Another season in the books
Wissota B-Modified driver Jim Morlock wrapped up the season points championship at the Geographical Center Speedway (GCS) just by starting the final feature race of the year on July 23 in Rugby.
Good thing, too, because the Pettibone driver barely made it 50 feet down the front straightaway before getting knocked out of the race.
A spin-out occurred moments after the green flag fell, and Morlock, who was in the middle of the pack, got the worst of it, banging up the left and rear of his No. 97 car. He had to be towed off the track and watched the race from the pits.
After about a 10-minute delay, the race resumed, but not for long. The second caution flag came out when a pair of cars bumped on turn two. That was a sign of things to come as the 20-lap feature race had six cautions and several bumps and rubs between cars.
Minot’s Jeff Hooker took control of the race early, and needed to hold off Bottineau’s Shawn Nostdahl at the end to claim the final feature of the season. Lance Schill of Langdon finished third.
Devils Lake’s Jason Halverson, who was runner-up to Morlock in the season points race, also was knocked out of the race early.
A crowed estimated at about 250 turned out on a balmy Thursday night to see the close of the 22nd season of racing at the GCS.
Dosch wins final IMCA Stocks race – again
There is something about Championship Night that brings out the best in IMCA Stocks driver Tyler Dosch, of Rugby.
Dosch led from start to finish to claim his one, and only feature win of the season on his home track. That’s just what happened last year for the No. 99 car.
“Why I have to wait until the end to get a win, I don’t know,’ said Dosch afterward. “I’ll take it, though.”
He led by four or five car lengths over a majority of the 20 lap feature, but season points champion Kelly Henderson of Minot made it interesting in the final few laps. Henderson appeared to nose ahead of Dosch momentarily with one lap to go, but Dosch was able to get to the bottom of the track around turn one first, and hang on for victory.
“Kelly is such a tough, clean competitor,’ Dosch said. “We bumped a little (in that last lap), but I was able to hold my groove.”
Tim McCloud finished third in the feature. Justin Striefel was runner-up to Henderson in the points standings.
Fritel wins Sports Stock title
Sports Stocks driver Brad Fritel already had his first track championship title sewn up, but the Rugby driver made a serious charge to win his third feature of the season. Fritel moved up from the back of the pack, but had to settle for third in the season finale.
Devils Lake’s Kyle Arends finally found victory lane, holding off Westhope’s Mike LeMay in the 15-lap feature. LeMay was bidding for his second feature on the season.
Notes: The Rugby Racing Associations has set Oct. 9 as the date of the GCS awards banquet. It will occur at the Eagles and season points titles will be presented at that time…Three Hornet class racers from Devils Lake came over to race on Championship Night…Rugby veteran driver Derek Bush used intermission to run a few hot laps of his Late Model which he will race in Dickinson and Williston later this summer.