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Mars Sweeps Both NASCAR Features during USA Nationals!

By Jamie Nutzmann, 08/01/14, 10:45PM CDT

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~~Mars Continues His Winning Ways At 2014 USA Nationals
New Richmond, WI (8-1-14)
By: Greg Parent

Same result, different class.  Fresh off his impressive opening night World of Outlaws late model feature victory at the USA Nationals, Jimmy Mars of Elk Mound continued his winning ways on the second night when he won the rain-shortened 33 lap NASCAR late model main event at the Cedar Lake Speedway.  Starting outside the front row next to his teammate A.J. Diemel, Mars left little doubt in anyone's mind that he would be the car to beat once again.  For Mars, it was his 45th career late model win at the track and kept his record perfect so far at the 2014 edition of the USA Nationals.  Mars will be looking to continue his mastery on Saturday night, as he will do double duty in both the NASCAR portion of the program and then try to add a third USA Nationals title to his resume in the big $50,000 to win grand finale for the World of Outlaws late models.

A very strong field of 43 NASCAR late models signed into the pits for a complete program, as the support division, on the second night of the prestigious USA Nationals event.  This represented one of the strongest fields of local late models seen in quite some time.  in fact, between both divisions on the program, a total of 93 late models were in the pits.  Five qualifying heat races were run using passing and finishing points with the top 18 cars advancing to the NASCAR feature.  The rest of the field would run two B Mains.  Mars, Diemel, Joel Collins, Scott Gilberts and Pat Doar won the heats.  Jeff Massingill and Steve Laursen topped the B Mains, setting the stage for the 24 car starting field.

With the NASCAR late model feature the final race of the evening, a few scattered rain showers had moved into the area on what had started out as a warm and pleasant summer evening.  Mars immediately drove to the early lead when the green flag waved, as lap after lap clicked off caution-free.  Mars approached lapped traffic near the halfway mark of the race, and Diemel closed in.  As witnessed over the years by many regular CLS fans, Mars handled the lapped cars in his usual masterful manner.  Although Diemel got close on a couple of occasions in lapped traffic, he never was able to mount a serious bid for the top spot.  The first and only caution blinked on with 33 laps scored when Jim Carlson slowed in turn one.  While under caution, a light rain began falling.  The cars continued to circle the track for several laps in hopes that it would subside, but the rain persisted long enough and got just heavy enough for the track to get slick.  Track officials decided it would be in the best interests of the competitors to call the race final with 33 of the scheduled 40 laps in the books.  Finishing behind Mars and Diemel was Tim Isenberg, Brent Larson and Chad Mahder in the top five.  Rounding out the top ten finishers were Adam Hensel, rookie late model racerJoel Collins with an impressive run, Pat Doar, Scott Gilberts and Nick Anvelink.

The NASCAR late models return for the final night of the 27th Annual USA Nationals on Saturday August 2 with another  $2,500 top prize up for grabs.  Can Mars continue his dominance or will a new winner emerge?  Come on out and join in on the fun, festivities and excitement that is part of the USA Nationals at the Cedar Lake Speedway.  The program is scheduled to get underway with hot laps around 6:30 PM and racing to follow.  The World of Outlaw late models will run B Mains and a Last Chance race while the NASCAR late models run another full show.  The final race of the evening will be the big 100 lap, $50,000 to win USA Nationals for the World of Outlaws late models with one of the strongest fields in the history of this event assembled at the famed western Wisconsin dirt oval.

FEATURE RACE SUMMARY (August 1, 2014):

NASCAR Late Model Feature (33 laps): Jimmy Mars, A.J. Diemel, Tim Isenberg, Brent Larson, Chad Mahder, Adam Hensel, Joel Collins, Pat Doar, Scott Gilberts, Nick Anvelink, Rick Hanestad, Jim Carlson, Eric Pember, Greg Nippoldt, Mike Goodremote, Dave Fieber, Justin Hirt, Brett Swedberg, Doug Herrick, Jeff Massingill, Nick Herrick, Jeff Provinzino DNF, Darrell Nelson DNF, Steve Laursen DNF.

 

~~Mars Makes It Three For Three At The USA Nationals
New Richmond, WI (8-2-14)
By: Greg Parent

Although Mother Nature provided some early moisture which led to a two hour late start, the largest crowd to attend a USA Nationals night assembled at the Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday August 2.  Jimmy Mars continued his domination at the 2014 edition of this popular event going three for three.  Mars won the World of Outlaws late model feature on Thursday night, the NASCAR late model feature on Friday night, and again won the NASCAR late model feature on Saturday night.  For Mars, it was his 46th career late model feature win at the track.  The win paid the Elk Mound driver $2,500.  Following his third straight victory, Mars raced to a third place finish behind Jimmy Owens and Bobby Pierce in the 100 lap USA Nationals World of Outlaws late model feature to cap off an incredible weekend at the western Wisconsin speed plant.

Another very strong field of 41 NASCAR late models were on hand, but the weather was a bit pesky early in the evening. Light rain persisted which led to a two hour late start.  The track was fast from the added moisture.  Eric Breeschoten, Mars, Jeff Massingill and Darrell Nelson won the heat races, earning valuable passing and finishing points in the process.  Following B Main wins by Doug Blashe and Tim Isenberg, the 24 car starting grid was ready for 40 laps of NASCAR late model feature race action.

Brent Larson and Greg Nippoldt brought the field to flagman Jeff Stacken's green.  Larson grabbed the top spot, but one lap later the race was under the first of seven cautions.  Larson led the first 4 laps before Nick Anvelink took his turn up front for two laps.  Larson regained the lead on lap seven, held it through two more cautions, only to see Jimmy Mars sneak past to lead lap 15.  Larson retook first on laps 16 through 19 before Mars edged past at the halfway mark.  A hard crash into the back stretch concrete wall by Dave Esse brought out the red flag on lap 21.  Larson had just snuck back by Mars, but the entire field did not cross the line so scoring reverted back to lap 20.  Mars would hold the lead the remainder of the race despite the pace being slowed three more times under caution.

Mars continued his amazing run at the USA Nationals with his third win in three tries.  Anvelink finished second ahead of 22nd starter A. J. Diemel.  Larson and Breeschoten completed the top five.  Rounding out the top ten finishers were Scott Gilberts, Tim Isenberg from 20th, Darrell Nelson, Justin Hirt and Greg Nippoldt.  Despite the higher than usual number of cautions, 15 of the 24 starters were still around at the end of 40 laps.  The huge crowd would then turn their attention to the big 100 lap USA Nationals feature event.

Racing continues next Saturday at the Cedar Lake Speedway with all five weekly NASCAR divisions in action.  Check out the Cedar Lake Speedway website or Facebook page for more information.

FEATURE RACE SUMMARY (August 2, 2014):

NASCAR Late Model Feature (40 laps): Jimmy Mars, Nick Anvelink, A.J. Diemel, Brent Larson, Eric Breeschoten, Scott Gilberts, Tim Isenberg, Darrell Nelson, Justin Hirt, Greg Nippoldt, Brett Swedberg, Jim Carlson, Jeff Provinzino, Chad Mahder, Caley Emerson, Dave Fieber, Jeff Massingill, Doug Blashe, Mike Prochnow, Dave Esse, Pat Doar, Gregg Hill, Adam Hensel, Steve Laursen.