Red Cedar Speedway
Kaanta outruns Hanson, takes third Punky Manor
By Ed Reichert
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Kaanta (85) stalks Hanson (7). (chrisburback.com)
MENOMONIE, Wis. (Sept. 20) — Racing to his third victory in Red Cedar Speedway's most prestigious event, John Kaanta of Elk Mound, Wis., swept past Harry Hanson of Eveleth, Minn., just past the halfway point of the 40-lapper and led the rest of the way to win the 29th annual Punky Manor Challenge of Champions. Kaanta, who has concentrated mostly on his open-competition World Dirt Racing League car in 2008, turned in one of his best WISSOTA performances of the year to earn $4,000. Kaanta also won Red Cedar's season-ender in 2002 and 2006. | Slideshow
Hanson, who started on the pole by virtue of his victory in Friday's dash, built a 10-length advantage over Brent Larson of Lake Elmo, Minn., early in the race, while the fourth-starting Kaanta lost a few spots early on. Kaanta eventually got rolling and moved up to challenge Larson for the second spot. Kaanta moved into the runner-up spot just as the leaders were reaching lapped traffic, and soon enough he was challenging Hanson for the lead. Kaanta took command on the 22nd lap and wasn't challenged the rest of the way.
Hanson held on to finish second while 16th-starting Jimmy Mars of Menomonie — who went from sixth to third in a single lap while charging to the front — finished third at his hometown track. Larson and Lance Matthees of Winona, Minn., rounded out the top five in a race slowed by a single caution for Rick Egersdorf's first-lap spin that required a complete restart.
Punky Manor Challenge of Champions: (1) John Kaanta, (2) Harry Hanson, (3) Jimmy Mars, (4) Brent Larson, (5) Lance Matthees, (6) Jesse Redetzke, (7) Pat Doar, (8) Tim Isenberg, (9) Joel Cryderman, (10) A.J. Diemel, (11) Duane Mahder, (12) Marshall Fegers, (13) Chad Mahder, (14) Steve Laursen, (15) Kerry Hanson, (16) Ron Berna, (17) Terry Anvelink, (18) Chris Oertel, (19) Shawn Mahder, (20) Rick Egersdorf. Consolation race winners: Hanson, Diemel. Dash winner: Hanson. Heat race winners: Kaanta, Redetzke, S. Mahder, Adam Hensel.
