By Mike Spieker

WEST FARGO – Many race fans left Red River Valley Speedway Thursday night thinking Austin Arneson won the night’s 42 lap IMCA Modified feature. However, Arnesen came up 25 pounds light at the scales. That handed the win over to Austin’s brother, Cale, who followed Austin to the checkered flag.

Last Friday’s winner, Michael Greseth of Harwood, jumped out to the early lead as the green flag waved on the Modified feature. Greseth looked to have the car to beat in the first handful of laps before he was forced to retire from the event prematurely with mechanical issues.

That gave the lead to Johnny Scott. Once assuming the lead, the New Mexico driver checked out from the field and seemed to have the race in hand.

With six laps remaining and a full straightaway lead over Austin Arneson, Scott also suffered a catastrophic failure as a broken j-bar forced him pitside.

“We didn’t have the fastest car tonight,” said Austin Arneson after the race in victory lane. “We’ve been testing on the setup here as of late and we were just too tight tonight. Johnny [Scott] is a good friend of ours and that’s a heck of a tough way to lose a race.”

The night was dedicated to injured Fargo driver Mike Bruns, Sr., who traveled with Arneson as a crew member for several years.

“This is Mike Bruns’ race and he’s a great family friend,” Arneson said. “He was on the road with us for the last five seasons and every big race I’ve won he has been side by side with me.”

A benefit was held for Bruns during the intermission and Austin Arneson offered to add to that total by donating all of his winnings before knowing he would later be DQ’d.

For Cale, the win was his first in IMCA Modified action at RRVS

Chris VanMil backed up his win at Buffalo River Race Park’s season opener and claimed the IMCA Sport Mod feature race. .

Brandon Schmidt went back-to-back in the IMCA hobby stock as he visited KRJB Victory Lane in his No. 219 machine. Fifteen-year-old Tim Estenson, who flipped his INEX legend last Friday night, rebounded to score his fourth win of the season.

Kelly Jacobson grabbed his first career IMCA stock car win by holding off Minot’s Scott Yale on the final lap.

Racing continues Friday night at Red River Valley Speedway for the final night of the Dakota Cat 100.