Gondik Law Speedway
Redetzke's first AMSOIL victory comes at Superior
By Jerry O'Brien
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Jake Redetzke pulled away from Terry Casey for the victory. (Ken Johnson)
SUPERIOR, Wis. (Sept. 8) — Second-generation driver Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire, Wis., captured the Northern Nationals at Superior Speedway for his first career victory on the AMSOIL Late Model Series. Redetzke led all 30 laps for the victory to outrun Terry Casey, Ashley Anderson, Tom Waseleski Sr. and Kelly Estey.
With threatening weather approaching, the feature was reduced to 30 laps instead of 50, but a brief rain delay provided plenty of traction on the racing surface. Hometown driver Darin Meierotto lined up on the pole next to Jake Redetzke, who got a great run into the first turn at the green flag and leaned hard into the top groove. His car stuck and he came out of the second turn with the lead.
The great start for the youngster was called back, however, as Harry Hanson and Kyle Peterlin clashed at the bottom of turn two to bring out the caution flag and a complete restart. On the second attempt, Redetzke tried the same trick and again it stuck and he had the lead once again over Meierotto, Casey, Anderson and Hanson, who was restored to his starting spot and promptly moved from the sixth row to fifth in the early going.
Redetzke built a lead of more than a half-straightaway on Meierotto before a lap-10 caution appeared for Kevin Carlson's slowing No. 79.
A double-file restart put Redetzke in the front row by himself and the rest of the field lined up behind him as Meierotto lost positions to Casey and Anderson. He fell back to fourth and into a battle with Hanson and Waseleski.
Redetzke was on cruise control as Casey tried to run him down with little success. The top three soon had nearly a straightaway lead over Meierotto while Waseleski grabbed fifth. Hanson became the meat in a Waseleski sandwich as Tom Waseleski Jr. battled with Hanson for sixth.
Back up front, Anderson caught Casey and the two skirmished for second, allowing Redetzke to increase his lead. The second and final caution flag appeared with seven laps remaining when Travis Budisolavich rolled to a halt in turn three, putting Casey right where he needed to be in the single-file restart. Redetzke was equal to the task at the green and kept the lead as Casey now had his hands full with a persistent Anderson.
Notebook
Darrell Nelson, who finished eighth, unofficially leads the series standings as it heads to the finale on Oct. 5-6 at Proctor (Minn.) Speedway. ... Kelly Estey's fifth-place run started in the ninth row. ... Darrell Nelson, Ashley Anderson, Chuckie DeSmith and Nick Musel won heat races. ... Scott Gilberts and Mike Goodremote won consolations. ... Among drivers not making the feature field: Eric Breeschoten, Bob Slater, Todd Gehl and Roger Paolo.
Northern Nationals: (1) Jake Redetzke, (2) Terry Casey, (3) Ashley Anderson, (4) Tom Waseleski Sr., (5) Kelly Estey, (6) Darin Meierotto, (7) Tom Waseleski Jr., (8) Darrell Nelson, (9) Pat Doar, (10) Harry Hanson, (11) Scott Gilberts, (12) Tom Nesbitt, (13) Caley Emerson, (14) Steve Vesel, (15) Kyle Peterlin, (16) Mike Goodremote, (17) Nick Musel, (18) Kevin Carlson, (19) Tim McMann, (20) John Massingill, (21) Dave Esse, (22) Travis Budisolavich, (23) Chuckie DeSmith, (24) Mike Rich.
