By: Mike Barrett

Jeff Weinfurter was one of a handful of Late Model racers who decided a bad night racing was better than a good night anywhere else. The crowd at Golden Sands was thin, yet loyal, staying through 2 rain showers to watch 5 classes compete. Their steadfast competitors put on a show with the 8 Late Model drivers who elected to stay and race for no points and limited pay. Mike Bohm and Kevin Seidler led off the green flag, and Bohm took an early lead while Weinfurter quickly made it through traffic. By lap 7 when Sawyer Effertz and Seidel spun, Weinfurter had grabbed the lead. John Totzke Jr. Rolled up into 2nd and that pair led Tim Hintz around the track to the shortened 18 lap checkered lag. Elliot Weiler soldiered through mechanical problems to finish 4th and Bohm notched 5th. Effertz, Seidler and Dave Nietzke completed the field.

With no qualifying because of rain, the Super Stocks all came ready to race with the field inverted to the points leaders in the rear. Michael Gwidt came in leading the season points, having borrowed a car from Pyburn Racing to make a run tonight. Ryan Hinner started behind Matt Komatz, and after the start Komatz's car slid up the track giving the lead quickly to Hinner.  Hinner set off to lead the group  by a bunch, and had a straightaway on the field. Matt Raykowski and Colin Reffner continued a weeks-old rivalry as they battled for positions, Reffner barely making it past and into 2nd by lap 15. Galen Manternach returned in his racer, and unfortunately made hard contact with the front straight wall. As cleanup commenced, so did some more rain. Another 40 minute delay later, the Super Stocks went back to a familiar double file restart, Reffner and Gwidt lining up behind Ryan Hinner. Ryan got a great start, and again padded his lead while Reffner and Gwidt fought for spots. Reffner managed an ill-handling car to 2nd and Gwidt rolled across 3rd. Raykowski's 4th place finish ties him in points with Scott Hamel, who posted 5th.

Pure stocks again packed the pits, more than 25 strong. Kyle Genett and Ryan Mork started their night nearly last, 15th and 16th on the field, but it was Genett who got the early break. Jumping to the outside, he was able to avoid some early fender-bending and race all the way to 3rd by the end of the 2nd lap. A tangle of cars resulted in a broken wheel for Jeff Gruber, and after the restart Genett was able to pick his own line and leave racing to the rest of the Pure Stocks. The early cautions shook the field up, and Mike Kasperek, Richard Dunn, Brent Weiland and Mork all fought hard for each position. By the end Mork had made it to 4th Behind Weiland and Kasperek, and Erich Buchholz rounded out the top 5.

4 Cylinder Stock class racers motored on out of the pits with 14 vehicles. Travis Lepak navigated tough traffic to get the lead halfway through the 15 lap event. Joachim Mangen, Kelly Sankey, Kevin Burris, and Tim Anderson all jockeyed in a tight pack, and it was Lepak who rolled on to win. Anderson fought off the others for 2nd, and Adam Skibicki, Kelly Sankey, and Bryce Mancheski finished the next 3 spots off.

4 Cylinder Mods put 8 cars on the third-mile, and raced 15 laps with Scott Scholze leading every single one of them. Randall Wilhorn could do nothing but bump the rear of Scholzes car as he was trapped in the midst of others racing for the front like Brad Conant and Phil Malouf. Wilhorn inched ahead of Malouf for 2nd and Conant and Brandon Bender picked up 4th and 5th.

Points races? Lets let the last night decide several, with the Season Championship up next week!.

Season Championship, Spectacular Fireworks (SLM, SS, PS, 4CM&S) SEPT 4.

Racing results at www.gssraces.com and Mike's blog on www.gorapids.com.