Schott holds off Cummins, Angst in USRA Modified feature at Mississippi Thunder Speedway

In a wild back-and-forth battle between three different drivers, Lucas Schott refused to give in.

He didn’t flinch when Jason Cummins came roaring through the 12-car USRA Modified field midway through the 25-lap feature during the season-opener at Mississippi Thunder Speedway late Friday night.

He didn’t back down when Winona’s Josh Angst was within inches of his rear bumper as the high-powered stock cars barreled around the high-banked, 1/3-mile oval track.

In the end, Schott—a Chatfield, Minn., driver—prevailed in the MTS’ premier division as he grabbed the checkered flag.

“I could see him coming, then he flew right by me,” Schott said of Cummins, who grabbed the lead on lap 14, but couldn’t hold it. “I was able to find it (right groove) and make it work. It was a little rough, which is what we expected (on the first night). We know Bob (Timm, owner/operator) is going to give us a great track.”

Angst, who took second in the season points standings last season, finished second, while Cummins settled for third.

Jacob Bleess, a Winona State University student, won a seven-car USRA Modified heat race. Not a bad start, considering he beat Josh Angst of Winona and Brad Waits of Rochester across the finish line. Waits is the defending track champion, while Angst was second in points a year ago.