Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Tesch Cruises to Win at Allison

The Highway 3 Raceway in Allison held their second event of the season on Wednesday night, June 3rd. Tonight's event would feature the stars of the USMTS series along with stock cars, bmods, hobby stocks, and hornets. The show was moved along at a quick pace with the exception of a delay while the fire and rescue team responded to a local call. The track crew also took time to water the track after the first feature of the night to help keep the dust down to a minimum.

First up on the night would be the stock car feature. Ten cars took the green flag as Dave Sires led the first lap, but Gary Rotenberger took the top spot away on the next circuit. A five car pileup on lap three slowed the action, but luckily all cars were able to continue. When the green flag waved again, Mitch Hovden took his car to the inside of Rotenberger to take command of the race. Mike Weimann made his way to second, but Hovden's car was too strong as he took home the checkers. Weimann finished second, Rotenberger was third, Jake Ludeking fourth, and Dan Christopher rounded out the top five.

Sixteen bmods took to the track next for what was scheduled to be a fifteen lap feature. Bob Sutherland jumped out front early on to set the pace, but Jimmy Broszeit and Curtis Engen stayed within striking distance closely behind. Engen settled into the second spot as the caution flag flew on lap six. The Highway 3 Raceway has a unique rule that if a feature has more then 3 cautions, they start taking laps off the race. Therefore, the race was shortened to twelve laps. Sutherland distanced himself from Engen and the rest of the field as he powered his way to the checkers. Engen was second, Broszeit third, Dan Tenold fourth, and Kaleb Bentley rounded out the top five.

Probably the best feature of the night would be the hobby stocks. Shane Barnett grabbed the lead early on, but Chris Hovden started his quest to the front as he found himself in second on lap two. After an early caution, Brandon Hare joined in as all three cars were battling for the top spot. Hare would get the better of the them as he took over the race lead. A few laps later, Barnett's car would spin while running third. Barnett was able to keep his car moving, preventing the caution from coming out. Hovden tried to track down Hare, but it wasn't enough. Hovden took home second, Troy Hovey was third, Kurt George fourth, and Mark Lewis rounded out the top five.

Twenty-four USMTS modifieds took to the track for their thirty lap feature event. Kelly Shryock redrew the pole looking to break his lengthy winless streak. Shryock last found victory lane back on August 31st of last year at Kasson, Minnesota. Shryock would lead the first lap by the narrowest of margins as Jon Tesch slid to his inside down the front stretch. Tesch found the bottom side of the track to his liking as he pulled ahead of Shryock down the backstretch and into the lead. Shryock would have his hands full as Ryan Dolan challenged for the second spot throughout much of the race. Al Hejna also tried to join in on that battle, but just wasn't quick enough to keep up at the end. Jon Tesch maneuvered through lapped traffic late in the race flawlessly as he took home the checkers in convincing fashion. Shryock held off Dolan for second and third, respectively. Hejna finished with a solid fourth place run and Michael Long rounded out the top five.

The final event of the night was the hornets. Bill Whalen had the field covered from the start as he took home the win. Irv Fosaaen was second, Ken Winkowitsch third, Blake Cole fourth, Neil Nabholz, and Bob Swenson rounded out the field.

The racetrack held up very well throughout the night. Track officials should be commended as the track was smooth all night long. After the races I got to chat with Todd Staley and his family. They have been friendly every time I see them at the races. The USMTS will journey towards the west as they invade the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta tomorrow night (Thursday) before finishing up the week with stops in Slayton (MN) Friday and at the Upper Iowa Speedway in Decorah on Saturday. I'm looking forward to the racing action in Alta. Their weekly show ranks right up there as far as competition goes. Hot laps are scheduled to get under way at 6:45 with racing to follow.

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!

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