Thompson Takes Grand National A Main

Tim Thompson Grand Nationals (Bob Cruse Photo)by Kurt Gilhart
Saturday night provided another action packed night of racing at Beaver Dam Raceway. The Piggly Wiggly Grand Nationals A Main saw Tim Thompson slip under Dan Schumacher on lap 3 and then hold off Don Sorce Jr. to win the 20 lap event.

Twenty-Four Piggly Wiggly of Beaver Dam Grand Nationals were on hand. The heat races were taken by Jim Rhode, Don Sorce Jr., and Craig Boettcher. The B Main was taken by Todd Ascherien over Don Schumacher.

The A Main saw Mitch Webber get the jump on lap 1 from the pole position. Webber would get crossed up in turn 4 on lap 2 and spin out. A great job of driving was done by the field to miss the spin, but Tommy Moore had nowhere to go and his night ended early. On the restart Dan Schumacher would inherit the lead for one lap before Thompson would slip under him going down the back stretch. Thompson would survive a late race caution and hold off Sorce Jr. for the win. Roger Lee would finish 3rd with Boettcher 4th and Nick Strobbe who started 20th in the 5th position.

There was Twenty-Two Weld Specialty Supply Modifieds in the pits. The heat races were won by Tim Lemirande, Mitch McGrath and Dan Tafelski. The B Main was taken by Tim Jorgenson.

The caution filled A Main saw Joe McGrath jump out into the lead. Brian Crapser moved inside of McGrath on lap 5 to take the point. Mitch McGrath who started 10th used the high side to overtake Crapser on lap 8. McGrath would survive a series of restarts and take a commanding win over current point leader Craig Priewe. Jeremy Christians would finish 3rd, Eddie Lemay Jr. would take 4th and Crapser would hold on for the 5th position.

The Choice Insurance Legend cars had their National Qualifier event. The heat races were taken by Brandon Schmitt and Warren Ropp.

The A Main saw Schmitt take the lead on lap 1 from his sixth starting position. Lap 4 saw a scary accident in turn 4 as the two cars of Jim Bucher and Ropp would get together with Ropp flipping end over end and his car coming to rest on his roof. Ropp would get out of the car and was okay. When action resumed Schmitt would take a comfortable lead with Grant Greenfield taking over second on lap 8. Greenfield would close the gap, but it wasn’t enough as Schmitt would take the victory. Brian Peterson would finish 3rd, followed by BJ Bates and Greg Hartlaub.

The NAPA Street Stocks would see current point leader Jeremy Schwoch and Aaron Streblow take home the heat wins.

Tim Draheim would pace the first 7 laps of the A Main. Craig Lepple would slip under Draheim going down the back stretch to take the lead on lap 8. He would lead until lap 12 when Schwoch would get under him for first. The rest of the race saw Schwoch down low and Jon Schultz run up high, with Schultz taking the lead on lap 17. Schwoch would regain the lead as the white flag flew and hold off Schultz for the win, Lepple would finish 3rd, Draheim in 4th, and Justin Brown in 5th.

The Performance Motorsports Sport Mods saw Jeff Steenbergen come home with the heat race win.

The A Main saw Matt Bedker lead the first lap before Brian Besaw would take the lead on lap 2. Besaw running down low would have to hold off Steenbergen on the high side for the victory. Current point leader Jeff Schmuhl would take 3rd followed by Kenny Richards and Robert Mann.

The Mid State Equipment Badger Midgets saw Courtney Erfurth bring home the win in the heat race.

Travis Berryhill would take the lead from his front row starting position. Mike Hess, riding the high side, would take the lead on lap 3. Matt Smith from Australia would get by Berryhill for second on lap 10. On lap 18 Berryhill would tag the wall exiting turn 2 causing him to barrel roll half way down the back stretch, he would climb from his car and was okay. On the restart Hess would take command and the victory, Smith would take 2nd, Scott Hatton who set fast time would finish 3rd, Erfurth 4th and Bob Shreffler in 5th.

Next week the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars come to town, they will be joined by the Legend cars and the mini sprints. For ticket and event information please see the website under the race info tab, or call the track office at 920-887-1600.