Deer Creek Speedway
Diemel grabs third straight WCS victory
A.J. Diemel steers toward his third straight WISSOTA Challenge Series victory. (jdphotosports.photoreflect.com)
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. (June 30) — Rallying from his ninth starting spot, red-hot A.J. Diemel of Navarinio, Wis., continued his hot streak on the WISSOTA Challenge Series on Saturday with a victory at Deer Creek Speedway.
Diemel’s victory paid $3,000 as he collected his third straight series victory over a four-day stretch and second at the 3/8-mile Deer Creek oval. | Slideshow
Diemel’s 11th career series victory came after he regained the lead late from reigning series champion Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire, Wis., who gained 12 positions for a runner-up finish. Fifth-starting John Kaanta of Elk Mound, Wis., was third followed by Lance Matthees of Winona, Minn., and outside front-row starter Eric Pember of Pittsville, Wis., who led the first 11 laps. Polesitter Jordan Yaggy of Rochester, Minn., was 11th.
Pember led Justin Fegers and Yaggy early in the race with Diemel moving into the fifth spot after a lap-five restart. After a lap-12 caution, Diemel, Matthees and Pember battled three-wide for the lead with Diemel edging Matthees for the point as Pember dropped to third. A charging Redetzke took third on the 14th lap, got second on lap 19 and challenged Diemel for the lead on lap 20.
The frontrunners ran side-by side with Redetzke nosing ahead of Diemel on lap 22. Redetzke was still in command late in the race, but after a final caution appeared on lap 36, Diemel regained the lead on the restart and led the final four laps.
Notes: Diemel’s No. 58 is sponsored by Mars Race Cars, Beltline Body Shop, Amsoil, Deppe Enterprises and Dan Nolan Livestock. ... Diemel is streaky on the circuit; he had four victories in a row in 2006 during his last success on the circuit. ... Action continues on the series Sunday at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, Wis.
WISSOTA Challenge @ Deer Creek: (1) A.J. Diemel, (2) Jake Redetzke. (3) John Kaanta, (4) Lance Matthees, (5) Eric Pember, (6) Justin Fegers, (7) Chad Mahder, (8) Rick Hanestad, (9) Steve Isenberg, (10) David Fieber, (11) Jordan Yaggy, (12) Neil Eckhart, (13) Joe Ludemann, (14) Steve Laursen, (15) Nick Herrick, (16) Robby Bunkelman, (17) Roger Torgerson, (18) Rick Goth, (19) Nick Kramer, (20) Kyle Peterlin, (21) Jerry Bloom, (22) Marshall Fegers, (23) Doug Herrick, (24) David McDonald, (25) Justin Sass. Heat race winners (among 30 cars): J. Fegers, Matthees, Pember, Fieber. Consolation winner: Laursen.
