Hovdens Dominate as Winneshiek Raceway Hosts Full Night of USRA Action

Shine a light on issues that matter—support local news with your gift today. DECORAH — Engines roared and clay dust hung in the air Saturday night as Winneshiek Raceway hosted a full slate of Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series events, including makeup features from June 14 and five regularly scheduled divisions. Fans began filling the stands early. The one-third-mile clay oval at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds saw drivers unloading in the pits by 4:30 p.m., with hot laps starting at 6:30 and racing at 7. Cresco drivers Jason Schlangen and Scott Spilde took advantage of the makeup races, each claiming a feature win and additional prize money. Schlangen topped the USRA Stock Car makeup feature, while Spilde captured the USRA Hobby Stock makeup race. In the regularly scheduled Stock Car feature, Decorah's Mitch Hovden started sixth and steadily worked to the front of a 13-car field to earn the win. Brady Link of Waukon placed second, followed by Kevin Donlan of Decorah. Dylan Suhr of New Hampton finished fourth and Derek Dettmann of McGregor was fifth. The B-Mod division saw another Hovden victory. Dan Hovden, also of Decorah, powered from an eighth-place start to claim first place. Dale Schwamman of Fort Atkinson finished second, Taylor Skauge of Caledonia, Minnesota, was third, Nathan Butterfield of Galesville, Wisconsin, placed fourth, and Chad Halverson of Decorah rounded out the top five. Decorah's Joshua Ludeking took the Hobby Stock feature after starting eighth. Steve Larson and Paul Seabrooke, both of Decorah, finished second and third. B.J. Dahl of Calmar advanced from 16th to fourth, while Taylor Donlan of Decorah finished fifth. In the USRA Tuner division, Cresco's Perry Kessel led every lap from the pole to take the win. Jeremy Hills of Postville charged from 10th to finish second. Cory Fels of Calmar placed third, followed by Katie Stahl of Castalia in fourth and Carter Streicher of Monona in fifth. The Eco Mod feature went to Alex Colsch of Caledonia, Minnesota, who moved up from seventh to first. Owen Malone of Waukon finished second, and Skylar Duffey-Hovey, also of Waukon, placed third. The track's next event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2, when the USRA Northern Lights Modified Series, presented by Kevko and Real Racing Wheels and sponsored by Weis GMC, comes to Winneshiek Raceway. The program will feature USRA Modifieds, Stock Cars, B-Mods, Hobby Stocks and Eco Mods, along with the B-Mod makeup feature from June 14. Grandstand admission will be $20, with children 10 and under admitted free. Pit passes will be $30. Gates open at 5 p.m., and racing begins at 7 p.m. Stay informed, stay inspired! Newsletter sign up is free and join hundreds of free subscribers who rely on DecorahNews.com for trusted information and fresh perspectives.