August 27
Granite City Motor Park,
Sauk Rapids, MN
Sanction: Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated August 31, 1:15 am)
Massingill sneaks by Kaanta to win at Granite City
- Jeff Massingill
- John Kaanta
- Chad Mahder
- Pat Doar
- Sam Mars
- Jesse Glenz
- Ryan Mikkelson
- Nick Panitzke
- Jake Redetzke
- Jake Smith
- Daniel Bargender
- Josh Zimpel
- Dave Mass
- Cole Schill
- Scott Lehn
- Pat Kelley
- Larry Fitzsimmons
- Dustin Johanneck
J. Sellner Photography
Jeff Massingill tunes up before his victory at Granite City.
What won the race: Sneaking by race-long leader John Kaanta on the low line out of turn two, fifth-starting Jeff Massingill of Keewatin, Minn., led the final two laps to win Sunday's $5,000 Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series feature at Granite City Motor Park. Massingill notched his second career series victory and his first since May 31, 2021, both at Granite City.
Quotable: “It was quite a wild race there,” Massingill said. “The track was tricky, I hated what happened to Daniel (Bargender) there. I was right there, he hit that hole (in turn four) and I couldn’t really go anywhere, so I feel bad for him because he had a good run going. Anyway it worked out good, I got under John (Kaanta) and he ran me super clean, which I always appreciate, especially on a track like this. It was getting rough in (turn) four, but it worked out.”
Key notes: Sticking primarily to the high line, second-starting John Kaanta led the first 38 laps before giving way to Massingill and finishing 0.713 of a second back. ... Moving into third on the final lap, Chad Mahder completed the podium. ... Series points leader Pat Doar ran as high as second with 10 laps remaining before slipping to finish fourth. ... Sam Mars was aggressive on the cushion in the early laps and appeared to be reducing Kaanta's lead, before fading to finish fifth. ... Winner of 2021's most recent series stop at Granite City, Jesse Glenz improved three positions and finished sixth. ... After winning Saturday's local show at Cedar Lake Speedway, fast qualifier Nick Panitzke gained five spots and finished eighth. Panitzke's 13.809-second lap lowered the track record. ... Polesitter Daniel Bargender drew the race's third and final caution when he spun from third on lap 30, following contact from Massingill; Bargender finished 11th after tagging the field. ... Larry Fitzsimmons slowed to bring out the second yellow on lap 29 before calling it a night. ... Pat Kelley's lap-25 solo spin slowed action for the first time. ... Sunday's 40-lap feature lasted 20 minutes with 13 competitors completing the entire distance and 16 running at the finish.
On the move: Chad Mahder of Bloomer, Wis., started 10th and finished third.
Winner's sponsors: The Massingill Brothers Motorsports Kryptonite by JR Motorsports is powered by a Tesar Engineering Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from JR Motorsports, J&C Properties, Speedwerx and Swift Springs.
Points chase: After Granite City: 1. Pat Doar (1,241); 2. Jake Redetzke (1,158); 3. Jeff Massingill (1,099); 4. Sam Mars (1,066); 5. John Kaanta (990).
Current weather: Clear, 68°F
Car count: 18
Fast qualifier: Nick Panitzke
Time: 13.809 seconds
Polesitter: Daniel Bargender
Heat race winners: Daniel Bargender, Pat Doar, John Kaanta
Next series race: August 31, Halvor Lines Speedway (Proctor, MN) $2,750
Editor's note: Corrects winner’s chassis.