Bleess eighth in Mississippi Thunder Speedway opener

Jacob Bleess invaded the Mississippi Thunder Speedway Friday night for the season-opening event for the USRA Modifieds. A tough track and an even tougher field of competitors in the 25-lap feature made passing difficult, and Bleess settled for an eighth-place finish at the checkre flag.

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

RESULTS

1. (1) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (7) 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn.
3. (6) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn.
4. (3) 24 Brad Waits, Rochester, Minn.
5. (4) 50III Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn.
6. (5) 49JR Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
7. (11) 94JR John Doelle, Arcadia, Wis.
8. (9) 21 Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn.
9. (2) 23 Darwyn Karau, Kasson, Minn.
10. (12) 6 Casey Skyberg, Rapid City, S.D.
11. (8) 23K Erik Kanz, Winona, Minn.
12. (10) 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn.
DNS - 77 Tom Brink, Winona, Minn.