FVP National Sprint League Notes from St. Francois County Raceway

nslnotesFrom Bill Wright

Windom, MN — (June 1, 2015) — The “March through Missouri” last weekend was supposed to include a “Left” and then a “Right”. Unfortunately, Mother Nature wiped out Friday’s event at Randolph County Raceway near Moberly. On the bright side, a great event was held Thursday at the St. Francois County Raceway near Farmington. What was tabbed as a battle between the FVP National Sprint League and the locals, was just that. Following are some notes from the night.

Dude was Hauling – Danny Lasoski is no stranger to SFCR. He was the 1996 Queen’s Royale champ there, but it had been some time since he circled the unique 1/3-mile oval. Plenty of rain fell on the facility on Wednesday, lending to a heavy, fast, wheelie fest track all night long. Crew chief Guy Forbrook had it figured out and Lasoski blistered the old track record, setting a new one at 10.794 seconds, becoming the first driver ever there under the eleven second bracket.

Bad Luck for BC – Bryan Clauson was looking forward to getting back to Farmington, having hot-lapped there earlier this season during weekly action before rains washed that show out. He had a transfer spot secured in his heat, when he spun. That allowed Lasoski a transfer spot to the main event, which he eventually turned into a win, becoming the first repeat winner for the NSL this year. Bryan would battle back in the feature, and challenge into the top five before suffering a flat tire.

Farmington Posse? – Many of the NSL regulars spoke highly of the local racers at SFCR. The track is the only weekly 410 sprint car facility in Missouri, and joins Knoxville, Huset’s and River Cities Speedway in North Dakota as the only 410 tracks west of the Mississippi this side of California and Washington. Racing at SFCR is much like invaders going into central PA. When all was said and done, the heat races and redraw positions were split evenly between NSL members and local drivers. Three of the top seven feature finishers were SFCR locals. The battle had fans excited and rooting for their home track heroes all night long.

Hull of an Effort – Jerrod Hull was third quick, and drew outside the front row for the feature. The 2013 Queen’s Royale champion at SFCR, and four-time and defending MOWA champ seemed to have things on cruise control in the feature. But when Ryan Kempin spun on lap seven, the Sikeston, Missouri driver could not avoid him. The resulting contact broke the leader’s Jacob’s ladder, affecting the handling of the machine. Jerrod held on ten more laps, before Lasoski passed him in traffic. He would maintain second at the checkers.

Hat’s Off to the New Owners – The new owners of SFCR, Brian and Amy Blair have big plans for the facility and served as exceptional hosts. Despite taking over right before the season started, several changes are already evident, and many more are in store. The future looks very bright for SFCR. Brian even offered up one of his patented cowboy hats to winner Danny Lasoski in Victory Lane.

Madsen Marching – Ian Madsen was another NSL driver looking forward to Farmington. The 2010 Queen’s Royale champ registered fourth quick, before driving from eighth to fifth in the feature.

Loyet’s Bucking Bronco – Brad Loyet had his shortest trip of the year for a NSL show. The Sunset Hills, Missouri driver drew the pole of the feature, but had to tame a sprinter that wheelied up several times on the backstretch on the opening lap. He would calm it down for a solid third place finish behind Lasoski and Hull.

Dobmeier was Dynamite for a While – Looking at SFCR, you knew that Mark Dobmeier would probably take a liking to it. Like most newcomers, it took a few laps. The Grand Forks, North Dakota driver was tenth quick, and maintained a fourth place showing in his heat. Things were clicking for him in the feature, as he charged from row six to challenge Loyet for third late in the going. Unfortunately, he spun to avoid contact, and ended up coming from the tail to 14th in the last few laps.

86 and Counting – In the six shows run so far (three have been lost to rain) eighty-six different drivers have competed with the NSL. 410 racing is doing just fine here in the Midwest!

Weekend Winners – While most NSL drivers headed to Knoxville after Moberly’s rainout, only to surprisingly get misted out again, Bill Balog took Hans Lein’s #2 to Cedar Lake Speedway near New Richmond, Wisconsin Saturday night and beat the IRA. The Brookfield, Wisconsin driver who raced from 12th to sixth at SFCR, followed up that win with another Sunday night with the IRA at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The NSL visits Cedar Lake Speedway for the Jerry Richert Memorial on Saturday, September 5, and they’ll be at Angell Park Speedway on Sunday, August 30. Dobmeier picked up a win in weekly competition at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota Sunday night. The NSL will be at Huset’s on Friday, July 3. Brian Brown claimed victory at the Belleville (KS) High Banks with the Lucas Oil ASCS Series Sunday as well.

The win put Danny Lasoski back in the FVP National Sprint League point lead. The next action for the NSL will be Saturday, June 27 for Knoxville Raceway’s “Mid-Season Championship” paying $5,000 to the winner.