NCS to add Wissota Modifieds in 2005
PINE CENTER -- North Central Speedway owner Cliff Sasker will give fans in 2005 what they have asked for -- stock cars with more speed.
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Wissota Modified open wheeled racers, which are several miles per hour faster than the present fastest class at the speedway, Wissota Super Stockers, will race beginning next season.
"People like horsepower, bigger horsepower and more speed," Sasker said after the annual NCS season-ending awards banquet Saturday at Bulldog Lake Church. "We're trying to give the fans what they want."
Wissota Modifieds like these two, which raced side-by-side into North Central Speedway's fourth turn several years ago, will return to the speedway for the 2005 season. This class will be the fastest cars raced every Saturday night at the third-mile speedway. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
This isn't the first time NCS has had this class. The lighter and slower Wissota Midwest Modifieds replaced the Modifieds in 1999.
Scott Blood, a Midwest Modified racer, said Modifieds produce about 500 horsepower compared to his racer's 325.
Modifieds are fueled by alcohol or gasoline, have manual transmissions and can have one two- or four-barrel carburetor.
Midwest Modifieds can only be fueled by gasoline or ethanol, have automatic transmissions and have one two-barrel carburetor.
Tim O'Brien, a Wissota Super Stock racer, is already feeling the need for speed.
O'Brien said he was going to Bemidji to purchase a race-ready Modified. He said he will race in both classes.
"I just want more horsepower," O'Brien said. "Super Stocks are so close together."
Both classes, along with Wissota Super Stock, Wissota Street Stock and NCS Pure Stock, will run every Saturday at NCS.
Sasker, who recently completed his third season as NCS owner, said the racing program may have to start earlier, or hot laps shortened, to account for the extra class. The speedway tries to adhere to a 11 p.m. curfew.
Other area residents who are Modified racers, or who are expected to race them next season, are Dave Mass and Erick Thiesse.
Mass, who finished second in Super Stock national points, finished 41st in Modified national points this season, his rookie year.
Mass also received the NCS Super Stock Sportsman of the Year Award.
Other Sportsman of the Year winners were Dave Read in Pure Stock, Ron Johnson in Street Stock and Mark Anderson in Midwest Modified.
NCS public address announcer Keith Moilanen, who ended his 40th season, said the Sportsman of the Year recognition is the most important.
Season points champions were Derek Olson in Pure Stock, Mark Johnson in Street Stock, Troy Jordan in Midwest Modified and Tim Johnson in Super Stock.
Other Award winners
Rookie of the Year: Chris Thomsen, NCS Pure Stock; Paul Marohn, Wissota Street Stock; John Remington, Wissota Midwest Modified; Cory Loidolt, Wissota Super Stock.
Best appearing car: Mitch Lowe, NCS Pure Stock; Randy Sprague, Wissota Street Stock; Scott Lake, Wissota Midwest Modified; Tim Johnson, Wissota Super Stock.
Hard luck award: Charlie Peterson, NCS Pure Stock; Mark Nielsen, Wissota Street Stock; Mike Jones, Wissota Midwest Modified; Jamie Morgan, Wissota Super Stock.
Most improved: Lance Sprague, NCS Pure Stock; Tony Yezek, Wissota Street Stock; Jesse Lodermeier, Wissota Midwest Modified; Jamie Morgan, Wissota Super Stock.
clint wood can be reached at clint.wood@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5869.