Nygaard Nabs ASCS Northern Plains Opener at Fargo

Lonnie Wheatley, FARGO, N.D. (June 19, 2008) – Wade Nygaard made a late move for the lead to win Thursday night's season-opening 20-lap feature event for the American Sprint Car Series Northern Plains Region at Red River Valley Speedway.

Nygaard gridded the field fifth and worked his way up to second by the twelfth circuit, setting his sights on pacesetter Lee Grosz. 

Grosz, who had led from the outset after outgunning pole sitter Jason Tostenson for the lead at the drop of the green flag, held the point until slipping too high in turn two on the 18 th lap.  Nygaard took quick advantage, racing into the lead and on to the checkered flag for his fourth career ASCS Northern Plains triumph.

Defending series champion Grosz settled for second, with Lou Kennedy, Jr., advancing from eighth to take the show position.  Chuck Swenson was fourth, with Natalie Sather rounding out the top five.

Curt Lund was sixth, with Thomas Kennedy, Tostenson, Eric Lutz and Ryan Wilson completing the top ten.

Lutz, Tostenson and Lou Kennedy, Jr., topped heat race action.  Tim Sernett was unable to make the call for the main event after turning over in the night's third heat race.

ASCS Northern Plains Region Results from Red River Valley Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps):  1. 5-Eric Lutz, 2. 9n-Wade Nygaard, 3. 87-Curt Lund, 4. X-Chuck Swenson, 5. 92-Mike Sitzmann, Jr., 6. 87x-Brad Lund.  DNS: 29-Leigh Thomas.

Heat Two (8 Laps):  1. 34tw-Jason Tostenson, 2. 94s-Natalie Sather, 3. 20k-Thomas Kennedy, 4. 5x-Dave Glennon, 5. 18-Ryan Wilson, 6. 7-Dave Becker.

Heat Three (8 Laps):  1. 21k-Lou Kennedy, Jr., 2. 4J-Lee Grosz, 3. 37-Sye Anderson, 4. 10-Justin Jacobsma, 5. 2-Kevin Ingle, 6. k9-Tim Sernett.

“A” Feature (20 Laps):  1. 9n-Wade Nygaard, 2. 4J-Lee Grosz, 3. 21k-Lou Kennedy, Jr., 4. X-Chuck Swenson, 5. 94s-Natalie Sather, 6. 87-Curt Lund, 7. 20k-Thomas Kennedy, 8. 34tw-Jason Tostenson, 9. 5-Eric Lutz, 10. 18-Ryan Wilson, 11. 5x-Dave Glennon, 12. 2-Kevin Ingle, 13. 29-Leigh Thomas, 14. 10-Justin Jacobsma, 15. 37-Sye Anderson, 16. 87x-Brad Lund, 17. 92-Mike Sitzmann, Jr.  DNS: 7-Dave Becker, k9-Tim Sernett.

ASCS Northern Plains Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Wade Nygaard 150, 2. Lee Grosz 146, 3. Lou Kennedy, Jr. 144, 4. Chuck Swenson 142, 5. Natalie Sather 140, 6. Curt Lund 138, 7. Thomas Kennedy 136, 8. Jason Tostenson 134, 9. Eric Lutz 132, 10. Ryan Wilson 130.