Steve
Kosiski of Omaha won the seventh annual Race Days title at Buena Vista
Raceways. The 21-year-old racing phenom is joined by trophy girl Nancy Grienke.
– Bill Haglund Photo
Alta, Iowa (June 24, 1981) – Young Steve Kosiski provided an exciting finish Wednesday night to win the seventh annual “Race Days” title at Buena Vista Raceway.
Kosiski, a 21-year-old driver from Omaha, took advantage of other driver’s misfortune, then stole a last lap victory from Minnesotan Dwaine Hanson to win the 40-lap late model event, as a full house of nearly 2,000 roared their approval.
“I really didn’t think I was going to catch him,” admitted Kosiski afterwards. “He was running awful fast most of the race, but we really got hooked up in the last few laps. I’m really fortunate to have some super equipment and these guys (pit crew) know how to make it work.”
Kosiski started the main event on the inside of the fourth row, and looked on patiently as veteran driver Dave Bjorge of Austin, Minn., roared out to a comfortable lead over Des Moines’ Billy Moyer Jr., Hansen, and Jim Thruman of Freeport, Ill.
On the 11th go-round, misfortune struck the hard-running Bjorge when his rear axle snapped, allowing Moyer to take over the top spot.
A mere 10 laps later, however, the hands of fate fell on the front-running Moyer as his engine let go, elevating Hansen to the head of the field, with Kosiski now battling for the runner-up spot with Thruman and Bill Rice of Des Moines.
Hansen seemed to have things well in hand until the 31st lap, when Kosiski finally broke free from the pack of second place challengers and began to make up ground on the popular Minnesotan.
Kosiski continued his assault on the top position, until the very last circuit, when he rode the outside guardrail coming out of the fourth and final turn to nudge by Hansen by a matter of inches at the flag.
A disappointed Hansen blamed cautiousness on his narrow loss. “I just got too cautious at the end,” he said. “I sure can’t complain though. I’m sure we can away with even more money than Steve did.”
Thruman, who traveled the farthest distance to this year’s $10,000 event, settled for third-place money ahead of Al Urhammer of Radcliffe, and Joe Kosiski, the winner’s brother, rounding out the top five.
Late model heat races went to Thruman, Billy Moyer, Urhammer, and Bjorge, with Moyer winning an exciting 8-lap trophy dash, Consolation honors went to Joe Kosiski. Who finished ahead of Bob Hill of Randall and Frank Jorgenson of Carroll.
In other action, Mel Sorenson of Elkhorn, Neb., won the sportsman 30-lapper and Estherville’s Rick Zitterich won the 20-lap street stock feature.
Results –
Heat #1 – Jim Thruman, Freeport, Ill.
Heat #2 – Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
Heat #3 – Al Urhammer, Radcliffe
Heat #4 – Dave Bjorge, Austin, Minn.
Trophy dash – Billy Moyer Jr.
Consolation – Joe Kosiski, Omaha
Feature –
1. Steve Kosiski, Omaha
2. Dwaine Hansen, Lakefield, Minn.
3. Jim Thruman
4. Al Urhammer
5. Joe Kosiski
6. Denny Hovinga, Pocahontas
7. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
8. Keith Mander, Honey Creek
9. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
10.Roger Tapper, Webster City
11.Bill Rice, Des Moines
12.Craig Spetman, Council Bluffs
13.Frank Jorgenson, Carroll
14.Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
15.Ray Haase, Norfolk, Neb.
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