Jeremy Kerzman Continues Cedar Lake Dominance

The largest field of the season so far converged on the Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday night July 1, as the UMSS Traditional sprint cars returned for the first time since May 13.  A very solid field of 23 Traditional sprints were looking to tune-up before the big Fridayshow in less than a week.  Needing no tune-up whatsoever, Jeremy Kerzman of Gray Eagle continued his domination of non-winged sprint car action at CLS this season when he passed Scott Brandt on lap 18 and went on to record his third victory of the season, all at the popular western Wisconsin dirt oval where Kerzman has turned numerous laps in a variety of race cars over the years.  Just like he did back on May 13, Kerzman won his heat, the dash and the feature for another CLS clean sweep.  In fact, Kerzman has made three appearances at Cedar Lake this season and has yet to lose any race.  On April 22, Kerzman also won his heat and the feature.

With the large turnout, three heat races were run.  It was also a Dash for Cash night.  Heat race winners included Kerzman, Brandt and Anna Hippe.  Kerzman won the dash.  Drawing front row starting spots for the 25 lap feature was Brad Peterson and Brandt while Mike Mueller and Kerzman would roll off from row two.

The feature wasn’t even one corner old when the first yellow flew for a spin by Jeff Pellersels.  A complete restart was in order.  Brandt blasted to an early lead over Peterson with Mueller in third.  On lap 5 Mueller went to second.  Another spin by Pellersels slowed the pace seven laps into the race.  “Racedoc” later found that a rock had lodged in a brake caliper causing his car to lock up, resulting in the two cautions for spins.  Two laps later Mueller suddenly slowed and pulled to the infield in turn two with what was reported to be a broken rear end in his car resulting in a rare DNF for him.  Moments later, Cam Schafer spun sideways in turn two to bring out the third and final caution.  Kerzman was up to second following the restart and began to figure out how to get by Brandt.  On lap 18, Kerzman drove around Brandt for the lead and eventual victory.  Kerzman typically runs the high side at CLS, and tonight was no different as he continued his mastery of the 3/8th mile high-banked oval.  Brandt held off Johnny Parsons III for second.  Behind Parsons was Anna Hippe with her second straight fourth place finish and Peterson.  Rounding out the top ten was 15th starter Ty Sampair, Bryan Roach, Jimmy Kouba, Neal Matuska and Jon Lewerer.  Twenty one cars started the feature with fifteen still running at the end.  And at the end of the racing program, Cedar Lake put on their usual outstanding fireworks display to cap off a great evening at the races.

The Traditional sprints now get ready for their largest paying event in the history of the series when they return to the Cedar Lake Speedway on Friday evening July 7 for the running of the 25th Annual Earl & Ethel Kouba Memorial race paying $1,025 to win.  The race, in conjunction with the hugely popular World of Outlaws weekend features a purse in excess of $6,500.  Previous Traditional sprint car winners of the Earl & Ethel Kouba Memorial races include Mike Mueller, Chase Viebrock, Rob Caho Jr, and Jeremy Kerzman.  Will Kerzman continue his winning ways this coming Friday or will a new winner emerge from what is sure to be a strong field of cars for this extremely popular and prestigious event.  Keep tabs on all of the UMSS Traditional sprint car action by visiting our website at www.umsprints.comand clicking on the blue logo or by following us on Facebook.

UMSS TSCS Race Results – Cedar Lake Speedway July 1, 2017 (Race #10)

A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 3K-Jeremy Kerzman, [4]; 2. 7-Scott Brandt, [2]; 3. 12-Johnny Parsons III, [7]; 4. 16-Anna Hippe, [6]; 5. 93-Brad Peterson, [1]; 6. N1-Ty Sampair, [15]; 7. 99-Bryan Roach, [10]; 8. 2K-Jimmy Kouba, [9]; 9. 48-Neal Matuska, [12]; 10. 69S-Jon Lewerer, [11]; 11. 34-Denny Stordahl, [13]; 12. 29-Hunter Custer, [16]; 13. 15E-Caley Emerson, [19]; 14. 33C-Cody Emmans, [21]; 15. 95-Trevor Redding, [20]; 16. (DNF) 14-Cam Schafer, [14]; 17. (DNF) 6-Jake Kouba, [5]; 18. (DNF) 87-Mike Mueller, [3]; 19. (DNF) 24-Brian VanMeveren, [17]; 20. (DNF) 12X-Blake Anderson, [8]; 21. (DNF) 22-Jeff Pellersels, [18]; (DNS) 6L-Joe Lallier, ; (DNS) 90-Tony Klose,
Lap Leaders: Brandt 1-17, Kerzman 18-25. Cautions: (3) yellows. First caution on opening lap for 22 spin turn 1. Second caution with 7 laps scored for 22 spin turn 3. Final caution for 14 spin turn 2 with 9 laps scored. Note: 22 found rock lodged in brake caliper causing car to lock up, resulting in the two cautions for spins.

Dash 1 (6 Laps): 1. 3K-Jeremy Kerzman, [1]; 2. 12-Johnny Parsons III, [5]; 3. 93-Brad Peterson, [2]; 4. 16-Anna Hippe, [3]; 5. 7-Scott Brandt, [6]; 6. 6-Jake Kouba, [4]
Lap Leader: Kerzman 1-6. No cautions.

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 7-Scott Brandt, [3]; 2. 12-Johnny Parsons III, [1]; 3. 87-Mike Mueller, [7]; 4. 69S-Jon Lewerer, [4]; 5. 34-Denny Stordahl, [6]; 6. 29-Hunter Custer, [5]; 7. (DNF) 6L-Joe Lallier, [2]; (DNS) 90-Tony Klose,
Lap Leaders: Parsons 1-4, Brandt 5-10. Cautions: (1) yellow for debris turn 1 with 4 laps completed. 90 scratched for the night after hot laps with engine issue.

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 3K-Jeremy Kerzman, [6]; 2. 93-Brad Peterson, [7]; 3. 2K-Jimmy Kouba, [3]; 4. 48-Neal Matuska, [4]; 5. N1-Ty Sampair, [2]; 6. 22-Jeff Pellersels, [1]; 7. 15E-Caley Emerson, [5]; 8. 33C-Cody Emmans, [8]
Lap Leaders: Pellersels 1-3, Kerzman 4-10. Cautions: (1) yellow for N1 spin turn 3 with 1 lap scored.

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 16-Anna Hippe, [1]; 2. 6-Jake Kouba, [4]; 3. 99-Bryan Roach, [3]; 4. 12X-Blake Anderson, [6]; 5. 14-Cam Schafer, [5]; 6. 24-Brian VanMeveren, [2]; 7. 95-Trevor Redding, [7]
Lap Leader: Hippe 1-10. Cautions: (1) yellow for 24 spin turn 4 with 3 laps scored.

Rock Auto Victory Lane photo courtesy of Matt Bohl.