6-18 Page 36

Thursday, June 13

On Thursday, June 13, there was just the slightest chance of a rain shower in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area, but when I got north of Floodwood, it looked like nasty weather was dead ahead. For once the weather missed the local race track, however, and even though it downpoured just a scant few miles away from the track, there wasn’t enough rain to settled the dust. The clouds parted and the sun came back out. Now that's more like it!

I was told that with the threat of rain, they had held off on the track watering, just in case. When they did begin, the first couple of events had to fight off a powdery slick surface, but that quickly blew off and the track proved to be fine. It was much improved over opening night.

The big deal on this night was round four of the Fastlane Motorsports Northland Super Stock Series. The support the drivers give to this series remains very impressive, with 37 Super Stock drivers signing in to race on a Thursday night. The top 14 in points and 21 of the top 25 were on hand to do battle. If all series got that much support from racers, we would really have something to talk about.

Dennis McCauley gives back to the racers in unprecedented support and the mutual workings between the racers and the series organizer make this series sing. But it's success makes it desirable for other tracks that would also like to be a part of it, and the only danger for the future that I can see is if they try to expand the series past eight shows. The rained out event at ABC, which would have been the ninth show and extended the series to three weeks, was overreach in my opinion, but creating the schedule is an item far beyond my pay scale.

Grand Rapids also ran four other classes and the Sprints, and everything had to be done by their curfew. We were either at it or very near it by the end of the program. You can’t blame any tracks this season for rolling with full programs, in light of the many rainouts and season delays. As it was, a promised makeup feature for the Pure Stocks, which was held over from last week's shortened show, was again shelved when they ran out of time.

The results of the Super Stock feature might be just a bit misleading. The official tally showed that Terran Spacek led from lap one to lap 30 and was the only leader of the race. The race itself was much better than that. And while Spacek led from green to checkers, the show was put on by defending champion Shane Sabraski, who drove a whale of a race, even if it didn't result in a feature win.

Spacek was the early leader with Dylan Nelson, Curt Myers and Kyle Copp chasing him. Sabraski started tenth on the grid and while most of the field hugged the low groove, Sabraski immediately went to the cushion, trying to make something happen. He pushed the cushion early, making it work as he quickly advanced forward, driving by car after car into fifth by the time the first yellow waved with 12 laps completed.

Once the green waved again, he was right back up top, driving by Copp, Myers and Nelson so that by the time the race was half over, he was up to second and eyeing up the leader.

This is when the race really got good with two drivers giving it their all. Sabraski continued to pound the outside lane while Spacek was running lower on the track. Several times Shane nearly got by, only to see Spacek just hold him off. Terran made a slight adjustment to his line, just as it looked like Sabraski was going to pass him, moving higher on the track in turn one where there were a few bumps. The moisture was still there in the middle, and not like the north end of the track, which was icy slick. This slight change was what I think won him the race, as Sabraski no longer had a free run through that end to build up momentum; Spacek effectively had that line blocked.

In the last few laps, Sabraski seemed to lose momentum and Spacek pulled away by a few car lengths as he drove on for the win and edged closer to point leader Jordan Henkemeyer. Nelson was third with Myers and Copp trailing. Seven cars wouldn't finish the race and all cars were still on the lead lap as the checkers flew.

There were four other WISSOTA classes in action along with the featured Super Stock race. Mervin Castle took the Mid Mod feature in a tough struggle as there were several drivers who raced in close fashion in this event. Castle took the initial lead, only to see Darrin Lawler drive around him on the cushion and take over the top spot. But one lap later Castle again made the pass for the lead and he held the top spot the rest of the way.

It wasn't easy however, as he had the Blevins boys, Sam and Mikey, all over him and trying to get by. Sam went for broke but spun out and was out of the race and while Mikey challenged hard, Castle held on for the win. Justin Feltus was scored third.

Only a small field of Modifieds was on hand Thursday and with Johnny Broking starting on the pole, it was tough going for the rest of the field. He maintained a comfortable lead throughout the nonstop race and took an easy win over his father Bob and Sabraski.

Another flag-to-flag winner was Chaston Finckbone, who controlled the Pure Stock feature. He also started on the pole and led all laps, despite some strong pressure from Jake Smith, who settled for the runner-up honors with Austin Carlson third.

New to victory lane was Hornet winner Russell Kiker, Jr. There was quite a good battle in this feature with Tristen McLynn leading all the way to lap 10, as Kiker moved up from the sixth starting spot to put the pressure on McLynn late in the contest. Finally Kiker drove by for the lead with just two laps to go. McLynn had to settle for second with McKenna Folstad rounding out the top three.

A good sized crowd was on hand Thursday night for the show. Fortunately we saw racing and not rain drops falling.

Friday, June 14

The Fastlane Motorsports Northland Super Stock Series rolled down Highway 2 overnight and on Friday they made their fifth start at Gondik Law Speedway. All the other WISSOTA classes that normally race at the speedway were also on hand, except for the Late Models.

The beat continued for the Super Stocks with 36 of them on hand to race, including the top 21 in series points and only one in the top 25 not on hand.

One of the beauties of this series is all the bonuses that are handed out, including random drawings, Hard Chargers and a bunch of others. All the drivers could talk about in the pits were all the surprise checks they received. This series sure does treat the drivers well, they appreciate it, and that is why when they roll into town, their convoy of haulers and trailers is a long one.

I got stuck in one of them on the way home from Grand Rapids on Thursday night and I felt like C.W. McCall and that we were going to crash through the gate at 98.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE