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Dakota Dunes Casino SLM Series Fantasy Pool

Story by Auto Clearing Motor Speedway PR and Kings Park Speedway
Video Credit: Kelly Heisler CTV Regina

Regina, SK (August 28, 2010) - The #77 CDM Systems super late model of Greg Vangool from Saskatoon, SK claimed the victory in the TCU 150 Western Canadian Super Late Model Championship Series held in Regina at Kings Park Speedway part of the celebrations of 40th Anniversary of Kickin' Asphalt in the Queen City.

In front of the biggest crowd of the 2010 racing season at the speedway, Vangool held off challenges from both the #70 LA Weight Loss Centres SLM of Trent Seidel (Saskatoon,SK) and the #17 Paradise RV Impala of Trevor Emond of Leduc, Alberta.

The paperclip design, with its long straights, tight corners and high banking makes the King’s Park Speedway in Regina a particularly challenging track to drive. “You certainly learn to manage your brakes” PJ Kondra told me earlier this week.

Jeff Reimer wanted to show he knew how to manage brakes, not just sell them. He took up from the green flag to lead the first 36 laps before being passed by Glen Hertzke. A caution in lap 43 moved Hertzke back and handed the lead to PJ Kondra.

An immediate caution on return to green then gave the lead over to Tony Lambert. That lead was short lived though as PJ took the lead back after only two laps of green and hung on until Vangool took over in lap 79.

While Vangool lead the remainder of the race to the finish, Seidel and Emond didn’t come into play until lap 105. Trent Seidel chased down Emond, who was chasing down Vangool, finally getting around Emond in lap 131. From lap 132 to the finish it was a Vangool, Seidel, Emond train.

Earlier in the day, Trevor Emond won the first heat race, with PJ Kondra taking second and Dave Bone in third. Chris Campbell out of Leduc Alberta won the second heat race. Vangool was second and Seidel third.

TCU 150 Regina SK - Photo by Troy Fleece Leader-Post

Speed Kings at Kings Park -The TCU 150 Photo by Troy Fleece, The Leader-Post

The Super Late Models return to Auto Clearing Motor Speedway for their last WSSL Auto Parts division race next Saturday. Some extra cars are expected to travel with the Baby Grands, making for an exciting race night for the local division.

The Dakota Dunes Series wraps up with the Saskatchewan 250 on September 18 at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway. Trevor Emond takes a 30 point lead into the Keystone Light 150. Trent Seidel sits four points back of second place Greg Vangool.

The series will then wrap up with an awards brunch on Sunday morning at the Dakota Dunes Casino, followed by a short 2011 planning meeting.

Click here for complete results.

Story by Auto Clearing Motor Speedway PR

Saskatoon, SK (August 14, 2010) - A lot of fiberglass went home inside the cars Saturday night at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway as the Dakota Dunes Western Canada Super Late Model Championship Series Propane Plus 150 became a crash-fest. No less than half the field sustained at least heavy cosmetic body damage, while several went home needing more serious underlying repairs. Even the leaders weren‟t immune to finding themselves picking up the pieces in their pits.

Trevor Emond receives congratulations from Propane Plus’s Claude Prive

Only 12 cars finished the race started by 20, with only four cars on the lead lap.

Trevor Emond went home with a smile though. The past ARCA West champion finally won the race that has eluded him so far this year, picking up a bonus pay cheque and a 30 point lead on the way.

Timing in fastest at 14.404 seconds, Emond elected to start at the back and go for the $1,000 bonus if he wins. Emond hesitated, even as the fans cheered encouragement. Emond had twice tried and failed.

Finally, a note from his pit crew telling him 'they believe in him and they believe in the car. If he doesn‟t go for it we all quit' sealed the deal and Trevor was at the back. It was probably a blessing as the subsequent dice roll of 12 for inversion would have had him starting mid pack. From the back he got to watch as a first lap caution in front of him saw the first bits of fiberglass fly.

Jim Gaunt was feeling good about his car as well, the Sky Financial Mortgage Machine Ford Fusion. Qualifying second at 14.603 seconds, Gaunt was much more confident than Emond. "This is an opportunity I‟ve never had before. I‟m going to go for it."

Gaunt's luck wasn't as good as Emond's though, as he was taken out in a lap 91 wreck that took out a third of the Saskatoon field, including Jim Gaunt, Trent Seidel and Howard Crossman. Emond and Gaunt were at the front of the pack by lap 84.

Trevor drove the balance of the race basically unchallenged. Dave Bone inherited second place after the lap 91 wreck, with Chris Campbell behind him. Two laps later PJ Kondra was in third and spent the next 44 laps battling Bone for position, allowing Emond to leave it in cruise control. Kondra finally worked his way around Bone with 1-1/2 laps remaining and hung on for second, his best finish in a major super late model race. Dave Bone took third. Darrel Vallie (in Trent Seidel‟s old car) was the last lead lap car and in fourth. Gary Lister, even with his heavily damaged Talon Energy Monte Carlo was fifth with 149 laps.

The Propane Plus 150 took 68 minutes to run. There were seven cautions with 18 caution laps counted, 32 not counted. There were two short red flags in lap 35 and lap 91.

Vangool Hangs On For Win

Story by Auto Clearing Motor Speedway PR

Saskatoon, SK (July 24, 2010) - It was almost like déjà vu as the Dakota Dunes Casino Western Canadian Super Late Model Championship Series was unfolding almost as it did three weeks ago. On June 26, the top five qualifying were #’s 77, 17, 55, 6 and 70. This time out the qualifying order was 17, 77, 6, 55 and 70. As race time approached, the full moon could once again be seen rising up over the riverbank horizon. As the big race approached it was 17 and 77 once again deciding whether to go for the bonus.

Qualifying fastest was Trevor Emond at 14.452 seconds. Vangool was next at 14.502, Chris Skelton was third at 14.540 and Jim Gaunt rounded out the top four at 14.658 seconds.

In Heat A, which was made up of the odd number finish order in qualifying, Trent Seidel took the checkered flag, initially earning him the inside pole position for the big race. Rookie Howard Crossman was second and Jeff Reimer was third.

Steve Rogoschewsky, President of BlackSun Inc presents the winner’s banner to driver of the 77 Signs Impala SS Greg Vangool

In Heat B, made up of the even numbers from qualifying, Greg Vangool took the win and the initial outside pole position for the feature. Glen Hertzke was second and Dave Bone was third.

While race fans were entertained by the SKL Trailer Pro Trucks and Parts Source Mini Stocks, the late model teams were busy with finishing touches, getting their cars ready for 150 laps of excitement. Vangool and Emond had the extra burden of deciding whether to go for the bonus. Start at the back and win an extra $1,000 if you win the race.

The moment of decision came as the cars were lined up at the front for introductions. There was no hesitation as Emond announced he was going for the bonus. Vangool came up with every excuse under the full moon why he didn’t want to go for the bonus. The fans urged him on, but were not successful. Vangool was staying put.

It was now up to the dice. The dice could move him anywhere from his outside pole position to inside fourth row (7th) to outside sixth row (12th). The roll came up a nine, starting him on the outside of the fourth row (8th). Pole was going to PJ Kondra, with Chris Skelton outside. The second row was made up of Chris Campbell and Dave Bone. Jeff Reimer and Glen Hertzke made up the third row.

Chris Skelton jumped out to the early lead, but that lead was short lived as differential problems sent him to his pit after only 13 laps. The lead was taken over for another short run of four laps by Jeff Reimer.

Trent Seidel found himself in the lead and he says he thought he was going to get it done as his car felt like a rocket. 23 laps later flames were seen coming from under Seidel’s car. Caution flew a couple of laps later and Seidel was met by fire crews as the back end of his car was engulfed in flame. Trent’s car was inspected and deemed safe to return to the race, but at the back of the pack as it was he who caused the caution, handing the lead over to Glen Hertzke.

A caution in lap 55 bunched the field up and a short chase took place once green was given and Trevor Emond took over the top spot in lap 59, a spot he wouldn’t give up until the eventual race winner Vangool took over in lap 127.

Click below for more coverage in the Saskatoon daily, The StarPhoenix
Vangool Cashes In
All Bets Are Off For Vangool

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