.png)
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. -- Despite less than favorable weather conditions, the Cedar Lake Speedway was able to hold their 56th season opener on April 26.
The weather had nixed several attempts to hold the traditional double-header opening weekend in April, but a small window of opportunity presented itself on the final Saturday.
Excessive rain on Thursday prevented racing on Friday night, so the opener was reduced to one night.
With a chilly east wind and rain approaching from the west, track officials hurried the program along.
As in two earlier features, the fifth starting position proved to be a very good spot to start from.
In the NASCAR Modified 20-lap feature race, Jason Gross blasted into the early lead with 2012 track champion Brent Larson in tow.
Fifth starter Lucas Schott of Chatfield, Minn., slowly progressed forward in a race that would go the entire distance caution-free.
Schott got by Larson for second on lap 11 and set his sights on Gross up front.
Schott closed the margin in the next couple of laps and the battle for the lead was on.
Racing side by side on several occasions over the next few laps, Schott was finally able to duck underneath Gross exiting turn two on lap 18 for the top spot and eventual win.
Gross, an opening night winner back in 2011, settled for second in front of Clayton Wagamon, Larson and Joey Jensen, who swept the 2012 opening weekend in this competitive division.
RESULTS
NASCAR Modified Feature (20 laps): Lucas Schott, Jason Gross, Clayton Wagamon, Brent Larson, Joey Jensen, Josh Angst, Donnie Lofdahl, Jake Miller, Adam Ayotte, Andy Jones, Cory Williams, Jake Timm.
