We had the opportunity to go to Elko Speedway and join in on a night of fun with Drifters, Legends, HSRA, and Bando’s. Friday night was a practice day and anyone could come out and run. But Saturday, the Pits filled with all sorts of drivers. But the day did not go without any hitches. There was a chance for rain throughout the day. Low chance. But, it did come and the chance got bigger. With multiple attempts to try and dry the track, we had to play the waiting game. Then the chance came.
The drifters started everything out for everyone and did what they could to help dry the track. But the course they had setup only covered part of the track. After the rain ended, and they got what they could, everyone was called out to help dry the track. Lots of cars came on the track to trying to dry off both tracks. The Bando track and the 3/8’s mile track. After so long, it was almost go time. Because of the rain delay, Qualifying was up right away. That also meant some drivers did not even get practice because of the rain hit when practice was going.
It was group qualifying and we had 16 cars to get in and going. But when all said and done, it was George Sparkman taking home Quick time and setting the track record for the Midwest Dash with a time of 16.122. He was followed by Mark Dewey, Phil Malouf, Cameron Kemnetz, and Anna Malouf rounding out the top 5. From 6th on back it was Tim Finstad, Bobby Frisch, Time Anderson, Josh Wilhite, and Shawn Grabinger in 10th. He was followed by Ashley Bell in 11th, Taelis Micholson, Joe Kuehn, Brandon Olson, Josheph Halverson in 15th and Andy Rhone not able to make the call.
For the heat races it was Olson and Halverson leading the pack to the green flag with Olson taking the early lead. Grabinger quickly trying to catch him with Bell right behind. But it was Bell taking the lead going into turn 1. Grabinger having issues and Kuen making his way to the front with Wilhite getting by Grabinger. But it was Bell doing everything she can to hold the boys off and taking home the heat win. She was followed by Kuen, Wilhite, Olson, Halverson, and Micholson.
In heat 2, it was Anderson and Frisch leading to the green flag, with Frisch taking the early lead. Phil doing what he could getting to 3rd and trying to chase the leaders down. While everyone behind was doing what they could to gain spots. In the end it was Frisch taking home the win. He was followed by Anderson, Phil, Finstad, Kemnetz, Dewey, Anna, Sparkman, and Rhone bring up the tail.
Feature time. We had Grabinger and Wilhite that was to lead everyone to the green. Warm up laps something happened to Wilhite. So everyone was able to move up by 1 spot. That put Anderson on the outside with Grabinger. The green flag flew and it was a race. Anderson checking out to take the early lead with Frisch sending it in under Grabinger and Finstad for 3 wide in turns 3 and 4. With the times being so close on so many cars, it was not easy to get positions right away. But Phil and Dewey making a charge and battling it with Kemnetz and Grabinger for 4th. Nothing like a 4 way battle going. Problems for Finstad who was running 3rd pulls to the infield. That made this a battle for 3rd. Many back and forth between them all. Finally, Phil made it by then Kemnetz and Dewey made their way by Grabinger but not without a fight. Mean while, it was some good hard battles behind them. Anna, Ashley, Kuen, and Sparkman all hanging on and putting on a great show also. Bell set her sights on Grabinger and so did Sparkman. But a caution came out lap 14 for Frisch having issues on the track. When the green flag flew again, it was 6 laps to go and it was anyones game. Anderson lead them all back to the green with Phil on his heals. But Phil slide up coming out of the corner and kissed the wall with the rear of the car. Able to keep going, he knew he was going to have a battle on his hands. With Kemnetz and Dewey right there, he knew it would be a challenge. Dewey gets by Kemnetz on the high side and go right after Phil, but not able to pull off the pass as the crossed the finish line.
It was Anderson with the win. Phil was 2nd and he was followed closely by Dewey. Then it was Kemnetz, Bell in 5th. In 6th it was Sparkman and he was followed by Anna, Grabinger, Rhone, and Olson in 10th. Then it was Mickelson, Frisch, Kuehn Finstad,Halverson, and Wilhite.
Over all it was a great turnout and racing over all. Many complements on how good the racing was. Drivers from 5 ½ to 6 hours away willing to make the trip and put it all on the line.
Can’t thank Tim Brockhouse and the full crew at Elko Speedway for giving the opportunity to run. Thank you to Ashley Bell and Shawn Grabinger for working on getting this done also. Thank you to everyone that came out. Sounded like everyone enjoyed the races. And we sure hope we can bring it back again next year with another great show. We also want to give a shout out to Brian Adams (Not the singer) for putting up some extra cash to all the drivers. Thank you for the support Brian. Thank you to all the drivers also. This is why we do this.
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