Richards Rolls at the "Big O"

The World of Outlaws Late Models are making a swing through Minnesota this week after moving up North following some Iowa events. On Wednesday, July 12th, they made their first ever visit to the Ogilvie Raceway, affectionately known as the "Big O."

The "Big O" is now owned by the Wagamon family, they having purchased the track last Summer. This would be their biggest event to date since they have taken over the track and they were looking for a big night.

The Wagamon family is involved in a number of businesses in the Twin Cities area but they are well known to the racing community as engine builders of note for a long time through their Wagamon Brothers Racing Engines business. Nate Fischer was the promoter for the previous ownership group and he retained his job under the new management and was a very busy guy on this night. Fischer is also a board member for the WISSOTA Promoter's Organization too
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The "Big O" was a race ready place when they bought it but they have also made some improvements to the track since they took over. A new observation deck was put up last Fall, much like the "Party Deck" that Deer Creek Speedway has. They have added more bleacher seating for the spectators as the main grandstand is a little limited in seating for big time events. Their latest addition has been a kart track that they have built in the infield of the dirt track and their first kart racing is scheduled for this coming Saturday. Trying to add more seating and camping space at the track, they are clearly maneuvering to host some bigger events in their plans. I have heard that they are planning on bidding on the WISSOTA 100 for 2017 in and effort to bring that event back to Minnesota from South Dakota where it has been held for a number of years.

I anticipated that the place would be packed and while not every seat was taken, a very good crowd was on hand. Hosting this Late Model group is a big deal for this area, where these drivers are not seldom seen, and fans from a wide area were on hand roaming the pits and seated in the grandstand.

Frankly, they were lucky to even be able to get this race in, as the horrific flooding conditions following torrential rains that hit this state along with Wisconsin are still fresh in everyone's minds. Astronomical rain totals were reported throughout the area and just a couple of miles from the race track, a detour existed that many of the teams had to take was because water was over a state highway bridge.  On my way to the track, I crossed the St. Croix River, a major tributary that eventually empties into the Mississippi River near the Twin Cities. Cars were lined up on both sides of the road as people were on hand to take pictures of the high water, the highest I have ever seen at that location.

But I digress. Twenty nine Late Models signed in to race which included the top fifteen in Outlaw points along with some regional drivers plus some WISSOTA drivers attempting to make the show with their steel motors. The track raced very well on this night. Other than some wet spots in the parking lot, you would not have known that a lot of rain had fallen in this area as this country has a lot of sand, but I think the moisture helped the track surface. While many people enjoy the Modified racing here, in previous events for the Late Models, this track has had the tendency to "rubber up" and make the racing very one grooved.

However, I saw no evidence of that on Wednesday as many of the Late Model drivers were racing right up against the wall and using most of the track. It probably helped that Shane Clanton, who did not qualify particularly well, had to go to the top side to make something happen. When he had success, it was a case of "monkey see, monkey do" as others also tried to top side.

When Josh Richards drew the pole, it was apparent that it would be tough for anyone to stop him. And that proved to be the case as he led all fifty laps and was never seriously threatened. However, the race was not a bad one at all, as Clanton put on a show coming from ninth to second and a three car battle for third raged for most of the race. Steve Casebolt had his best run in quite some time for third and Eric Wells continues to show improvement as he raced home fourth ahead of Brandon Overton. There were only three yellow in the race and it was an entertaining event.

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and Hornets were the support classes and they did a perfect job of what was expected of them. The MidMods had three heats and a feature with not a lot of yellows and had their own interesting race with the Iron Range's Sketter Estey coming home for the win.

Even the Hornets did a good job with a nonstop main, and good two car battle and a winning station wagon for Paul George. The Late Models ran last because management didn't want them loading up early and leaving the grounds before the fans could get out into the pits and see them. Things worked out perfect as with a smooth show, the final checkered waved before 10 pm and the pits were crawling with fans afterward. Yours truly even went home with a souvenir as I got a Late Model spoiler that was knocked off a car during qualifying.

Thanks to Nate Fischer and the Wagamon family for their help and congratulations on a well run program.