Veteran McMann Gets 39th Career Win At Amsoil Speedway

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June 1, 2012

By Jerry O’Brien

Veteran late model driver Tim McMann won his 39th career late model win at Amsoil speedway to highlight a fine night of racing at Amsoil Speedway in Superior on Friday night. At the other end of the program, Josh Johnson won his first pure stock feature at the speedway.

A first lap mishap stalled the initial green flag of the 20 lap WISSOTA Late Model feature Friday night at the AMSOIL Speedway. Veteran racer Tim McMann jumped into the lead from the outside of the front row on the next try taking the advantage over another veteran in Harry Hanson. Kyle Peterlin joined them and they pulled out a distinct advantage over fourth place runner Todd Frank. Scott Herrick and Travis Budisalovich battled for fifth some distance back. The field was closed up when the caution flag appeared after Terry Lillo spun.

At the green McMann was quickly on the throttle and Peterlin got the better of Hanson to slip into second. Budisalovich got by Frank into fourth as McMann tenaciously clung to the lead. Hanson retrieved second from Peterlin and doggedly pursued McMann as the pair of veterans battled for the win.

As the race end neared the lead battle became more intense as Hanson closed right to McMann’s bumper looking inside and out for a way by. As the white flag flew Hanson was able to poke the nose of his #7 to the inside of the #11D and made a last ditch banzai dive for a chance to win.

Fortunately for McMann Hanson’s effort fell just a bit short and the two passed under the checkered flag with McMann holding the winning hand. As mentioned, it was McMann’s 39th career Late Model feature win at AMSOIL speedway, the popular driver also notched his 53rd over all victory at the track. Almost forgotten in the excitement, Peterlin, Budisalovich and Frank rounded out the top five.

Lance Solem of Duluth made his return to AMSOIL Speedway a triumphant one as he was able hold onto the lead for the entire 15 lap distance despite couple of caution flags one of which came close to upsetting his chance for the win. At the initial green flag Solem jumped to a nice lead only to have the start negated. At the next try for a start the caution lights blinked on for a tangle between Rob Weber and Cody Carlson in turn four which put Carlson’s car on the trailer with no laps complete.

Solem again drove to the lead, hounded by Canadian driver Cody Wolkowski. The pair were followed by Neil Balduc, Loren Inman and Weber. Solem moved out to a ten car length lead over Wolkowski, who then began to cut into that lead. Wolkowski caught up to Solem in turn one and tried an inside move for the lead, instead he hit Solem in the left quarter panel and spun himself out bringing out the caution flag once again.

At the restart Solem was able to maintain a three car length gap over Inman, who had inherited second. Solem went on to secure his first career feature win at AMSOIL Speedway. Balduc and Weber finished third and fourth while Wolklowski charged from the back of the pack to finish fifth.

Many time track champion Scott Lawrence found his ticket back to the victory train with a hard fought win in the 20 lap WISSOTA Super Stock feature. Canadian veteran Shawn Polonoski raced out to a big lead at the green flag. Pat Heikkinen clung to the second spot as a determined Lawrence quickly moved from his eighth starting spot to battle for second with Heikkinen.

The caution flag soon flew as Riley Mathews spun in turn four. At the green flag Polonoski led and Lawrence found himself in a battle for second with Trevor Wilson, Heikkinen and Andy Grymala. Shortly thereafter a wreck in turn three involving at least four cars brought out yet another caution flag. After the incident was cleaned up and racing resumed, Polonoski retained the lead with pressure from Wilson and Lawrence, but the caution flag appeared for debris on the racing surface.

The restart saw Polonoski hounded by Lawrence, who got a run in turn two and took the point at the turn exit. He then quickly moved to a fifteen car length bulge over the battle between Wilson and Polonoski for second. Moving into contention was Dave Flynn who had started all the way back in 12th. With five laps remaining, a caution flag for an Ashley Smith spin evaporated the Lawrence lead.

The final five circuits turned out to be a duel between Flynn and Lawrence, something that has happened frequently thus far in the early season. This time it was Lawrence who won out in the thrilling five lap sprint to the checkered flag. Wilson, Polonoski and Donnie Lofdahl finished in the top five.

The 20 laps for the WISSOTA Modifieds started with Ashland’s Kevin Eder taking off like he was on fire, building a huge lead leaving Destin Lorimor, Scott Heikkinen and Jeff Tardy far behind. Eder sprinted out to a full straight away lead while in the distance, Tardy closed up on Lorimor for second; Jody Bellefeuille was also right in this pack and sailed by Tardy in turn four taking over third. Ninth starting Al Uotinen battled with Heikkinen and slipped into the top five.

Meanwhile Eder was sailing along way out in front with seemingly not a care in the world. But that all changed when Rick rived and Nikki Wrazidlo tangled on the back stretch. Rivord was charged with the foul and just like that Eder’s free ride ended.

At the green Eder was able to move out to a few car lengths lead as Bellefeuille got by Lorimor into second while Tardy and Uotinen battled for third. Uotinen secured third as Bellefeuille doubled his efforts to reel in Eder. With two laps remaining the caution flag again appeared for Rivord in turn two, setting up a shootout.

Eder was able to out-run Bellefeuille for his first win at the speedway. Uotinen, Lorimor and Ross Lightner rounded out the top five; while Tardy was forced to pull pit side when debris broke his helmet face shield severely limiting his vision.

It was another full field of Pure Stocks and 15 laps to settle who would be the feature winner. In the scheduled 26 car field was last week’s winner Chad Carlson, who had already suffered a roll over in one of the heat races.

This would prove to be another rugged pure stock feature as the second try for a start resulted in a red flag when Ed Dammer rolled his #43 numerous times in turn four. Dammer was extracted from the car and was seen walking around on the track. The caution flew on the third try for a start and Dustin Follett drew the call for intentionally stopping the action and was disqualified.

The next try to complete laps was successful and saw Steve Udeen lead some laps. Justin Bassa Josh Johnson, Chad Nikstad and Mark Korte ran in the lead pack. Nikstad took the lead but Dave Clark turned sideways off the exit of turn two and right in the path of Steve Udeen, who broadsided him, sending him like a pocket pool shot caroming into Nikstad, who promptly rolled over.

At the restart the action settled down and there was a good battle up front. With seven circuits remaining, Johnson led Steve Udeen, Bassa, Justin Madsen, Josh Loucks and Andy Udeen. At the checkered flag Josh Johnson won his first career Pure Stock feature over Steve Udeen, Madsen, Bassa and Loucks. At the end of fifteen laps, 13 of 25 actual starters were running at the finish.

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