Viking Speedway: Brady Gerdes holds off field of 27 drivers in Modified feature

By Eric Morken

July 10, 2022 at 10:06 AM

ALEXANDRIA — Villard driver Brady Gerdes felt like he and his team had a car that was ready to rack up some wins as they enter the midway point of the summer season at Viking Speedway. He just needed a little bit of luck to turn after taking third in the July 2 Modified feature in Alexandria.

Gerdes was leading on the last lap of that race before an electrical problem caused his car to lose power. He finished third as Brandon’s Dustin Bitzan took first.

On Saturday during the Advantage RV Modified Tour and Fallen Lineman Special Night at Viking Speedway, it was Gerdes who took first and Bitzan who came in third in the Modified feature that started with 27 drivers. Don Eischens of Richmond finished second.

It was the first feature win of the season in Alexandria for Gerdes and his seventh top-five finish in as many starts. He jumped ahead of Bitzan in the season point standings by eight points. Bitzan has also finished in the top five of all seven features this season.

Taylor Bitzan of Brandon won the Midwest Modifieds feature, while Hoffman’s Brendan Blascyk was second and Travis Saurer of Elizabeth finished third.

Dent’s Ryan Satter won the 13-car Street Stock feature. Roger Berkness of Eagle Bend was second, and Jason Thimmesh of Garfield finished third.

Rice’s Shane Sabraski won the Super Stock feature ahead of Alexandria’s Jeff Crouse in second place in a field of 12 drivers. Dalton’s Trevor Saurer was third.

David Wahl of Fergus Falls rounded out the feature winners by taking the Short Trackers feature. Barrett’s Jeff Hanson finished second and Donnelly’s Tristan Raths finished third.

The Viking Speedway’s next race night is set for July 23.

TOP-THREE VIKING SPEEDWAY POINT LEADERS (As of July 9, 2022): MIDWEST MODIFIEDS - Brendan Blascyk, Hoffman - 703; Travis Saurer, Elizabeth - 698; Shawn Olson, Alexandria - 685

STREET STOCK - Ryan Satter, Dent - 736; Jason Thimmesh, Garfield - 647; JJ Nieuwbeerta, Alexandria - 626

SUPER STOCKS - Trevor Saurer, Dalton - 750; Matt Miller, Glenwood - 723; Karter Reents, Glenwood - 678

MODIFIEDS - Brady Gerdes, Villard - 727; Dustin Bitzan, Brandon - 719; Travis Saurer, Elizabeth - 672

SHORT TRACKERS - David Wahl, Fergus Falls - 721; Kevin Wahl, Fergus Falls - 688; Tristan Raths, Donnelly - 683

By Eric Morken

Eric Morken is a sports and outdoor editor at the Echo Press Newspaper in Alexandria, Minnesota, a property of the Forum News Service. Morken covers a variety of stories throughout the Douglas County area, as well as statewide outdoor issues.

Viking Speedway: Brady Gerdes holds off field of 27 drivers in Modified feature

The Villard driver said he needed some luck to swing his way after the July 2 races when his first win of the season slipped away on the last lap. Everything came together a week later as Gerdes won the main event during the Advantage RV Modified Tour and Fallen Lineman Special Night.