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Bjorklund Gets 1st At Fergus Falls Raceway
By Dean Reller
(FERGUS FALLS, MN) May 23rd--On a night of firsts, Blake Bjorklund scored his first career ASA Late Model Feature win at the Fergus Falls Raceway in Fergus Falls, MN. This was the first night of racing at the newly renamed track and also, the first as the newest ASA (American Speed Association) Member Track. The 30 lap Late Model feature saw Jim Larkin take off with the lead. Third starting Bjorklund tucked in behind and on lap four, pulled off the pass for the lead on the backstretch. Molly Rhoads stepped up to second as Bryan Roach came powering from the back to move into third. Roach pulled alongside near the half-way point of the race, but soon had a tire go down, forcing him into the pits for a quick stop. Rich Snyder then took over second and gave Bjorklund several serious challenges as the race wound down. The 17-year old rookie Bjorklund held off the veteran Snyder as they crossed the stripe less than a car’s length apart, giving Bjorklund his first win in only his third career Late Model start.
Oren Hoeper took a page of last year’s plan of attack as he ran hard and took top honors in the Modified Feature. Hoeper blasted into the lead on the opening lap as John Notch followed him to the front. Hoeper locked up the high groove, forcing Notch to run down low. The bottom however, didn’t give enough grip for Notch as he was forced to search elsewhere as he ran right on Hoeper’s tail. Last year’s Champion Hoeper, held his ground as he scampered to the win.
Bryan Roach filled in for Jon Lewerer and Roach filled in quite nicely as he won the Great North Legends Feature. Cory Lease and Rick Dubay both took a shot at the lead as the cars raced three-wide on the opening laps. Roach meticulously picked his way toward the front and on lap six, he took over the lead. Tim Brockhouse followed Roach for a bit before taking the lead on lap 11, Roach wasn’t about to give up yet, as he roared back in front on lap 13. Brockhouse stayed close the rest of the way as Roach took the win.
Sam Hanson has been a track regular, racing in several different classes over the years and this season, Hanson is behind the wheel of a UCAR. Hanson showed he knows his way around the 3/8th mile Fergus Falls Raceway as he captured the UCAR Feature. Adam Fronning emerged from the opening fight for the lead with the top spot. Fronning’s high groove saw him slap the wall a couple of times while out front, while still maintaining the lead. This gave Hanson the chance to pull close and when the opportunity came up on lap six, Hanson motored into the top spot. Shawn Kugler moved to second late in the race, but a last lap brush with the wall gave Fronning the spot back as he finished second behind Hanson, who was the class of the field.
Tom Weinhandl has run many enduro’s, so the 15 lap Thunder Car Feature was just a short sprint for him as he came out on top of the Thunder Car Feature. Weinhandl started from the pole and quickly took off with the lead. Cory Eggen moved to second and gained some ground late in the going, but that wasn’t enough as Weinhandl cruised to the win.
Fergus Falls Raceway Results May 23, 2003
ASA Late Models
Heat
1.) Dan Darco (Fergus Falls) 2.) Molly Rhoads (Hastings) 3.) Blake Bjorklund (Isanti) 4.) Mark Grewe (Fergus Falls) 5.) Jim Larkin (Monticello) 6.) Rick Harig 7.) Chuck Thieschafer (Long Prairie)
Fast Dash
1.) Randin Olson (Ottertail) 2.) Bryan Roach (Becker) 3.) Rich Snyder (Alexandria) 4.) Dan Giles (Farmington) 5.) Trent Snyder (Ironton) 6.) Jeff Lofquist (Fergus Falls)
Feature
1.) Blake Bjorklund 2.) Rich Snyder 3.) Trent Snyder 4.) Bryan Roach 5.) Jim Larkin 6.) Dan Giles 7.) Dan Darco 8.) Molly Rhoads 9.) Randin Olson 10.) Rick Harig 11.) Mark Grewe-DNF 12.) Jeff Lofquist-DNF
Modifieds
Heat
1.) Harlan Lysne (Fergus Falls) 2.) Jay Karch (Fergus Falls) 3.) Michele Stroud 4.) Darin Kummrow (Fergus Falls) 5.) Jason Hintermeister (Garfield)
Fast Dash
1.) John Notch (St. Cloud) 2.) Oren Hoeper (Dalton) 3.) George Sniezek (St. Joseph) 4.) Dave Ostendorf (St. Cloud) 5.) Jon Olson (Hamel) 6.) Chris Harris
Feature
1.) Oren Hoeper 2.) John Notch 3.) Jason Hintermeister 4.) Harlan Lysne 5.) Dave Ostendorf 6.) Jay Karch 7.) Michele Stroud 8.) George Sniezek-DNF 9.) John Olson-DNF 10.) Darin Kummrow-DNF 11.) Chris Harris-DNS
Great North Legends
First Heat
1.) Rick Dubay (Coon Rapids) 2.) Dan Mueller (Prior Lake) 3.) Ed Velardi (Northfield) 4.) Rollie Davidson (Burnsvile) 5.) Jaysen Brockhouse (Prior Lake) 6.) Zack Davids 7.) Shimon Casper (Cottage Grove) 8.) Gary Oie (St. Paul)
Fast Dash
1.) Tim Brockhouse (Prior Lake) 2.) Bryan Roach (Becker) 3.) Andy Hansen (Ramsey) 4.) Cory Lease (Pierz) 5.) Todd Tracy (Belle Plaine) 6.) Jack House (Farmington)
Feature
1.) Bryan Roach 2.) Tim Brockhouse 3.) Rick Dubay 4.) Todd Tracy 5.) Andy Hansen 6.) Cory Lease 7.) Ed Velardi 8.) Rollie Davidson 9.) Jack House 10.) Jaysen Brockhouse 11.) Gary Oie 12.) Dan Mueller 13.) Zack Davids 14.) Shimon Casper
Thunder Cars
Heat
1.) Tom Weinhandl (Henning) 2.) Cory Eggen 3.) Darren Werner (Wahpeton, ND) 4.) Ken Reisenauer 5.) Jobie Gutsmer (Fergus Falls)
Feature
1.) Tom Weinhandl 2.) Cory Eggen 3.) Darren Werner 4.) Ken Reisenauer-DNF 5.) Jobie Gutsmer-DNF
UCARs
First Heat
1.) Adam Fronning 2.) Marc Rosenow (Grey Eagle) 3.) Matt Ness (Fergus Falls) 4.) Dan Bolstad (Fergus Falls) 5.) Jay Gronewold
Second Heat
1.) Sam Hanson (Fergus Falls) 2.) Craig Maack (Pelican Rapids) 3.) Shawn Kugler (Fergus Falls) 4.) Doug Fick 5.) David Bolstad (Fergus Falls)
Feature
1.) Sam Hanson 2.) Adam Fronning 3.) Marc Rosenow 4.) Dan Bolstad 5.) David Bolstad 6.) Craig Maack 7.) Jay Gronewold 8.) Shawn Kugler-DNF 9.) Doug Fick-DNF 10.) Matt Ness-DNF
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