SANDERS, CRAPSER & DUFFY COLLECT BIG PAYDAY WINS
LUHMANN, RICHARDS, BROM, & BRAUER ALSO WINNERS DURING 6TH ANNUAL RIVERCITY RUMBLE AT MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY
By Dan Bailey
Fountain City, WI (JULY 4th, 2014) – MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY was greatly pleased by the huge turnout for the Fourth of July Spectacular – the 6th Annual Rivercity Rumble. One of the largest crowds in memory packed the grandstands as Rivercity Manufacturing and Machining rewarded competitors and fans alike with HUGE payouts, Trophies, Prizes, & Fun!
Visiting USMTS star Rodney Sanders cleaned the slate with a dominant run to the checkers during the Rivercity Rumble 35 – cashing in on a huge payout for the feature win, while Cory Crapser likewise dominated the Black Horse Bar & Grill USRA B-Mod division with a more than $3100 pay day by winning his heat, the special event Dash For Cash as well as the evening’s Rivercity Rumble 30.
But what really brought fans to their feet was local racer Jon Duffy holding off a persistent challenge from Shane Kisling to win the $1000 Coordinated Business Systems WISSOTA Super Stock feature!
DUFFY DOUBLES UP
For the second time in as many weekends, Winona’s Jon Duffy raced his way to a feature win; this time it was the $1000 to win RIVERCITY RUMBLE 20 for the Coordinated Business Systems WISSOTA Super Stocks at MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY. This win was no easy walk in the park however, the 20-car field was filled with both local talent as well as big-named visitors who were drawn to MTS by the extra money in the purse compliments of title sponsors of the 6th Annual Rivercity Rumble – Rivercity Manufacturing and Machining.
While the ‘box score’ shows Duffy starting on the outside of the front row, what it may fail to convey is the fact that Duffy spent almost the entire 20-lap feature battling second heat race winner Shane Kisling’s #2, the #12 of Pole Sitter Brian Fetting (before Fetting fell by the wayside on lap 16), two-time and defending Track Champion Tommy Richards’ #7R, first heat race winner Dan Nissalke, and Andy Grymala’s #24.
The battle to the win came down to Duffy and Kisling battling the final 16 laps almost entirely side-by-side for the lead. Duffy kept his green and blue #47 wound up on the extreme high groove while Kisling spent a majority of the battle in the lower grooves. But as the checkered flag waived, Duffy had the lead and wrote his name in the Victory Logs by a mere .74 second advantage over Kisling.
SANDERS DOMINATES USRA MODIFIED FEATURE
Rodney Sanders knows how to win races. As the defending USMTS National Champion, the racer from Happy, TX has proven that he can travel the entirety of the United States, show up at any track on any date and be a legitimate threat to keep all others OUT of Victory Lane. So, when his name showed up as one of the very first names in the “Pre-Registered” list of competitors for Friday’s 6th Annual Rivercity Rumble . . . you can imagine the thoughts of resignation which might have gone through the minds of other racers planning on visiting MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY for the high-dollar special.
But, racers, by their very nature, being the type of people who are up for a challenge, there were still more than 30 A-Mod drivers who were ready to attack the track to see if they had what it took to sneak past this Traveling Hot-Shoe and break into MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY’s Victory Lane.
Sander’s first visit to the racing circuit Friday night didn’t quite produce the results he’d wanted; starting on the pole his #20 quickly gave up the lead to fellow USMTS Traveler Tommy Myers, and then had to deal with a rather racy Tom Brink before settling for a second place finish.
But the evening’s feature was all Sanders. Starting fourth, inside of the second row – the starting line-up for this special was three wide, similar to what you’ve seen at the world famous Indianapolis 500, Sanders worked his Swan Energy #20 first past Hank Rollinger, Jr’s #59 before battling third heat race winner, and 2011 MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY Track Champion, Bob Timm for the lead. That battle lasted a grand total of five laps; on lap 6 Sanders was the leader and was never once challenged for the top spot again.
“The track was really fast and the car was perfect for this evening,” said Sanders in Victory Lane, after collecting the win by a three and a half second margin over Timm, “A really big thanks to Rivercity Manufacturing, the track and all of you fans for such a great and fun night.” Behind Timm, fourth heat race winner Brad Waits and second heat race winner Lucas Schott finished third and fourth, respectively, just ahead of Eric Pember’s #89 which completed the top-5.
CRAPSER REPLACES LAST YEARS LOSS WITH THIS YEARS DOMINANCE
One year ago, Chippewa Falls, WI’s Cory Crapser saw his hopes of a Rivercity Rumble win go as flat as his front tire when a lapped car crossed his path and ended his night at the front of the field on lap 20. But this year, Crapser’s dominance was unchallenged and flawless.
Starting in third, from the outside of the front row, Crapser’s #07 surged to the front of the field and instantly began building his lead on the rest of the field. By the time the checkered flag waived 30 laps later, Crapser had lapped half of the 31 car field and amassed a five and a half second lead of the nearest competitor in second.
After winning his heat, the $300 “Dash For Cash” (for winners of the five heat races) and the evening’s feature, Crapser pocketed well over $3100 for his efforts. “I know they worked hard on the track,” complimented Crapser from Victory Lane, “and it showed.” Behind Crapser was defending Track Champion Jacob Bleess who came from sixth to finish second; Jon Van Minsel once again showed his speed, and panache for overcoming obstacles, by turning a 12th place starting spot into a very strong third place finish.
RICHARDS, LUHMANN, BROM, & BRAUER ALSO WIN
Danny Richards added to his win totals by collecting a “clean sweep” Friday night – winning both his heat race and the evening’s 18-lap Jailhouse Saloon WISSOTA Street Stock feature. Richards bettered former Track and National Champion Danny Hanson as well as visitor Mike Blowers to claim the feature win.
One of the highlights of the night’s WISSOTA Street Stock portion of the program was the performance and workmanship displayed by Michael Knudtson. On the opening laps of the very first heat race of the night, Knudtson’s #42K spun sideways in turn 1 and then barrel rolled over and over, before rolling back onto all four tires – only to then catch fire! Knudtson climbed from the car safely and unhurt . . . and many assumed that that was the last they’d see of Knudtson and his now crumpled and charred Street Stock. Not so! As the Street Stock feature rolled out onto the track, there was Knudtson behind the wheel of his #42K starting in the 15th and final spot on the grid.
Not only did Knudtson complete the 18 lap feature, he raced his way through the pack to a very competitive 6th place finish!
Curt Luhmann won 25-lap Liquid Nitro 600 Mod Touring Series feature, building up a three second lead over first heat race winner Don Werner and Andy Bohnstaengel at the checkered flag.
Zach Brom and Braden Brauer won the night’s Sunshine Sanitation A and B Mini Mod feature, respectively, on the 1/10-mile “LIGHTNING SPEEDWAY”!
Racing resumes next Friday night July 11th with another great night of action at MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY as part of $5 Fan Appreciate night! Adults and Seniors get into the grandstands for just $5, with Children 17 and under as well as College Students 23 and under (with Valid Current Student ID) admitted ABSOLUTELY FREE!! The first green flag is scheduled to wave at 6 PM with the Sunshine Sanitation Midwest Mini Mods on the 1/10-mile “LIGHTNING SPEEDWAY” which is located within the infield of MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY. Action on “The Big 1/3 Mile” starts immediately following the 7 PM Opening Ceremonies with on-track competition provided by Rivercity Manufacturing USRA Modifieds, Coordinated Business Systems WISSOTA Super Stocks, Black Horse Bar & Grill USRA B-Mods, Jailhouse Saloon WISSOTA Street Stocks, redbox+ 600 Mods, & Elmer’s Auto Salvage MTS Pure Stocks!
Pit gate & Grandstands Open at 5:00 PM
Family Friendly General Admission Prices continue at: Adults $12, Senior Citizens $10, College Students 23 & under (with current Valid Student ID) and Children 17 & Under are admitted ABSOLUTELY FREE!
MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY is located 3.0 miles north of Fountain City on Wisconsin Highway 35. For more information, call 608-687-3282 or visit www.MississippiThunder.com on the World Wide Web.
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MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY is presenting its 6th season of top-notch dirt track action in Fountain City, WI. The high-banked 1/3 mile dark-clay oval is quickly becoming known as one of the best speedways in the upper Midwest presenting dirt track racing in a fan and family friendly atmosphere every Friday night throughout the racing season.
For all details, continue visiting the MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY web site: www.MississippiThunder.com
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