July 24, 2017 at 2:25 p.m.
Former champs Aho, Kurtti win at Eagle River Speedway
Former champs Aho, Kurtti win at Eagle River Speedway
Jesse Aho of Toivola and Jordan Kurtti of Bruce Crossing claimed checkered flags Friday night in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks, respectively at Eagle River Speedway.
Aho had to get around the current track class point leader, Marcus Dunbar of Wakefield, Michigan. Aho also had a brisk challenge from one of the top racers in WISSOTA's Midwest Modified National Points standings, Shane Halopka of Greenwood. However, it didn't take the five-time defending class champion to get the lead. Aho passed Dunbar on the fifth lap when Dunbar drifted wide in the third turn, and he held on for the win.
When asked if winning the track championship for five straight years ever gets 'old,' Aho responded, "Every year is a blessing just to be out here. We're very fortunate to be able to do what we have done."
However missing last week's show made a quest for a sixth straight title much more difficult for Aho, who trails Marcus Dunbar by 37 points with only six races to go.
Kurtti, who won the WISSOTA Street Stock class championship in 2013 and 2014, grabbed the lead from the drop of the green flag to when the checkered flew. Mondovi's Danny Richards made his debut at the track, but finished behind Kurtti, Dustin White and Ryan Valeria.
Valeria, the defending track champ in the Street Stocks, still holds a commanding 70-point lead in the class.
After getting his maiden WISSOTA Pure Stock feature win in only his fifth career race last Friday, Bruce Crossing, Michigan's, Tom Lannet looked to be in position for a repeat performance. Lannet led for the first 13 laps of the 15 lap race. But, Lannet spun in Turn 3 coming to the white flag. Jake Ison evaded hitting Lannet, took the lead andwent on to get the win.
The feature that had the crowd at the edge of their seat was the 600 Sprint feature, or otherwise known as the 'Family Affair' race.
For the first nine laps, 13-year-old Tommi-Jo Springer was holding off her older brother, 15-year-old Ty Springer, by a few feet. The elder Springer bypassed his younger sister for the lead on the 10th lap, but lead was short lived, as engine problems on the lap 11 took him out of the race and brought out a caution. On the restart, Shiocton's Denver Larson blasted out on the drop of the flag to get the lead and hold on for the win.
After having numerous problems throughout the year, Woodboro's Cory Allen finally set his tires on the Auto Value Victory Lane with his win in the Speedway Trucks feature.
"First I had an intake gasket go bad on me, the following week I had a coil go bad, and then the next race I got hit from behind," Allen explained.
The previous week's feature winner, James Koga, finished second Friday night while current class point leader, Herb Dettman, took third. Ron Vernick won the heat race. Dettman has a narrow 19-point lead over Koga and 23-point lead over Allen.
Allen is credited by his fellow competitors in the class, or what he states, "his friends" for building a class that has quickly become a fan favorite.
"Even after I got hit in a previous race, I called up the racer that hit me. Not to complain but to ask how he has his truck set up and I'll help him set it up so it handles better," stated Allen.
The defending Junior Sprint class champion, Dustin Kangas swept the feature and the heat in that class. Cole Stella of Minocqua still has a 67-point lead over Kangas. Pewaukee's Sarah Zimmerman gave Kangas a challenge and finished second in both races.
Chris Kusek of Fox Lake, Illinois drove his car to the feature win in the Spectator One on One race.
This coming Friday night is Junior Fan Autograph night at Eagle River Speedway. Fans will have the chance to go on the track and meet the drivers, get autographs and pictures with the racers. It will also be another edition of the 'Redneck Games," as it will be the IROC (International Roll Over Championships). The track sets up a concrete ramp which forces the vehicles to roll over.
Hot laps will begin at 7 p.m., with racing at 7:30.
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