ESTEVAN — For the second time in three years, Kody Scholpp has won the Dakota Classic Modified Tour's modified feature at the Estevan Motor Speedway.
The Estevan-based driver started in the seventh spot on the grid and worked his way up to first in the feature. Two Iowa drivers, Justin O'Brien of West Union and Ethan Braaksma of Newton, were second and third, respectively. Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C., was fourth, even though he started the race form the back of the grid in 24th.
A total of 47 cars were entered; 24 qualified for the feature. Other local drivers entered were Les McLenehan in 20th and Tyson Turnbull in 22nd; neither driver finished the race.
Thirty-nine stock cars also raced on the program. Troy Heupel of Williston, N.D., finished first. Three of the top five drivers were from the Estevan area: Jeremy Swanson in second, Chris Hortness in fourth and Kayden Hjorteland in fifth.
Riese Dignan of Kenmare, N.D. was third.
Kyle Scholpp of Lampman was eighth, Connor Hanson of Torquay came 12th, and Kelly Bauman of Weyburn came in 13th.
The program started late while track preparation crews worked on the racing surface. Once the qualifying heats started, there were numerous cautions, and just one heat didn't have a yellow flag.
B-main qualifiers took place after an intermission, and fans were treated to largely clean racing, with just one caution in the four races. But the issues resumed in the A mains, as both were cut short due to the number of cautions. Roughly only half of the field finished each race.
The Dakota Classic Modified Tour has six races scheduled over six days, with five in North Dakota and one in Saskatchewan. It kicked off July 6 in Jamestown. The July 7 program in Minot was rained out. The next race is July 8 in Williston.
