Fans packed the stands for Championship Night on Friday, August 22nd. A full season’s hard work came down to this very night where we would crown track champions in each of our five racing divisions.
In the Slingshot feature, Libby Keller and Caiden Davenport lead the field to the green flag before an early caution regrouped the field. On the restart, Davenport took the lead and quickly pulled away as Landen Hallgren passed Keller for second. Keller then fell into the clutches of Libby Martin and they raced side by side for third. It was a three car battle for fourth place between Keller, Easton Olson and Jaeger Mahlen. A caution on the white flag lap would cut the race short by one lap. Officials declared Caiden Davenport the winner. Landen Hallgren held off Libby Martin for second. Jaeger Mahlen finished fourth while Libby Keller rounded out the top five. Caiden Davenport was crowned the first ever Slingshot track champion at Dacotah Speedway.
Outside pole sitter Karlie Hoerner grabbed the lead early in the Hobby Stock feature. Her dad, Kelly Hoerner, was all over her rear bumper in second place. As the laps wound down, Karlie Hoerner started to stretch her lead over Kelly Hoerner and third place Mike Appert. The battle for fourth place was heating up between pole sitter, Trenton Kohler, Jeremy Herr and Bill Hultberg. Former track champion, Derrick Appert made it a four car battle for fourth place. With four laps to go, Herr passed Mike Appert for third place. Meanwhile, back up front, Kelly Hoerner was catching Karlie Hoerner in the closing laps of the race. Caution after the leaders took the white flag would cut the race short. Karlie Hoerner was declared the winner over Kelly Hoerner. Jeremy Herr crossed the finish line in third place ahead of Derrick Appert and Mike Appert. Points leader, Josh Roehrich, had a flat tire early in the feature race but hung on to clinch his first ever track championship.
Pole sitter Bryce Barnhardt led early in the INEX Legends feature. Casey Martin wasted no time going to the front and taking the lead on lap three. However, Casey would have his hands full with Gage Madler, Noah Madler and Preston Martin. It was a thrilling battle between the Martin brothers versus the Madler brothers. Gage Madler slipped by Casey Martin for the lead on lap five. It was a bumper to bumper to bumper battle for third place between Noah Madler, Ty Olson and Ryan Erdahl. Running where the others were not, Preston Martin used the low line around our ⅜ mile track to pick off each driver and make his way to the front. It was a drag race coming to the white flag as Preston Martin just narrowly edged Gage Madler for the lead. While racing hard up front, Ty Olson spun in front of the field and brought out the caution. Preston Martin was declared the winner over Gage Madler. Points leader, Noah Madler, finished third ahead Casey Martin and Ryan Erdahl. The track championship went to Noah Madler, his first career Dacotah Speedway championship.
The points battle in the IMCA Stock Cars was super tight between Geoff Hellman and Matt Dosch. Only one point separated the two drivers coming into the final race of the season. Hellman, who was involved in a heat race incident, had his work cut out for him in the feature. Cautions came out early and often in the feature which helped Hellman and Dosch work their way closer to the front. After coming up short the week prior, Marlyn Seidler, led the race early. Hellman challenged Seidler for the lead as Dosch lurked in the third position. Seidler and Hellman raced side by side for the lead before Hellman took the lead on lap eight. Hellman and Seidler continued to race door to door for the win. With five laps to go, Seidler retook the lead and pulled away. Hellman then fell into the clutches of Dosch. They raced hard, not only for the second position on track, but also for the track championship. When the checkered flag waved, Matt Dosch just narrowly edged Geoff Hellman for second place. Jason Berg finished a season best of fourth while John Gartner Jr finished fifth. Marlyn Seidler crossed the finish line first to win his second feature of the season.
When the dust settled, Hellman and Dosch tied for the championship. The tie-breaker went to Hellman’s four season victories compared to Dosch’s two victories.
After a complete restart, Marlyn Seidler was your lead in the IMCA Modified feature. By taking the green flag, Jeremy Keller, was declared the track champion and he quickly drove through the field. Seidler and Keller raced side by side for the lead for several laps before Keller took the top spot on lap nine. Keller quickly pulled away from the field as Seidler started to feel pressure from behind from Mark Dahl. With six laps remaining, Dahl passed Seidler for second. Jeremy Keller cruised to his sixth Dacotah Speedway victory of the season. Mark Dahl finished a distant second place ahead of Marlyn Seidler. Zach Frederick finished fourth while Tim Perkins finished fifth.