By Mike Spieker

ADA, Minn. (May 31, 2018) – Norman County Raceway’s centennial anniversary season continued Thursday night at the Norman County Fairgrounds. The fan-favorite meet-n-greet, presented by Kelly’s Chrysler Center and Lee Bros. Sales, drew a strong crowd. Kids and adults alike met their favorite drivers, got autographs, candy, and other giveaways during intermission.

Tyler Peterson made his 2018 debut at NCR on Thursday night and wasted no time getting to victory lane. The Hickson, N.D. driver drove from the fifth row to win the 20-lap Sanders Metal Products IMCA Modified feature.

At the drop of the green flag, a three-wide race for the lead broke out between Brady Petermann, Justin Jones, and Tyler Hall. Jones led the opening lap as Petermann and Bryce Borgen filed into second and third, respectively. At the halfway point, Petermann placed a bid for the lead on Jones and took the top spot. Peterson followed in Petermann’s tire tracks and moved into second.

Tyler Peterson (1TPO) and Rob VanMil (4D) race side by side during IMCA Modified heat race action Thursday at Norman County Raceway.

With five circuits remaining, Peterson had reeled in Petermann and drove to the outside to take the lead exiting turn two. Peterson withstood a restart with two laps to go to take the win.

Lance Schill made the haul to Ada from Langdon, N.D. for the second consecutive week and left town with the Christian Motors WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature win. Schill jumped out to the early lead from the pole position as Brock Gronwold moved into second. Schill quickly put several car lengths between himself and Gronwold and held a comfortable lead until the caution waved with four laps to go.

On the restart, Gronwold placed a bid for the lead in turn one, but Schill was able to fend off the charge. Jason Strand took advantage of the restart to move into third from the eighth starting position. Schill held off Gronwold on the final lap to claim his first-ever win at NCR.

Andy Wagner’s Titan Machinery IMCA SportMod track championship title defense is off to a good start. Wagner picked up his second consecutive win to start the 2018 season. Noah Metzger grabbed the early lead at the drop of the green, but Aaron Wetterlin stole the point on lap four as Wagner followed him into second. With 11 laps to go, Wetterlin looped his No. 3W machine right in front of the field. Wagner inherited the lead but had his hands full with Kelly Jacobson in the closing laps. Wetterlin drove through the field and became a contender in the late stages, but Wagner hung on for the win over Jacobson and Wetterlin.

Rick Schulz cruised to the Norman County Implement IMCA Stock Car feature win. The Horace, N.D. driver led every lap of the race to pick up his first win of the 2018 season.

Tye Wilke also visited KRJB 106.5FM Victory Lane for the first time in his career. Kaitlyn Skalicky and Chad Sogge battled for the race lead early on. Sogge took the position and held the point until seven laps remained. Sogge’s machine suddenly slowed off turn four, which handed the lead over to a hard-charging Wilke. Wilke cruised to the win as Dean Julsrud stole second at the line over Sogge.

Racing continues next Thursday night at Norman County Raceway, presented by Titan Machinery. All weekly Thursday Night Thunder divisions will be in action, plus IMCA Hobby Stocks. Green flag drops at 7 pm.

RESULTS:

IMCA Modifieds
Feature: 1. 1TPO-Tyler Peterson, [10]; 2. 88B-Brady Petermann, [4]; 3. 7B-Bryce Borgen, [5]; 4. 6-Dylan Goplen, [9]; 5. 69-Justin Jones, [1]; 6. 60-Tyler Hall, [3]; 7. (DNF) 8-Tim Jackson, [8]; 8. (DNF) 25-Jamie Trautner, [2]; 9. (DNF) 3S-Jesse Skalicky, [7]; (DNS) 4D-Rob VanMil,
Heat 1: 1. 60-Tyler Hall, [2]; 2. 7B-Bryce Borgen, [3]; 3. 6-Dylan Goplen, [5]; 4. 3S-Jesse Skalicky, [4]; 5. 69-Justin Jones, [1]
Heat 2: 1. 88B-Brady Petermann, [2]; 2. 1TPO-Tyler Peterson, [5]; 3. 25-Jamie Trautner, [1]; 4. 8-Tim Jackson, [4]; 5. (DNF) 4D-Rob VanMil, [3]

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature: 1. 17-Lance Schill, [1]; 2. 2G-Brock Gronwold, [4]; 3. E85-Jason Strand, [8]; 4. 5-Aaron Blacklance, [3]; 5. 33-Jeff Nelson, [10]; 6. 7S-Sam Zender, [5]; 7. 11*-Larry Samuelson, [6]; 8. 87S-Reise Stenberg, [11]; 9. 7T-Joseph Thomas, [2]; 10. 27B-Wyatt Bertram, [9]; 11. (DNF) 19-Lucas Rodin, [7]
Heat 1: 1. 2G-Brock Gronwold, [2]; 2. 19-Lucas Rodin, [4]; 3. 17-Lance Schill, [5]; 4. 11*-Larry Samuelson, [3]; 5. 27B-Wyatt Bertram, [6]; 6. (DNF) 87S-Reise Stenberg, [1]
Heat 2: 1. E85-Jason Strand, [2]; 2. 5-Aaron Blacklance, [4]; 3. 7S-Sam Zender, [3]; 4. 7T-Joseph Thomas, [1]; 5. (DNF) 33-Jeff Nelson, [5]

IMCA Sport Mods:
Feature: 1. 3X-Andy Wagner, [6]; 2. 51-Kelly Jacobson, [3]; 3. 3W-Aaron Wetterlin, [4]; 4. 8J-Luke Johnson, [5]; 5. 22-Vince Jegtvig, [8]; 6. 19D-Noah Metzger, [2]; 7. 47-Kreig Kasin, [1]; 8. 29-Greg Schilling, [11]; 9. 12T-Brandon Tendeland, [7]; 10. 2X-Brady Moore, [10]; 11. 1RM-Taylor Grove, [9]
Heat 1: 1. 19D-Noah Metzger, [2]; 2. 3X-Andy Wagner, [4]; 3. 3W-Aaron Wetterlin, [3]; 4. 22-Vince Jegtvig, [5]; 5. 2X-Brady Moore, [6]; 6. 29-Greg Schilling, [1]
Heat 2: 1. 51-Kelly Jacobson, [2]; 2. 8J-Luke Johnson, [3]; 3. 1RM-Taylor Grove, [5]; 4. 47-Kreig Kasin, [1]; 5. (DNF) 12T-Brandon Tendeland, [4]

INEX Legends:
Feature: 1. 72-Tye Wilke, [3]; 2. 5-Dean Julsrud, [5]; 3. 6-Chad Sogge, [2]; 4. D1RT-Tony Brockhouse, [8]; 5. 8JR-Kaitlyn Skalicky, [1]; 6. 29-Ryan Braseth, [7]; 7. 7-Cade Sogge, [9]; 8. 20-Alex Braseth, [6]; 9. 28-Casey Henriksen, [4]
Heat 1: 1. 28-Casey Henriksen, [9]; 2. 72-Tye Wilke, [2]; 3. 6-Chad Sogge, [7]; 4. 5-Dean Julsrud, [4]; 5. 8JR-Kaitlyn Skalicky, [6]; 6. 20-Alex Braseth, [3]; 7. 29-Ryan Braseth, [1]; 8. D1RT-Tony Brockhouse, [8]; 9. 7-Cade Sogge, [5]

IMCA Stock Cars:
Feature: 1. 4-Rick Schulz, [1]; 2. 219-Brandon Schmidt, [3]; 3. 40-Rob VanMil, [4]; 4. 21-Tim Church, [2]
Heat 1: 1. 4-Rick Schulz, [1]; 2. 219-Brandon Schmidt, [3]; 3. 40-Rob VanMil, [4]; 4. 21-Tim Church, [2]

By Mike Spieker

ADA, Minn. (May 24, 2018) – The 100th anniversary season of Norman County Raceway is off and running. The great crowd on hand was treated to race teams from all over the tri-state region Thursday, who flocked to the high-banked three-eighths-mile oval for opening night.

The night was highlighted by the running of the inaugural Dakota Cat Modified Shootout. A stout field of 16 IMCA Modifieds were checked in. Michael Greseth and Dev Malmlov led the field to the green flag. On the initial start, Malmlov entered turn one too high and slid off the embankment, bringing out the caution. As a result, Malmlov was sent to the tail of the field.

Photo: Michael Greseth claimed his first win at NCR since July 21st, 2007 and 16th NCR win overall. (Photo Courtesy Speedway Shots)

As the race resumed, Greseth jumped out to the early lead over Billy Vogel and Modified rookie, Jesse Skalicky. Greseth quickly opened up a comfortable lead as Vogel and Skalicky battled for second. At the midway point, Vogel and Skalicky’s battle turned into a fight for third as Austin Arneson drove by both of them.

Arneson then set his sights on Greseth, who was enjoying a full straightaway lead. Arneson searched all over the racing surface but didn’t have enough speed to reel in Greseth.

Greseth cruised to the win, which was his first at NCR since July 21st, 2007 and 16th overall.

Ada’s own Andy Wagner picked up the IMCA SportMod feature. Wagner, who is coming into 2018 as the defending track champion, picked up where he left off last season leading Thursday’s feature wire to wire.

Luke Johnson, who started sixth, and Aaron Wetterlin, who started 10th, moved into second and third respectively, but couldn’t run down Wagner.

Wagner went on to visit KRJB 106.5FM Victory Lane by a margin of eight car lengths.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature was stacked with former national and track champions throughout the field. Dustin Strand grabbed the early lead with Lance Schill and Brock Gronwold in tow. Strand ran a smooth line around the low side of the speedway, while Schill drove his No. 17 machine deep into the corners. Schill reached the back bumper of Strand once in turns three and four, making slight contact, but that’s as close as he would get to Strand.

Strand went on to claim his 23rd career Midwest Mod win and 34th win overall at NCR.

Tim Shiek led from green to checkers to take the IMCA Hobby Stock feature win.

Rob VanMil picked up the IMCA Stock Car feature win. Rick Schulz held the lead in the opening laps with VanMil hot on his heels. It only took one slight slip by Schulz for VanMil to capitalize on. Schulz’s right rear tire dipped off the banking in turn one, which was all that VanMil needed to get by and take the lead. Once out front, VanMil pulled away to take the win.

Racing continues next Thursday, May 31st at Norman County Raceway with the fan-favorite Meet N Greet night. During intermission, all the drivers will bring their cars on the front straightaway and fans will be able to walk down, meet their favorite drivers, get autographs and take pictures. Green flag drops at 7 pm.

RESULTS:

IMCA Modifieds:
Feature: 1. 17-Michael Greseth, [1]; 2. 10-Austin Arneson, [8]; 3. 4V-Billy Vogel, [3]; 4. 3S-Jesse Skalicky, [4]; 5. 40-Rob VanMil, [10]; 6. 99B-Bryce Borgen, [5]; 7. 72-Dave Shipley, [9]; 8. 9-Billy Kendall, [6]; 9. 88B-Brady Petermann, [11]; 10. 60-Tyler Hall, [12]; 11. 8-Kevin Bliese, [15]; 12. 25-Jamie Trautner, [16]; 13. 99-Cale Arneson, [7]; 14. 57-Tom Cummings, [14]; 15. 69-Justin Jones, [13]; 16. 20-Dev Malmlov, [2]
Heat 1: 1. 99-Cale Arneson, [1]; 2. 10-Austin Arneson, [7]; 3. 9-Billy Kendall, [5]; 4. 17-Michael Greseth, [3]; 5. 99B-Bryce Borgen, [4]; 6. 88B-Brady Petermann, [2]; 7. 69-Justin Jones, [8]; 8. (DNF) 57-Tom Cummings, [6]
Heat 2: 1. 20-Dev Malmlov, [2]; 2. 4V-Billy Vogel, [1]; 3. 3S-Jesse Skalicky, [6]; 4. 72-Dave Shipley, [8]; 5. 40-Rob VanMil, [7]; 6. 60-Tyler Hall, [5]; 7. 8-Kevin Bliese, [3]; (DQ) 25-Jamie Trautner, [4]

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds:
Feature: 1. 71-Dustin Strand, [2]; 2. 2G-Brock Gronwold, [3]; 3. 5-Aaron Blacklance, [5]; 4. 33-Jeff Nelson, [4]; 5. 7T-Joseph Thomas, [7]; 6. (DNF) 17-Lance Schill, [1]; 7. (DNF) 27B-Wyatt Bertram, [6]
Heat 1: 1. 71-Dustin Strand, [4]; 2. 5-Aaron Blacklance, [1]; 3. 17-Lance Schill, [6]; 4. 2G-Brock Gronwold, [5]; 5. 33-Jeff Nelson, [7]; 6. 27B-Wyatt Bertram, [2]; 7. (DNF) 7T-Joseph Thomas, [3]

IMCA Hobby Stocks:
Feature: 1. 31X-Tim Shiek, [1]; 2. 3XL-Brad Orvedal, [4]; 3. 14-Alyssa White, [3]; 4. 11S-William Smith, [2]; 5. 106-Eric Novacek, [5]; (DNS) 73-Todd Gettel,
Heat 1: 1. 31X-Tim Shiek, [4]; 2. 3XL-Brad Orvedal, [1]; 3. 14-Alyssa White, [5]; 4. 11S-William Smith, [6]; 5. (DNF) 106-Eric Novacek, [3]; (DNS) 73-Todd Gettel,

IMCA Sport Mods:
Feature: 1. 3X-Andy Wagner, [2]; 2. 8J-Luke Johnson, [6]; 3. 3W-Aaron Wetterlin, [10]; 4. 40-Chris VanMil, [3]; 5. 76-Reile Sailer, [5]; 6. 51-Kelly Jacobson, [4]; 7. 19D-Noah Metzger, [8]; 8. 13C-Paul Colvin, [9]; 9. (DNF) 47-Kreig Kasin, [7]; 10. (DNF) 29-Greg Schilling, [1]
Heat 1: 1. 3X-Andy Wagner, [1]; 2. 8J-Luke Johnson, [3]; 3. 19D-Noah Metzger, [4]; 4. 13C-Paul Colvin, [2]; 5. 29-Greg Schilling, [5]
Heat 2: 1. 76-Reile Sailer, [1]; 2. 40-Chris VanMil, [2]; 3. 51-Kelly Jacobson, [4]; 4. 3W-Aaron Wetterlin, [5]; 5. 47-Kreig Kasin, [3]

IMCA Stock Cars:
Feature: 1. 40-Rob VanMil, [3]; 2. 219-Brandon Schmidt, [4]; 3. 21-Tim Church, [1]; 4. 4-Rick Schulz, [2]
Heat 1: 1. 4-Rick Schulz, [4]; 2. 40-Rob VanMil, [3]; 3. 21-Tim Church, [2]; 4. 219-Brandon Schmidt, [1]