Abelson is first in photo finish at Raceway Park

By Bob Coney

JEFFERSON, S.D. (Aug. 25) – With the money on the line, the IMCA Modified feature Sunday at Raceway Park came down to a photo finish.

Mills Fabrication kicked off a progressive jackpot winner’s purse for the Professional Concrete IMCA Modifieds that had grown to $1,558 by race time.

At the drop of the green flag, Chris Mills and Jim Thies jumped to the front early, riding the inside rim of the track. By the mid-point of the 25 lap feature, Chris Abelson started to get the rubber laid down on the outside groove and began picking his way to the front.

With 10 laps remaining, Abelson took over the lead with Ricky Stephan also riding the outside into second place.The pair came out of the final turn side by side, making contact sending both cars sliding across the finish line with Abelson determined to be in front by mere inches at the line.

Abelson earned an additional $100 as the hard charger. Jim Thies got by Mills to take third.

In the Casey’s General Stores IMCA Stock Car feature, point leader Jason Ward accepted a $100 challenge to win the feature from the rear of the field and did just that, taking another feature victory. Behind Ward, Jeff Thomas and Joe Smith rounded out the top three.

Kyle Prauner scored his second win in as many starts in the Skyline Casino IMCA SportMods. Prauner passed leader Matt Frederickson on the outside coming out of the final turn for the checkers. Todd Boulware moved into the division point lead with one race remaining with a third place finish.

Division point leader John Cain took another win in the Frederick Welding IMCA Hobby Stocks, edging out Tony Fetterman in the final run to the checkered flag. Finishing third was Mike Hansen.

Age and cunning defeated youth and exuberance in the KISS 107FM Sport Compact division with 71-year-old Mark Dorcey taking the feature win over 80-year-old Don Tank and middle-aged whippersnapper Mike Denney.

Action continues Sunday night, Sept. 1 with championships decided in all five IMCA divisions. The final championships of the Quick Pick Auto Parts Big Wheel Shootout will also be held. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the first green flag dropping at 6:30 p.m.