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As Rice Lake kicks off 72nd season, Kummer wins Street Stock thriller, Anderson scores 57th career win, Myers, Randt and Mindock muscle out opening night wins

By Ed Reichert

RICE LAKE, WI (April 27) - After a race-long battle, a last-lap pass in the Street Stock feature netted Cody Kummer a thrilling victory, highlighting the opening night of the 72nd consecutive season of racing at Rice Lake Speedway. Now under the new ownership of Kolby Kiehl, Dean Kiehl and Dick Kalow, the track also celebrated WISSOTA Dirt Track Series winners Mike Anderson, Curt Myers, Landyn Randt and Brent Mindock.

It was a cold, windy, cloudy night, with occasional drizzle, but hardy race fans and teams gathered to kick off the 2024 racing season.

Nineteen cars started the Street Stock feature, with defending track point champion Danny Richards using the outside line to jump into the early lead ahead of Kolton Brauer. Ty Agen moved into contention as well, while Kummer wasted little time moving up from the third row to challenge as well.

Rice Lake racers get their rides ready for opening night action. (Doug Zimmer Photo)

Kummer pulled into second after a battle with Agen when the first yellow flew for a stalled car in turn one. Back under green, Richards continued to lead, with challenges from Kummer and Agen right on his bumper. At the halfway point of the race Andrew Hanson slowed with a flat front tire, which triggered the yellow flag for a second time.

The top three remained the same in the running order with Brauer and Hunter VanGilder next in line. The top three contenders continued to run in tight formation over the second half of the race, but Richards was able to withstand all their pressure.

The white flag waved and it appeared Richards was home-free for the win, when suddenly he shot up the track in turn one and it opened the door to his challengers. Kummer blew past on the bottom and Agen was also able to edge past for second. Kummer took the win in a stunning conclusion to the race, with Agen holding on for second over a disappointed Richards, who settled for third.

For Kummer, it was his 19th career Street Stock feature win at Rice Lake, but first for him since the 2021 racing season. The Brauer brothers, Kolton and Braden, completed the top five.

Defending Modified point champion Mike Anderson let it be known that he will be tough to beat again at Rice Lake, winning the opening night main event. The first three laps of the Modified feature were wild; Anderson got the jump and led the opening lap, only to see him passed by Brandon Copp for the top spot. However, Anderson got back on the gas quickly and repassed Copp one lap later to regain the top spot.

Kevin Adams, who started sixth, was on the move and by a lap-seven caution for a spun competitor, he was up to second. From then on, it was a classic battle between the two most successful Modified drivers in Rice Lake Speedway history. Several times Adams got to the rear fender of Anderson's car, but Anderson had just enough to hold Adams off.

The final yellow waved with just three laps to go when Austin Ellis, who had a great 11th to third run, slowed with mechanical issues.

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