Mark Dobmeier – Special Night at River Cities!

(Bill W) July 30, 2014 – It was a special night for “Dynamite” Mark Dobmeier and the Lunstra/Dobmeier #13 team on Friday.  Not only did Mark pick up his eighth win of the season, his father Mike was inducted into the River Cities Speedway Hall of Fame.  His win came with a 360 that the team is shaking down for the Knoxville 360 Nationals this week.  A fourth place finish at Knoxville and a second place run with the All Stars at Huset’s capped off the weekend.

Despite running the smaller motor against the 410’s, it was business as usual on Friday in Grand Forks.  Starting in row four of the heat, Mark marched up to second.  “We ran the 360 to get ready for the 360 Nationals this week,” he says.  “The heat race was pretty strong.”

Starting eighth in the feature, it took little time for Mark to charge to the point.  “We found a nice hole there through traffic and I think we had the lead on the first or second lap,” he says.  “We were able to take off from there.  There were a lot of cautions and reds, but we were finally able to get the race in and be victorious.”

In addition, he saw his father Mike, a former driver and Mark’s longtime car owner inducted into the Hall of Fame.  “That made everything extra special,” says Mark.  “It was pretty nice to see him recognized and win the feature all in the same night.”

On Saturday, the trip to Knoxville was a good one.  After qualifying ninth and running third in his heat amongst the stoutest field yet this year at the half-mile, Mark lined up fourth for the feature. “We were happy to take home a fourth place finish,” he says of his run.  “We’ve been changing a lot of things at Knoxville.  We’re finding some speed, but we’re still not quite where we need to be. We’re a heck of a lot closer than where we were at earlier.”

Mark registered quick time with the All Stars at Huset’s on Sunday.  After placing second (from fourth) in his heat and third in the Dash, he lined up inside row two for the main event.  “We started right behind Rico (Abreu),” he says.  “He and Brady Bacon got out front, and they were setting a blistering pace.  I was able to stay right on their bumper, but we were all so fast around the cushion. There wasn’t much of a bottom to gain any ground on them.”

Traffic gave him an opportunity.  “When we got into the lapped cars, Brady went to the bottom, and Rico and I slipped around the top on him,” says Mark.  “I was chasing Rico then.  I passed him at one point, and the yellow flag came out.  After that, I chased him pretty much.  I made one slidejob attempt, but he was able to drive around the top of me.  I think we were both the same speed…I just needed help from a lapped car or something.”

The team will qualify Friday night at the 360 Nationals.  Saturday will be the finale, and Sunday will be the 410 “Capitani Classic” at Knoxville.  “We’re ready to go,” says Mark.  “That’s why we ran the 360 Friday night.  We were one spot out of the A last year.  We blew our motor while we were running third in our qualifying night last year.  That kind of killed us in the points.  We’ll see what we can do this year!”

The Lunstra/Dobmeier team would like to thank Senske and Son Transfer, Big Trucks by Jimco, Sioux Falls Ford, Steffe’s Auctioneers, Dammer Trucking, ACME Tool, Strong Box and Tire Boss for all their help!

Mark with his father Mike who was inducted into the River Cities Speedway Hall of Fame last Friday (Rick Rea Photo – www.RickRea.com)

Bill W Media

Monroe, IA USA

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