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Johnson Emerges from the Dark

Not much can be said when a 30 lap super stock race goes completely caution free during the kick off night for the Northland Fastlane Super Stock Series Race at Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids MN. However, the one main take away from the night is that it doesn’t matter what the ultimate winner of the race climbs into, if it has a steering wheel, he will drive it to a win. Right off the bat it was noticeable that there were no sponsors on the car and that the 1jr was in the form of duct tape, but none of that matters when you see him drive. He is a essential inspiration to dirt track racing and it was great to see Sasquatch emerge from nowhere to be racing again at a track.

Dan Gullickson held the lead for about 10 laps and was really giving it all his effort but eventually Johnson, who started in the 2nd row, caught up and passed him and never lost the lead after that. The 47 supers were cut down to 24 to start the feature and had a mix of veterans such as Don Eischens, Curt Myers, and Dave Mass to a couple younger driver local racers of Jordan Henkemeyer and Dylan Nelson. The race was smooth and capped off a night that started out with a tough track, to some slides into the wall while packing before the b mains (which every driver was able to work on the car and get back out for), to some flawless awesome Main Features.

The results of the turn out and the support of the racers for this series was a testament to how awesome the ringleader is, Dennis McCauley. He single-handedly brought drivers and families from all over to a track they had never been to before. Let’s just say it has been a long time since groups of people could be heard laughing and enjoying the aftermath of the races in the pits, and most of them able to make jokes about any negative results from the night. It’s a distant memory of people in central MN really getting to let loose and have fun in which they set off some fireworks and stay hanging out into the wee hours of the morning. Not attaking each other but having a great time with the fellow friends in racing. The genuine atmosphere all starts with Dennis and the mutual respect and passion that is shared between him and all the people around him. It’s a sincere honor to work with someone that gets it and has the right ideas to make it work.

In the other classes, the car counts were lacking but it was a treat to welcome a couple newcomers such as JD Ford and Lucas Grosinger who made the trip. The race in the Midwest Modifies shared the spotlight with Tim Johnson, James Trantina III, and Bud Martini. But the ultimate winner was none other than the “shaken not stirred” Martini.

In the Mod 4s, a familiar face this season to victory lane is Dustin Holtquist, and he got another sticker for the night. He started outside pole and never looked back.

The hornets didn’t have enough racers to get Wissota Points.
Form the behind the scenes perspective track prep is becoming very consistent and dust free and smooth every week. Employees new and returning and settling into what their responsibilities are with confidence and leading with customer service.

At intermission the Tanner Team Foundation that raises money for children with cancer drew for a 50/50 raffle and brought 2 Red Flyer wagons filled with every toy or thing every kid would every dream of having for the summer. 2 lucky winners went home the happiest kids of the night. There were Junior Fans and Pace Car Riders as well as 2 lucky fans that got a chance to throw a frisbee 100 feet into a stations car window to win $5,000. When interviewing fans in the stands throughout the night, there were many first-time attendees which is promising for the sport and gives that extra little push to make sure everyone is always trying to achieve operating at the top of their game and keep them coming back.

The next event will be Sunday Aug 5th with race time starting at 5pm. Pits open at 2 and draw cut off is 4:30. Racing Wissota Mods, Midwest Mods, Hornets, Mod 4s, and Outlaw Mini Mods. Midwest Mods will be racing for $500 to win and $325.00 for 2nd. Mod 4s will not be racing for track points. Just National. Draw Redraw format

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