Knutson Fends Off Late Charge For First Win of Season
- Greg Rentz
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
For the second time this season, a Knutson brother brought home the Rockstar Energy B Mod Main Event victory at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval. This time, it was Michael Knutson, leading 49 of 50 laps to take home his first of the season, and 2nd career Modified victory. The multi-time Late Model track champion added the Modified to his racing program at last years season finale, leading over 60 of the 75 laps that night to win in his debut. On Saturday, Knutson started on the pole and led the first 3 laps before younger brother Glenn suffered a hard hit to the wall, a wreck that also ended Cody Vickery’s night. Both drivers were ok, and after a clean up period, the race went green. Knutson fended off a challenge on the restart from Donovan Stevens before settling in to the race lead. Teammate Garrett Evans worked his way to 2nd, bringing 2nd year driver Kaden Steinberg with him. Another caution roughly halfway saw Knutson open a sizeable lead on Evans off the restart. Knutson maintained roughly a second lead until a late race caution bundled the field back up. On the ensuing restart, Steinberg was able to stay on the back bumper of Knutson and find his way past the former track champion Evans. Knutson would pick up the win with Steinberg a career best 2nd, while Evans fended off a rally from Stevens for 3rd.
(Michael Knutson's B-Mod, Photo from Michael Knutson's Facebook)
The night was co-headlined by an exhibition featuring the Pro Am Drift Tour. While not an official competition, the drifters wow’d the crowd with their high octane smokeshow. Wenatchee is the highest banked track the tour visits, and a lot of first time drivers are always hesitant with the lack of infield. However, every time they go out for the first time, the mindset immediately changes to one of “WOW, this is absolutely wild”. Over a dozen cars (and a mini van) made the trip over and had the WVSO crowd buzzing. While a hard hit ended the night early for one competitor, the overall mindset was the drifters could not wait to come back and out on another show for the Wenatchee Valley.
Another modified class hit the high banks as well. This one being the Northwest Vintage Modifieds. The popular series is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, and brought nine cars to the ¼ mile for a 30 lap main. Ephrata, WA’s Bart Hector Jr broke the broom out, taking home quick time, the heat race, and main event win for his first career NWVM win. Jason Quatsoe led the first half and held off a challenge from Apple Cup/Fall Classic Champion Kahl Cheth. Three different drivers have visited Victory Lane in three races for the series, with Steve Woods grabbing a win at Evergreen last week.
Two local classes also came out for their 2nd race of the season, those being the Mini Bombers and Apple Valley Pumping Crown Vic Stocks. First up was the Mini Bombers. The 2nd year class, kind of a middle ground between a Road Runner/Hornet and a Mini Stock, saw Kayleb Gill go back to back, winning the main event by a nice margin. Heat race winner Jayson Walker got 2nd, while Raelyn Wenneberg, a Plumb Perfect Road Runner driver making his Mini Bomber debut, finished 3rd. While all 3 of the podium drivers are running for points in Road Runners, Gill will be doing it in different cars. His new Mini Bomber is nearing completion, and upon so, will transition the car he’s won twice with so far back to a Road Runner.
The Apple Valley Pumping Crown Vics saw a duel between Jamie Nyenhuis and Bob Koepl. Koepl, who had won the season opener, hounded defending champion Nyenhuis for the entire 2nd half of the race, but the defending champion was able to fend off the most recent winner, picking up his first win of the season. In a bizarre twist of fate, 3rd place Travis Morley slowed down at the white flag, which saw Chris Jack rally and sneak into 3rd on a last lap pass on the outside for the podium finish.
After 3 straight weeks, WVSO goes dormant for the week, before roaring back to life on May 16th for Driver Appreciation night. 5 classes will be in action, including Round 3 of the Rockstar Energy B Mods, and the 2nd races of the year for the Dicks Heating and Air Conditionng Thunder Cars, the Plumb Perfect Road Runners and the BT Towing Youth Runners. While technically their 2nd appearance, the NAPA Auto Parts Bandoleros will mark their 3rd main event of the year as well, after a double header on April 24/25th.