Ebert Doubles up in MODs, TArdy,Frank and Koski shine

Grand Rapids, MN 6-17-2011

By Randy Murray

Wes' Plumbing & Heating and Portable John Night at Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communication saw some of the areas BEST racing so far this season. While overcast skies loomed all day the 78 entrants didn't seemed phased on bit. The pure excitement of the night became evident during the heats where the racing put fans on the edge of their seats and the announcer up a couple octaves. Setting a tone for the nights features that had fans rushing back to their seats so they didn't miss a corners worth of the action.

As the Rapids Ford WISSOTA MIdwest Modifieds rolled out, with Dennis German and Don Smith on the front row, no one had a clue as to what they were about to witness. Smith quickly took the lead and the scrum was on! Skeeter Estey, Bill Matzdorf, Dan Ebert and Charlie Castle quickly jumped into the top five and set in on smith.

The track wassmooth as glass and we are about to find out just how wide Grand Rapids can be. Smith wasn't about to just let them fly by, no sir, Not this time. Ebert and Estey set to battling each other and Smith for the front most of the time Three-wide! Castle and Matzdorf used two unoccupied lanes behind them to stay on their bumpers.

The Front 5 "Under a blanket", door to door, side by side and never was contact made.

Just past Midway the quintuplet caught the rear of the field but do not let that fool you. the action got HOTTER. Smith went to work and used the bottom and some patients to get past the first few cars. Ebert went the other way round and found a little bit of something and moved along side smith. Ebert set a pick and smith went to second. Smith fires back inside Ebert retaking the front/ Castle Estey and Matzdorf are slicing around each other and the field like a chopping blocks worth of Ginsu knives at a Sushi bar. As the laps ran out Ebert had gotten a two car advantage on Smith with Estey, Matzdorf and Castle not far behind!  "That has to be the most fun race I have EVER been in, that was a Blast!!" Ebert commented in Victory Lane.

Having the bar set the WISSOTA Late Models rolled onto the racing surface with Mark Hienle and Todd Frank bring them to green. Frank set to the highline and blasted into the lead. Narrowly avoiding a pile up as he reigned in the 21 and shot down the back straight Heinle set off to catch him. Kyle Peterline aand Kevin Carlson set to battle for third with peterlin high and Carlson in the familiar low line. On a race track with more lanes than the I-94 in the heart of the cites the field settled in to find something no one else had. Though job there as the track was smooth with a cushion and a lot of good traction available everywhere and it just got faster. The big change would come in the heartbreaking form of a flat tire. Mark Heinle was running in second, getting pressure from K. Carlson on the bottom, when incidental contact cut Heinle's left rear. Heinle pulled up to the High-side and cleared the track ending a great run with a heart breaker finish. Frank, who never looked back from the start, took the checkers with Peterlin, K. Carlson, Harry hanson and Provinzino top 5

The Broking transport WISSOTA Modifieds got a freshly manicured surface when Paul Schultz and Brad hanson brought them to the green. Bob Broking and Dan Ebert slid into second and third behind Hanson. Ebert grabbed the extreme High line and powered outside hanson and Broking into the lead. Broking used the Distraction of ebert to slip past Hanson into Second. When a quick series of cautions, One of which for Broking, Didn;t deter Ebert from the lead the stage was set. Who can Prevent the sweep? 6th Starter Jeff Hart had moved to the top three around Dustin Nelson and Schultz. 10th Starteer Ryan Aho was making a bid as well as he cracked the top five.  Ebert, Hart and the scrum that followed in behind. Aho battled with Nelson for a few laps before taking third and trying to run down the front two. Schultz moved back around Hanson into 5th while Kelly Estey fluctuated between 5th and 8th until a schultz miscue put hanson back in fifth.
As the race came to a close Dan Ebert had brought the broom with him as he cleaned up a Sweep in both of the Modified divisions this time with HArt, Aho, Nelson and Hanson in tow.

The Tom Clusiau WISSOTA Super Stocks came out to entertain with a Pair of Mikes on the front row. Mike Troumbly and Mike Procopio set the but Dalton Carlson had a point he wanted to make. That point, even though he is a young, don't count him out. Carlson bolted from the second row, grabbed the lead out of turn two and quicly put some distance between himself and Troumbly. 7th Starting Jeff Tardy was on a mission as he  plotted a course through the field between him and carlson. Tardy reached second in just a few short laps but Carlson had opened a strong lead and running very well. Troumbly had his hands full with Derek Vesel in a battle for third until troumbly picked up a huge push and vesel, Don Frider, Jeremy Fink and the rest got by him before he got it under control again. Near Half way a caution bunched up the field. Carlson sat on the point with Tardy choosing the outside giving Vesel the inside lane. Carlson stood up to the test and fired out again retaining the lead with much more pressure from Tardy on the highside. Vesel settled into the inside behind carlson looking for a crack in the leaders Armor. The show was right in front  of vesel as Carlson used the low lane to battle the hard driving Tardy on the High Side. the two spent nearly 14 of 20 laps side by side and flying. Vesel showed why he is one of the more respected area competitors pressuring carlson but never forcing the issue. Tardy got the edge with a few laps to go and Took away Carlsons advantage in 3-4. Carlson held Tough in second in a drag race with vesel to the checkers that saw vesel with an edge at the flag. Jeremy Fink and Bob Carlson rounded out the top Five as Tardy returned to Victory Lane

The Pure Stocks would see a ton of side by side and three wide challenges as Dacota Greene grabbed the lead from front row mate Jerry Ramey. Greene looked to be untouchable as he lead the field around the 3/8ths mile oval. Keith Koski and Mitch Meyer set to a door to door dual for second. That lasted until Jake Barsness decided to make a bid for a return trip to victory lane. Getting by Meyer, Barsness set to work on Koski trying to better his chances. Kevin Perkovich had driven the wagon up to 6th from tenth and looked to crack in to the top five. A late caution tests greene but he held fast the lead. Koski in second had a plan in mind. Barsness tried to better his spot outside Koski but Greene was still there and leading. Koski make a move below greene that saw the lead switch to Him. Koski Grabs his second win of the season over a disapointed Greene, Barsness,Meyer and Perkovich round out the top 5

The races tonight rank right in there with some of the best racing I have seen so far this season and we have a long season left in front of us.

Next Thursday, June 23rd all 5 classes return to the speedway along with the two seater late model. Gondick Law offices and Rapids Ford

help bring the races to the track and the Kids Club has some events for the youngsters before the Green flag flies. Come to where Thursdays

Always Thunder, Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communications. For more information look us up on the

web at www.grandrapidsspeedway.net See you Thursday!!

Wissota Late Models

Feature: Frank, Peterlin, K. Carlson, Hanson, Provinzino,Kintner, Waseleski, Ogston,T. Carlson, Paolo DNF Heinle

Heat one: K. Carlson, Provinzino, Paolo, Peterlin, Ogston

Heat two: Frank, Hanson, Kintner, Heinle, Waseleski

Broking Transport WISSOTA Modified

Feature: Ebert, Hart, Aho, Nelson, Hanson, Estey, Schultz, J. Broking, Champlin, Olson, B. Broking, Sersha, Simmens

DNF; Wood, B. Nelson, Mostoller, Reini

Heat One: Hanson, Wood, Schultz, B. Broking, Olson

Heat two: Ebert, Hart, Estey, Nelson, Aho

Tom Clusiau WISSOTA Super Stock

Feature: Tardy, Vesel, D. Carlson, Fink, B. Carlson, Burdick, LaBarge, Procopio, Schultz, Nicholl, Frider, Roepke DNF Troumbly

Heat One: Tardy, Procopio, B. Carlson, Burdick, Frider

Heat Two: Vesel, Fink, D. Carlson, Troumbly, LaBarge

Rapids Ford WISSOTA Midwest Modified

Feature: Ebert, Smith, Matzdorf, Estey, C. Castle, Herrick, Bourquin, Leek, Rask, Johnson, Lawler, Castle Jr, German, Nelson, Paolo,Anderson, Miller

Heat One: Matzdorf, Castle, Estey, Smith, Leek

Heat Two: Ebert, Herrick, Rask, German, Anderson

Pure Stock

Feature: Koski, Greene, Barsness,Meyer, Perkovich, Miller, M. Jensen, Wilson, Ramey, Chamernick, Baumgarner, Heinle, Feltus, Ryan

DNF: MacAdams, B. Jensen, Palkki, Peirzina DNS Jerry

Heat One:Pierzina, Meyer, Koski, Greene, MacAdams

Heat Two: Barsness, Ramey, Wilson, Jensen, Perkovich

Matzdorf,Wohlers, Estey, Provinzino and Barsness top the field

Grand Rapids Mn 6-9-2011

By Randy Murray

While the season has taken off to a slow start at many race tracks Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway has set it's fourth race of the season in the books.

With mostly cloudy skies keeping the hot sun off the clay things were looking good from the get go this week. with help from event sponsors, Northern Belt & Conveyor and Figgins Truck & Trailer Repair, the 5 classes put on a very strong night of racing.

The Rapids Ford Wissota Midwest Modified fired off a Great feature Race with plenty of passing, side by side duals and sometimes blasting four abreast out of the corners.

Willie Thompson blasted to an early lead from the second row to quickly be joined by fourth row starters Don Smith and Dan Ebert. The trio fought tooth and nail for the lead with Ebert getting the edge then opening a gap.

Thompson held off the challenges of Skeeter Estey and Bill Matzdorf as long as he could but Matzdorf used the tricks of experience and found a hole to get by. Estey took advantage of the hole and followed Matzdorf to fourth.

A mid-race caution saw Smith headed pitside though he rejoined in time for the green to fly but was still sent to the back for being in the pits area. Matzdorf used the restart to apply pressure to Ebert creating a good race for the lead with Estey, Thompson and Charlie Castle embroiled in a battle for 3-5th. Lots of  two and three wide challenges  were the norm for the last 5 circuits but Matzdorf remained strong out front with Ebert holding off Estey and Castle getting by Thompson to finish 4th.

Travis Budoslavich and Jay Kintner brought out the WISSOTA Late Models and led the 13 car feature to green. Budoslavich got the early lap but Kintner fired a shot on the high line and that changed that. Kevin Carlson regained his footing, after a brief slip, getting past Kyle Peterlin, Tim Carlson and Budoslavich. Kintner, Poised to tbe the class of the field, had a solid lead until caution flew. Tom waseleski was tagged with Peterlin going pit side unable to continue. Kintner stood his ground as another caution saw T. Carlson facing the wrong way in 3-4. The cautions cause some shifting about through the field as now Jeff Provinzino(started 8th) and (13th stater) Harry hanson were side by side behind Kintner. Kintner Stayed the course and smoothly handles all the pressure Provinzino applied as the duo got a little breathing room out front, not much but few car lengths. Provinzino keep looking inside kintner but Jay held up to the challenge until a bobble on Kintner gave Provinzino the little bit he needed and took the lead. Kintner fired back but was denied at every chance as Provinzino took the checkers, Kintner, Hanson, K Carlson and Budoslavich top five.

The Kelly and Ryan show was set for another episode as George Simmens Jr and Ryan Aho brought the Broking Transport WISSOTA Modifieds to the track. Estey took charge right away as he shot past the lead duo and the Battle was on. Aho stayed on Estey like he was hooked to him with a chain. Through a series of Restarts Estey maintained with Aho choosing a Different starting spot each time the Delaware alignment was set. Third Runner Dan Ebert was getting some serious study time on the leaders as he was never far from the pair. 4th row racers Jeff Hart and Jeff Wood went to work on each other while working forward into third and fourth respectively. Dustin Nelson rounded out the top five when Estey took the checkers over Aho, Hart and wood.

Tom Clusiau Wissota Super Stocks Came to entertain next as Mike Procopio and Donnie Frider led the them to green. Procopio showed power early as he took the lead on a field that went four wide into turn one behind him. Zack Wohlers Ripped the hi-side to gain the lead and 8th Starting Jeff Tardy powered his way to second.

Cauton flew as Donnie Friders' Driveshaft made a violent exit from under the 32. Kevin Burdick started to maked a run up through the field slowly working teh bottom and gaining ground. Tardy and Wohlers out front with Tardy looking for that little extra when Burdick ran the low line in to second. Wohlers had what it took and held off the cahrging Burdick. Tardy, Andy Davey and Bobby Carlson rounding out the top 5

The Pure Stocks had Todd Heinle and Jerry Ramey on the point while second row starter Mitch Meyer took to a quick lead. Heavy Pressure from Jake Barsness and Kevin Perkovich saw Meyer Shuffled back to 3rd. A series of restarts and some pretty wild action knocked several cars from competition. Chris Miller Had moved up to the third spot and was trying for second but heavy contact saw him getting the call and send tail back. Barsness was up to the task as held off the Perkovich wagon and picked up the checkers. Meyer, Keith Koski and Monte Jensen rounding out the top five.

Lots of good racing on a multi lane surface made for a good night. Thursday June 16th is Wes' Plumbing and Heating/ Portable John Night with kids klub activities before the show kicks off. The Two Seater late Model will be on hand for a lucky fan so make sure you get into the drawing. For more information on schedule and up coming events visit www.grandrapidsspeedway.net and we'll see you at the speedway!

Wissota late models

Feature

Provinzino,Kintner,Hanson, K Carlson, Budoslavich, Heinle,Ogston,T Carlson, Jorgenson,Ferris,PaoloDNF waseleski, peterlin

Heat One; Tom Waseleski, Kevin Carlson, Jeff Provinzino,Travis Budoslavich, Gregg Ferris
Heat Two;Peterlin,Paolo,Kintner, Tim Carlson, Ogston

Broking Transport Wissota Modified
Feature
Estey,Aho,Hart, Wood,Nelson,Ebert,Simmens Jr, B. Broking, Schultz,Olson, J. Broking, Champlin, Mostoller, Nelson, PerprunerDNF Schulke
Heat One; Aho, Ebert,Simmens Jr, Wood Champlin
Heat Two; Hart,Estey,Schultz,Nelson,Mostoller

Tom Clusiau Wissota Super Stock
Feature: Wohlers, Burdick, Tardy, Davey, B. Carlson, Lofdahl,Arens, Procopio,D. Carlson DNF Roepke,Troumble,Fink,Frider
Heat One; Tardy, Wohlers, Davey, Frider,D. Carlson
Heat two: Lofdahl,B Carlson, Burdick, Procopio,Fink

Rapids Ford Midwest Modified
Feature: Matzdorf,Ebert,Estey,Castle,Thompson,Leek,Johnson,Bourquin,German,laulier,Anderson,Nelson,Miller,PaoloDNFOssachuk, D. Smith, Castle Jr
Heat One: Matzdorf, Thompson,German, Castle Jr, Johnson
Heat two: Estey, Castle. Ebert, Smith, Leek

Pure Stock
Feature; Barsness, Perkovich, Meyer,Koski,M. Jensen, Baumgarner,MacAdams,Ramey,Nadeau,B. Jensen,Heinle,Palkki,MillerDNFSyverson,Greene,JerryDNSFeltus,Nikstad
Heat One:Ramey,Heinle,Perovich,Feltus,Nadeau
Heat Two:Barsness,Meyer,B. Jensen,Miller, Koski

Five new faces appear in Victory Lane

Grand Rapids Mn 6-3-2011

By Randy Murray

With overcast skies and a threat of rain in the forecast Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communications

pushed on and got in the third race of the 2011 season. Making it the only area track to get all of it's scheduled events in so far this spring.

The Rapids Ford WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds had the first feature offering of the night. Having a little trouble getting the first lap in, the third times a charm.

Charlie Castle Rocketed his 2c out front relegating Brian Bourquin to the second slot as the feature was off and flying. Castle was soon joined at the front by Skeeter Estey,

Bill Matzdorf and Dan Ebert making for a whale of a race. The four of them would wage a battle for the point that left castle out front with the trio often times three wide behind him. Cohasset, Mn driver Don Smith powered his ride into the fifth spot and soon we had five cars battling for as many positions. Castle, running one of the best races I have seen him run in awhile, Held the point in the Five car scrum. Estey let castle know he was there at the halfway point gaining the lead at the line. Castle fired back and retook the lead on the next circuit. Matzdorf, Ebert and Smith all in striking distance if the chance arose.

That chance came, Castle clipped an infield marker in turn three and spun causing a caution.  with the field reset Estey took the lead With Matzdorf, Ebert, Smith and Christopher Leek rounding out the top 5. Castle fought back to the 6th spot after his lead stealing miscue.

The WISSOTA Late Model feature saw Jay Kintner and Kevin Carlson on the front row. Kintner took off to the early lead with fourth starting Jeff Provinzino grabbing second. Holding the lead until just under halfway, Kintner proved his return to the seat of a late model is going to become a serious campaign of tough competition. Provinzino worked inside Kintner resting away the lead. Harry Hanson would take the second spot during a restart with ten to go. Provinzino wasn't to be denied as he jetted out to front and put up a victory tally with Hanson, Kintner,Waseleski and Kyle Peterlin making up the top 5.

The Broking Transport WISSOTA Modifieds came to the field with a tough front row. Ryan Aho and Dan Ebert set to battle at the get go. a restart Plagued event still showed some good racing as two and three wide was common place behind the leaders.  The biggest mover was the number nine car piloted by Kelly Estey. He raced forward from a last row starting spot to get a top 5 finish. While Ebert took his first Mod win at Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway. Aho, Dustin Nelson,Brad Hanson and Estey made up the top 5.

The Tom Clusiau Wissota Super Stock Feature came to the fold with Tristan LaBarge and Don Frider on the front row. LaBarge took the early lead but 5th starting Kevin Burdick found the bottom and snatched the lead away. LaBarge dropped in behind him and left the field fight it out behind them. Tyler Kintner and Zac Wohlers held court for the third spot with Wohlers eventually getting the judgment. Jeff Tardy set his sights on Kintner and the duo would trade fourth back and forth until Tardy eventually grabbed it and hung on. Burdick Picked up the checkers with LaBarge, Wohlers, Tardy and Kintner in tow.

The Rapids Pure Stocks heated things up a bit with a solid bit of battling for positions all through the field. Chris Miller and Kevin Perkovich put up an exciting run out front

with the two of them door to door most of the race. Perkovich and the mighty wagon we not to be foiled this night however. The Nights big mover was Rookie Mike Nadeau, starting last and finishing in fourth, with a 13 spot gain.  Perkovich,Miller,Koski, Nadeau and Meyer the top 5.

Racing resumes at Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communications Thursday June 9th with Northern Belt & Conveyor/ Figgins Truck & Trailer Repair night.

An Enduro is also Scheduled for Friday June 10th at 7pm. Come on out and be a part of the action at the one place where there is always Thunder on Thursdays!

Recap:

Wissota Late Models

Provinzino,Hanson, Kintner,Waseleski,Peterlin,Hill,Carlson,Heinle,K,Carlson

Heat one: Jay Kintner, Jeff Provinzino, Harry Hanson, Tom Waseleski, Kevin Carlson, Kyle Peterlin, Mark Heinle, Gregg Hill, Tim Carlson

Broking Transport Wissota Modified:

Feature; Ebert, Aho, Nelson,Hanson, Estey,B. Broking,Wood, Schultz, Simmens, Perpruner,DNF Hart,Olson, Mostoller

Heat one; Ryan Aho, Bob Broking,Dustin Nelson, Paul Schultz,Jodi Olson

Heat two; Jeff Wood, Dan Ebert, Jeff Hart, Brad Hanson, Ken Mostoller

Tom Clusiau Wissota Super Stocks

Feature; Burdick, LaBarge, Wohlers, Tardy, Kintner, Fink, Carlson, Schultz. B. Carlson,Procorpio, Frider, Skalsky

Heat One; Don Frider, Dalton Carlson,  Tristan LaBarge, Bob Carlson, Mike Procopio

Heat Two; Tyler Kintner, Sam Skalsky, Kevin Burdick, Jeff Tardy,Jeremy Fink

Rapids Ford Wissota Midwest Modifieds

Feature; Estey, Matzdorf,Ebert, Smith, Leek, C, Castle, Bourquin, Anderson, Paolo, Castle Jr, Lawler, Nelson, German

Heat One: Dan Ebert, Matzdorf. Don Smith, Darrin Lawler, Dennis German

Heat Two: Skeeter Estey, Charlie Castle, Chris Leek, Brian Bourquin, Little Charlie Castle

Pure Stocks

Feature: Perkovich, Miller, Koski, Nadeau, Meyer, B. Jensen, Barsness, Baumgarner,Syversen, McAdams, Heinle, Feltus, M. Jensen, Ramey, Jerry,Greene, Nosie(DNF)

Heat One:Jake Barsness, Chris Miller, Keith Koski, Jerry Ramey, Mitch Meyer

Heat Two: Kevin Perkovich, Nay Syverson, Brenden Jensen, Mike McAdams, Justin Feltus

Reini, Leek and Koski add their names to the first time winners list!

Grand Rapids, MN 5-27-2011
By: Randy Murray

With over 80 cars on hand and bright sun overhead, Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communications dropped the green.

The Rapids Ford Wissota Midwest Modifieds came on the speedway with Bryan Bourquin and Willie Thompson on the front row. Bourquin and Leek battled each other for the lead, often side by side, with Bourquin holding the point at the line. Dan Ebert pressured the two from the third spot. A Bourquin slip let Leek get inside and both Leek and Ebert were quick to capitalize sending the leader back to third. The Emo, Ontario regular had his hands full trying to fend of the pressure from Ebert and Grand Rapids racer, Don Smith. A restart with two laps to go set up a green, white, checkered ending with Leek on the point and Smith and Ebert side by side behind him. Leek dropped in and held the line to take his first ever feature-win. Ebert, Smith, Bill Matzdorf and Thompson rounded out the top five.

The Wissota Late models came out next with Tom Waseleski and Tim Carlson on the front row. Because the track locked down in the previous event, the pole sitter jumped to the quick lead. Second row inside starter, Jeff Provinzino, took hold of the second position while outside pole starter, Carlson, grabbed third. A restart near the halfway mark saw four cars sitting atop one another in turn four. Good work from the Grand Rapids wrecker teams got the four apart and all were able to continue due to their efforts.  The restart saw Waseleski regain the point with Provinzino, Carlson, Corey Jorgensen and Joey Ogston taking positions in what would remain the top five.  Waseleski picked up the winners check for the first time this season.

The Broking Transport WISSOTA Modifieds rolled a pair of 5's onto the front row. Ken Mostellar and Jody Olson brought the mods to green, but third place starter, John Reini, jumped out to the lead. Seventh starter, Jeff Wood, gained the second spot. A flurry of restarts short of the halfway point tested the mettle of Reini, but he remained up to the task holding the point through all four of them. Eighth starter, Jeff Hart, went to the high side and found something to get him up to third behind Wood. Bob Broking drove up to fourth and Paul Schultz grabbed fifth until Hart stepped out to try a pass. Broking and Schultz made him rethink that and dropped him to fifth. John Reini picked up his first Modified win in front of them.

The Tom Clusiau WISSOTA Super Stocks came to the fold with Tom Nicholl and Jeremy Fink leading the charge. Nicholl, Carlson and Donnie Lofdahl, who started on the inside lane, jumped ahead and took the top three spots. With the bottom line being dominant and rubbered up, Carlson used it to his advantage to get past Nicholl and grab a lead he wouldn't relinquish. Carlson picked up his first win since his return to supers, with Lofdahl, Fink, Burdick and Davey rounding out the top five.

The Pure Stocks came to the track and took three tries before front runners Emily Nosie and Kevin Perkovich could get the battle underway. The front row starters did battle with each other and through the restarts, five in as many laps. Once they got it all settled in, Perkovich had to pit for a left rear flat leaving Nosie to fend off the challengers. Nosie would hold them off and pick up her first win this season. Nate Syverson, Chris Miller, Kevin Baumgarner and Keith Koski would round out the top five.

Next Thursdays racing, sponsored by Fastlane Racing and Powder Coating and Sunrise Funeral Home, brings all five classes back to action at the only place for THUNDER on THURSDAYS, Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented By Paul Bunyan Communications!

Hanson, Hart, Tardy, Estey and Koski earn the Checkers on opening night

By Randy Murray

GRAND RAPIDS, MN (May 19) - The 2011 WISSOTA AMSOIL Dirt Track Series season at Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented by Paul Bunyan Communications got off to a good start Thursday with two-wide racing most of the night.

With Don Smith and Skeeter Estey taking up the front row of the Rapids Ford WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature, Thunder was set to take off. 

Estey took to the highside to battle Smith, edging him out for the lead and never looked back. While the duo battled side by side for most of the race, Smith just couldn’t quite nail it and get by the high-flying Estey. With a couple of cautions to tighten things up, Estey held the point and earned the Rapids Ford feature win with Smith, Dan Ebert, Charlie Castle and Bill Matzdorf following up in the top five.

The WISSOTA Late Models took to the oval with Kyle Peterlin on the pole flanked by defending national champion Ricky Weiss. At the green, Peterlin took off to a commanding lead. Weiss battled for second with Steve Laursen in heated side-by-side racing.

Harry Hanson looked for a way through the duo and found it on lap eight. Hanson set his sights on Peterlin and worked to gain ground on the leader. Hanson grabbed the lead just before the halfway point and set sail; he opened up a lead that went unchallenged.

Joel Cryderman followed Hanson past Peterlin and stole the second spot but soon had 10th starter Kevin Carlson to battle with. Carlson worked into the second spot but didn’t have enough time to catch Hanson before the checkers flew. Hanson grabbed the “W” with Carlson, Cryderman, Peterlin and ninth starter Jeff Provinzino in fifth.

The Broking Transport WISSOTA Modifieds rumbled onto the track with Kelly Estey and Ryan Aho on the front row. Estey and Aho took off at the green but contact between the two left Aho up close to the pines and Estey earning a trip to the tail of the field.

Steve Houle inherited the pole for the restart with Bob Broking on  the outside. Jeff Hart capitalized when the duo left the highside open and he galloped the #20 into the lead. Houle and Broking jockeyed for the runner-up spot with Dustin Nelson getting into the mix.

Dan Ebert, Jeff Wood and Paul Schultz put on a show while battling with each other and moving up to take positions. Hart flew around the high groove to the checkers with Houle, Nelson, Schultz and Wood rounding out the top five.

The Tom Clusiau WISSOTA Super Stock main event featured a good battle between polesitter Bobby Carlson and defending track champion Jeff Tardy. The duo led the field to green and raced side by side until a caution for a spun Kevin Burdick.

The Deleware start put Tardy out front with Carlson and Tyler Kintner two-wide behind him. Tardy got the groove going and left Carlson to battle Kintner and the front three remained the same to the checkers. Reed Scott drove up to the fourth spot and Dalton Carlson earned fifth.

The Pure Stocks came to the speedway with plenty of cars and tons of challenges on tap. Kevin Perkovich got out to an early lead and it appeared his dominance would continue, by “Nay, nay” sayeth the competition. Perkovich’s lead was shortlived; Chris Miller stepped up to reveal some skills and power until Keith Koski decided the front looked like a good place to be. Rookie Mike Nadeau was the surprize of the field as he followed Koski and grabbed second. Miller battled Nadeu and eventually took over secoond while Koski grabbed the checkers for his first time at Grand Rapids Speedway. Miller, Nadeau, Jensen and Nate Syverson rounded out the top five.

Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway presented By Paul Bunyan Communications plays host to all five classes again Thursday night sponsored by Portable John and Hart Electric. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7. Grandstand tickets are just $11 and kids 12 and under are free. Next week begins the Kids Club activities for the youngsters. For more information and race schedule visit www.grandrapidsspeedway.net where Thursdays Always Thunder!

SUMMARY

WISSOTA Late Models:

Feature - Harry Hanson, Kevin Carlson, Joel Cryderman, Kyle Peterlin, Jeff Provinzino, Tim Carlson, Ricky Weiss, Tom Waseleski, Steve Laursen, Todd Frank, Aaron Lillo, Dustin Lunde, Gregg Hill, Travis Budisalovich, Jay Kintner

Heat 1 - Peterlin, Laursen, Hanson, Kintner, Provinzino, Waseleski, Lillo, Lunde

Heat 2 - Weiss, Budisalovich, Cryderman, Frank, K. Carlson, Hill, T. Carlson

WISSOTA Modifieds:

Feature - Jeff Hart, Jeremy Houle, Dustin Nelson, Jeff Wood, Paul Schultz, Bob Broking, Dan Ebert, Kelly Estey, John Reini, Brad Hanson, Jodi Olson, Justin Jones, Johnny Broking, John Carpenter, John Schulke, Kenneth Mostoller, Dwayne Pihulak, Ryan Aho

Heat 1 - Estey, Houle, Nelson, Schultz, J. Broking, Jones, Reini, Mostoller, Carpenter

Heat 2 - Aho, B. Broking, Hart, Ebert, Hanson, Wood, Olson, Pihulak, Schulke

WISSOTA Super Stocks:

Feature - Jeff Tardy, Bobby Carlson, Tyler Kintner, Reed Scott, Dalton Carlson, Jeremy Fink, Derek Vesel, Kevin Burdick, Don Frider, Daniel Severson, R. Roepke, Mike Procopio, Tom Nicholl

Heat 1 - B. Carlson, T. Kintner, Severson, D. Carlson, Frider, Roepke, Nicholl

Heat 2 - Tardy, Burdick, Scott, Procopio, Fink, Vesel

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:

Feature - Skeeter Estey, Don Smith, Dan Ebert, Charlie Castle, Bill Matzdorf, Christopher Leek, Skyler Smith, Willie Thompson, Mark Roine, Brian Bourquin, Tom Mackey, Matt Anderson, Steven Krumrei, Kyle Paolo, Pete Nelson, Darrin Lawler, Mervin Castle

Heat 1 - D. Smith, C. Castle, Matzdorf, S. Smith, Bourquin, Leek, Anderson, M. Castle, Paolo

Heat 2 - Estey, Ebert, Roine, Thompson, Krumrei, Lawler, Nelson, Mackey

Pure Stocks:

Feature - Keith Koski, Chris Miller, Michael Nadeau, Brenden Jensen, Nate Syverson, Patrick Jerry, Jerry Ramey, Todd Heinle, Frank Chamernick, Kevin Baumgartner, Justin Feltus, Kevin Perkovich, Dacota Greene, Jacob Barsness, Mike Macadams, Emily Nosie

Heat 1 - Macadams, Ramey, Nadeau, Feltus, Nosie, Syverson, Jerry, Chamernick

Heat 2 - Barsness, Perkovich, Jensen, Miller, Koski, Greene, Heinle, Baumgartner