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Becker, Thomas, North, Zabel and Christ shoot down feature rivals at Brown County’s Big Buck Nationals

By Spencer Heupel

ABERDEEN, SD (August 30) - The Big Buck Nationals once again lived up to its reputation at Brown County Speedway. While Friday night’s event was lost due to rain, fans and drivers who returned Saturday were treated to a memorable night at the races.

With 129 cars signed in across five WISSOTA Dirt Track series divisions, as well as the INEX Legends in attendance, it was also a busy night. The sixth annual event was full of drama, redemption and first-time glory under the lights.

WISSOTA Dirt Track Series winners included Chad Becker, Dawson Zabel, Joseph Thomas, Bryson North, and Billie Christ.

The WISSOTA Street Stocks rolled out first with 20 drivers on hand. Jayden Bogh and Billie Christ brought the field to green with Bogh grabbing the lead during the opening lap. As the field used multiple lines across the racing surface, Grady Myers moved into second and began challenging for the lead but caution struck on lap eight.

Following the restart Bogh led a few more laps until he caught the barrel coming out of turn four, folding the left front of his car under. This caused the field to stack up behind him, but everyone continued. Myers and Christ then fought each other for the top spot, with Christ taking the lead.

The lead duo opened up an advantage over the field before caution struck with six to go. Following that restart Jodie Michealsohn moved into second and chased Christ. The No. 79 machine was too good in the middle lane and Michaelsohn couldn’t find a run by him. Christ’s win was his second of the year at BCS and his second Big Buck title. Jodie Michaelsohn, Maria Broksieck, Myers, and Zachary Flickinger were top-five finishers.

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds came out next with 25 drivers doing battle. This was a caution-filled affair, as it took five attempts at the start to complete the first lap. Nick Perry and Dawson Zabel led the field to green each time and Zabel finally had control of the first scored lap, before caution struck on lap two.

As the field began to put together green-flag laps, Zabel led Perry, Brennon Weight and Jason Grimes as they all railed the top side.

The battle for second was getting good between Perry and Weight, as Weight used the bottom to make the pass. Zabel found himself in lap traffic with 13 to go. In traffic Taylor Schmidt made a charge from sixth to second in one lap. However, caution struck again at the halfway point.

After the ensuing restart, Zabel and Schmidt pulled away from the field and looked to settle it between them. Meanwhile Todd Stark took over third from Grimes. Schmidt started peeking to the inside of Zabel but could never get a good enough run to take the lead. Zabel won his fourth straight race at Brown County Speedway, ahead of Schmidt, Stark, Lucas Rodin and Weight in the top five.

The WISSOTA Modifieds came out next with a good car count of 18 drivers in the pits. A pair of North Dakota drivers, Tyler Peterson and Joseph Thomas, brought the field to green, with Peterson leading the opening circuit. The action was short-lived as caution struck on lap two.

On the restart, Kent Arment slid Thomas and took over second. Peterson and Arment began to pull away from the field, while Dale Ames, Nate Heinrich, Thomas and Tony Konold all battled for third place.

Out front the race for the lead was getting intense, until Peterson missed the cushion in turn one and ended his race, handing the lead over to Arment.

The dreaded caution flag struck again with 15 to go. On the restart Thomas used it to his advantage to work back into second and to Arment’s bumper.

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