7/6/2014
Tatnell Benefits From Late Race Caution, Defeats Richert At Proctor
Proctor, MN
If you're the leader, the yellow light can blink on at what seems like the most inopportune time. If your sitting in second with a good gap between you and the leader late in the race, the yellow light can be your friend. Such was the case for the yellow #34 sprinter driven by Brooke Tatnell on Sunday night July 6 at the Proctor Speedway. With his brother-in-law and fellow Forest Lake racer Jerry Richert, Jr. holding a comfortable lead on the wind-swept track, it was looking like Tatnell would have to settle for second this time around for family bragging rights. Not so, as Jennifer Eriksen had an engine expire in her car and was not able to get a safe distance off the track on the inside of turn one. Presto, the caution flag that Tatnell needed with four laps remaining. Tatnell took the lead from Richert on the next lap and went on to record his 26th career UMSS feature victory. Joining him in the Anderson's Pure Maple Syrup/Rock Auto Victory Lane was car owner Ron Olson and regular driver Rick Kobs. Tatnell thanked Olson and Kobs for the opportunity to drive their car at Proctor, as Olson was looking for some input on the car having not been satisfied with its performance this season. Mission accomplished.
Coming off an incredible win the night before in Hibbing, 2010 UMSS Champion Cody Hahn earned high point honors after the heats and challenge races. Hahn followed suit as the driver autograph session and had a young race fan pull his invert pill. Luck number seven was the pill, but Cody did not think it was so lucky. This put Jennifer Eriksen on the pole with Richert outside. Richert raced to the lead immediately at the drop of the green flag and looked poised to win. The aforementioned caution with 21 laps scored was his undoing though, as Tatnell took control and drove to victory. Commenting following the race, Tatnell stated, "I never like to see Jerry lose a race, but I was glad he did tonight." The win paid the Olson Motorsports team $1,000. Rounding out the top five finishers were Jared Goerges in his best run of the season, rookie driver Jamey Ogston from Duluth with his best finish so far, and fellow rookie racer Ryan Bowers. Goerges and Hahn won the heat while Tatnell and Hahn topped the challenge races.
Having completed an entertaining and enjoyable Northern Tour, the UMSS now turns it attention to the 3rd Annual Open Wheel Nationals this coming weekend July 11-12 at the St. Croix Valley Raceway. The winged sprints pay $1,000 to win on Friday and $1,500 to win on Saturday with a $500 Clean Sweep Bonus available from GRP Motorsports. The Traditional sprints will join them on the program both nights along with WISSOTA Modifieds and Midwest Mods.
UMSS Race Results - Proctor Speedway July 6, 2014 (Race #9)
Track Rat Photos Ultimate Sprint Race #1 (6 laps): 9 Jared Goerges, 199 Ryan Bowers, 91 Davey Heskin, 63 Jerry Richert Jr, 03 Jamey Ogston, 91A Reed Allex.
Meeks Video Ultimate Sprint Race #2 (6 laps): 23 Cody Hahn, 34 Brooke Tatnell, 10 Leigh Thomas, 10x Jennifer Eriksen, 5 Anna Kouba, 36 Sye Anderson DNS.
Mastell Brothers Trailer Service Challenge Race #1 (8 laps): Tatnell, Richert, Bowers, Eriksen, Allex, Anderson DNS.
Hoosier Racing Tire Challenge Race #2 (8 laps): Hahn, Thomas, Goerges, Kouba, Ogston, Heskin DNS.
Mastell Brother Trailer Service Feature (25 laps): Tatnell, Richert, Goerges, Ogston, Bowers, Kouba, Thomas, Allex, Hahn DNF, Eriksen DNF, Heskin DNS, Anderson DNS.
Lap Leaders: Richert 1-21, Tatnell 22-25.
Cautions: (1)
Victory Lane photo courtesy of Vince Peterson at Track Rat Photos.
Article Credit: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director
