MAHDER NABS AMSOIL SERIES CASH
Eau Claire Driver Trounces Tough Field
By Jerry O'Brien 5-26-04 Superior, WI

Duane Mahder of Eau Claire was the class of the field Wednesday night May 26th as he dominated the last two thirds of the 35 lap AMSOIL Series opener main event. Mahder grabbed the lead from outside pole sitter Jeff Provinzino after a lap six caution flag and never looked back as he began lapping the field before the half way mark.

At the start Provinzino beat pole sitter and local favorite Tim McMann to the first turn surging into the lead across the back stretch. Following the lead duo was Mahder, Bob Reed and Darin Meierotto. Mahder challenged McMann for second and Reed joined the battle as Meierotto moved up to contend. The only caution flag of the event flew for a scuffle in the first turn between Tom Nesbitt, Tom Waseleski, Steve Laursen and Nick Nelson. Only Nesbitt was unable to continue. Provinzino was unable to fend off Mahder on the restart and once he secured the lead he began to widen the gap quickly. Provinzino maintained second while McMann was hounded by Meierotto for the third spot. With 19 laps remaining Mahder put the first tail end driver a lap down while behind him Meierotto disposed of Provinzino for second but could gain little ground in traffic on the fleeing Mahder as Reed slipped into fourth. With ten laps remaining Mahder had a huge lead over Meierotto and Reed as the battle for fifth heated up between McMann who was trying to hold off Rick Hanestad and Harry Hanson. Mahder was never challenged the rest of the way and took his first AMSOIL Series feature win. Meierotto, Provinzino and Hanestad rounded out the top five.

Results: AMSOIL Series 2004 race one. (38 Late Models)

Former dirt track racer Jerry O’Brien has been a motorsports journalist, columnist and track reporter since 1984. O’Brien has been a featured writer for Speedway Illustrated , Circle Track magazine and Late Model Racer magazine as well as columnist for Checkered Flag Racing News. In addition to being Racing Correspondent for the Superior Telegram he has been a regular contributor to All the Dirt Racing News, National Dirt Digest, Behind the Wheel, Hawkeye Racing News, Midstates Racing News and several web sites.