By: Tami Jo Kuehn
Princeton, MN (May 9) – Fans, families, racers and crew flocked to the Princeton Speedway Friday evening for some WISSOTA Dirt Track Race Action. Many drivers checked in for the night and Clayton Wagamon, Dylan Nelson, Tony Jenson, Jason VandeKamp, Tommy Pogones and Tyler Larson went home victorious.
The Hy-Tech Automotive WISSOTA Street Stocks were the first feature of the night with Tommy Pogones and Jeff Ekdahl on row one. Drivers remained side by side and even three-wide the opening lap until Pogones separated from the 11’s of Ekdahl and Levi Randt. Ekdahl and Randt battled nose to nose for second with the half-way flags displayed. Ekdahl secured second and began to reel in Pogones with a slower driver in sight. Ekdahl was on Pogones’ rear as the race came to a close, but Tommy Pogones held the lead and took the win. Jeff Ekdahl snagged second with Levi Randt, Kyle Howland and Thomas Worth in the top five in the caution free event.
Dustin Nelson and Dylan Nelson led the Zoomie’s Race Engines WISSOTA Super Stocks to the green and Dustin Nelson claimed first at the end of lap one. Dylan Nelson took second while Dexton Koch, Eric Martini and Dylan Kromschroeder fought for third. Koch secured third and caught Dustin and Dylan Nelson as Dylan Nelson shot into the lead. Koch then took second as the top three drivers spread out. Racers began to settle into positions as laps passed, and cars soon covered the entire race surface. Even with slower drivers mixed in with the leaders, the Supers completed another caution free feature, with Dylan Nelson earning the win. Dexton Koch, Dustin Nelson, Max Nelson and Dylan Kromschroeder rounded out the top five points.
The WISSOTA Hornets took the green and Tony Jenson sped off with the lead. Colton Lodermeier held second as Eric Pfundt, Russell Kiker, Jr. and Nikota Larson battled nearly three-wide for third. Kiker, Jr. snagged the point and raced to Lodermeier’s door for second. They remained close a couple laps until Kiker, Jr. moved forward and set his sights on Jenson. With two laps to go, Kiker, Jr. was on the rear of Jenson, and as the checkers were raised Tony Jeson kept his foot down, and took the win. Russell Kiker, Jr., Colton Lodermeier, Bobie Arnes and Nikota Larson rounded out the top five in yet another, caution free feature.
28 total Crystal Cabinets WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds came to battle at the bullring, and 20 lucky drivers made the feature race. Ryan Putnam and Jason VandeKamp led the drivers to the stand and Putnam grabbed the early lead. VandeKamp held second while Joey Jensen and Ashley Boyum fought for third. Six laps were scored just as leaders began to catch slower traffic, and the yellow flag appeared. Drivers were sorted with Putnam in command, followed by VandeKamp and Jensen. Drivers bunched up in the curves as the race resumed, but everyone figured their lines out with the race half over. Putnam and Jensen spread out in first and second while VandeKamp and Wyatt Boyum raced nose to nose for third. With few laps to go, a final caution was triggered, and drivers were realigned with Putnam feeling the heat of VandeKamp and Jensen. As the green reappeared, VandeKamp ran the high groove and raced parallel with the leader. Jason VandeKamp edged out the top point and led the closing laps to secure the win with Ryan Putnam, Joey Jensen, Wyatt Boyum and Ashley Boyum as the top finishers.
Travis Schulte and Clayton Wagamon remained glued to one another the opening laps of the Dirt Race Central WISSOTA Modifieds feature, while Dave Cain, Eric Lamm and Brandon Copp raced three-wide for third. Schulte and Wagamon swapped for the top point as neither driver let the other get away. With seven laps complete, Wagamon secured the lead and Schulte held second, but the yellow then waved. Wagamon brought the drivers back to green but Schulte and Copp made the fight three-wide as they entered turn one. Wagamon retained the lead with Schulte and Cain in tow. Drivers settled into positions, and laps clicked away with Wagamon still in command. The race came to a close with Travis Schulte, Dave Cain, Brandon Copp and JT Johnson in points two through five, while Clayton Wagamon claimed the win.
The East Central Sports WISSOTA Mod Fours closed out the race program with Tyler Larson grabbing the top point. Doug Frederick and Ashton Schwinn raced door to door for second as the yellow soon flew. The Mod Four’s retook the green with Connor Bruss, Schwinn and Frederick nearly three-wide for second. Schwinn snagged the point and moved forward while others continued three-wide racing. Bruss came back to challenge Schwinn, and they had the race leader within an arm’s reach. Larson began to put space between himself and the competition, when the yellow few with few laps to go. Larson brought the racers back to green while others went three-wide and contact occurred. The race stayed green, as drivers in points two through five were all shuffled around. Tyler Larson led the remaining laps and took the win with remaining top points going to; Rowan Tramm, Connor Bruss, Dustin Holtquist and Robert Holtquist.
Next Friday night, the UMSS Traditional and Winged Sprint Cars will be on hand for their first visit of the season. WISSOTA Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Modifieds and Street Stocks will also be in action with the green flying at 7:00pm.