High temperatures and high emotions were the theme of the weekend this past Friday and Saturday night at Wagner Speedway. With the thermometer pushing mid-90s, fans came to enjoy action on the track and to pay tribute to the late Seth Fischer. Fischer, who was the leader in all time wins at the speedway, tragically died on Sunday, June 28th. The Repairable Vehicles Tri-State Late Models made their first visit to the speedway, along with the Good Ol' Time Racing Association, making it an action-packed weekend.

18 cars took the green flag on Friday night in the Roth Custom Farming Hobby Stock class and it came down to a last lap pass in turn four by Josh Bradley (Harrisburg), as he got by Joey Jaton (Wagner) to pick up the victory in his first ever start at the track. Following Bradley were Jordan Vosika (Gregory), Derrick Scott (Geddes), Scott Hoffer (Winner) from his 11th starting spot and Derik Rolston (Wagner) rounded out the top five after starting 10th. Heats were won by Josh Bradley, Derrick Scott and Shawn Sucha (Orchard, NE).

The Ponca Valley Seeds Sport Mods saw another first timer at the track take top honors. Cameron Meyer (Pierce, NE), started his quest from the eighth starting spot and was finally able to get by Wes Hochstein (Randolph, NE) to secure the win. Following Meyer were Hochstein, who placed second, Dudley Schroeder, Jr (Armour), Kevin McCarthy (Naper, NE) and Logan Fernau (Creighton, NE). Heat wins went to Cameron Meyer and Wes Hochstein.

The Butte Implement B-Mods saw 15 cars come to the line, but a familiar face stood tall in victory lane again, as Tyler Myers (Alexandria) drove away from the field to pick up his second win of the season. Camden Myers (Ethan) would settle for a strong second, followed by Kyle Pecena (O'Neill, NE), Corbin Erickson (Sioux Falls) and Matt Esterling (Sioux Falls). Heats were won by Camden Myers and Tyler Myers.

The DK Flooring and Customs 305 Sprint Cars made their second trip to Wagner on Friday night, and Jesse Lindberg (Sioux Falls) withstood numerous challenges from John Otte (Ravinia) to take top honors. Following Lindberg and Otte were Bob Dvorak (Stuart, NE), Jeff Reiman (West Point, NE), and Tony Drueke (Naper, NE). Heats were won by Tony Drueke and Daniel Nekolite (O'Neill, NE).

Friday nights events on the track were completed with night number one of the Repairable Vehicles Tri-State Late Models and 25 laps of action saw four different leaders with Justin Boomsma (Huron) taking the lead on lap 16 to pick up his first ever win with the series. Ben Sukup (Norfolk, NE) led laps 8-15, Blair Nothdurft (Renner) led laps 3-7 and Eric Vanosdall (Hoskins, NE) led the first two laps. Following Boomsma across the line were Ben Sukup, Blair Nothdurft, Gary Brown, Jr (Brandon) and Jordan Heiman (Sioux Falls). Heats were won by Jordan Heiman, Doug Tomka (Stanton, NE) and Blair Nothdruft.

Saturday nights action would see more of the same excitement, with a little trip down memory lane mixed in. The Good Ol' Time Racing Association (GOTRA) cars would join the Repairable Vehicles Tri-State Late Model Series to give the fans a great show.

The Roth Custom Farming Hobby Stocks would be more of the same from the previous evening. Josh Bradley worked his way around Joey Jaton on Friday night for the win, but on Saturday, the tables would be turned. Jaton, who started from his sixth starting position, made his move around Bradley who started seventh to secure his second win of the year, with Bradley settling for second. Nate DeSive (O'Neill, NE) rocketed to third from 13th, David Kranig (Geddes) took fourth and Tori Wendell (Naper, NE) rounding out the top five. Heats were won by Josh Bradley and Tori Wendell.

The Butte Implement B-Mods saw a clean sweep, as Tyler Myers capped off the weekend winning his second race in a row and third overall at the speedway, coming to the checkers from the sixth position. Nick Grehl (Hitchcock) driving the Devon Carroll 2G car garnered second place honors, with Kyle Pecena (O'Neill, NE), Camden Myers and Wade Wright (Ravinia) completed the top five. Heats were won by Tyler Myers and Nick Grehl.

The GOTRA brought 14 cars to the show and they certainly lived up to the expectations. The first driver to the speedway on Saturday afternoon would be the first across the finish line. Bob Werkmeister of Omaha, NE would use slower traffic to get by Chris Lavicky of Bee, NE to pick up the feature win, which was the first time the GOTRA has had a chance to race in 2020. To learn more about the GOTRA and to see pictures of these chariots of yesteryear, see their Facebook page at Good Ol' Time Racing Association.

The Ponca Valley Seed Sport Mods saw Dudley Schroeder, Jr pull off an evening sweep, winning the feature event after winning his heat. Following Schroeder across the stripe were Kendell McCarthy (Naper, NE), Lane Cornwell (Albion, NE), Wes Hochstein and Brian Schutt (Atkinson, NE). The win for Schroeder would be his second of the season.

The weekend was capped off with Gary Brown, Jr fending off all challenges to pick up his first Tri-State Series win of 2020. The two-time defending series champion and current Tri-State points leader showed the way for all 25 laps to take top honors. Blair Nothdruft, who is currently second in points, finished in second, with Ben Sukup, John Hoefert (Sioux Falls) and Josh Rogotzke (Sanborn, MN) rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Doug Tomka, Ben Sukup and Blair Nothdruft.

The fireworks may have been put away and America has celebrated yet another birthday, but the patriotism will be in full view again Friday night. Wagner Speedway presents the annual "Military and First Responders" night on Friday, presented by First Dakota National Bank and S&S Masonry of Wagner. All past and present members of the United States Military and any first responders with proper ID will received free admission to the grandstands on Friday night. Pit gates open at 4pm, grandstands open at 5pm with Horsepower Happy Hour from 5-7pm, hot laps scheduled for 7:15pm and opening ceremonies and racing to follow.

For more information, complete results, point standings, news and more, check out wagnerspeedway. com or The All New Wagner Speedway on Facebook.