This message was edited on
January 25, 2008 at
12:36:48 AM by grp
It was a fairly busy day at the MDTR Speedway on Thursday during the running of the 9th Annual GRP Racing Trivia Contest. On this first week of competition, a total of seven entries were received today. Some heavy hitters made their appearance in an effort to garner the front running positions in each division. We'll start off with the late model class first and then proceed into the sprint car division where history was made today.
Making his second contest appearance, Jason Richert brought his Viebrock Performance #50 late model over from Cadott, WI. Jason got some valuable contest experience last year in his rookie effort, so he was well aware of the level of competition at MDTR. The surface can sometimes be a bit tricky and today it showed. Jason ran very well in the early stages, turning in some quick laps. As his run progressed, he found out that the high-banks can be unforgiving. Recovering to post some very solid laps near the end of his run, Jason wheeled under Stan's checkers with a 24 point score. Like last year, the Cadott Music Festival sponsored team had the speakers turned up and the place to party was the #50 late model pits afterwards.
Speaking of heavy hitters, multi-time contest champion Chris Stepan brought his FYE Motorsports Shawburn to the track today in an attempt to unseat Tireguy from the front running position. Chris is always a threat to win in any division except the sprint cars, so MDTR fans knew the #1 spot would be in jeopardy. Chris blasted around the high-banks with relative ease, but a few laps proved to be his undoing. He was concerned ahead of time that it might be close. As he crossed beneath the flagstand to end his run, he was in a virtual tie with Tireguy with a 36 point score. Under contest rules, the earliest entry received gets the tie-breaker so Mark Schreiner remained atop the standings.
Our third and final late model entry today came from a real contest veteran and fan favorite. John Lackmann (aka Modchaser) first showed up at MDTR back in 2001. John has been a great sport over the years like the time he first attempted the sprints and got upside down. John is also a three time champion in the modified division. His Big Johnson Bazooka Bass #00 late model is always very recognizable at the track. This year he turned in a very solid 32 point showing, a personal best for John in the late models. At the conclusion of his run, John received a standing ovation from the crowd to show their appreciation to the only competitor who has entered all eight late model contests. Look for the potent Modchaser entry to be right up near the front with his modified next week.
In sprint car action today, a couple of perennial front-runners made the long tow in from South Dakota. The first contestant really needs no introduction at the MDTR Speedway. Ron Haugstad has five straight championships to his credit in the division and one second place finish in his first appearance back in 2002. He is the "King of the Contest" and the fans know he is always a threat to win. His RHS Enterprises sprinter practically knows the way around the MDTR high-banks by itself, but today would be a bit different for Ron. His string of five straight titles would come to an end when the trusty mount began to smoke intermitently during his run. With Todd Boots anxiously awaiting the outcome, Ron zipped under Stan's checkers with a 36 point effort. The Tea fans were thrilled while the Brandon fans were just a bit disappointed. Nonetheless the powerful South Dakotan contingent still held the first place spot, a position that would come under attack from the very next contestant.
After taking two years off from contest action, Chris Timmerman returned to the MDTR track with renewed confidence and a burning desire to be the best. In his three previous attempts, he's never finished outside the top ten and twice garnered top five finishes. This year fans noted he had moved down the road from Sioux Falls just a bit and now calls Tea, SD home. Hmmm, same hometown as our current leader Todd Boots. Chris immediately cranked up his #83 sprinter and went to work. If he was rusty from sitting out a couple of years, it certainly did not show. Chris blasted by all contestants and set his sights on the leader. With only a few laps to go, he caught Todd and they raced side-by-side to the finish. His final score of 38 points tied Todd for the lead, but again by virtue of earliest entry received our current sprint car leader remained in front of the field. Todd Boots had survived the on-slaught by two of his fellow South Dakota contenders, but that pesky late model guy from Superior was unloading his sprinter.
Also returning to sprint competition after a two year hiatus, Ray Beste brought his Virgin Pool & Spa #51 sprinter trackside. Ray has a large fan following and has been known to tell a few whopper fish stories while visiting in the pits afterwards. This year Ray was hoping to stay upright and improve upon his first sprint car effort. Ray admitted that a lot of guesswork went into preparing his sprint entry. When he ventures down from Sauk Centre to the MDTR track, he knows you have to be on top of your game to run up front. Apparently Ray's been beating up on some of the local fields in his neck of the woods, topping the other five or six cars on hand. It's especially satisfying when they all finish. Down here it's a different story. Ray recorded a 23 point score with his #51 PBR sprinter, improving upon his 2005 run by seven markers. In the end, it was a personal victory for Ray-Ray as Zimmy likes to call him. He'll be back with his Malcuit powered DDS Chassis for further competition in the contest.
Our final sprint car entry today came from that late model guy who surprised the sprint car world last year by leading the standings for a good share of the week and ultimately placing fourth in the final rundown. Kevin Mudrak was back with his Sprint1 entry sponsored by Lens Towing. Kevin might run an older Gambler Chassis, but he's got it dialed in pretty good. This year Kevin would earn the distinction of being the first-ever contestant to score a 1/2 point. Question #6 requires two answers and Kevin only got one, thus contest promoter GRP awarded him 1/2 point. There's a first time for everything I guess, and Kevin Mudrak's name will go down in the MDTR record books as history was made today at the track. By the way, his run produced a total score of 32.5 points. I wonder if he'll need to use the earliest entry tie-breaker?
The MDTR grounds are dark now while the parties in the campground are going strong. The South Dakota fans continue to celebrate their dominance in the sprint car world while the Tireguy fans boast about their "guy" still leading in the late model ranks. Today guest announcer Hoosiersup was in the booth calling the action on and off the track while making frequent stops at the concession stand in between races. Free food for the announcer you know, so Terry enjoyed a few nachos. Just another day of fun in the sun. With two days left to go, can our current leaders fend off the competition and hang on to win the titles?
Current point standings through Jan 24 (Day 5)
Late Model Division:
1. Mark Schreiner, Hutchinson MN = 36
2. Chris Stepan, St. Cloud MN = 36
3. Kevin Mudrak, Superior WI = 35
4. Tony Steuck, Watertown SD = 34
5. John Lackmann, Long Prairie MN = 32
6. Brad Luepke, Bonduel WI = 30
7. Jason Richert, Cadott WI = 24
8. Brent Creaser, Menomonie WI = 21
Sprint Car Division:
1. Todd Boots, Tea SD = 38
2. Chris Timmerman, Tea SD = 38
3. Shane Trondson, St. Paul MN = 36
4. Ron Haugstad, Brandon SD = 36
5. Mark Schreiner, Hutchinson MN = 34 ROY
6. Kevin Mudrak, Superior WI = 32.5
7. Ben Nelson, Cameron WI = 28 ROY
8. Tony Steuck, Watertown SD = 27
9. Ray Beste, Sauk Centre MN = 23
*ROY denotes Victory Funding Connection Rookie of the Year contender.
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