Gondik Law Speedway
High-running Mahder grabs Superior win
Chad Mahder celebrates in Superior. (Scott Swenson)
SUPERIOR, Wis. (Aug. 23) — High-running Chad Mahder of Eau Claire, Wis., won a tight duel Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., taking the lead with three laps remaining Friday for a Blaine Brothers Challenge Series victory.
Running in the extreme high groove, the third-starting Mahder, whose father Duane won the 2001 series championship, earned $2,000 for his first series victory since 2010. Mahder’s previous series victories came July 3, 2010, at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., and Aug. 27, 2007, at Rice Lake (Wis.) Speedway.
Nelson, who led the first 37 laps after starting outside the front row, settled for second while fifth-starting Jeff Provinzino of Hibbing, Minn., was third. Steve Laursen of Cumberland, Wis., improved seven positions for fourth and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., rounded out the top five. Polesitter John Kaanta of Elk Mound, Wis., was seventh.
Four cautions slowed the action, the first for debris on the 10th lap. Kyle Peterlin spun on the lap-10 restart, and Robbie Cooper stopped to draw a lap-31 caution. The final yellow appeared on lap 32 for Travis Budisalovich’s backstretch spin in the second-to-last series race of the season.
Notes: Mahder’s MasterSbilt Race Car is sponsored by Underground Systems Inc. and Toppers. ... Eighteen of 25 starters were running at the finish. ... Zach Johnson of Kensington, Mo., will take a seven-point lead over Jake Redetzke into the series finale in pursuit of his first series championship. ... Drivers failing to make the feature lineup: Scott Herrick, Doug Koski, Adam Hensel and Dustin Virkus. ... The series wraps up the season Saturday at Ogilvie (Minn.) Raceway for another $2,000-to-win event.
Blaine Brothers Challenge Series @ Amsoil: (1) Chad Mahder, (2) Darrell Nelson, (3) Jeff Provinzino, (4) Steve Laursen, (5) Brady Smith, (6) Pat Doar, (7) John Kaanta, (8) Zach Wohlers, (9) Jake Redetzke, (10) Tim McMann, (11) Zach Johnson, (12) Lance Matthees, (13) Jordan Yaggy, (14) Riley Matthews, (15) Trevor Wilson, (16) Gregg Hill, (17) T.J. Adams, (18) Chris Olson, (19) Harry Hanson, (20) Kyle Peterlin, (21) Travis Budisalovich, (22) Robbie Cooper, (23) Brent Larson, (24) Corey Pope, (25) Aaron Lillo. Heat race winners (among 29 cars): Peterlin, Kaanta, Nelson. Consolation winner: Matthees. Provisional starter: Adams.
