 2- Fjorden-Nord, Blom, Christiansen, Miskowic, Potter, Goulet, Severson, Winter, Kern, Berg
6th
Annual Viking Fall Classic: Ending The Season In Style
The year-ending Viking Fall
Classic is set to wrap up the 2008 racing season in grand style on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 2nd,
3rd
and 4th
2008 at the Viking Speedway in
This event, promoted by FYE
Motorsports Promotions from nearby
The 2007 event saw Lance Matthees, Jamie Lemke, Danny Bayer and Jason VandeKamp race to their first ever Fall Classic titles in the Late Models, Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks respectively and also saw Don Shaw storm to his second consecutive Super Stock championship.
Event details will be much like in previous years and will feature an open practice session on Thursday night, October 2nd from 7pm to 10pm for anyone interested in coming and testing prior to the event. A social gathering will then take place after practice on Thursday night. Details will be released at a later date. Friday, October 3rd will then see the grandstand and pit gates both open at 3pm with the draw cut off at 6pm and racing beginning at 6:30. All heat races will be run on Friday night. Saturday will see the pits and grandstand gates both open at noon with racing beginning at 3pm.
Log onto
www.fyemotorsports.com for event
details such as ticket prices and admission fees. We hope to see you in
ALSO...
Holiday Inn Back On Board As Host Hotel For Fall Classic.....
Holiday Inn of Alexandria Named
Host Hotel For 6th Viking Fall Classic
The Holiday Inn of Alexandria has once again come on board for the
fourth consecutive season to be the official host hotel of the 6th
Annual Viking Fall Classic. The staff and accommodations at the Holiday
Inn are second to none and will provide a great home away from home for
those planning on attending this year’s Fall Classic on October 2nd, 3rd
and 4th.
The Holiday Inn will be offering discounted rates for all guests that
mention the Fall Classic upon registration and will be offering free
drink vouchers for Rudy’s Redeye Grill, the lounge/restaurant attached
to the hotel. The Holiday Inn has recently been renovated and each room
offers new furnishings, wireless internet and large work desks. The
holidome recreation center in the center of the complex features a
swimming pool, whirlpool, wading pool, an indoor volleyball court and a
basketball court. You can check the hotel out at
www.hialexandria.com.
Room rates will be reserved at a discounted price per night for the
weekend, providing an affordable stay while in town for some awesome
racing action!
To make reservations, please call (320) 763-6577 and be sure to mention
that you are staying with them because they are the host hotel of the
Fall Classic in order to get your discounted room rate. The Holiday Inn
is conveniently located just off of Interstate 94 as you come into Alex.
At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Highway 29 South and the Holiday
Inn is your first building on the left, just across the bridge. The
address is 5637 Hwy 29 South, Alexandria, MN 56308.
For more information about the Fall Classic, please check out www.fyemotorsports.com or call Chris at (715) 497-8916.
Mathees, Lemke, Shaw, Bayer and VandeKamp 2007 Classic at Viking
By Ray Beste
Alexandria, Mn (October 7th) - Lance Mathees endured a late race surge
from Joel Cryderman to score his first WISSOTA Late Model feature win of
the season Saturday night at Viking Speedway during night two of its
annual Viking Fall Classic. The $4,000 win did not come easy as Mathees
endured pressure from Jeff Wildung and Cryderman during the duration of
the forty lap event. Jamie Lemke danced side by side with Craig Thatcher
for 27 laps before being declared the winner in the WISSOTA Modified
division while Don Shaw scored the win in the WISSOTA Super Stocks.
Danny Bayer, who started 20th, endured a late race challenge from Ron
Saurer to score the win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified finale while
Jason VandeKamp scored his second Viking Speedway victory of the season
in the WISSOTA Streets. The fifth Annual Viking Fall Classic proved to
be a great one with drivers from all over WISSOTA country taking part in
the sanctioning bodies final weekend of racing in 2007. Saturday's
portion of the program was comprised of B-main's for all five divisions
as well as the aforementioned feature events.
Saturday's program began with two WISSOTA Midwest Modified B-main
events. The top two from each would transfer on to the night's A-main
while the rest would load their machines onto the trailer for the final
time in 2007. The first WISSOTA Midwest Modified B-main was dominated by
Kensington, Mn mudslinger Korey Krafthefer. Krafthefer, fresh off a
great weekend at the Western 100, cruised on to the win relatively
unchallenged. The battle for the second spot was a good one between Zach
Schultz, Brandon Nelson and Dan Menk. Schultz, however, was able to hold
the position and stole the final transfer spot in the process. Nelson,
Menk and Rusty Kollman rounded out the top five behind Krafthefer.
Like the first WISSOTA Midwest Modified B-main, the leader went
relatively unchallenged. Morris, Mn driver Buddy Thorstad checked out on
the field early on which left the second and final transfer spot up for
grabs between Jason Hoffman and Shane Sabraski. On the final trip around
the speedway, Hoffman and Sabraski made contact out of turn four with
Sabraski ultimately being awarded the transfer spot. Jeremy Kerzman
started 15th and finished fourth ahead of fifth place finishing Danny
Vang.
Like the Midwest Modified division, the WISSOTA Street Stocks held two
B-mains with the top three in each transferring on to the A-feature
event. Row six starter Mike Jans proved once again why he is one of the
best in the business picking up the win in the first B-main. Jans worked
the extreme top side of the speedway passing a bevy of cars on his way
to victory. Hanley Falls, Mn driver Brandon Jacobson followed Jans to
the front and came home second while Aaron Leininger picked up the final
transfer spot just ahead of Jason Long and Jerome Guyout.
Princeton Speedway regular Rod Debernardeaux scored the win in B-main
number two. Debernardeaux, who rarely visits the Viking Speedway, has a
great history at the Fall Classic and once again locked himself into
another A-main with his win in B-main two. 2006 Viking Fall Classic
WISSOTA Street Stock champion Keith Tourville worked his way through
traffic after starting midpack finishing a strong second behind "Rodney
D." Andrew Bangsund, Travis Berends and Justin Pogones were also members
of the top five in B-main two for the WISSOTA Streets.
The WISSOTA Super Stocks were next to roll out onto the racing surface
with four more drivers looking to lock themself into Saturday night's
30-lap A-main. Brainerd, Mn ace Tim Johnson scored the victory in B-main
number one behind the wheel of DJ Dondelinger's #8. Johnson, however,
looked as smooth as usual as he cruised on to victory. Local product
Jeff Kluver finished a strong second behind Johnson putting on his
dancing shoes in the process. Grand Meadow, Mn driver Ryan Siegle
narrowly missed a transfer spot in third while Roger Host and Dale Gangl
rounded out the top five.
Speedway regulars Jon Stepan and Jason Blascyk were able to go dancing
as well as they finished one-two in B-main two. Blascyk's transfer spot
did not come easy, however, as he endured heavy pressure from Forrest
Lake, Mn driver Jim Gullikson. Gullikson, however, promoted clean racing
and never made contact with Blascyk during the event. Jeff Hapala and
Jason Thoennes were each members of the top five as well in Super Stock
B-main 2.
Scott Tofte grabbed the early lead in WISSOTA Modified B-main 1. Tofte
led early before looping his machine in turn four bringing out the
yellow. Tofte would not stay in the back for long, however as he powered
around the high side of the speedway. After going back to fourteenth,
Tofte staired a transfer spot right in the rear bumper with three laps
remaining. Tofte continued to slam the cushion around the speedway as he
closed in on second place Mark Froehlich for the second and final
transfer spot. On the final trip around the speedway, Tofte made a
bonzai run for the cushion in turn three. Froehlich, however, held the
groove and picked up the final transfer spot in fine form. Out front it
was all Scott Gilbertson picking up the win in B-main 1.
Morris, Mn driver Dave Storck dominated action in WISSOTA Modified
B-main 2. While Storck cruised to a sizable advantage out front, Dennis
Bitzan closed in on Shane Sabraski for the second and final transfer
spot. With two laps remaining, Bitzan had successfully caught the back
side of Sabraski. On the final lap, Bitzan loaded his Specialty
Fabricating machine one last time as the duo raced out of turn four.
Sabraski was able to hold his line and went on to score the final
transfer spot. Storck picked up the win while Rick Delaine and Joe Bean
rounded out the top five.
After Proctor Speedway rained out, New Richmond, WI legend Pat Doar made
his way to Viking Speedway for Saturday's portion of the program.
Because Doar did not run a heat race that meant he would start
Saturday's B-main in the thirteenth position. With the top two drivers
moving on to the A-main, Doar had his work cut out for him. Cody
Skytland grabbed the early lead but not before enduring pressure from
Canby, Mn driver Corey Nelson. Doar steadily moved his way forward from
the back finding himself in the top five with six laps remaining. Doar
rocketed around the top side of the multi-grooved speedway and moved
into third with just three laps remaining. Doar was able to cruise by
Nelson for the second and final transfer spot with two laps to go and
set out after Skytland for the lead. On the final lap, Doar made a
bonzai run for the bottom of the track in turn three. Skytland, however,
held his line and cruised on to the mighty impressive B-main victory.
Doar had the near capacity crowd on its collective feet several times
finishing an astonishing run in second with Corey Nelson third, Ed
Turnbull fourth and Brad Jensen fifth.
Local product Shaun Peterson took the early lead in B-main two behind
the wheel of his brand new Rocket Race Car. Peterson seemed to have a
good handle on his new machine during the weekend ultimately finishing
second to Dave Mass in the second and final B-main. Dave Zimmerman did
his best to pass Peterson for the second and final transfer spot but
never mounted a serious challenge. Zimmerman, however, would receive a
provisional for the highest finisher from the year before. Mass went on
to score the win ahead of Peterson, Zimmmerman, Ardy Eilers and Jon
Henkemeyer.
With all the qualifying events in the books, it was now feature time. As
customary at Viking Speedway, the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds rolled out
onto the speedway for their 20-lap, $1,000 to win main event. A four
wide salute to the fans was aligned before order was restored and action
commenced on the big half mile. With the speedway sporting two beautiful
grooves for racing, the green flag waved. Second generation drivers
Marshal Tofte and Travis Saurer shared the front row starting duties
with Tofte grabbing the early lead. Tofte worked the high side of the
speedway while sixth starter Bryan Dyrdahl worked his way forward.
Dyrdahl stole the second spot from Saurer early on and proved he would
be a factor in the final outcome of the event. Dyrdahl overtook Tofte
for the lead on lap seven while many hard charging efforts could be
found on the speedway. Twentieth starting Bayer was already flirting
with the top ten when the first yellow flag waved ten laps in. On the
restart it was still Dyrdahl out front with Tofte in second. Row six
starter Pete Loecken entered the top five with eight laps remaining as
Bayer continued his spirited march toward the front. One by one Bayer
stalked his foes before moving into second with six laps remaining.
Dyrdahl continued to impress however and seemed to have an answer for
Bayer's moves early on. A plethora of cautions halted action in the
ladder stages of the event which would play into Bayer's hands. With
four laps remaining, Bayer used a power move in turn three to dispose of
Dyrdahl for the lead. The story of the race, however, was yet to be
told. Thirteenth starter Ron Saurer had found the extreme high side of
the speedway to his liking with five laps remaining as he moved into
third past Tofte. Saurer quickly moved by Dyrdahl for the second spot
when the final caution of the event waved with two laps remaining. On
the restart, Bayer continued to work the middle groove with Saurer up on
the ledge. On the final trip around the speedway, Saurer closed in on
Bayer for one last run in turns three and four. Bayer, however, held his
line, didn't make any mistakes and went on to score the biggest win of
his young career. Saurer ended a great run in second ahead of Dyrdahl,
Troy Berends and Tofte. Berends, who started fifteenth, was awarded
third later on after Dyrdahl was light at the scales. Bayer not only
picked up the win but was awarded the hard charger as well.
Cambridge, Mn driver Jason VandeKamp took the early lead during action
in the 20-lap WISSOTA Street Stock finale. Row eight starters Dave
Rohweder and Tim Johnson proved that they would be factors early on
passing cars and nearing the top ten just a few laps into the event. Row
five starter Cory Rosen made a bevy of moves on his way to the front and
was scored in the second spot with twelve laps remaining. VandeKamp and
Rosen, who have went door to door many times, put on a good old fashion
slobber-knocker during the remainder of the event going side by side
several times. Tenth starter Shawn Wageman worked his way into fourth
early on while the battle for the lead ignited once again. With seven
laps remaining, Rosen tried an inside move once again which was fought
off by Vandy. Rosen was left to regroup while some drivers from the back
began to move forward. Jamestown Speedway regulars Rohweder and Spencer
Johnson each moved up several positions and each finished just outside
the top five in sixth and seventh respectively. Rosen would throw
everything but the kitchen sink at VandeKamp in the remaining laps but
it was not enough as Vandy cruised on to the win. Rosen had another
great run in second with Ryan Buer third, Wageman fourth and Cory Tammen
fifth. Scott Horn picked up the hard charger award starting the event in
25th and finishing 9th.
With track conditions perfect, speedway officials decided that the
WISSOTA Late Models would be next. Long time racing veterans Troy Olson
and Jeff Hinkemeyer shared row one as the green flag dropped. Fourth
starter Lance Mathees put his Rocket Race Car up on the shelf early on
and was scored the leader at the conclusion of lap two. Hinkemeyer and
Olson battled for second early on before Jeff Wildung moved from his row
four starting spot to do battle with Troy and Jeff. Wildung moved into
second just eight laps into the race while Mathees had stretched his
advantage considerably out front. Thirteenth starter Joel Cryderman
found himself in the eighth spot ten laps into the event while Pat Doar
began to march through the field. After starting 23rd, Doar entered the
top ten just eighteen laps into the contest. As the laps wore down,
Wildung began to creep closer and closer to Mathees. Zach Johnson
disposed of both Olson and Hinkemeyer for the fourth spot near the
midway point of the race while Cryderman and Olson battled for position.
The yellow flag waved with seventeen laps remaining which would bunch up
the field double file behind race leading Mathees. On the restart,
Cryderman got a great jump on his competitors and entered the top five
behind Johnson while Wildung pressured Mathees out front. Doar, like
Cryderman, used a great jump to advance a few positions locking himself
in a duel with Olson for the sixth spot. Olson rode the rim with Doar on
the bottom. The yellow flag waved once again with eleven laps remaining
which would once again bunch things up behind Mathees. On the restart,
Cryderman made a bonzai run for the bottom of the track in turn one. He
overtook Johnson for the third spot and began to pressure Wildung for
the second spot. Mathees stretched his lead out front while Doar entered
the top five with six laps remaining. Wildung began to pull away from
Cryderman when the yellow flag once again waved with four laps
remaining. Now it was Mathees out front with Wildung, Cryderman, Johnson
and Doar lined up single file behind. On the restart, Cryderman once
again headed for the ditch in turn one. He overtook Wildung for the
second spot as he closed in on Mathees for the lead down the
backstretch. On the final trip around the speedway, Mathees and
Cryderman dueled door to door down the backstretch. Mathees, however,
used his top groove momentum to pick up the win by a half of a car
length ahead of seventh row starting Cryderman. Wildung had a great run
in third with Johnson and Doar rounding out the top five. Doar picked up
the hard charger award starting 23rd and finishing fifth. Between his
B-main and the A-main, Doar passed a gaughty 29 cars over the weekend.
The win was Mathees' first on the season, which netted him $4,000 in the
process.
Hutchinson, Mn driver Jamie Lemke took the early lead on the opening
circuit of the 35-lap WISSOTA Modified A-main. Sixth starter Scot
Danzeisen made an unbelievable move ducking under four of his fellow
competitors grabbing the second spot as the field raced out of turn two.
Lemke was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap while
Danzeisen settled into second. Fourth starter Craig Thatcher quickly
moved into third and didn't waste any time applying pressure to the
backside of Danzeisen. Danzeisen worked the cushion with Thatcher in the
ditch. Thatcher moved his way by Danzeisen for the second spot on lap
seven while Lemke stretched his advantage out front. Back in the pack
"Mr. Modified" Jay McDonald began a spirited march toward the front as
he worked the cushion past several of his competitors. Long time racing
veteran Dave Storck did the same moving up eight positions in the first
eight laps after starting 22nd. With twenty-three laps remaining,
Thatcher closed in on the backside of Lemke as the duo began to race
side by side for the lead. Lemke man-handled his machine around the
cushion while Thatcher worked the ditch. Dave Cain and Mike Anderson
looked as if they might be a factor as each competitor worked the
extreme high side of the speedway. Cain, after moving into the top five,
would retire off the backstretch with a flat tire. Mark Noble too look
as if he might be a factor near the midway point of the race, but he too
had to retire pitside with mechanical failure. Row nine starter Jason
Thoennes found the extreme high side of the speedway to his liking.
Thoennes cracked the top five with six laps remaining while smoke began
pour out the backside of Lemke's #17L. The final caution of the event
waved with five laps remaining which would put Thatcher on Lemke's
bumper for the restart. Lemke once again climbed the hill in turn one,
slammed the right rear on the cushion, and blasted off to a nice lead
down the backchute. Thatcher was poised for Lemke to make a mistake as
he stayed a close distance, but the mistake would never come as Lemke
cruised on to his biggest win of his great career. Thatcher tried
everything during the duration of the race but had to settle for second
ahead of Danzeisen, Don Eischens and Thoennes. Storck and McDonald each
passed 14 cars during the event each picking up a hard charger award in
the process. Lemke was very excited in victory lane as he shared hugs
with his loved ones and a big smile for the camera. It was found out
later that a rear axle tube had busted and that was the reasoning behind
the smoke.
The WISSOTA Super Stocks owned the final event of the 2007 season and
after the A-mains the fans had seen in the other four division's, they
had a tough act to follow. Mike Peterson and Zach Schultz shared row one
as the green dropped over the field. Schultz grabbed the opening lap
advantage while Scott Brown quickly moved into third. Todd Carter looked
as if he might be the victor early on as he battled door to door with
Schultz for the lead. Brown, however, disposed of Carter for the second
spot on the bottom of the track in turn four and immediately set off to
catch Schultz. Schultz would lead until lap ten when Brown blasted by on
the bottom for the top spot. The double file restarts really seem to
help Don Shaw, who cracked the top four near the midway point of the
race. Shaw moved into third two laps later and quickly began to pressure
the backside of Schultz for second. Shaw went to the bottom in turn
three and disposed of Schultz for the second spot while Brown still held
the lead out front. Shaw, with the help of another restart, closed in on
the backside of Brown with eleven laps remaining. Shaw was able to make
the pass for the lead stick one lap later. Brown, however, battled back
and the casual fan was still unsure as to who would be the victor. After
falling back a few spots early on, 21st starter Tim Johnson began to
work his way through the field. Johnson worked the extreme top side of
the speedway while most cars ran middle to bottom. On the final trip
around the speedway, Johnson worked his way past Carter for the seventh
spot. On the final trip around, the best battle on the speedway was for
the fourth spot between Dave Mass, Mike Anderson and Scott Lawrence.
Mass would ultimately win the battle and ended a nice run in the spot.
Out front it was Shaw scoring his second Viking Fall Classic WISSOTA
Super Stock triumph in as many years. Scott Brown really turned some
heads over the weekend ending a great run in second with Schultz third,
Mass fourth and Anderson fifth. Johnson picked up the hard charger award
starting 21st and finishing seventh.
All in all it was a great weekend at the Viking Speedway. FYE
Motorsports and Viking Speedway would like to thank all the fans,
drivers, sponsors and race related people that made this weekend a
sucessful one. Without all the help received by the aformentioned
people, a show of this magnitude could not go on. We hope to make 2008's
version of the Viking Fall Classic even more special.
SUMMARY:
WISSOTA Late Models:
Feature- Lance Mathees, Joel Cryderman, Jeff Wildung, Zach Johnson, Pat
Doar, Jeff Hinkemeyer, Troy Olson, Don Shaw, Matt Aukland, Andy
Simonson, Brad Seng, Brent Larson, Rick Nelson, Paul Mueller, Shaun
Peterson, Dave Mass, Dave Tyrchniewicz, Ricky Weiss, Jeremy Keller, Cody
Skytland, Blake Jegtvig, Dave Zimmerman, Mitch Johnson, Ben Mickelson,
Chad Corbett
B-main 1- C. Skytland, Doar, Corey Nelson, Ed Turnbull, Jensen
B-main 2- Mass, Peterson, Zimmerman, Eilers, Henkemeyer
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Feature- Jamie Lemke, Craig Thatcher, Scot Danzeisen, Don Eischens,
Jason Thoennes, Jay McDonald, Jason Miller, Dave Storck, Jay Richardson,
Scott Gilbertson, Shane Sabraski, Mark Froehlich, Ken Hron, Kent Wilms,
John Corell, Terry Engebretson, Mike Anderson, Dave Cain, Chad Nieland,
Bill Mooney, Jason Voigt, Blake Jegtvig, Mark Noble, Joey Jensen, Mike
Bruns
B-main 1- Scott Gilbertson, Froehlich, Tofte, Jegtvig, Matt Gilbertson
B-main 2- Dave Storck, Sabraski, Bitzan, Delaine, Bean
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Feature- Don Shaw, Dr. Scott Brown, Zach Schultz, Dave Mass, Mike
Anderson, Scott Lawrence, Tim Johnson, Todd Carter, Jeff Kluver, Curt
Myers, Cory Tammen, Larry Lund, Corky Thomas, Irvin Cook, Tim Borgeson,
Scott Baker, Jon Stepan, Dennis Charles, Jason Blascyk, Mike Peterson,
Jeff Flaten, Jason Thoennes, Kevin Robertson, Al Cleveland, Joel Collins
B-main 1- Johnson, Kluver, Siegle, Host, Gangl
B-main 2- Stepan, Blascyk, Gullikson, Hapala, Thoennes
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature- Danny Bayer, Ron Saurer, Troy Berends, Marshal Tofte, Pete
Loecken, Brian Haben, Shane Sabraski, Travis Saurer, Kyle Reents, Dan
Greeley, Brooke Hellerman, Randy Vezina, Brett Hoium, Korey Krafthefer,
Kyle Krafthefer, Zach Schultz, Terry Merten, Ross Romdalvik, Kenny
Klaudt, Ryan Restad, Josh Thoennes, Buddy Thorstad, Nate Barber, Ryan
Studanski, Jon Henkemeyer, Bryan Dyrdahl
B-main 1- Korey Krafthefer, Schultz, Nelson, Menk, Kollman
B-main 2- Thorstad, Sabraski, Hoffman, Kerzman, Vang
WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Feature- Jason VandeKamp, Cory Rosen, Ryan Buer, Shawn Wageman, Cory
Tammen, Dave Rohweder, Spencer Johnson, Rusty Kollman, Scott Horn, Mike
Jans, Keith Tourville, Tim Johnson, Devin Neske, Chanda Fjorden-Nord,
Levi Babcock, Scott Huston, James Tandeski, Adam Burrows, Rick Sahli,
Jim Williams, Justin Vogel, Brandon Jacobson, Ryan Schroeder, Rod
Debernardeaux, Cory Crapser
B-main 1- Jans, Jacobson, Leininger, Long, Guyot
B-main 2- Debernardeaux, Tourville, Bangsund, Berends, Pogones
Heat races kick off 5th Annual Viking Fall Classic
By Ray Beste
Alexandria, Mn (October 6th) - FYE Motorsports and Viking Speedway
teamed up for the fifth consecutive year this past weekend hosting the
5th Annual Viking Fall Classic year end invitational. A gaughty 262
competitors checked in for battle in the five WISSOTA sanctioned
divisions offered for the weekend. Friday's program was comprised of
heat races for all five WISSOTA sanctioned divisions. Competitors in the
WISSOTA Late Models, WISSOTA Modifieds, WISSOTA Super Stocks, WISSOTA
Midwest Modifieds and WISSOTA Street Stocks all took part in Friday's
portion of the program which seen high speeds and great racing despite
some damp weather.
With over 70 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds in attendance, the competitors
were split into seven heat races with the top three competitors from
each locking themselves into Saturday nights $1,000 to win A-main. Heat
race number one was dominated by outside pole-sitter Brett Hoium of
Villard, Mn. Hoium got the early jump and was never seriously challenged
during the 10-lap affair. Iron Range racer Randy Vezina raced hard
during the duration of the event and ended a great run in second ahead
of division rookie Troy Berends. Joining the aformentioned drivers in
the top five finishing order was speedway regulars Korey Krafthefer and
Todd Berg.
After a hard wreck temporarily haulted her season back in early
September, Parkers Prairie, Mn driver Brook Hellerman made her return to
the division in heat race two. Hellerman took the lead from the get go
and quickly endured pressure from Ryan Studanski. Brian Haben made some
stellar moves to make his way into third late in the race and He joined
the fray with Hellerman and Studanski. On the final trip around the
speedway, Studanski loaded up his machine on the high side for one final
attempt. Hellerman, however, held the groove and went on to score the
heat race win, much to the delight of the near capacity crowd. Matt
Smith and Charlie Mass were each members of the top five as well in heat
race two.
Heat number three was dominated by Bismarck, ND driver Kenny Klaudt. The
second year pilot grabbed the early advantage and rode the middle groove
to victory. Second row starter Ryan Restad moved up a couple positions
during the 10-lap event to finish second with Ross Romdalvik stealing
the final transfer position. Perennial WISSOTA Street Stock front runner
Jason VandeKamp finished fourth in Alan Bohlman's car while Benson, Mn
driver Scott Huston finished fifth.
Heat race four featured two racing names that have competed at Viking
Speedway for quite some time. 40+ year racing veteran Terry Merten
battled door to door with second year driver Josh Thoennes during the
duration of heat four. Merten worked the middle groove while Thoennes
tried to duck under Terry several times. Merten made few mistakes during
the contest and went on to score the win. Thoennes finished a close
second ahead of the final transferer, Jon Henkemeyer. Buddy Thorstad
finished fourth ahead of long time racing veteran Alan Olafson.
WISSOTA Midwest Modified heat race five was dominated early on by
Litchfield, Mn driver Pee Wee Kuhnau. Kuhnau would lead until lap four
when a breakdown would end his great run. That handed the lead to
Madison, Mn driver Marshal Tofte. From there on out it was Tofte
pedaling his Perfect Chassis machine to victory ahead of a hard charging
Pete Loecken. Speedway regular Dan Greeley stole the final transfer spot
ahead of Bemidji's Matt Sparby and Donnelly's Joe Schmidt.
Dalton, Mn father and son duo Travis and Ron Saurer shared row one for
heat race six. Travis grabbed the early lead ahead of the elder Saurer
while fourth row starter Danny Bayer quickly moved his way to the front.
Brandon Nelson looked as if he might be a factor in the outcome early on
before contact with the fronstretch wall halted his forward momentum
considerably. Bayer moved into third with three laps remaining and
closed the gap considerably on Ron for second. In the end it was Travis
picking up the heat race win ahead of his father, Ron. Bayer earned the
final transfer spot finishing a great run in third ahead of Randy Schumm
and "The Franklin Flyer" Dan Menk.
The seventh and final WISSOTA Midwest Modified heat race was dominated
by first time visitor Bryan Dyrdahl. Dyrdahl dominated the event from
start to finish while fifth starter Nate Barber moved up three positions
to finish a great run in second. Speedway regular Kyle Reents made a
couple of nice maneuvers in the final laps to grab the final transfer
spot while Nick Kipka and Shane Sabraski each finished in the top five
finishing order as well.
After the seventh and final WISSOTA Midwest Modified heat race was
completed, the speedway welcomed the WISSOTA Street Stocks out onto the
speedway for their qualifying events. Each qualifier featured nine cars
with ten laps being the distance for each heat. Red River Valley
Speedway regular Levi Babcock earned the victory in heat race one. Row
four starters Devin Neske and Tim Johnson did their best to work there
way to the front while Babcock was on cruise control out front. Hancock,
Mn driver Ryan Schroeder finished second while the aformentioned
drivers, Neske and Johnson, each locked themselves into Saturday night's
A-main with top four finishes. Hanley Falls, Mn driver Brandon Jacobson
finished fifth.
After Brooke Hellerman had already scored a heat race win in the WISSOTA
Midwest Modified division, one might've thought it was ladies night when
Luck, WI driver Chanda Fjorden-Nord took the early lead in heat race
two. Fjorden-Nord held the lead until lap six when Western 100 Street
Stock champion Cory Tammen overtook her for the lead with a power move
in turn three. Fjorden-Nord, however, held strong and finished the race
in second which would lock her into Saturday night's $1,000 to win
A-main. Scott Huston pedaled his Evolution Chassis machine to a very
impressive third place finish while speedway regular Rick Sahli finished
fourth. Travis "Trapper" Berends was the final member of the top five.
Outside pole-sitter Jason VandeKamp dissappeared off into the night
during action in heat number three for the WISSOTA Streets. Montana
WISSOTA Street Stock pilot Adam Burrows looked very strong during the
event holding on to a strong second place finish ahead of James Tandeski
and a hard charging Rusty Kollman. Kollman started the event tail end
and worked his way into the final transfer spot with Harold Peters in
fifth.
"Nitro" Jimmy Williams, after taking a year off, made his return to
racing in heat race four. Williams would endure heavy pressure early on
from Cory Rosen before picking up the hard fought heat race win. Rosen,
a perennial Street Stock national front runner, settle for second and
locked himself into the A-main. Jamestown, ND driver Spencer Johnson had
a great run in his second career visit to Viking finishing third while
2007 WISSOTA Street Stock national champion Cory Crapser finished
fourth. Rod Debernardeaux finished fifth.
Ryan Buer and Shawn Wageman battled for the top spot early and often
during the fifth and final WISSOTA Street Stock heat race. Buer and
Wageman, however, were joined by Dave Rohweder by lap five and the top
three competitors battled for the top spot. Rohweder did everything in
his power to overtake Wageman for the second spot but had to settle for
third in the end. Out front it was all Buer picking up the heat race
win. Wageman, Rohweder, Justin Vogel and Mark Blom each were members of
the top five as well.
A very stout field of 52 WISSOTA Super Stocks were next on the docket
with five big heat races being scheduled for the full fendered machines.
Heat number one was dominated by Dr. Scott Brown of Winnipeg, MB.
Superior, WI driver Scott Lawrence moved from tail end to pressure Brown
in the ladder stages of the event. Lawrence, in only his second ever
appearance at the speedway, looked right at home motoring around the top
side of the speedway. Dennis Charles and Tim Borgeson each garnered
transfer spots in heat race one with Deer Creek Speedway regular Chris
Quast also in the top five finishing order.
Lisbon, ND ace Todd Carter was able to score the win in heat race two.
Dave Mass, a past winner of the event, steadily moved forward during the
ten lap event finishing a close second behind Carter. Speedway regulars
Irvin Cook, Corky Thomas and Jon Stepan joined the aformentioned drivers
in the top five.
Ever since purchasing a Brunette Chassis in early August, Grove City, Mn
driver Zach Schultz has been very steady behind the wheel of his new
Super Stock. Heat race three proved to be another successful venture as
he scored the win despite some heavy hitters nipping at his heels. Mike
Anderson, fresh off a win at the Red Clay Classic, finished a strong
second behind Schultz while Joel Collins and Jeff Flaten each picked up
transfer spots during the duration of the event as well. Brainerd, Mn
ace Tim Johnson finished fifth in heat three.
Speedway regular Mike Peterson did what many have struggled to do at
Viking Fall Classic's in the past, thats keep Don Shaw out of the top
spot. After starting in row three, Shaw steadily worked his way forward
ending a nice run in second behind Peterson. Long time racing veterans
Scott Baker and Al Cleveland each picked up transfer spots with Valley
City, ND driver Tim Compson finishing up his qualifying effort in the
fifth spot.
The fifth and final heat race was dominated by Marshfield, WI driver
Curt Myers. The surprise of the event, however, was division rookie Cory
Tammen. Tammen, who started the event in row four, steadily worked his
way to the front using the extreme top side of the speedway in the
process. Once Tammen overtook second he worked the backside of Myers
before settling for a hard fought second place finish. Enderlin, ND
driver Kevin Robertson finished a strong third with Larry Lund taking
home the final transfer spot. Roger Host, in a former Scot Danzeisen
Fegers machine, finished the qualifier in the fifth spot.
The high powered WISSOTA Modifieds were next to do battle with five heat
race scheduled for the open wheeled machines. The top four from each
heat race would lock themselves into Saturday night's 35-lap A-main.
Heat race one featured a close battle for the lead between Jamie Lemke
and Scot Danzeisen. The top line seemed to be the preferred groove and
each competitor tried there best to make it work. Danzeisen pressured
Lemke several times but was never able to overtake him for the lead.
Back in traffic, ninth starter Scott Tofte moved up four positions
during the event ending a nice run in fifth. Out front it was Lemke
scoring the heat race win followed by Danzeisen, Bill Mooney, Kent Wilms
and the aformentioned Tofte.
Fargo, ND veteran Mike Bruns got the jump on the field in heat race two
and never looked back on his way to a mighty impressive heat race win.
The battle for the second spot proved to be a good one with Don Eischens
ultimately sneaking by John Corell for position in turn three. Jason
Thoennes made a late race surge by Joe Bean for the final transfer spot
with Bruns cruised on to victory out front. Eischens, Corell, Thoennes
and Bean were also members of the top five finishing order.
Outside pole-sitter Mike Anderson grabbed the early lead in heat race
three but not without enduring pressure from the #V2 of Joey Jensen.
Anderson, however, stretched his lead to three car lengths while row
four starter Dave Cain began to pressure Jensen for the second spot.
Cain pulled even with Jensen a few times but was never able to make the
pass as Jensen held on to the second spot. Out front it was all "Dirt
Digger" as Anderson picked up the heat race triumph. Jensen, Cain, Jay
Richardson and Mark Trautner were each top fivers as well.
Terry Engebretson checked out on his fellow competitors in heat race
four. Engebretson took the lead from the get go while Chad Nieland and
Jason Voigt were left to do battle for the second spot. Voigt would
venture to the cushion in turn three with four laps remaining overtaking
Nieland for the second spot while Nashwauk, Mn driver Ken Hron grabbed
the final transfer spot in fourth. Engebretson was followed to the line
by Voigt, Nieland, Hron and Dave Storck.
Two of the best Modified drivers to ever strap into a car shared the
front row for the fifth and final heat race. Knapp, WI's Craig Thatcher
and Blooming Prairie, Mn's Mark Noble were aligned on the front row as
head flagman Mike Commerford dropped the green. The red #91of Thatcher
slammed the right rear tire on the cushion in turn one and blasted off
to the early lead while Noble settled into second. Row three starter
Jason Miller quickly moved into third while Noble tried to keep pace
with Thatcher. Thatcher continued to run the rim while Noble began to
experiment with the bottom. Miller closed in on Noble for the second
spot while Thatcher began to stretch his advantage out front. In the end
it was all Thatcher picking up the heat win ahead of Noble, Miller, Jay
McDonald and Scott Gilbertson.
With the other four division's heat races already in the books, it was
now time for a little WISSOTA Late Model qualifying action. 40+ Late
Models packed the pit gates with some of WISSOTA's top runners on hand.
Lance Mathees used his outside row one starting position to dominate
heat race one. Mathees, who traditionally works near the inside tire
barrier, had his machine "cowboyed up" on the cushion and cruised on to
a relatively easy heat race win. Fargo, ND driver Troy Olson finished a
very strong second with Ricky Weiss and Joel Cryderman garnering the
final two transfer positions. Bismarck, ND driver Jeremy Keller finished
fifth.
Matt Aukland took the lead early on in heat race two while the action
behind him was hot and heavy. Fourth row starter Brad Seng used a
plethora of moves to work his way to the front disposing of some tough
competition in the process. Seng would ultimately find himself in the
third spot with two laps remaining as he worked the backside of Dave
Tyrchniewicz for second. Seng would pull along side of Tyrchniewicz a
couple times but was never able to comindeer the position. Out front it
was all Aukland picking up the heat race win. Tyrchniewicz, Seng, Brent
Larson and Ryan Corbett were each members of the top five as well.
Heat race three featured the top two runners in WISSOTA national points
for the season. Speedway regulars Jeff Wildung and Zach Johnson had the
near capacity crowd on their feet as they ignited a battle for the lead
in heat three. Wildung moved out front early on after starting in the
second row. Third row starter Johnson followed Wildung to the front and
began to close in as the laps wore off. Johnson moved to within a car
length on the final trip around the speedway but was never able to
overtake Wildung for the lead. Blake Jegtvig and Paul Mueller were able
to transfer to Saturday night's A-main while Mitch Johnson finished
fifth.
Heat race four proved to be the best race of the night for the WISSOTA
Late Models. Rick Nelson raced out to an early advantage from his
outside row one starting spot while second row starter Jeff Hinkemeyer
closed in to do battle on lap four. Hinkemeyer pressured the backside of
Nelson during the duration of the ten lap event before briefly taking
the lead with three laps remaining. Hinkemeyer bolted by Nelson in turn
one with three laps remaining. Nelson, however, returned the favor and
ducked back under Hinkemeyer for the top spot as the duo drag raced down
the backstretch. From there on out it was Nelson picking up the heat
race win. Hinkemeyer had a great run in second ahead of Don Shaw, Andy
Simonson and Ben Mickelson.
With all the heat races in the books, Saturday's program was set to run
off without a hitch. B-main's would be held in each division to fill out
the field in each division as well as Saturday night's Viking Fall
Classic A-main events.
SUMMARY:
WISSOTA Late Models:
Heat 1- Mathees, Olson, Weiss, Cryderman, Keller, Dyrdahl, Corey Nelson,
Turnbull, Jeff Pritchard, Mass, R. Corbett
Heat 2- Aukland, Tyrchniewicz, Seng, Larson, Corbett, Zimmerman,
Huizenga, Scott Lehn, Miller, Chris Lehn, Jon Henkemeyer
Heat 3- Wildung, Zach Johnson, Jegtvig, Mueller, Mitch Johnson, C.
Skytland, Jensen, Kirwin, Mike Bruns, Malsam
Heat 4- Nelson, Hinkemeyer, Shaw, Simonson, Mickelson, Peterson, Eilers,
Jason Weis, David Vennard, Greer
WISSOTA Modifieds:
Heat 1- Lemke, Danzeisen, Mooney, Wilms, Tofte, Bitzan, Eddington, Tim
Thomas, Muzik, Ed Turnbull, M. Storck
Heat 2- Bruns, Eischens, Corell, Thoennes, Bean, Froehlich, Delaine,
Esala, Nystrom, Malmlov
Heat 3- Mike Anderson, Jensen, Cain, Richardson, Mark Trautner, Sabraski,
Jegtvig, Sexton, Williamson, Wieberdink
Heat 4- Engebretson, Voigt, Nieland, Hron, D. Storck, Jamie Trautner,
Mathison, C. Thomas, Alexander, Matt Gilbertson
Heat 5- Thatcher, Noble, Miller, McDonald, Scott Gilbertson, Blue,
Jacobson, Pritchard, Engels, Ohnstadt
WISSOTA Super Stocks:
Heat 1- Brown, Lawrence, Charles, Borgeson, Quast, Blascyk, Chambliss,
Dave Jacobson, Veert, Hellerman, Arnold Witt
Heat 2- Carter, Mass, Cook, Thomas, Stepan, Johnson, Thoennes, Gullikson,
Hauer, Siegle, Read
Heat 3- Schultz, Anderson, Collins, Flaten, Johnson, Halstrom, Kluver,
Pellersels, Rolfson, Kropuenske
Heat 4- Peterson, Shaw, Baker, Cleveland, Compson, Jensen, Sparby,
Thieschafer, Gangl, Sauby
Heat 5- Myers, Tammen, Robertson, Lund, Host, Hapala, Thompson, Urseth,
Balcaen, Miller
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Heat 1- Hoium, Vezina, Berends, Korey Krafthefer, Berg, Sertich, Young,
Kollman, Eberhardt, Mensen
Heat 2- Hellerman, Studanski, Haben, Smith, Charlie Mass, Kahout,
Hoffman, Matt Dickie, Wildman, Truesdell
Heat 3- Klaudt, Restad, Romdalvik, VandeKamp, Huston, Schultz, Kyle
Krafthefer, Dave Peterson, Deering, Koehntop
Heat 4- Merten, Thoennes, Henkemeyer, Thorstad, Alan Olafson, Czech,
Shawn Davis, Vang, Ben Johnson, Don Shaw
Heat 5- Tofte, Loecken, Greeley, Sparby, Schmidt, Zenner, Kuhnau, Ryan
Stall, Limoges, Mikkelson
Heat 6- Travis Saurer, Ron Saurer, Bayer, Schumm, Menk, Nelson, Myers,
Lund, Zimmerman
Heat 7- Dyrdahl, Barber, Reents, Kipka, Sabraski, Swanson, Possehl,
Schroeder, Mohrman
WISSOTA Street Stocks:
Heat 1- Levi Babcock, Schroeder, Neske, Johnson, Jacobson, Christiansen,
Jerome Guyot, Laage, Scott Walker
Heat 2- Tammen, Fjorden-Nord, Huston, Sahli, Travis Berends, Podratz,
Wall, Carlson, Voigt, Brandon Hilliard
Heat 3- VandeKamp, Burrows, Tandeski, Kollman, Peters, Bangsund, Horn,
Justin Pogones, Tim Rhode
Heat 4- Williams, Rosen, Johnson, Crapser, Debernardeaux, Leininger,
Sorrell, Jans, Long
Heat 5- Buer, Wageman, Rohweder, Vogel, Blom, Tourville, Hagel, Jim
DeRosier, Miller
Maintenance by Orness Creations