By Ben Deatherage
MINOT, N.D. (Aug. 4, 2024) – The North Dakota State Fairgrounds roared to life and Brendon LaBatte raced his way to B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility on Sunday.
When the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car finale came to life, Kyle Scholpp took the lead and tried to run away from the rest of the field.
However, fellow Saskatchewanian, LaBatte made a masterful run on the bottom trying to reel in the leader. At the same time, Scholpp was comfortable up high and had a slight advantage up there.
Shawn Green and Mike Hagen put on a show for third place, with Hagen eventually securing the spot on the third circuit. While the race for third cooled down, the battle for the lead heated up.
LaBatte submitted a challenge to the inside of Scholpp the sixth time past the flag stand. Scholpp did his best to keep LaBatte back, but LaBatte’s persistence paid big dividends when he got around the leader on lap seven.
He started to pull away from Scholpp, who would have his hands full with Hagen as the race for second was hotly contested in the final five circuits.
LaBatte powered his way to the $750 victory. Hagen procured second place on lap 18 and held back Scholpp at the line to stay ahead of him.
On the opening start of the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Zach Hughbanks wasted no time getting to the point and went from third to first in one corner. He began working on constructing a healthy advantage while Krys Yost settled in second.
The race for third was intense as Brooklyn Tomlinson did her best to keep Kyle Eklund back. Tomlinson withstood several challenges before Eklund finally secured the position with three laps remaining.
Hughbanks dominated the entire distance to earn his 10th win of the season. Yost remained in second the entire time while Eklund held onto third.
The event was broadcast by IMCA TV affiliate DARN TV.
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