REDETZKE CAPTURES FIRST EVER AMSOIL SERIES VICTORY
By Jerry O'Brien for the Daily Telegram

The 19th Annual Northern Nationals wrapped up it's three day run as it started, fighting the weather. Despite a couple of rain shower delays and a persistent on and off again sprinkle, the program was completed.

The AMSOIL Series drew a total of 34 Late Models and due to the threatening weather the feature was cut from 50 to 30 laps. A rain delay of perhaps 15 minutes turned the race track into a very fast surface once it was packed in. Darin Meierotto of Superior lined up on the pole next to second year, second generation driver Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire. Redetzke got a great run into the first turn at the green flag and leaned hard into the top groove. The car stuck and he came out of the second turn with the lead. The great start for the youngster was called back, however, as fellow Iron rangers Harry Hanson and Kyle Peterlin clashed at the bottom of turn two bringing out the caution flag.

At the restart Redetzke tried the same trick, again it stuck and he had the lead once again over Meierotto, Terry Casey, Ashley Anderson and Hanson who was restored to his starting spot and promptly moved from the sixth row to fifth in the early going. Redetzke raced off to a three quarters of a straight away lead on Meierotto. Meierotto, Casey and Anderson needed something to bunch the field and a third of the way in on lap ten the got their wish as Kevin Carlson's #79 slowed on the back stretch. The Deleware restart put Redetzke in the front row by himself and the rest of the field lined up two by two. At the green Redetzke retained the lead but Meierotto fell to Casey and then to Anderson kicking him back to fourth where he fell into a battle with Hanson and Tom Waseleski, Sr. Redetzke was on cruise control as casey tried to run him down with little success. The top three soon had nearly a straight away lead over Meierotto while Waseleski, Sr grabbed fifth. Hanson became the meat in a Waseleski sandwich as Tom Waseleski, Jr battled with Hanson for sixth. Back up front Anderson had caught Casey and the two skirmished for second letting Redetzke increase his lead. The second and final caution flag appeared with seven laps remaining when Travis Budisolavich rolled to a halt in turn three putting Casey right where he needed to be in the single file restart. Redetzke was equal to the task at the green and kept the lead as Casey now had his hands full with a persistent Anderson. Redetzke led all 30 circuits for his first AMSOIL Series race win as well as his first Northern Nationals victory. Casey held off Anderson for second with Waseleski, Sr fourth and a fast moving Kelly Estey up from the ninth row to record a fifth place finish.

The AMSOIL Late Model Series will wind up it's six race run at the third annual Proctober Fest at the Proctor Speedway October 5th and 6th. With several of the Series' front runners absent, 2004 Series Champion Darrell Nelson of Hermantown unofficially has the point lead going into the last event.

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