Looking back as we look ahead!

The 2011 race season proved to be a great one at the moderately banked ½ mile oval located on the Redwood County Fairgrounds in Redwood Falls, MN. Although racetracks all across the fruited plane have been forced to step up their game because of the struggling economic climate, we have still been treated to great racing and good car counts each and every Sunday night. During the duration of the summer, we witnessed a lot of things as fans and enthusiasts of the sport. Despite the fact that we saw a myriad of familiar faces achieve success just like in years past, we also witnessed the emergence of some young up and coming drivers, as well. As we look ahead to the 2012 season ahead of us, I think it’s safe to say we’ll see more of a changing of the guard in each of our divisions offered at Redwood Speedway.

In the IMCA Sprint Car division, the speedway faithful witnessed Redwood’s own Curt Lund tally his 100^th career IMCA Sprint Car victory joining some elite company in the process. Lund, who holds the record for division wins during the modern era (1989-present) in IMCA with 100, finally eclipsed the century mark after a spirited battle with friend and fellow competitor Leigh Thomas on Sunday, August 28^th (2011). With that triumph, Curt joined National Sprint Car Hall of Famers Jerry Richert Sr, Jimmy Wilburn, Frank Luptow, Emory Collins, Deb Snyder, Pete Folse and Bobby Grim as the only drivers to ever eclipse the century mark in the history of the longest standing sanctioning body in the United States (founded in 1915). Factor into that the success that Lund has enjoyed under the WISSOTA, ASCS and non-sanctioned banners and it’s easy to see why many drivers and fans across the country hold Lund in such high regard. I’m in the process of compiling the information necessary to write a feature story on Curt for the Sprint Car Magazine “Flat Out” which will appear some-time in early spring.

Another driver in the IMCA Sprint Car division that turned in a great season was St. Peter, MN product Brandon Allen. Allen, who raced a very limited schedule at Redwood Speedway in 2010, returned in grand fashion in 2011 tallying three heat race wins and 11 top five finishes in his 15 starts. Because of the consistency displayed by Allen, he finished second in track point standings a mere seven markers behind eventual track champion, Cam Schafer. A driver who is often overlooked in Minnesota Sprint Car racing, Allen scored his first career UMSS Sprint Car victory one year ago at Rice Lake Speedway near Eau Claire, WI. Congrats to Brandon on a very solid season at the big ½ mile!

On the strength of three feature wins and a solid season overall, Glenwood, MN driver Cam Schafer claimed the 2011 Redwood Speedway IMCA Sprint Car Track Championship. Schafer, who raced on a limited basis with the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association (NOSA) in 2010, decided that a move from a 410 to a 360 would be beneficial to his career in 2011. The results were very solid for Schafer as he totaled four feature wins overall between Redwood and Arlington on his way to IMCA National Sprint Car Rookie of the year honors. Look for Schafer to improve even more and be a threat once again during the fast approaching 2012 season.

The IMCA Modified division saw tremendous racing throughout this past season with Sanborn, MN resident Josh Rogotzke scoring his first ever Redwood Speedway Championship (second year driver). Rogotzke proved early on in the season that he’d be a driver to beat when he collected feature wins on consecutive Sundays giving him the point lead near the midway point of the season. During the remainder of the season, Rogotzke kept his nose clean, remained consistent and went on to take the title in the process. As just 20 years of age, it’s safe to say that Josh has a bright future ahead of himself in the sport.

After the passing of his mother (Linda) made it a very emotional start to the season, Tim Pessek proved why he is one the best up and coming Modified drivers in the state by taking home the Minnesota state IMCA Modified point championship. Pessek, who posted two heat race wins and five top finishes at Redwood would likely tell you his favorite memory of the 2011 season came on August 12^th, 2011 at Fairmont Raceway. It was on this night that Pessek would score his first career IMCA Modified feature win ahead of the likes of Todd Stinehart, Troy Swearingen and Josh Ruby. A big congratulation goes out to Pessek on his State Championship as well as his first IMCA Modified feature win!

Although Tyler Limoges had achieved a lot of success in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified division prior to 2011, it was hard for anyone to gauge how he’d fair behind the wheel of a full-blown IMCA Modified. Limoges, however, would prove on opening night at Redwood Speedway that he’d be a car to beat all season long. In one of the best Modified races ever witnessed at Redwood Speedway, Limoges and Brandon Beckendorf traded the lead lap after lap before Limoges was forced to settle for a second place finish behind “Beck.” Limoges would finish second during the first three weeks of action at Redwood while sprinkling in a couple victories at nearby Arlington Raceway in Arlington, MN. In all, Limoges garnered five IMCA Modified feature wins during his rookie campaign, finishing second in Minnesota IMCA State points in the process. Out of the crop of IMCA Modified rookies in the state of Minnesota, Limoges recorded the most feature wins.

Over the course of the summer we witnessed a lot of drivers improve week in and week out. The two drivers that stick out in my mind, however, are the duo of Todd Brockman and Trent Loverude. Brockman, who has had some success at Redwood Speedway in the past, stepped up his game during his 2011 campaign tallying one feature win, one heat race win and four top five finishes. Despite the fact that we’ve seen spurts of greatness from Brockman in the past, this past year proved to be Todd’s most consistent behind the wheel of his #95T machine.

For Loverude, one of four IMCA Modified rookies that competed weekly at Redwood Speedway, the hard work really paid off. Although Trent endured some ups and downs during his first term behind the wheel of an IMCA Modified, he really showed signs of improvement. Because of his improvement and consistency toward the ladder stages of the season Loverude finished seventh in the final Redwood Speedway Point Standings on the strength of two top five and eight top 10’s. Loverude has made some improvements to his program during the offseason that he believes we will help him become even more consistent during the 2012 season.

Another IMCA Modified rookie that made a big splash in 2011 was Franklin, MN’s own, Dan Menk. Menk, who like Limoges, had been one of the strongest WISSOTA Midwest Modified talents in the area prior to 2011, made a smooth transition into the four-barreled division scoring his first win midway through his rookie campaign. Along with racing Redwood weekly, Menk also traveled to Arlington Raceway in Arlington, MN; Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, MN; Jackson Speedway in Jackson, MN and Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, SD. Because of his consistency, Menk finished in a second place tie in Redwood Speedway track points with Limoges. With more seat time it’s pretty safe to say we’ll see more good things from Menk in 2012.

Just like they always do, the IMCA Stock Cars provided some of the best racing week in and week out at Redwood Speedway. Each year it seems the competition level grows bigger and this past season was no different. For the second straight year it was Belle Plaine’s Ken Tietz taking home top honors in one of the most tightly contested battles we’ve witnessed at Redwood Speedway in some time. Tietz and Bob Rebstock battled back and forth all season long with Tietz eventually taking the title on the final night of the season. Ken has proven in the past that he can get it done at a variety of venues and the 2011 season was no different. Along with visiting victory lane at Redwood, Tietz also garnered victories at Chateau Raceway in Lansing, MN; Arlington Raceway in Arlington, MN; Steele County Speedway in Owatonna, MN; and Murray County Speedway in Slayton, MN. Tietz’s ability to adapt to any kind of track conditions has made him one of the best Stock Car players in all of the game.

One of the most consistent drivers we saw on a weekly basis in 2011 was Hamburg, MN driver Dan Mackenthun. Mackenthun, who we also witnessed compete some in an IMCA Modified, tallied nine feature wins overall on his way to the Minnesota state IMCA Stock Car Championship. Mackenthun visited victory lane three times at Chateau Raceway in Lansing, MN, five times at Arlington Raceway in Arlington, MN and once at Redwood Speedway. Preliminary reports tell us that we’ll see more of Mackenthun in a B&B Chassis Modified in 2012 along with the familiar #92 Stock Car we’ve grown accustomed to seeing at Southern Minnesota racetracks for many years. Congrats to Dan on a great season!

The 2011 season also marked the return of Olivia, MN driver Shane Bruns. Shane, who stepped away from the sport for a couple years, returned toward the ladder stages of the season and looked very strong behind the wheel of his #22 machine. With the amount of talented Stock Car drivers that compete at Redwood on a weekly basis it was very impressive to see Shane pick up a feature win in just a limited amount of starts. With his car all assembled and ready to go it will be interesting to see how well Shane does in 2012. One thing is for sure, it was definitely great to have Shane back in the mix this past season. Maybe sometime we can have an “All Bruns” heat race.. J

We also witnessed a bit of history in 2011 when the IMCA Sport Mods joined the program at Redwood Speedway. In the past, the speedway sanctioned their “Limited Modified” class with WISSOTA until the 2010 off-season. The class, which was one of the biggest question marks heading into the season, proved to be great and showcased some of the best racing seen in any division all year long. Former Hobby Stock track Champion Adam Ecker, who picked up four victories (at Redwood) in 2011 made history becoming the Speedway’s first ever Sport Mod track champion. Ecker also claimed the IMCA Sport Mod title at Murray County Speedway in Slayton, MN. I look for car count to remain steady during the fast approaching 2012 season.

During IMCA’s “phase in” period they allowed WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds to race with the IMCA Sport Mods at Redwood if they used the exact combination that they utilized the season prior. One driver who took advantage of the phase in period was Granite Falls, MN hotshoe Tim Ims. Ims, who endured a slow start to the season, caught fire near the midway point and posted four wins himself tying Ecker for the division lead. I haven’t gotten the opportunity to talk with Tim during the off-season but I hope we’ll see him in either the IMCA Sport Mod or IMCA Modified divisions in 2012.

Perhaps the most overlooked driver this past season in the IMCA Sport Mod division was long time veteran Larry Revier. Larry, who has been a steady competitor in the WISSOTA Midwest Modified and IMCA Modified divisions for many years, joined the IMCA Sport Mod class, as well in 2011. When the final points were tallied it was Revier finishing second in Redwood Speedway track point standings garnering five heat race wins and 11 top five finishes in just 16 starts. Revier, who made history in 2010 becoming the final Arlington Raceway WISSOTA Midwest Modified Champion, will be one of the odds on favorites to hoist the title at the big ½ mile in 2012!

To start the season we saw a lot of familiar faces in the IMCA Sport Mod Class with a few exceptions here and there (Danny Myravold, Nick Johansen, and Justin Schuder to name a few). Toward the end of the season, however, we were fortunate enough to have two of Iowa’s finest Sport Mod drivers compete with us on a pretty regular basis. Minnesota IMCA Sport Mod state point Champion Matt Looft (three time Redwood winner) and Emmetsburg, IA product Greg Sidles (picked up a feature win in two visits) each visited victory lane during the second half of the season at the Redhouse. One thing that should make us all optimistic is goings on such as this. If we can attract drivers from Fairmont, Jackson and Slayton along with our regulars who compete with us each and every night, we’ll have some great racing to look forward to heading in to next spring.

Despite the fact we witnessed great seasons from Rod Manthey, Ryan McMullen and Jesse Timm (all three time winners), Dan Veenstra once again put together a solid enough season to pick up his second Outlaw Hobby Stock track championship in as many years. Consistency proved to be the name of the game for Veenstra who posted two feature wins, a heat race win and 12 top five finishes in his 15 Redwood Speedway starts. With the amount of talent in the Outlaw division, it will be interesting to see in Veenstra can three-peat in 2012.

Like the IMCA Sport Mods, the IMCA Hobby Stocks joined the lineup this past season with car counts being a bit on the low side. One thing we have to keep in mind, however, is that you will undoubtedly go through some adversity with a new class when you add one. Over time, however, the class will continue to prosper and grow into a productive one just like the rest of the classes that they share track time with each and every week. Congrats to Wes Jahnz (track champion) and Josh Telecky (IMCA State point Champion) on their respective championships.

The IMCA Sport Compact was division was dominated by Nate Coopman and Aaron Betz. During the course of the season, however, many other drivers stepped up their level of toughness making the second half of the season much more intriguing as a fan. Between Coopman (nine feature wins at RW) and Betz (6 feature wins at RW), they collected all 15 feature wins at the Speedway. Because of the six feature wins and string of top three finishes, Betz held off Coopman by seven points to become the Redwood Speedway Track Champion. Coopman would go on to big things himself being crowned the 2011 IMCA Sport Compact National Champion! A special congrats goes out to Nate, a National Championship in any IMCA sanctioned division is a very large accomplishment!

Look ahead to 2012

As we look ahead to the up-coming season, many things have already taken place. Recently Murray County Speedway in Slayton, MN announced that they will invite the IMCA Modifieds in for eight races during 2012 as a trial period. If it works out for both the drivers and track, we could very likely see more dates added for 2013. Special thanks goes out to the crew at Murray County for giving the area IMCA Modified drivers the opportunity to race a little closer to home on Friday nights.

With Fairmont Raceway under new management and Hancock County Speedway in Britt, IA moving to Friday nights, it will be interesting to see how that affects the racing scene in the southernmost part of the state. Fairmont and Britt have traditionally shared a lot of the same cars so the first few months of the season will definitely tell us how things are going to shake out down in that area. Hopefully each track can have success, the last thing we want to see are tracks closing up.

Just like Slayton made the switch to IMCA a year ago, Nobles County Speedway in Worthington has the made the switch for 2012 (Modifieds). Worthington will look to capitalize on some of the cars that race in Fairmont while hoping that the Modifieds that have frequented their speedway in the past switch their cars from USRA to IMCA. If that happens, Slayton, Fairmont and Worthington all stand to gain a lot from the change in sanctions.

One driver the Redwood Speedway faithful got acquainted with in 2011 was Danube, MN product Justin Bjorklund. Bjorklund, the 2009 WISSOTA Mod Four National Champion, made the jump to the IMCA Modified division this past season. Bjorklund will once again team up with Bryan and Brandon Beckendorf for his 2012 campaign, this time driving a BMS by Mars racecar. Bjorklund enjoyed three third place finishes in limited action at Redwood and will definitely turn some heads this season with more seat time and an upgrade in equipment.

Heading into his second season, Dan Menk also decided it was time to upgrade his equipment. Menk ordered a new J-Car Chassis from Specialty Fabricating in Fargo, ND. Like all new cars I’m sure it will take Dan a few weeks to shake his new machine down but in the long run it will give him the opportunity to be a bit more successful. I think it’s safe to say we’ll see steady improvement from Menk in 2012.

The aforementioned Trent Loverude is very excited for the up-coming season and with good reason. Trent purchased a former Clint Hatlestad owned Harris Chassis that he will pilot next season. There will definitely be a learning curve for Trent in a new car but in the long run it should definitely help his program. With all the young talent, along with the proven veterans, we will undoubtedly see greater racing at the high speed ½ mile in 2012.

Former WISSOTA Mod Four standout Tom Silver will also enter the fold at Redwood in 2012. Silver, which has raced four-cylinder Modifieds for the past three seasons, will make the jump to the IMCA Modified division this spring. The Glenwood, MN native will sit behind the wheel of a Mopar powered J-Car by Wolverine. Silver is very excited about the up-coming season and will definitely add to the already stout IMCA Modified roster at Redwood.

On behalf of everyone here at Redwood Speedway we’d like to thank you for all the support you provided in 2011, we look forward to seeing you all back here at the big ½ mile in 2012. With the New Year just around the corner, be safe, and if you’re going to drink on New Year’s Eve please make sure you have a ride if you’re traveling. We’d like to see nothing more than everyone back at the speedway to do it all over again next year!

Until next time…