By: Mike Barrett
Did Brandon Selle pass anyone for the lead Friday night at golden Sands Speedway to win the Late Model feature? Nope. Was Brandon Selle the fastest car Friday night? Yep, probably, because in 40 laps no one drew alongside to challenge him. Brandon drove a fine race, quickly jumping out to lead, and never letting go as dramatic events unfolded behind him. Frank Nitzke started outside pole and looked good for a few laps, but then he suddenly faded and left the track by lap 22. Tim Hintz left the speedway about the same time. Jeff Weinfurter picked up 2nd place quickly, chugging along in a car with a barely-running engine. Jeff later said on restarts it almost quit on him, but he soldiered on to notch a 3rd place finish. From lap 10 to lap 25 Joe Krzykowski struggled to fend off the likes of Chris Weinkauf, Mark Eswein, and MG Gajewski. A caution brought out by a controversial incident ended up with Brady Baldry tagged for passing 3 wide, which results in an automatic disqualification. Cleanup lasted a few minutes, and the restart was led by Selle, followed by Weinfurter, Chris Weinkauf, Mark Eswein and a pair of racers vying for spots; MG Gajewski and Jason Weinkauf. Weinkauf cleared Gajewski for 5th, but going into turn 3 on lap 31 Gajewski's car caught the back end of Weinkauf. The Weinkauf car drifted high with Jason somehow power sliding wildly along while Gajewski's car turned into the infield, bringing out a caution. The contact rule put both of the drivers to the back, even though Gajewski stopped and pleaded with officials to give Weinkauf his spot back, claming he (Gajewski) was the one responsible for the incident. Kudos for Gajewski and his sportsmanship, although there is no provision in the rules for such actions to change the scoring lineup. Jason and MG started in the rear with 19 to go. 19 laps on a short track in a late model race go by quickly, and Weinkauf and Gajewski put on a show from the back claiming 7th and 10th respectively. Weinkauf's fast time in qualifying was a nice start for the team, and the only driver to pick up nearly as many spots on the field was points leader Mark Eswein, who passed 8 cars to finish 2nd, just edging out Jeff Weinfurter. Chris Weinkauf posted a very steady 4th, and Joe Krzykowski's 5th place was well fought.
The first feature of the night was the final Limited Late Model event for 2008 at Golden Sands. Mark Eswein surprised everybody (including himself) with the quickest lap qualifying in a car usually driven by Galen Manternach. Eswein just squeaked past Ed Szelagowski Jr who qualified in his fastest lap of the year. Bernie Fritz Jr and Steve Lichtfeld raced along during the first half until lap 17 saw Szelagowski and Jim Ganski tangle. The restart began with Lichtfeld leading, but a few laps later several drivers looked to be on a rush to the front. Drivers like Eswein, Wes Coon, and Jim Duchow were looming large in Lichtfeld's mirror by lap 20,and by lap 25 Eswein had very quickly established a 5 car length lead. Wes Coon followed in 2nd, Duchow in 3rd with Lichtfeld holding onto 4th and Chad Devine neither losing or gaining from a 5th place start.
4 cylinder racing has had more new, younger, talented racers showing up at Golden Sands than any other class. The two divisions, Stock and Mod, provide 3 and 4 wide racing, non-stop action, and an opportunity for gifted young drivers a chance to safely learn short track racing. The Stock Class buzzed off to 4 wide jockeying for positions, with Cody Heath getting forced off the track and his car towed to the pits on lap 1. Four drivers eventually tried for the top spot, until Corey Stephens slipped past Tim Kundinger on the last lap to pick up another win. Lucas Betro, Joachim Mangen, and Kelley Sankey filled out the top 5 at the end, but not before each strove to race their way past Kundinger, with Stephens the one managing the pass for the win.
The Mod Class came out in force, 17 cars for the feature rolling into the first few laps. Tucker Miller bolted to an early and substantial lead, but a lap 7 restart bunched the field behind him, and after 2 tries they were off racing again. Miller lined up with JJ Flick behind him, and it was soon obvious Flick had a faster car. With 3 to go, Flick raced around the outside of Miller, leaving Tucker to defend 2nd place at the end. George Brandl, Brad Conant and Dale Robinson put themselves in the top 5 with displays of gritty resolve and hard-nosed driving.
The 2 man Cruiser Stack Class saw Gaetz and Dominick in command all race long, with McDonald and McDonald just ahead of Harvath and Coulthurst.
The Mods Pair of Kuhn & Vanstedum won easily, ahead of Spritka & Berg while Beaulieu & Andrich patiently finished 3rd.
Powder puff racers harkened to the "Old Days" when several ladies driving borrowed 4 cylinders vied for top 3 trophies. Paige Decker absolutely crushed the field, coming from last to 1st in no time, and running away with the win in Erin Schlough's car. April Bates posted 2nd, and Donna Brandl 3rd.
