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Recap of Final Day:
Each year the final day of the contest is typically a busy one. Such was the case once again on Saturday January 29 for the conclusion of the 12th Annual GRP Racing Trivia Contest at the famed and mythical MDTR Speedway. The sprint car division had seven entries while the modified division had five and the late model division had four. Some very late arrivals in the sprint car ranks stirred up the fans, but Alex Johnson was able to fend off all challengers. Here's a recap of the action, starting with the sprint cars.
The first entry to arrive at MDTR on Saturday in the sprint car division came from a nearby rookie contestant. Travis Broten from New Richmond unloaded his "Was Been Goin' to Hurion" Special J&J from his open trailer. After receiving some tips from the veterans, Travis jumped in his sprinter and turned some decent laps. With a final score of exactly 50% (20 points), he would go on to earn the top rookie honors in the division (okay, he was the only rookie but it sounds better that way). Travis quickly took his open trailer back home to get his late model.
Bringing the SprintCar1 entry down from Superior, veteran contestant and 2007 late model champion Kevin Mudrak always gives the sprints a try. In fact, Kevin has placed as high as fourth in the division. His efforts this year would show a final position of 7th in the standings. Kevin is always a top competitor, and his sprint run at MDTR propelled him to a third place finish in the Triple Play Award standings as well.
Another veteran competitor and front-runner from South Dakota unloaded his #83 Schnee. Chris Timmerman from Tea knew his 2011 attempt would be a bit risky with several guesses on the setup. Chris exceeded his predicted score by four, as he blew past Stan M in the flagstand with 29 points to his credit. It would be good enough for a top ten.
Never one to stand down from a challenge, Chris Stepan decided on Friday night to give the sprint car another spin around MDTR in an effort to dethrone Tireguy from the top of the Triple Play standings. With only several hours to prep his CLSracer sprinter, Chris was busy researching setups on the web. Knowing he needed 27 points in the sprint car, and also knowing that his efforts in past years in that division have been less than stellar, Chris got down to business. Surprising even himself just a bit, Chris accomplished his task at hand. He scored exactly 27 points and nudged ahead of Mark Schreiner by one point. In the end, that would be the difference between the Triple Play Award champion and the runner-up.
A late drive north from Edgerton, WI for the 2009 champion saw Michael Pietrowksi arrive with his IRA #98 sprint entry. The long-time Jack McCorkell fan had his sprinter painted up with a scheme reminiscent of one the Jack's old cars. Fans knew that Michael would pose a serious threat to young Alex Johnson for the top spot. With a few bobbles in the early going, Michael recovered to record some solid laps in the last half of his run. His 34 point score was shy of the leaders, but it put him in fourth in the final rundown. Alex has withstood a formidable competitor!
Arriving very late this year at MDTR was four-time champion Todd Boots. With his City Wide Insulation R19 Capetta ready to rumble, the Tea City Councilman headed trackside to the roar of the crowd. Todd only had a very limited amount of time to prepare his entry this year, but he was consistent in both the first and second half of his race. Alex Johnson had dodged a late attempt to unseat him from the top spot when Todd took the checkers with a 32 point effort. Todd Boots was able to keep his string in tact, as he is the ONLY contestant to have entered in ALL 12 contests so far.
The final sprint entry was another late arrival. The 2009 Rookie of the Year and fourth place finisher Kourtney Pederson brought his non-winged Heartland #91 sprinter to MDTR from Worthington. Kourtney was hoping to crack the top ten, and he did just that. Finding the heavy track to his liking with no wing overhead, Kourtney backed it into the turns in amazing feats of death-defying action! A bicycle or two brought the crowd to their feet, but Kourtney was able to cross the finish line with a 28 point score. He just stayed inside the top ten in the final standings.
Switching gears to the late models, another very strong and talented runner from southern Minnesota made his return to the MDTR Speedway for contest action. World famous racing announcer Todd Narveson, who has been known to fill in for Chris Stepan a time or two, such as when Chris is flagging super stock racing, brought his under-funded DCS #1 late model on the track. With a unique headset radio hooked up, Todd was able to call his own race action while on the track. A very solid performance produced a 33 point score, and that would end up being just enough for a top five finish in the standings. Todd started getting ready with his mod upon returning to the pits.
Our only female contestant to grace the MDTR Speedway for the 2011 edition hailed from just down the road in New Richmond. Carol Richert had her #50 late model primed and ready to tackle the high-banks for the first time in an attempt to garner the coveted Rookie of the Year award. Fans were thrilled to cheer for the brightly painted car. Carol completed her run with a very strong 26 point score, which placed her in the lead for ROY honors at the time. That however would change before the night ended.
Another first for several years took place on Saturday night. John Spears made the long tow north from Lake Mills, Iowa for his first-ever look at the MDTR Speedway. Not since the days of Tippedover (Doug Suby) has there been an Iowa competitor flinging dirt at MDTR. Just like many of those strong racers from the Hawkeye State, John showed the northern fans how to tackle a tough track. With his 30 point performance, John took the lead in the Rookie standings from Carol. Travis Broten was back with his late model though, and he was looking to top the fleet Iowan.
Travis Broten returned to MDTR with his open trailer housing his 55JR late model entry for the "Was Been Goin' to Hurion" team. The car looked amazingly like a Cory Mahder creation, but Travis indicated Cory had not provided any assistance. Maybe Shawn and Chad Mahder did? Undaunted by his middle of the road effort with his sprinter, Travis blasted around the 3/8 mile oval in fine fashion. Trav even had time to wave at Sandy Mahder and Racehead who were sitting in the backstretch stands. With a sterling 31 point performance, Travis had grabbed yet another Rookie title in edging past John Spears by one point with a last lap pass! No time to celebrate though, as Travis had to hurry back home with his open trailer and load up his modified entry before the contest deadline arrived.
Speaking of the modifieds, the MN Modified Nationals promoter Chris Stepan still held the top spot. Known in past years more as a late model fan and super stock flagman (remember Kasson Chris?), he would have to withstand five more bids to grab the lead away from the CLSracer. First up was a real strong candidate to do just that. Todd Narveson brought his X-perimental 3-link outlaw mod to MDTR in an attempt to grab the top spot. Todd was off to a great start in the first half of his run, but just past the midway mark he encountered some handling difficulties. A 33 point score would not be enough to defeat CLSracer. While climbing from his "X" machine, Todd asked for directions to his next race at Owatonna. Could this popular SE MN race fan and world famous announcer have forgotten what the Steele County Fairgrounds looked like? Todd Sharkey was able to help out a fellow Todd with detailed directions. 
After attaining a perfect score in his late model effort the previous day, Chris Hecht was back with his Somerset Inn modified entry. The track conditions were trickier for the mods, and Chris struggled near the middle stages of his run to gain the handle on his former Lepiniski Chassis. There would be no perfection today for Chris, but a very good 30 point score would place him in the top five! Too bad he did not have time for a sprint car ride, since he might have had a shot at the Triple Play should he have nailed a 33 or better score. Like the "other Chris" sprints are not his strong point though.
Making his return to MDTR after a couple years absence, Josh Angst knew without a doubt he would score a point on the #99 mod photo. Josh's Culvers/Bloedow Bakery ride was one sharp-looking USRA mod. With some previous experience on the high-banked oval, Josh jumped out to a fast start. Like some other competitors, the middle stages of his run proved a bit trying. Josh regained his line, hit his marks, and finished strong! His 31 point score moved him into fourth in the standings.
Another rookie in the mod division made his way to MDTR for his first laps in contest action. Princeton's Ben Kruchten had his Thunder Line Racing mod looking awesome. Fans flocked around the car for a hero card. Ben blasted on to the track and immediately hit a rut. The suspension was tweaked a bit, but Ben drove on masterfully to record an 18 point score. Thanks for participating Ben!
The final mod entry came just in the nick of time. Travis Broten made the short tow back from New Richmond with his "Was Been Racing" Ron Mahder mod. Travis was attempting to pull off a contest first! Could he become the first rookie contestant to win the title in all three divisions? Travis was indeed up to the task! With a stout run to the crossed flags, Travis was well on his way to a 27 point score. In the process, he also cracked the top five in the Triple Play Award.
An incredible day at MDTR ended with the fans still buzzing about all of the action and record-setting runs during the past couple of days in contest action. Many thanks to all of those who participated, spectated or followed along during the 12th annual affair. Next year will be the Lucky 13th edition, so I am sure contest promoter GRP will come up with something special for the 13th question or 13th photo in each division of the contest. Until next time, here's wishing everybody a safe, successful and enjoyable 2011 racing season! See you next year at "The Action Track" MDTR Speedway.
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