The 2024 season of the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series, powered by Momentum Truck Group, Freightliner, and Western Star, launched with an electrifying opening weekend across Minnesota. Fans were treated to three thrilling nights of racing, showcasing top-notch talent and fierce competition.
Night 1: I-94 emr Speedway, Fergus Falls, MN
The inaugural event of the 26th season took place at I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. A strong field of 46 WISSOTA Late Model competitors battled it out on the clay oval. Huron, South Dakota’s Cole Searing emerged victorious in the 40-lap feature, overcoming a final-turn slide job from Sam Mars to clinch the win by a mere 0.136 seconds.
Defending series champion Pat Doar set the pace early with a fast lap of 16.182 seconds in qualifying. Jake Redetzke, Shane Edginton, Thomas Weisgram, Shane Sabraski, and Dave Mass topped the heat races, while Cole Schill and Doar secured their spots in the feature via the b-mains.
Mars and Ryan Mikkelson started on the front row for the $3,000-to-win feature. Mars took an early lead, but a lap 5 caution for Edginton’s mechanical issue reshuffled the field. On the restart, Searing surged past Mars for the lead and held on despite a last-lap challenge from Mars.
Night 2: Viking Speedway, Alexandria, MN
The series moved to Viking Speedway in Alexandria for the second night, where 39 competitors vied for the 30-lap feature win. Cole Searing continued his dominant form, capturing his second victory of the season.
Sam Mars once again set the fastest qualifying time with a lap of 19.024 seconds. Mars, Jeff Provinzino, Jake Redetzke, and Tyler Peterson won the heat races, with Joel Bennett and Don Shaw taking the b-mains.
Mars and Peterson led the field to the green flag, but a series of early cautions kept the action tight. Searing made a decisive move on Mars on a late restart, leading the final laps to secure the win. Peterson and Mars rounded out the podium, followed by Provinzino and Kollin Hibdon in the top five.
Night 3: Granite City Motor Park, Sauk Rapids, MN
The opening weekend concluded at Granite City Motor Park in Sauk Rapids, with a 40-lap feature capping off the action. Tyler Peterson from Hickson, North Dakota, dominated the night, leading every lap to earn his fourth career series victory.
A field of 29 competitors gathered for the Mother’s Day event, with Todd Frank clocking the fastest qualifying time at 13.906 seconds. Kevin Burdick, Peterson, and Joel Bennett won the heat races, and Jeff Massingill took the b-main.
Peterson and Burdick started on the front row, with Peterson seizing the early lead. Intense battles unfolded throughout the field, with Shane Sabraski and Cole Searing making significant moves. A red flag for Rick Niemi’s flip in turn two briefly halted the race, but Peterson maintained his lead after the restart, crossing the finish line first.
The opening weekend of the 2024 Structural Buildings WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series showcased exhilarating racing and set the stage for an exciting season ahead. Fans can look forward to more high-octane action as the series continues.
