Belleville, IL. (07/21/2020) The POWRi Lucas Oil Minn-Kota Lightning Sprints would enjoy a two-day race weekend, kicking off at Norman County Raceway in Ada, MN for their first and only appearance this year at the extremely fast 3/8-mile track. Then, on Saturday the POWRi MKLS would join up with the NLSA for epic Lightning Sprint action at Greenbush Race Park in Greenbush, MN.
Norman County, home of Thursday Night Thunder, rarely fails to deliver. With long straightaways and tight corners, the tricky track makes it a challenge for any competitor to navigate. Feature racing turned out to be a fantastic one, as young Bryce Haugeberg shot out to an early. Second-row starter Dexter Dvergsten would make quick work of outside pole-sitter Alex Truscinski, with the pursuit of Haugeberg paramount. Dvergsten would gain the lead entering turn one on the ensuing lap seeming to take control of the race as Haugeberg fell to 3rd place behind Truscinski.
A mid-race caution for Cody Swenson would bunch the field back up aiding Haugeberg as he charged past Dvergsten on the restart. Haugeberg would lead late attempting to check out on all other drivers before hitting an infield tire, causing him to pull off the track on the front straight as the white flag was waving in the air. Dvergsten would take advantage of the mechanical issue on the leader and promptly held on to the feature victory followed by Alex Truscinski, Kelsi Pederson, Alan Truscinski & Jason Berg rounding out the top five.
Saturday night the POWRi Lucas Oil Minn-Kota Lighting Sprints, along with the NLSA Lightning Sprints, would make their first appearance in Greenbush, Minnesota. Greenbush Race Park, due to government restrictions and a rainout weeks ago, had yet to witness lightning sprints hit the fast high-banks and would take every measure to ensure racing action. Despite Mother nature's best effort with heavy rain earlier in the week and another dose Friday night, the crew at the Greenbush Race Park had the track and the pits in great condition on what turned out to be a beautiful night at the racetrack.
Alex Truscinski and Corey Olson, making his first appearance of the year, would start on the front row of the main event. As the field took the green Olson would suffer mechanical issues that would not allow the sixteen-car to fire away at the cone. Second-row starter Alan Truscinski took a wild ride over Olson's rear tire and pulled a wheelie, fortunately, was able to hang on and continue without damage to the car. Once caution-free Greenbush's own Alex Truscinski was able to take command of the feature holding off the hard-charging and point leading effort of Kelsi Pederson, who had started deep in the field thanks to a DNF in the heat race. Following Truscinski across the checkered stripe was Kelsi Pederson, Alan Truscinski, Cody Swenson & Jason Berg rounding out the features top five.
Next up on Saturday, July 25th for the POWRi Lucas Oil Minn-Kota Lightning Sprint Series is a return trip to Greenbush Race Park. The three-eighths-mile oval in Greenbush, Minnesota will once again host the lightning sprinters, as drivers from all over try embarking on their own “Saturday Night Rumble at the Bush”. Pit-Gates are set to open at 3:00 PM, driver’s registration from 4-6 pm with Hot-Laps planned for 6:30 and great racing to follow.
For more information such as driver profiles, points standings, and series rules visit the POWRi Minn-Kota Lightning Sprint Series Facebook page.
Follow along for more information such as race recaps, updates, full results, and press releases online at www.powri.com, or on Twitter & Instagram at @POWRi_Racing or on Facebook at POWRi.
Photo Credit Val Truscinski