Some Like it Hot...Others Turn up the Heat

42 Late Model Drivers... 
Pat Doar Wins the Prelude to the Johnny

Pat Doar (11) uses the high banks of The Legendary Bullring to pass Adam Hansel (33x) Photo: Traci Palya

GRAND FORKS, ND - September 5, 2013 ~ One would figure with 42 Late Models that several of them would be some of the top drivers across the Midwest. In Thursday's "Prelude to the Johnny", The drivers did not disappoint at all. With an awesome track that was fast and smooth for the most part, and one of the most competitive fields of late models in 2013 at River Cities Speedway. Amongst the lead changes, Chad Mahder (55c), Shane Edginton (5e) Pat Doar (11d) and Brad Seng (12s) all led laps in the 25 lap A-Main. NLRA points leader coming into Thursday night's event, Dustin Strand (71) had a real rough go of it finding himself in the rear of the field on a couple occasions, salvaging a transfer spot by winning B-Main #2 to starting 17th in the A-main and finishing 12th.   

Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada's Mike Balcaen (10) seemed to be in the hunt to challenge for the lead from 3rd position, until an incident while attempting a pass on the inside of Mehder (55c) with 16 to go ending his night. Meanwhile Brad Seng (12s) systematically works his way to the front getting by Mehder (55c), Adam Hensel (33x) and A.J. Diemel (58) and finally Doar (11d) to lead one lap. Doar (11d) showed that he didn't make the trip from New Richmond, Wisconsin to finish 2nd, and on the next lap reclaimed the lead to hold off a final charge by Seng (12s) to win by a margin of 0.131 seconds at the checkers. Strand's (71s) 12th place finish was enough to win the 2013 NLRA points title over Brad Seng (12s). Full Results   

Lightning Sprints

A field of 12 Lightning Sprints showed up, and again just like appearances before, they too put on a show. In heat 1, Roland Bernard (2r) grabs the early lead, but is challenged by Chris Sorin (1) and Dexter Dvergsten (11). Bernard (2r) comes up with the heat win.
Heat 2; Wally Butler (35w) comes from 3rd starting position to take the win while being challenged by Lawrence Veralrud (40) and Chris Unrau (27). The a-main was all Dvergsten (11), Bernard (2r) 2nd, and Butler (35w) Rounding out the top 3. Full Results 

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Outlaw Sprints

Just when it looked like Austin Pierce (2a) was going to do something many other drivers have been trying all season, Mark Dobmeier (13) finds a way to win by doing what he does best. Dobmeier (13) picked his way through the pack from 4th starting position, and was held back with Austin (2a) leading until a restart with 13 laps to go when Dobmeier (13) goes high into 1, and makes a move on Pierce (2). Pierce would lose 1 more position as Wade Nygaard (9n) passes Pierce with 6 to go. Dobmeier wins. Complete Results  

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Friday, Night 1 of The 7th Annual John Seitz Memorial Late Model Invitational - On the schedule Late Model Heats and the "Go Hard or Go Home" pole dash for the Lates, Full shows in the Wissota A-Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds, & Street Stocks. Don't miss it!

Hot laps at 6:30 pm Racing at 7:00 pm 
Tickets available at all advance outlets and at the track.


Story: Brian Spieker
Photos: Traci Palya