Luinenburg is awesome at Arlington

Blake Luinenburg impressed in winning the Saturday IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock headliner at Arlington Raceway. (Photo by Sarah Moriarty)

ARLINGTON, Minn. (May 15) – Blake Luinenburg had an awesome first night racing at Arlington Raceway, starting eighth in his heat and finishing second, then starting 11th in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature and contending for the lead by the fourth lap of the race.

Chad Volk took the lead from his front row start but soon Cory Probst was on his tail and by the third lap, the three drivers were racing side-by-side. Two laps later, Luinenburg was commanding the race and de­spite several yellow flags was able to hold onto the lead to win the race. Matt Olson moved up from his 10th place starting spot to take second ahead of Ben Reierson. 

Brandon Beckendorf added another “W” to his impressive early season total in the IMCA Modifieds and the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature saw Michael Stien of lead the entire 15 lap distance. 

Jr. Esqueda of Granada won his first feature of the year in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts, topping a field of 24 cars and Matt Looft was the leader from lap eight to the checkers in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature saw 26 cars sign in to do battle. There were two different leaders, first Josh Larsen but by lap four Dan Mackenthun took over. Matt Speckman and Mackenthun battled for several laps but the challenger got too high going into turn two, losing several spots and going into the pit area. 

That gave Taylor Willms the opportunity he had been waiting for as he was soon battling Mackenthun for the lead but he was also holding off Tim Pessek and had all he could muster to take second.