By DALE LEECH

Special to The Hays Daily News

MINNEAPOLIS -- Weather wise, it was fitting to bring a close to 18 weeks of racing during a long hut summer with a cool evening and brief rain showers which caused over a one hour delay in the action. As far as the racing action is concerned, it was hot and exciting all summer and remained true to form for the final night that included 4 IMCA division championships and the final leg of the I-135 Mod-Lite Challenge as 103 cars took to the track to bring a sensational close to the season. In each of the four championship feature races, fans enjoyed not only the challenge for the checkered flag but also the added excitement of the race for each division points championship. The icing on the cake was the I-135 Mod-Lite Challenge Feature race for a $2000 purse which showcased 24 exceptional drivers from 5 states.

Coors Lite IMCA Hobby Stocks

Points leader Adam Armstrong came into the night with a 36 point lead in the division and simply needed to start the Feature Race to wrap up the championship. Unfortunately for Armstrong, his engine expired during his Heat race. But his dad Roy also made the trip from Beatrice, Nebraska and after winning his Heat race, allowed Adam to use his car in the Feature to secure the points championship. Larry Jantz took an early lead in the race but surrendered it to GW Fuller in the second lap. Fuller then cruised to an easy win in this green to checkered race for his first Feature win of the season. Armstrong was able to make his way to the third spot from a 6th row start but was unable to pass Pete Beaumont to get to a challenge position on Fuller who won his 8th Feature at the MRW. Winners of the Heat races were Roy Armstrong and Duane McAnarney.

T&R Dirt Construction Sportsman Modifieds

After the rain delay and Mod-Lite Qualifying races, this division took to the track to see whether or not the three time defending champion Tyler Frye could do it again, holding a 1 point lead over Brian Lariviere. Jacob Schmutz took an early lead but was passed by Tyler Sutton from a third row starting position within a few laps. Sutton then built a lead that he wouldn't surrender, gaining his 2nd Feature win of the season. For the points championship, Lariviere took an early advantage over Frye but the two exchanged positions in the early laps before Lariviere regained the lead and started picking off the cars to his front. Trailing Frye by one point, Lariviere had to finish two positions ahead of Frye to secure a championship. Lariviere got to 3rd place but could not get past Brian Fink for the finish. However, Lariviere did finish the Feature by the necessary two positions ahead of Frye, and the division had a new champion for the first time in 4 years by a one point margin. Sutton and Jacob Krone won the Heat races.

The Bank of Tescott IMCA Stock Cars

Dustin Newlin began this Feature with an 8 point advantage over Tony Steenson. Steenson finished the race in 4th position compared to Newlin's 7th so could only close the points margin to five as Dustin Newlin took his 2nd consecutive championship in the division. Rookie Bryan Hickman began the race on the pole and picked up a quick lead in the race. Half way through the race, he was closed on by Jason Schoenberger and Tony Millholland who couldn't get the rookie to melt away. For the last quarter of the race this trifecta put on quite a battle with Hickman prevailing for his first division win. Bob Arnold and Steenson won the Heat races.

Casey's General Store IMCA Modifieds

In another closely contested points battle, Danny Morrison Jr. started this Feature with a 2 point advantage over defending champion Corey Lagroon with both starting side by side on row 5. Pole sitters Terry Malm and Larry Sutton battled for the lead for the first few laps before being overtaken by Brandon Blochlinger in lap 3. Blochlinger then proceeded to put on quite a show, building a full stretch lead over the competition, at one point posting a 17.4 second lap. Then disaster struck for Blochlinger with 6 laps remaining with an unrecoverable mechanical failure. So what had been a distant contest for 2nd position between Scotty Phillips and Danny Morrison Jr. now took on new meaning. Morrison was able to pass Phillips in turn 4 of the first lap out of the caution restart and then cruised to his first Feature win of the season and a 6 position lead over Lagroon to take his 2nd division championship in 3 years. The Heat races were won by Blochlinger and Sutton.

All-American Towing Mod-Lite Series

This final leg of the I-135 Mod-Lite Challenge was not to be outdone for excitement. Greg Rossell, Josh May, and Troy Hudson started in the first three positions and put on quite a battle for several laps before Mike Hay worked his way into the mix. By then Josh May had the lead and fought off the challenging Hay for several laps before surrendering the lead to Hay with 7 laps to go. Hay then separated himself from the field and cruised to the win and the $2000 pay day. Local drivers, Justin Kinderknecht and Danny Morrison Jr. finished 2nd and 4th in this exceptional challenge with top drivers from around the nation in contention. Winners of the Heat races were Troy Hudson, Kinderknecht, Greg Rossell and May. The Qualifying race winners were Dustin Forsberg and Alan Knepper. Forsberg is to be congratulated for a tremendous job in organizing this I-135 Mod-Lite Challenge.

The Terry Robins family wishes to thank all the drivers and fans for another great season of racing at the Minneapolis Raceway.

Minneapolis Raceway

Race Results for 9/17/2011

Hobby - A Feature

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS

2 88B Pete Beaumont Concordia, KS

3 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE

4 72D Duane McAnarney Salina, KS

5 27 Tommy Fose Wichita, KS

6 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS

7 77M Larry Jantz Enterprise, KS

8 60P Chris Pollet Delphos, KS

9 27W Preston Winter Great Bend, KS

10 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS

11 34J Bryan Johnson , KS

12 06R Roy Armstrong Beatrice, NE

13 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS

Hobby - Heat 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 06R Roy Armstrong Beatrice, NE

2 88B Pete Beaumont Concordia, KS

3 22 Dennis Berry Salina, KS

4 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS

5 77M Larry Jantz Enterprise, KS

6 27W Preston Winter Great Bend, KS

7 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS

Hobby - Heat 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 72D Duane McAnarney Salina, KS

2 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS

3 27 Tommy Fose Wichita, KS

4 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE

5 34J Bryan Johnson , KS

6 60P Chris Pollet Delphos, KS

Modified - A Feature

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS

2 94AK Scott Phillips Salina, KS

3 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS

4 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS

5 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS

6 07 Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS

7 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS

8 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS

9 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS

10 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS

11 50 Brandon Payne Manhattan, KS

12 02A Randy Wilson Wichita, KS

13 75T Jeff Carrell Wichita, KS

14 71 Jason Caldwell Salina, KS

15 10 Matt Henke Osborne, KS

Modified - Heat 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 9 Brandon Blochlinger Concordia, KS

2 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS

3 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS

4 94AK Scott Phillips Salina, KS

5 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS

6 71 Jason Caldwell Salina, KS

7 75T Jeff Carrell Wichita, KS

Modified - Heat 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 53T Larry Sutton Beloit, KS

2 07 Jeff Welsh Abilene, KS

3 11W Tim Watts Beloit, KS

4 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS

5 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS

6 02A Randy Wilson Wichita, KS

7 50 Brandon Payne Manhattan, KS

8 10 Matt Henke Osborne, KS

Sportsman - A Feature

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS

2 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS

3 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, KS

4 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS

5 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS

6 1J Jacob Schmutz Manhattan, KS

7 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS

8 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS

9 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS

10 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS

11 57K Kurt Kalivoda Concordia, KS

12 18P Shane Pertl Lucas, KS

13 03K Kurtis Phil Lindsborg, KS

Sportsman - Heat 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 03G Tyler Sutton Beloit, KS

2 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS

3 57K Kurt Kalivoda Concordia, KS

4 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, KS

5 77W Tyler Watts Beloit, KS

6 18P Shane Pertl Lucas, KS

7 03K Kurtis Phil Lindsborg, KS

Sportsman - Heat 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS

2 1J Jacob Schmutz Manhattan, KS

3 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS

4 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS

5 92 Dan Smith Wichita, KS

6 23 Fred Traskowsky Woodbine, KS

Stock Car - A Feature

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 7 Bryan Hickman Minneapolis, KS

2 06X Jason Schoenburger Russell, KS

3 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS

4 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS

5 38 Shaylon Holloway Osborne, Ks

6 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS

7 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS

8 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS

9 45 Mike Kennedy Greeley, CO

10 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS

11 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS

12 55 Keith Riley Larned, ks

13 63C Austin Carter Beloit, KS

14 54M Josh McCarrell Chapman, KS

Stock Car - Heat 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 55A Bob Arnold Salina, KS

2 38 Shaylon Holloway Osborne, Ks

3 06X Jason Schoenburger Russell, KS

4 777 Marion Woody Tescott, KS

5 45 Mike Kennedy Greeley, CO

6 12M Tony Millholland Salina, KS

7 63C Austin Carter Beloit, KS

Stock Car - Heat 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS

2 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS

3 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS

4 7 Bryan Hickman Minneapolis, KS

5 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS

6 54M Josh McCarrell Chapman, KS

7 55 Keith Riley Larned, KS

Mod Lites - A Feature

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 22 Mike Hay Somerset, PA

2 51 Justin Kinderkenecht Salina, KS

3 99 Josh May Desoto, IA

4 55 Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS

5 77 Greg Rossell Knoxville, IL

6 27H Matt Hay Sommerset, Pa

7 0B Colby Oberembt Adel, IA

8 151 Earl Kinderknecht Salina, ks

9 03 Dustin Forsberg Wichita, KS

10 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS

11 15B Tyler Bradshaw Salina, KS

12 88 James May Desoto, IA

13 5 Troy Hudson Ankani, IA

14 20 Alan Knepper Somerset, PA

15 8 Dusty Masolini Des Moines, IA

16 95 Mike Kennedy Boone, IA

17 1 Andy Eatwell Phoenix, AZ

18 27 Ethan Houlton Abilene, KS

19 50X Joel Huggins Des Moines, IA

20 57X Tim Hennigar Clarion, IA

21 15 Andy Hennigar Ankenny, IA

22 26 Tom Beavers Pierceville, KS

23 10J Jill Roberg Salina, KS

24 01L Alex Lovless Lincoln, KS

Mod Lites - B Feature 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 03 Dustin Forsberg Wichita, KS

2 1 Andy Eatwell Phoenix, AZ

3 15 Andy Hennigar Ankenny, IA

4 88 James May Desoto, IA

5 50X Joel Huggins Des Moines, IA

6 01L Alex Lovless Lincoln, KS

7 11R Jason Whitehead Nevada, IA

8 17 Robert Martin Monticello, AR

9 06 Trace Ayers Salina, KS

10 83 Corbin Pickerill Salina, KS

11 89 Travis Stensland , IA

12 55B Brian Davidson Bennington, KS

13 6 Mike Morrill Altoona, IA

Mod Lites - B Feature 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 20 Alan Knepper Somerset, PA

2 57X Tim Hennigar Clarion, IA

3 0B Colby Oberembt Adel, IA

4 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS

5 10J Jill Roberg Salina, KS

6 95 Mike Kennedy Boone, IA

7 25 Kale Beavers Pierceville, KS

8 57 Karmon Kindall Salina, KS

9 916 Bryan Miller Phoenix, AZ

10 33S Shandy Price Houston, TX

11 64 Randy Bryan Ames, IA

12 12 Ryan Secrest Newton, KS

13 10 Lynn Knepper Sommerset, PA

Mod Lites - Heat 1

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 5 Troy Hudson Ankani, IA

2 151 Earl Kinderknecht Salina, ks

3 15B Tyler Bradshaw Salina, KS

4 1 Andy Eatwell Phoenix, AZ

5 20 Alan Knepper Somerset, PA

6 48B Brandon Gray Bennington, KS

7 64 Randy Bryan Ames, IA

8 33S Shandy Price Houston, TX

9 6 Mike Morrill Altoona, IA

10 10 Lynn Knepper Sommerset, PA

Mod Lites - Heat 2

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 51 Justin Kinderkenecht Salina, KS

2 27H Matt Hay Sommerset, Pa

3 27 Ethan Houlton Abilene, KS

4 50X Joel Huggins Des Moines, IA

5 15 Andy Hennigar Ankenny, IA

6 57 Karmon Kindall Salina, KS

7 55B Brian Davidson Bennington, KS

8 89 Travis Stensland , IA

9 10J Jill Roberg Salina, KS

10 06 Trace Ayers Salina, KS

Mod Lites - Heat 3

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 77 Greg Rossell Knoxville, IL

2 55 Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS

3 8 Dusty Masolini Des Moines, IA

4 26 Tom Beavers Pierceville, KS

5 95 Mike Kennedy Boone, IA

6 11R Jason Whitehead Nevada, IA

7 01L Alex Lovless Lincoln, KS

8 12 Ryan Secrest Newton, KS

9 17 Robert Martin Monticello, AR

Mod Lites - Heat 4

Finish Car No Driver Hometown

1 99 Josh May Desoto, IA

2 22 Mike Hay Somerset, PA

3 03 Dustin Forsberg Wichita, KS

4 0B Colby Oberembt Adel, IA

5 57X Tim Hennigar Clarion, IA

6 88 James May Desoto, IA

7 25 Kale Beavers Pierceville, KS

8 83 Corbin Pickerill Salina, KS

9 916 Bryan Miller Phoenix, AZ

Minneapolis Raceway

2011 Oval Track Points Standings As of 9/18/2011

Top 5 Positions in each Division

Hobby

Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points

1 06A Adam Armstrong Beatrice, NE 661

2 06 Tony Slothower Salina, KS 623

3 01X GW Fuller Tescott, KS 621

4 23 Mike Traskowsky Woodbine, KS 570

5 60P Chris Pollet Delphos, KS 564

Modified

Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points

1 14M Danny Morrison Jr. Minneapolis, KS 639

2 24 Corey Lagroon Salina, KS 631

3 06B Brian Knoell Falun, KS 620

4 12 Rodger Peck Minneapolis, KS 609

5 70T Terry Malm Lindsborg, KS 550

Sportsman

Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points

1 2 Bryan Lariviere Wichita, KS 632

2 55 Tyler Frye Belleville, KS 631

3 21M Jacob Krone Beloit, KS 573

4 04N Jason Nelssen Beloit, KS 563

5 12F Brian Fink Beloit, KS 560

Stock Car

Pos Car No Driver Hometown Points

1 07 Dustin Newlin Concordia, KS 592

2 59S Tony Steenson Salina, KS 587

3 9 Trevor Thornton Osborne, KS 564

4 5 Jim Stolzenburg Clifton, KS 525

5 7 Bryan Hickman Minneapolis, KS 515