Casino Speedway
Penalties help Laursen to Casino victory
Steve Laursen (19) battles Chad Becker (12). (crpphotos.com)
WATERTOWN, S.D. (June 3) — Two penalties for a pair of competitors helped Steve Laursen end a four-year drought on the WISSOTA Challenge Series on Sunday night victory at Casino Speedway.
Apparent winner Bryan Berger of Ortley, S.D., was disqualified when he weighed in too light at the scales, and Kent Arment of Aberdeen, S.D., was sent to the rear for his part in a tangle with Laursen on a mid-race restart. | Slideshow
Laursen was left standing after postrace inspection and earned $2,000. Chad Becker of Aberdeen, S.D., who won the previous two races at Casino, was moved up to second at the finish while hometown driver Chad Williamson was third after rallying from his 22nd starting spot. Huron, S.D., drivers David McDonald and Chad Chenoweth, rounded out the top five.
Arment, who started outside the front row in gunning for his second straight series victory, led from the outset but the polesitting Berger took command just before a caution with 16 laps remaining. On the restart, Berger led the field to green with Arment and Laursen glued to his bumper.
Arment pinched Laursen exiting turn two and Becker rear-ended Laursen, causing him to spin in front of the field, and while Laursen survived, Jeff Provinzino’s night came to an end after the incident.
Officials sent Arment to the rear for the incident — he elected to retire — while Laursen and Becker were returned to their positions among the top five. Berger went on to beat Laursen to the checkers but was stripped of the victory moments later.
Laursen notched his fifth career victory on the series and first since Aug. 14, 2008, at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn.
Notes: Laursen’s No. 19 is sponsored by JJS Auto Body, Diversified Design, Dale’s Twin Pines Tavern and Mars Race Cars. ... Fifteen of 25 starters were running at the finish. ... Jake Redetzke borrowed a rear end from fellow Wisconsin driver John Kaanta after experiencing problems Saturday night in Huron. But Redetzke had more trouble Sunday with fuel pressure problems and couldn't fire his engine despite changing fuel pumps. He loaded up early to return to Eau Claire, Wis. ... Other drivers failing to make the feature: Shawn Kirwin, Rich Thomas, Jason Grabow, John Kaiser and Doug Walsh. ... Next up for the WISSOTA Challenge Series is a June 27 event at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., which kicks off a stretch of four races in five days.
WCS @ Casino: (1) Steve Laursen, (2) Chad Becker, (3) Chad Williamson, (4) David McDonald, (5) Chad Chenoweth, (6) Marshall Fegers, (7) Jeff Wildung, (8) Lance Matthees, (9) Curt Gelling, (10) Josh Skorczewski, (11) Justin Fegers, (12) Mike Balcaen, (13) Jordan Yaggy, (14) Todd Gehl, (15) Mark Abeln, (16) Kent Arment, (17) Jeff Provinzino, (18) Scott Olson, (19) Rick Goth, (20) John Kaanta, (21) Shawn Kirwin, (22) Curt Kranz, (23) Ricky Weiss, (24) Paul Mueller. Disqualified: Bryan Berger. Heat race winners (among 30 cars): Laursen, Becker, Yaggy. Consolation winner: Gehl.
Correction: Updates with Berger's disqualification, details.
