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The top 10 in WISSOTA Modifieds (L to R): 8th: Kevin Bahr; 7th: Skyler Smith; 6th: Tanner Williamson; 5th: Lance Schilling; 4th: Jeff Reed; 2nd: Alan Olafson; and 2023 Track Champion: Nicholas Jacobson. (Lisa Wren Photo)

Bemidji honors 2023 champs with record banquet turnout

By Dennis Peterson

BEMIDJI, MN (February 24) - The much-anticipated awards celebration of the 2023 Bemidji Speedway season was held at Bemidji Eagles Club Feb. 24, with a record 250 drivers, crews, sponsors and fans in attendance.

Master of ceremonies and longtime track announcer Mark Ricci announced the awards with track owner/promoters Tonja Stranger and Randy Hayes presenting the awards.

Stranger thanked the many drivers, crews, fans and sponsors for the incredible season and announced that the track has been working on new lighting at the track and a new scale in the north pit area. She also let everyone know the races will go with a 5 p.m. start in 2024.

Special awards were presented to the 2023 Rookies of the Year, including Justin Barsness (Pure Stocks), Jamie Gordon (Hornets), Jason Hunter (Mini Stocks), Ashton Schwinn (Mod Fours), Landon Goss (Midwest Modifieds), and Skyler Smith (Modifieds).

Sportsman of the Year, voted on by the drivers, went to Josh Berg and Lance Schilling. Also voted on by the drivers, the Cleanest Drivers award was given to Jeff Reed and Blake Erickson. Bemidji Speedway Legends awards went to Jeff Reed and Alan Olafson, and were also voted on by the drivers only.

People Choice Awards were presented to Most Determined Josh Berg. Berg also won the “Most Likely to Win on the Last Lap” award. The Tough Luck Award went to Brandon Puschinsky.

Most Improved Driver Awards went to Justin Barsness and Nick Seitz. Pit Crew of the Year went to the LaValley/Binkley crew. The longest and loudest applause came when Michael Fullerton was announced as Fan of Year.

The top 10 in the WISSOTA Pure Stock class included (L to R): 10th: Josey LaValley; 8th: Caylyn Binkley; 7th: Billy Binkley; 6th: Austin Carlson; 5th: Deryk Weleski; 3rd: Justin Barsness; 2nd: Kade Leeper; and 2023 Track Champion: Josh Berg. (Lisa Rhen Photo)

Bemidji Speedway had many top 10 drivers nationally, with two 2023 National Champions counting Bemidji as one of their home tracks — WISSOTA Pure Stock champion Josh Berg and WISSOTA Hornet champion Justin Barsness.

Track champions included Nicholas Jacobson (Modifieds), Matt Sparby (Super Stocks), Doyle Erickson (Midwest Mods), Blake Erickson (Mod Fours), Josh Berg (Pure Stocks), Chad Reller (Hornets), and Ashton Schwinn (Mini Stocks).

The 2024 season will open with a couple of practice sessions and the annual car show, prior to the opening weekend doubleheader Memorial weekend races on Sunday and Monday. The Chicken Shack Nationals and Jack Sparby Memorial races will be held during this season-opening weekend, and the track will also honor longtime owner Idella Hayes, with “Della’s Last Lap.” Idella passed away in 2023.

The top 10 in the WISSOTA Hornet class (back row, L to R): 9th: Cody Bush; 7th: Jayme Gordon; 6th: Mateja Dreyer; 5th: Malachi Albrecht; and 4th: Brooke Vernlund. In the front row (L to R): 3rd: Cejay LaValley; 2nd: Justin Barsness; and the 2023 Track Champion: Chad Reller. (Lisa Rhen Photo)

The track will run the same classes as last year, including Bemidji Mini Stocks, and WISSOTA Hornets, Pure Stocks, Mod Fours, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stocks and Modifieds. Along with the featured classes, a special brings the WISSOTA Late Models to the track on June 9. Championship weekend will bring the points season to a close in late August with a two-day show.

Rookies of the Year at Bemidji Speedway (L to R): Mini Stocks: Jason Hunter; Hornets: Jayme Gordon; Pure Stocks: Justin Barsness; Mod Fours: Ashton Schwinn; Midwest Modifieds: Landon Gross; and Modifieds: Skyler Smith. (Lisa Rhen Photo)

The MPH 100 will once again return to the track in early September bringing Hornets, Pures and Mod Fours to the track for championship races.

The racing season will end with the annual Paul Bunyan Stampede on September 21-22.