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Tatnell Tops UMSS Portion of Richert Memorial

Tatnell Takes UMSS Triumph at CLS Richert Memorial Event
New Richmond, WI
By: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director

In every race that Brooke Tatnell runs, his goal is to sit in Victory Lane at the conclusion of the evening. As part of the Richert family and for the prestigious Jerry Richert Memorial race, the motivation and drive to win is at its utmost whether that be in the IRA or UMSS part of the program. On a warm late summer evening, Tatnell earned his second Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) Richert Memorial title during the 11th annual running of the race that honors a true champion of the sport of sprint car racing. After a spirited battle for the top spot with Andy Jones, Tatnell took the lead for good on lap 8 of the 20 lap feature race. For Tatnell, it was the second year in a row that he has won the Richert Memorial. “It is an honor to win this race. I have great respect for the Richert family and their place in the sport of sprint car racing. I want to thank the entire family, all of the sponsors who contributed, and my car owner and crew for the opportunity. In this area, there are three races I want to win more than any other, and I have accomplished that goal in winning the Richert Memorial, Kouba Memorial and Woodke Memorial, “stated Tatnell following his emotional roller coaster evening on Saturday September 10. It was also his sixth UMSS win of the season in seven starts.

Although he destroyed his IRA 410 outlaw sprint car in a heat race crash, Tatnell had a strong UMSS 360 sprint car at his disposal. Following heat race wins for Scott Broty, Carson McCarl and Tatnell, the UMSS feature race lineup found the “Awesome Aussie” and now resident of Forest Lake in the seventh starting position for the 20 lap feature event. On the pole was a pair of sensational sophomore sprint car racers. Jared Goerges, the 2010 UMSS Rookie of the Year, and three-time UMSS winner in 2011 Andy Jones paced the field. When running in programs with the IRA or WoO, the UMSS typically does not utilize its usual double round of qualifying races. The top point earner following the heats was Jerry Richert, Jr. Jerry redrew the #6 pill for the feature race invert.

Jones blasted to the early lead on the cushion while sixth starter and current UMSS point leader Richert quickly advanced to second by lap two. Tatnell was in tow and grabbed third on the same lap. The top three raced in that order to the first caution with six laps in when leading rookie contender Anna Kouba had contact with Richert resulting in a broken front axle on the Kouba Racing #5 machine. On the restart, young Carson McCarl stopped in turn four with a flat left front tire. The McCarl crew changed the tire and the race resumed.

Tatnell got by Richert and one lap later the race was under the red flag for Tony Norem’s disabled car. Norem had smacked the turn three concrete wall but did not flip over. A safety call on the part of a UMSS official resulted in the red in order to make sure Norem was okay. On the restart, Tatnell and Jones traded slide jobs at each end of the track. While on lap nine, Jones and Tatnell had contact in turn four resulting in Jones spinning around and Tatnell nearly spinning as well. The stellar run up front for the young Princeton driver came to an end, as Jones tagged the tail for the restart. One lap later, Brad Barickman coasted to a stop in turn four after some contact. A reminder to the drivers on the Raceiver radio that the time limit was approaching would result in the final eleven circuits running nonstop to the checkers.

Tatnell led the final eleven laps with Richert staying close but never able to mount a serious challenge for the top spot. A great run and his best finish of the season saw Sye Anderson come from his 12th starting spot to finish third. Mark Toews, making his first UMSS appearance of the season, rode home in fourth with defending UMSS champion Cody Hahn in fifth. Jones recovered to finish sixth. Rounding out the top ten finishers were Alan Gilbertson, Scott Broty, Goerges and David Craft.

Richert retained his top spot in the GRP High Five Championship Point Standings ahead of Jones and Hahn. Anna Kouba saw her lead in the GRP/BP Trading Company Rookie of the Year points trimmed to 15 markers over Chad Patterson while Kevin Bradwell improved on his third place point total as well. By virtue of yet another top five finish, Cody Hahn earned a $100 GRP Past Champion Bonus. For the UMSS portion of the program, there was bonus money in every position from the generous sponsorships secured by the Richert family in addition to some product awards for the heat race winners and top three finishers.

The UMSS sprint cars swing back into action on Saturday September 17 at the St. Croix Valley Raceway for the makeup of the May 27 race that could not be run due to the pending sale of the track. Dubbed the Final Showdown weekend, the UMSS 360 winged sprints will race their Thunder in the Valley III program on Saturday only. The TSCS nonwinged sprints will have two full shows on Friday and Saturday. The winner of the UMSS feature race on Saturday night will earn $1,000 thanks to some sponsorship help from GRP Motorsports. Be sure and keep tabs on the late season point battles and other news by visiting the UMSS on the web at www.umsprints.com or by liking us on our Facebook Page.

UMSS Race Results – September 10, 2011 (Race #16) Richert Memorial:

Alpha Apparel Ultimate Sprint Heat #1 (8 laps): Scott Broty, Jerry Richert Jr, Jared Goerges, Brad Barickman, David Craft, Tom Nicholl.

Meeks Video Ultimate Sprint Heat #2 (8 laps): Carson McCarl, Cody Hahn, Andy Jones, Alan Gilbertson, Anna Kouba DNF, Mike Luks DNF.

Mastell Brothers Trailer Service Ultimate Sprint Heat #3 (8 laps): Brooke Tatnell, Mark Toews, Tony Norem, Sye Anderson, Chad Patterson, Kevin Bradwell.

GRP Motorsports Richert Memorial Feature (20 laps): Tatnell, Richert, Anderson, Toews, Hahn, Jones, Gilbertson, Broty, Goerges, Craft, Bradwell, McCarl, Patterson, Nicholl, Barickman DNF, Luks DNF, Norem DNF, Kouba DNF.

Lap Leaders: Jones 1-7, Tatnell 8-20.

Cautions: (5)

Victory Lane Photos courtesy of Vince Peterson at Track Rat Photos.

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