Martin Takes The Highway To Elko Victory

Elko Speedway, Elko, MN  5/8/04 - The high groove is the longest way around the track, but Webster's Jeff Martin worked it to perfection in picking up the 40-lap Jeff Belzer's Dodge NASCAR Budweiser Super Late Model win Saturday night at Elko Speedway.  Martin battled side-by-side for the first 12 laps with Steve Murgic of Rosemount, swapping the lead several times before finally clearing the veteran.  After making the pass, Martin kept his ride in the upper groove.  Greenfield's John Lemke, the feature winner a week ago, worked inside of Jason Schneider of New Market, who settled for the second spot a week ago.  Lemke cleared Schneider by lap 15 and went to work on the high side of Murgic in a battle for second. It took eight more laps for Lemke to finally nose his car past Murgic but the races only yellow occurred on the same 27th circuit when Oakdale's Dan Meszaro's car went spinning off turn four.  With the line-up for the re-start reverting to the last completed lap, Murgic was put back into the second spot, once again in front of Lemke.  Martin chose the high side on the re-start and rode the line to the win.  Lemke challenged Murgic for second for the final eight laps but had to settle for third while Lakeville's Brian Johnson got the better of Schneider over the final 13 laps to claim the fourth spot.

Doug Brown, Savage, was able to put his car to the point off the get-go in the Jeff Belzer's Dodge Elko Sportsmen feature but was challenged several times over the course of the race before finally finding victory lane.  New Prague's Mike Skaja took the lead briefly on lap six before Brown worked the high grove and regained the point by lap nine.  Hampton's Jonathon Eilen earned the third spot on lap 13 working inside Webster's Steve Schultz.  Eilen stayed to the inside and took the second spot from Skaja just two laps later.  Schultz was able to follow Eilen on the low side, relegating Skaja to fourth.  Two late caution flags (laps 20 and 24) didn't change the position of the field with Brown edging Eilen at the line for the win.  Schultz held off Skaja for third while Rosemount's Duane Halvorson finished fifth.

Patience was the key for Fairbault's Matt Carlander as he claimed the win in the Coca-Cola Thunder Car Feature.  Two cautions and two red flag sessions were the main cause for the need for patience.  Ted Reuvers of Dundas battled with Nerstrand's Kristopher Morelan for the early lead with Reuvers claiming the top spot on the third circuit.  The first red flag on lap seven happened when Lake City's Michael Crilly went hard into the front straight wall.  Just three laps after the first red, a second red flew after Elko's Conrad Jorgenson contacted the wall hard in turn one.  On the restart, Carlander went to the high side and took the lead from Reuvers.  Brent Kane made his move on the field on lap 18, using the outer groove to better both Dave Franek of Montgomery and Morlean to move into the third position.  Kane made a last lap pass around Reuvers to claim the second spot behind Carlander.  Franek held on for fourth in front of Morelan.

It was green all the way in the ACDelco Power Stocks feature with Lakeville's Scott King working his way through traffic for the win.  King had settled back into the fourth spot for the first half of the race before making his assault on the field by taking the lead from Morristown's Bud Kane on the 13th lap.  While King made his move, Eagan's Jeff Cook followed in line to steal the third spot from Clint Grandahl, Jr. of Webster on the 14th lap and then claiming the second spot from Kane on lap 17.  Both Grandahl and Lakeville's Cliff Adee were also able to get around Kane before the checkers flew.

It took only four laps for Elko's Mike Kawell to take the lead and eventually the win in the Hornet feature.  Kawell buzzed to the win in front of Coon Rapids' Kevin Kawell while Owatonna's Matt Wieman settled for third.  In the Queen Bee feature, 16 year old Danielle Maas of Faribault lapped over half the field on her way to an easy Mothers Day Eve victory.

Racing continues this Saturday night May 15, as Twin Cities Featherlite presents Elko/New Market Night at the Races.  Residents of either Elko or New Market will be allowed in for just five dollars.  Racing will feature the NASCAR Budweiser Super Late Models, the Elko Sportsmen, the Coca-Cola Thunder Cars, the ACDelco Power Stocks and a special appearance of the Mini-Cup Cars.  Qualifying begins at 6 with NASCAR racing starting at 7pm.  For tickets and information, contact Elko Speedway at 952-461-RACE or on the web at www.goelkospeedway.com.