There was action abound Saturday night at the Emo Speedway thanks to the track prep team who produced an amazing race track, with multiple grooves and side by side racing all night long. From the drop of the first green flag to the final checkered one, there was always a battle to watch, whether it be for first or last place. Saturday night provided the last chance for drivers and teams to prepare for challengers from other race tracks before the big money is on the line in the Rea Memorial this weekend and on Championship night on August 27.
As the Emo Street Stocks took to the track for the first heat, things remained calm. By mid-way, the field began to spread out in the same order they started with the #33 of Garett Gamsby holding onto first, the #55 of Tylar Wilson maintaining second and the rookie in the #38, Steve Bryere bringing home the third position. In the second heat race, things picked up. In the first few laps the #80 of Darren Derendorf almost spun out in the fourth turn but was able gather the car up through the infield and return to racing at the back of the back. As Derendorf spun, A.J. Kellar in the #54X was able to race up beside the #3X of Lyle Thompson who battled for a whole lap until Kellar was able to slide in front and take command of the field. Towards the rear of the field Derendorf was trying to make a comeback, battling with the #57 of Darrin Rea, until Derendorf cut the corner short and pushed one of the infield tires halfway down the straightaway, causing the first caution of the night. On the restart, Kellar was able to hold off the field for the win, while Rea and Derendorf battled for fourth all the way to the finish line.
In the feature race, the drivers got a chance to scout the track with a short three-lap run before the first caution for a spin by the #80. With the field quickly re-racked, the battle began again with the #18 of Abe Germain and Bruyere and Gamsby and the #54 of Dean Kellar racing door-to-door, two rows deep for multiple laps. As they battled, Wilson made a move in turn three and was able to gain the lead from Thompson. But just as the lead changed, Bruyere and Dean Kellar touched and spun in turn three, causing the second caution. On the restart, while Thompson and Wilson battled for the lead, it opened the door for A.J. to stick his nose in and eventually take second place from Thompson. As the laps began to dwindle, the caution came out one last time as the #28 of Doug Derendorf spun in turn two and was hit broadside by Bruyere who had nowhere to go. As the field returned to action there was only a couple laps left. Gamsby gave it one last shot into turn three and was able to start racing A.J. and Wilson side by side, and the three drivers traded positions until the checkered flew where Gamsby was able to finish on top.
Top 3
- #33 Garett Gamsby
- #55 Tylar Wilson
- #54X A.J. Kellar
The Wissota Midwest Modifieds started the night out similar to the streeters with a caution free first heat race. The race wasn’t without its action as the 4B of Brandon Rehill and the #21 of Wyatt Boyum battled for first through the entire race. By the midway point of the race, the #25 of Jaxon Strachan found his way over the burm in turn two, but was able to keep the car going and prevent a caution. On the other end of the track a couple laps later, the #3X of Jesse Thompson did the same thing but was also able to continue without a caution. As the checkered flag flew, Rehill was able to use his season-long knowledge of the track to take the win. In the second heat race the #70 of David Simpson was able to use his pole position to hold a lead over the field all race long, but despite his win the car was smoking towards the end of the race. By the mid-way point of the race the caution came out for the #16 slowing though turns one and two and coming to a stop on the backstretch. As the action resumed, Simpson pulled away to secure his win while the #59X of James Lambert came home second. In the feature race the #14C of Cody Ossachuk proved he had a car to beat as he took the lead coming through the first turns but the first caution came out early as Paull slowed coming down the backstretch, limping his car to the pits. On the restart, Boyum and Rehill continued their push towards the front of the field with Boyum claiming second and Rehill claiming third. The next caution flew as Lambert rejoined the track on the backstretch in front of a few other cars, but everyone was able to continue unscathed. There were only a few laps until the caution came out one last time as Lambert spun in turn two with the #24 of Cory Randle spinning to miss. On the final restart, Boyum was able to hold off all challengers and claim his second victory of the season.
Top 3
- #21 Wyatt Boyum
- #4B Brandon Rehill
- #14C Cody Ossachuk
As the Wissota Modifieds took to the track in the first heat race, the ever-changing track surface gave trouble to the likes of Mike Wilson in the #06 and Denny Trimble in the 66X, who both spun out throughout the race, eventually bringing out three cautions. On the second restart, the #50 of Brady Caul worked his way up to the fourth position behind the #88 of Tanner Williamson, #12 of Tony Cassie, and the #99 of Brody Strachan. As the laps wore on, Caul looked to have the strongest car slowly working his way up to the first position with Williamson staying close behind until the final caution flag flew. On the restart, Caul’s car hooked up and he sped away from the rest of the field to claim the victory. In the second heat race the rookie in the #4A, Dawson Allen used his pole position to put together a great run, holding the field of top drivers at bay for nearly half the race. Starting from the back row, the #85 of Jeff Davis began slicing and dicing his way through the field with the #44 of Tyler Brown following close behind. At the midway point of the race Davis made the low line work and slipped past Allen with Brown following through on the backstretch. Once taking the lead there was no stopping Davis as he claimed the heat race win.
In the feature race, the action slowed on the second lap as five cars made contact and began to spin down the backstretch. All cars were able to continue, even though Williamson had to pull into the hot pit for a quick tire replacement. As the race resumed, Strachan was able to get a good start and build a small lead while Davis was turning his sixth place start into a second place run. Meanwhile Caul – who had lost some ground on the initial start – entered the conversation as the three drivers battled for first place for several laps, each switching lanes trying to gain an advantage. While the laps ticked by, some of the cars damaged in the initial wreck began to pull off into the pits to prevent more damage. As the final caution came out, it gave one last chance for Caul and Strachan to take a shot at Davis. But soon after the green flag, Strachan joined the rest of the drivers looking to salvage their cars over a finish. Davis was able to hold the field off one last time, leading to his second feature win of the season.
Top 3
- #85 Jeff Davis
- #50 Brady Caul
- #4JR Cameron Brown
The Borderland Racing Association would like to say thank you to this week’s sponsors Baker Graphics and Selective Services and all of the other sponsors who help keep all of the facilities around the track open. The Borderland Racing Association would like to also say thank you to all of the fans who were able to join in on the action Saturday night and to any other fans out there – if it wasn’t for you, there would be no show for the drivers to put on! Finally, thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work all week long to make sure the track is ready for the fans and drivers. If you want to skip the line this weekend there will be pre-sale tickets available at the grandstand entrance between 2 and 4 pm with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. The action continues this Friday August 19th and Saturday August 20th with Hot Laps at 6 p.m. and races starting at 6:30 p.m.
