By Dale Leech
MINNEAPOLIS, Ks. – What a night of racing took place with two photo finishes, multiple instances of 3, 4, & 5 wide racing, a fast and smooth track, and 106 cars in 6 divisions finishing 16 Heat and 7 Feature races in less than 4 hours. A good size crowd of racing fans witnessed on-the-edge-of-your-seat racing throughout the Heat and Feature races on a beautiful evening for racing in Minneapolis.
Lott Implement IMCA Sport Compacts
Sixteen year old rookie driver Matt Echevarria, Allen Rice, Tracy Montague and Scott Spellmeier all started this Feature buried deep in the field in rows four and five. The six drivers starting in front of them couldn’t capitalize on the fortune of better starting positions as Echevarria, Rice, Montague, and Spellmeier finished the Feature in the first through fourth positions after putting on a pretty good battle for position and the checkered flag. Echevarria won his first Feature race and was joined for the trophy presentation by his veteran father, Tim Echevarria. Track and State points leader Alan Rice continued that position with his 2nd place finish. Echevarria and Montague won the Heat races.
The Bank of Tescott IMCA Stock Cars
Cory Struckhoff and Tony Millholland began the Feature on the pole positions and dueled with each other for the lead during the early half of the race. Meanwhile Dustin Newlin and Kyle Vanover worked their way up from 3rd and 6th row starting positions to begin to crowd the two leaders. On the backstretch with 8 laps to go they put on a 4 wide battle for the lead before the 1st caution flag of the race came out. The four put on a good competition for the lead with Trevor Thornton and Terry Franz lurking not too far behind until the 2nd caution occurred with 3 laps remaining. Millholland and Struckhoff came out of this restart in the 1st and 2nd positions with Struckhoff gaining the lead from Millholland on the backstretch and the two passed the flag stand side by side. In turns one and two of this lap, both drivers got high on the outside birm with Millholland on the inside position. Struckhoff was forced off the track on a bump from Millholland and the result was a flat tire for Struckhoff. The restart resulted in Newlin and Thornton dueling for the lead. In the final lap Franz overtook Thornton and set up an exceptional finish with Newlin. Going into turn 3 Franz went side by side with Newlin and the two drivers from Concordia passed the finish line side by side with the final edge going to Franz by .10 hundreths of a second. The win was the 2nd of the season for Franz and his 5th overall. The Heat races were won by Struckhoff, Millholland and Justin Murdock.
All-American Towing Mod-Lite Series
Series rookie driver BJ Dauer started the Feature on the inside Pole Position with the multi-year veteran Bud Lee sitting behind him on the inside. Dauer took advantage of the opening position and lead the race for 6 laps. Lee passed Dauer on the backstretch with 10 laps remaining but had to give the lead back with a caution flag being thrown before the completion of the lap. Within two more laps Lee again passed Dauer on the backstretch and took the lead for good. Lee then built a several car length lead over the next laps. A final caution restart occurred with 2 laps remaining setting up a final duel between Lee and Dauer. But Lee had nothing to do with a challenge and built up another good lead. Meanwhile Dauer succumbed to a challenge from Earl Kinderkenecht and the Feature finished with the results being Lee, Kinderkenecht and Dauer in the 1st through 3rd positions. Kinderkenecht fought his way up from a 6th row starting position passing winners from previous weeks to gain his 2nd place position. Brian Davidson and Tyler Bradshaw won the Heat races.
T&R Dirt Construction IMAC Northern Sportsman Modifieds
Dan Smith began this race on the outside pole position and took an early lead which he held for several laps. Meanwhile Jason Nelssen and Jacob Krone moved into a position to challenge. With 12 laps to go Smith had to leave the track due to mechanical problems setting up a several lap duel with Nelssen and Krone for the lead. Nelssen held the lead throughout this challenge while 3 time defending champion Tyler Frye worked his way up from a 6th row starting position and moved past Krone into 2nd with 4 laps remaining. While everyone anticipated a great challenge from Frye to Nelssen to finish the race Bryan Lariviere made things even more interesting as he entered the picture having worked his way up from an 8th row starting position. Lariviere passed Frye in the last lap and caught Nelsson for the win at the finish line producing the 2nd photo finish of the night. The “B” Feature winner was rookie driver Tomy Rost who earned his first ever checkered flag in the class. Nelssen, Frye, Smith and Tyler Sutton won the Heat races.
Coors Lite IMCA Hobby Stocks
As this Feature progressed it looked like it might be a “Cheeseburger” night as G.W. Fuller gained an early lead from his 2nd row starting position and put himself into a several car length lead over all challengers. This left an exciting race between Chris Pollet, Mark Normandin, Mike Traskowsky, Brendon Stigge and defending champion Tony Slothower for the 2nd position. The first caution restart occurred with 4 laps remaining with Fuller still enjoying a good size lead. However in the lap following the restart Slothower dove low on Fuller to gain the lead. Slothower held off Fuller through one more caution restart and captured the checkered flag, his first of the season and second overall. Pollet and Slothower won the Heat races for the division.
Casey’s General Store IMCA Modifieds
The start to this final Feature of the night had the fans drooling as Brandon Blochlinger drew the inside pole position start with the winner of the last two Features, Corey Lagroon on the 2nd row inside postion. The two drivers didn’t disappoint the anticipation of the fans. Blochlinger jumped to an early lead with Lagroon following not far behind. Blochlinger shook off the bad luck he had experienced in the previous four features and skillfully held off Lagroon throughout the 20 lap Feature that had 4 caution restarts. Before the final caution restart with 3 laps remaining, Tyler Iverson and Jarad Hoefelman had worked their way into a challenging position to contend, both having started on the 6th row. However, Blochlinger held off Lagroon, Iverson, and Hoefelman one final time to take the checkered flag. This marked his first Feature win at the Minneapolis Raceway. The Heat races were won by Danny Morrison, Jr., Iverson, and Joe Cleveland.
Minneapolis Raceway
Race Results for 5/21/2011
Hobby – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS
2 69 Brendon Stigge Fairbury, NE
3 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
4 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS
5 82 Mark Normandin Salina, KS
6 60P Chris Pollet Delphos, KS
7 01S Brent Schoen Cawker City, KS
8 08G Casey Gilmore Chapman, KS
9 85 Kevin Lilley Gypsum, KS
10 10X Ryan Gilland Beatrice, NE
11 05K Kelly Pihl Lindsborg, KS
12 77M Larry Jantz Enterprise, KS
13 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS
14 72 Levi Austin Rose Hill, KS
15 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE
16 07R Dalton Remus Downs, KS
17 70K William Medley Abilene, KS
Hobby – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 60P Chris Pollet Delphos, KS
2 69 Brendon Stigge Fairbury, NE
3 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE
4 82 Mark Normandin Salina, KS
5 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS
6 77M Larry Jantz Enterprise, KS
7 05K Kelly Pihl Lindsborg, ks
8 08G Casey Gilmore Chapman, KS
9 10X Ryan Gilland Beatrice, NE
Hobby – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS
2 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
3 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS
4 70K William Medley Abilene, KS
5 85 Kevin Lilley Gypsum, KS
6 01S Brent Schoen Cawker City, KS
7 72 Levi Austin Rose Hill, KS
8 07R Dalton Remus Downs, KS
Mod Lites – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 21 Bud Lee Salina, KS
2 01T Earl Kinderknecht Salina, KS
3 33 BJ Dauer Marquette, KS
4 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS
5 55B Brian Davidson Bennington, KS
6 51 Justin Kinderkenecht Salina, KS
7 27 Ethan Houlton Abilene, KS
8 83 Corbin Pickerill Salina, KS
9 12 Ryan Secrest Newton, KS
10 10J Jill Roberg Salina, KS
11 19 Ryan Ayers Salina, KS
12 57 Karmon Kindall Salina, KS
13 15B Tyler Bradshaw Salina, KS
14 06 Trace Ayers Salina, KS
15 69 Ryan Stein Ullysses, KS
16 03 Dustin Forsberg Wichita, KS
Mod Lites – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 55B Brian Davidson Bennington, KS
2 03 Dustin Forsberg Wichita, KS
3 83 Corbin Pickerill Salina, KS
4 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS
5 19 Ryan Ayers Salina, KS
6 01T Earl Kinderknecht Salina, KS
7 12 Ryan Secrest Newton, KS
8 57 Karmon Kindall Salina, KS
Mod Lites – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 15B Tyler Bradshaw Salina, KS
2 33 BJ Dauer Marquette, KS
3 51 Justin Kinderkenecht Salina, KS
4 21 Bud Lee Salina, KS
5 27 Ethan Houlton Abilene, KS
6 69 Ryan Stein Ullysses, KS
7 06 Trace Ayers Salina, KS
8 10J Jill Roberg Salina, KS
Modified – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS
2 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS
3 98T Tyler Iverson Albion, NE
4 15H Jarad Hoefelman Columbus, NE
5 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS
6 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS
7 719 Joe Cleveland Delphos, KS
8 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS
9 30G Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, NE.
10 01V Chris Vogan Minneapolis, KS
11 09J Geoff Jermark Beloit, ks
12 57 Kenny Cross Salina, KS
13 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS
14 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS
15 50 Brandon Payne Manhattan, KS
16 59W Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS
17 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS
18 35 Tim Echevarria Junction City, KS
Modified – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS
2 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS
3 15H Jarad Hoefelman Columbus, NE
4 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS
5 57 Kenny Cross Salina, KS
6 01V Chris Vogan Minneapolis, KS
Modified – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 98T Tyler Iverson Albion, NE
2 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS
3 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS
4 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS
5 35 Tim Echevarria Junction City, KS
6 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS
Modified – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 719 Joe Cleveland Delphos, KS
2 30G Jordan Grabouski Beatrice, NE.
3 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS
4 59W Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS
5 09J Geoff Jermark Beloit, KS
6 50 Brandon Payne Manhattan, KS
Sport Compact – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 35 Matt Echevarria Junction City, KS
2 03CG Allen Rice Minneapolis, KS
3 72 Tracy Montague Salina, KS
4 88S Scott Spellmeier Marysville, KS
5 44 Dayton Wollenberg Gypsum, KS
6 09J Matthew Jermark Beloit, KS
7 29 Kevin Hackett Minneapolis, KS
8 25 Andrue Halpain Salina, KS
9 8 Branston Arnder Salina, KS
10 14M John McNabb Salina, KS
11 11 Josh Howard Salina, KS
Sport Compact – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 35 Matt Echevarria Junction Citty, KS
2 03CG Allen Rice Minneapolis, KS
3 44 Dayton Wollenberg Gypsum, KS
4 8 Branston Arnder Salina, KS
5 11 Josh Howard Salina, KS
Sport Compact – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 72 Tracy Montague Salina, KS
2 88S Scott Spellmeier Marysville, KS
3 09J Matthew Jermark Beloit, KS
4 29 Kevin Hackett Minneapolis, KS
5 25 Andrue Halpain Salina, KS
6 14M John McNabb Salina, KS
Sportsman – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, KS
2 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS
3 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS
4 08J Josh Rice Minneapolis, KS
5 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS
6 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS
7 11C Eric Chab Beatrice, NE
8 38 Shaylon Holoway Osborne, KS
9 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
10 69X Tomy Rost Utica, NE
11 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
12 28 Gary Utley Salina, KS
13 11J Jesse Levin Salina, KS
14 33 Bob Dauer Marquette, KS
15 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS
16 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS
17 12S Brady Schoen Downs, KS
18 9 Jerry Lambeth Salina, KS
19 69 Dusty Scmidt Fairbury, KS
20 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS
Sportsman – B Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 69X Tomy Rost Utica, NE
2 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
3 11J Jesse Levin Salina, KS
4 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS
5 57K Kurt Kalivoda Concordia, KS
6 01L Alex Lovless Salina, KS
7 21J John Grahm ,
8 36 Chad Markley Abilene, KS
9 07C Kaid Calhoon ,
Sportsman – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS
2 11C Eric Chab Beatrice, NE
3 12S Brady Schoen Downs, KS
4 9 Jerry Lambeth Salina, KS
5 69X Tomy Rost Utica, NE
6 03K Kurtis Phil LINDSBORG, KS
7 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS
Sportsman – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS
2 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS
3 69 Dusty Scmidt Fairbury, KS
4 33 Bob Dauer Marquette, KS
5 21J John Grahm ,
6 57K Kurt Kalivoda Concordia, KS
Sportsman – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS
2 08J Josh Rice Minneapolis, KS
3 38 Shaylon Holoway Osborne, KS
4 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, ks
5 11J Jesse Levin Salina, KS
6 07C Kaid Calhoon ,
Sportsman – Heat 4
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS
2 28 Gary Utley Salina, KS
3 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS
4 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS
5 36 Chad Markley Abilene, KS
6 01L Alex Lovless Salina, KS
Stock Car – A Feature
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 21F Terry Franz Concordia, KS
2 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS
3 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS
4 19 Kyle Vanover Beatrice, NE
5 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS
6 6 Jared Remus Downs, KS
7 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS
8 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS
9 15 Leif Weyer Centrailia, KS
10 15C Weyer Eric Centraillia, KS
11 24M Justin Murdock Concordia, KS
12 7 Brian Hickman Minneapolis, KS
13 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS
14 29 Greg Deters Centraillia, KS
15 59 Cory Struckhoff Kensington, KS
16 54M Josh McCarrell Chapman, KS
17 03F Robbie Ferris Abilene, KS
18 46 Paul Burck Beatrice, NE
19 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS
Stock Car – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 59 Cory Struckhoff Kensington, KS
2 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS
3 29 Greg Deters Centraillia, KS
4 03F Robbie Ferris Abilene, KS
5 7 Brian Hickman Minneapolis, KS
6 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS
7 46 Paul Burck Beatrice, NE
Stock Car – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS
2 21F Terry Franz Concordia, KS
3 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS
4 19 Kyle Vanover Beatrice, NE
5 15C Weyer Eric Centralia, KS
6 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS
Stock Car – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 24M Justin Murdock Concordia, KS
2 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS
3 6 Jared Remus Downs, KS
4 54M Josh McCarrell Chapman, KS
5 15 Leif Weyer Centralia, KS
6 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS
Minneapolis Raceway
2011 Oval Track Points Standings As of 5/21/2011
Top Five in each class
Hobby Stocks
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS 191
2 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE 185
3 69 Brendon Stigge Fairbury, NE 184
4 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS 182
5 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS 176
Mod Lites
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 51 Justin Kinderkenecht Salina, KS 153
2 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS 149
3 27 Ethan Houlton Abilene, KS 146
4 21 Bud Lee Salina, KS 144
5 83 Corbin Pickerill Salina, KS 138
Modifieds
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS 175
2 719 Joe Cleveland Delphos, KS 174
3 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS 167
4 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS 162
5 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS 161
Sport Compacts
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 03CG Allen Rice Minneapolis, KS 117
2 72 Tracy Montague Salina, KS 116
3 35 Matt Echevarria Junction Citty, KS 113
4 09J Matthew Jermark Beloit, KS 105
5 25 Andrue Halpain Salina, KS 103
Sportsman Modifieds
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS 195
2 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, KS 182
3 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS 179
4 03K Kurtis Phil Lindsborg, KS 167
5 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS 163
6 08J Josh Rice Minneapolis, KS 163
Stock Cars
Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points
1 21F Terry Franz Concordia, KS 188
2 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS 169
3 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS 165
4 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS 159
5 24M Justin Murdock Concordia, KS 150