News & Notes: June 21st Edition

Here's your latest story lines, racing tidbits, and fun information from this last weekend of racing at Norman County Raceway, Red River Valley Speedway, River Cities Speedway, Buffalo River Race Park, and beyond. It's the June 21st Edition of Racing on the Radio: News and Notes.

Arneson on Top at Cedar Lake
After a month and a half of running weekly events at Norman County Raceway and Red River Valley Speedway, Fargo's Austin Arneson left his Crate Motor at home and brought out the big guy to run with the USMTS series at Cedar Lake Speedway. His first night of the Masters Event was disappointing to say the least, failing to make the show. Night #2 was the exact opposite as he beat out Cade Dillard, Rodney Sanders, Jesse Sobbing, and all the other top Modified drivers from across the country and took home a win.

Brady Peter-Win
I figured it was just a matter of weeks before Brady Petermann picked up his first win in an IMCA Modified victory. He did just that Sunday night at Buffalo River Race Park, barely edging Justin Jones, Brady has a very wild, but clean driving style that haunted him his rookie season last year as he had trouble finishing out races. But this year's he's been much quieter, and much more consistent too. His raw, natural driving ability could put him in Victory Lane a few more times this season. Keep in mind he's still in high school too....

Brady Petterman poses with a young fan after his 1st IMCA Modified Feature win.

Balcaen is Back
Just a week after a very nasty tumble at River Cities Speedway, Mike Balcaen and his #10 NLRA Late Model picked up another win at the Bullring. Balcaen is looking like he's found some speed that he's been missing the last couple years. He was also plagued with mechanical issues and bad lack leading up to this year also.

3 W's for 3W
Aaron Wetterlin is on top of his game recently at Norman County Raceway. The #3W IMCA Sport Mod driver now has 3 wins in a row at NCR. His most recent win was a special win for Aaron, barely edging out Jesse Skalicky at the line on the last lap. The coolest part about this win was that it was the first time his kids had ever seen him win a race. Not only did Aaron's son Alex get to celebrate with his dad in Victory Lane for the first time, but he was also selected to be the honorary flagman for the Modified race later that night. Overall, a pretty awesome night for the Wetterlin family!


Fair Week
Huge week ahead for Norman County Raceway. Back to back nights of NLRA Late Models on Wednesday and Thursday and a night of family fun with Bus Racing and more on Saturday. Supporting the NLRA shows will be Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, and INEX Legends. Some big names have already confirmed to make appearances including the Ham Lake Hammer, Don Shaw. Other names likely to appear include Brad Seng, Mike Balcaen, Jeff Wildung, Shane Edginton, Free T-shirts to the first 100 kids on Wednesday night  courtesy of the Norman County Soybean and Corn Growers Association.

Jake Bitker does track prep while the Mighty Thomas Carnival sets up for the Norman County Fair.

Here's a fun fact:
No Late Model driver has EVER won more than twice at Norman County Raceway. Brad Seng, John Seitz (RIP), Cody Skytland, Ricky Weiss (who won both races last year), Zach Johnson, and Pat Doar are tied with two wins each. Kent Arment, Jeff Wildung, Don Shaw, Troy Olson, Mitch Johnson, and Dustin Strand each have one win a piece. (Stats courtesy of Mike Spieker)

More on Saturday night's fun...
Saturday night should be a blast as always. There will be school bus racing, Semi racing, and Power Wheels Baja and Demo Derby.  There will be 7 buses, each sponsored by a different business or organization. The bus racing will mix in several unique and usually hilarious challenges to come the drivers on their toes. The semi racing is done head-to head in a 1 lap drag race. Like drag racing, it is also done in bracket form. For more information and rules, got to www.ncraceway.com.

Ada Future Leaders bus is painted and ready to roll for Saturday night!

Meanwhile in Fergus Falls...
At the same time some of the best Late Model drivers are battling hard at NCR, RRVS, and RCS, some of the top mod drivers in the nation will go toe to toe at the Summersota Nationals USMTS Modified Race in Fergus Falls. Drivers will each run 2 heats Thursday and Friday to qualify for the Main event on Saturday. Top prize is nice $15,000. Just starting the main will get $1,500.

Going on break
Following this Friday's NLRA Late Model Event at Red River Valley Speedway, the racing action will come to a halt as the Red River Valley Fair prep begins. Racing will not resume until July 17th when the NOSA Sprints and NLRA Late Models return for the final night of the fair. We went 4 years without racing at RRVS, I suppose we can 3 1/2 weeks.

Racing on the Radio Upcoming Broadcast Schedule.

Wednesday, June 22nd:
NLRA Late Models @ Norman County Raceway plus IMCA Sport Mods, INEX Legends, and Pure Stocks. 7pm. Presented by the Norman County Soybean and Corn Growers Association & Norman County Ag Society. Live Racing Coverage can be heard on 106.5 KRJB and rjbroadcasting.com. Click here for the streaming link (6:45 PreRace)

Thursday, June 23rd
NLRA Late Models @ Norman County Raceway plus IMCA Sport Mods, INEX Legends, and Pure Stocks. 7pm. Presented by Norman County Implement and Visser Trencing. Live Racing Coverage can be heard on 106.5 KRJB and rjbroadcasting.com. Click here for the streaming link (6:45 PreRace)

Friday June 24th
NLRA Late Models @ Red River Valley Speedway plus IMCA Mods, Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, and Fargo Force Super Stock Series. Presented by Inland Truck Parks & Titan Machinery. Live Racing Coverage can be heard on 106.5 KRJB and rjbroadcasting.com Click here for the streaming link (6:45 PreRace)