Dacotah Speedway
Wildung captures victory in opener of N.D. swing
Jeff Wildung gets rolling at Dacotah Speedway. (Layne Mulder)
MANDAN, N.D. (June 10) — Jeff Wildung of Nassau, Minn., kicked off the first-ever North Dakota tripleheader on Dart Challenge Series with a victory Friday at Dacotah Speedway. The third-starting Wildung earned $3,000 for his eighth series victory and first in three seasons. | Slideshow
Wildung took the checkers ahead of fellow second-row starter Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire, Wis., while Eric Breeschoten of Buffalo, Minn., improved seven positions to finish third. Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., stormed from his 22nd starting spot to finish fourth and outside front-row starter Chad Becker rounded out the top five. Polesitter Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was among five drivers failing to finish.
The series continues the weekend trip Saturday at Southwest Speedway in Dickson, N.D., for another $3,000-to-win event, then wraps things up Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot, N.D., for a $2,000-to-win feature.
Notes: Wildung's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Viet, Lube-Tech, Lucas Oil, Pro Auto Sales & Service and Matador Supper Club & Lounge. ... He's tied for third in all-time series victories with A.J. Diemel, Joel Cryderman and Lance Matthees. ... Wildung's previous series victory came July 9, 2008, at Madison (Minn.) Speedway.
Dart Challenge @ Dacotah: (1) Jeff Wildung, (2) Jake Redetzke, (3) Eric Breeschoten, (4) Pat Doar, (5) Chad Becker, (6) Adam Hensel, (7) Marshall Fegers, (8) Jeremy Keller, (9) Corey Seckerson, (10) John Kaanta, (11) Lance Matthees, (12) Steve Laursen, (13) Curt Gelling, (14) Steve Pfeifer, (15) Wayne Johnson, (16) Dave Smith, (17) Mike Stadel, (18) Brian Swenson, (19) Paul Mueller, (20) Mike Balcaen, (21) Justin Fegers, (22) Kelly Hample, (23) Joel Cryderman, (24) Zach Johnson. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): Laursen, Kaanta, Wildung.
