Rain Washes Out Chateau Debut; Focus Turns to Dodge County Speedway Finale
LANSING, MN (June 20, 2026) — What began as a promising inaugural visit for the USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels at Chateau Speedway came to an early end Friday night as rain moved into the Lansing, Minnesota area following completion of qualifying and heat race competition.
Series officials, track management, and competitors patiently worked through changing weather conditions throughout the evening, successfully completing all qualifying sessions and three heat races before persistent rainfall ultimately forced the cancellation of the evening's 30-lap Pannell Chipping A-Feature.
With weather forecasts showing little opportunity to complete the program, officials made the decision to cancel the remainder of the event in the interest of competitor safety and travel considerations.
Before the rains arrived, several drivers turned in strong performances during preliminary competition. Multi-time USMTS champion Rodney Sanders topped Deatherage Opticians Qualifying with a lap of 15.588 seconds before backing it up with a victory in Rick Bebee Heating & Air Conditioning Heat Race No. 1. Darwin Karau captured Smith Equipment Company Heat Race No. 2, while Steve Wetzstein earned the win in Kevko Racing Products Heat Race No. 3.
The cancellation shifts full attention to Saturday night's weekend finale at Dodge County Speedway. The event marks another first-time stop for the Northern Lights Modified Series and gives competitors one final opportunity to score valuable championship points before the series heads deeper into its sophomore campaign.
Joe Chisholm enters the evening holding the series points lead after a dominant opening month that included victories in each completed feature during the Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway and a King of Dirt triumph at I-94 emr Speedway. A strong contingent of regional standouts from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas are also expected to challenge for the victory at the Kasson, Minnesota facility.
Pit gates and grandstands will open as scheduled Saturday, with drivers and fans encouraged to monitor Northern Lights Modified Series and Dodge County Speedway social media channels for any updates regarding race-day procedures.
Media Results
June 19, 2026 | Chateau Speedway | Lansing, Minnesota
USRA Northern Lights Modified Series Presented by Real Racing Wheels
Deatherage Opticians Qualifying: 1. Rodney Sanders 2. Shaun Walski 3. Kylie Kath 4. Brad Waits 5. Parker Hale 6. Steve Wetzstein 7. Jacob Bleess 8. Darwin Karau 9. Joe Chisholm 10. Alex Williamson 11. Ryan Wetzstein 12. Steve Lavasseur 13. Harley Dais 14. Charles Steinberg 15. Zach Brom 16. Joe Ludemann 17. Blake Arndt 18. Doug Hillson 19. Jacob Stark 20. Cole Bennerotte 21. Joe Horgdal 22. Parker Foster
Rick Bebee Heating & Air Conditioning Heat Race #1: 1. Rodney Sanders 2. Jacob Bleess 3. Harley Dais 4. Joe Ludemann 5. Parker Foster 6. Jacob Stark 7. Alex Williamson 8. Brad Waits
Smith Equipment Company Heat Race #2: 1. Darwin Karau 2. Ryan Wetzstein 3. Parker Hale 4. Blake Arndt 5. Shaun Walski 6. Cole Bennerotte 7. Charles Steinberg
Kevko Racing Products Heat Race #3: 1. Steve Wetzstein 2. Kylie Kath 3. Steve Lavasseur 4. Joe Chisholm 5. Zach Brom 6. Joe Horgdal 7. Doug Hillson
The Kevko Racing USRA Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels would like to recognize and thank our 2026 season long partners. Please thank them, with your patronage for their support.
Gold Partners - Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Day Motor Sports, Deatherage Opticians, Dirt Track Specialist, Dylan Scott Entertainment, Hochatown Saloon, Kevko Racing, Midwest Sheet Metal, Mel Hambelton Ford Racing, Pannell Chipping, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning, Smith Equipment Company, Swift Springs, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Silver Partners – American Racer Tires, Buck Monson Photos, Bulletproof Tees and Racewear, Duvall Electric, Integra Shocks, JRT Trucking, Keyser Manufacturing, Midwest Automation, Photos By Boyd, Scotty Dogg's Hideout
Bronze Partners – Bryke Racing, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., KS Engineering, Maxima Racing Oil, Milburn Acreages by Tillison Enterprises, PEM Racing, Premier Lubricants, Schoenfeld Headers, Service Plumbing of Wichita, Transmissions Unlimited, Wagdog Spices, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Yeoman Race Engines
2026 Point Funds (ARMS, HMT, NLMS)
1. $7,500
2. $4,500
3. $3,500
4. $3,000
5. $2,500
6. $2,400
7. $2,300
8. $2,200
9. $2,100
10. $2,000
*80 Percent attendance required to remain point fund eligible