Jensen Wins Como Modified Series At Superior

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Aug 4

NSO

SUPERIOR – Just as the fans started to file into the Superior Speedway for the Como Oil and Propane Modified series race at the Superior Speedway the skies opened up and the rain came down. The good news is it only lasted for a short time. The track crew went to work and got the track into race shape and the racing started a little over an hour late. The Super Stock division was added to the race program the week before so the only class not to race was the Midwest Modifieds.

In the Como Oil Modified series 40 Modifieds showed up for the program. In the series they run 10 lap heat races. It started out with Robby Bunkelman from Abbotsford winning the first heat followed by Jayme Lautigar and Al Uotinen. Heat race two went to the current leader among rookies in the series Steve Stuart from Ashland. Stuart was followed by the current points leader in the series Joey Jensen from Forest Lake and Bill Byholm from Glidden.

Rick Rivord got off to a good start and held off the field to win the third heat. It was his second heat win of the season at the Superior Speedway. Jeff Broking, who made the trip from Grand Rapids, finished second and Jeff Hart from Hibbing third. In the fourth heat of the night it was Andy Jones from Princeton winning followed by Kelly Estey from Kelly Lake and Paul Knauf from Marshfield. And in the final heat of the night it was Dean Yrjanainen from Lake Nebagamon taking the checkered flag followed by Scott Hudak and Jody Bellefeuille.

There were two-semi features in which only two drivers would transfer to the feature. In the first semi-feature it was Jeff Provinzino from Hibbing winning followed by Ryan Aho from Chisholm. Steve Wik and Jason Miller found themselves just outside of making the feature. Rick Kobs who finished in fifth had the highest point total of anyone not to make the feature and used his provisional and transferred into the feature race.

In the second semi-feature it was Trent Follmer from Princeton who won and he was followed by Greg Chesley who each would transfer to the feature. Jamie Davis and Kelly Checkalski finished next and found themselves watching the feature race later in the night. Tim’s Automotive Machine from Bloomer sponsored the Pole Dash and it was Rivord who took home the $200 first place prize and Steve Stuart took home an extra $100 by finishing in second.

In the 30 lap feature it was points leader Joey Jensen who took the checkered flag. Robby Bunkelman who worked his way through traffic finished second followed by Jones, Estey, Rivord, Lautigar and Darrell Nelson. The Como Series moves to Ashland on Saturday and returns to Superior during the Northern Nationals.

With a Wednesday night race there were a number of non-regular late model drivers in town to entertain the crowd and that is just what they did. In the first heat of the night it was Jeff Provinzino, from Hibbing making his first appearance of the year at the Superior Speedway, winning the race, he was followed by Steve Laursen and Gregg Hill. In the second heat race it was Darin Meierotto winning his second heat of the season followed by Mike Prochnow from Menomonie and Joel Cryderman from Thunder Bay. And in the third heat it was Rick Hanestad winning his first heat of the season, he was followed by Chad Maher and Pat Doar. In the feature it was Provinzino that had his car hooked up as he ran away with the race to win his first feature of the season in Superior. Adam Hensel who was using his back-up car came in second followed by Hanestad, Mahder and Doar.

In the Super Stock division which was added to the program only a week before it was Joe Oliver from Superior who picked up his 3rd heat win of the season in the first heat. He was followed by Brian Mikkonen and Trevor Wilson. The second heat went to Keith Kern who picked up his first heat win of the season as he just edged out Jim Campbell and Mike Bellefeuille. In the feature it was a familiar name but it was his first trip to victory lane this season as the checkered flag went to Scott Lawrence. Bellefeuille finished second followed by Kern, Oliver and Mikkonen.

In the Pure Stock division it was Tim Carlson from Superior winning the first 6 lap heat race followed by Matt Hammitt and Tim Lillo. In the second heat it was Dustin Follett from Cloquet winning his first heat of the season followed by Pat Van Ert and Al Rapp. And in the third and final heat it was Steve Udeen winning his first heat of the season, he was followed by Dan Larsen and Richard Dzelak Jr. In the feature it was Dzelak taking the checkered flag for the fourth time this season. A great run for Ashley Smith put her in second in the race, and then it was Matt Madsen, Udeen and Larsen.

On Friday, August 13th racing continues at the Superior Speedway with the annual Hall of Fame night. Also the Vintage Cars will be racing. Hot laps start at 6:30 with the drop of the green flag at 7pm.

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