Balog Bags IRA’s Northern Nationals

From Justin Zoch

He’s been strong there in the past – including a runner-up to Terry McCarl in last year’s Northern Nationals at Superior Speedway in Superior, Wisconsin – but Bill Balog was not to be denied this year. Balog struggled a bit in his heat race and started ninth in the A-main but wasted little time working his way forward before passing Steve Meyer following a lap 16 caution flag. It was Balog’s sixth IRA win of the 2010 season.

Meyer raced hard with fellow front row starter Ian Madsen through the first part of the race before Meyer eventually worked his way by the Australian. Madsen then fell into a great battle with Davey Heskin, Travis Whitney and Balog to maintain the second spot. The yellow came out on lap 16 when Wayne Modjeski and Russel Borland tangled in turn two. On the restart, Balog blasted by and held the lead until the field slowed again on lap 19 for the stalled car of Leigh Thomas.

On the restart, it was all Balog as he blasted around the high side of the speedway to take the victory. Heskin slipped by Meyer in the waning laps to take the runner up spot while Meyer held on for third. Madsen finished fourth in his first visit to the speedway while Brooke Tatnell charged from 19th to fifth.

Heat race winners for the 26 car field were won by Travis Whitney, Ian Madsen and Steve Meyer – all three were won from outside row one. In the first heat race, Brooke Tatnell jumped the cushion and flipped in turn two. In the B-main, Phillip Mock flipped in turn one on the initial start and Michael Emme flipped in turn two on lap two. Neither driver was injured.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications were canceled for the evening and the passing points system was implemented because of a concern about approaching wet weather. The IRA returns to the speedway on Saturday for the 10th Annual Jerry Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake Speedway. For more information, log on to www.cedarlakespeedway.com.

Weld Racing Heat Race #1: 1. Travis Whitney, 2. Jessica Zemken, 3. Leigh Thomas, 4. John Sernett, 5. Dave Uttech, 6. Bill Warren, 7.Russel Borland, 8. Billy Hafemann, 9. Brooke Tatnell (DNF)

Lane Automotive Heat Race #2: 1. Ian Madsen, 2. Davey Heskin, 3. Bill Wirth, 4. Andy Hunt, 5. Danny Heskin, 6. Scott Uttech, 7. Duane Olson, 8. Matt Vandevere (DNF), 9. Ryan Wilson (DNF)

DMI/King Racing Heat Race #3: 1. Steve Meyer, 2. Scott Biertzer, 3. Bill Balog, 4. Scott Neitzel, 5. Wayne Modjeski, 6. Kris Spitz, 7. Phillip Mock, 8. Michael Emme

Behling Racing Products B-main: 1. Billy Hafemann, 2. Russel Borland, 3. Brooke Tatnell, 4. Scott Uttech, 5. Ryan Wilson, 6. Kris Spitz / 7. Duane Olson, 8. Michael Emme (DNF), 9. Phillip Mock (DNF), 10. Matt Vandevere (DNF)

30-Lap A-Feature: 1. Bill Balog (9), 2. Davey Heskin (6), 3. Steve Meyer (1), 4. Ian Madsen (2), 5. Brooke Tatnell (19), 6. Travis Whitney (3), 7. Scott Neitzel (10), 8. Scott Biertzer (4), 9. Jessica Zemken (5) 10. John Sernett (14), 11. Bill Warren (12), 12. Dave Uttech (11), 13. Bill Wirth (7), 14. Danny Heskin (15), 15. Russel Borland (18), 16. Billy Hafemann (17), 17. Wayne Modjeski (16), 18. Scott Uttech (20), 19. Andy Hunt (13), 20. Ryan Wilson (21), 21. Kris Spitz (22), 22. Leigh Thomas (8) (DNF)