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After two full weeks of competition at the mythical MDTR Speedway for the 9th Annual running of the GRP Racing Trivia Contest, Stan M waved the double-checkers at midnight on Saturday February 2. This signaled the conclusion of week #2 of contest action featuring the Modified and Super/Street/Stock Car divisions. Several entries were received on the final day. Would there be a challenge for the lead? Let's recap the on-track activity on the final day beginning with the new three-in-one division and concluding with the modifieds.
Mark Sinn from Warren, MN finally made it down to the MDTR Speedway today. His converted Sinner Special late model sported some strange modifications to the bodywork in order to make it legal for super/street/stock car action. As Mark came trackside to take the green, smoke began billowing out from underneath. Modchaser immediately noticed this and thought, "Hey Mark's got one of them Oil Drippers too." It was more than just an oil drip though. When Mark got to the midway point of his run, the ill-sounding motor let go and dumped oil all over the track. Mark coasted to a stop in turn 2 in front of Colin. Sonny's Towing from Bemidji pulled out of the pits to hook up the disabled racer. Rita was riding along in the cab with Sonny and drawing quite a few looks. Vinster, who had lost his ride with the VMAX team and was looking for a new pit crew, immediately came over to the tow truck. No luck for Vinnie though, as Rita is "hooked up" with Sonny and is not currently available. Soon Sonny had the Sinner Special on the hook and headed for the pits. It's back to the drawing board for Mark following his 3 point performance.
Our second super/street/stock car entry came from Rob Reimer of Superior in the "I'd Rather Be in a Sprint Car" #68iou1 Super Duper Two Seater Streeter Stock Car. Rob is a veteran contest participant, but he had missed last year's contest when his U-Hauler broke down in the driveway. Rob was back this year in the newly revised division. He missed the late models last week when he went sprint car shopping at the Miller Hill Mall. Rob had the #68iou1 Super Duper car smokin' down the straightaways, literally. This peaked Modchaser's interest again. Another Oil Dripper? Yepper! Rob had learned how to avoid an engine claim. The smoke persisted, but his Reimer Freightways stock car continued to make laps. On lap 13 Rob nearly ran over Steve Thomas who was looking at the surface and got a bit too close to the action. Good thing Zimmy had warned the drivers about stuff like that, since he's had some close calls in the infield himself. No harm done. Rob finished out his performance much to the delight of the fans with a complete 360 donut coming off of turn 4, as he smoked past Stan M in the flagstand with an 18 point score.
The final entry super/street/stock car division came from our female competitor from Star Prairie. Renee Fehlen was back at the track today to test her skills with her "Star of the North"super stock. She was hoping to gain control of the rough handling machine, but she warned ahead of time that Colin better hang on to his hot chocolate over in turn 2. With a smooth track today, Renee glided around the speedway with only minimal problems. In her first-ever try she scored 20 points. Once again, the fans flocked to her pits following the races to get autographs and pictures with the first female contestant to compete in three divisions. Renee completed her 2008 tour of duty at MDTR with runs in the late model, modified and super stock divisions. Maybe next year Renee will take a ride on the wild side and jump into a sprint car and go head to head with StephDRaceFan.
The first modified entry of the day came from Randy Sahlstrom. The Golden Voice of the Golden Spike. Randy unloaded his #13 King Sahl Spike Special. His co-pilot today was the "Speedway Historian" Ron Olene. Together they worked on dialing in the setup on the Spike Special. The track was smooth and fast. King Sahl started out strong. As the laps clicked by, the Spike Special began to develop a push in the turns. Randy was not able to mash the gas like he wanted to. His "R J at the Speedway" team had to settle for an even 20 point score. Not a bad run at all when you bat .500. In major league baseball that would earn some big time bank. At the MDTR Speedway during contest action, Randy will have to settle for a score out of the money. No worries though, as GRP truly appreciates each year that Randy takes time from his busy schedule to participate in one or more divisions. We look forward to welcoming him back for the 10th Annual affair next January.
After competing in the super stock division last year, Chris Kolstad brought his Project X Racer back to the MDTR Speedway. This year however he had a modified for his first attempt in that division. Chris got down to business right away. The Project X Racer headed up top on the high-banked 3/8 miler. Chris crushed the gas pedal and set sail. During the midpoint of his run, Chris had to man-handle the mod. A couple of times Zimmy thought for sure he was coming after him. Each time Chris gathered it up and kept on going. Several solid laps during the end of his run helped him put a steady 23 point effort for his first try in the mods. As usual, the Project X Race Cards that he handed out afterwards were immaculate with many fans crowding around his hauler.
The FINAL contestant to make laps at the MDTR Speedway closed out the contest at the stroke of midnight. Rob Reimer retrieved his Payless modified from the U-hauler just in the nick of time. It appeared earlier that Rob would not make the deadline with apparent engine woes. Jim Beam helped out in the pits and soon Rob had the engine rumbling. Fellow Superior native Kevin Mudrak was amazed that the thing would even run. Rob chugged out on to the track and lo and behold the mod sprang to life. The old Offenhauser engine still had a few laps left in her. Rob brought the mod home with a 14 point score as the 14th entrant in the division and found himself in the 14th finishing position. It was now time to celebrate in the pits. John "Wild Animal" Kallas was waiting for Rob and soon the whole gang, including Hoosiersup, was having a grand old time. With the bonfires burning brightly and the parties going strong, the final day of action at the MDTR Speedway for 2008 ended with memories of fun times lingering in the evening air.
During the pit meeting earlier in the day, contest promoter GRP informed the contestants that next year's 10th Annual contest will feature a larger top-prize and an over-all contest champion in the Four Score Award for those contestants who elect to participate in all four divisions. It will be a real challenge for most competitors. GRP is hoping that several past champions will make a return appearance for the 10th Annual contest in January 2009.
Prize money for the 9th Annual contest will be mailed out midweek or so, since GRP will be out of town from Sunday through Tuesday night this week. Prize winners will be sent an email asking for their mailing address or to confirm their mailing address from previous contest appearances. Stan M will have the answers to the modified and super/street/stock car divisions posted some time on Sunday morning. Hoosiersup will be on cleanup detail at the MDTR Speedway this year, as he takes Bessie around for an early morning stroll.
With the sun setting on yet another contest, GRP wishes to extend a sincere thanks to all of the contestants who sent in entries, to all of the fans who followed along on the message boards, to all of those who looked at the questions and photos but decided not to turn in an entry, to all of the photographers and fans who have helped out with photos, to Dr. Troy Powers for allowing us to use his 20/20 Racing Forum to goof off during the contest and for donating 20/20 t-shirts to the winners, and finally to Stan M for hosting the contest on his Minnesota Dirt Track Racing website for nine straight years. Without all of you, none of this would be possible. Hopefully everyone had a fun time, as that truly is what this is all about. It doesn't matter what your favorite class of car is, what your favorite track is, or what types of racing you follow. Here at the MDTR Speedway during contest action everyone is welcome to participate, follow along, and just plain have some fun. Best wishes to all for a safe, successful and enjoyable 2008 racing season.
Final Week #2 Standings through Feb 2 (Day #7)
Super/Street/Stock Car Division:
1. Chris Stepan, St. Cloud MN = 37
2. Mark Schreiner, Hutchinson MN = 36
3. Scott Paulson, Kimball MN = 34 ROY
4. Kevin Mudrak, Superior WI = 31
5. Ray Beste, Sauk Centre MN = 26
6. Tony Steuck, Watertown SD = 26
7. John Lackmann, Long Prairie MN = 24
8. Renee Fehlen, Star Prairie WI = 20 ROY
9. Rob Reimer, Superior WI = 18
10. Roger Koth, Pierre SD = 12 DNF (handling)
11. Mark Sinn, Warren MN = 3 DNF (blown engine)
Modified Division:
1. Chris Stepan, St. Cloud MN = 37
2. Mark Schreiner, Hutchinson MN = 36
3. Scott Paulson, Kimball MN = 35 ROY
4. John Lackmann, Long Prairie MN = 32
5. Kevin Mudrak, Superior WI = 32
6. Tony Steuck, Watertown SD = 31
7. Ray Beste, Sauk Centre MN = 29
8. Jason Richert, Cadott WI = 25 ROY
9. Chris Kolstad, North Branch MN = 23 ROY
10. Renee Fehlen, Star Prairie WI = 21 ROY
11. Roger Koth, Pierre, SD = 21
12. Randy Sahlstrom, Pease MN = 20
13. Scott Erickson, Barron WI = 18 ROY
14. Rob Reimer, Superior WI = 14
*ROY denotes Victory Funding Connection Rookie of the Year contender.
Final Four Score Award Standings-9th Annual GRP Racing Trivia Contest:
1. Mark Schreiner, Hutchinson MN = 142
2. Kevin Mudrak, Superior WI = 130.5
3. Tony Steuck, Watertown SD = 118
4. John Lackmann, Long Prairie MN = 107
5. Ray Beste, Sauk Centre MN = 102
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