Northwest Truck & Trailer – Red River Valley Speedway

By Mike Spieker

WEST FARGO – Many race fans left Red River Valley Speedway after Thursday night’s ‘Dakota Cat 100’ event thinking Austin Arneson won the night’s 42-lap IMCA Modified feature. However, Arneson came up 25 pounds light at the scales, forcing an automatic disqualification. That handed the win over to Austin’s brother, Cale, who followed Austin to the checkered flag.

That only fueled Austin’s drive to win even more on Friday night.

The Fargo native led the final 27 laps in a dominating performance to win the second and final night of the inaugural ‘Dakota Cat 100.’

With 12 laps in the books, it quickly became another battle between the Arneson brothers for the win as Cale led Austin.

On lap 15, Austin got a run on Cale and stole the point before opening a sizable lead.

With 23 laps to go, a caution reset the field, which allowed last Friday’s winner, Michael Greseth, to move into the runner-up spot. Greseth set his sights on the No. 10 of Arneson, but Arneson was too strong as he pulled away by four seconds in the closing laps.

Arneson was unchallenged on the final lap as he took his second RRVS win of the season.

“The track was [in the best condition] we’ve seen in a long time. Hats off to Jake and Sharnel [Bitker] and Nick [Skalicky],” said Arneson in victory lane. “The track was really technical tonight. It was slow and you had to hit your marks. We are still fine tuning on some things to make [the car] better.”

Luke Johnson edged out Dan Dowling in the final laps of the IMCA Sport Mod feature. However, Johnson and Dowling were both disqualified following post-race inspection. That gave Jesse Skalicky his fourth RRVS win of 2017.

Duffy Froemke held off Rick Schulz in a thrilling green-white-checkered finish during the IMCA stock car feature. The win was Froemke’s second of the year at the West Fargo three-eighths mile dirt oval.

Scotty Richardson picked up a popular win in the INEX Legends, while Tim Shiek was victorious in IMCA Hobby Stock action.

Racing continues next Friday night at Red River Valley Speedway, starting at 7pm.

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.

Tag Archives: Northwest Truck & Trailer

Arneson Finds Victory Lane Friday Night at Red River Valley Speedway

DQ Hands Cale Arneson first RRVS Modified Win