2007 BIG DOG CHASSIS DAKOTA CLASSIC MODIFIED TOUR FINAL POINTS

1. 21eh Steve Arpin Fort Francis Ontario 200*
2. 99 Shawn Strand Bismarck ND 175*
3. 12h Mike Hanson Alton Iowa 172*
4. 25 Hank Berry Sidney MT 158*
5. 4j Wayne Johnson Minot ND 148*
6. 4t Troy Heupel Williston ND 148*
7. 11p Steve Pfeifer West Fargo ND 143*
8. 7 Marlyn Seidler Underwood ND 141*
9. c21 Aaron Turnbull Estevan SK 141*
10. 19 John Flory Williston ND 137*
11. 9 Robert Hellebust Kenmare ND 135*
12. 11d Jeff Decker Dickinson ND 131*
13. 57 Wyatt Olson Minot ND 129*
14. 12j Jay Steffans North Platte Nebraska 120*
15. 67 Joren Boyce Minot ND 120*
16. 33k Allen Kent Fargo ND 117*
17. 29c Drew Christianson Minot ND 117*
18. s11 Blair Shoemaker Shoreline Washington 110*
19. 71c Troy Cordes Raymond Iowa 107*
20. 7x Jeff Hooker Minot ND 103
21. 1t David Thome Spalding Nebraska 95*
22. 7t Porter Smith Aztec New Mexico 94*
23. 29m Les McLenehan Estevan SK 89*
24. 60 Trent Johnson Mohall ND 85*
25. 22 Eric Burwick Aurora Colorado 84*

2007 BIG DOG CHASSIS DAKOTA CLASSIC MODIFIED TOUR CONTINGENCY PRIZES

1ST Place in series IMCA Points
Steve Arpin - Zumbrota, MN

$500 from Big Dog Chassis
1 set of Pistons from Keith Black Racing Pistons (up to $500 value).
$500 product certificate from Finish Line Racewear.
$250 product certificate off the purchase of SNS seat from Joie of Seating
$100 product credit from DJ Safety.
$100 product certificate  to Quarter Master
2008 drivers cards from Simes Graphic Design.
$75 product certificate from Impact Racing.
$50 product certificate from Hawk Performance
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

2nd Place
Shawn Strand - Bismarck, ND

$300 from Big Dog Chassis
New Body from Performance Bodies
$450 “Safer System” seat top from The Joie of Seating/DTS
$100 product certificate from Isky Racing Cams
$100 in 4 Bears Casino Players Cash.
Set of Scott Performance wires/Dakota Trackside.
$50 in product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.
“Buy one, get one free” cert. from REAL Racing Wheels

3rd Place
Mike Hansen - Alton, IA

$200 from Big Dog Chassis
$200 product certificate from Design 500 Racewear.
$100 product certificate from KSE Racing Products
$100 in 4 Bears Casino Players Cash.
Set of Scott Performance wires/Dakota Trackside.
$50 in product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

4th Place
Hank Berry - Sidney, MT

$100 from Big Dog Chassis
(2) Integra racing shocks from Lou Fegers/Dakota Trackside
$100 in 4 Bears Casino Players Cash..
$50 product certificate from Midwest Motorsports
$50 in product credit from DJ Safety.
2 sleeves of laminated tearoffs from Racing Optics.
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

5th Place
Wayne Johnson - Minot, ND

$100 from Big Dog Chassis
$100 Schoenfeld Headers certificate.
$100 in 4 Bears Casino Players Cash.
$50 product certificate to Quarter Master
$50 in product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product certificate off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

6th Place
Troy Heupel - Williston, ND

$100 from Big Dog Chassis
$100 Schoenfeld Headers certificate.
$100 in 4 Bears Casino Players Cash.
$50 in product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product certificate off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.
$25 product certificate from Belleville Motorsports

7th Place
Steven Pfeifer - West Fargo, ND

$50 from Big Dog Chassis
Computer Chassis Software from Intercomp
$100 Schoenfeld Headers certificate.
$50 product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

8th Place
Marlyn Seidler - Underwood, ND

$50 from Big Dog Chassis
$200 product certificate from Design 500 Racewear.
$100 Schoenfeld Headers certificate.
$50 product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product certificate off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.

9th Place
Aaron Turnbull - Estevan, SK

$50 from Big Dog Chassis
$100 Schoenfeld Headers certificate.
$50 product credit from DJ Safety.
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.
$25 product certificate from Hawk Performance

10th Place
John Flory - Williston, ND

$50 from Big Dog Chassis
$50 product cert. off the purchase of a Brinn Trans.
$50 product certificate from DJ Safety
$25 product certificate from Larson Racing Specialists.

Longest Tow
Craig Nelson - Farmington, NM

Intercomp computer chassis software.
Set of Scott Performance wires/Dakota Trackside

Hard Luck Award
Rich Lewerke - Garner, IA

Set of Scott Performance wires/Dakota Trackside
$50 product certificate from Racemart

DACOTAH SPEEDWAY JULY 13, 2007 RESULTS/STORY
By John Gartner

Championship Night for the Dakota Classic Modified Tour always brings out the best in a group of drivers who have been racing each other for a solid week. On this night it was a streak that everyone wanted to beat, including a hefty check of $2,200 for anyone that could, as a driver on the Tour was not only good--he was perfect so far during the series.

Steve Arpin came to Minot earlier in the week without having raced at any of the tracks on the Tour before. The #21eh driver from Fort Francis, Ontario took his former car that he had sold to fellow Canadian Davin
Emmel and beat a stellar field of drivers, many of which that had many years of experience on their home tracks.  Bounties were offered to try to beat Arpin, as no one driver had ever won every feature race during the Tour in its long 18 year history.  A businessman from Bismarck who owns the Fastenal company threw in another $500 in the bounty pot, so it was game on for the other 63 drivers who sought to beat Arpin.

Arpin won his heat race after Jeff Decker of Dickinson blew his engine trying to hold off the Ontario driver. Arpin’s draw for the feature had him starting in the 4th row--the farthest back that he could start. Bismarck’s Shawn Strand, who was in second place, said he wasn’t going to hold back--he was going for the win--as this is his home track and he was starting on the front row.  The stage was set for an exciting battle that had all the ingredients for a memorable race.

As expected, Strand got out to the early lead for the first 10 laps. Arpin bided his time like he had all week, picking off car after car in front of him. A patient driver, he didn’t rush to the lead, he let it come to him, as his lap times were consistent from start to end on a track he had never even seen before.  On lap 11 Arpin passed Strand for the lead and many
fans thought the race was won for sure. Then came Aaron Turnbull. The C21 driver from Estevan ,Saskatchewan had won a feature race just a couple of weeks before at Dacotah Speedway and he also has the
same chassis as Arpin and is good friends with his fellow Canadian driver. They pit together and are both young and aggressive.  To beat Arpin would be Turnbull’s biggest win in his young career and to beat his friend that could be moving up to NASCAR, would be just plain old fun.

With Arpin running his consistent line using his brakes more than the gas on the hard, slick track, Turnbull starting moving up closer each lap to actually pass Arpin for a time down the back stretch. Turnbull’s experience at Dacotah Speedway seemed to be paying off until the C21 coasted to a stop with a sheared off distributor gear.

Mike Hanson then took up the challenge, as the Alton Iowa driver had already passed 20 cars and was hot on Arpin’s rear. Arpin didn’t budge and by races end had increased his lead to several car lengths. Not a
dominating win by any means, but it was clear that this driver has a real future at a higher level. Night after night on new tracks of all sizes, against some of the best modified talent IMCA has to offer, Arpin found a way to win every night. Arpin may not be back next year to defend his title, but watching him race is a treat for a race fan.

The Tour broke car count record numbers at Minot, Williston and Dickinson. An average of 62 cars raced on the Tour from 12 states and three Canadian provinces. These are all Tour records. Arpin won $6000
in purse payouts during the Tour, plus a $500 points fund provided by Big Dog Chassis of North Platte, Nebraska. The owner of Fastenal, who put up the $500 bounty to beat Arpin, generously gave the money to Arpin for his efforts. All total Arpin won $7,000 in cash ,plus over $2,000 in contingency prizes from several sponsors.

RESULTS JULY 13, 2007

IMCA MODIFIEDS (64 entrants)
Heat #1:  1. (21eh) Steve Arpin-Fort Francis, Ontario,  2. (4t) Troy Heupel-Williston,  3. (29c) Drew Christianson-Minot,  4. (59) John Barber-Swift Current, SK,  5. (51) Brendon LaBatte-Weyburn, SK,  6. (96r) Steve Reynolds-Springfield, SD,  7. (11d) Jeff Decker-Dickinson-DNF,  8. (2) Rusty Kollman-Carrington-DNF.
Heat #2:  1. (c21) Aaron Turnbull-Estevan, SK,  2. (2k) Troy Kittler-Turtle Lake,  3. (10) Tyson Turnbull-Estevan, SK,  4. (s11) Blair Shoemaker-Shoreline, Washington,  5. (54s) Cam Schafer-Glenwood, MN,  6. (9 Devin Raynard-Benson,SK,  7. (10eh) Ed Turnbull-Estevan, SK,
 8. (47h) Delos Haugen-Burlington.
Heat #3:  1. (11X) Craig Nelson-Farmington, NM,  2. (00) Nick Fuchs-Williston,  3. (21v) Phil Penney-Percival, IA,  4. (96) Tracy Domagala-Bismarck,  5. (32b) Dale Burwick-Dickinson,  6. (15j) Josh Jones-Dickinson,  7. (0) John Gartner, Jr-Columbia, SD,  8. (14r) Rod Schauerman-Scranton,IA-DNF.
Heat #4:  1. (24c) Rusty Corneliusen-Dickinson,  2. (1 Daryn Schuler-Bismarck,  3. (4j) Wayne Johnson-Minot,  4. (85) Ben Seidler-Underwood,  5. (96f) Eric Folstad-Glenburn,  6. (66) Kelly Bauman-Weyburn, SK,  7. Brent Schlafmann-Bismarck,  8. (76) Dan Lee, High River, Alberta.
Heat #5:  1. (9h) Robert Hellebust-Kenmare, 2. (25) Hank Berry-Sidney, MT, 3. (22) Eric Burwick-Aurora, Colorado,  4. (11p) Steve Pfeifer-West Fargo,  5. (12h) Mike Hanson, Alton, IA,  6. (1t) David Thome-Spalding, Nebraska,  7. (60) Trent Johnson, Mohall,  8. (09) Gene Hellebust-Kenmare.
Heat #6:  1. (54) Darrell Bauer-Mandan,  2. (7t) Porter Smith, Aztec, NM,  3. (20w) Mike White-Glendive, MT,  4. (29m) Les McLenehan-Estevan,
5. (39) Chad Hausauer-Bismarck,  6. (12j) Jay Steffans, North Platte, Nebraska,  7. (12b) Dwight Burwick-Dickinson,  8. (3l) Kevin Lisafeld-Lampman, SK.
Heat #7: 1. (99) Shawn Strand-Bismarck, 2. (7) Marlyn Seidler-Underwood,  3. (33k) Allen Kent-Fargo,  4. (57) Wyatt Olson-Minot,  5. (3b) Brian Brennan-Rozet, Wyoming,  6. (19) John Flory-Williston,  7. (96X) Nick Ayers-Battle Mountain, Nevada,  8. (2d) Lenny Makowski-Belfield.
Heat #8:  1. (33b) Herb Bargmann-Bismarck,  2. (71c) Troy Cordes-Raymond, IA,  3. (1) Mark Dahl-Bismarck, 4. (13b) Troy Butz-Bismarck,  5. (1s) Brad Shelton-Fort Morgan, Colorado,  6. (67) Joren Boyce-Minot,  7. (1x) Chris Welk-Mandan,  8. (52) Randy Artz-Battle Mountain, Nevada.  
Consi #1: (top 2 transfer) 1.Pfeifer,  2. Hanson,  3. T. Johnson,  4. Thome,  5. Christianson,  6. E. Burwick,  7. LaBatte,  8. Barber,  9. Reynolds,  10. G. Hellebust,  11. Kollman-DNS,  12. Decker-DNS.
Consi #2:  1. T. Turnbull,  2. Steffans,  3. Shoemaker,  4. White,  5. McLenehan,  6. Hausauer,  7. Schafer,  8. Lisafeld,  9. Dwight Burwick,  10. E. Turnbull-DNF,  11. Haugen-DNF,  12. Raynard-DNF.
Consi #3:  1. Kent,  2. Penney,  3. Dale Burwick,  4. Olson,  5. Flory,  6. Jones,  7. Domagala,  8. Ayers, 9. Brennan,  10. Gartner, Jr,  11. Makowski,  12. Schauerman-DNS. 
Consi #4:  1. W. Johnson,  2. B. Seidler,  3. Dahl,  4. Butz,  5. Boyce,  6. Shelton,  7. Baumann,  8. Artz,  9. Welk,  10. Folstad,  11. Lee,  12.
Schlafmann. Feature:  1. Arpin,  2. Hanson,  3. Strand,  4. R. Hellebust,  5. Pfeifer,  6. Kent, 7. Bargmann,  8. W. Johnson,  9. Berry,  10. Smith,  11. Schuler,  12. Kittler,  13. Heupel,  14. M. Seidler,  15. Bauer,
16. Penney,  17. T. Turnbull,  18. Corneliusen,  19. Fuchs-DNF,  20. B. Seidler-DNF,  21. A. Turnbull-DNF, 22. Cordes-DNF,  23. Nelson-DNF,  24. Steffans-DNF.

Fort Frances Ontario driver Steve Arpin was on a tear all week and putting on a show of this young drivers talents. With 64 cars entered in the final night of the Big Dog Chassis Dakota Classic Modified Tour, Aprin proved his abilities by winning his heat and being 1 of only 2 from each of the 8 heats to transfer to the A Main. After starting 7th it took him only a handful of laps to gain the lead. Fellow Canadian, Aaron Turnbull of Estevan SK provided him with his stiffest competition of the week and actually took the lead for a few laps before having mechanical problems. From that point on it was pretty much clear sailing. Alton Iowa driver Mike Hansen, who started 21st,  made an attempt to catch him but feel short by a few laps. With the win Arpin wrapped up the tour points championship followed by Shawn Strand (3rd place finish) and Mike Hansen.

Top 5
1. 21 - Steve Arpin - Fort Frances, ON
2. 12H - Mike Hansen - Alton, IA
3. 99 - Shawn Strand - Bismarck, ND
4. 9H - Robert Hellebust - Kenmare, ND
5. 11P - Steven Pfeifer - West Fargo, ND

Once again Fort Frances Ontario driver Steve Arpin dominates field. With 60 cars entered and an $300 added to the purse for all but Arpin to win provided for a great night of racing. IMCA put up an bounty of $300 to anyone who could beat Arpin, but that bounty went unclaimed  as on the restarts he managed to keep a few car lengths between himself and Mike Hansen of Alton Iowa for the second night in a row. Racing continues tonight in Mandan for the final night of the 18th Annual Dakota Classic Modified Tour. Finish Number Driver City State 1 21 Steve Arpin Fort Frances ON 2 12H Mike Hanson Alton IA 3 1D Mark Dahl Bismarck ND 4 99 Shawn Strand Bismarck ND 5 7 Marlyn Seidler Underwood ND 6 33 Allen Kent Fargo ND 7 11P Steven Pfeifer West Fargo ND 8 4T Troy Heupel Willston ND 9 7X Jeff Hooker Minot ND 10 67 Joren Boyce Minot ND 11 19 John Flory Willston ND 12 c21 Aaron Turnbull Estevan ND 13 11D Jeff Decker Dickinson ND 14 4J Wayne Johnson Minot ND 15 12J Jay Steffens North Platte NE 16 13 Troy Butz Bismarck ND 17 29C Drew Christianson Minot ND 18 S11 Blaire Shoemaker Shoreline WA 19 54 Darrel Bauer Mandan ND 20 1T David Thome Spaulding NE 21 21V Phil Penney Percival IA 22 66 Kelly Bauman Weyburn SK 23 39 Chad Hausauer Bismarck ND 24 25 Hank Berry Sidney MT

Top 10 in points going into championship night.

Fort Francis Ontario driver Steve Arpin racks up another win on this years Dakota Classic Modified Tour. With 61 car entered in Dickinson at Southwest Speedway, Arpin once again was the one to beat as he worked his way to thsile front of his heat and easily won. In the feature after only a few laps he had found his way to the front. 12H of Mike Hanson, Alton Iowa was hard after him. Once the leaders came upon lapped traffic Arpin showed his talent and managed to create a nice buffer zone by getting a few cars between himself and Hanson to take the win. Next up are 2 nights at Dacotah Speedway in Mandan for the final nights of this years tour.

 

Heat 1 - 3 Qualify						Heat 2 - 3 Qualify
Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State	Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State
1	2	57	Wyatt Olson	Minot	ND	1	5	4T	Troy Huepel	Williston	ND
2	5	14r	Rod Schuerman	Scranton	IA	2	6	11D	Jeff Decker	Dickinson	ND
3	1	29A	Les McLenehan	Estevan	ND	3	7	1T	David Thome	Spaulding	NE
4	9	60	Trent Johnson	Mohall	ND	4	4	3B	Brian Brennan	Rozet	WY
5	10	19	John Flory	Williston	ND	5	8	12H	Mike Hanson	Alton	IA
6	4	12JX	Jay Steffans	North Platte	NE	6	3	77	Tyler Wagner	Bienfait	SK
7	8	21Y	Mike Yost	Idaho Falls	ID	7	2	52X	Randy Artz	Battle Mountain	NV
8	6	7T	Porter Smith	Aztec	NM	8	9	1s	Brad Shelton	Fort Morgan	CO
9	3	21D	Shane Lewis	North Platte	NE	9	10	29C	Drew Christianson	Minot	ND
10	7	98	Devin Raynard	Estevan	SK	10	1	2D	Lenny Makowski	Belfield	ND
Heat 3 - 3 Qualify						Heat 4 - 3 Qualify
Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State	Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State
1	2	4J	Wayne Johnons	Minot	ND	1	1	00	Nick Fuchs	Williston	ND
2	5	S11	Blaine Shoerman	Shoreline	WA	2	4	12J	Jarret Wold	Arnegard	ND
3	7	27X	Mike Hagen	Williston	ND	3	6	71C	Troy Cordes	Williston	ND
4	10	83	Dennis Knudsen	Williston	ND	4	2	42	Richie Mann	Roche Percee	SK
5	1	76	Dan Lee	Highriver	AB	5	5	99	Shawn Strand	Bismarck	ND
6	8	98R	Steve Reynolds	Springfield	SD	6	7	7	Marlyn Seidler	Underwood	ND
7	9	21V	Phil Penney	Percival	IA	7	3	25C	Rusty Corneliuson	Dickinson	ND
8	3	83G	Steven Geiser	Sidney	SD	8	10	10	Tyson Turnbull	Estevan	SK
9	4	20	Darcy Walker	Radville	SK	9	9	96x	Nick Ayers	Battle Mountain	ND
10	6	71x	Derrick Big Eagle	Manor	SK	10	8	41	Corey Mann	Roche Percee	SK
Heat 5 - 3 Qualify						Heat 6 - 3 Qualify
Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State	Finish	Start	Number	Driver	City	State
1	1	21	Steve Arpin	Fort Frances	ON	1	5	25	Hank Berry	Sidney	MT
2	5	67	Joren Boyce	Minot	ND	2	7	7X	Jeff Hooker	Minot	ND
3	4	11P	Steven Pfeifer	West Fargo	ND	3	8	9H	Robert Hellebust	Kenmare	ND
4	7	33	Allen Kent	Fargo	ND	4	4	66	Kelly Bauman	Weyburn	SK
5	6	51	Brendon Labatte	Weyburn	SK	5	2	59	John Barber	Swift Current	SK
6	3	C21	Aaron Turnbull	Estevan	SK	6	6	3L	Kevin Lisafeld	Estevan	SK
7	2	96	Eric Folstad	Glenburn	ND	7	1	32B	Dale Burwick	Dickinson	ND
8	8	20W	Mike White	Glendive	MT	8	3	C4	Brian Clouse	Williston	ND
B Main 1 - 2 Qualify						B Main 2 - 2 Qualify
Finish	Number	Driver	City	State	Finish	Number	Driver	City	State
1	19	John Flory	Williston	ND	1	12H	Mike Hanson	Alton	SK
2	99	Shawn Strand	Bismarck	ND	2	C21	Aaron Turnbull	Estevan	ND
3	12JX	Jay Steffens	North Platte	NE	3	1s	Brad Shelton	Fort Morgan	ND
4	7	Marlyn Seidler	Underwood	ND	4	3B	Brian Brennan	Rozet	SK
5	10	Tyson Turnbull	Estevan	SK	5	52X	Randy Artz	Battle Mountain	NV
6	60	Trent Johnson	Mohall	ND	6	77	Tyler Wagner	Bienfait	SK
7	7T	Porter Smith	Aztec	NM	7	29C	Drew Christianson	Minot	ND
8	21D	Shane Lewis	North Platte	NE	8	96	Eric Folstad	Glenburn	ND
9	42	Richie Mann	Roche Percee	SK	9	51	Brendon Labatte	Weyburn	SK
10	25C	Rusty Corneliuson	Dickinson	ND	10	20W	Mike White	Glendive	MT
11	96X	Nick Ayers	Battle Mountain	NV	11	11X	Craig Nelson	Farmington	NM
12	41	Corey Mann	Roche Percee	SK	12	33	Allen Kent	Fargo	ND
13	21Y	Mike Yost	Idaho Falls	ID
B Main 3 - 2 Qualify
Finish	Number	Driver	City	State
1	83	Dennis Knudser	Williston	ND
2	3L	Kevin Lisafeld	Estevan	SK
3	76	Dan Lee	Aurora	CO
4	59	John Barber	Estevan	SK
5	96R	Steve Reynold	Springfield	SD
6	66	Kelly Bauman	Weyburn	SK
7	32B	Dale Burwick	Dickinson	ND
8	83G	Steven Geiser	Sidney	MT
9	20	Darcy Walker	Oxbow	SK
Big Dog Chassis Dakota Classic Modified Tour Feature
Finish	Number	Driver	City	State
1	21	Steve Arpin	Fort Frances	ON
2	25	Hank Berry	Sidney	MT
3	4J	Wayne Johnson	Minot	ND
4	7X	Jeff Hooker	Minot	ND
5	4T	Troy Heupel	Willston	ND
6	71C	Troy Cordes	Raymond	IA
7	57	Wyatt Olson	Minot	ND
8	9H	Robert Hellebust	Kenmare	ND
9	11D	Jeff Decker	Dickinson	ND
10	19	John Flory	Willston	ND
11	C21	Aaron Turnbull	Estevan	SK
12	99	Shawn Strand	Bismarck	ND
13	29A	Les McLenehan	Estevan	SK
14	1T	David Thome	Spaulding	NE
15	S11	Blaine Shoemaker	Shoreline	WA
16	3L	Kevin Lisafeld	Estevan	SK
17	27X	Mike Hagen	Willston	ND
18	67	Joren Boyce	Minot	ND
19	12J	Jarret Wold	Arnegard	ND
20	0	Nick Fuchs	Willston	ND
21	83	Dennis Knudsen	Willston	ND
22	14R	Rodney Scheuermann	Scranton	IA
23	12H	Mike Hanson	Alton	IA
24	11P	Steven Pfeifer	West Fargo	ND

MANDAN, ND, JULY 5--The 18th Annual Dakota Classic Modified Tour starts Sunday, July 8 in Minot on it’s six day run in North Dakota and Estevan, Saskatchewan. A record number of drivers have pre-registered from ten states and Saskatchewan, Canada. The series will be sanctioned with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), the largest modified sanctioning organization in the United States and Canada.

Included in the pre-registrations is the defending 2006 Tour Champion Troy Cordes of Raymond, Iowa. This series is the richest ever season touring event for modifieds and rewards points to drivers from any of IMCA’s five regions across the US. The winner at each track picks up $1200 for the 30 lap feature event.

The Tour starts in Minot, ND on Sunday, July 8, at the 3/8 mile Nodak Speedway on the ND State Fairgrounds. On Monday, July 9, the Tour heads north of the border to Estevan, SK and the 3/8 mile Estevan Motor Speedway. Tuesday, July 10, its back to North Dakota at Williston and the Williston Basin Speedway’s 1/3 mile track at the Upper Missouri Fairgrounds. On Wednesday, July 11, the ¼ mile Southwest Speedway in Dickinson hosts the series at their new track 10 miles south of town.

The Tour wraps up at the 3/8 mile Dacotah Speedway in Mandan, ND for their first ever two day show on Thursday-Friday July 12-13, including Championship Night on Friday. Big Dog Chassis of North Plate, Nebraska has provided $1,500 in point fund money for the top ten in series points Drivers will also be racing for a record $15,000 in contingency prizes through Tour and IMCA sponsors.

Randy LaJoie, owner of The Joey of Racing Seats and a former two-time NASCAR Busch Series Champion, will follow the series as a part of the "Safer Racer Tour" designed to teach drivers about cockpit safety.

Sponsors for the Tour include; Schoenfeld Racing Headers-Van Buren, AR, Keith Black Racing Pistons-Carson City, NV, Intercomp Scales-Plymouth-MN, Performance Bodies-Cedar Falls, IA, Speedway International Fuels-Winnipeg, MAN, Bert Transmissions-St. Constant, Quebec, The Joie of Seating-Kannapolis, NC, Four Bears Casino & Lodge-Newtown, Dakota Trackside, Minot, ND, Corral Sales and Simes Graphic Designs-Mandan, ND.

John Gartner of Mandan, ND is the Tour Director again this year. He can be reached at (701) 667-2053 (home) of (701) 202-6075 (cell) if you would like an interview.

Drivers pre-entered:

99	Shawn Strand	Bismarck	ND
52	Randy Artz	Battle Mountain	NV
96	Nick Ayers	Battle Mountain	NV
22	Eric Burwick	Aurora	CO
3	Brian Brennan	Rozet	WY
3L	Kevin Lisafeld	Lampman	SK
59	John Barber	Swift Current	SK
21Y	Michael Yost	Idaho Falls	ID
60	Trent Johnson	Mohall	ND
11P	Steven Pfeifer	West Fargo	ND
2	Chris Schlopp	Lampman	SK
3	Paul Schulz	Washburn	ND
11	Blair Schoemaker	Shoreline	WA
20w	Mike White	Glendive	MT
77	Tyler Wagner	Bienfait	SK
21P	Phil Penny	Percival	IA
0	John Gartner Jr.	Columbia	SD

Drivers Entered Through IMCA:

71	Troy Cordes	Raymond	IA
3RW	Ronnie Wallace	North Platte	NE
97	Rich Lewerke	Garner	IA
7n	Jay Noteboom	Orange City	IA
16	Reese Coffee	Hinton	IA
12H	Mike Hanson	Alton	IA
21H	Brandon Hagen		NE
12J	Jay Steffans	North Platte	NE
21D	Shane Lewis	North Platte	NE
98G	Darrell Grebb	Idaho Falls	ID
	Derek Copp		CO

Other drivers expected to attend:

97M	David Murray Jr	Oberlin	KS
7	Marlyn Seidler	Underwood	ND
27x	Mike Hagen	Williston	ND
19	John Flory	Williston	ND
C21	Aaron Turnbull	Estevan	SK
67	Joren Boyce	Minot	ND
25	Hank Berry	Sidney	MT
57	Wyatt Olson	Minot	ND
11D	Jeff Decker	Dickinson	ND
4T	Troy Heupel	Williston	ND
4J	Wayne Johnson	Minot	ND
96	Eric Folstad	Glenburn	ND
And many other talented local drivers….

MINOT, N.D. (July 2) – The defending champion will be among the long distance visitors, while a home state driver with a sanctioned series title of his own joins other local contenders into the July 8-13 Big Dog Dakota Classic Tour for IMCA Modifieds.
Six dates comprise the 18th annual tour, which opens at Nodak Speedway in Minot before traveling to Estevan, Sask., Motor Speed*way, Williston Basin Speedway and Southwest Speedway in Dickinson and concluding with two events at Dacotah Speedway in Mandan.
Troy Cordes of Raymond, Iowa, topped the 2006 tour point standings and will chase a second straight tour crown. Other Iowans planning to follow the series are defending IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals king Rich Lewerke, Jay Noteboom, Reese Coffee and Mike Hansen.
Nebraska drivers joining the field include Ronnie Wallace, Brandon Hagan, Jay Steffens and Shane Lewis. Planning to make the tow from Nevada are Randy Artz, Nick Ayers and Denny Robblee. Darrell Grebb will come from Idaho and Derek Copp from Colorado.
Minot’s Joren Boyce scored the tour championship when it was first sanctioned by IMCA in 1998 and will be among the North Dakota regulars looking to keep the 2007 trophy close to home.
“The on-track combination of travelers and local drivers has made the Dakota Tour one of the best series for Modifieds in the nation,” IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root said. “The quality of competition night in and night out is virtually unmatched.”
Total purse each of the six nights tops $8,000, with $1,200 paid to win and a minimum of $200 to make the 24 car starting grid.
National, home region and Smiley’s Racing Products state points will be awarded for each race, with special event contingencies given by IMCA and tour sponsors. The tour champion also becomes a candidate for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational race during the 2008 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals.
Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps are at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 6 p.m. at Nodak on July 8. Estevan opens the gates at 4 p.m. on July 9, with 6:15 p.m. hot laps and 7 p.m. racing.
A 2 p.m. gate time is set for July 10 at Williston. Hot laps are at 7 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. at Dickinson on July 11. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. and the first heat is at 7 p.m.
Mandan opens the pit gates at 5 p.m., with 6:45 p.m. hot laps and 7:30 p.m. racing both July 12 and 13.
Randy LaJoie, owner of The Joie of Seating and a two-time Busch Series champion, will follow the series as part of a ‘Safer Racer Tour’ designed to teach drivers, crew members and car owners about cockpit safety.

MANDAN, ND -- The 18th Annual Dakota Classic Modified Tour has finalized dates and plans for it's six day run July 8-13, 2007. The same rules, payouts and procedures will be used at all tracks during the consecutive night series in North Dakota and Estevan, Saskatchewan. Once again, the entire series will be sanctioned by IMCA.

The Tour starts in Minot, ND on Sunday, July 8th, at the 3/8 mile Nodak Speedway, located on the ND State Fairgrounds. On Monday, July 9th, the series next heads north of the border to Estevan, SK and the 3/8 mile Estevan Motor Speedway. Tuesday, July 10th, it's back to North Dakota at Williston and the Williston Basin Speedway's 1/3 mile track. On Wednesday, July 11th, the 1/4 mile Southwest Speedway in Dickinson once again hosts a stop on the tour.
The Tour wraps up at the 3/8 mile Dacotah Speedway in Mandan, ND for their first ever Dakota Classic Modified Tour two day program on Thursday and Friday, July 12th and 13th. Over $8,000 in prize money will be paid out each night including $1,200 to win and $200 to start the 24 car feature at each track.

Sponsors for the 2007 Tour are still in the works. Last year's Tour sponsors included; Schoenfeld Racing Headers - Van Buren, AR, Keith Black Racing Pistons - Carson City, NV, Intercomp Scales - Plymouth, MN, Four Bears Casino and Lodge - New Town, ND, Corral Sales - Mandan, ND, Dakota Trackside - Minot, ND and Simes Graphic Designs - Mandan, ND. With IMCA's extensive sponsor network it is anticipated the contingency prize package will again set a record in 2007. The series champion will once again be honored at the IMCA National Awards Banquet at the end of the season.