Fans enjoy Memorial Day racing at Bemidji Speedway

BEMIDJI — Memorial Day is the day we remember those who serve our country and a day we remember with gratitude those who gave all. Bemidji Speedway recognized those individuals on Monday and then fans enjoyed the freedoms they have provided by watching the traditional Memorial Day races.

Track conditions at Bemidji Speedway have been tremendous. Drivers and fans have enjoyed the excellent racing on the smooth and fast track so far in 2013.

Mini Stock

Tim LaVoi continued his winning ways completing a clean sweep of the two day show. Jenny Watrud came in a very close second in just her second race. Sue Berg and Rebecca Rogalski rounded out the finishers.

Bemidji Pure Stocks

The Pure Stocks were next up with Joel Harvey and Sunday’s winner Al Sadek Jr. on the front row. Sadek took the initial lead with Chad Puschinsky following him into second followed by Weston Ramsrud and Harvey. Sadek got high in the 1-2 corner and dropped back several positions moving Puschinsky into the lead where he stayed winning his first feature of the year and a clean sweep of the Pure Stocks. Ramsrud, Harvey, Sadek and Jessie Lutgen rounded out the top five.

Wissota Mod Four

The Amsoil Wissota Mod Fours were led on track by Craig Moore on the pole and Tonja Stranger outside. With flagman Dustin Puffe waving the green it was Conrad Schwinn charging up from his second row inside start into the lead.

At the end Schwinn was followed by Mike Margl, Derek Vesledahl and Tonja Stranger.

Wissota Super Stock

The story of the night in the Super Stocks was the return of Matt Sparby’s to the track after Sunday night’s end-over-end roll in turn three. With lots of overnight work by himself and pit crew, Sparby had his super back on track in the pole position and looking good. Outside front row was Blake Higginbotham.

Sparby grabbed the lead but Rick Jacobson was working through the field and eventually captured the lead with a high side pass of Sparby. A few minutes later Sparby slid in turn two bringing out a caution and sending him tailback.

Jacobson was in control from this point finishing the race and taking the checkered flag for his first win of the new season. Dalton Carlson was second with Gary Nelson Jr., Sparby and Keith Keena trailing.

Wissota Midwest Modified

The Wissota Midwest Modifieds finished the night of racing with Gary James Nelson on the pole and Darrin Lawler outside. Nelson and Lawler dueled a lap before Nelson took the lead over Lawler. Sunday’s feature winner Doyle Erickson held third with Brandon Bahr and John Halverson in the top five.

Gary James Nelson won the feature with Halverson, Erickson, Bahr, and Lawler in the top five.

Racing will resume next Sunday at 5 p.m.

(This article was written by Dennis Peterson for The Pioneer.)

Bemijdi Speedway

Monday’s Results

Mini Stock Feature – Tim LaVoi, Jenny Watrud, Sue Berg, Rebecca Rogalski

Heat – T. LaVoi, J. Watrud, S. Berg, R. Rogalski

Bemidji Pure Stocks Feature – Chad Puschinsky, Weston Ramsrud, Joel Harvey, Al Sadek Jr., Jessie Lutgen, Everett Baumgarner, Josh Berg

Heat – C. Puschinsky, W. RAmsrud, A. Sadek Jr., E. Baumgarner, J. Harvey

Wissota Mod Four Feature – Conrad Schwinn, Mike Margl, Derek Vesledahl, Tonja Stranger, Craig Moore, Chris Brown

Heat - C. Schwinn, D. Vesledahl, T. Stranger, M. MArgl, C. Moore

Wissota Super Stock Feature – Rick Jacobson, Dalton Carlson, Gary Nelson Jr., Matt Sparby, Keith Keena, Kyle Oman, Nathan Higginbotham, Blake Higginbotham, Lance Shilling

Heat – D. Carlson, G. Nelson Jr., R. Jacobson, M. Sparby, B. Higginbotham

Wissota Midwest Modified Feature – Gary James Nelson, John Halverson, Doyle Erickson, Brandon Bahr, Darrin Lawler, Ron Reed

Heat – D. Erickson, G. J. Nelson, B.Bahr, D. Lawler, J. Halverson