RaceSaver checkers fly at Arlington for Graf

Hannah Graf topped Saturday’s IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature at Arlington Raceway. (Photo by Sarah Moriarty)

ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 10, 2024) – New cars in victory lane and a rain-free evening provided a great night of racing for the Back to School Kids’ Night at Arlington Raceway. 

Hunter Hanson had some bad luck in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature as he had a commanding lead before his motor expired on lap four and he drove to the infield, ending up in a water hole off the front straightaway.

Hannah Graf then took the lead on the restart with Brett Allen and Matt Johnson behind her racing side-by-side and trading second and third. Allen got to second and had his sights on Graf but it was Graf taking the checkered first with Allen following and Johnson in third.

There were three different leaders in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature and close racing throughout the entire 15 laps.

The early leader was Tony Stephensmeier, who saw Joey Reimers get around him on the third circuit.

On the 10th lap, a tire was hit in turn four, causing a yellow flag. That gave Zach Davis an opportunity and on the restart, he was able to get by Reimers. A lap later, Reimers pulled into the pit with troubles.

Davis led the following five laps with Matt Looft who had started 12th, taking second and Jeff Lloyd taking third just inches ahead of Stephensmeier.

Zach Davis was the third and final leader in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature Saturday at Arlington Raceway. (Photo by Sarah Moriarty)

Ben Davis took the lead at the start of the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature but was only able to lead one lap as Taylor Manderfield, who had started a row behind, was able to take over the race after a yellow flag came out for Joe Domeier.

At the restart, Manderfield took off and Nick McConnell followed him and tried furiously to catch him. On the sixth lap another yellow occurred. This time on the restart, Chad Volk got by McConnell and the two raced each other side-by-side with Jonathan Schroeder was also in the mix.

The top five cars were all vying for the top spot but in the end, Manderfield held on for the win with McConnell ahead of Jordan Robinson.

Gary Schumacher led the entire Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature with Jason Bolte behind him. With only one lap to go, Bolte fell back and Justin Dose got by him along with Alan Lahr at the same time. 

The IMCA Sunoco Stock feature was once again a great race, going green-white-checkered with 23 cars. 

AJ Zimmerman dominated the race except the last three laps. There was two- and three-wide racing the distance. Looft, who had started 10th, used the bottom side of the track for the pass in turns three and four and took over the lead and win. Zimmerman held on for second with Dan Eckblad taking third, but he was later moved back two spots for shock extensions, giving Dakota Robinson 3rdplace. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature saw several yellow flags throughout the race. Paul Burger was the early leader but by lap 11 he fell back and drove into the pit area with troubles. That gave the lead to Trent Loverude, who had started eighth.

He led the remaining laps with Clint Hatlestad following him to the checkers and Dan Menk right behind him. 

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