Lemke Solidified Points Lead At Elko Speedway
by Chris Clark

Greenfield’s John Lemke made a strong statement toward a championship season at Elko Speedway capturing the Sprite 40 for the Budweiser Super Late Models.  It wasn’t an easy win for Lemke as four cautions tested the veteran on double wide restarts.  Each time Lemke was able to hold off Lakeville’s Brian Johnson.  Lemke moved from his sixth starting spot to third just four laps into the race getting by New Market’s Jason Schneider who started from the pole.  Just two laps later, the first caution flew as Chad Walen (Prior Lake) got into the back of Schneider.  On the restart, Johnson grabbed the lead with Webster’s Jeff Martin with Lemke in tow.  Martin went to the high side of Johnson four circuits later to take the point.  Lemke slid to the high side for the second spot and set his sights on Martin.  An exchange of paint and two of Martins tires up on the wall allowed  Lemke into the lead on the 18th lap.  14-time track champion Martin showed a veteran move in righting his car and holding on to second.  Three separate restarts later (laps 30, 36, 38) and Lemke drove his ride to victory lane.  “I’m really having fun out here.  (Steve) Murgic was with us at the front and when you race with him, Johnson, Schneider and the rest of the guys here, you just know it’s going to be tough to win,” said Lemke from victory lane.  “We have to take a look at the rest of the schedule and compare it with the touring series to see what’s in store for us”.  Johnson finished a strong second followed across the line by Martin, Schneider and Lonsdale’s Steve Anderson.

Hampton’s Jonothan Eilen got an early high school graduation gift in the form of the Sportsmen trophy in the Elko Sportsmen Sprite 30.  Eilen led from the start and showed patience through four cautions to easily breeze to the win.  After the first restart, Eilen lost the lead to Jeff Choban (Oakdale) but another caution and restart just four laps later saw Eilen reclaim the point for the remainder of the race.  The high school senior, who will graduate next week from Farmington High School showed patience through two more cautions to claim the win.  Eilen was followed across the line by Webster’s Steve Schultz, Duane Halvorson (Rosemount) and Choban.  Defending series champ Mike (formerly known as Mikie) Skaja came from the back of the field to finish fifth.

The Coca-Cola Thunder Cars nearly went green all the way with the only caution coming on lap 25.  It appeared that Lakeville’s Mark Storlie was going to claim his first win of the season after going through three engines in the first part of the year.  Storlie motored past Conrad Jorgensen (Lakeville) for the lead on the second circuit.  However, Storlie was found to be light in post race inspections.   North Branch’s James Welton moved to the second spot.  Faribault’s Matt Carlander inherited what he though was second place after the restart of the races only caution on lap 25.  That yellow flew as a result of a pile-up that claimed the car of then fourth place contender Jorgensen.  Carlander crossed the line behind Storlie but was awarded the win, followed by Welton and Ted Reuvers (Dundas).

Brock Weber gave chase to broth Chase Weber in the early going of the Sprite 25 for the ACDelco Power Stocks.  Brock got by chase on the high side of lap three to claim the lead and never looked back in a yellow free feature.  Lakeville’s Robert Clingingsmith made a late race pass around Chase Weber for the second spot.  Chase Weber then held off Scott King (Lakeville) for third.

Prior Lake’s Tim Brockhouse ran strong all night to claim the checkers in the Sprite 15 for the Great Northern Legends.  Brockhouse finished in front of Kim Kraus, also of Prior Lake.

Racing continues Saturday night, June 5 with 3M night at the races featuring the Budweiser super Late Models, Elko Sportsmen, Coca-Cola thunder Cars, ACDelco Power Stocks and a special appearance of the frisky Elko Hornets.  Qualifying will begin at 6:15 with the first green flag set for 7pm.  Elko Speedway is located one mile west of I-35 on exit 76 just 30 minutes south of downtown Minneapolis.  For more information, call 952-461-RACE or on the web at www.goelkospeedway.com. 
 
Results
Budweiser Super Late Models 40-lap feature – Lemke, Johnson, Martin, Schneider, Anderson (Lonsdale).

Elko Speedway Sportsmen 30-lap feature – Eilen, Schultz, Halvorson, Choban, Skaja.

Coca-Cola Thunder Cars 30-lap feature – Carlander, Welton, Reuvers.

ACDelco Power Stocks 25-lap feature – B. Weber, Clingingsmith, C. Weber, King.

Great Northern Legends - T. Brockhouse, Kraus, McInnis, Davidson, Brant.