KASSON, Minn. (Sept. 29, 2002) - The 2002 racing season at the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, MN came to a conclusion on Sunday, September 29th with the running of the second annual September Sizzler for Modifieds, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Midwest Mods and also featured the only appearance of the Dwarf Cars at the track all season.

The night kicked off with a bang with the Street Stock feature event taking the green flag first. Rookie Jim Gullikson took the lead at the start of the main event with Steve Eischens and Greg Erickson close behind. Erickson got around Eischens into second and began to pressure Gullikson for the lead while Dan Gullikson and Jeff Brauer were trying to make their way through traffic and toward the front.

Gullikson continued to lead with heavy pressure now being applied by Erickson for the top spot. Erickson was able to steal the spot on several occasions, but both times Greg snuck by the caution flew negating the pass. Gullikson went back to work out front with brother Dan up to third and trying to steal second from Erickson. Dan was able to take over the runner-up spot and a lap later was able to steal the lead from his brother and set off into the lead.

Jim Gustafson was also making his way through traffic and appeared in second just as Gullikson had taken the lead. Gustafson then began to put pressure on Gullikson for the lead towards the end of the show and was able to sneak under Dan for the top spot with several laps to go. Gustafson held on for the win with Gullikson, Brauer, Erickson and Jim Gullikson rounding out the top five finishers.

However, after an altercation on the infield after the race, Brauer and Erickson were both disqualified from the event, moving Gullikson to third, Eischens to fourth and Chuck Nerland into the top five.

Kenny Wytaske and Craig Larson waged a great battle for the lead in the Midwest Modified feature for the first 1/2 of the race. Larson ran the cushion and tried several times to steal the top spot from Wytaske, but Kenny was strong and held off Larson over the early laps of the event. Larson then was able to steal the lead away, bringing with him Mark Anderson and Albert Wytaske into the top three. Dick Peterson and Neil Eckhart were also making their way through the field and trying to make a bid up front.

Larson set his # 43 on cruise control and easily raced to the win with Anderson a solid second ahead of Wytaske. Eckhart edged Peterson for fourth at the line and Jerry young charged from his 23rd starting spot to sixth at the line.

Nick Herrick and Tim Johnson were locked in battle early on in the Super Stock feature and were quickly running away from the rest of the field. Johnson was able to pull alongside of Herrick for the lead on several occasions but tossed his # 1jr into turn three a bit too hard and turned himself around, giving up hope of picking up the win.

Herrick then stretched his lead over Dustin Nelson and Kenny Davis to race unchallenged for the win. Bill Clemens and Don Eischens were in a great battle for position as well until contact was made elimintating Eischens from the event and later leading to Clemens dropping from competition. Dave Haberman and Brandon Jensen rounded out the top five at the stripe.

Jay Ihrke survived a caution-filled Modified feature and an intense battle with Tim Donlinger to pick up the $700 win tonight. Ihrke got out front for good after Todd Scharkey and Todd Klees both suffered mechanical problems and were forced to retire from the event.

Scharkey, Klees and Ihrke were in a great battle with Donlinger for the lead until the 1/2 way point when Ihrke stole the lead and motored away for the win. Donlinger ran a solid second in Jordan Steier’s car with Dave Siercks coming from 18th to third at the stripe. Leroy Scharkey and Denny Barwald rounded out the top five runners at the finish.

Brian Shaw topped the Dwarf Car feature in his # 55 after stealing the lead from Craig Shaw at the midpoint of the show. The Shaw’s beat the rest of the 15-car field to the line in the rain-shortened main event.

Keep informed on the 2003 season plans at the Dodge County Speedway by checking on the track’s website over the winter at www.dodgecountyspeedway.com.

Plans are already underway for another exciting season in 2003 with the Modifieds running for a $700 paycheck every Sunday. WISSOTA Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Midwets Mods will also be on the card next season. Several special events are currently being planned as well with the Thunderbird Open highlighting action once again in 2003.

RESULTS

WISSOTA SUPER STOCKS:

Heat 1: Tim Johnson, Don Eischens, Jensen, Franzen, Mark Oltjenbruns

Heat 2: Bill Clemens, Nelson, Davis, Herick, Haberman

Feature: Nick Herrick, Dustin Nelson, Kenny Davis, Dave Haberman, Brandon Jensen, Rick Franzen, Dan Nissalke, Todd Rizer, Dave Solum

WISSOTA STREET STOCKS:

Heat 1: D. Gullikson, Jeff Brauer, Gustafson, Corbin, Solum

Heat 2: Greg Erickson, J. Gullikson, Eischens, Nerland, Lisowski

Feature: Jim Gustafson, Dan Gullikson, Jim Gullikson, Steve Eischens, Chuck

Nerland, Rick Lisowski, Vince Corbin, Tom McEldowney, Andy Solum, Bill Steinberg

WISSOTA MIDWEST MODIFIEDS:

Heat 1: Larson, Eckhart, Kenny Wytaske, troy Jordan, Dane Schultz

Heat 2: A. Wytaske, Dan Fagerlind, Tim Siercks, Tony Amgrison, Justin Hainka

Heat 3: Nick Kramer, Greg Pfiefer Jr., Morehart, Mike Johnson, George Mattson

Heat 4: Peterson, Anderson, Frericks, George Sniezek, Morehart Jr.

B-feature: Jones, Ben Mattick, Young, Joe Wernecke, Ron Skalicky

Feature: Craig Larson, Mark Anderson, Albert Wytaske, Neil Eckhart, Dick Peterson, Jerry Young, Justin Jones, Jesse Frericks, Harland Morehart, Harland Morehart Jr.

MODIFIEDS:

Heat 1: Bob Timm, Ihrke, Bob Sammann, Nathan Kilwine, Mike Mehling

Heat 2: Behne, Karau, Todd Scharkey, Donlinger, Bruce Angst

Heat 3: Steve Wetzstein, Todd Klees, J D Auringer, Sorensen, Duffy

Feature: Jay Ihrke, Tim Donlinger, Dave Siercks, Chad Behne, Leroy Scharkey, Denny Barwald, Darwin Karau, Bobby Sorensen, Darrin Duffy, James Parker