From Bill Wright
Windom, MN (October 5, 2015) – With a lot to be decided, the FVP National Sprint League’s final weekend at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska did not disappoint! Two great nights of racing action on two different race surfaces produced a pair of first time winners with the series, and provided a fitting ending to a successful inaugural season for the NSL!
A Champion’s Champion – The only thing truly decided headed into the weekend was that Danny Lasoski was the champ. The “Dude” cemented his championship with a series’ high nine wins. He added his 17th podium finish of the season on Friday. The championship was worth $75,000 to Lasoski and the Big Game Motorsports #2 team.
A Thriller to End it – Tim Kaeding registered a series’ high eight KSE Hard-charger Awards. None was bigger than the one he registered Saturday, coming from 14th to win his first main event with the NSL. “TK” wasted no time getting to the front in the Lunstra Motorsports #3, roaring into the top five and taking the lead on lap 17. It couldn’t have been a more fitting ending for the series, which saw fourteen different feature winners. He also cut the best donuts of the year, both in turns four and one after the race (with Mark Dobmeier’s infield cookies at Park Jefferson second). “TK”‘s win locked him third in the final standings.
“BC” Breaks Through – Bryan Clauson had finished second enough times in 2015. He led from start to finish to win his first NSL feature Friday night aboard the Matt Wood Racing #17w. The Noblesville, Indiana driver registered ten top five finishes with the NSL in his first full season of winged sprint car racing. He edged out Brian Brown for sixth in the driver points standings, while the team was third on the owner’s side. He is aiming for 200 open wheel events in 2016.
Scelzi Sizzles – Eighteen year old Dominic Scelzi was a surprise entry for the NSL’s final weekend. The Californian teamed up with the Lasoski’s to run their #33. He was strong on Friday, running eighth. But his third place run on Saturday on a slick surface is what really opened eyes! Scelzi is planning on running more in the Midwest next season, and will be a welcome addition.
Ian is Steady – Ian Madsen and the KCP Racing #18 team wrapped up another solid season with a second place run in the NSL standings worth $50,000. The St. Mary’s, New South Wales native was second to Lasoski in top fives with fourteen, and saw a resurgence in the second half of the season after a very slow start.
Balog Comes Through – Bill Balog and Terry McCarl were tied for fourth heading into the weekend, but “The North Pole Nightmare” was strong, while TMAC suffered some motor issues on the final night. Balog decided to hit the road with the NSL after winning the IRA championship seven times. He registered two wins with the series and logged his 11th top five finish to register fourth in the final standings. Bill is looking to return to the NSL in 2016.
TMAC on the Podium Again – Terry McCarl ended his NSL season in the fifth spot. He registered his eighth podium finish of the season, which was second to Lasoski. He also ended up second to the champion in money earned after registering three big wins. Among them was the $10,000 Folkens Brothers Trucking Spring Nationals at Jackson Speedway in Minnesota and his third career Jerry Richert Memorial at the Cedar Lake Speedway in Wisconsin.
Return of the King – Last weekend, Steve Kinser joined the series at I-80 Speedway, and he had plenty of fans in the house! After having to go through the B on Friday night, he knocked a little rust off Saturday. He qualified for the redraw, started in the second row of the 30-lap main event, and came home second in a feature that saw plenty of sliders. The podium saw Steve, winner Tim Kaeding, who drove for him back in the NST days, and eighteen year old, Scelzi, who couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after racing with a legend!
For more information on the FVP National Sprint League, visit www.NationalSprintLeague.com!