Perhaps the most important preliminary event was the Pole Dash that pitted the top two finishers in each of the five ten car heat races in an eight lap race to determine the first five rows for the feature. When the dash was done a pair of familiar faces graced the front row with Kelly Estey on the pole and Darrell Nelson to his outside. Lurking behind this pair were the likes of Craig Thatcher, Ryan Aho, Jeff Spacek and a very fast Gavin Paul. Buried deep in the field was Joey Jensen starting seventeenth and Keith Tourville in twenty-third.

At the initial green flag Estey got the jump off turn two with Nelson challenging on the outside. Aho and Thatcher skated away from the pack in the early going and joined Estey and Nelson to make it a thrilling four car battle. A bit further back Spacek and Andy Jones skirmished for the fifth spot. Spacek captured the spot leaving Jones to fight off Paul and Jason Grimes for sixth. With the long green flag stretch, it was not very long before the lead pack encountered traffic. The halfway point was quickly reached and Thatcher began to lag back several car lengths behind the lead trio. Try as he might Estey could not shake the dogged Nelson as the pair, just ahead of Aho, flew through traffic putting car after car a lap down. Thatcher continued to fall back by as much as ten car lengths, but he was not finished by any means as he began to slowly gain back the lost territory. Meanwhile almost unnoticed, Joey Jensen mounted a charge toward the front arriving to battle with Jones and Grimes for the fifth spot. Nelson finally gained the upper hand as Estey began to fade a bit. Aho swooped in to grab second from Estey and Thatcher rebounded to rejoin the fray making it once again a four car race as the laps wound down headlong toward that white flag signal for the final circuit. The final order at the checkered flag in the lead five was Nelson, Aho and Estey while Jones charged past Jensen for fifth. It was a sweep for Nelson who won the fifth heat race.

Proctor Speedway Results 5-30-10 Como Modified Series Race #1

WISSOTA Modifieds (50 cars)

Rick Gondik Law Office Heat 1: Andy Jones, Gavin Paull, Dale Mathison, Dean Yrjanainen, JamieDavis, Ken Hron, Mark Damjanovich, Jeremy Grosse, Cory Sersha, TimAlexander (WATCH HERE)

Rick Gondik Law Office Heat 2: Craig Thatcher, Kelly Estey, Paul Knauf, Joey Jensen, Jeff Hart, JeffProvinzino, Justin Jones, Paul Schultz, Jeff Broking, Rick Rivord (WATCH HERE)

Rick Gondik Law Office Heat 3: Ryan Aho, Jeff Spacek, Jason Grimes, Bill Byholm, Jayme Lautigar,Steve Stuart, Al Uotinen, Jeff Wood, Jason Miller, Jad Carlson (WATCH HERE)

Rick Gondik Law Office Heat 4: Nick Lavato, Wayne Stricker, Trent Follmer, Robbie Bunkelman,Duane Dale, Mike Truscott, Brent Larson, Ricky Roche, John Carpenter,Scott Heikkinen (WATCH HERE)

Rick Gondik Law Office Heat 5: Darrell Nelson, Rick Kobs, Bryan Dyrdahl, Bob Broking, KeithTourville, Jody Bellefeuille, Greg Chesley, Doug Gustafson, KellyCheckalski, Tridell Champlin (WATCH HERE)

Mirror Images Day Spa B Feature #1: (Top two Advance) Provinzino, Tourville, Chesley, Uotinen,Truscott, Miller, Damjanovich, Davis, Sersha, Roche, Rivord, Schultz,Lautigar, Checkalski, Heikkinen (WATCH HERE)

Mirror Images Day Spa B Feature #2: (Top Two Advance) Hart, Bellefeuille, Jones, J Broking,Wood, Gustafson, Larson, Alexander, Hron, J Carlson, Carpenter, Champlin,Dale, Grosse, Stuart (WATCH HERE)

Tim’s Automotive Pole Dash: Estey, Nelson, Thatcher, Aho, Spacek, Paull, Stricker, Jones, Lavato (WATCH HERE)

Subway Feature: (30 Laps) Nelson, Aho, Estey, Thatcher, Jones, Jensen, Grimes,Knauf, Spacek, Kobs, Bunkelman, Provinzino, Follmer, Stricker, Byholm,Tourville, Bellefeuille, Lavato, Hart, B Broking, Yrjanainen, Dyrdahl, Wood, Paul, Mathison (WATCH HERE)

By Jerry O’Brien
5-30-10
Proctor, MN

Click for full: Results | Points

“Every year I listen carefully to input from drivers who race our series and also drivers who don’t race our series but would benefit from racing it. Changes for 2010 are a direct response to driver ideas. They said we need to continue enhancing our nightly paying purses and the purse needs to be attractive throughout, so we added more money on the nightly purses and made the series purse payouts even better than before,” says Joe Stariha, Series Director and Senior VP & CFO of Como Oil and Propane.

“Our series has come a long way from five years ago when we started with a $15,000 purse and a handful of sponsors. The early support of those sponsors was critical in launching the series, but teaming up with FOX 21 out of Duluth, Minnesota, has made a huge difference attracting more sponsors and allowing us to increase the purse once again this year. Subway signing on as our presenting sponsor this year is very exciting. With so many Subway Restaurants throughout our racing area, this promises to be a very beneficial partnership all the way around.”

The winner of the series takes home an unbelievable sum of $10,000, 2nd place will pay a whopping $7,500, 3rd place $5,500, 4th place $4,500, 5th place $3,500 and down with complete payout back to 20th place in the 2010 standings. The 2010 Como Modified Series presented by Subway purse is not only the largest in the nation for the number of events run, but each event purse has been increased.

“Each race this year will be for at least $1,500 to win plus the series purse has expanded to offer good payouts out to the top 20 drivers,” adds Stariha. “We also added a Rookie of the Year award. We listen very hard to all the people who make our series successful—drivers, fans, track officials and sponsors. When they see the 2010 package, I hope they agree we can all be proud of the new and improved Como Modified Series.”

The 2010 Como Modified Series presented by Subway Purse:

$54,000.00 Series Purse
1st $10,000.00
2nd $7,500.00
3rd $5,500.00
4th $4,500.00
5th $3,500.00
6th $2,500.00
7th $2,400.00
8th $2,300.00
9th $2,200.00
10th $2,100.00
11th $1,900.00
12th $1,800.00
13th $1,700.00
14th $1,600.00
15th $1,500.00
16th $500.00
17th $500.00
18th $500.00
19th $500.00
20th $500.00
ROY $500.00
Total $54,000.00

The 2010 Como Modified Series presented by Subway Schedule:

Proctor (MN) Speedway – Sunday May 30th
Hibbing (MN) Raceway – Friday & Saturday June 18th & 19th
Ogilvie (MN) Raceway – Wednesday July 21st
Superior (WI) Speedway – Wednesday August 4th
Ashland (WI) ABC Raceway – Saturday August 7th
Proctor (MN) Speedway – Thursday September 2nd (Silver 1000)
Hibbing (MN) Raceway – Saturday September 4th (Labor Day Shootout)
Superior (WI) Speedway – Saturday September 11th (Northern Nationals)
Ashland (WI) ABC Raceway – Friday & Saturday October 1st and 2nd (Red Clay Classic)

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COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR

With 41 locally-owned SUBWAY® Restaurants in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, it’s easy to “Eat Fresh” in the Northland. They offer a fresh, healthy menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Locally owned and community involved, SUBWAY restaurants are please to support many community programs, and local events.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES VICTORY LANE SPONSORS

Luther Chevrolet, Duluth, MN and Rick Gondik Law Offices, Superior, WI

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

All Star Service, Ashland Ford, Bill’s Diesel Repair, Bud Light, Cloquet Ford, Construction Services, Inc., Dave’s Towing, Duluth Lawn & Sports, East Central Energy, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Evergreen Foam Insulation, GRP Motorsports, Hibbing Chrysler, Highway 210 Auto, LCO Casino, Miller Mall Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Monster Energy Drink, Murphy Oil, USA, QA1 Shocks, RJ’s Sport & Cycle, Ropers Saloon, ServiceMaster, Short Stop Convenience Stores, Vesel Construction, and WITC Ashland.

For more information regarding the Como Modified Series check out our website at www.comomodseries.com. On behalf of the Como Modified Series we’d like to thank all the fans, pit crew members and drivers that have made the series a success and we look forward to seeing you in 2010!

“Every year I survey a lot of the drivers that race the Como Modified Series and try to base my improvements on those discussions,” stated Sr. Vice President & CFO of Como Oil and Propane and Series Director Joe Stariha. “One constant request was to increase the first four races’ $1,000 to win purses. This year I went back to the tracks and we were able to put together a deal to add $3,000 to the purse to make it a $1,500 to win purse for three races, keep the Governors Cup at $2,000 to win purse, and also add Ogilvie for a $2,000 to win purse which is $5,000 more than last year’s $1,000 to win purse.”

Ogilvie Raceway will be a new stop for the Como Modified Series, bringing the grand total to nine series events. Now in its second year of operation, the Central Minnesota speedplant will host the modified warriors of the Como Modified Series on July 21, 2010, paying $2,000-to-win. “Adding Ogilvie Raceway to our series was a no-brainer for me. This is a state of the art, brand new racing facility and we cant wait for our first race there in July. This hopefully will draw a few more southern cars up north for a couple races,” commented Stariha.

Continuing with the Como Modified Series, the tracks that have been a staple of the series return in their prospective dates for another year of high-paying, high-flying, open wheel action. Proctor Speedway in Proctor, MN, opens the season on May 30th and welcomes the series back on September 2nd for the Silver 1000. Hibbing Raceway in Hibbing, MN, brings the series in for a double dip on June 18 and 19 and then back in for the Labor Day Shootout on September 4th. Superior Speedway in Superior, WI, welcomes the series on August 4th and then a return date on September 11th for the Northern Nationals. ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI, invites the series for an August 7th date and will close out the season at the Red Clay Classic on October 1 and 2, 2010.

“We are always striving to provide opportunity for the open wheel modified stars of this area,” stated Stariha. “Adding a race, increasing purses, and working on more incentive based programs for these drivers and fun-filled events for our fans is our goal and it seems we have a solid growth pattern moving into our fifth year in 2010.”

In addition to the already burgeoning schedule and support that the Como Modified Series provides, a working agreement was established with the newly formed Race Minnesota Modified Series (RACEMN) to align organizations and work together on schedules and opportunities for the drivers that follow both series. More information will be released soon on incentive based programs for the 2010 season.

The 2010 Como Modified Series Schedule:

Proctor – Sunday May 30th
Hibbing – Friday & Saturday June 18th & 19th
Ogilvie – Wednesday July 21st
Superior – Wednesday August 4th
Ashland – Saturday August 7th
Proctor – Thursday September 2nd (Silver 1000)
Hibbing – Saturday September 4th (Labor Day Shootout)
Superior – Saturday September 11th (Northern Nationals)
Ashland – Friday & Saturday October 1st and 2nd (Red Clay Classic)

=====================================

COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

Bills Diesel Repair, Black Bear Casino, Construction Services, Inc.
Cost Cutters, Den’s Auto Body, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Fortune Bay Casino, FOX 21 KQDS, GRP Motorsports, Lucky Seven General Stores, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Murphy Oil, Rick Gondick Law Office, Scott Didrikson Construction, The Shack

Fore more information regarding the Como Modified Series check out our website at www.comomodseries.com. On behalf of the Como Modified Series we’d like to thank all the fans, pit crew members and drivers that have made the series a success and we look forward to seeing you in 2010!

Estey drove his Como Oil and Propane sponsored #37 to two victories in the 2009 season, including trips to Hibbing and recently at Superior that helped push him ahead of early season point leader #44 Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, MN.

In a series like Como, one must not only be dominating but also have a bit of luck on their side as Estey did at the Silver 1000 in Proctor, MN, on September 3rd. Estey, who had an engine expire in hotlaps, was able to borrow the 999 mount of John Carpenter, slap on a duct-taped 37, and narrowly transfer to the feature event with the borrowed machine. Estey championship hopes hinged on that transfer as he used a provisional start at the previous event in Ashland, WI. The combination of sportsmanship from Carpenter and top finishes from Estey proved to be the determining factor in winning the 2009 Championship that sports a “who’s who” of talent in the Upper Midwest.

The 2009 Como Season included five different winners in seven races with Estey taking event wins at Hibbing, MN and Superior, WI. Knapp, WI, pilot Craig Thatcher taking wins at Ashland, WI, and Hibbing, MN. Darrell Nelson capturing the season opening win at Proctor, MN. Aurora, MN, driver Duane Dale winning the second round at Proctor while Duluth, MN, native Greg Chesley shocked the crowd at Superior, WI, on July 29th with a breakthrough first-ever Como Modified Series win.

The $42,000 total year-end purse was boosted by presenting sponsorship from the Lake Country Chevy Dealers, a group of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin-based Chevrolet dealers that helped secure the Como Modified Series year-end winnings as the highest paying modified racing series in the United States. Estey, by virtue of being crowned the 2009 champion, claimed $10,000 in addition to a brand new J-Car Chassis, cash from XR Apparel for Dash finishes and wins, $250 from GRP Motorsports for the High 5 bonus, and a generous amount of product certificates from the contingency sponsors of the Como Mod Series.

Como Modified Series Point Standings and Winnings (After 8 of 8 Events):

1.37 Kelly Estey (Kelly Lake, MN ) – 351 Points – $10,000
2.91 Craig Thatcher (Knapp, WI) – 341 Points – $7,000
3.44 Darrell Nelson (Hermantown, MN) – 339 Points – $5,000
4.63 Rick Kobs (Deer Park, WI) – 303 Points – $4,000
5.55 Jeff Wood (Chisholm, MN) – 302 Points – $3,000
6.12M Jason Miller (Osceola, WI) – 295 Points – $2,000
7.98 Al Uotinen (Superior, WI) – 288 Points – $1,600
8.24D Duane Dale (Aurora, MN) – 284 Points – $1,350
9.11 Jody Bellefeuille (Duluth, MN) – 283 Points – $1,300
10. 45 Bob Broking (Grand Rapids, MN) – 257 Points – $1,225
11. 97 Greg Chesley (Duluth, MN) – 257 Points – $1,225
12. V2 Joey Jensen (Forest Lake, MN) – 252 Points – $1,150
13. 57 Mike Anderson (Colfax, MN) – 250 Points – $1,100
14. Dave Cain (Corcoran, MN) – 246 Points – $1,050
15. Jeff Hart (Hibbing, MN) – 230 Points – $1,000

DirtHead.com Hard Charger Standings (After 8 of 8 Events):

1.11 Jody Bellefeuille (Duluth, MN) – 44 Points
2.37 Kelly Estey (Kelly Lake, MN) – 38 Points
3.00 Robby Bunklemen (Abbotsford, WI) – 29 Points
4.12M Jason Miller (Osceola, WI) – 29 Points
5.44 Darrell Nelson (Hermantown, MN) – 29 Points

GRP Motorsports “High 5” Bonus Standings (After 5 of 5 Events, first 5 Como Events)

1.97 Greg Chesley (Duluth, MN) – $750
2.37 Kelly Estey (Kelly Lake, MN) – $250

Contingency Winners

QA1 Shocks will be giving the following:

1.Champion of the Series: Receives a set of 21 series QA1 shocks. Kelly Estey

2.Series Hard Charger #1: Receives a certificate for “Buy 2, Get 2 Free” of the 21 series QA1 shocks and “Buy 10, Get 10 Free” of QA1 rod ends **free products to be of equal or lesser value. Jody Bellefiulle

3.Series Hard Charger #2: Receives a certificate for “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” of the 21 series QA1 shocks and “Buy 10, Get 10 Free” of QA1 rod ends **free product to be of equal or lesser value. Kelly Estey

4.Contingency Runners: All drivers that run a set of QA1 shocks and display a decal on both sides of the car and race in all 8 events will be placed in a drawing for a pair of QA1 21 series shocks. Mike Anderson

Wehrs Machine and Racing Products – Newly Designed Bird Cages

12M Jason Miller

Quality Fabricating Inc. – $500 Gift Certificate towards a full body

9 Nick Lavato

Speciality Fabracating J-Car – New 2010 Chassis

37 Kelly Estey – Point Champion

More TBA

Mirror Images Day Spa – You Pick Em’ Contest Winners

Not only were the drivers racing for prizes, but the fans could pick up cash prizes with our interactive contest aimed at picking the top three of each Como Modified Series race sponsored by Mirror Images Day Spa of Duluth, MN. Nathan Erickson was the lucky fan to win $250 with his top points of 24 coming after Race #7 in Superior, WI.

Nathan Erickson – 24 Points – $250
Randy Gafner – 21 Points – $150
Melissa Estey – 20 Points – $33.33
Randy Molner – 20 Points – $33.33
Scott Paulson – 20 Points – $33.33

The Como Oil & Propane Modified Series presented by Lake Country Chevrolet wishes to thank the fans, drivers, and our generous sponsors for helping make the Como Mod Series the success that it is and has been for over 4 years. We look forward to hosting and entertaining the legion of hardcore dirt fans in 2010 during the 5th running of the Como Modified Series. Keep checking back for more information on the series by logging on to: www.comomodseries.com

COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

Bills Diesel Repair, Black Bear Casino, Construction Services, Inc.
Cost Cutters, Den’s Auto Body, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Fortune Bay Casino, FOX 21 KQDS, GRP Motorsports, Lucky Seven General Stores, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Murphy Oil, RACEMN.com, Rick Gondick Law Office, Scott Didrikson Construction, The Shack, XR Apparel

COMO MODIFIED SERIES CONTINGENCY SPONSORS

Chris Burback Photography, DirtHead.com, Intercomp, Motorstats.com, QA1 Motorsports, Specialty Fabricating J-Car, Elite Shock Services, Quality Fab Inc., Dirt Modified Magazine, Wehrs Machine

Fortune Bay Casino/Rick Gondik Law Office 30-lap A-main:
1.37 Kelly Estey
2.91 Craig Thatcher
3.54L Jayme Lautigar
4.44 Darrell Nelson
5.12m Jason Miller
6.55 Jeff Wood
7.11 Jody Bellefeuille
8.B1 Brent Larson
9.24D Duane Dale
10.2c Dave Cain

Heading into this weekend’s season finale at the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI, Estey currently holds a 10-point lead over Knapp, WI pilot Thatcher. Darrell Nelson currently sits in the third spot a mere 12 markers behind Estey. Rick Kobs holds a one point advantage over Jeff Wood for the fourth spot as the series shifts to Ashland for the Speedway’s Annual Red Clay Classis. On August 1st the series made it’s first appearance of the season at Ashland where Craig Thatcher picked up the victory after a race long battle with Dave Cain.

Last year 59 ready combatants checked in for battle at the Red Clay Classic with Forest Lake, Mn racer Joey Jensen picking up the win. Will Thatcher overcome the ten point deficit to join Estey, Nelson, and Al Uotinen as the fourth series champion in four years? Find out Saturday night as the Como Modified Series presented by Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers wraps up it’s 2009 season in grand fashion at one of the most celebrated year end specials in the country (Red Clay Classic).

Como Modified Series Point Standings (After 7 of 8 Events):

1.37 Kelly Estey 351
2.91 Craig Thatcher 341
3.44 Darrell Nelson 339
4.63 Rick Kobs 303
5.55 Jeff Wood 302
6.12m Jason Miller 295
7.98 Al Uotinen 288
8.24D Duane Dale 284
9.11 Jody Bellefeuille 283
10.45 Bob Broking 257
10.97 Greg Chesley 257

DirtHead.com Hard Charger Standings (After 7 of 8 Events):

1.11 Jody Bellefeuille 44pts
2.37 Kelly Estey 38pts
3.00 Robby Bunkelman 29pts
4.12m Jason Miller 29pts
5.44 Darrell Nelson 29pts

37 Kelly Estey used John Carpenters car (duct taped 37 on it) at Proctor after his motor expired during the 2nd round of hot laps. He was able to finish 11th from 24th. Word is that he was not going to go out for the second session of hot laps. If so he would have blown up in the heats and dramatically shifting the points. Came out of Hibbing with the lead after another solid run.

97 Greg Chesley is having a great first year with Como and in Wissota land. Chesley was able to score the GRP $750 bonus at Proctor and a victory (non Como) on the second day of the Labor Day Shootout in Hibbing. Many of the same great Como drivers ran that event on Day 2 proving the Chesley is running up front with the best.

91 Craig Thatcher is on a run for the title. Could he be the first non Northerner to win the title in series history? Only driver with multiple wins on the season.

24D Duane Dale checked out on the field at the Silver 1000 in Hibbing. A clean sweep of the nights events (Heat, XR Apparel Dash, and Feature). Checked right out into another zip code and crawled back into the points game.

98 Al Uotinen, the 2008 Series Champion, had an up and down weekend. 2nd at Proctor and 22nd at Hibbing including his first provisional of the year. Al was able to maintain and is still fifth in points.

12M Jason Miller has not had great luck but still has made all of the races. Blown motor at Proctor and another mechanical failure at Hibbing puts him in 7th place in the standings.

63 Rick Kobs is 4th in the standings even though he missed a feature this year, 32 points out and has an outside chance at winning the crown while missing a race!

Six drivers have made all of the shows. 44 Darrell Nelson was able to win a B Main and transfer in Hibbing running his string of never using a provisional start in the history of the Como Series, 29 races strong. Nelson, Thatcher, Kobs, Wood, Miller, and Dale are the drivers that still have a provisional (in the top ten) available this year. It could get wild if one of the top runners cannot transfer during the last two races of the season at Superior and Ashland. Could we have a repeat of the wild season ending night at ABC Raceway like we did in 2008?

Although Jayme Lautigar looked as if he had the car to beat, Craig Thatcher rallied late to score the Como Oil & Propane Modified Series victory at Hibbing. Seven heat races took place at Hibbing with victories being secured by: Lautigar, Thatcher, Rick Cannata, Jeff Wood, Kelly Estey, Jason Miller and Rick Rivord. The XR Apparel Dash was won by Lautigar who sat on the pole for the night’s 30-lap affair. Hard charging efforts were found all througout Saturday’s A-main with Deer Park, Mn gunner Rick Kobs starting the event in 12th and finishing 3rd. Like Kobs, Hibbing, Mn mudslinger Jeff Provinzino charged his way from the back of the pack moving up eleven positions during the duration of the event finishing a very respectable seventh. In the end it was Thatcher being followed to the line by Lautigar, Kobs, Estey and Cannata. Mirror Image Day Spa B-main victories were garnered by Darrell Nelson, Dean Yrjanainen and Mike Anderson.

Fortune Bay Casino A-main (Hibbing Labor Day Shootout):

1. 91 Craig Thatcher
2. 54L Jayme Lautigar
3. 63 Rick Kobs
4. 37 Kelly Estey
5. 38 Rick Cannata
6. 24D Duane Dale
7. 11k Jeff Provinzino
8. 00 Mitch Johnson
9. 55 Jeff Wood
10.95 Rick Rivord

50 Modifieds checked in the back gate at Proctor Speedway’s Annual Silver 1000 with only half the competitors punching their ticket for Thursday night’s Fortune Bay Casino A-main. Front row starters Duane Dale and Al Uotinen were able to stay up front during the 30-lap affair while many drivers made charges from deep in the field. Wilton, Mn veteran Rick Jacobson started the event in the 15th position. When the dust settled at the conclusion of the A-main Jacobson found himself garnering a 5th place finish. 19th starter Justin Jones turned in his finest run of the season charging from his 19th starting spot to finish sixth at the line. On the final trip around it was all Dale as he went on to dominates 2009′s instalment of the Silver 100. Uotinen had a great run coming home second ahead of WISSOTA Modified rookie Nick Lavato, Jad Carlson and the aforementioned Jacobson. The XR Apparel Dash was also won by Dale. Mirror Image Day Spa B-main victories were collected by Justin Jones, Jason Miller and Rick Kobs.

Fortune Bay Casino A-main (Silver 1000):

1. 24D Duane Dale
2. 98 Al Uotinen
3. 9 Nick Lavato
4. 40c Jad Carlson
5. 7J Rick Jacoboson
6. 69 Justin Jones
7. 55 Jeff Wood
8. 97 Greg Chesley
9. 2c Dave Cain
10.20 Jeff Hart

Points battle takes a wicked swing as series heads to Superior

With the amount of competition checking in to do battle at each of the last two Como Modified Series Events, the points battle has shifted with some of the top series drivers not making the scheduled A-mains. The series makes it seventh stop of the season Saturday night at Superior Speedway. The drivers of the series visited the speedway earlier this season with WISSOTA Modified rookie Greg Chesley shocking the world picking up the victory after a great battle with Robbie Bunkelmen and Rick Kobs. Who will be the victor Saturday night? Make your way to Superior Speedway to see how the series point battle will shape up heading into the final event which will take place at ABC Raceway’s annual “Red Clay Classic.”

Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers Como Modified Series Standings:

1. 37 Kelly Estey 295
2. 44 Darrell Nelson 287
3. 91 Craig Thatcher 286
4. 63 Rick Kobs 263
5. 98 Al Uotinen 253
6. 55 Jeff Wood 251
7. 12M Jason Miller 244
8. V2 Joey Jensen 237
9. 24D Duane Dale 236
10.Jody Bellefeuille 235

The series heads to Hibbing, MN to contest Round 6 os the series at the Labor Day Shootout on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

RICK GONDIK LAW OFFICES HEAT RACES:

Heat 1

1. 55 Jeff Wood
2. 24L Jeff Lien
3. 44 Darrell Nelson
4. 71A Ryan Aho
5. 84Y Dean Yrjanainen
6. V2 Joey Jensen
7. 01 Joey Ogston
8. B1 Brent Larson
9. 57 Mike Anderson

Heat 2

1. 24D Duale Dale
2. 9 Nick Lavato
3. 97 Greg Chesley
4. 12M Jason Miller
5. 11K Jeff Provinzino
6. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
7. 5 Jeff Broking
8. 101 Paul Schultz
9. 66X Denny Trimble

Heat 3

1. 98 Al Uotinen
2. 85 Jamie Davis
3. 7J Rick Jacobson
4. 99 Steve LaVasseur
5. 37 Kelly Estey
6. 21H Jerry Hartman
7. 45L Larry Prochnow
8. 2R Ricky Roche

Heat 4

1. 64 Kelly Checkalski
2. 25 Hank Berry
3. 45 Bob Broking
4. 69 Justin Jones
5. 54L Jayme Lautigar
6. 4 Bill Byholm
7. 22G Kyle Gavel
8. 999 John Carpenter 

Heat 5

1. 78L Brent Prochnow
2. 40 Jad Carlson
3. 2C Dave Cain
4. 84 Travis Zollar
5. R1 Jay Richardson
6. 16 Gavin Paul
7. 38 Rick Caanata
8. 00 Robby Bunklemen

Heat 6

1. 22J Jeff Spacek
2. 91 Craig Thatcher
3. 20 Jeff Hart
4. 63 Rick Kobs
5. 95 Rick Rivord
6. 12S Wayne Stricker
7. 44R Steve Roseen
8. 31 John Sertich

MIRROR IMAGES DAY SPA B MAINS:

B Main 1

1. 69 Justin Jones
2. 71A Ryan Aho
3. 54L Jayme Lautigar
4. V2 Joey Jensen
5. 4 Bill Byholm
6. 31 John Sertich
7. 45L Larry Prochnow
8. 38 Rick Cannata
9. 22G Kyle Gavel

B Main 2

1. 12M Jason Miller
2. 11K Jeff Provinzino
3. R1 Jay Richardson
4. 00B Robbie Bunklemen
5. 57 Mike Anderson
6. 44R Steve Roseen
7. 84 Travis Zollar
8. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
9. 12S Wayne Stricker
10. 16 Gavin Paul
11. 999 John Carpenter

B Main 2

1. 63 Rick Kobs
2. 37 Kelly Estey
3. 99 Steve Lavasseur
4. 101 Paul Schultz
5. 95 Rick Rivord
6. 01 Joey Ogston
7. 66X Denny Trimble
8. 5 Jeff Broking
9. B1 Brent Larson
10. 21 Jerry Hartman

XR APPAREL POLE DASH:

1. 24D Duale Dale
2. 98 Al Uotinen
3. 78L Brent Prochnow
4. 64 Kelly Checkalski
5. 55 Jeff Wood
6. 22S Jeff Spacek

FORTUNE BAY CASINO A-MAIN FEATURE:

1. 24D Duane Dale
2. 98 Al Uotinen
3. 9 Nick Lavato
4. 40C Jad Carlson
5. 7J Rick Jacobson
6. 69 Justin Jones
7. 55 Jeff Wood
8. 97 Greg Chesley
9. 2C Dave Cain
10. 20 Jeff Hart
11. 37 Kelly Estey
12. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
13. 24L Jeff Lien
14. 64 Kelly Checkalski
15. 12M Jason Miller
16. 91 Craig Thatcher
17. 44 Darrell Nelson
18. 78L Brent Prochnow
19. 22S Jeff Spacek
20. 63 Rick Kobs
21. 11K Jeff Provinzino
22. 25 Hank Berry
23. 85 Jamie Davis
24. 45 Bob Broking
25. 71A Ryan Aho

The thirty-eight drivers were divided into five heat races with the top four in each qualifier transferring on to Saturday night’s main event. Heat one was dominated by Osceola, WI pilot Jason Miller. Miller started in the third position but quickly moved out front on the strength of a power move that catapulted him by Rick Kobs and Darrell Nelson into the lead. Nelson and Kobs battled the remainder of the event while Miller stretched his lead out front. In the end it was Miller scoring the win ahead of Kobs, Nelson and local product Scott Hudack.

Heat two proved to be a battle of attrition. An altercation on the front-stretch on lap two claimed Robbie Bunkelmen, Ryan Aho and Steve Roseen. Order was restored and the green flag flew once again over the field. Joey Jensen wasted little time as he climbed the ladder in turn one and blasted by the remaining four competitors into the lead. Jensen was absolutely bolted out front while sixth starter Al Uotinen moved up three spots into third. Out front it was all Jensen as he went on to score the mighty impressive win ahead Kent Baxter. Uotinen and Jeff Wood also qualified for the A-main as well finishing third and fourth respectively.

Nick Lavato took the lead early on in heat number three. Lavato led the first two circuits before Dave Cain made a power move to the outside taking the lead off of turn two. Eighth starter Duane Dale found the bottom of the speedway to his liking as he moved up six positions into second ahead of Lavato at the line. Cain was joined in the top four by Dale, Lavato and speedway regular Steve Lavasseur.

ABC Raceway’s all time wins leader in the WISSOTA Modified division Dean Yrjanainen led wire to wire in heat four. Fourth starter Craig Thatcher moved into second behind Yrjanainen early on but was unable to mount a serious challenge to Dean’s lead. Rick Rivord and Bill Byholm battled for the third spot in the remaining laps with Rivord ultimately holding the position. Yrjanainen crossed the line first followed by Thatcher, Rivord and Byholm.

The fifth and final heat race was dominated by Grand Rapids, Mn invader Paul Schultz. Schultz blasted off from his inside row one starting position taking the early lead while Jeff Hart found the second groove to his liking. After starting sixth, Hart moved up to second with three laps to go before engaging in a battle with Greg Chesley. At the conclusion of the eight lap affair it was Schultz being followed to the line by Hart, Chesley and Ross Lightner.

2009 Series contenders Bob Broking and Jody Bellefeuille each qualified for the night’s A-main event by finishing first and second respectively in B-main #1. Mike Anderson and Jeff Broking qualified through B-main #2 while Kelly Estey received the series provisional.

With all the qualifying events in the books, the WISSOTA Modifieds rolled out onto the speedway. The field stacked up two by two behind front row starters Dave Cain and Craig Thatcher as the green flag dropped. Yellow flags plagued the beginning of the race before Thatcher brought the field around and led lap one. The field remained in tact until lap three when the yellow flag waved once again. Three laps in it was Thatcher ahead of Cain, Jason Miller, Joey Jensen and Rick Kobs. On the restart Thatcher ran the middle groove in turns one and two with Cain on the bottom. On lap six, the caution flew once again with Joey Jensen tagging the end of the field after slight contact with Jason Miller. Thatcher brought the field around once again as the battles for position were hot and heavy. Eleventh starter Darrell Nelson entered top five on lap eleven while Thatcher continued out front. Two laps clicked off the board before it was more than apparent that the #57 of Mike Anderson was on the move. Anderson, who started in the 22nd position, moved into seventh on lap thirteen using the top of the speedway to do so. After being sent to the back early on, Jensen was on the march once again. Jensen sliced and diced his way back through the field cracking the top five with just three circuits to go. With two laps still up on the board, Thatcher encountered a lap car which gave Cain the opportunity to sneak up on the backside of Thatcher’s #91 machine. On the final trip around Cain made a power move to the inside of Thatcher as the duo entered turn one. Thatcher, however, used his high side momentum to bolt back past Cain into the lead going down the backstretch. Thatcher made no mistakes through turns three and four and went on to score the win. Cain had a stellar run in the second spot followed by Kobs, Miller and Jensen.

The Como Modified Series presented by Lake Country Chevrolet dealers will have nearly a month off before the series heads to Proctor on September 3rd for the annual Silver 1000. For more information regarding the Como Modified Series log onto their website at www.comomodseries.com

RICK GONDIK LAW OFFICES HEAT RACES:

Heat 1
1. 12m Jason Miller
2. 63 Rick Kobs
3. 44 Darrell Nelson
4. 00 Scott Hudack
5. 37 Kelly Estey
6. 57 Mike Anderson
7. 5 Jeff Broking
8. 85 Jamie Davis

Heat 2
1. V2 Joey Jensen
2. 95x Kent Baxter
3. 98 Al Uotinen
4. 55 Jeff Wood
5. 22 Jeff Spacek
6. 44R Steve Roseen
7. 71A Ryan Aho
8. 00 Robbie Bunkelmen

Heat 3
1. 2c Dave Cain
2. 24 Duane Dale
3. 9 Nick Lavato
4. 99 Steve Lavasseur
5. 45 Bob Broking
6. 54L Jayme Lautigar
7. 10 John Frydrych
8. 38 Rick Cannata

Heat 4
1. 84 Dean Yrjanainen
2. 91 Craig Thatcher
3. 95 Rick Rivord
4. 4 Bill Byholm
5. 12s Wayne Stricker
6. 64 Kelly Checkalski
7. 22B Mark Baxter

Heat 5
1. 101 Paul Schultz
2. 20 Jeff Hart
3. 97 Greg Chesley
4. 37jr Ross Lightner
5. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
6. 999 John Massengill
7. 21 Jerry Hartman

MIRROR IMAGES DAY SPA B MAINS:

B Main 1
1. 45 Bob Broking
2. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
3. 54L Jayme Lautigar
4. 71A Ryan Aho
5. 999 John Massengill

B Main 2
1. 57 Mike Anderson
2. 5 Jeff Broking
3. 00 Robbie Bunkelmen
4. 12s Wayne Stricker
5. 85 Jamie Davis

RACEMN.com POLE DASH:
1. 91 Craig Thatcher
2. 2c Dave Cain
3. 12m Jason Miller
4. V2 Joey Jensen
5. 63 Rick Kobs
6. 84 Dean Yrjanainen
7. 20 Jeff Hart
8. 95 Kent Baxter
9. 101 Paul Schultz
10. 24 Duane Dale

FORTUNE BAY CASINO A-MAIN FEATURE:

1. 91 Craig Thatcher
2. 2c Dave Cain
3. 63 Rick Kobs
4. 12m Jason Miller
5. V2 Joey Jensen
6. 44 Darrell Nelson
7. 57 Mike Anderson
8. 97 Greg Chesley
9. 98 Al Uotinen
10. 24 Duane Dale
11. 11 Jody Bellefeuille
12. 95x Kent Baxter
13. 37 Kelly Estey
14. 20 Jeff Hart
15. 4 Bill Byholm
16. 00 Scott Hudack
17. 95 Rick Rivord
18. 37jr Ross Lightner
19. 9 Nick Lavato
20. 101 Paul Schultz
21. 55 Jeff Wood
22. 5 Jeff Broking
23. 84 Dean Yrjanainen
24. 45 Bob Broking
25. 99 Steve Lavasseuer

One year ago, the Series made it’s first of two stops at the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI on July 3rd. At the conclusion of the night’s festivities it was Forest Lake, Mn gunner Joey Jensen scoring the win. Jensen, who currently sits sixth in series points, has always been a threat to win at Ashland in the past. With the likes of Al Uotinen, Jody Bellefeuille, Jeff Spacek and Bill Byholm being speedway regulars each and every Saturday night, it’s a good possibility we could see another first time winner.

Going into Wednesday night’s event at Superior Speedway, Abbotsford, WI driver Robbie Bunkelmen sat in the ninth position in series points. On the strength of his second place finish, however, he now sits in a fourth place tie with series regular Jody Bellefeuille. So far in 2009 only three drivers have finished all three series events in the top ten. Those drivers include Bellefeuille, Nelson and Estey. The battle for the points lead has turned into an absolute war between past series champions Darrell Nelson and Kelly Estey. Deer Park, WI veteran Rick Kobs moved up four positions in the standings after a mighty impressive fourth place finish in Wednesday night’s A-main feature event as well. Kobs now sits in the ninth position in Como Mod Series Point Standings.

Como Modified Standings (After 3 Events):
1. Darrell Nelson #44 162
2. Kelly Estey #37 160
3. Bob Broking #45 142
4. Robbie Bunkelmen #00 136
4. Jody Bellefeuille #11 136
6. Joey Jensen #V2 133
6. Craig Thatcher #91 133
8. Mike Anderson #57 132
9. Rick Kobs #63 123
10. Al Uotinen #98 121

Jason Miller currently sits atop the DirtHead.com Hard Charger standings. Miller was one of the cars to watch at Superior moving from his seventeenth starting position to finish sixth. Miller moved up ten positions as well at the Hibbing event giving him twenty-one points overall. Robbie Bunkelmen trails Miller by just one point entering Saturday’s event while Bill Byholm sits in third. Byholm punched his ticket to the dance on Wednesday night via a B-main qualifier. That garnered him the 22nd starting spot for the night’s 30-lap A-main. When the dust settled at the conclusion of the event it was Byholm finishing a very strong eighth. Those fourteen points put Byholm a mere three markers behind Miller. Jody Bellefeuille and Joey Jensen each sit in the top five as well with fifteen and fourteen points respectively. Thanks to everyone at DirtHead.com for sponsoring this fine promotion in 2009!

DirtHead.com Hard Charger Award (After 3 Events):
1. Jason Miller #12m 21pts
2. Robbie Bunkelmen #00 20pts
3. Bill Byholm #4 18pts
4. Jody Bellefeuille #11 15pts
5. Joey Jensen #V2 14pts

The fourth leg of the tour at ABC Raceway will mark the fourth and final night of the “GRP High 5″ bonus. Drivers tally points by finishing in the top three in Como Modified series events. After Wednesday’s night main event in Superior, Darrell Nelson holds a slim one point advantage over Kelly Estey. The five drivers who accumulate the most points will compete for a $750 cash prize on night two of the Silver 1000 at Proctor. Out of the five drivers that qualify for the bonus, the one that finishes closest to the front with receive $750. The second eligible driver who finishes closest to the front will receive $250. Thanks to Greg at GRP Motorsports for putting on this great promotion. (For more information regarding the High 5 Bonus log onto www.comomodseries.com)

GRP Motorsports High 5 Bonus Standings (After 3 of 4 Events):
1. Darrell Nelson #44 10pts
2. Kelly Estey #37 9pts
3. Greg Chesley #97 5pts
4. Robbie Bunkelmen #00 4pts
4. Mike Anderson #57 4pts
4. Rick Kobs #63 4pts

The RACEMN.com pole dash has been collected by three different recipients thus far in 2009. Rick Jacobson picked up the award at the series lid-lifter at Proctor before Darrell Nelson reigned victorious at Hibbing. Rick Kobs proved to be the third winner in as many events by tallying the win in impressive fashion during action at Superior. Thanks to the fine folks at RACEMN.com for sponsoring the pole dash for 2009!

RACEMN.com Pole Dash Winners (After 3 Events):
Proctor – Rick Jacobson #7j – Wilton, Mn
Hibbing – Darrell Nelson #44 – Hermantown, Mn
Superior – Rick Kobs #63 – Deer Park, WI

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COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Calumet Chevrolet (Calumet, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

Bills Diesel Repair, Black Bear Casino, Construction Services, Inc.
Cost Cutters, Den’s Auto Body, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Fortune Bay Casino, FOX 21 KQDS, GRP Motorsports, Lucky Seven General Stores, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Murphy Oil, RACEMN.com, Rick Gondick Law Office, Scott Didrikson Construction, The Shack

COMO MODIFIED SERIES CONTINGENCY SPONSORS

Chris Burback Photography, DirtHead.com, Intercomp, Motorstats.com, QA1 Motorsports, Specialty Fabricating J-Car, Elite Shock Services, Quality Fab Inc, Dirt Modified Magazine, Wehrs Machine, Archer Dirt Track Supply

Forty-two of the best Modifieds in the country signed in for battle at the steeply banked 3/8 mile oval located on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Superior, WI. The drivers were divided into five sterling heat races with the top four drivers in each locking themselves into the night’s 30-lap, $1,000 to win main event.

Heat one was dominated by Knapp, WI hotshoe Craig Thatcher. After starting to the inside of the second row, Thatcher quickly moved to the top shelf disposing of Bob Broking and Dean Yrjanainen on his way to victory. Sixth starter Al Uotinen found the speedway to his liking as well as he moved up three positions to finish third. In the end it was Thatcher being joined in the top four by Broking, Uotinen and Nick Lavato.

Abbotsford, WI driver Robby Bunkelman pedaled his Sidebiter Chassis to victory in heat race two. Bunkelman started on the front row and was never seriously challenged during the duration of the event. Kelly Estey steadily worked his way forward picking up a very strong second place finish followed by Mike Anderson and Jason Miller. All four drivers locked themselves into the A-main with their top four efforts.

Heat number three featured a surprise winner in Carey Lepage. Lepage jumped behind the wheel of Jad Carlson’s #40 Modified and went on to score the victory in impressive fashion. The fastest car on the speedway, however, belonged to the #63 of Rick Kobs. After starting eighth, Kobs sliced and diced his way through the field finishing a very strong second behind Lepage. Lepage and Kobs were joined in the top four by Ryan Aho and Ricky Roche.

Jody Bellefeuille blasted off from his front row starting spot leading wire to wire picking up the victory in heat race four. Sixth starter Trent Follmer was on the move during the middle stages of the event as he used the outside of the speedway to move into second. The battle for the fourth and final transfer spot was a good one with Jayme Lautigar stealing the spot from Bill Byholm on the final lap. Bellefeuille, Follmer, Scott Hudack and Lautigar all qualified for the night’s feature event with their top four efforts.

The fifth and final heat race promised to be a good one with series point leader Darrell Nelson starting in the eighth and final spot. The action was hot and heavy up front with Chesley and Joey Jensen battling for the top spot. Jensen made the pass for the lead for good with two laps remaining scoring the win in the process. With two laps still up on the board, Nelson climbed the ladder in turn three and disposed of Shaun Kreyer for the third spot. Out front it was Jensen scoring the win ahead of Chesley, Nelson and Kreyer.

With all the heat races in the books, two Modified B-main’s were held with the top two finishers in each transferring on to the A-main. Dale Mathison and Jeff Hart transfered from B-main #1 while Bill Byholm and Jeff Broking slipped on their dancing shoes in B-main #2.

The RACEMN.com pole dash seen Deer Park, WI veteran Rick Kobs drive off into the night garnering the win and the pole position in the process. With Jody Bellefeuille finishing second, the front row was no established for the 30-lap A-main.

Goosebumps were felt by the capacity crowd as the 25-qualifiers aligned in a four-wide salute to the fans. Order was restored quickly there after as Kobs and Bellefeuille brought the field to the green flag. Kobs beat Bellefeuille to turn one and grabbed the lead as the field drag raced down the backstretch. Kobs found the high side of the speedway to his liking early on as he was scored the leader at the conclusion of the first lap. Two laps clicked off the board before seventh starter Trent Follmer moved into fourth. After drifting back a few spots early on, Kelly Estey began to make a charge on lap eight. Estey pedaled his #37 machine in the ditch with Robby Bunkelman up on the cushion. The two battled door to door until lap nine when Estey stole the position via the bottom groove in turn two. Estey continued his spirited march toward the front as He and Trent Follmer engaged in an entertaining battle for the fourth spot. Estey continued to run the bottom with Follmer up top. With just twelve laps in the books, Kobs had stretched his advantage to nearly a straightaway over second place running Chesley. Estey and Follmer danced side by side for the better part of four laps before Estey finally gained the advantage using the bottom groove in turn two on lap sixteen. Follmer retired pitside on lap eighteen which moved Bunkelman back into the top five while Kobs was bolted out front. Two more laps ran off without a hitch before Craig Thatcher expired a motor in turn one which would bunch up the field behind Kobs. With ten laps remaining it was Kobs, Chesley, Estey, Bunkelman and fifteenth starter Darrell Nelson all in the top five. The green flag dropped over the field once again as the front runners filed into turn one. Kobs blasted his #63 machine to the top of the speedway while Chesley chose the low line. Chesley was able to edge ahead of Kobs for the top spot as the field came around and completed a lap. The yellow flag waved once again, but the lap before had been scored which this time put Chesley out front all by himself. The field stacked up nose to tail once again as Chesley dictated the pace. When the green dropped this time, Bunkelman climbed the ladder in turn one and pulled even with Estey for the third spot as they drag raced down the backstretch. Bunkelman backed his machine into the cushion and blasted by Estey for the third spot as the field raced down the frontstretch. Bunkleman then made a nice move to the inside of Kobs to overtake him for the second spot while Chesley did his best to gain a small advantage out front. Bunkelman, however, immediately caught the backside of Chesley and quickly applied pressure. With two laps remaining, Bunkelman took a peak to the outside of Chesley as the entered turn three. Chesley held his line and blasted by down the frontstretch once again. On the final trip around Chesley made no mistakes and went on to score the most impressive feature win of his career. Bunkelman, who started eighth, looked very strong coming home second ahead of Estey, Kobs and Nelson. Hard charging efforts were found all over the speedway as well during the 30-lap A-main. Jason Miller moved from his 17th starting spot to finish sixth while Jayme Lautigar charged forward twelve positions from his row ten starting spot to finish seventh.

The Como Modified Series staff would like to thank all the fans, pit crew members, drivers and all other individuals that came out to make the third leg of the series a great success. We hope to see all of you this Saturday night, August 1st at the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI. For more information regarding the Como Mod Series log onto the series’ website at www.comomodseries.com

Superior Speedway hosted the third leg of the tour in 2008 with 37 of the best Modifieds in the area checking in for battle. Richmond, Mn driver Don Eischens topped the pole dash putting him on the front row of the main event along side Brad Hanson of Mt. Iron, Mn. At the conclusion of the night’s event, however, it was 2008 Series Champion Al Uotinen charging forward from his 14th starting position taking home the win in dramatic fashion. With Superior being the first mid-week show of the season, fans could see a few new faces in the mix.

53 Modifieds competed in the first series event at Proctor while 46 ready combatants checked in the back gate at Hibbing. Nelson topped the series opener at Proctor before Estey tallied the Governor’s Cup win at Hibbing. Will we see are third winner is as many events come Wednesday night? Come on out to Superior Speedway on the 21st to see who will reign victorious over the monster field of Modifieds.

Heading into the third event of the series at Superior, Jody Bellefeuille leads the Dirthead.com Hard Charger Standings. Bellefeuille, who currently sits in 5th place in series points, holds a one point advantage over Joey Jensen and Robby Bunkleman. 2-time and defending USRA Modified National Champion Brad Waits sits in the fourth spot a mere three markers behind Bellefeuille. Jason Miller rounds out the top five for the Dirthead.com Hard Charger award. A special thanks goes out to the great folks at Dirthead.com for sponsoring the Hard Charger award.

With two events down and two events remaining, Darrell Nelson holds the advantage over Kelly Estey in the GRP Motorsports “High 5″ Bonus. At the conclusion of the first four series events, the five drivers who have accumulated the most points (via formula on website) will compete for the bonus at the Silver 1000 (Proctor Speedway). Out of the five drivers eligible, whomever finishes the highest in the A-main will be paid $750 with the second highest finisher receiving $250. Thanks to Greg at GRP Motorsports of Stillwater, Mn for putting on this great promotion.

Current Series Point Standings (After two events):

1. Darrell Nelson #44 112
2. Kelly Estey #37 107
3. Bob Broking #45 101
4. Craig Thatcher #91 97
5. Jody Bellefeuille #11 89
6. Mike Anderson #57 88
7. Joey Jensen #V2 85
7. Jeff Wood #55 85
9. Robby Bunkelman #00 81
10. Al Uotinen #98 808
10. Jeff Provinzino #11K 80
10. Ryan Aho #71A 80

Dirthead.com Hard Charger (After two events):

1. Jody Bellefeuille #11 15pts
2. Joey Jensen #V2 14pts
2. Robby Bunkelman #00 14pts
4. Brad Waits #24 12pts
5. Jason Miller #12m 10pts

GRP Motorsports “High 5 Bonus” (After two events):

1. Darrell Nelson #44 9pts
2. Kelly Estey #37 6pts
3. Mike Anderson #57 4pts
4. Craig Thatcher #91 3pts
5. Rick Jacobson #7 3pts

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COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Calumet Chevrolet (Calumet, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

Bills Diesel Repair, Black Bear Casino, Construction Services, Inc.
Cost Cutters, Den’s Auto Body, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Fortune Bay Casino, FOX 21 KQDS, GRP Motorsports, Lucky Seven General Stores, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Murphy Oil, RACEMN.com, Rick Gondick Law Office, Scott Didrikson Construction, The Shack

COMO MODIFIED SERIES CONTINGENCY SPONSORS

Chris Burback Photography, DirtHead.com, Intercomp, Motorstats.com, QA1 Motorsports, Specialty Fabricating J-Car, Elite Shock Services, Quality Fab Inc, Dirt Modified Magazine, Wehrs Machine, Archer Dirt Track Supply

Fore more information regarding the Como Modified Series check out our website at www.comomodseries.com. On behalf of the Como Modified Series we’d like to thank all the fans, pit crew members and drivers that made the first two events a success. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, July 21 at Superior Speedway.

The star-studded A Main Event featured all three previous Como Mod champions starting in the top five (06′ Nelson, 07′ Estey, and 08′ Al Uotinen). Estey took the lead of the 30 Lap event in his Como Oil & Propane sponsored machine from the start and fended off numerous restarts and a hard charging Nelson for the duration of the race. The #91 of Craig Thatcher of Knapp, WI took home third after numerous battles with the #V2 Joey Jensen of Forest Lake, MN who rode the bottom of the track from an eleventh place start to fourth.

Estey commented in Fortune Bay / Rick Gondik Victory Lane: “I figured the high-side would be good to take the lead on the start and it got me up front. Darrell’s been on a heck of a run so to hold him off was a big accomplishment. I was more then comfortable running up front with these guys because they are clean racers and we race with the best of the best in the Como Mod Series.”

Notes:

#00B Robbie Bunklemen took home the DirtHead.com Hard Charger Award by improving 12 spots in the feature event in his new SideBiter Chassis…V2 Joey Jensen was second with a seven spot improvement…45 Bob Broking was penalized two spots on the last restart of the feature for jumping the start…2C Dave Cain did not participate in the finale on Saturday…91 Craig Thatcher was driving a new BMS Chassis with a blue body and finished 3rd with the first race in that ride…54L Jayme Lautigar returned to action with the Como Mod Series after suffering severe burns to his legs earlier this year and came one spot short of transferring to the feature after charging the high side from 13th…some big names did not make the feature and a handful in the top ten from Race #1 in Proctor did not finish well making the points going into Superior on July 21 that much more exciting.

MOTORSTATS.com OFFICIAL RESULTS

RICK GONDIK LAW OFFICES HEAT RACES:
Heat 1

1. 2R Ricky Roche
2.45 Bob Broking
3.V2 Joey Jensen
4.5 Jeff Broking
5.77 Alan Olafson
6.24D Duane Dale
7.22S Jeff Spacek
8.21D Cody Sersha
9.40 Carey Lepage
10.54L Jayme Lautigar

Heat 2

1.44 Darrell Nelson
2.98 Al Uotinen
3.1L Brad Loveday
4.11K Jeff Provinzino
5.85 Jamie Davis
6.57 Mike Anderson
7.101 Paul Schultz
8.9 Nick Lavato
9.84 Travis Zollar

Heat 3

1.37 Kelly Estey
2.55 Jeff Wood
3.11 Pat Doar
4.00B Robbie Bunklemen
5.90 Brad Hanson
6.95 Rick Rivord
7.9C John Carpenter
8.20 Jeff Hart
9.97 Greg Chesley

Heat 4

1.44R Steve Roseen
2.38 Rick Cannata
3.12S Wayne Stricker
4.22 Kyle Gavel
5.5 Jodi Olson
6.12M Jason Miller
7.4B Bill Byholm
8.46H Ken Hron
9.4 Marc Damjanovich

Heat 5

1.64 Kelly Checkalski
2.91 Craig Thatcher
3.71A Ryan Aho
4.11 Jody Bellefeuille
5.63 Rick Kobs
6.7J Rick Jacobson
7.2C Dave Cain
8.24 Brad Waits
9.51 Caley Emerson

MIRROR IMAGES DAY SPA B MAINS:

B Main 1

1.90 Brad Hanson
2.12M Jason Miller
3.54L Jayme Lautigar
4.57 Mike Anderson
5.24 Brad Waits
6.9 Nick Lavato
7.22S Jeff Spacek
8.77 Alan Olafson
9.20 Jeff Hart
10.46H Ken Hron
11.63 Rick Kobs
12.9C John Carpenter
13.2C Dave Cain

B Main 2

1.5 Jodi Olson
2.24D Duane Dale
3.97 Greg Chesley
4.85 Jamie Davis
5.7J Rick Jacobson
6.4 Marc Damjanovich
7.51 Caley Emerson
8.21D Cory Sersha
9.4B Bill Byholm
10.95 Rick Rivord
11.84 Travis Zollar
12.40 Carey Lepage
13.101 Paul Schultz

RACEMN.com POLE DASH:

1.44 Darrell Nelson
2.37 Kelly Estey
3.91 Craig Thatcher
4.55 Jeff Wood
5.98 Al Uotinen
6.45 Bob Broking
7.2R Ricky Roche
8.44R Steve Roseen
9.64 Kelly Checkalski
10.38 Rick Cannata

GRP HIGH 5 BONUS RACE:

1.37 Kelly Estey – 5
2.44 Darrell Nelson – 4
3.91 Craig Thatcher – 3
4.V2 Joey Jensen – 2
5.45 Bob Broking – 1

GRP HIGH 5 BONUS SEASON:

1.44 Darrel Nelson – 9
2.37 Kelly Estey – 6
3.57 Mike Anderson – 4
4.91 Craig Thatcher – 3
5.7J Rick Jacobson – 3
6.V2 Joey Jensen – 2
7.63 Rick Kobs – 2
8.45 Bob Broking – 1

DIRTHEAD.com HARD CHARGER RACE:

1.00B Robbie Bunklemen – 12 Points
2.12M Jason Miller – 10 Points
3.11 Jody Bellefeuille – 10 Points

DIRTHEAD.com HARD CHARGER SEASON:

1. 11 Jody Bellefeuille – 15 Points
2.00B Robbie Bunklemen – 14 Points
3.V2 Joey Jensen – 14 Points

FORTUNE BAY CASINO A MAIN FEATURE:

1.37 Kelly Estey
2.44 Darrell Nelson
3.91 Craig Thatcher
4.V2 Joey Jensen
5.45 Bob Broking
6.00B Robbie Bunklemen
7.55 Jeff Wood
8.2R Ricky Roche
9.64 Kelly Checkalski
10.11 Jody Bellefeuille
11.71A Ryan Aho
12.12S Wayne Stricker
13.12M Jason Miller
14.44R Steve Roseen
15.5 Jeff Broking
16.11 Pat Doar
17.98 Al Uotinen
18.38 Rick Cannata
19.57 Mike Anderson
20.24D Duane Dale
21.1L Brad Loveday
22.90 Brad Hanson
23.22 Kyle Gavel
24.5 Jodi Olson
25.11K Jeff Provinzino

2009 COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTED BY LAKE COUNTRY CHEVROLET STANDINGS:
(After Race #2 Governor’s Cup at Hibbing)

1.44 Darrell Nelson 112 Points
2.37 Kelly Estey 107
3.45 Bob Broking 101
4.91 Craig Thatcher 97
5.57 Mike Anderson 88
6.55 Jeff Wood 85
7.V2 Joey Jensen 85
8.11 Jody Bellefeuille 83
9.00B Robbie Bunklemen 81
10.11K Jeff Provinzino 80
11.98 Al Uotinen 80
12.71A Ryan Aho 80
13.7J Rick Jacobson 71
14.63 Rick Kobs 71
15.12M Jason Miller 70

To keep up with the Como Modified Series presented by the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers website at: www.comomodseries.com and “Fuel The Thunder!”

COMO MODIFIED SERIES TITLE SPONSOR

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PRESENTING SPONSORS

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

COMO MODIFIED SERIES PARTNER SPONSORS

Bills Diesel Repair, Black Bear Casino, Construction Services, Inc.
Cost Cutters, Den’s Auto Body, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Elite Tinting & Graphics, Fortune Bay Casino, FOX 21 KQDS, GRP Motorsports, Lucky Seven General Stores, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Mirror Images Day Spa, Murphy Oil, RACEMN.com, Rick Gondick Law Office, Scott Didrikson Construction, The Shack

COMO MODIFIED SERIES CONTINGENCY SPONSORS

Chris Burback Photography, DirtHead.com, Intercomp, Motorstats.com, QA1 Motorsports, Specialty Fabricating J-Car

Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, the “Hermantown Hammer” comes into Hibbing with an unbelievable six race win streak and eleven overall feature wins for the 2009 season including the opening stanza of the Como Mod Series at Proctor (MN) Speedway. Darrell will duel with a “who’s who” of the Upper Midwest modified racing scene as hometrack hero and 2007 Como series Champion looks to duel along with 2008 Champion Al Uotinen, series regulars Jason Miller, Dave Cain, Joey Jensen, Craig Thatcher, Brad Waits, late model ace Jeff Provinzino, and surprise top finishers at Proctor, Rick Jacobson and Mike Anderson.

Hibbing Raceway has provided thrilling finishes in the Como Mod Series lore with wins from Dave Cain and Kelly Estey in 2006, Craig Thatcher and Estey in 2007, and Robbie Bunklemen and Duane Dale in 2008. The Govenor’s Cup includes an “enhanced” two day purse for the modifieds with a $2,000 top prize for the winner! The two day extravaganza will also include Pure Stocks, WISSOTA Super Stocks, and WISSOTA Late Models. Fireworks and a Dance follow the races on Friday.

In the event that Friday nights program is rained out a full show will be run on Saturday, June 20. For more information on the Govenor’s Cup visit: www.hibbingraceway.com It looks to be a great weekend of racing in the Northland so come visit the Hibbing Raceway!

Sign Up for Text Updates

Want to know the latest on the Como Mod Series but can’t get to a computer? Sign up for our FREE text service that will keep you up to date with weather of all our events, results, and special promotions. Visit: http://www.comomodseries.com/fans/text-updates/ to Join!

Motorstats.com is an in-depth database of race results and information from across the United States. Launched in 2005, Motorstats has grown to include live timing and scoring for bigger events, driver profiles, and intricate historical data for tracks and series.

“We look at the opportunity with the Como Mod Series as a way to connect with a like-minded, technological savvy group that wants to offer the fans more interactive features,” stated “Not So CEO” Chris Graner of Racing United, Motorstats parent company. “We look to work with Joe and his team to offer not only results but to also utilize this data to enhance the Pick Em contest and develop applications to help promote the Como Mod Series.

Racing United is the parent company of Motorstats. The purpose of Racing United is to create and promote motorsports products to support the four primary elements of racing: the fans, the sponsors, the competitors and the facilities (tracks, touring series, etc.). To learn more about Motorstats visit: www.motorstats.com

The DirtHead.com hard chargers are the drivers who advance the most positions from their original starting positions in the A Main Feature event at every Como Mod Series race. Brad Waits from Zumbrota, Minnesota, powered from last place to 12th in the first Como Modified event of the season at Proctor Speedway and garnered 12 points to win the DirtHead.com Hard Charger for the night.

“This is a type of product that has been available in other venues. We wanted to bring it into the dirt market and allow racers promote themselves and their teams and get “kick-backs” for the products sold,” said Kirk Shaw, who launched the business at last December’s PRI show. “DirtHead wall graphics are not decals or posters and can be applied countless times with no damage to the wall,” added Shaw. DirtHead wall graphics are sold in three sizes (1×2-foot, 2×4 foot and 3×6 foot) and can be ordered for a growing number of drivers via the www.dirthead.com website. Drivers and fans can also email photos to have custom wall graphics made of their own driver.

“This is really a great marketing tool,” said Shaw, also the owner of Dirthead’s sister company New Vision Graphics. “We can reach both sides of the fence, the drivers and the fans. The sky is the limit for everyone.”

“As a series we are always looking to partner with companies that can enhance the dirt track racing experience,” stated Como Mod Series founder and Sr. Vice President and CFO of Como Oil and Propane, Joe Stariha. “DIRTHEAD is the perfect partner for this endeavor. Their product is great incentive for racers and fans. We couldn’t be happier to debut an exciting new marketing concept with an exciting new company in DirtHead.com.”

Como Mod Fans can check out the DirtHead website at www.dirthead.com. Enter the code “COMOMOD” and save 10%!

The RACEMN.com Pole Dash will include a $200 cash prize to the winner, $100 cash to 2nd place, and a $100 Gift Certificate for XR Premium Racing Apparel to 3rd Place. The RACEMN.com Pole Dash consists of the winners of each heat racing for the top position to determine the line up in the feature event at every Como Modified series race.

RACEMN.com, a website owned and operated by X.CELERATED, is a website dedicated to the promotion of motorsports in the State of Minnesota. “Minnesota Race Radio, On Demand” includes downloadable podcast interviews from a bevy of racing personalities in and around the state. All content on RACEMN.com is free.

“Connecting with the Como Mod Series was a logical choice for us” commented XR Vice President Dave Seay. “Joe Stariha has put together one of the most respected series in the country and we want to get the fans involved in the work we put into the interviews and promotion of racing in the state of Minnesota.”

The winner of the first RACEMN.com Pole Dash at Proctor Speedway on May 25, 2009 was the 7J of Rick Jacobson of Wilton, MN, who went on to finish the feature race in the 3rd position. Rounding out the field for the Dash were the 57 of Mike Anderson, 44 Darrell Nelson, 63 Rick Kobs, 45 Bob Broking, and 29A Tim Alexander.

More information and audio interviews for RACEMN.com, Minnesota Race Radio, On Demand, can be found at: www.racemn.com

To keep up with the Como Modified Series presented by the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers website at: www.comomodseries.com and “Fuel The Thunder!”

About X.CELERATED

X.CELERATED (XR) is a marketing and multimedia firm based in Minnesota that focuses on high performance design, web applications, marketing analytics, and advanced Internet technologies. XR owns and operates the XR Network that includes On Demand Podcast properties Dirt Cast, Dirt Freaks, Race Cast Live and RACEMN. More information on XR can be found at: http://x.celerated.com

What to Expect:

60-70 top drivers from a combination of the Northland mixed with some of the top runners in the WISSOTA sanctioning territory. Top drivers include past Como Champions like Kelly Estey, Darrell Nelson, and Al Uotinen as well as Dave Cain, Ryan Aho, Jason Miller, Joey Jensen and more surprise entrants. The Modifieds will battle in Heats, B Mains, a Dash, and the A Main feature event.

The Hot Ticket:

Proctor Speedway will open the gate at 3:00 PM with Hot Laps starting early at 4:30 PM and racing at 5:00 PM. Tickets Prices are $15.00 for Adults, 13-17 Years Old $ 12.00, 12 and Under $2.00. After the races the band Savage Grace will be playing at the Powerhouse in Proctor. For more info go to: www.proctorspeedway.com.

Big Money

The opening race at Proctor will pay $1000 to win, $750 for 2nd, $600 for 3rd, and so on. In addition the XR Premium Racing Apparel “Dash for Cash” will pay $200 to the Winner, $100 for 2nd, and a $50 Product Certificate for 3rd. The GRP “High Five” Bonus will kick off with five drivers squaring off for the bonus prizes at the Silver 1000 on September 3, 2009. Those five drivers will be determined during the first four races of the season based on top five finishes in the feature races. $1000 is on the line for the “High Five.”

2008 Race Recap:

2007 Como Modified Oil & Propane Modified Series champion Kelly Estey of Kelly Lake, MN won the 30 lap feature with a pass on then modified rookie driver Ryan Aho after the only caution flag of the event which came on lap 23 when Dean Yrjanainen and Jody Bellefeuille, who had taken the Como Provisionals, clashed on the front straight. On the restart Estey, who had been bottled up behind Bill Byholm,found clear track between himself and Aho. He took advantage and went outside of Aho in turn one and grabbed the lead off turn two and raced away leading the final circuits for a convincing win.

You Pick Em

Fans of the Como Mod Series have the chance to WIN cash money with the Mirror Images & Day Spa “You Pick Em” contest. For the 8 main events in the Como Mod Series presented by Lake Country Chevy Dealers schedule in 2009 fans can pick any 3 drivers and if they finish in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place position gets points. The selected drivers do not have to fish in any order of the top 3 to get points….they just need to be IN the top 3. More details can be found at: www.comomodseries.com.

“Fuel the Thunder”

The Como Modified Series presented by Lake Country Chevy Dealers announced a winner for our fan “tagline” contest. The winner, Bryan Harmelink, submitted a phrase that embodies the sponsor of the series and the ground pounding action of the cars. The winning tagline: “Fuel The Thunder!”

New Sponsors:

The 2009 Como Mod Series has introduced Lake Country Chevy Dealers as the presenting sponsor, XR Premium Racing Apparel as the “Dash for Cash” sponsor, and have added a bevy of new partners that include DirtHead.com, Intercomp, FOX 21, Motorstats.com, Miller Hill Machine Shop, Duluth Lawn & Sport, Scott Didrikson Construction, Lucky Seven General Stores, Black Bear Casino, The Shack, and Den’s Auto Body. These great businesses join our long standing sponsors and have afforded the Como Mod Series a massive purse for 2009.

Its the Media’s Fault!

The Como Modified Series presented by Lake Country Chevy Dealers has an expanded online presence with a new multimedia enhanced website at www.comomodseries.com built by Minnesota based X.CELERATED, a huge presence on social networking applications, and a new partnership with FOX 21 in Duluth, MN. Cameras will be rolling at Proctor to catch footage that will be used in viral marketing and for a season long DVD.

To keep up with the Como Modified Series presented by the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers website at: www.comomodseries.com and “Fuel The Thunder!”

The “High 5” works like this:

Five drivers square off for the bonus prizes at the Silver 1000 on September 3, 2009. Those five drivers will be determined during the first four races of the season based on top five finishes in the feature races. GRP will award a very simple point formula based on 5,4,3,2,1 for positions 1 through 5. The top five drivers in High Five Points after the first four shows become eligible for the bonus at the Silver 1000. The highest finishing driver of those five will earn a $750 bonus while the second highest finisher will get $250. That means a total bonus of $1,000 will be paid out! The bottom three finishers unfortunately will earn nothing. Should the Silver 1000 rain out or another race end up being nixed by the weather and not made up in time, the Hibbing Labor Day race would be the fallback for the fifth race.

To keep up with the GRP High 5 Bonus visit the Como Modified Series presented by the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers website at: www.comomodseries.com and “Fuel The Thunder!”

About the Como Modified Series

The Como Modified Series is an eight-race series held on four northern local racetracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The total payout for the series eclipses $40,000 and brings in some of the biggest names in modified racing in the upper midwest. The Como Mod Series is committed to a superior fan experience, unmatched driver compensation, and sponsor’s representation with a solid return on investment.

About Como Oil and Propane

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

About Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Calumet Chevrolet (Calumet, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

The Como “Name that Mod…Series” will held on the www.comomodseries.com website. Anyone can enter as many times as they want through the contest form on the website. Deadline for all entires to the “Name that Mod….Series” contest is April 1, 2009. A panel of Como Mod Series officials will determine the top ten taglines and vote on them for the eventual winner.

The tagline needs to be something catchy that embodies the prestige and action of the Como Mod Series.

A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product (like a film), or to reinforce the audience’s memory of a product.

The Prizes:

The lucky winner will receive:

2 – Season Passes to all Como Mod Series Races
2 – Weekend Passes to the Minnesota Modified Nationals on July 2, 3, & 4, 2009 at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria, MN
2 – Como Mod Series Hats
2 – Como Mod Series Shirts
$100 Gift Certificate to XR Apparel’s racexr.com website
Limited Edition RACEMN Como Mod Series Trading Card Set
A “Modcast” Interview on the Como Mod Series website www.comomodseries.com
Opportunity to “Drop the Green Flag” at a Como Mod Series event of choice by the prize winner during that nights “A Main” event

Enter Today!

Go to www.comomodseries.com/contest/ and input your tagline ideas!

About the Como Modified Series

The Como Modified Series is an eight-race series held on four northern local racetracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The total payout for the series eclipses $40,000 and brings in some of the biggest names in modified racing in the upper midwest. The Como Mod Series is committed to a superior fan experience, unmatched driver compensation, and sponsor’s representation with a solid return on investment.

About Como Oil and Propane

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

About Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include: Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN), Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN), Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN), Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN), Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN), Calumet Chevrolet (Calumet, MN), Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN), Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

“The Como Series is ecstatic to partner with the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers” stated Como Oil and Propane CFO Joe Stariha. “For the Lake Country Chevrolet dealers to jump in and wisely spend their marketing money with us says a lot about our series and the race fans that support us. We will give maximum effort to send new business to the Lake Country Chevy Dealers.”

“Chevrolet is the number #1 selling form of vehicles in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.” added Keith McKinzie, President of the Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers Association. “To combine with the best racing series in this region and its rabid base of race fans is the type of synergistic partnerships that we are looking for.”

The Lake Country Chevrolet Dealers are an eight-team group of dealers in the Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin that include:

Sonju Two Harbors (Two Harbors, MN)
Ranger Chevrolet (Hibbing, MN)
Grand Rapids Chevrolet (Grand Rapids, MN)
Kolar GM Center (Cloquet, MN)
Luther Family Chevrolet (Duluth, MN)
Calumet Chevrolet (Calumet, MN)
Iron Trail Motors (Virginia, MN)
Don Johnson Motors (Hayward, WI)

The Como Mod Series will enter its fourth year hitting all cylinders and will build on a respected and solid foundation that has race fans and industry folks yearning for more race action year after year. To find out more information on the Como Mod Series go to: www.comomodseries.com.

About the Como Modified Series

The Como Modified Series is an eight-race series held on four northern local racetracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The total payout for the series eclipses $40,000 and brings in some of the biggest names in modifed racing in the upper midwest. The Como Mod Series is commited to a superior fan experience, unmatched driver compensation, and sponsor’s representation with a solid return on investment.

About Como Oil and Propane

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.

The Como Mod Series will continue to frequent the four tracks that have become a staple on the series schedule every year in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Additional details will be released soon regarding an enhanced payout on the June 19th and 20th dates in Hibbing, MN in addition to an increased series purse for the 2009 season!

The 2009 Como Oil and Propane Modified Series Schedule

Sunday May 24th – Proctor Speedway – Proctor, MN
Friday & Saturday June 19th & 20th Hibbing Raceway – Hibbing, MN (No Mods at Ashland)**
Tuesday July 21st – Superior Speedway – Superior, WI
Saturday August 1st – ABC Raceway – Ashland, WI (No Mods at Hibbing)
Thursday September 3rd – Proctor Speedway – Proctor, MN (Silver 1000)
Saturday September 5th – Hibbing Raceway – Hibbing, MN (Labor Day Shootout)
Saturday September 12th – Superior Speedway – Superior, WI (Northern Nationals)
Friday & Saturday October 2nd and 3rd (Red Clay Classic) – ABC Raceway – Ashland, WI

** enhanced purse

The Como Mod Series will enter its fourth year hitting all cylinders and will build on a respected and solid foundation that has race fans and industry folks yearning for more race action year after year. To find out more information on the Como Mod Series go to: www.comomodseries.com.

An XR Release
Contact: Barry Braun at barry@racexr.com or 218-226-5661

Como Modified Series revs up the new year with a revamped website and fan experience.

Duluth, MN – The Como Modified Series, a regional dirt racing modified touring series held in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin and sponsored by Duluth, MN, based Como Oil and Propane has announced the launch of a new, dynamic, multimedia-backed website at: www.comomodseries.com.

The new site was fueled by X.CELERATED (XR) of Beaver Bay, MN, and features a cross pollination of video, audio, dynamic content, and fan interaction.

“This will be the fourth year of the Como Mod Series and as we always promise, we strive to keep building the series every year, offering large payouts and fan experience,” stated Como Mod Series founder and Sr. Vice President and CFO of Como Oil and Propane, Joe Stariha. “We were able to line up with a like-minded company in XR to achieve our online presence goals. I am thrilled to be able to give fans, sponsors, and competitors alike the ability to see, hear, and watch what we do with the Como Mod Series every day, on demand, all the time.”

In addition to video provided by CBS 3, The Northland’s New Center, in Duluth, MN, the Como Mod Series website features a co-operative partnership with XR’s Dirt Nation and RACEMN brands and will feature collaborative and original content. The popular fan “You Pick Em” contest returns along with a wide variety of new options and functionality to keep the race fan informed on the happenings of the Como Mod Series.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg with coverage and options,” said Stariha. “We have plans on video taping all of the races in 2009 and uploading for on demand viewing, audio interviews, fan contests, and more!”

The Como Mod Series will enter its fourth year hitting all cylinders and will build on a respected and solid foundation that has race fans and industry folks yearning for more race action year after year. To find out more information on the Como Mod Series go to: www.comomodseries.com. More exciting announcements are coming soon!

About the Como Modified Series

The Como Modified Series is an eight-race series held on four northern local racetracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The total payout for the series eclipses $30,000 and brings in some of the biggest names in modifed racing in the upper midwest. The Como Mod Series is commited to a superior fan experience, unmatched driver compensation, and sponsor’s representation with a solid return on investment.

About Como Oil and Propane

Como Oil & Propane is a full-service heating fuel supplier providing propane, oil and related services to Northland customers. The company has nine local offices in Duluth, Barnum, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Grand Marais, Tower, Ashland, Cable and Minong. For more information, please visit www.comooilandpropane.com.