|
Donlinger Charges to Victory at DCS!!
by Bob Peine
Sunday, August 10th, 2003; Kasson, MN.- It was warm and sunny in southern
Minnesota on Sunday night at the Dodge County Speedway, making for perfect
racing conditions.
As always, the first feature event of the evening was the WISSOTA Street Stock
main event. Steve Eischens, who is always a front runner in the Street Stock
division, did something a little different tonight though. According to Steve,
he had recently been found with illegal parts on his race car. And being the
great competitor that he is, Steve made his way up to the announcer's tower,
and explained to all of his fans and everyone in attendance, what the story
is. Steve nor his engine builder had knowledge of what was illegal in his car,
as sometimes parts are sent elsewhere to have work done on them. Its a very
unfortunate thing to have happen to a race car driver, and this was very hard
on Steve, his family, and everyone involved. Steve made apologies to his fans,
and it was good to hear that he had the support of those in attendance.
Jeff Brauer and Dave Lamont led the field to the green flag, and it was Brauer
taking the lead, followed by Lamont and Mike Loomis. Loomis made his way past
Lamont to take over the second position, while Steve Goodenough also got by
Lamont to take over third.
Jason Gabrielson challenged Goodenough for third, and made the pass.
Gabrielson started ninth on the grid, and looked very strong. Troy Voth was
next to challenge Goodenough, and would take the position.
Out front, Brauer was starting to feel the heat from Loomis, as Loomis closed
in. Loomis got by Brauer to take the lead, and Brauer would then have to deal
with Gabrielson. Loomis looked to stretch out his lead, and would hold on for
the win, with Gabrielson crossing the line second. Brauer, Voth, and
Goodenough rounded out the top five.
The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds were up next. Harlan Morehart and Jesse Frericks
shared row one, and on the opening lap, made some contact in turn four. Jeff
Ringenberg shot by to lead lap one, followed by Jim Arnold and Rob Arnold. Jim
Arnold wasted no time in taking the lead from Ringenberg. Frericks recovered
and took third from Rob Arnold, and soon after, Rob Arnold brought out the
caution with spin in turn three.
Frericks went from third to second on the restart, taking thee spot from
Ringenberg. Albert Wytaske then pressured Ringenberg for third, and would drop
Ringenberg to fourth. But Ringenberg fought back, and would be successful,
moving back up to third. Chad Herman was on the move, and would enter the top
five in the closing laps.
Jim Arnold picked up his first feature win of the year in impressive fashion,
holding off the hard-charging Jesse Frericks. Ringenberg, Herman, and Mike
Bartsch rounded out the top five.
Next up were the WISSOTA Super Stocks. Track point leader, Dustin Nelson
started from the pole with Brandon Jensen to his outside. The action started
right away, with a three car battle for the lead, with Nelson, Jensen, and
Bill Clemens. Jensen looked to the outside, and would be side by side with
Nelson for a handful of laps. Clemens followed closely, looking for an opening
as Jensen and Nelson raced for the lead. Jensen and Clemens went back and
forth, swapping second, side by side a lot of the time.
But Chris Klinger was on the move and surprised both Jensen and Clemens, with
an impressive move on the bottom to take second. Mark Oltjenbruns also had a
strong run going, cracking the top five. Clemens and Jensen continued to
battle for the third spot, while Oltjenbruns pressured both of them making a
three car battle for third.
Nelson continued to lead the way, but Klinger was all over him, trying to find
a way by. Nelson was able to hold off Klinger, who crossed the stripe second,
followed by Jensen, Clemens, and Oltjenbruns.
The fourth and final event of the evening was the 25 lap USRA Modified main
event. Jay Ihrke and Darwyn Karau shared row one, with Ihrke grabbing the lead
on lap one. But the car to watch was that of Tim Donlinger who went to the
high side and picked off five cars in the first two laps. Donlinger was
quickly up to third, while Paul Hamernick took the lead from Ihrke. Donlinger
put the pressure on Ihrke, and would take second. Donlinger then looked to the
inside of Hamernick, but caution slowed the field when Don Brightbill, Dave
Wytaske, and Mike Isder got together in turn four.
On the restart, it was Hamernick, Donlinger, Ihrke, Mike Sorenson, and Bruce
Angst rounding out the top five. Donlinger immediately went back to work on
Hamernick, and made it work to take the lead. Sorenson and Ihrke contested the
third position, while Hamernick remained in second.
Todd Scharkey was on the move and in to the top five. Angst, Ihrke and
Sorenson went at it for third, with Scharkey also in the mix. Ron Schreiner
was looking to get in to the top five, pressuring Angst. The caution came out
when Ihrke slowed with a breakdown, after a great run in the top five.
On the restart, it was Donlinger, Hamernick, Sorenson, Scharkey, and Angst
making up the top five. Sorenson looked to be shot out of a cannon on the
restart, blasting by Hamernick on the cushion to take second. Sorenson closed
the gap on Donlinger, and looked like he would drive right by in to the lead.
But Donlinger was up to the challenge, and stepped it up another notch, also
moving to the cushion. Scharkey and Hamernick battled for third, while
Donlinger and Sorenson put on an amazing show on the high side. Sorenson was
applying very heavy pressure but Donlinger made no mistakes, and was able to
hold off the hard charging Sorenson.
Donlinger picked up an impressive win, with Sorenson a strong second.
Hamernick, Scharkey, and Angst rounded out the top five.
Another great night of racing at the Dodge County Speedway with more to come
next Sunday, August, 17th. I f you need more information, please call
(507)775-7091 or visit our website at www.dodgecountyspeedway.com
See you at the races!!
Results
USRA Modifieds
Feature: Tim Donlinger, Mike Sorenson, Paul Hamernick, Todd Scharkey, Bruce
Angst, Craig Brightbill, Ron Schreiner, Bobby Sorenson, Jay Poidinger, Denny
Barwald
Heat 1: Hamernick, Todd Klees, Mike Sorenson, Darwyn Karau, Barwald
Heat 2: Steve Wetzstein, Todd Scharkey, Angst, Matt Stark, Mike Isder
Heat 3: Schreiner, Jay Ihrke, Donlinger, Poidinger, Craig Brightbill
WISSOTA Super Stocks
Feature: Dustin Nelson, Chris Klinger, Brandon Jensen, Bill Clemens, Mark
Oltjenbruns, Nick Herrick, Kelly Anderson, Ryan Siegle, Chris Quast, Dave
Solum
Heat 1: Solum, Clemens, Herrick, Nelson, Siegle
Heat 2: Jensen, Kevin Hager, Klinger, Oltjenbruns, Quast
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Feature: Jim Arnold, Jesse Frericks, Chad Herman, Jeff Ringenberg, Mike
Bartsch, Albert Wytaske, Nolan Bachman, Jim Struckman, Nick Kramer, Daryl
Hainka
Heat 1: Ringenberg, Dan Fagerlind, Joe Wernecke, Wytaske, Bartsch
Heat 2: Jim Arnold, Frericks, Rob Arnold, Hainka, Kramer
Heat 3: Herman, Harlan Morehart, Bachman, Matt Narveson, Heather Rayman
WISSOTA Street Stocks
Feature: Mike Loomis, Jason Gabrielson, Jeff Brauer, Troy Voth, Steve
Goodenough, Dan Gullikson, Tom McEldowney, Shawn Kammerud, Jim Patzner, Chuck
Nerland
Heat 1: Patzner, Gullikson, Voth, Brauer, Gabrielson
Heat 2: Loomis, Goodenough, Dave Lamont, Jamie Johnson, Nerland
|
|
