June 20
River Cities Speedway,
Grand Forks, ND
Sanction: Northern LateModel Racing Association - $1,250
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated June 21, 9:55 am)
Balcaen solidifies command late, wins at River Cities
- Mike Balcaen
- Ricky Weiss
- Pat Doar
- Brad Seng
- Steve Anderson
- Dave Smith
- Shane Essary
- Zach Naastad
- Donny Schatz
- Dustin Strand
- Chris Olson
- Jeff Massingill
- Jeff Hapala
- Norm Olson
- Josh Johnson
- Jeff McDonald
- Cole Schill
- Tom Corcoran
- Howie Schill
- Joey Pederson
- Steffen Snare
- Aaron Olson
presented by
What won the race: Third-starting Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, outdueled fourth-starting Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., over the second half of the caution-plagued 25-lap event to score his first Northern LateModel Racing Association victory of the season.
Key notes: Second-starting Brad Seng of Grand Forks, N.D., led the opening 12 laps. ... Doar overtook Seng on the 13th circuit, only to have Balcaen move past on lap later. ... Balcaen held the point for laps 14-16 before Doar regained it. ... Doar stayed in command on for three laps before Balcaen took the lead for good on the 20th marker and led the rest of the 25-lap distance. ... 17 drivers were running at the finish. ... Friday's event was on the under card of a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event, which was won by Donny Schatz of Fargo, N.D. ... Schatz pulled double duty, racing in both the Late Model and sprint car classes. ... Friday's event was the first of six at six different tracks over nine days for the series. ... The tour visits Hibbing (Minn.) Raceway on June 21, Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., on June 25, Devil's Lake Speedway in Doyon, N.D., on June 26, I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn., on June 27 and Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minn., on June 28. ... The previous weekend's NLRA doubleheader at Greenbush (Minn.) Race Park and Buffalo River Race Park in Glydon, Minn., was rained out. ... NLRA competitors will return to River Cities on Aug. 15 and Sept. 4; the track also hosts the World of Outlaws Late Model Series on July 18.
On the move: Ricky Weiss of Hedingley, Manitoba, climbed from 13th to best Doar late for runner-up honors; Schatz advanced from 23rd to finish 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Balcaen drives a Victory Circle machine sponsored by Associated Auto Auction, Imrie Demolition, Northstar, Shamrock Surfaces, Speedway International Racing Fuels and Sylmak.
Points chase: Following Friday's action, Seng has 326 points to lead Weiss' 322. Balcaen (306 points), Doar (298) and Schatz (292) round out the current top five.
Car count: 24
Polesitter: Steve Anderson
Heat race winners: Steve Anderson, Mike Balcaen, Brad Seng
Next series race: September 6, River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND) $1,292
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
