Anthony Leek
Another beautiful evening was on hand at the Emo Speedway on Saturday night as the fifth-annual Mid-season Shootout took place with the Amsoil Dirt Track Racing Series in three classes.
For the first time this year, the cars were required to pack the track due to excess moisture. It would be the precursor to some excellent action on the racetrack throughout the entire night.
In the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, a total of 16 cars entered the facility to chase for the Mid-Season trophy. They were split into three heats with Chuck Lambert winning heat one, Brady Caul taking heat two and Dwayne Pihulak winning heat three.
The feature was a tight race even though it looked like Dwayne Pihulak was going to win it all by taking an early lead against a fast field. As everyone else seemingly fought for position, Pihulak was in a world of his own for much of the race.
But there was one individual that was really moving to the front. Brady Caul had flown into second spot as a caution was brought out due to an odd-looking wreck involving a sideways Anthony Visser, an in-the-air Tridell Champlin, and Ken Anderson underneath the rear-end of Champlin.
After the clean up, the race was on for the front row. Pihulak and Caul raced side-by-side while fans were on the edge of their seat. Coming to the white flag, Caul was able to get a head of Pihulak, but going into turn one he lost some control and went sideways, almost losing it all.
Pihulak was able to get around the top but Caul had saved his car and kept abreast of Pihulak. In turn three, it looked like Pihulak was going to lose it a bit. At the checkered flag, Caul would win by a tire. In an interview, Caul surely thought he was going to get hit by Pihulak when he went sideways in turn one.
In the Street Stocks, a total of 11 cars split into two heats competed for their shootout trophy. In the first heat, Scott Messner won over Daniel Hettinga and Tylar Wilson.
In the second heat, Don Bowman took top honours over Wes Morriseau and Chris Shine. The feature also proved to be exciting as Scott Messner had to start from eighth spot due to the point average. Daniel Hettinga started second and took the lead over Wes Morriseau after a lap or so. As Messner moved through the field, Hettinga gained a substantial lead over the other 10 cars.
The race went caution free and with only a few laps remaining, with lap traffic coming around Messner took the point. On the final lap, three cars were three wide on the backstretch leaving Messner to be patient. Not knowing how far away Hettinga was, Messner was smooth and calm getting around the traffic to win it.
The WISSOTA Modifieds had a thriller-and-a-half in their feature event. Throughout much of the season, Greg Ferris has been the guy to catch, only missing one win, and many of the drivers knew it was going to be difficult to hold him back.
Due to Ferris’ high point average and seventh-place start, it would require him to move through a tough pack. Glen Strachan took an early lead over Dwayne Pelepetz who seemed to have a hard time to get going at the start of the race. Strachan pulled away from the field. However, Ferris was storming through.
An exciting battle between Chad Jonson and Ferris took place for second spot. The side by side racing allowed Strachan to stay a safe distance ahead. It wouldn’t be enough, as Ferris was finally able to get past for second spot. The entire crowd was tense with excitement as Ferris would be faster going into the corners, but not enough momentum exiting the corners. Side by side action took place for some laps, but a steadfast and triumphant Strachan captured his first win of the season and the honour of Mid-Season Champion.
Heat winners were Greg Ferris and Dwayne Pihulak.
This weekend is the penny table auction and more action in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, WISSOTA Modifieds, and Street Stocks! Hot laps at 7 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.
Check out www.borderlandracing.com for more information on the season and the 55th anniversary!
