Viking Speedway: Gustin wins Midwest Modified Nationals

Marshalltown, IA ace Ryan Gustin made his first ever appearance at Viking Speedway a memorable one, taking home a $7,000 payday Sunday night at Viking Speedway.

Shane Sabraski held off a late surge from Travis Saurer to score the win in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main, while Dean Larson took top honors in the WISSOTA Mod Four finale.

One of the largest crowds ever witnessed at Viking Speedway congregated once again for day two of the 7th annual "Minnesota Modified Nationals" held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

With 28 Midwest Modifieds yet to qualify for the 30-lap, $2,000 to win Midwest Modified A-main, two B-mains were held to lock in the final eight competitors.

The final qualifying event of the weekend belonged to the WISSOTA Modifieds with 18 drivers making the call for the 20-lap last chance qualifier.

With all the qualifying events in the books, the WISSOTA Mod Fours took to the speedway with 12 cars making the call.

After the first two circuits, the track began to clear off, with Dean Larson taking the lead.

Dustin Zieske moved into the second spot before the midway point of the race, drawing closer and closer to Larson as the laps clicked off the board.

With two laps remaining, Larson and Zieske caught up to some of the heavy lap traffic. Larson, however, made few mistakes taking the win over Zieske.

The best race of the weekend proved to be the $1,000 to win WISSOTA Modified Non-qualifiers race.

Alexandria's own Dwayne Clarke checked out early on and looked as if he had the race in hand, despite the fact that Dave Schroeder and Jamie Trautner had other ideas.

A mid-race caution put Schroeder and Trautner on the rear bumper of Clarke for a Delaware double-file start.

On the restart, Schroeder jumped to the lead momentarily before Trautner blasted back on the topside, taking the lead. The duo raced side by side for the remainder of the race, with Schroeder making a last lap pass for the win coming off of turn four.

Shane Sabraski took the early lead on lap one of the WISSOTA Midwest Modified A-main. Sabraski looked smooth out front and was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap.

Saurer and VandeKamp battled side by side for the second spot behind Sabraski, while Shawn Nolan raced in fourth. In the end, it was Sabraski taking the $2,000 payday. Saurer, Houle, Estey and VandeKamp all turned in top five performances.

Ryan Gustin and Craig Thatcher brought the 25-car field to the green flag for the Minnesota Modified Nationals feature.

The front row duo was locked in an early battle and it was nearly impossible to determine the lap one leader. Thatcher climbed the hill on lap two and grabbed the lead as the field battled side by side from front to back.

As the race wore on, Gustin became quicker and quicker, taking the lead on lap 14.

In the end it was all Gustin taking his first career Minnesota Modified Nationals Title.

Skytland, Cain, Estey, Thatcher, Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Chase Junghans, Ryan Aho, and Jason Grimes rounded out the top 10 in one of the most star-studded fields you will ever see. _

Thatcher and Lee victorious on night one

Knapp, WI legend Craig Thatcher outlasted Ryan Gustin taking top honors in the 25-lap WISSOTA Modified Qualifying Feature Saturday night.

Starbuck driver Cody Lee scored his first ever WISSOTA Super Stock victory while Shane Sabraski reigned victorious in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified Qualifying A-main.

For complete results and full stories regarding Viking Speedway, log onto the track's website at www.vikingspeedway.net.

SUNDAY RACING RESULTS

WISSOTA MODIFIEDS

Feature - Ryan Gustin, Cody Skytland, Dave Cain, Kelly Estey, Craig Thatcher, Scot Danzeisen, Jason Thoennes, Chase Junghans, Ryan Aho, Jason Grimes, Dallas Gulbrandson, Travis Saurer, Shane Sabraski, Josh Thoennes, Kyle Koehntop, Luke Dykstra, Dale Mathison, Jeremy Houle, Curt Lund, Dave Schroeder, Darrell Nelson, Rick Jacobson, Terry Engebretson, Jason Miller, Kyle Wieberdink.

WISSOTA MIDWEST MODIFIEDS

Feature - Shane Sabraski, Travis Saurer, Steve Houle, Skeeter Estey, Jason VandeKamp, Chris Mensen, Shawn Nolan, Brian Haben, William Lund, George Dalbeck, Levi Arneson, Matt Weisman, Denis Czech, Phil Braun, Josh Larsen, Andrew Nelson, Darrin Braaten, Jason Hoffman, Travis Vanderby, Brady Gerdes, Randy Laage, Troy Berends, Matt Suckow, Josh Muzik, Derek Quinn.

WISSOTA MOD FOURS

Feature - Dean Larson, Dustin Zieske, Josh Abrahamson, Justin Smith, Tyler Larson, Tom Silver, Ryan Buer, Brandon Linquist, Dustin Holquist, Dwight Gilyard, Chad Funt, Corey Nehk.

SATURDAY RACING RESULTS

WISSOTA MODIFIEDS

Qualifying Feature - Craig Thatcher, Ryan Gustin, Jason Grimes, Dave Cain, Jason Thoennes, Rick Jacobson, Ryan Aho, Cody Skytland, Kyle Koehntop, Darrell Nelson, Josh Thoennes, Shane Sabraski, Dallas Gulbrandson, Dale Mathison, Kyle Wieberdink, Jeremy Houle.

WISSOTA SUPER STOCKS

Feature - Cody Lee, Shane Sabraski, Jeff Crouse, Scott Brown, Jeremy Jerve, Larry Lund, Matt Miller, Jeff Flaten, Mike Peterson, Jon Stepan, Alan Johnson, Jeff Kluver, Ashley Donald, Derrick Lemke, Dusty Peterson, Terry Merten.

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