Rainy Start, Then Strong Finish To 2016 Legendary 100
(Nelson, Mahder, Sabraski & Estey Win Championship Features)
New Richmond, WI (9-17-16)
By: Greg Parent
For the second straight year, the Thursday night portion of the 11th edition of the Legendary 100 fell victim to rain. The event got underway on Friday evening with fifteen heat races and five B Mains before a downpour hit the track and forced the four qualifying features for the Midwest Mods, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and Late Models to be moved to Saturday. Cloudy skies throughout a good share of the day eventually gave way to bright sunny skies by mid-afternoon, and a 5:00 start allowed the full program to be completed. Qualifying feature wins went to Shane Sabraski in the Midwest Mods, Ben Hillman in the Pro Stocks, Darrell Nelson in the Modifieds and Jake Redetzke in the Late Models. With the addition of one new car on Saturday, the total car count for the 2016 edition of this popular event tallied 151. The four divisions (Traditional Sprints, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Hornets) scheduled for Thursday night were not able to race.
When the final checkered flag flew to conclude the 2016 Legendary 100, championship feature wins went to Mack Estey with his first in the Midwest Mods, Shane Sabraski with his third straight in the Pro Stocks and fourth overall (including one in the Midwest Mods in 2014), Cory Mahder with his first in the Modifieds, and Darrell Nelson with his second consecutive in the Late Models. Nelson and Sabraski were tied for about an hour and a half with four total Legendary 100 victories, but Nelson broke that tie with his fifth career win (three in the Modifieds and now two in the Late Models). In 2016, Shane Sabraski was the only driver to compete in three divisions. The "Ironman" raced a total of 170 laps in the Midwest Mods, Pro Stocks and Modified divisions from Friday night through the championship features on Saturday. Several drivers did double duty.
Following eight B Mains and four Last Chance Qualifiers, the first Legendary 100 feature on the track on Saturday was the 25 lap Midwest Mod main event. Paul Niznik led the first six laps which were slowed twice under caution. Mack Estey moved up to second on lap five and immediately began applying pressure on Niznik after the second caution a lap later. Niznik held the point for one more lap, but on lap eight Estey moved by. 2016 track champion Jason Vandekamp also got past Niznik for second. A couple more cautions slowed the pace past the halfway mark, but Estey held off Vandekamp for the victory. Once again, Vandekamp had to settle for the runner-up spot. Josh Bazey turned in a strong effort in third ahead of Sabraski and 15th starter Jeremy Kerzman. David Swearingen came from 16th to finish sixth with Mitch Weiss in seventh. Twice Tony Bahr had to go to the work area to change flat tires during the first two cautions, and T-Bahr came from the back of the pack during the last 19 laps for an eighth place finish. Niznik slipped back to ninth with Tyler Kaeter rounding out the top ten. Nineteen of the 24 starters finished.
With two Legendary 100 titles to his credit, pole sitter Ben Hillman was looking to make it three in the Pro Stock 25 lap main event. However, it was Shane Sabraski leading all the way from his outside front row starting spot for his third straight Pro Stock Legendary 100 victory. The race was slowed six times under caution, but the action in the top positions was actually very good. The final four lap dash to the checkers following the final caution proved to be exceptionally entertaining. In the end, Herbison Memorial winner Nick Oreskovich finished a close second to Sabraski. Hillman was third followed by Mike Loomis and Shane Kisling. Jesse Redetzke, Scott Lawrence, Tristan Labarge, Tommy Richards and 18th starter Kevin Burdick completed the top ten. Nineteen of the 24 starters also finished the Pro Stock feature.
Darrell Nelson on the pole in a Modified at the Cedar Lake Speedway in usually not good news for the rest of the field, and that is exactly where Nelson started the 30 lap Modified championship feature. On this night though, Cory Mahder put on a dominating performance to lead the entire distance. The race was slowed four times under caution, but on each restart, Mahder would gradually pull away from first Nelson and then later in the race Lucas Schott. Mahder earned his first Legendary 100 title. Schott, Nelson, six-time modified track champion Craig Thatcher, and Sabraski rounded out the top five. Completing the top ten finishers was Kelly Estey, Jesse Glenz, Adam Hensel, Jason Vandekamp and Paul Niznik. Attrition was a bit high in the modifieds, as only fourteen cars finished. Shane Sabraski finished in the top five in all three championship features he competed in, certainly a notable stat that may not have been equaled in previous Legendary 100 events.
The final race of the evening and final race of the season for the weekly racing divisions would see the ground-pounding Late Models pitted against each other for their 40 lap feature. Darrell Nelson left little doubt as to who would prevail in this race. The "Hermantown Hammer" led all 40 laps to cap off a successful season at CLS. Uncharacteristically for the late models, the race was slowed eight times under caution, as it took four tries to complete lap 12 alone. The final 13 laps clicked off under the green. Just past the halfway mark, 2016 track champion A J Diemel really got hooked up and was absolutely hauling on the top side. Scraping the wall on a couple of occasions, Diemel closed right up on the rear bumper of Nelson. With 24 laps in and just when it appeared as though Diemel might take the lead, his powerful late model blew a right front tire and skidded to a stop against the turn three wall. Diemel drove to the pits and retired from the race. Jake Redetzke rode home in second behind Nelson ahead of John Kaanta. Nick Anvelink and Jesse Glenz rounded out the top five. Mike Nutzmann came from the back of the field following one of those restarts with 11 laps in to finish sixth. Dave Fieber, Tim Isenberg, Justin Fegers subbing for his brother Marshall, and Zach Wolhers completed the top ten.
With the conclusion of the 11th Annual Legendary 100, Cedar Lake Speedway would like to thank all of the drivers, crew members, families, fans, sponsors and everybody who supported this event and all of the racing action throughout the 2016 season. Congrats to NASCAR Dash Series track champions AJ Diemel, Darrell Nelson, Dave Mass and Jason Vandekamp. The UMSS Traditional sprints raced eleven times during the season with James Giossi topping Rick Kobs for the track title using the UMSS point structure for all eleven races. The only remaining event for the 2016 outdoor racing season will be the 11th Annual Hornet Enduro next Saturday September 24 scheduled to pay $10,000 to the winner based on the number of entries.
2016 Legendary 100 Feature Summaries:
Midwest Modifieds (25 laps): Mack Estey, Jason Vandekamp, Josh Bazey, Shane Sabraski, Jeremy Kerzman, David Swearingen, Mitch Weiss, Tony Bahr, Paul Niznik, Tyler Kaeter, Dale Suomala, Jason Haugerud, Tom Gill, Josh Muzik, Mark Thomas, Dave Flynn, Alex Smith, Antonio Pintaro, Brandon Copp, Cody Lee, Tyler English, Ron Saurer, Nick Ayotte, Shawn Phillips. Total car count = (63)
Pro Stocks (25 Laps): Shane Sabraski, Nick Oreskovich, Ben Hillman, Mike Loomis, Shane Kisling, Jesse Redetzke, Scott Lawrence, Tristan Labarge, Tommy Richards, Kevin Burdick, Dan Nissalke, Dale Gangl, Marcus Simonson, Dave Flynn, Dexton Koch, Ryan Kostreba, Adam Soltis, Rich Bishop, Cody Campeau, Brandon Duellman, Chris Wark, Adam Ayotte, Ryan Wiome, Josh Zimpel. Total car count = (35)
Modifieds (30 laps): Cory Mahder, Lucas Schott, Darrell Nelson, Craig Thatcher, Shane Sabraski, Kelly Estey, Jesse Glenz, Adam Hensel, Jason Vandekamp, Paul Niznik, Adam Ayotte, Jeffrey Lien Jr, Mike Gibson, Shaun Peterson, Cory Williams, JB Stortz, Matt Leer, Jason Gross, Brandon Jensen, Mark Hanson, Skeeter Estey, Al Uotinen, Keith Tourville, Joey Jensen. Total car count = (34)
Late Models (40 laps): Darrell Nelson, Jake Redetzke, John Kaanta, Nick Anvelink, Jesse Glenz, Mike Nutzmann, Dave Fieber, Tim Isenberg, Justin Fegers, Zach Wohlers, Chris Olson, Cole Spacek, Don Frider, Greg Nippoldt, AJ Diemel, Ben Hanke, Rick Nelson, Jared Seifert, Rick Schroeder. Total car count = (19)
A Mains:
1. Darrell Nelson (Hermantown, MN), 2. Jake Redetzke (Eau Claire, WI), 3. John Kaanta (Elk Mound, WI), 4. Nick Anvelink (Navarino, WI), 5. Jesse Glenz (Fall Creek, WI), 6. Mike Nutzmann (New Richmond, WI), 7. Dave Fieber (Chippewa Falls, WI), 8. Tim Isenberg (Marshfield, WI), 9. Justin Fegers (Mound, mn), 10. Zach Wohlers (Kelly Lake, MN), 11. Chris Olson (Hibbing, MN), 12. Cole Spacek (Phillips, WI), 13. Don Frider, 14. Greg Nippoldt (Roberts, WI), 15. AJ Diemel (Elk Mound, WI), 16. Ben Hanke (Hudson, WI), 17. Rick Nelson (Alexandria, MN), 18. Jared Seifert (Green Bay, WI), 19. Rick Schroeder (Montevideo, MN),
B Mains:
1. Jake Redetzke (Eau Claire, WI), 2. Darrell Nelson (Hermantown, MN), 3. Jesse Glenz (Fall Creek, WI), 4. AJ Diemel (Elk Mound, WI), 5. John Kaanta (Elk Mound, WI), 6. Mike Nutzmann (New Richmond, WI), 7. Nick Anvelink (Navarino, WI), 8. Justin Fegers (Mound, mn), 9. Greg Nippoldt (Roberts, WI), 10. Zach Wohlers (Kelly Lake, MN), 11. Tim Isenberg (Marshfield, WI), 12. Cole Spacek (Phillips, WI), 13. Chris Olson (Hibbing, MN), 14. Ben Hanke (Hudson, WI), 15. Rick Nelson (Alexandria, MN), 16. Jared Seifert (Green Bay, WI), 17. Rick Schroeder (Montevideo, MN), 18. Dave Fieber (Chippewa Falls, WI), 19. Don Frider,
Midwest Modifieds 9/17/2016
A Mains:
1. Mack Estey (Kelly Lake, MN), 2. Jason Vandekamp (Scandia, MN), 3. Josh Bazey (Luck, WI), 4. Shane Sabraski (Rice, MN), 5. Jeremy Kerzman (Grey Eagle, MN), 6. David Swearingen (Little Canada, MN), 7. Mitch Weiss (Scandia, MN), 8. Tony Bahr (Eau Claire, WI), 9. Paul Niznik (Medford, WI), 10. Tyler Kaeter (St. Cloud, MN), 11. Dale Suomala, 12. Jason Haugerud (Somerset, WI), 13. Tom Gill, 14. Josh Muzik (Alexandria, MN), 15. Mark Thomas (Menomonie, WI), 16. David Flynn (Superior, WI), 17. Alex Smith (Solon Springs, WI), 18. Antonio Pintaro (Osseo, wi), 19. Brandon Copp (Brule, WI), 20. Cody Lee (Starbuck, MN), 21. Tyler English (Anoka, MN), 22. Ron Saurer (Dalton, MN), 23. Nick Ayotte (St Paul, MN), 24. Shawn Phillips (Fridley, MN),
B Mains 1:
1. Jason Haugerud (Somerset, WI), 2. Dale Suomala, 3. Craig Loeftdahl (Duluth, MN), 4. Tyler Hudack (Ashland, WI), 5. Alex Smith (Solon Springs, WI), 6. Douglas Toepper (Forest Lake, MN), 7. Robbie Johnson (Wilson, WI), 8. Patrick Kelly (White Bear Lake, MN), 9. Mike Kelley (St. Paul, MN), 10. Charles Hedges Jr (Tripoli, WI), 11. Nick Axelsen (Forest Lake, MN), 12. Jim Berglend, 13. Nick Lindquist (Prescott, WI),
B Mains 2:
1. Mark Thomas (Menomonie, WI), 2. Tom Gill, 3. Tad Schoonover (Eagle River, WI), 4. Tim Borgeson (New Richmond, WI), 5. Kyle Hallin (Lino Lakes, MN), 6. Miranda Carlson (Afton, MN), 7. Jacob Toepper (Lino Lakes, MN), 8. Chase Friendt (New Richmond, WI), 9. Natalie Rogers (Mahtomedi, MN), 10. Eric Anderson (Chisholm, MN), 11. Jason Miller (Osceola, wi), 12. Mason McEvers (Grantsburg, WI), 13. Cy Hoaglan (Ashland, WI),
B Mains 3:
1. Jeremy Kerzman (Grey Eagle, MN), 2. David Flynn (Superior, WI), 3. Antonio Pintaro (Osseo, wi), 4. Shaun Kelley (Somerset, wi), 5. John Feirn (Chippowa Falls, WI), 6. Terry Merten (Sauk Centre, MN), 7. Fran Hanson (Almena, WI), 8. Ross Fuhrman (Ashland, WI), 9. Cody Borgeson (New Richmond, WI), 10. Justin Tanner (Monticello, MN), 11. Andrea Keeney (Ridgeland, WI), 12. Derek Berg (Siren, WI), 13. Nick Bruder (Long Praire, MN),
B Mains 4:
1. David Swearingen (Little Canada, MN), 2. Tyler English (Anoka, MN), 3. Nick Ayotte (St Paul, MN), 4. Zach Benson (Princeton , MN), 5. Michael Blevins (Hibbing, MN), 6. Shawn Phillips (Fridley, MN), 7. Jeff Nelson (Perham, MN), 8. Al Stettner (Newport, MN), 9. Dan Wilson (Hibbing, MN), 10. Gunner Peterson (Mason, WI), 11. Eric Gadach (Deer Park, WI), 12. Andrew Inmann (Hermantown, MN),
Last Chance 1:
1. Antonio Pintaro (Osseo, wi), 2. Alex Smith (Solon Springs, WI), 3. Shaun Kelley (Somerset, wi), 4. John Feirn (Chippowa Falls, WI), 5. Douglas Toepper (Forest Lake, MN), 6. Terry Merten (Sauk Centre, MN), 7. Fran Hanson (Almena, WI), 8. Charles Hedges Jr (Tripoli, WI), 9. Patrick Kelly (White Bear Lake, MN), 10. Ross Fuhrman (Ashland, WI), 11. Cody Borgeson (New Richmond, WI), 12. Craig Loeftdahl (Duluth, MN), 13. Nick Bruder (Long Praire, MN), 14. Tyler Hudack (Ashland, WI), 15. Robbie Johnson (Wilson, WI), 16. Andrea Keeney (Ridgeland, WI), 17. Mike Kelley (St. Paul, MN), 18. Derek Berg (Siren, WI), 19. Nick Axelsen (Forest Lake, MN), 20. Justin Tanner (Monticello, MN), 21. Jim Berglend, 22. Nick Lindquist (Prescott, WI),
Last Chance 2:
1. Nick Ayotte (St Paul, MN), 2. Shawn Phillips (Fridley, MN), 3. Zach Benson (Princeton , MN), 4. Tim Borgeson (New Richmond, WI), 5. Chase Friendt (New Richmond, WI), 6. Kyle Hallin (Lino Lakes, MN), 7. Michael Blevins (Hibbing, MN), 8. Tad Schoonover (Eagle River, WI), 9. Gunner Peterson (Mason, WI), 10. Jacob Toepper (Lino Lakes, MN), 11. Jeff Nelson (Perham, MN), 12. Natalie Rogers (Mahtomedi, MN), 13. Dan Wilson (Hibbing, MN), 14. Eric Gadach (Deer Park, WI), 15. Eric Anderson (Chisholm, MN), 16. Andrew Inmann (Hermantown, MN), 17. Miranda Carlson (Afton, MN), 18. Al Stettner (Newport, MN), 19. Mason McEvers (Grantsburg, WI), 20. Cy Hoaglan (Ashland, WI), 21. Jason Miller (Osceola, wi),
Modifieds 9/17/2016
A Mains:
1. Cory Mahder (Eau Claire, WI), 2. Lucas Schott (Chatfield, MN), 3. Darrell Nelson (Hermantown, MN), 4. Craig Thatcher (Knapp, wi), 5. Shane Sabraski (Rice, MN), 6. Kelly Estey (Hibbing, MN), 7. Jesse Glenz (Fall Creek, WI), 8. Adam Hensel (Baldwin, WI), 9. Jason Vandekamp (Scandia, MN), 10. Paul Niznik (Medford, WI), 11. Adam Ayotte (St Paul, MN), 12. Jeffrey Lien Jr (Mora, MN), 13. Mike Gibson (Star Prairie, WI), 14. Shaun Peterson (Alexandria, MN), 15. Cory Williams (Spring Valley, WI), 16. J.B. Stortz (Monticello, MN), 17. Matt Leer (Bruce, WI), 18. Jason Gross (Cushing, wi), 19. Brandon Jensen (Hammond, WI), 20. Mark Hanson (Chippewa Falls, WI), 21. Skeeter Estey (Kelly Lake, MN), 22. Al Uotinen (Superior, wi), 23. Keith Tourville (Star Prairie, WI), 24. Joey Jensen (Forest Lake, MN),
B Mains 1:
1. Keith Tourville (Star Prairie, WI), 2. Jason Gross (Cushing, wi), 3. Brandon Jensen (Hammond, WI), 4. Shaun Peterson (Alexandria, MN), 5. J.B. Stortz (Monticello, MN), 6. Donnie Lofdahl (Duluth, mn), 7. Steve Lavasseur (River Falls, WI), 8. Al Uotinen (Superior, wi), 9. Al Stettner (Newport, MN), 10. Chet Atkinson (Hugo, MN), 11. Jake Miller (Somerset, WI),
B Mains 2:
1. Jason Vandekamp (Scandia, MN), 2. Paul Niznik (Medford, WI), 3. Mike Gibson (Star Prairie, WI), 4. Skeeter Estey (Kelly Lake, MN), 5. Mark Hanson (Chippewa Falls, WI), 6. Cory Williams (Spring Valley, WI), 7. Tony Schill (Oakdale, MN), 8. Chase Friendt (New Richmond, WI), 9. Cory Bruggeman (Stillwater, MN), 10. Kelly Anderson (Hager City, WI), 11. Andy Jones (Princeton, MN),
Last Chance:
1. J.B. Stortz (Monticello, MN), 2. Al Uotinen (Superior, wi), 3. Mark Hanson (Chippewa Falls, WI), 4. Cory Williams (Spring Valley, WI), 5. Tony Schill (Oakdale, MN), 6. Steve Lavasseur (River Falls, WI), 7. Jake Miller (Somerset, WI), 8. Chet Atkinson (Hugo, MN), 9. Al Stettner (Newport, MN), 10. Chase Friendt (New Richmond, WI), 11. Donnie Lofdahl (Duluth, mn), 12. Cory Bruggeman (Stillwater, MN), 13. Kelly Anderson (Hager City, WI), 14. Andy Jones (Princeton, MN),
Pro Stocks 9/17/2016
A Mains:
1. Shane Sabraski (Rice, MN), 2. Nick Oreskovich (Mason, WI), 3. Ben Hillman (Menomonie, WI), 4. Mike Loomis (Columbus, MN), 5. Shane Kisling (Rice Lake, WI), 6. Jesse Redetzke (Altoona, WI), 7. Scott Lawrence (SUPERIOR, WI), 8. Tristan Labarge (Kelly Lake, MN), 9. Tommy Richards (Mondovi, WI), 10. Kevin Burdick (Hibbing, MN), 11. Dan Nissalke (Winona, MN), 12. Dale Gangl (East Bethel, MN), 13. Marcus Simonson (Milltown, Wi), 14. David Flynn (Superior, WI), 15. Dexton Koch (Rice, MN), 16. Ryan Kostreba (Elk River, MN), 17. Adam Soltis (Ladysmith, WI), 18. Rich Bishop (New Richmond, wi), 19. Cody Campeau (New Richmond, WI), 20. Brandon Duellman (Winona, MN), 21. Chris Wark (Zimmerman, mn), 22. Adam Ayotte (St Paul, MN), 23. Ryan Wiome (North Branch, MN), 24. Josh Zimpel (Isle, MN),
B Mains 1:
1. Tristan Labarge (Kelly Lake, MN), 2. David Flynn (Superior, WI), 3. Adam Soltis (Ladysmith, WI), 4. Rich Bishop (New Richmond, wi), 5. Cody Campeau (New Richmond, WI), 6. Marcus Simonson (Milltown, Wi), 7. Denny Schouveller (Hugo, MN), 8. Travis Forcier (Darwin, MN), 9. Luke Schultz, 10. Tim Mckenzie (St Cloud, MN), 11. Kyle Helling (Rice Lake, WI), 12. Danny Richards (Mondovi, WI),
B Mains 2:
1. Brandon Duellman (Winona, MN), 2. Dale Gangl (East Bethel, MN), 3. Kevin Burdick (Hibbing, MN), 4. Dan Nissalke (Winona, MN), 5. Ryan Kostreba (Elk River, MN), 6. Ronnie Malecki (Superior, MN), 7. Ryan Gangl (Oak Grove, MN), 8. Josh Zimpel (Isle, MN), 9. Cale Anderson (New Richmond, WI), 10. Ryan Bebeau (New Richmond, WI), 11. Jason Oftedahl (Inver Grove Heights, MN),
Last Chance:
1. Ryan Kostreba (Elk River, MN), 2. Cody Campeau (New Richmond, WI), 3. Josh Zimpel (Isle, MN), 4. Marcus Simonson (Milltown, Wi), 5. Ronnie Malecki (Superior, MN), 6. Ryan Gangl (Oak Grove, MN), 7. Travis Forcier (Darwin, MN), 8. Jason Oftedahl (Inver Grove Heights, MN), 9. Kyle Helling (Rice Lake, WI), 10. Cale Anderson (New Richmond, WI), 11. Denny Schouveller (Hugo, MN), 12. Luke Schultz, 13. Ryan Bebeau (New Richmond, WI), 14. Tim Mckenzie (St Cloud, MN), 15. Danny Richards (Mondovi, WI),