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Friday, May 17

It was Heroes’ Night Friday, May 17 at Red Cedar Speedway. Going along with a national celebration this week for these folks, all police, fire, EMS, first responders, etc. were allowed into the races for free and were honored before the National Anthem was sung.

All six weekly classes were in action on this Friday, including five WISSOTA-sanctioned classes plus the track’s Hornets. I haven't been to Red Cedar in a couple of weeks and what a nice night it was to be in Dunn County at the races.

However, given the weather issues of late, I should have realized that any nice weather was a very temporary thing. Before I headed to the grandstand, folks were already looking at their phones due to the possibility of rain at about 7:30 or so. Thankfully they delayed that prediction and with some good work by track officials, the whole show was completed before the rains hit.

Out-of-town drivers in the pits included the Thunder Bay, Ontario Simpson crew, who were shut down at Gondik Law Speedway for yet another week. By the end of the Mid Mod program, Red Cedar locals probably wished Gondik had been able to race.

Travis Anderson was on hand with just one car. He has found it hard with his small crew to transport and keep both a Mid Mod and Mod going on the same night. His plan moving forward is likely to race the Mid Mod on Fridays, and then the Mod on Saturday in Rice Lake. This way, his Saturdays aren't such a rush and he should have one car all ready to go each and every time he choses to race.

The track was a fast but just a little loose in the corners on Friday, with a considerable amount of packing required by heavy equipment and the race cars between events. Several of the competitors opted not to race or participated in the always entertaining “start and park” exercise.

Nevertheless, those drivers who opted to race put on dandy shows with nearly every one of the feature races decided by late-race passes.

The Street Stock feature came down to a three-car battle for the win, with four changes of the lead position during the 15-lap main. Gunner Watkins took the early lead, only to be passed by Kyle Genett, who executed a dandy outside pass for the top spot. Only three laps later, Watkins — who had not given up — battled back under Genett to retake the lead.

Cody Kummer came up to join the leaders and it became a three-car battle for the lead. Near the end, it got even wilder when the leaders caught traffic and one of the slower cars was having trouble running a consistent line, which caused consternation for all three of the front-runners. The slower car was weaving back and forth and this caused Watkins and Genett to bang together, while Kummer banged off the slower car and actually provided him a better run off turn four. He then got under Watkins in turn four on the next lap, showed him plenty of bumper, and made the pass with just two laps left to claim the win. The Streets even managed to run their main off nonstop, too.

Even closer was the Mid Mod feature, which was also a nonstop main. Travis Anderson was the early leader and held the top spot for 14.5 laps. However, they pay based on 15 laps completed and it was David Simpson who claimed the top prize when he made a last-lap pass for the win.

Anderson led the whole race, with Simpson making several hard charges to take over the lead. All were repelled by Anderson until it came right down to the finish. Simpson was able to get a nose under Anderson as they took the white flag and when they exited turn two, there was a slower car running in the middle of the track. Anderson’s lane was blocked and Simpson was able to drive under him unimpeded to take over the lead. Anderson wasn't able to come back on the final corner, having to settle for second.

Kolby Kiehl came close once again in the Super Stock feature, but had to settle for second after Terran Spacek tracked him down and made a lap-11 pass that brought him victory. Kiehl started on the outside pole and led up to that point, at one time having a nice lead. Eventually Spacek picked up the pace and gradually narrowed Kiehl’s advantage.

Just past the halfway point, Kiehl gave Spacek a hole on the inside and Spacek squeezed past and took over the lead, an advantage that he built upon as the race finished. Rick Simpson took third on the final lap after Jesse Redetzke slowed with a flat tire. This feature race also went green to checkers, so even though the conditions were a bit challenging, the drivers did an excellent job of keeping the show moving.

Almost as close was the finish in the Modified feature. Twenty laps on the challenging track was a physical task Friday, but Kevin Adams pulled out to a big lead after starting on the outside pole. After a first lap yellow this race went nonstop and Adams had the better part of a full straightaway lead at one point.

However, just past the halfway point, Anderson started to slowly gain ground and then in even bigger chunks. Whether Adams wore out a tire or some other issue, his lead began to shrink quickly and the crowd came alive as a race suddenly broke out. Anderson got to the inside of Adams and they battled hard for a couple of laps before Anderson was able to claim the top spot and then increase his advantage over the final few laps. It was quite a surprisingly turnabout, as Adams seemed to be in complete control until he wasn't.

The Late Model feature got off to a bad start as they stacked them up in turn two on the opening lap with at least three cars eliminated. However, after that the race went green to checkers. Chad Mahder has been having a fine early season here and he made it back-to-back victories after passing Jim Carlson on lap two and then pulling away for the win. Carlson has also been running well at Red Cedar so far this year and he took second, with John Kaanta completing the top three.

The final checkered flag waved before 10 p.m., giving everyone the opportunity to load up and beat the rain. It also gave us the chance to head out and fuel up early.

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