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Murgic Hot Streak Continues At Elko Speedway
(9/11/04, Elko, MN) Steve Murgic continued his winning ways in
picking off the 40-lap Budweiser Super Late Model win Saturday night at Elko
Speedway. The veteran bested rookie Jake Ryan by less than a foot at the
line. Duane Halvorson got the win in a curfew shortened Elko Sportsmen
feature while Mark Storlie chalked up his second straight Coca-Cola Thunder
Car win and Jeff Partington headed for victory lane for the ACDelco Power
Stocks.
Joe Berthiaume appeared to be the car to beat in the early going of the Super
Late Model feature. The visiting driver dominated the first 14 circuits
until a spinning Jon Lemke brought out the first caution. Points leader
Lemke was driving Chad Walen’s ride after having rear end problems early in
the evening. Berthiaume was loose on the restart as the field worked
around him. Jacob Goede took the lead only to have motor problems
relegating him to the infield on the 29th lap. That set up the showdown
between Murgic and Ryan with Ryan working underneath for the final ten
circuits. Brian Johnson was relegated to watching from the third
position waiting for an opening that never happened. Murgic crossed the
line inches ahead of Ryan, Johnson was third followed by Jeff Martin and Benny
Van Cleve. After the spin, Lemke worked his way back through the field
for a seventh place finish and holds a 26 point lead over Johnson heading into
the final three races of the season.
A third lap caution put Halvorson into position for the win in the shortened
Elko Sportsmen feature. After the restart, Halvorson drove to the high
side to take the point from Doug Brown. Points leader Steve Schultz
started his assault on the field moving from sixth to the second spot when
Jeff Choban lost a wheel on the 20th lap. Because of curfew constraints,
officials were forced to call the race complete declaring Halvorson the winner
followed by Schultz, Brown, Mike Skaja and visiting Jeremy Miller.
It took Storlie just four circuits to claim the top spot in the Coca-Cola
Thunder Car 25. Storlie was able to motor around James Schuelke for the
point and never looked back. The field tightened up after a 22nd lap
caution. The cars of Ted Reuvers and Kevin Lutz battled side-by-side for
the final with Conrad Jorgenson and Matt Carlander joining the fray.
When all was said and done, Storlie was followed across the line by Reuvers,
Lutz, Carlander and Jorgenson.
Partington took the lead from the point and held off a determined Robert
Clingingsmith for the win in the ACDelco Power Stock 20. That pair was
followed across the line by Chad Tuma, Cliff Adee and Bud Kane.
Bond Suss made his way through the field in the first of two Hornets features
to post a 10-car length win while Jon Conklin won a wire to wire second
feature.
Racing continues Sunday afternoon at Elko Speedway with the third and final
round of the ACDelco Super Summer Series on tap. The Super Late Models
will be joined by the Mid-American Stock Car Series and the Mid-American Super
Truck Series. Fans can call 952-461-RACE (7223) for tickets and
information.
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