By Ed Reichert

Rice Lake WI, May 25- Dan Bargender, a second year Late Model driver from Chippewa Falls Wisconsin, got the jump at the start of the Swant Graber 30 and then led all laps as he took home the two thousand dollar top prize to top the WISSOTA Late Model special Saturday night at the Rice Lake Speedway.

Once he took the lead, Bargender, who has had limited experience here running both a Late Model and a Modified before that, would prove to be the class of the field as he pulled away from the pack and ran unchallenged for most of the contest.

Sixteen drivers would take the green flag for the event, which was cut in laps due to the threat of impending weather, and the first two attempts to get the race started resulted in quick yellow flags, as spins by drivers stopped the action twice before a single lap could be scored.

The third time was the charm and this time, instead of James Giossi getting the jump as he had on the first two attempts, it would be Bargender who got the initial surge on the low side of the track to take the early lead with Giossi and Lance Hofer close behind.

And this time, instead of quick yellows, the drivers would instead lay down twenty consecutive laps of green flag racing. Bargender built a six car length advantage over Giossi with Hofer close behind. Behind those three, Rick Hanestad fought off challenges from John Kaanta and Cory Crapser as those three continued to battle for position.

The halfway point of the race found the top five in that same order, however a charging Dave Flynn had moved in to challenge Kaanta for fifth after Kaanta had fought off challenges from Crapser earlier.

The final yellow of the race flew as Flynn, in an effort to move past Kaanta for fifth, got into him in turn three, spinning Kaanta and sending himself to the pits with a flat tire. Kaanta was able to restart the event and given his position back.

A ten lap sprint to the finish saw Bargender pull away once again from Giossi who was being challenged hard for second by Hofer, who was having an impressive run of his own. Bargender was too strong for the rest of the field, however, and he would pull away once again as he offered no chance for the competition to challenge him.

The win for Bargender was his first in a Late Model at Rice Lake and the two thoussand dollar top prize was likely the largest paycheck he has taken home since joining this class in 2023. Giossi finished up a strong run of his own, holding off an equally impressive run by Late Model rookie Hofer to complete the top three. Hanestad and Kaanta, in his wounded machine, finished up the top five. Eleven drivers completed the thirty lap distance and all were on the lead lap at the finish. Bargender and Giossi were the heat race winners.

The WISSOTA Late Models are scheduled to return to the speedway on Saturday night, July 27^th as they make their second and final appearance at the speedway for 2024. 

5/25/2024
RICE LAKE SPEEDWAY

Results

17 entries

WISSOTA LATE MODEL

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Structural Buildings A Feature 1 (30 Laps): 1. 10-Daniel Bargender[1]; 2. 11G-James Giossi[2]; 3. 11-Lance Hofer[3]; 4. 71H-Rick Hanestad[5]; 5. 85-John Kaanta[4]; 6. 07-Cory Crapser[10]; 7. 19-Steve Laursen[14]; 8. 57-Lance Matthees[9]; 9. 71JR-Buddy Hanestad[7]; 10. 68-Mike Prochnow[6]; 11. 7C-Jim Carlson[8]; 12. (DNF) 55-Chad Mahder[11]; 13. (DNF) 29F-Dave Flynn[12]; 14. (DNF) 35X-Parker Foster[16]; 15. (DNF) 7X-Jesse Glenz[17]; 16. (DNF) 23-Steve Vizer[15]; 17. (DNS) 1-Lukas Koski

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 11G-James Giossi[2]; 2. 71H-Rick Hanestad[1]; 3. 11-Lance Hofer[8]; 4. 7C-Jim Carlson[3]; 5. 57-Lance Matthees[4]; 6. 55-Chad Mahder[7]; 7. 1-Lukas Koski[5]; 8. (DNF) 23-Steve Vizer[9]; 9. (DNF) 7X-Jesse Glenz[6]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 10-Daniel Bargender[3]; 2. 68-Mike Prochnow[1]; 3. 85-John Kaanta[6]; 4. 71JR-Buddy Hanestad[5]; 5. 07-Cory Crapser[4]; 6. 29F-Dave Flynn[7]; 7. (DNF) 19-Steve Laursen[2]; 8. (DNF) 35X-Parker Foster[8]