ASL at I-94 Raceway 2005

July 3 2005

By Jason D Searcy

In an early race move, Ryan Mathews rocketed to the front over the independence holiday weekend to win the ASL 150 at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre MN.

Mathews passed Nate Thiesse on lap four and never looked back.  "I was just trying to drive easy and it seemed like nobody could catch me, the car didn't wiggle the entire race" said Mathews.

After a recent string of good runs Mathews was hungry to score his first win of 2005.  "It's been frustrating this year because we have had so many dominant cars and for whatever reason we've had something go wrong and lost the race.  We finally got one!"

Mathews bested a strong field of drivers that included two former ASA Champions, Kevin Cywinski and Bryan Reffner to win his first career ASL race.  "It's kind of neat to win in an ASL car becuase they are so different, every time we race we seem to learn a little more" said Mathews.

Trevor Stewart delighted his home state fans with an impressive late race charge through the pack to finish as the runner up.  "We needed a caution, we wanted the fans to throw something on the track like they do at Indy" joked Stewart.

Fast timer in practice and time trials Paul Paine stayed near the front the entire race and finished third but was not able to challenge for the win.  "I wore out my stuff racing with Cywinski" said Paine.  "He passed me when I was trying to keep the tires under my car.  Then I passed him and he passed me back again, then I got by him twords the end of the race.  By that time my stuff was all used up."

Also finishing on the lead lap was Kevin Cywinski in fourth then Jonathan Davenport and Nate Thiesse in his ASL debut.

The next race will be Tuesday August 2nd at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna WI.

ASL 150 Results from I-94 Raceway, Sauk Centre MN
July 3 2005

1-Ryan Mathews
2-Trevor Stewart
3-Paul Paine
4-Kevin Cywinski
5-Jonathan Davenport
6-Nate Thiesse
7-Bryan Reffner
8-Landon Cassill
9-Andrew Morrissey
10-Jarit Johnson
11-Ronnie Hawley
12-Hal Collins
13-Trey Allen
14-Jacob Dohlun
15-John Vig Jr.

*reprinted from autoracingtracks.com

** The ASL only raced one year, when the ASA National tour folded and before the ASA Midwest tour began.  ASL founder Gary Vercauteran suddenly died in October of 2005.

*** If you notice.. future NASCAR Cup series driver Landon Cassill finished 8th, he was only 16 yrs old.  Future ASA Midwest tour champion Andrew Morrissey was 9th and Jarit Johnson (older brother of NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson) in a car prepared by Butch Miller finished 10th.  Hal Collins came all the way from Fort Worth Texas to race in this event, driving an open trailer to haul his car, he finished 12th.

Here is a youtube video of the entire event courtesy of Wogggieee

If anyone has photo's of this event we could include with the article please send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

I-94 History 1997-1999

In my opinion from my view ... I-94 Track history (part 3 of 4) "Building blocks" 1997-1999

By Jason Dale Searcy, track announcer

*Reprinted from the track program in 2003

Racing Friday nights at 8pm... Promoter: Mary Beth Cripe/Chanda Lofquist

The real characters of this period had to be #3 Modified Rick (photo below) and Karla Burns.  Rick was the consistent "old school" driver who was one of the toughest guys to pass, he would always run you side-by-side for 6-8 laps before giving up any position.  Karla was the organized, take care of "the issues" crew chief.  If you wanted to know any racing gossip or needed any help,  just ask Karla, to find her just listen in the pits for that distinctive laugh and look for the poofy blond hair.

The two biggest races were the MN Vikings childrens charity fun races.  Craig Pommeranke and Patrick Leopold helped bring many former Vikings to the track to raise money and sign autographs.  The players also raced Legends cars: 

In 1997 Scott Studwell and Steve Jordan crossed the finish line together to tie for the win.  "Benchwarmer" Bob Lurtsema, Darrin Nelson, Carl Eller, Bill "boom boom" Brown, Tommy Kraemer, Joe Senser and Jim Marshall all were in attendance.

In 1998 Jim Marshall backed Gary Meuller's car into the front stretch wall in the heat race.  The Vikings mascot Ragnar won the feature race followed by Carl Eller, Bill Brown, Scott Studwell, Ted Brown, Greg Coleman and Doug Southerland.  These were great events with big crowds and, might I say, the former Vikings could not have been more gracious to the fans.

After a few years of WISSOTA Sanctioning the track switched to NASCAR in 1998 & 1999.  The NASCAR Remax challenge series made a stop at I-94 on Friday June 26th 1998. The race night was rained out and so the cars raced on Saturday afternoon because the staff had to be up at Fergus Falls on Saturday night, Brian Hoppe won.

The best interview of this time was Scott "the iceman" Brandt, he was the Great North Legends champion from 1997-1999.

The trucks raced at I-94 and put on a great show from 1997-1999 even though only 4-6 trucks raced on a weekly basis.  They were all evenly matched and it seemed like they took turns winning exciting features.  Jim Dehann, Greg Meyer and Eugene Dick are the champions.

In 1996 Larry Rossell (photo above) won a close points battle with Steve Johanneck to gain his first point title.  It was tight again in 1997, Larry Button was his closest rival.  Coming into the final feature event and just a few points out of the lead Rossell had to finish ahead of Button for a chance to win the championship.  Button came up big and won the feature event with Rossell on his tail at the checkered flag.  During the post race inspection it was discovered that Buttons muffler fell off during the race resulting in an automatic DQ.   That means Rossell wins the point championship.  Not so fast... Larry Rossell witnessed the whole spectacle and didn't feel right about the situation and volunteered to be DQ'd for a safety violation, so the points would remain the same as before the race and Button would win the point title.  Rossell not only gave up the championship but also had to forfeit the $400 prize money for the night, a very classy move for the #5 Modified driver.  I don't know of too many guys who would've given up a point title to show respect for another competitor.  This should go down as one of the best stories in I-94 History.

After a seven year run the "Speedway Show" on KMSR radio ended in 1997.  I was the announcer at the I-94 track in Fergus Falls and due to a work conflict was not able to attend every race night at Sauk Centre during this period but, with the help of Rick Burns, Jim Fischer and Mark Blom we built a four cyl race car.  I raced in the new UCAR division part-time for three years, finishing 11th in points twice and won a heat race with Nick Binsfeld on my rear bumper the last couple laps.  Those are years I will never forget.

1997-1999 was a "building block" time at I-94, some very big changes were on the horizon.



*Thanks to Tim Olson for #5 photo

If you have any photo's to contribute to this article e-mail them to i94raceway@gmail.com

1991 Point standings

1991 I-94 Speedway (Sauk Centre) Unofficial Final Point Standings:

 Championship Sprint Cars:
 1. Dale Johnson #27 230
 2. Ron Carlson #C1 228
 3. Rick Sandberg #71 221

 

 4. Dennis Fike #18 216
 5. Mike Thompson #22 213
 6. Dave Virgilito #1x 176
 7. Tim Almquist #7 116
 8. Raleigh Sandberg #17 102
 9. Randal Guida #3 68
 10. Dwain Wilmes #21 29


Late Models:
 1. Jim Bruggeman #44 221
 2. Jeff Hinkemeyer #4F 213
 3. Steve Fegers #52 197
 4. Steve Laursen #19 188
 5. Jerry Legatt #71 154

 6. Scott Patton #6 153
 7. Jeff Wildung #50 152
 8. Dick Johanneck #94 146
 9. Leroy Schuelke #11 121
 10. Steve Egersdorf #3x 110

 Modifieds:
 1. Ryan Muzik #23 233
 2. John Henkemeyer #1A 177
 3. Shawn Nolan #66 152

4. Terry Merten #14 149
 5. Jamie Lemke #17L 139
 6. Shawn Kirwin #10 133

7. Mike Wold #11 125
 8. Gary Reents #1 118
 9. Bud Martini #42 117
 10. Roger Canon #47 115


Sportsman:
 1. Tom Hiebert #22 164
 2. Ron Flynn #84 164
 3. Leon Brutger #8 150
 4. Dennis Terning #24 148
 5. Butch Stearns #24 108
 6. Larry Crouse #29 96
 7. Tyrone Swanson #72 93
 8. Rob Lynch #44 91
 9. Joel Tesch #31 82
 10. Irvin Cook #20 81

 Four-Cylinders:
 1. Dave Nielsen #4 258
 2. Frank Gabrelcik #44 208
 3. Pat Henry #11 157
 4. Tony Stock #86 153
 5. Gary Servatius #1 152
 6. Don Eischens #9 131
 7. Steve Pitcher #26 93
 8. Kurt Reiner #13 83
 9. Steve Morgan #15 75
 10. Troy Nelson #71 73

If you have any photos to share from 1991 send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

Thank you to Thunderlineracing.org
#71, 71 & #10 photos from BOLT
#14 photo from Cricketprints
*Special thanks to Ray Beste & Jason Searcy

1992 Point Standings

1992 I-94 Speedway Unofficial Sauk Centre Final Point Standings

 Late Models:
 1. Jim Bruggeman #44 365
 2. Jeff Hinkemeyer #4F 326
 3. Joel Cryderman #51 306
 4. Steve Fegers #52 296
 5. Jeff Wildung #50 252
 6. Scott Hillig #98 222
 7. Jerry Legatt #71 206
 8. Jim Jacobson/Dick Johanneck #I94 202
 9. Scott Patton #6 178
 10. Tom Nesbitt #1 170

Modifieds:
 1. Jamie Lemke #17L 332
 2. Ryan Muzik #23 318
 3. Shawn Kirwin #10 309
 4. John Henkemeyer #1A 257
 5. Larry Rossell #5 251
 6. Rick Iees #66 250
 7. Rich Snyder #1 233
 8. Roger Canon #47 210
 9. Shawn Nolan #79 206
 10. Terry Merten #14 192

 Sportsman:
 1. Tom Hiebert #22 360
 2. Leon Brutger #8 354
 3. Danny Hanson #7 344
 4. Butch Stearns #24 334
 5. David Laabs #6 304
 6. Tyrone Swanson #72 283
 7. Andy Elwood #21 272
 8. Scott Atkinson #21 226
 9. Dave Cain #32 185
 10. Al Stewart #22 168

 Four Cylinders:
 1. Scott Atkinson #21 337
 2. Jim Rau #94 327
 3. John Notch #76 325
 4. Craig Christiansen #4c 288
 5. Randy Nierenhausen #72 282
 6. Scott Nouis #3D 252
 7. Gary Servatius #1 211
 8. Chuck Mikkelson #69 151
 9. Kenny Ziesmer #9 149
 10. Steve Morgan #25 136

If you have any photos to share from 1992 send them to i94raceway@gmail.com 

*4f photo from Bolt
*17 photo from Lemke racing
*22 Photo from Tom Hiebert
*bottom 2 photos from race program
*special thanks to Ray Beste & Jason Searcy

1993 Point Standings

1993 Unofficial point standings I-94 Speedway Sauk Centre (MN)

#68 Terry Lamphear, #4f Jeff Hinkemeyer,  #09 Mike Chamernick, #54 Cullen Brown, #23 Ryan Muzik.

Late Models:
1. Jeff Wildung #50 291
2. Steve Fegers #52 274
3. Ryan Muzik #23 261

4. Cullen Brown #54 245
5. Jerry Legatt #71 244
6. John Schleogl #39 192
7. Mike Chamernick #09 182
8. Joel Cryderman #51 182
9. Scott Patton #6 178
10. Jim Dehaan #30 136

Modifieds:

1. Jamie Lemke #17L 312 (photo above)
2. Ron Jones #7 277

3. Dann Olson #14 256
4. Curly Williams #99 230
5. Ricky Kluver #6x 228
6. Dave Zimmerman #27 214
7. Shawn Nolan #79 206
8. Rick Iees #66 202 (Holt Motors #66)
9. Rich Snyder #1 194
10. Shawn Kirwin #10 190

Sportsman:
1. Tyrone Swanson #72 335

 2. Butch Stearns #7 309  (photo above)
2. Dave Cain #32 309
4. Leon Brutger #8 287
5. Chris Groth #11 279
6. Scott Rudolph #13 278
7. Andy Elwood #31 254
8. Al Stewart #22 228
9. John Lerass #89 175
10. Pat Henry #11 142

4-Cylinders:

1. Craig Christiansen #4c 362
2. John Notch #76 356
3. Scott Atkinson #21 262
4. Randy Nierenhausen #64 252
5. Scott Noius #3D 248
6. Roger Christiansen #K12 235
7. Gary Servatius #1 197
8. Dave Schafer/Scott Searcy #94.3 165
9. David Deters #2 157
10. Jim Rau #94 117

The track was changed to asphalt in 1994.


*Thank you to Ben Kruchten and Jason Searcy
*Photos #23 by Bolt racing
* #7 photo, Late Model, Mods & 4cyl photo's from cricketprints
*#17 photo courtesy of Lemke racing

If you can contribute photo's from 1993 send them to i94raceway@gmail.com

I-94 Obit

10-26-2010

Jason D Searcy http://www.speedtalkon1360.com/

*update 8-10-11
I am told that the power company has rented space for the next 18 months or so at the old I-94 Speedway site for storage of the power polls that are in construction along the freeway all the way from Monticello to Fargo.  No new racing is planned at I-94 Speedway.

After talking with people on all sides of the situation, I believe that I-94 Speedway (Sauk Centre, MN) will never again be open as a racetrack.

The back concessions stand has been torn down and some gravel and fill have been moved around, but this recent activity has nothing to do with racing.  The sound system has been removed and any modification of the property is in an effort to increase the efficiency of storage space for the current owner of the land.

The south parking lot is now a storage area for wood logs and the "pits" area is filled with semi-tractors and trailers.

The track has been vacant for only a year but, the wooden seats on the backstretch stands are already warped and separating.

The racetrack itself looks like a super sized chia-pet gone bad.  Waist high weeds are growing through the dirt surface all the way around this 3/8th mile track.

19 seasons of racing at this amazing facility 1991-2009.   4 years of dirt racing and 15 years as an asphalt track.










I-94 Speedway was built by Dick Johanneck and opened in 1991 as a dirt track.

Notable events:

In 1993 Scott Bloomquist won the UMP Summer Nationals event, he set a fast time of 15.44 seconds and held off Billy Moyer.

1993 Craig Dollansky and Tim Monson won the "Outlaw" Sprint double feature races.  Doug Wolfgang finished second in both races.  Donny Schatz finished third in the second feature.

April 21 of 1994: Dick Johanneck announced he was switching the track surface to asphalt because it was "the future of racing."

Sep 11 1994: was the inaugural "MN Governors Cup," won by Steve Carlson.  Michael Waltrip (back row, 4th from left) and Matt Kenseth (back row, far right) also raced in that event.

Aug 4 1996: was the "Missing Kids" American Indy car 200.  Patty Wetterling was the honorary starter.  Greg Gordon won the race and local star Travis Whitney finished third and Jacques Lazier fourth.

Sep 2000: Dick Johanneck transferred operation of the facility to the Mike Giles/Les Ferris group.

Sep 2001: Tim Olson and his family took over track operations and changed the name to I-94 Raceway.

Jan 2002: I-94 Raceway became one of the original three "ASA Member tracks" in the nation.

July 5 2003:  NASCAR Elite division July Spectacular won by Eddie Hoffman.  Jon Lemke won "fast time" with 16.89 seconds.  Clint Bowyer also raced in this event.

Sep 19 2004:  Fall Nationals event, 166 cars competed. Jeff Van Oudenhoven won the race and Dick Trickle raced in this event.

July 3 2005:  ASL 150 won by Ryan Matthews.  Landon Cassil, Jarit Johnson and Kevin Cywinski also raced in this event.

July 7 2007:  ASA Midwest tour won by Jacob Goede, he also set "fast time" with a 16.97.  Ron Hornaday finished third.

July 5 2008:  ASA Midwest tour won by Dan Fredrickson.  Chris Wimmer "fast time" with 16.76

March 2009:  Dick Johanneck regains operations of track and changes name back to I-94 Speedway.  Removes asphalt and adds new clay surface.

Sep 4 2009:  Final race at I-94 Speedway.  Jamie Lemke won Wissota Mod feature, Zach Johnson in the Late Models and 4 cyl driver Ben Godbee is the final race winner ever.

2010:  Ron Somers and MN Sawdust and shavings takes over operations of the property and discontinue racing.

I raced at this place from 1996-1999 and was the announcer from 2000-2008.  Lots of memories, awesome racing and great people.  Loved every minute of it, hope you did too.

Please check back for more articles on the history of I-94 in the next month on http://www.speedtalkon1360.com/

I-94 Speedway/I-94 Raceway 1991-2009

Former I-94 Racer dies

Former I-94 Raceway driver Gordy Mason passed away of an apparent hear attack on Sunday May 1st, 2011 at the age of 54.

Gordy was a driver in the Limited Late Model division at I-94 Raceway for many years, his most successful year was 2004 when he finished 2nd place in the point standings.

I will remember Gordy's sharp looking #1 car always looking flawless, if he had a scrape one night, it was fixed before the next week.  He was a gentleman driver, never causing trouble, yet always trying hard.

His sponsors & crew were always on his mind, he gave me a list every year of his most important sponsors and helpers, he always mentioned his wife, I think they celebrated their wedding anniversary at the track every year.

WaterJet cutting was a big sponsor for him, he would bring me examples of the metal shapes they could cut with water. I can still remember his sponsors:  Precision Gasket, WaterJet cutting and C C Engineering, one year his sponsors came to the track and rented all the track owned U-CARS, they all raced and had an absolute blast.  I think we had over a dozen different people racing those cars that night.

Funeral service is set for Friday (May 6) at 10am at Minnewashta Church in Shorewood MN.  Visitation will be one hour before the funeral on Friday and from 5-8pm on Thursday (May 5th) at the Huber Funeral home in Excelsior MN.
Rest In Peace Gordy, you were a perfect example of a respectful racer.

You will be missed.

Jason D Searcy (I-94 Announcer)