The sixth and final night of the NASCAR Dash Series would see the 2017 Cedar Lake Speedway track champions determined on a pleasant summer evening.  Feature winners in the four weekly NASCAR divisions were Jason Vandekamp in the Midwest Mods, Dan Gullikson in the Pro Stocks, Darrell Nelson in the Modifieds and A J Diemel in the Late Models.  The UMSS Traditional sprints were also part of the program and their nonstop 25 lap feature produced a first-time winner.  Former modified racer Brad Peterson in his first full season behind the wheel of a non-winged sprint car went on to record his first-ever victory in the popular division.

As expected, the NASCAR Dash Series championship went down to the final night in all four weekly divisions.  Some races were closer than others but nobody had locked up anything coming into the final night.  With feature wins during the evening, Jason Vandekamp earned his third straight title in the NASCAR Midwest Modifieds, Dan Gullikson garnered his first championship in the NASCAR Pro Stocks and Darrell Nelson also made it three straight in the NASCAR Modified division.  The NASCAR Late Model race was particularily close amongst the top five competitors, and when John Kaanta finished second in the feature race he earned his first track title in the late model division.  A J Diemel had slipped to fifth coming into the night, but his feature victory coupled with how his fellow competitors finished saw him jump back up to second in the final points just one point ahead of Jesse Glenz, five points ahead of rookie James Giossi and seven points in front of Darrell Nelson.  This was the third straight season that the NASCAR Dash Series determined the track champions.

The UMSS Traditional sprint car feature was first on the track, and the popular non-winged division provided yet another entertaining feature race.  Veteran racer and 1997 track champion Jimmy Kouba led the opening two laps before Brad Peterson snuck ahead to lead lap 3.  Kouba regained the top spot for two more laps before Peterson took over on lap 6.  Peterson had to withstand two serious challenges from 2014 TSCS champion Cam Schafer, one on lap 17 when he briefly lost the lead and again on the final lap in turn 4 when he was able to drive around Schafer and secure the victory in a thrilling finish.  July 29 winner Brian VanMeveren finished third with current TSCS point leader Mike Mueller and Jake Kouba rounding out the top five in the caution-free feature.

The NASCAR Midwest Modifieds had a marathon 20 lap main event, as the race was under caution on seven occasions and only ten of the 21 cars that started finished.  Carnage was high on this night in the Midwest mods.  David Swearingen led the first seven laps before Jason Vandekamp drove by for the lead and eventual victory.  For Vandekamp, it was his 48th career win in the division at CLS, fifth straight track title and sixth over all in the division.  Fellow Scandia racer Mitch Weiss also got by Swearingen to finish second.  Gunnar Watkins and Shawn Kelley completed the top five.

With only two cautions to slow the pace, the NASCAR Pro Stock 20 lap feature went according to plan for Dan Gullikson.  His closest competitor in the NASCAR Dash Series standings, Jesse Redetzke, led the first 6 laps, then it was all Gullikson after that for his 13th career CLS victory in the division.  Redetzke finished second ahead of 2013-2014 track champion Mike Loomis.  Willie Johnsen and Cody Campeau completed the top five.  For Gullikson, it was his first Pro Stock track championship after having won three straight Street Stock championships from 2002-2004.

Darrell Nelson left little doubt who would win the track title and the 20 lap NASCAR Modified feature race on this night, as he blasted into the lead from his outside front row starting spot and was only briefly challenged by Jason Gross in the early going.  The race was under caution twice in the first four laps then ran nonstop the final 16 circuits.  For Nelson, it was his third straight championship and fifith over all in the modified division at CLS.  It was also his 32nd career win in the modified division at CLS.  Brandon Jensen had a strong run and finished second.  Jeffrey Lien, Gross and Jake Miller completed the top five.  Miller was returning to action after missing seven weeks due to some required arm surgery.

To conclude the sixth night in the NASCAR Dash Series, the rumble of the NASCAR Late Models could be felt as they rolled on to the track for their 30 lap main event.  The battle for the track title was up in the air with the top five drivers all having a shot at it.  A J Diemel dominated the race for his 14th career late model win at CLS, as the race ran caution-free 30 laps to the finish.  John Kaanta was a solid second which was certainly good enough to earn him his first-ever late model track championship.  Kaanta's last track title came way back in 1983 in the street stock division.  Pat Doar, Jesse Glenz and Steve Laursen completed the top five.  Rounding out the top ten finishers was Darrell Nelson, James Giossi, Jake Redetzke, Travis Budisalovich and Mike Nutzmann.

Next Saturday night August 29 at the Cedar Lake Speedway is the Elmer & Lorraine Cook Memorial and Fan Appreciation Night.  Free corn on the cob and a full racing program featuring the four weekly NASCAR divisions along with the Outlaw Mini Mods is in store for race fans.  Check out our website at www.cedarlakespeedway.com to get information on upcoming races, results, photos, news and much more.  You can call us toll free at 1-866-4-CLS-FUN or find us on the social media outlets of Facebook and Twitter.