The Sportsman Class in 2017 has been absolutely dominated by the #28M of Michael Helwig. Alec Justeson though didn’t let that fact even enter his mind on Saturday night as he dominated the Main Event en route to his first win of the 2017 race season.
When the Green Flag went in the air for the 20 Lap Main Event it was polesitter Scott Stephens who would jump out front and lead the opening two laps in his unique #44X kart. I say unique because Stephens is the only driver competing at Cycleland to run a nose wing on the front of his outlaw kart. He has always been known as an innovator in the outlaw kart world, and isn’t afraid to try something different from everyone else. After leading the opening pair of laps, Stephens would fall victim to the #42J of Justeson who charged into the race lead. With Justeson up front, Michael Helwing was making his way towards the front of the field. Helwig and Stephens would battle for the second spot over the final ten laps of the race. They exchanged positions on multiple occasions but it was Helwig who would prevail, eventually crossing the line in second, just over one second behind race winner Alec Justeson. Scott Stephens would come home third after leading early in the race. Steve Botelho picked up his fourth top five finish of the season as he crossed the line in the fourth position. While Trophy Dash winner Brian Seim rounded out the top five in the fifth position. The other Justeston Racing #42 kart of Kris Renaud was the Hard Charger of the Main Event, as he started in the 22nd position and passed 14 karts en route to an eight place finish.
Michael Helwig is currently running away with the Championship here in 2017 for the Sportsman Class. With just five races remaining, Helwig now holds a 200-point advantage over second place driver Brian Seim. Shawn Fogarty had a rough night, as he had problems in qualifying that put him behind the eight ball all night. He now sits third in the standings, 232 points behind Helwig for the lead. Kody Hunderman is fourth in points as he sits 350 points out of the top spot. Alec Justeson is closing in for the fourth spot in points. He sits fifth in the standings just 9 points out of fourth and 359 points behind Helwig for the top spot.
We will be back in action at the Cycleland Speedway this Saturday night, August 5th for Points Race #15 of the 2017 race season. Hot Laps for the Open Karts are scheduled to hit the track at 5:30 with qualifying for all divisions to follow immediately. For ticket information and/or directions to the racetrack please visit www.cyclelandspeedway.com.
POINTS RACE #14 RESULTS: QUALIFYING: MICHAEL HELWIG – 11.082 (3) HEAT RACES: SCOTT STEPHENS (1), ALEC JUSTESON (4) TROPHY DASH: BRIAN SEIM (2) MAIN EVENT: ALEC JUSTESON (1)