Hanestad captures first feature win

By Kelsie Hoitomt

This past weekend brought a full schedule of dirt track races in Menomonie, New Richmond, Rice Lake and Jim Falls with highlights in the Hornet cars as 16 year old, Buddy Hanestad captured his first feature win.

It was at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond that Buddy earned his first career feature win last Saturday, July 13. When the green flag dropped, he hit the gas and cruised from third place to the front and never looked back. He led all 12 laps in the caution-free race for the victory.

Buddy’s winning streak carried over into Sunday as well when he brought his Hornet to the Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls. He took first place in the 15 lap feature after starting in fifth and worked his way to the front in just two laps.

It was quite the show in Menomonie at the Red Cedar Speedway on Friday evening with family members, Brent Voeltz and Eric Schultz going head to head in the Hornet feature race. The two played bumper cars as they battled for first place with Schultz edging out the win by a few feet. Buddy was next in line for a third place finish.

Also hitting the track last Friday was Ron Hanestad in his Street Stock. He started in sixth place and rolled his way to third in 15 lap feature.

Ron’s big night however came Saturday at the Rice Lake Speedway, where he won his first feature at that track this year.

He started in the middle of the pack and worked his way into second place with five laps to go. Then just as he hit the low side to make his way into first, a caution was called. On the restart, he got out front and it was two wide going towards the finish line until Ron caught some traction on the final corner to edge himself into first for the victory.