Mitch Van Engen won the Out-Pace USRA B-Mod feature.

Veteran Out-Pace USRA B-Mod racer Mitch Van Engen tried to remember how long it had been since his last appearance at Nobles County Speedway as he stood in victory lane Saturday night.

“We were talking about that earlier tonight,” said Van Engen, who stated it was probably sometime around 2007.

News of a $300 bonus to any driver that raced for the first time at NCS and won the Out-Pace USRA B-Mod feature attracted six new cars, including Van Engen’s No. 9 entry. Van Engen earned the win and the bonus by racing past points leader Cullen De Ruyter during the last half of the feature.

Other Out-Pace USRA B-Mod drivers that paid their first visit to NCS this season included Casey Knutson, Derek Van Veldhuizen, Chris Goetz, Wade Gunnink and Kaleb Modder.

Speaking of veteran racers, two of the long-standing Holley USRA Stock Car pilots enjoyed a fun battle around the Worthington short track.

Roger Verdoorn and Rich Gregoire were able to out-race two-time feature winner Luke Sathoff before Gregoire went to the front. Gregoire hugged the bottom of the track to take the inside away from Verdoorn and Sathoff en route to his first win at NCS this year.

Gregoire’s win brings him to within 24 points of Sathoff atop the division’s standings.

Rich Gregoire won the Holley USRA Stock feature.

Nick Brady led most of the Schwalbach Plumbing & Heating USRA Hobby Stock main event. However, Tom Kracht motored from the ninth starting position to overtake the Sioux Falls, S.D., driver late in the race.

As the race come down to a couple of green-white-checkered attempts, Brady was sent to the back for jumping the start. He, along with Dan Strandberg, were both hopeful of getting around Kracht’s car over the final two laps—and it looked like they just might have the cars to get the job done. Kracht outlasted Strandberg to take the checkers while Brady was able to come back all the way to fourth.

Strandberg, with his three wins, has a large 101-point lead over Jason Bradley after Saturday’s mid-season championships.

Tom Kracht won the USRA Hobby Stock feature.

Just two Afterhour Graphics & Awards USRA Tuners reported for duty. Their feature turned out to be pretty entertaining as Scott Espey took the win over Dylan Schreier while fans enjoyed spicy, delicious Trail’s Best salami sticks from the Monogram Meat Snacks of Chandler, Minn.

Scott Espey won the USRA Tuner feature.

In addition to all five regular divisions, the Late Model Street Stock traveling series comes to Nobles County Speedway next Saturday, July 22. Pizza Ranch presents racing action with hot laps beginning at 7 p.m. Visit Nobles County Speedway on Facebook or go to www.noblescountyspeedway.com for more information.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, Minn.
Saturday, July 15, 2017

HOLLEY USRA STOCK CARS

Feature: 1. Rich Gregoire, Russel; 2. Roger Verdoorn, Sibley, Iowa; 3. Luke Sathoff, Jackson; 4. Jon DeBoer, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 5. Derrick Nordstrom, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 6. Gary Mattison, Lamberton; 7. Dereck Van Der Brink, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Heat winner: Mattison.

OUT-PACE USRA B-MODS

Feature: 1. Mitch Van Engen, Doon, Iowa; 2. Cullen De Ruyter, Ruthton; 3. Curt Ahlers, Flandreau, S.D.; 4. Kaleb Modder, George, Iowa; 5. Wade Gunnink, Lake Wilson; 6. Darin Noyes, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 7. Casey Knutson, Spring Grove; 8. Chris Goetz, Centerville, S.D.; 9. Derek Van Veldhuizen, Rock Rapids, Iowa; DNS - Devon Schlumbohm, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Heat winners: Knutson, De Ruyter.

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Feature: 1. Tom Kracht, Luverne; 2. Dan Strandberg, Worthington; 3. Dylan Vanden Top, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 4. Nick Brady, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 5. Nick Schilling, Sanborn, Iowa; 6. Joel Norris, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 7. Ryan Mulder, Harrisburg, S.D.; 8. Corey Gronewald, Worthington; 9. Josh Bradley, Harrisburg, S.D.; 10. Jason Bradley, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 11. Josh Lien, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 12. Silas Top, Hardwick; 13. Jake Manitz, Sibley, Iowa; 14. Nick Janssen, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 15. Michael Weidert, Lismore.

Heat winners: Strandberg, Brady.

USRA TUNERS

Feature: 1. Scott Espey, Alpha; 2. Dylan Schreier, Hadley.