The Estevan Motor Speedway had a large number of entries for its doubleheader weekend, and some fans in the stands for the first time this season.
Sixty-seven vehicles were entered for Saturday night’s program, and 68 competed Sunday. The speedway also had 150 fans in the main grandstand each night – the most the provincial government would allow.
There were also spectators who watched from their vehicles along the south fence of the track.
The fans were treated to some pretty entertaining racing.
Estevan’s Aaron Turnbull won the modified feature on Saturday night over another local driver, Kody Scholpp. Scholpp passed Shawn Teunis, one of about 10 Manitoba drivers who competed during the weekend, and held the lead for much of the feature.
Scholpp held off Turnbull for several laps, but Turnbull took first with about 10 laps remaining. The two remained close for several laps until lapped traffic came between the two, allowing Turnbull to pull away.
Les McLenehan was third and Joey Galloway was fourth.
Scholpp had his revenge on Sunday night, as he won the feature with Turnbull in second. Scholpp had a large lead at one point, but a caution flag bunched the field together. Turnbull passed Scholpp for the lead, but this time Scholpp was able to regain top spot, and keep Turnbull at bay.
Isaiah Geisel came in third and Galloway was fourth for the second consecutive night.
Scholpp leads the overall standings with 118 points. McLenehan is second with 112 points.
Kaiden Tucherscher of Estevan was the class of the hobby stock division both nights. He won by several seconds in Saturday night’s program over Manor’s Kruz Wilson.
Tuchscherer passed Diezel Raynard early in Saturday’s feature and never looked back. Tony Mikulcik, who came down from Outlook for the program, finished third and Landon Runge was fourth.
Tuchscherer was again the best Sunday night, finishing ahead of Wilson and Runge. Michael Wilson was fourth.
Tuchscherer now leads the overall standings with 118 points, three better than Runge.
Jeremy Swanson of Estevan dominated in Saturday’s stock car feature, as he won by about six seconds over Estevan’s Chris Hortness. Chase Davidson had the early lead, but Swanson moved into first, and after a brief battle with Stefan Klym, pulled way. Without any caution flags and only 10 cars entered, Swanson was able to build the lead.
Stefan Klym was third and Gary Goudy Sr. was fourth.
Swanson was knocked out on the first lap of Sunday’s program. Hortness moved up from near the back of the pack to finish first, followed by Robert Pickering in second, JJ Barnstable in third and Geoff Mann in fourth.
Hortness now leads the overall standings with 116 points. Swanson sits second with 108.
Saturday’s sport mod feature was the only troublesome race, as seven of 20 laps were completed before the checkered flag flew following the seventh caution flag. The top three finishers were from Manitoba: Grant Hall of Brandon, Bailey Cousins of Morden and Brandon Rehill of St. Andrews.
Blake Penna of Estevan was the top local driver in fourth.
At one point, there was an incident in which all-but three vehicles spun out, although most were able to continue.
The second night had several cautions but the race was completed. Leevi Runge of Lampman won the feature – his first feature win in a sport mod. Hall was second, Cousins was third and Brian Kentner was fourth.
Hall now has 114 points to lead the standings. Justin Fichter is next at 100 points.
The slingshots class Saturday had an auspicious start, with an incident involving Jagger Asworth coming out of turn 4 as the race began. It was green flag racing from there, with Cash Saxon of Lampman finishing first, Ryder Raynard second and Jace Emmel third.
Raynard, who is from Estevan was the winner Sunday night, followed by Keenan Glasser and Emmel.
Raynard is first in the standings with 119 points. Saxon is next with 109.
The next events at the speedway will be another doubleheader Aug. 1 and 2. Late models are slated to race.
