BRUST BEST AT SECOND AMSOIL EVENT
Rice Lake Driver Second First Time AMSOIL Series Winner Of The Season With Sweep
By Jerry O'Brien 6-8-04 Hibbing, MN

Thirty-five WISSOTA Late Models converged on the Hibbing Raceway Tuesday night June 8 for round two of the 2004 AMSOIL Late Model Series. Despite some short rain delays and a spate of early feature caution flags, the assembled crowd witnessed a terrific 35 lap main event, which was won by Paul Brust of Rice Lake, WI. Brust became the second first time feature winner in the series this season.

Brady Smith lined up on the pole alongside Kelly Estey for the 35 lap finale. Estey slid into the lead over Smith with Bob Reed & Tim McMann in close attendance. Reed slipped off the track the next time by and dropped back to seventh. The first caution period came on lap two when Bill Byholm got into Jeff Provinzino entering turn three turning him around and sending cars scattering. Byholm was banished to the rear for the restart. This time Smith denied Estey the lead at the green and took the point. Estey was second over Paul Brust up to third from his seventh starting spot, McMann, Darrell Nelson and Harry Hanson following Brust forward from the eighth starting slot. This order did not last long as Darin Meierotto flew off into the pit road exit bringing out the caution flag once again. With the third restart, Estey returned the favor on Smith and grabbed the lead, but all for naught as Provinzino spun in turn three bringing out the yellow flag yet again. Provinzino went to the pits as did Todd Gehl. Gehl was to return a lap down to run several laps with the leaders before giving way. At the restart, Smith took the lead over Estey and the duo was joined by Brust. An exciting battle for the lead ensued while further back Nelson and Hanson grappled for fourth. Brust bested Estey for second and began to pressure Smith for the lead as Estey began to drift backwards. Nelson and Hanson moved part Estey into third and fourth. Brust squeezed by Smith for what would be the winning pass as the leaders were in a tight bunch. The competition was intense in the next few laps as Pat Doar had quickly cracked the top ten, pressured Estey for fifth and took the spot. Brust led Hanson, Nelson, Smith, and Doar when, on lap twenty-two John Seitz spun in turn one bringing out what would prove to be the final caution flag. Brust led at the green flag as Nelson grabbed second from Hanson. Brust ran away from the pack over the final dozen circuits taking the checkered flag for the victory. Nelson, Hanson, Smith and Trent Follmer, who had worked his way from the twelfth starting spot, got by Doar for fifth.

Qualifying heat races went to Steve Vesel over Bill Byholm, Paul Brust over Smith, Hanson over Estey and Nelson over Follmer, Two B Mains were won by Tom Waseleski over Todd Gehl and John Kaanta over Steve Laursen.

Results: AMSOIL Series 2004 race two. (35 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.