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Jake O'Neil Wins His 2nd Feature of the Weekend as the 4th Annual Mod Wars Wrapped Up Saturday Night at Wagamon's Ogilvie Raceway

By: Tami Jo Kuehn

Ogilvie, MN (July 13) – With a high chance of rain all night, everyone’s eyes were as much on the radar as the racetrack, but once again, Wagamon’s Ogilvie Raceway was victorious as Night three of the 4th Annual Mod Wars was completed before rain arrived. The night of WISSOTA Dirt Track Race Action wrapped up the three-night race event featuring the USMTS Modifieds taking on the WISSOTA Modifieds, and when the final checkers waved, USMTS won the weekend with Jake O’Neil getting the win.

The WISSOTA Mod Fours kicked off the night’s features with Tyler Larson and Blake Hawker on row one. Larson drove away with the early lead with Luke Erlandson in second and Hawker in third. Dustin Holtquist made a couple passes to snag the third position as a caution was triggered for a driver having mechanical issues. When the race resumed, Larson had Erlandson and Holtquist on his rear. Larson immediately pulled away from the pack while Holtquist and Erlandson raced door to door for second. They remained side-by-side for a handful of laps until Holtquist nosed ahead with two laps to go. Holtquist looked ahead and chased after Larson, however Tyler Larson kept his foot down and took the win. Remaining top points went to Dustin Holtquist, Luke Erlandson, Blake Hawker and Meaghan Milz.

A strong field of USMTS and WISSOTA Modifieds filled the race surface for the night’s main event, and after their traditional four-wide salute, Jeremy Nelson and Gabe Hodges took their positions on row one. When the green dropped, Nelson and Hodges battled for the top point side-by-side and separated from the field. They remained glued to one another and swapped back and forth, until Nelson finally secured first after nine laps. Hodges held second and Terry Phillips raced to third as Jake O’Neil made way to fourth. O’Neil sped into second and attached himself to Nelson. O’Neil and Nelson remained close in the curves and each driver took turns exiting the turn in first as the yellow flag appeared. The Modifieds had a few cautions over a period of time, and when the laps began to turn again, O’Neil secured first. Philips slid into second with Jim Chisholm in third. Laps clicked by with Phillips chasing after O’Neil, and as they encountered slower traffic, Phillips was ready to make his move. Phillips moved to O’Neil’s door in the curve, but O’Neil was faster on the exit. Phillips and O’Neil repeated this a few times, however Phillips was unable to make the groove stick as Jake O’Neil took the checkers and his second win of the Mod Wars weekend. Terry Phillips finished in a close second with Jim Chisholm, Tanner Mullens and Jake Timm as the top five.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds wrapped up the night with James Trantina and Ryan Savoy bringing drivers to the green. Savoy claimed the top point and others battled for position as the first lap was scored. A couple cautions soon followed and kept drivers slow, and when the green reappeared, Zach Benson sped by Savoy for first. Savoy and David Swearingen didn’t let Benson get far as the top three drivers were nearly three-wide in the turn. Benson broke free of his competitors as Lucas Rodin joined the top drivers. Rodin challenged Savoy and Swearingen for positions two through four until Swearingen snagged second. Swearingen quickly caught Benson and dove low on the track surface to grab the lead. Swearingen pulled away, and after a couple laps, found himself in slower traffic. Swearingen began to lap drivers as Rodin and Benson battled for second. Benson and Rodin were three-wide with lapped drivers as the white waved and then the checkers followed. The final lap was settled with Lucas Rodin, Zach Benson, Wyatt Boyum and Blake Adams in points two through five with David Swearingen taking the win.

Another successful year of the Mod Wars event concluded with time to spare before Mother Nature moved in. Thank you to all the WISSOTA Modifieds who battled the USMTS Modifieds, as well as the loyal Midwest Modifieds and Mod Fours who joined us for this multi-day event. Next Saturday will be a regular night of racing at the Big O, featuring all six of our regular classes. Racing will resume at 6:30pm.

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