Good start to racing season for Gaetz

By Medicine Hat News on May 28, 2019.

Opening weekend for the Medicine Hat Drag Strip saw a plethora of local cars riding in finals, and quite a few of them taking home wins.

After Tanner Gaetz took the Friday street legals victory, he added another pair in his Hercules Junior Dragster Saturday and Sunday, topping the junior lightning divisions each day for a memorable weekend.

Gaetz beat out fellow Hatter Brendan Ashby for the win Saturday, then Red Deer’s Kyler Skjonsberg Sunday when Skjonsberg clocked in just a tad too fast for his dial-in time.

It was a great weekend for the Gaetz family, as Kiandra won Saturday’s junior thunder division as well.

There was a repeat winner in junior street, though to be fair Teagan Thorpe didn’t have any competitors in the division based on the results sheet sent to the News.

Friday had a bike winner in Adam Hettler, but when it came to the pro bikes on the weekend it was Aidrie’s Steve Campbell Saturday and Strathmore’s Mike Brown Sunday claiming top spot.

Medicine Hat’s Janice Vessey came oh so close to a win in sportsman Saturday, but a double breakout in the final saw Glen Minhinnett of Carstairs wind up with the win because he was closer to his dial-in time.

Braydon Benko of the Hat did get the sportsman win Sunday, beating out track regular Ted Buzunis.

A pair of locals won in the pro division. Joe Read of Redcliff edged the Hat’s Chance Edelmann Saturday, while on Sunday it was Doug Zeller in his 1971 Nova taking the win over Norm McLeod.

The Hat’s Todd Fleck won super pro Saturday in a crazy fast 7.28-second run. On Sunday Fleck had to settle for third, as Brooks’ Darren Miller beat out Dunmore’s Aaron Steinkey, who took a red light penalty despite a wicked time of 7.008 seconds on the quarter-mile.

One extra event was held Saturday, Gerad Wagenaar of Redcliff claiming the victory in an electronics division over Tyler Steinkey.

The next race weekend at the strip is June 14-16.

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