Bemidji Speedway 5-31
Bemidji Speedway
“LVI Women in Motorsports Night”
5/31/2026
By Dennis Peterson
Sunday night at Bemidji Speedway the ladies were highlighted with the “LVI Women in Motorsports” special showcasing the many talents of the ladies who race, score keep, concessions and promote the racing at Bemidji Speedway. During intermission the ladies were introduced in Victory Lane with 12 lady drivers on hand for introductions.
74 cars were on hand with the Wissota Modifieds having the night off. Next week the Modifieds return with the Wissota Streets taking the night off. Racing begins at 5:PM. But, the world famous Chicken Shack is now open Friday and Saturday’s from 11-7:PM with the full menu available.
On the track of the seven classes racing all but two had clean sweeps by the drivers.
Wissota Street Stock Feature:
The initial feature of the night brought the Wissota Streets on track with Chris Dudley from Bemidji and Cole Greseth from Harwood North Dakota in row one. The green flag of flagman Lynn Johnson waved and Greseth powered to the lead with Dudley and Scotty Messner chasing. Greseth quickly raced to a four car length lead before the first caution flag waved for a spin in turn two.
The restart brought the field back together but Greseth quickly raced to the front once again with Messner edging into second. Greseth was impressive in his first start at Bemidji taking the feature win with Messner and Dudley the top three.
Bemidji Mini Stocks Feature:
In what is becoming a very popular class at the speedway the Bemidji Mini Stocks came on track 18 strong led by feature winner last weekend Hayden Engen and Cameron Schwinn in row one. Engen raced to the lead with Nick McCann and Schwinn close behind. Engen had McCann on his rear bumper fending the season champion from last year. A few laps later McCann made the pass in the 1-2 corner. Following a caution McCann held his lead to take the checkered flag with Engen and Schwinn trailing.
Wissota Pure Stocks Feature:
Another fine turnout of Wissota Pure Stocks were next on track with 15 entries vying for the win led by Austin Carlson on the pole and Landon Weeks to his right. In an action packed feature the veteran racer Carlson battled with rookie Weeks for the lead followed by Alex Berg. Two cautions slowed the battle on track for restarts with Carlson holding his spot out front each time. Weeks a few laps later blew a tire and dropped out moving Berg into second for a time but Kade Leeper was on the gas racing up to challenge for the spot. A great four car battle for second was created when Berg, Leeper, Josh Bitker and Shannon George all raced side by side and nose to tail for the back up spot behind Carlson. Late in the race it was Leeper inside down the front straight taking over second with Berg, George and Bitker trailing behind Carlson the winner in a fantastic race to the finish.
Wissota Midwest Modifieds Feature:
The Wissota Midwest Modifieds (B Mods) were next up led by Cejay LaValley on the pole and Hunter Weeks to her right. The first lap ended quickly in turn one with a four car slide leading into the turn. LaValley was credited with caution and sent tailback for the restart. Weeks took advantage of the new opportunity and quickly powered to a five car length lead over the field. The remainder of the field was bunched up tight led by returning driver Dean Eggebraaten in second followed by Noah Bitz in third down the front straight. Battling hard to move up Carter Matthews and Blake Higginbotham were in a heated race for third with Matthews moving up high on the track to take over the position. The checkered flag was waving for Weeks out front with Eggebraaten and Matthews in the top three.
Wissota Hornets Feature:
Last weekend 14 Wissota Hornets made the trek to Bemidji Speedway. Sunday night just six were on track led by Chad Reller on the pole and Ryker Larson next to him. Reller powered to the lead followed by Larson and Aiden Kessler. Mateja Dreyer moved up passed Kessler for third but Kessler quickly retook the position following a great side by side duel. Reller and Larson pulled away from the field with Reller claiming his first feature win of the new racing season. Larson and Kessler took second and third.
Wissota Mod Fours Feature:
11 Wissota Mod Fours roared on track led by Chris Roller and Ashton Schwinn. Schwinn raced to the lead followed by Roller and Brooke Erickson. Schwinn was already holding a huge lead when the caution flagged waved the first time for an incident on the front straight sending Jordan Thayer to the pits. On the restart Brooke Erickson moved up high passing Roller for second. Dawson Oelrich made his move from his third row starting position into third with Blake Erickson following into fourth. Another four car crash slowed the action for a restart. Oelrich was on the move once again charging up into second in turns one and two with Blake Erickson following into third. Brooke Erickson was running a fantastic race before sustaining a flat tire forcing her into the infield. Ashton Schwinn picked up his third feature win at Bemidji in three starts. Oelrich and Blake Erickson followed in second and third.
Wissota Super Stocks Feature:
The final race of evening was the Wissota Super Stocks. Justin Barsness was on the pole with Cameron Labelle to his right. The two young drivers put on a side by side show for the lead with Dalton Carlson on their tails. The track was black and fast with Labelle flying out front chased by Barsness and Carlson. Following a caution in turns one and two again the three car war for the lead had Labelle out front with Carlson getting by Barsness for second. In a wild finish Labelle took the checkered flag first with Carlson and Barsness side by side for second with Carlson getting the call in a great race to end the night at Bemidji Speedway.