8/31/2024
Wissota Late Model Challenge Series
Revenge: Burdick Withstands Massingill in Rapids For 1st Series Win
For Immediate Release – August 30, 2024
The 2024 season for the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series rolled into the Grand Rapids Speedway in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for the 30th annual WISSOTA Classic on Friday night, August 30th and saw Kevin Burdick withstand a late race charge and several final lap caution flags to pick up a little revenge after losing the lead on the final corner one year ago. Burdick lead all but the opening lap and raced to his first career series victory in front of a packed grandstand to kick off Labor Day weekend.
Gunner Frank started the night by setting fast time with a lap of 13.456 seconds around the tight oval, while Tyler Peterson, Johnny Broking and Kevin Burdick topped the three qualifying heat races early in the night’s program.
Frank and Burdick earned the front row for the night’s 40-lap feature event with Frank taking the lead on the initial start and leading the field into turn number one before Burdick roared around on the top side, stealing the lead on the second lap.
Once out front, Burdick took off into the lead with Frank, Peterson, Broking and Shane Sabraski quickly embarking in a multi-car battle for second as Burdick slipped away into the night.
The field chased Burdick during the first fifteen laps until the first caution flag flew over the field for a tangle on the backstretch, which bunched the field once again for the restart.
On the double file restart, Burdick again took off into the lead with Massingill in tow. Just behind the leaders, Peterson, Sabraski and Billy Kendall were in a great battle for position with Jeff Provinzino and Ryan Mikkelson lurking inside the top ten as well.
Burdick continued to lead after a pair of mid-race restarts with outstanding three and four wide racing occurring throughout the field behind the leaders. Massingill, Peterson, Sabraski, Frank and Broking were tussling lap after lap for top five finishes until the action got a bit too close and Massingill and Sabraski tangled late in the race, slowing the field for the seventh and final time with just three laps to go.
The field rumbled around the Iron Range oval for the final times and Massingill was able to get just to the inside of Burdick entering turn three, but unlike a year ago, Burdick was able to withstand the late race challenge and race to his first career Challenge Series victory for his efforts. Massingill settled for second with Peterson third, just ahead of Broking and Cole Searing who rounded out the top five. Frank, Provinzino, Mikkelson Kendall and Harry Hanson were the top ten finishers at the line.
Shane Sabraski won the WISSOTA Modified and Super Stock features. Sam Blevins won the WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature. Dustin Puffe won the WISSOTA Pure Stock feature.
Full results can be found on MyRacePass.com
The next 2024 Challenge Series event is scheduled for Saturday, August 31st at the Hibbing Raceway in Hibbing, MN with a 5pm start time.
For upcoming schedule information and tickets, visit www.WISSOTAChallengeSeries.com.
ShooterGuy Photos
Submitted By: Nikki Cook
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