January 27
Central Arizona Raceway,
Casa Grande, AZ
Sanction: Unsanctioned Supers (Ernie Mincy Early Thaw) - $3,000
Information provided by: Track reports (last updated January 29, 12:54 pm)
Bluhm nabs flag-to-flag victory in Early Thaw finale
Ernie Mincy Early Thaw
- Dustin Bluhm
- Ricky Weiss
- Shane Edginton
- Dustin Strand
- Collen Winebarger
- Billy Moyer
- Clay Stuckey
- Steve Stultz
- Zach Johnson
- Tyler Peterson
- Thomas Hunziker
- Bricen James
- Jason Strand
- Josh Zimpel
- Ryan Corbett
- Charlie Olsen
- Matt Aukland
- Blaine Doppler
- Terry Carter
- Rusty Kollman
- Brandon Corbett
- Cole Schill
- Shane Sabraski
- Scott Ward
- Karl Tipton
- Bud Grossenbacher
presented by
Ron Pelton Jr.
Dustin Bluhm poses with his team after winning Saturday's $3,000 Early Thaw finale.
What won the race: Dustin Bluhm of Kindred, N.D., led all 35 laps from the pole to win Saturday's $3,000 Ernie Mincy Early Thaw finale at Central Arizona Raceway. Bluhm captured his first career Early Thaw victory and self-proclaimed this the biggest triumph of his career.
Quotable: “I can’t thank Ricky Weiss and his dad, Derrick, (enough) for this thing,” Bluhm said. “Three weeks ago, we didn’t have a car and (he) sold it to my pit guy. Ricky called and I was looking to get a different chassis, didn’t really know which way to go and Ricky’s like ‘you gotta get one like ours, we drive a lot similar’. I just appreciate all these fans coming out, this is one of my biggest wins yet.”
Key notes: Winner of Friday's fifth round, Ricky Weiss trailed Bluhm for the entire distance, finishing 1.094 seconds back giving Sniper Chassis a 1-2 finish; Weiss earned the most points throughout the six-race miniseries. ... Shane Edginton held third for all 35 laps, rounding-out the podium finishers. ... Collen Winebarger and Billy Moyer each improved two positions, finishing fifth and sixth; Moyer won the first two rounds last weekend aboard a Don Shaw-owned entry. ... Steve Stultz ran as high as fourth before slipping to finish eighth. ... Zach Johnson finished ninth and secured his second straight top-10 result. ... Tyler Peterson settled for 10th after winning the third and fourth rounds. ... Saturday's Early Thaw finale was completed without incident and lasted 11 minutes, with 18 drivers completing 35 laps and 22 running at the finish.
On the move: Clay Stuckey of Shreveport, La., started 14th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Bluhm’s Sniper Chassis is powered by a Sturdy Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Central Ag Dekalb Agronomy, Satter Seed Co., Boston Scientific, Alsager Ranch, Alsager Meats, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk, Flyiton Ag, Fox Racing Shox and Red Line Graphix.
Points chase: Final: 1. Ricky Weiss (635); 2. Dustin Strand (580); 3. Billy Moyer (579); 4. Tyler Peterson (549); 5. Dustin Bluhm (548).
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 30
Polesitter: Dustin Bluhm
Heat race winners: Dustin Strand, Shane Edginton, Dustin Bluhm, Scott Ward
Consolation race winners: Jason Strand
Provisional starters: Matt Aukland, Terry Carter
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
