2009 Racing Season about to Start..

Let's start it off with a big shoutout to our 2008 Champions.. They earned it..

Onto some predictions of sorts..

Streets: Last year rookie Lance Schill won 5 heat races, and swept 1 night.. He's moved up to the Midwest Modified ranks now. Shockingly, Joe "Spiderman" Potter won 2 heats last year, but just couldn't catch a break on bringing his car to Rydell GM Auto Center Victory Lane. The Champ brought home 4 Heat wins, and doubling that number of Feature Wins. Geringer took home 6 Heat wins, and 2 features.

photo credit http://www.joepottermotorsports.com/

This class is always uber-competitive, but I'm going to go with Spiderman to dust off the cob webs (no pun intended) and get back to the checkered flooring.


MWM's: The biggest class at River Cities saw 53 different drivers race at the famed 3/8 mile bullring. And a bullring it became. 19 different drivers won heat races, but one youngster stood the tallest winning 8 Heat races, 5 Features, and 4 sweeps yielding Dustin Strand his 3rd Points title at what he calls his home track. (Also quick shoutout to his Crew Chief Josh, it's a tough job)

(Nice trophy)Photo credit http://www.strandracing.com and www.ornesscreations.com

Strand's biggest competition throughout the season at more then one track was that of "Iron" Ryan Schroeder who took 2nd not only in points at RCS but in Devils Lake Speedway as well to Mr Strand. Schroeder won 2 Heats and 2 Features last year having his Career Best year, I do believe he's bought a new chassis mount, and looking to improve on last years performance.

Strand's teammate Flyin Bryan LePier won 4 Heat Races, and 1 Feature last year, but was a threat on any given night.photo credit http://www.bryanlepierracing.com/

Also Todd Johnson got back in the saddle of a modified and wheeled himself to 3 Heat wins, and a Feature win. Another shocker to last year was Bryan Dyrdahl winning 4 Heat races, but unable to get to the checkers 1st in the Features, but having won numerous features in 2007 I look for him to rebound in 2009. 2007 Rookie of the Year Patrik Sobolik made it through the Sophomore "slump" (is what they say) but 2008 was a great year for the 2nd year driver winning 4 Heat races and finishing 4th in Points. He's going to be due for a Feature win this year. Lastly, the Rookie of the Year for 2008 was Zach Naastad of Hatton, ND. Winning a Heat race in his 1st year against stiff competition helped boost his confidence, and having a teammate with over 100+ Feature to ask questions helped vault him to 7th in points and earned him Rookie of the Year honors..

photo credit www.strandracing.com

Moving onto some predictions for the http://www.hawkshobbyheaven.com/index.phpWissota Midwest Modifieds (I have no clue who or what the sponsor is all about but happy it's their :))

I see that Dustin Strand sold his 2007 mount that won him over 66 races in 2 years leaving him with his 2009 mount: I see he's added some wheels, and maybe might Flinstone it around the track... But then I see that Ben Adams from is going to help him with a powerplant again this year. And since the last time he debuted a new car in 2007 he went on to win over 50% of the races he entered.. Can he repeat that performance 2 years later?? Since he hot lapped last weekend in MN I say he's ready to defend his title for the 4th year. But look for above mentioned drivers plus a few street stock drivers that have upgraded to one of them Millenium Nightmare Chassis'. In Lance Schill, Adam Thompson, and a mystery guest...

photo credit www.strandracing.com The above picture is of Lance Schill's new Millenium Nightmare Chassis, powered by Millar Engines. I think he's a strong pick to win the Rookie of the Year honors, and also maybe a Feature win or 2?

Onto the NLRA Late Models:A fond farewell to the 2008 NLRA Points Champ Mr. Multi Time Champ Mike Balcaen. With over 16 different drivers winning Heat Races. Joey Pederson won 4 Heat Races and 3 Features earning him the 2008 Points title. BUT there is a driver who WON more races then Mr Pederson... Brad Seng topped ALL drivers with 5 Heat Races and 4 Feature Wins... I don't have all the stats, but I'm assuming Brad Seng missed a night or two... Also 2008 saw the comeback of Tom T1 Corcoran who went on to win 4 Heat races and a feature on his way to a 3rd place finish in points, but was even more impressive on the NLRA tour. Maybe the excitement of winning brought the young T1 back to his racing roots, and might entice him to travel more and entertain even more crowds. (I hear his car is pretty sharp this year) Troy Schill was able to take his #11 back to Victory Lane twice last year, and also picked up a Heat win on his way to taking 5th in points at RCS and 6th on the NLRA tour. Lastly, Steve Anderson, Doyle Erikson, and Ryan Corbett picked up Feature wins last year at the Action Track.

My prediction:I think Brad Seng had a great campaign last year, and Friday night will be the 1st of many Feature wins. As for rookies?? I have no idea who's moved up to late models this year?? Any help?

Onto the Dobmeier show:If Mark is too busy bonding someone and misses the feature (it could happen), but considering only 2 other drivers won Features at River Cities, I can pretty much get away with saying that.. The shocking stat though in my mind is that Dobby won 7 heat races, 9 features, but only swept 5 times. That means that 2 times he won a Heat race, and failed to win the feature!? A rare occurence, but hats off to Jason Linnell (1 feature win) and Bob Martin (3 Feature Wins) But the even bigger shocker is that Wade Nygaard won the points w/out winning a Feature.. (Granted all my stats I'm getting are updated as of 8/29/08) but still...

My Predictions:Dobby led heat wins with 7, but Scotty McDonald and Nygaard were in 2nd with 4 Heat wins.. I'd like to see McDonald get back to the winner's circle, but with Dobmeier already having raced this year, Nygaard, Kennedy's and Grosz having raced as well, it'd be a stiff task.. So I'll take Lou Kennedy just to be different

Oshie Celebrity Golf Tournament is coming fast..

Don't forget to check out this event held in Grand Forks, ND. It's always a great time, and helps out a great cause..

Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament July 29-30, 2009 Grand Forks, ND


On Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, 2009, the 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament will be held.

The event will feature a "Celebrity Shoot-Out" on the afternoon of July 29th, where Business leaders and fans can play amongst the Celebrities. Later that night, "A Meet The Celebrities" autograph session will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Rydell GM Auto Center Cadillac Showroom in Grand Forks, ND.

The 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, July 30th, at the magnificent links-style King's Walk Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed golf course is one of the best courses in North Dakota.

There will be only ONE flight of 36 teams in the tournament. They anticipate a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for the golf scramble. Due to the very high demand for teams, they will fill the 36 slots on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact:

Timothy Oshie at (360) 722-1784 or (701) 757-1080 or simply e-mail to oshiesports@gmail.com.