This past weekend, history was made, as Wagner Speedway hosted its first ever two-day event in the Fort Randall Casino Double Down Showdown, presented by Dakota Plains Ag Center and Mark's Machinery. Huge crowds both nights enjoyed great racing and saw some of the best action of the season. Both nights featured the Property Solutions of America MSTS 360 Sprints and the Carpetland Nebraska 360 Sprint Series presented by Malvern Bank. In the end, it was Jack Dover taking the trophy after both nights of action.
In the finale of the opening night, the 25 lap main event would see pole sitter Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) show the way. The lead pack of Dover, Eric Lutz (Sioux Falls, SD) and Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE) would encounter lapped traffic on lap eight and worked to get through unscathed until a caution on lap 11. With 14 laps remaining, Dover, Lutz and Martin would begin the last five and a half miles of their quest nose to tail. As dense lapped traffic would be a factor late in the race, Dover would prevail to pick up the win, his first at Wagner. Following Lutz and Martin for second and third respectively would be Brant O'Banion (Sioux Falls, SD) and Ryan Bickett (Ramona, SD). Heats were won by Lutz, Dover and Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA).
Night number two of the Fort Randall Casino Double Down Showdown, presented by Dakota Plains Ag Center and Mark's Machinery, would begin with a four-wide salute to the fans who packed the grandstands both nights.
When the green flag waved, Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA) began the 25 lap journey on the pole position, but lap one would not be a good one for two of his pursuers. An accident in turn four of the first lap would see Tommy Barber (Brandon, SD) and Ryan Bickett (Ramona, SD) get collected in the melee, bringing out the red flag. Both drivers sustained significant car damage, forcing their retirement from the event, but both drives were okay. Also involved in the mess would be Jack Dover (Springfield, NE). Dover just missed disaster and sustained minor top wing side panel damage, but would be able to continue. On the restart, Thomas Kennedy (Winnipeg, MB) would take over the lead from Rosenboom and lead the first 12 laps. Meanwhile Dover, who restarted sixth, would make a statement on lap 13 and take the lead for good. The win gave him the weekend sweep and his fifth victory of the season on the MSTS 360 sprint tour. Following Dover across the line were Kennedy, Jason Martin (Lincoln, NE), Rosenboom and Cody Ledger (Omaha, NE). Heats were won by Bickett, Martin and Dover.
Up next for MSTS is a Thursday-Friday double header across two states. Thursday night, MSTS makes its only appearance of the season at Sioux Speedway in Sioux Center, Iowa. The annual event at the Sioux County half mile may be the last ever race at the facility. The speedway land has been approved to become the new location of a new school facility. Friday is a return trip to Jackson Motorplex that has produced exciting racing all season long.
Article Credit: www.wagnerspeedway.com