August 8, 2020 - Elko, MN
By Jason D Searcy
Opening night for the 55th season of racing at Elko Speedway finally occurred Saturday night August 8th after being delayed by over two months due to the Minnesota restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. The racetrack implemented numerous safety restrictions to provide a safe place for families to enjoy the races in a socially distanced environment.
The first NASCAR Late Model feature winner of 2020 was #19 Michael Haggar from Hanover (MN), he took the lead right from the start and led all of the 25 lap feature event. Chad Walen #52 finished second 1.583 seconds behind, he was followed by #21 Adam Bendzick, #72 Jacob Goede was fourth and #23 Steve Schultz finished fifth of fourteen cars entered. Haggar is one of the very few drivers who wins races on both dirt and asphalt, he also races a Mod 4 car on dirt tracks in Central Minnesota.
The second Late Model feature in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Hometrack series was won by six time defending ELKO Champion and NASCAR National Division I Champion #72 Jacob Goede from Carver (MN). Goede was also the fast qualifier on the night with a time of 14.55 seconds, just 0.002 seconds faster than #3 Chris Marek for the top spot. New father Ryan Varner #31 raced side by side with #50 Steve Anderson Jr for nearly 10 laps until he established the lead, long time touring series star #75 Joel Thiesen then grabbed the lead on lap 15 until Goede, who started 9th, ran him down for the top spot on lap 19 of 25 and held on for the win. Veteran driver Chad Walen #52 was runner up 0.539 seconds behind, #75 Joel Theisen third, #3 Chris Marek fourth and #29 Andrew Schultz fifth.
The newest division at ELKO is the WISSOTA sanctioned Midwest Modifieds and they have attracted the attention of Minnesota race fans with their sleek look and aggressive style. Thunder Car legend Brent Kane #99 from Lonsdale (MN) swept the night with wins in both the semi-feature and the 15 lap Main event. It was career win #115 for Kane who beat #81 Bryan Syer-Keske by 0.68 at the line, #100 Aaron Marthaler was third, #25 Eric Campbell fourth and #27 Curt Barfknect did not start with mechanical problems. This is a growing division at ELKO with numerous cars in the process of being built.
The first Thunder Car event was led by #92 Norm Grabinger who held the lead until a caution on lap 15 of 20, Defending Champion #3 Conrad Jorgenson from Lakeville (MN) took the top spot after the restart and then won by 0.888 over Grabinger. Adam Wiebusch #9 finished third followed by #10 Dusty Mann and #37 Bryce Blohm was fifth of the 12 cars entered in the race. It was the 148th feature win for Conrad Jorgenson in his incredible career.
The second Thunder Car feature saw #75 Keith Paulsrud take the early lead until fast qualifier #37 Bryce Blohm passed him on the high side on lap 9 of 20, Blohm was pressured by #10 Dusty Mann a few laps later but pressed on for the win by 2.241 seconds over #3 Conrad Jorgenson who was awarded second after Mann was disqualified in post-race inspection. Paulsrud finished third, #32 Jeremy Wolff fourth and #9 Adam Wiebeusch fifth. The fast time in qualifying for Blohm was 15.845 edging Wolff by 0.053 seconds.
The INEX Great North Legends had a big field of 18 cars race Saturday night for the 2020 opener at Elko Speedway. Legendary driver #13 Tim Brockhouse from Shakopee (MN) was the fast qualifier of the night with a time of 15.61 edging #75 Baiden Heskett by 0.191 seconds, Brockhouse took the lead from #16 Matt Allen in the first twenty lap feature on lap three and never looked back. Brockhouse won the 206th trophy of his career by holding off Allen by 0.284 seconds at the line. Heskett finished third followed by #71 Jon Lemke and #2 Rob Thurston.
The second 20 lap main event had #19 Mike Hanson take the early lead until #03 Robby Carter grabbed the lead on lap two. The caution came out on lap 9 and then fourth row starter #16 Matt Allen from Chanhassen (MN) challenged for the lead, Allen finally took the lead on lap 13 and fought off the many challenges of Carter to win by 0.23 seconds. It was his first win in over four years and great timing for Matt Allen who is a college student studying finance at Boston College and returning out East next week. Robby Carter finished second followed by #71 Jon Lemke, #75 Baiden Heskett and #13 Tim Brockhouse.
The Power Stocks had defending Champion #88 Nick Oxborough score the fast time in qualifying with a 16.952 edging #83 Julie Jorgenson by 0.058 seconds.
Joe Prusak #66 from Clayton (WI) started on the pole position for the first 20 lap main event, he took the lead off the start and never gave it up even though he battled side by side with #8 Taylor Goldman early in the race and later door to door with #88 Nick Oxborough, he won by 0.363 seconds at the finish line. It was the 199th win of his long and storied career for Prusak, Oxborough was second followed by Goldman, #08 Michael Stoer was fourth and #27 Darin Patnode fifth of the 13 cars entered.
The second Power Stock feature had newcomer #5 Ben Behne take the lead on lap one and then #83 Julie Jorgenson from Lakeville (MN) shot out to the top spot and never looked back. Jorgenson won the 20 lap race by 0.750 seconds over #8 Michael Stoer, #88 Nick Oxborough was third followed by #8 Taylor Goldman and #66 Joe Prusak.
The first INEX sanctioned Bandolero feature was delayed because of a brief rain shower and so it took place just after the opening ceremony at Elko Speedway. Josiah Kottschade #70 had the early lead until #12 Aryton Brockhouse slipped by for the lead, #901 Alex Hartwig from Portage (WI) then gathered in the top spot and looked to be cruising for the win. A caution period with two laps to go bunched up the field and again Ayrton Brockhouse skipped to the lead off the start but Hartwig fought back, retook the lead and won by 0.436 over Brockhouse, Josiah Kottschade was third followed by #06 Adam Ratliff and #56 Clayton Dorner.
The second Bando 12 lap feature was held after intermission and the #12 of Ayrton Brockhouse shot out to a big lead early, defending Champion #901 Alex Hartwig weaved his way through the field but could not catch Ayrton Brockhouse who won by 1.838 seconds in this cautionless race. Hartwig was second followed by #06 Adam Ratliff, then #70 Josiah Kottschade and #13 Ayden Brockhouse fifth of the twelve cars entered.
All results are unofficial at this time. Official Results will be posted at ElkoSpeedway.com
The next race at ELKO is Saturday August 15th with all six divisions of cars scheduled to race again, gates open at 5pm, on-track action at 6pm and opening ceremony just before 7pm. Fans are encouraged to order their tickets online at ElkoSpeedway.com or the free Elko racing app, also follow Elko Speedway on social media.
Elko Speedway is a NASCAR sanctioned 3/8th mile asphalt oval race track with stadium seating located just off of I-35, 10 minutes South of Lakeville (MN) in Elko-New Market (MN). Get more information at ElkoSpeedway.com
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