SMITH WINS AMSOIL SHOW AT PROCTOR
By Jerry O'Brien 6-22-04 Proctor, MN

Brady Smith of Solon Springs the 2001 AMSOIL Series Champion unofficially took over the points lead in the 2004 edition with the feature win Tuesday night June 22nd. Starting 5th, Smith took second from defending series champion Steve Laursen, and, on lap 13, got by leader John Kaanta and held the lead until rain shortened the thirty-five lap event to thirty circuits.

Twenty-five cars lined up for the feature event with three time Series champion Steve Laursen pacing the field to the green flag. Laursen quickly took a commanding lead at the green with Kaanta, Duane Mahder, Paul Wrazidlo and Brady Smith trailing. Further back Tom Nesbitt and Jeff Broking battled for sixth. Kaanta wasted little time sliding to the inside of Laursen to grab the top spot. Mahder, Smith, Broking and Wrazidlo continued to skirmish as Smith took to the high side of Laursen to second.The caution flag flew for Mahder who lost control in turn two and spun.

The single file restart had Kaanta in the lead with Smith, Laursen, and Wrazidlo in the top five. Tom Waseleski had been lurking outside the top five and got by Wrazidlo to fourth. Smith challenged Kaanta off turn two, drew alongside down the back stretch and was able to complete the pass off the fourth turn for the lead. At the mid point the order stood Smith, Kaanta, Laursen, Waseleski, and Wrazidlo. Jeff Broking, Nesbitt, Jeff Provinzino, Bill Byholm, Kelly Estey, and Todd Gehl were in the top ten.

The caution flag flew when Provinzino and Meierotto collided off turn two with both catching the wall. Neither was able to continue. At the green flag Smith extended his lead over Kaanta with Laursen, Waseleski and Wrazidlo in the front five. The caution flag again flew, this time for debris on the track. The rain that had caused officials to hurry the show along began to fall in earnest shortening the event to thirty laps, five short of the scheduled distance. The field was frozen on the previous lap with Smith declared the winner.

Results: AMSOIL Series 2004 race three. (30 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.