Warm Weather and Fast Cars at Chateau Speedway

August 15, 2020

Chateau Speedway (Lansing, MN) Matthew Grage

Temperatures climbed into the 80’s making for one of the warmer Friday nights this summer for racing action at Chateau Speedway in Lansing. The cars and drivers were up to the task as even the threat of some rain didn’t slow them down as they rolled in and through week six of racing action. The rains did eventually show up about half way through the final feature of the night, the Kruckeberg Services WISSOTA Hornet main event, which was stopped early as the rain fell. However it won’t be the rain, or heat that fans remember from this night. It will be the violent roll that Greg Pfeifer Junior took in the Action Builders WISSOTA Midwest Modified Feature event.

It came on the second attempt to start the race as the field raced down the back straightaway. A little contact in the middle of a congested field of cars sent Pfeifer barreling rolling and than end over end. As the car finally was coming to a stop he took one final shot as cars were still scrambling to avoid him. Fortunately that shot was in the passenger side. Safety crews rushed to the car with Greg telling them immediately he was fine to the relief of everyone in attendance. The car appeared to be a total loss but did its job in keeping the driver safe, and that’s what its all about at the end of any race night. When the race was finally restarted just seven of the thirteen cars took the green with Ryan Goergen of Stacyville Iowa leading Dan Wheeler of Savage around on lap one. On lap three after racing side by side for a lap Wheeler took over the top spot and Goergen lasted just one more lap before he was in the infield with a flat tire. Contact on the initial start of the race could have been the problem with the tire as he took some pretty good contact on that start as well as the contact everyone took on Greg’s accident. The race stayed green all twenty laps after the two early cautions and Wheeler lead the rest of the way for his second feature win of the season. Trevis Underdahl of Northfield retook the points lead with a second place finish. Pfeifer was the points leader by one point entering the night. Brayton Cisneros of Blooming Prairie, Jeremy Misgen of New Richland, and Anton Nelson of Hayfield survived the carnage for top five finishes. Wheeler also had aheat win on the night giving him a sweep. Underdahl had the other heat win.

Patience was the key for Jason Cummins of New Richland as he scored his third French’s Repair USRA A Mod Feature win of the season. Starting back in row three he moved into the top five on lap two and into the top three on lap seven before slowly reeling in Taton Hansen of Spicer and Joel Alberts of Mantorville who had gotten off first and second and were building up a healthy lead on the rest of the field. The race ran caution free and by the time he got to third Jason was almost a full straightaway behind the top two, but he just kept laying down clean laps until he pulled along side Alberts on lap 18. He dropped to the bottom out of four to take the spot. A lap later he was on Hansen’s bumper and Taton was doing a good job of holding his line until a little hiccup in turn two with four to go opened the inside line to Cummins who dropped down and around him to go to the lead. It was Jason’s third feature win of the season at Chateau with Hansen coming home in second ahead of Alberts. Mark Gartner of Mapleton and Jake Stark of Austin rounded out the top five. Alberts and Hansen picked up the classes two heat wins.

In Brauer Roofing WISSOTA Super Stocks drivers are still looking out the front of there cars at Dan Nissalke of Winona who scored his fifth feature win in six attempts at The Track this year. Ryan Jacobson of LeRoy lead the first lap before giving ground to Neil Eckhart of Rochester on lap two. Eckhart held the lead until Nissalke used a lap seven restart to his advantage. Dan went to the top on the restart and went around for the lead through turns one and two and never looked back as he scored the win. Eckhart chased him home for second ahead of Braden Brauer of Eyota, Ryan Schaufler of Hutchinson and Jacobson. Eckhart had the classes lone heat win.

Second place was a tough spot to be in the Power 96 WISSOTA Pure Stock Main Event. Twice the second place car was tagged with cautions and was sent tail end for restarts. Brady Krohnberg of Walters ended up coming out of row four to scored his third feature win and third sweep of the year as he shaved some points off his deficit to Andrew Eischens of Taopi in a tight championship battle. Eischens ended up finishing third behind Michael Wick of Faribault. Devin Losee of LeRoy who lead the first lap before giving up the lead to Wick, who eventually lost it to Krohnberg, finished in fourth followed by Jim Briggs of Waseca. Eischens had the classes other heat win.

The points battle took a big swing in the Adams Graphix WISSOTA Street Stock Feature as Zach Elward of Hayfield, who was leading the points coming into the night, had mechanical issues on the first lap sending him to the pits. Kory Adams of Stacyville Iowa, who trailed Elward by nine points coming into the night, took advantage of his chance and came out of row four and went to the front in just five laps and to the top of the points standings in the process. Braden Brauer out dueled a cluster of cars battling for a top five finish to come home in second. He was followed by Kevin Vogt of Rose Creek, Cody Hyatt of Waseca, and Stacy Krohnberg of Walters. For Adams it was his second feature win of the year. Elward had a heat win earlier in the night as did Jason Newkirk of Austin.

In USRA B Mod action Noah Grinstead of Austin solidified his spot on top of the point standings in the class with his first feature win of the year. Starting on the pole he lead flag to flag in the caution free main event leaving the rest of the field to fight over second. That runnerup spot wasn’t decided until the last lap when AJ Hoff of Mantorville, who started in row five, worked his way around Matt Brooks of Austin, Garitt Wytaske of Austin and Mark Motl of Owatonna crossed the finish line side by side with Wytaske winning the battle for fourth. Grinstead also had a heat win for the sweep on the night. Michael Wytaske of Hartland garnered the other heat win.

The final race of the night was the Kruckeberg Services WISSOTA Hornet Feature event which became the third caution free main event on the night. The race did end under a caution checker with two laps left as rain had started to fall and cars started slowing down and were starting to spin sideways. Nate Coopman of Mankato started outside pole and took the early lead with Dan Knish of Kilkenny coming out of the fourth row to put pressure on him. A good battle was brewing between the two when the sprinkles started and Dan started losing ground. He managed to hold onto second ahead of Troy Tuma of Owatonna, Matt Tighe of Austin and Just Schelitzche of Cologne. Knish had one of the two heat wins with the other going to Josh Winsky of Rochester.

Several great shows are ahead at Chateau as the Summer will turn into Fall. The Track has three more shows coming up yet this month before the Month of September Kicks Off with a visit from the USMTS Touring Modified Series on Labor Day weekend. Friday Night September Fourth is sure to be a great night of action as some of the Country’s top Modified Drivers invade Lansing for that USMTS $3000 to win Special. That will just be the first of some high dollar shows during the home stretch of the season. The rescheduled “Spirit of 83” Memorial race will run on Friday Night September 18th with the 22nd Mike Guttormson Memorial A Mod Feature race Which is expected to feature one of the highest paying purses in the history of that event. The event will feature a “83 for 83” promotion with 83 available spots for Sponsors, be it businesses, or Individuals putting up an extra $83 towards the purse either listing there sponsorships as themselves or in memoriam of a former fan or individual who had the “Spirit of 83”. All contributors will be listed in that nights program. Chateau Speedway also added a regular show for Friday Night September 11th. Than they cap off the season with the “3rd Annual Chateau Speedway Autumn Extravaganza”. A two night show on Friday October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd. Two complete shows with a third payout for the top drivers in each of the classes. Next weeks Poiont show will kick off with the first green flag at 7:15. Chateau Speedway is just five miles north of Austin in Lansing.

(Thanks to EB Photography For Pic of Greg Pfeifer Junior Car)

8/14/2020 at Chateau Speedway

Kruckeberg Services WISSOTA Hornet

A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 9-Nate Coopman-Mankato[2]; 2. 33-Daniel Knish-Kilkenny[8]; 3. 20T-Troy Tuma-Owatonna[7]; 4. 88-Matt Tighe-Austin[10]; 5. 14-Justin Schelitzche-Cologne[6]; 6. 16M-Matt Wieman-Owatonna[5]; 7. 97X-Josh Winsky-Rochester[4]; 8. 3X-Brandon Blanchard-Spring Valley[3]; 9. 6-Timothy Barnett-Owatonna [9]; 10. 169-Taylor White-Rochester[1]; 11. (DNF) 15-Bo Noble-Faribault[12]; 12. (DNF) 16-Blake Jacobson-Burnsville[11]

Heat 1 (5 Laps): 1. 33-Daniel Knish[4]; 2. 16M-Matt Wieman[6]; 3. 20T-Troy Tuma[3]; 4. 3X-Brandon Blanchard[2]; 5. 6-Timothy Barnett[1]; 6. 16-Blake Jacobson[5]

Heat 2 (5 Laps): 1. 97X-Josh Winsky[2]; 2. 14-Justin Schelitzche[5]; 3. 9-Nate Coopman[6]; 4. 169-Taylor White[4]; 5. 88-Matt Tighe[1]; 6. 15-Bo Noble[3]

Action Builders WISSOTA Midwest Mods

A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. RED1-Dan Wheeler-Savage[5]; 2. 17-Trevis Underdahl-Northfield [8]; 3. 4-Brayten Cisneros-Blooming Prairie[10]; 4. 79-Jeremy Misgen-New Richland[4]; 5. 44Z-Anton Nelson-Hayfield[9]; 6. 15-Cole Neisius-Hastings[3]; 7. (DNF) G12-Ryan Goergen-Stacyville IA[6]; 8. (DNF) 5K-Todd Kamish-Farmington[13]; 9. (DNF) 23B-Britt Olson Jr-New Richland[11]; 10. (DNF) 33-Darryl Hainka-Wannamingo[12]; 11. (DNF) 00JR-Greg Pfeifer Jr-Austin[7]; 12. (DNF) 5-Tyler McFarland-New Richland[1]; 13. (DNF) 79H-Luke Hainka-Wannamingo[2]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. RED1-Dan Wheeler[1]; 2. G12-Ryan Goergen[5]; 3. 5-Tyler McFarland[2]; 4. 79H-Luke Hainka[4]; 5. 44Z-Anton Nelson[6]; 6. 23B-Britt Olson Jr[3]; 7. 5K-Todd Kamish[7]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 17-Trevis Underdahl[1]; 2. 00JR-Greg Pfeifer Jr[6]; 3. 15-Cole Neisius[3]; 4. 79-Jeremy Misgen[4]; 5. 4-Brayten Cisneros[5]; 6. 33-Darryl Hainka[2]

Power 96 WISSOTA Pure Stock

A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 26-Brady Krohnberg-Walters[7]; 2. 17-Michael Wick-Faribault[3]; 3. 7X-Andrew Eischens-Taopi[8]; 4. 7L-Devin Losee-LeRoy[1]; 5. 33-Jim Briggs-Waseca[12]; 6. 44-PJ Duchene-Faribault[2]; 7. 35-Edward Jones-Elko New Market[15]; 8. 96-Kyndra Neis-Chatfield[4]; 9. 41-Jordan Allen-New Richland[14]; 10. 1-Troy Maas-Faribault[6]; 11. 81-Broderick Diekman-Waltham[10]; 12. 1G-Michael Gift-Faribault[11]; 13. 3-Jack Paulson-Morristown[5]; 14. 07-Dylan Pederson-Austin [9]; 15. (DNF) 21-Noah Lund-Waseca[13]

Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 7X-Andrew Eischens[1]; 2. 1-Troy Maas[4]; 3. 3-Jack Paulson[6]; 4. 7L-Devin Losee[5]; 5. 35-Edward Jones[8]; 6. 81-Broderick Diekman[2]; 7. 1G-Michael Gift[3]; 8. (DNF) 33-Jim Briggs[7]

Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 26-Brady Krohnberg[1]; 2. 17-Michael Wick[3]; 3. 96-Kyndra Neis[2]; 4. 44-PJ Duchene[6]; 5. 07-Dylan Pederson[7]; 6. (DQ) 21-Noah Lund[4]; 7. (DQ) 41-Jordan Allen[5]

Adams Graphix WISSOTA Street Stock

A Feature 1 (18 Laps): 1. 01-Kory Adams-Stacyville IA[8]; 2. 34JR-Braden Brauer-Eyota[6]; 3. 16K-Kevin Vogt-Rose Creek[1]; 4. 42-Cody Hyatt-Waseca[2]; 5. 46-Stacy Krohnberg-Walters[3]; 6. 147-Brent Holland-Glenville[9]; 7. 32-Jason Newkirk-Austin[5]; 8. 2-Marcus Berndt-Austin [11]; 9. 0-Brian Adams-Montgomery[10]; 10. (DNF) 21-Jesse Stahl-Austin[4]; 11. (DNF) 39J-Dan Klingfus-Austin [12]; 12. (DNF) 15-Zach Elward-Hayfield [7]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 32-Jason Newkirk[1]; 2. 34JR-Braden Brauer[3]; 3. 46-Stacy Krohnberg[5]; 4. 01-Kory Adams[6]; 5. 147-Brent Holland[2]; 6. 2-Marcus Berndt[4]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 15-Zach Elward[2]; 2. 42-Cody Hyatt[1]; 3. 16K-Kevin Vogt[4]; 4. 21-Jesse Stahl[3]; 5. 0-Brian Adams[5]; 6. (DNF) 39J-Dan Klingfus[6]

USRA B-Mods

A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 99-Noah Grinstead-Austin [1]; 2. 55H-Aaron Hoff-Mantorville[10]; 3. 44-Matthew Brooks-Austin[2]; 4. 35JR-Garitt Wytaske-Austin [3]; 5. 20-Mark Motl-Owatonna[8]; 6. 38-Michael Wytaske-Hartland[9]; 7. 45-Cole Longergan-Dexter[6]; 8. 81K-Caleb Korpi-Claremont[5]; 9. (DNF) 0D-Thomas Rolfes-Carpenter IA[7]; 10. (DNF) 71-Jamie Tapp-Carpenter IA[4]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 38-Michael Wytaske[2]; 2. 44-Matthew Brooks[3]; 3. 45-Cole Longergan[1]; 4. 81K-Caleb Korpi[4]; 5. 0D-Thomas Rolfes[5]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 99-Noah Grinstead[2]; 2. 20-Mark Motl[1]; 3. 35JR-Garitt Wytaske[4]; 4. 55H-Aaron Hoff[3]; 5. 71-Jamie Tapp[5]

French’s Repair USRA A Modifieds

A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 71-Jason Cummins-New Richland[6]; 2. 96-Taton Hansen-Spicer [1]; 3. 4A-Joel Alberts-Mantorville[4]; 4. 00-Mark Gartner-Mapleton[3]; 5. 77-Jacob Stark-Austin [5]; 6. 23-Darwyn Karau-Kasson[9]; 7. 90-Ryan Wetzstein-West Concord[10]; 8. 72-Doug Hillson-Blooming Prairie [2]; 9. 1A-Dwaine Hanson-Lakefield[7]; 10. (DNF) 83-Kylie Kath-Claremont [8]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 4A-Joel Alberts[2]; 2. 1A-Dwaine Hanson[4]; 3. 90-Ryan Wetzstein[1]; 4. 00-Mark Gartner[3]; 5. 72-Doug Hillson[5]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 96-Taton Hansen[2]; 2. 23-Darwyn Karau[4]; 3. 71-Jason Cummins[5]; 4. 83-Kylie Kath[3]; 5. 77-Jacob Stark[1]

Brauer Roofing WISSOTA Super Stock

A Feature 1 (18 Laps): 1. 22N-Dan Nissalke-Winona [5]; 2. 7E-Neil Eckhart-Rochester [3]; 3. 34JR-Braden Brauer-Eyota[4]; 4. 55S-Ryan Schaufler-Hutchinson[2]; 5. 22-Ryan Jacobsen-LeRoy[1]; 6. 70-Joe Bonney-Maquoketa IA[7]; 7. 17-Harland Morehart-Rochester[6]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 7E-Neil Eckhart[2]; 2. 22N-Dan Nissalke[4]; 3. 34JR-Braden Brauer[6]; 4. 55S-Ryan Schaufler[5]; 5. 22-Ryan Jacobsen[7]; 6. 17-Harland Morehart[3]; 7. (DQ) 70-Joe Bonney[1]