Peterlin, Miller, Olson, Estey All First-Time Red Clay Classic Champs
Jensen scores Como Series title
by Nick Gima
 Ashland, WI, October 2 -- On a crisp, clear autumn evening, Kyle Peterlin, Jason Miller, Eric Olson and Skeeter Estey were all crowned first-time champions of the 35th annual Red Clay Classic, while Joey Jensen collected a big check for topping the 2010 Como Mod Series, at the ABC Raceway on Saturday night.

Peterlin, this year’s track champ at Hibbing and Proctor, started on the pole and dominated the 50-lap, $4,000-to-win WISSOTA late model feature, threatened only once during the race’s lone restart 30 laps in. Peterlin won the drag race to turn 1 easily over Lance Matthees and pulled away without challenge, building a lead of over four seconds before catching slower traffic on lap 12.  Behind him a great battle developed for second as Jake Redetzke worked a higher line to try to sweep around second-running Matthees, while Steve Laursen took several peeks to the inside. A short distance back of that fight was a tight side-by-side race for fifth involving Pat Doar and Justin Fegers.  Peterlin worked through the backmarkers almost effortlessly, while Laursen finally fought his way by Matthees for second on lap 18 before he, too, had to contend with the traffic. Fegers and Doar also slipped by Redetzke and into the top five while working through slower racers on lap 21.  Peterlin’s lead was better than a straightaway, or about five-and-a-half seconds, on lap 30 when Laursen’s car was tapped and spun by Fegers, who had joined the dogfight for second after starting the show 11th. But despite Laursen, Matthees and Nick Anvelink restarting right on his trunklid, Peterlin calmly pulled away again under green.  On lap 34 Redetzke surged again to challenge Anvelink for fourth, bringing Darrell Nelson along, and a lap later Matthees found his way back by Laursen for second, but by that time Peterlin’s lead was again over two seconds. Anvelink worked past Laursen’s fading car with ten to go, with Redetzke and Nelson in tow, and soon after that Anvelink caught and passed Matthees for second.  With six laps left Peterlin again had caught the back end of the field, and Anvelink took advantage to make up ground, cutting the lead to just a second as the leaders took the white flag. The Hibbing, MN, pilot put one slower car between himself and Anvelink to maintain a .8-second margin for his first-ever ABC Raceway win, with Matthees edging Redetzke for third. Twentieth-starting Marshall Fegers completed the top five, shuffling Nelson back to sixth, while Laursen settled into seventh, ahead of Joel Cryderman, Doar and Eric Breeschoten.  Prior to the headliner, the starting field paid tribute to the late Brent Laursen of Osceola, a three-time Red Clay Classic late model champion, with a four-wide pace-lap salute led by Brent’s brother Steve. Brent Laursen passed away in mid-September from complications from leukemia.
Jensen, the defending event champ from Forest Lake, MN, hoped to cap off the Como Series championship with his third RCC feature win and second in the WISSOTA modifieds, but Miller had other ideas. After a couple of failed attempts to start the 35-lap, $3,000-to-win feature run, the Osceola campaigner shot ahead of Jensen to lead the first four laps before Paul Niznik’s stalled ride brought out the caution flag.  On the next green light Miller stretched his lead to nearly two-and-a-half seconds on Jensen, while Greg Chesley worked his way around Jayme Lautigar into third. The field was brought back to Miller’s back bumper on lap 16 after Craig Thatcher’s looped ride brought on the yellow lights for the final time, and back under green Chesley went to work on Jensen for second, allowing Miller to again scoot away.  Nelson and Kelly Estey each overtook Lautigar and moved into the top five to stay over the next few laps, while Jensen tried to make the high side of the track work while Chesley challenged him down low for second. It took until lap 31 for Chesley to finally claim second, but by that time Miller’s lead was at a second-and-a-half, which he held for the final laps for his third career ABC win.  Jensen’s third-place run was more than enough to claim his first Como Series title, worth $10,000, while two-time and defending Series champ Estey and 2006 Series winner Nelson completed the top five. Lautigar held on for sixth ahead of 19th-starting Dave Cain, second-in-Series points Rick Kobs, Dean Yrjanainen and Eric Pember. Andy Jones finished third in the overall Series standings.  It was an emotional night for Yrjanainen, the six-time ABC Raceway track champion from Lake Nebagamon who ran in his last race here Saturday. Yjranainen had earned 70 career feature wins, including three Red Clay Classic trophies, over a 28-year racing career here.
The 30-lap, $1,500-to-win WISSOTA super stock feature ran off non-stop for its first half, with defending race champ Jeff Tardy beating polesitter Dave Flynn through the first turn for the initial lead. Four laps later Donnie Lofdahl swept around Flynn for second, and the two swapped the position over the next couple of laps until Olson, who started on row 3, moved by both for second on lap 7.  Olson then began his attack on Tardy by diving inside, as Tardy struggled to keep an otherwise fast race car in the lower grooves. By lap 10 Olson had cleared for the lead, but Tardy stayed close enough to charge back around the Ladysmith star three laps later, and Tardy was scored as the leader when the race’s first caution flag was thrown on lap 15 for Kevin Burdick’s spin.  Jeremy Fink’s spin on the restart prompted a second attempt, and on that green flag Scott Lawrence slipped past Flynn and Lofdahl for third. Lawrence stayed right with Tardy when the race went back under green after the stoppage for the two-car spin involving Cory Casari and Kevin Eder on lap 18.  Flynn’s great run ended two laps after that restart when his car lost power and he dropped out of the event. Lawrence drove low to get by Tardy a circuit later, and Willie Johnsen brought 23rd-starting Zach Wohlers with him into the top five the next time around.  Tardy fought back to challenge Lawrence for second as Olson built up a little breathing room out front. A three-car get-together on lap 23 tightened up the field and put Tardy behind Olson for the restart, but over the final eight laps Olson pulled away. Tardy continued to struggle with a car that wouldn’t stay low, and Lawrence slipped by for second with three laps left.  Olson crossed under the double checkered flags over a second ahead of the ten-time ABC points champ, with Tardy third. Wohlers completed a stout run in fourth, and Eder climbed from his 16th-place start to fifth. Willie Johnsen was impressive with a career-best sixth-place run, while Lofdahl, Darrel Hazelton, Fink and Nick Oreskovich completed the top ten.
With the WISSOTA Midwest modifieds joining this year’s Classic, the event hosted a fourth division for the first time ever, but Skeeter Estey made quick work of the field. The young Kelly Lake, MN, racer who won points titles at Proctor and Hibbing this past summer started the 25-lap, $600-to-win A-main on the pole and led every lap, although he had to recover after a bump by Grant Southworth spun him around on the second attempt to start the race to bring about a yellow flag.  Estey pulled away from Peter Jokinen, who had his hands full with challenges from Rick Przybylski and Niznik early. On lap 6 Przybylski fooled Jokinen by peaking outside, then diving inside to take second place, and first-time visitor Clark Swartz worked around Niznik to take fourth.  Estey’s lead was nearly two seconds when the fourth caution slowdown came about on lap 7 for Shane Halopka’s spin. Two laps later Jason VandeCamp, who started 19th on the grid, charged forward into third, while Bill Byholm, who started dead last on the 24-car field, followed along into fifth. VandeCamp and Swartz threw everything they could to shake Przybylski out of second, and after six laps of threatening VandeCamp finally made an inside pass stick.  With all that going on behind him, Estey sailed along for a one-second historic win over VandeCamp, with Przybylski and Swartz trailing. Byholm earned fifth at the pay window, while behind him Cory Crapser, Mike Gibson, Niznik, Halopka and Jokinen filled in the top ten.

Friday’s preliminary action started over an hour late as a soaking rain saturated the Raceway grounds and left track preparation crews scrambling to scrape off a layer of soft, soupy red clay from the otherwise immaculately-readied racing surface. The skies then opened again for a brief mist as the first Midwest mod heat field finally climbed onto the track. A stronger downpour chased the racers and fans to their haulers and campers for the night at about 10 pm, after nearly half of the scheduled heat races had been completed.
 The program continued three hours earlier than initially scheduled on Saturday under bright sunshine and cool, windy conditions, and the track steadily improved to a multi-groove, smooth, black-slick surface by sunset.
 Of the 206 cars registering for the track’s final AmsOil Dirt Track Series event of 2010 on Friday, 38 were late models and 58 were modifieds, while there were also 46 super stocks and 64 Midwest mods.
 Next up for the ABC Raceway is the annual Awards Banquet, to be held in January; watch the track’s website for more information.

Results
WISSOTA Late Models
 Feature: Kyle Peterlin, Hibbing, MN; Nick Anvelink, Navarino; Lance Matthees, Winona, MN; Jake Redetzke, Eau Claire; Marshall Fegers, Mound, MN; Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN; Steve Laursen, Cumberland; Joel Cryderman, Thunder Bay, ON; Pat Doar, New Richmond; Eric Breeschoten, Buffalo, MN; Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN; Travis Budisalovich, Cottage Grove, MN; Rick Hanestad, Boyceville; Don Copp, Brule; John Henkemeyer, Sauk Rapids, MN; Justin Fegers, Minnetonka, MN; John Kaanta, Elk Mound; Chris Oertel, Marshfield; Tom Naeyaert, Shawano; Darin Meierotto, Superior; Ron Berna, Green Bay; Adam Hensel, Barron; Tim McMann, Duluth, MN; Harry Hanson, Eveleth, MN; Jeff Provinzino, Hibbing, MN.
 Heat 1: Breeschoten; Doar; J Fegers; Larson; Oertel; Meierotto; Paul Parker, Appleton; Joey Ogston, Duluth, MN; Cory Jorgenson, Hermantown, MN; Hanson.
 Heat 2: Matthees; Laursen; Budisalovich; McMann; Hanestad; Henkemeyer; Mike Goodremote, Sand Creek; Todd Gehl, Solon Springs; Danny Young, Thunder Bay, ON; Todd Frank, Little Suamico.
 Heat 3: Peterlin; Naeyaert; Nelson; Kaanta; M Fegers; Provinzino; Kevin Carlson, Hermantown, MN; Caley Emerson, Forest lake, MN; Keane Laakson, Stone Lake.
 Heat 4: Cryderman; Redetzke; Anvelink; Copp; Hensel; Mike Prochnow, Menomonie; Ashley Anderson, Eau Claire; Jereme Hedrick, Grand Junction, IA; Berna.
 Semi-Feature 1: Provinzino; Meierotto; Hanson; Emerson; Carlson; Ogston; Laakson; Parker.
 Semi-Feature 2: Henkemeyer; Berna; Gehl; Young; Goodremote; Frank; Hedrich; Prochnow.
WISSOTA Modifieds
 Feature: Jason Miller, Osceola; Greg Chesley, Duluth, MN; Joey Jensen, Forest Lake, MN; Kelly Estey, Kelly Lake, MN; Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN; Jayme Lautigar, Gilbert, MN; Dave Cain, Corcoran, MN; Rick Kobs, Deer Park; Dean Yrjanainen, Lake Nebagamon; Eric Pember, Pittsville; Scott Miller, Rice Lake; Steve Lavasseur, River Falls; Ryan Aho, Chisholm, MN; Mike Anderson, Colfax; Al Uotinen, Superior; Craig Thatcher, Knapp; Justin Jones, Onamia, MN; Rick Rivord, Superior; Bill Byholm, Glidden; Andy Jones, Princeton, MN; Paul Niznik, Medford; Jason Swan, Chippewa Falls; Jerry Hartman, Marenisco, MI; Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN; Robby Bunkelman, Abbotsford.
 Heat 1: Chesley; Nelson; Swan; Shawn Kelley, Somerset; John Baltich, Hibbing, MN; Don Brightbill, Hudson; Clayton Wagemon, Blaine, MN; Byholm; Mark Baxter, Dorchester; John Carpenter, Hibbing, MN.
 Heat 2: Yrjanainen; Hartman; Miller; Niznik; Jamie Davis, Devlin, ON; Scott Hudack, Ashland; Tim Alexander, Princeton, MN.
 Heat 3: Kobs; Lavasseur; Jones; Aho; Jeff Broking, Grand Rapids, MN; Jeff Spacek, Phillips; Wayne Stricker, Highbridge; Destin Lorimor, Superior; Duane Dale, Aurora, MN; Paul Knauf, Marshfield.
 Heat 4: Miller; Anderson; Rivord; Cain; Kent Baxter, Elk Mound; Mark Hanson, Chippewa Falls; Jeff Hart, Hibbing, MN; Steve Stuart, Ashland; Pat Hoffman, Rice Lake; Kevin Rogers, Unity.
 Heat 5: Jautigar; Estey; Larson; Uotinen; Paul Schultz, Grand Rapids, MN; Kelly Checkalski, Poplar; Denny Trimble, Devlin, ON; Robbie Johnson, Wilson.
 Heat 6: Jensen; Thatcher; Pember; Bunkelman; Jones; Mike Truscott, Chippewa Falls; Jared Loos, Loyal; Bryan Nayes, Chippewa Falls; Dennis Checkalski, South Range.
 Semi-Feature 1: Cain; Byholm; Kelley; Hart; K Baxter; Hanson; Hoffman; Stuart; Knauf; Brightbill; Rogers; Wagaman; Baltich.
 Semi-Feature 2: Niznik; Uotinen; Davis; Alexander; Jody Bellefeuille, Duluth, MN; Schultz; Hudack; Paul Brust, Rice Lake; K Checkalski; Trimble; Johnson; D Checkalski.
 Semi-Feature 3: Bunkelman; Aho; Spacek; Dale; Jones; Lorimor; Stricker; Truscott; Loos; Nayes; Broking.
 Pole Dash: Miller; Jensen; Chesley; Lautigar; Kobs; Yrjanainen.
WISSOTA Super Stocks
 Feature: Eric Olson, Ladysmith; Scott Lawrence, Superior; Jeff Tardy, Hibbing, MN; Zach Wohlers, Hibbing, MN; Kevin Eder, Ashland; Willie Johnsen, Superior; Donnie Lofdahl, Proctor, MN; Darrel Hazelton, Chippewa Falls; Jeremy Fink, Hibbing, MN; Nick Oreskovich, Mason; Ron Hmielewski, Marengo; Butch Butcher, Cambridge, MN; Rich Bishop, New Richmond; Steve Thomas, Menomonie; Kevin Burdick, Hibbing, MN; Tristin LaBarge, Kelly Lake, MN; Chad Johnson, Colfax; Shane Kisling, Sarona; Cory Casari, Montreal; Andy Grymala, Superior; Dave Flynn, Superior; Brian Mikkonen, Iron River; Cy Hoaglan, Ashland.
 Heat 1: Tardy; Casari; Fink; Hoaglan; Wohlers; Tony Devine, Elk Mound; Brad Johnson, Wilson; Keith Kern, Superior.
 Heat 2: Hazelton; Butcher; Grymala; Eder; Tad Schoonover, Eagle River; Dave Elliott, Minocqua; Jacob Hiatt, River Falls; Jim Campbell, Two Harbors, MN.
 Heat 3: Lofdahl; Hmielewski; Bishop; Burdick; Trevor Wilson, Superior; Tommy Richards, Mondovi; Don Frider, Hibbing, MN.
 Heat 4: Olson; Lawrence; Thomas; Mikkonen; C Johnson; Kisling; Wayne Dean, Fall Creek; Ryan Aho, Chisholm, MN.
 Heat 5: Flynn; Johnsen; Oreskovich; LaBarge; Randy Spacek, Phillips; Jeff Spacek, Phillips; Warren Beede, Iron River; Tim Carbon, Highbridge.
 Semi-Feature 1: Kisling; Wohlers; Aho; Ben Hillman, Menomonie; Elliott; Campbell; Frider; Beede; Wilson; R Spacek.
 Semi-Feature 2: C Johnson; Dean; Paul Erikson, Abbotsford; Schoonover; J Spacek; Richards; Devine; Kern; Carbon; Ken Truscott, Greenland, MI; Hiatt.
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
 Feature: Skeeter Estey, Kelly Lake, MN; Jason VandeCamp, Forest Lake, MN; Rick Przybylski, Ashland; Clark Swart, Bloomer; Bill Byholm, Glidden; Cory Crapser, Eau Claire; Mike Gibson, Star Prairie; Paul Niznik, Medford; Shane Halopka, Greenland; Peter Jokinen, Highbridge; Brad Hudson, Chippewa Falls; Ryan Adamczak, Ashland; Grant Southworth, Bloomer; Duane Dunbar, Marenisco, MI; Shawn Rivord, Superior; Steve Anderson, Ironwood, MI; George Truscott, Greenland, MI; Cody Wolkowski, Thunder Bay, ON; Jesse Glenz, Cadott; Dave Teatz, Marshfield; Bob Wood, Cadott; Jason Haugerud, Baronette; Travis Anderson, Colfax; Charlie Castle, Bovey, MN.
 Heat 1: Przybylski; Dunbar; Teatz; Jason Zdroik, Eagle River; Roland Gordan, Bayfield; Stan Thom, Elk River, MN; Rob Weber, Ashland; Dan Sellung, Mason; Kevin Monteith, Thunder Bay, ON; Ross Siiter, Duluth, MN.
 Heat 2: Niznik; Haugerud; Truscott; Rivord; Don Craig, Thunder Bay, ON; Jimmy Latvala, Solon Springs; Jesse Ogston, Duluth, MN; Pat Cook, Washburn; Pete Paulus, Phillips; Dennis Mikkelson, Rhinelander.
 Heat 3: Swartz; Crapser; S Anderson; Jerry Grasse, Phelps; Neil Balduc, Ironwood, MI; Loren Inman, Proctor, MN; Jori Hughes, Tower, MN; Tim Lillo, Superior; Matt Leer, Bruce.
 Heat 4: Southworth; Glenz; Hudson; Halopka; Travis Nye, Ashland; Rob Rodiczak, Rhinelander; Mark Roine, Hibbing, MN; Mickey Nosser, Phillips; Joe Eckland, Springbrook.
 Heat 5: Castle; Wolkowski; Adamczak; Tim Mackey, Marengo; John Feirn, Chippewa Falls; Chris Bretting, Ashland; Glenn Dammer, Duluth, MN; Paul Fontecchio, Ramsey, MN.
 Heat 6: Jokinen; Gibson; Wood; Nick Koehler, Bloomer; George Dalbeck, Wakefield, MI; Cody Carlson, Superior; Joe Olson, Superior; Steve Alsaker, Zimmerman, MN; Stan Rychlock, Three Lakes.
 Heat 7: Estey; T Anderson; VandeCamp; Jeff Marshall, Thunder Bay, ON; Nathan Thums, Wausau; Byholm; Jesse Aho, Ontonagon, MI; Eric Klafka, Wisconsin Rapids; Ricky Davis, Bruno, MN.
 Semi-Feature 1: Halopka; Marshall; Aho; Zdroik; Bretting; Latvala; Roine; Wagemon; Weber; Balduc; Paulus; Lillo; Dalbeck.
 Semi-Feature 2: Rivord; Thums; Ogston; Inman; Carlson; Klafka; Gordon; Nosser; Rychlock; Sellung; Nye; Dammer; Mackey.
 Semi-Feature 3: Byholm; Cook; Grasse; Feirn; Craig; Fontecchio; Hughes; Davis; Eckland; Koehler; Olson; Thom.

Northern Clearing Fast Lap Times.