NELSON ON TOP AT HIBBING AMSOIL EVENT
Hermantown Driver Takes Over Series Point Lead
By Jerry O'Brien 9-4-04 Hibbing, Minnesota

Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, MN won only his second AMSOIL Late Model Series feature in nearly six seasons of trying, the first being in 2002 at the same Hibbing Raceway. The second win was perhaps the most important as he unofficially took over the series points lead with one race remaining. With AMSOIL series point leader Brady Smith committed to the World Dirt Racing League PolyDome Series, Nelsons sweep of the action swept him past Smith who held a 13 point lead going into the night. 49 WISSOTA Late Models were on hand to compete on the 3/8ths mile oval.

The luck of the redraw put Nelson on the pole for the 35 lap feature with second place point man Harry Hanson on his outside. Third place in points was held by John Kaanta who would start on the inside of the third row.

With progressive racing in three divisions showing a total of 18 heats, 10 B features and two features already run the challenge for the 27 feature drivers was to get track position incase the track would "lock down" with one groove of rubber faster than the rest.

At the green flag Hanson used the high groove to take the point bringing second row outside starter John Seitz along into second. Tom Nesbitt also followed from row three to third as George Ledin, Trent Follmer and John Kaanta battled for fourth. With three laps in the first caution flag flew when Bill Byholm's mount suffered mechanical failure in turn three collecting Pat Doar. Byholm was out but Doar was able to continue. At the green flag it was Hanson, Nelson, Seitz, Ledin and Nesbitt with Kaanta and Follmer just outside the top five. Then it was several car lengths back to Kelly Estey in eighth. Caution flag number two waved for Steve Laursen who was turned around on the front straight. Laursen retired as did Ed Wakefield who was driving for Jeff Lien and was also involved. Brian Strand also retired from competition at this point.

From this point on the race went to the checkered flag under green with Nelson making what would prove to be the winning pass on the restart. He got the jump on Hanson and took the lead with Nesbitt also sliding to the inside to take second. Hanson, Seitz and Follmer trailed and Ledin who had been slipping back, surged back into contention only to have a fine run halted when he slowed and rolled into the infield. Jeff Provinzino also had moved into contention from the tenth starting slot to battle with Follmer and Seitz. Also moving into the top five was Kaanta. Nearing the mid point it was Nelson, Nesbitt, Hanson, Kaanta and Provinzino in the top five ahead of Seitz and Follmer. Nelson held several car lengths on Nesbitt, a margin that disappeared as he reached the back of the field. He was able to put a couple of cars a lap down before the feared lock down occurred. Nelson went on to lead the remaining laps for the $3000 win over Nesbitt, Hanson, Kaanta and Provinzino.

Results: AMSOIL Series 2004 race five. (49 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.