After a long wait, the opening night to the season had finally arrived, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect night to have it on. 73 cars made the journey to the track for opening night. This would prove to make for good races in all classes. The races this week were sponsored by Pro Cellular - AT&T.
S&S Electric MCRA Pickups
The MCRA pickups started off feature racing for the night. Six trucks made the call to the feature race. As the green flag dropped, Jordan Rolling jumped out to an early lead. Scott Stim in the B-52 quickly made his way to second and looked to challenge for the race lead. However, Rolling was able to pull away and take home the feature win. Stirn was second, Dan Jensen in third and Matt Odom in fourth.
Plaid Moose Café IMCA Sport Compact
Next up to take the track were the IMCA sport compacts. 16 cars made the call for the 12 lap feature race. The 29x of Jason Bolte led the field to the green flag. As the green flag dropped, Bolte took advantage of his starting positon and took the early race lead. Contact further back in the field resulted in the red flag being displayed. The drivers involved were all okay. On the restart, Bolte maintained the race lead. Tori Groebner in the 3G made her way to second and began to challenge for the lead. After some back and forth position swapping, Groebner was able to secure the race lead. Groebner quickly began to pull away, but a late caution would make things interesting. On the restart, Groebner maintained the lead. Bolte stayed close and contested for the lead. In a close finish, Groebner was able to hold on and take home the feature win. Taking third place was Ryan Westman, and Jason Wynia in fourth place.
Legend Seeds Hobby Stocks
Following the sport compacts were the IMCA hobby stocks. 15 cars made the call for the feature race. Cory Probst led the field to the green flag. Justin Luinenberg in the 17x quickly jumped around Probst on the start to take the early race lead. Luinenberg quickly began to pull away, but an early caution negated the lead. On the restart, Luinenberg maintained the race lead. Probst stayed close and quickly tried to regain the race lead. Luinenberg again started to pull away and yet again another caution late in the race tightened things up once again. Trevor Holm had made his way from 9th to 4th and was in a good spot to challenge for the lead. On the restart, Luinenberg quickly jumped out to the lead with Probst right on his tail. However, a late caution would force the race to finish under caution with Justin Luinenberg taking home the feature win. After post-race inspection, Luinenberg was disqualified. First place was award to Malik Sampson, second place to Cory Probst, third place to Trevor Holm and fourth place to Justin Bolluyt.
Sturdevant’s Auto Supply Sport Modifieds
Next to hit the track were the IMCA sport modifieds. 12 cars made the call for the 15 lap feature race. Tony Rialson led the field to the green flag. Matt Looft got a great start and quickly went from third to take the race lead. Behind him, Rialson and Jeremy Van Eide began to fight over the second spot. This resulted in Looft being able to build up a giant lead. However, a late caution tightened things up. On the restart, Looft started where he left off and maintained the lead. Looft was able to pull away and take home the feature win. Van Eide would take second place, third place was taken by Rialson, with Cole Bents taking fourth place.
Car Toyz Stock Cars
Next up were the IMCA Stock cars. Dustin Larson led the field to the green flag. Larson took advantage of his starting spot and quickly jumped out to the race lead. Behind him, Gary Mattison and Levi Feltman began to fight for the second spot. Feltman was able to secure second and looked to reel in Larson. However, the lead Larson built was too much to overcome and Dustin Larson went on to take home the feature win. In a close finish for second place, Jake Burns would just beat Feltman at the line, with Nick Johansen getting fourth place.
RH Sealcoating & Asphalt IMCA Modifieds
The IMCA Modifieds would end out opening night this week. Sixteen cars made the call for the 20 lap feature race. Jesse Rogotzke led the field to take the green flag. Rogotzke took advantage of this starting spot and jumped out to the early race lead. Don Gerritsen Jr. quickly made his way to second and began to challenge for the race lead. As soon as Rogotzke would start to pull away, Gerritsen would close the gap right back up. The two went back and forth like this for a majority of the race. However, contact between the leaders changed the race completely. The caution was charged to Gerritsen, and Rogotzke had to pit after the damage. This meant both drivers would go to the back, leaving Tyler Limoges as the new race leader. On the restart, Limoges took advantage of his new starting spot and maintained his race lead. Jeff Larson looked to challenge, but he ran out of time and Tyler Limoges went on to take the feature win. Taking third place was Jason Fisher and in fourth place was Steve Bents.
Next week’s races will feature all of the same classes as this week. The sponsor for next week is Viking Coca-Cola of Marshall.