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Ed Reichert
MENOMONIE, Wisc. (July 4) - National Late Model driving star Jimmy Mars returned to his old stomping ground at the Red Cedar Speedway this weekend for the first annual Rumble at Red Cedar, and when Friday night's fifty lap headliner was complete, Mars made the short drive home $5,000 richer while his opponent's weren't rumbling, they were grumbling.
Mars led all the way in the WISSOTA sanctioned Rumble and when the contest was complete, Jimmy had lapped all the way up to the eighth finishing position in a race that was stopped only once by the yellow flag. Only Jeff Wildung could keep Mars in his telescope, and by the end of the race he needed a powerful one to even do that as Mars had opened up a straightaway lead over him by putting on a clinic in lapped traffic.
Twenty four cars took the green flag from starter Rick Cook on a beautiful holiday night in Wisconsin, with Mars, who earned the pole by winning the dash on Friday night, immediately breaking away from the field to take the early lead. Jimmy was running the tight inside line around the third mile oval while Wildung, who started next to him, chose to go to the cushion in an effort to keep up. Cory Mahder and his uncle Duane battled for third in the early going as both Pat Doar and Keith Foss looked to move forward.
Mars pulled out to about a ten car length lead over Wildung when the only yellow flag of the event occurred as Kyle Peterlin rolled to a halt in turn two. He was quickly removed from the track and the race resumed with Mars continuing his domination of the field.
Jimmy continued to run the low side of the track but there were cars in all groves of the speedway with the slick, top to bottom track providing plenty of passing room for those who were hooked up.
A couple of drivers that picked up the pace near the halfway point were Nick Anvelink and A.J. Diemel as the eastern Wisconsin driving stars started to move to the front after both started in the fifth row.
Mars moved into heavy traffic around the thirtieth lap as Wildung hoped him might get hung up and he could move in on him. However, Mars actually was able to increase his racing margin during this time as he made several bold moves, at least twice splitting the lapped cars in front of him and always attacking the traffic. During this time he started to adjust his line on the track, moving up to the middle lane which seemed to allow him to roll through the corners better. Anvelink was making steady progress at this time as he was engaged in a good battle with Duane Mahder and Pat Doar, both of whom he eventually put in his rear view mirror as he continued to march to the front using the low line on the track.
As the laps ran down, Mars continued to stretch his advantage and with about five laps to go, he found himself on an open track, needing only to keep the car off the walls to drive home for the win. He did so with no trouble, crossing the line as Wildung was just entering turn three. While Mars wasn't closely pursued, there did turn out to be tight battles for some of the other positions. Anvelink continued his charge and he was up to the rear bumper of Wildung when the checkered flag came out. Diemel also had caught Doar for fourth but he ran out of laps to make a move also.
Rounding out the second five in the finishing order were Duane Mahder, Brent Larson, Cory Mahder, Steve Laursen and Foss.
In other racing action tonight, Steve Thomas held on for a hard fought victory over Shawn Huse, Ben Hillman and Mike Keller as the top four Super Stock competitors finished in a tight group in their main event.
Mark Gerth led wire to wire to win the Midwest Modified main event and Mike Knudtson, subbing in the Nick Field car, won the Pure Stock feature race.
Regular racing action will return to the Red Cedar Speedway on Friday, July 11th on Stout Ale House Community Night at the track. All five classes will be in action with the first green flag to drop at 7 p.m. Keep undated on the racing happenings at the Red Cedar Speedway by logging on to their website, www.redcedarracing.com
SUMMARY
Red Cedar Speedway
Menomonie WI
Rumble at Red Cedar
WISSOTA Late Models
50 lap Feature - Jimmy Mars, Menomonie; Jeff Wildung, Nassau Mn; Nick Anvelink, Bonduel; Pat Doar, New Richmond; A.J. Diemel, Navarino; Duane Mahder, Eau Claire; Brent Larson, Lake Elmo Mn; Cory Mahder, Elk Mound; Steve Laursen, Cumberland; Keith Foss, Winona Mn; Adam Hensel, Barron; Justin Fegers, Minnetonka Mn; Pete Parker, Kaukauna; Lance Matthees, Winona Mn; Rick Egersdorf, Lake Elmo Mn; Jake Redetzke, Eau Claire; Shawn Mahder, Eau Claire; Eric Breeschotten, Buffalo Mn; Marshall Fegers, Mound Mn; Terry Anvelink, Navarino; Joel Cryderman, Thunder Bay Ont; Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay Ont; Mike Prochnow, Menomonie; Kyle Peterlin, Hibbing Mn.
15 lap B Features:
First- Nesbitt; Egersdorf; M. Fegers; Prochnow; Mike Goodremote; Jesse Redetzke; Peterlin; John Meeds.
Second - Parker; T. Anvelink; Breeschotten; Jeff Broking; M.J. McBride; Doug Blashe; Scott Gilberts; Davin Larson; Scott Meeds.
15 lap Heats:
First - J. Fegers; Foss; N. Anvelink; Hensel; Nesbitt; Peterlin; Je. Redetzke; Breeschotten; Gilberts.
Second- Mars; C. Mahder; Diemel; J. Redetzke; Parker; T. Anvelink; D. Larson; Steve Isenberg; M. Fegers.
Third - D. Mahder; Doar; Matthees; Laursen; Egersdorf; Prochnow; Goodremote; J. Meeds.
Fourth - Wildung; B. Larson; S. Mahder; Cryderman; Broking; McBride; S. Meeds; Blashe.
8 lap Dash - Mars; Wildung; C. Mahder; D. Mahder; Doar; Foss; B. Larson; J. Fegers.
Entries - 34
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