06.26.15 IMCA Modified Recap, presented by RydellCars.com

6/27/2015

Alex Engelstad wins inaugural IMCA Modified event

Alex Engelstad on cruise control out front in the IMCA Modified feature. Photo by Mike Spieker.

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (June 26) - Alex Engelstad was riding a winning streak coming into Friday night's IMCA Modified race. The Beltrami, Minnesota pilot swept the features Wednesday and Thursday night at Norman County Raceway in Ada, MN and proved he was just as fast on the little 3/10th mile bullring.

Jordan Zillmer of Cleveland, ND started outside the front row and drove by pole sitter, Scott Bintz, to take the early lead. Zillmer held the point for the first four laps until Engelstad reeled him in and made the pass for the top spot.

Once out front, Engelstad set sail in his Christian Brother's Ford #96A. By lap 13 of the 20 lap race, Engelstad held a half lap lead over second place runner, Rob VanMil. With four laps to go, however, the caution flag was displayed, erasing Engelstad's huge advantage.

That put VanMil, who last won at RCS in Mod Four competition back on July 15th, 1999, right on Engelstad's rear bumper with a hard charging Bryce Borgen in third.

Engelstad got a good jump at the drop of the green flag and left VanMil and Borgen to battle for the runner-up spot. Borgen ultimately prevailed and took the position with two laps to go, but by then Engelstad had already checked out on the field.

The win was Engelstad's first-ever at River Cities Speedway. He was followed to the line by Borgen, VanMil, Bintz, and Myles Tomlinson.