Nelson Nabs $4,000 Inaugural Ole Olson Memorial in Nodak Nailbiter

Feature, News, Sport Compact, Stock Car

Jake Nelson celebrates his $4,000 victory in the inaugural Ole Olson Memorial at Nodak Speedway on Aug. 3, edging out the competition in a thrilling photo finish. (Photo by Send Motorsports Media)

By Ben Deatherage

MINOT, N.D. (Aug. 3, 2025) — Jake Nelson of Williston outdueled a loaded field to win the inaugural Ole Olson Memorial at Nodak Speedway on Sunday night. The 40-lap feature for the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars headlined a program that drew 47 entries to the 3/8-mile at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Nelson’s $4,000 triumph marked his fourth win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and second of the weekend, following a victory at McLean County Speedway on Friday. It was also his first career win at the Playground of Power.

Saskatchewan’s Gary Goudy Jr. set the pace early, running strong along the low groove until a lap five caution bunched the field. Three-time Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock track champion Brock Beeter reeled in the leader around lap 10 but was unable to make a move. That opened the door for two-time Tougher Than Dirt Tour champion and 2025 Iowa Spring Nationals winner Gabriel Deschamp to challenge Beeter for second. Their intense battle allowed Goudy to stretch his advantage again until Nelson made his move up high.

Nelson, one of the only drivers to make the top work, executed a double overtake of Deschamp and Beeter on lap 25, then reeled in and passed Goudy one lap later. A late caution with five laps left gave the field one last shot. Beeter surged to briefly lead on lap 38, but Nelson crossed the line first by just 0.089 seconds. Beeter settled for second with defending Jamestown Speedway Stock Car Stampede winner Jonny Carter finishing third.

Hughbanks Holds Off Yost in Sport Compacts

Zach Hughbanks added another win to his 2025 campaign with a flag-to-flag victory in the 12-lap Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact main event. The win was his ninth overall and fifth at Nodak Speedway this season.

Hughbanks got around early leader Brooklyn Tomlinson on lap two and maintained control through cautions on laps five and six. Two-time defending North Dakota State champion Krys Yost reeled him in over the closing laps, but Hughbanks held on for the win. Yost finished second with Tomlinson in third.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate DARN TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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