The first ever ARCA race in the state of Minnesota was a big hit for racefans who came out in force on this beautiful day in early June.
The Akona 200 started with Alex Bowman on the pole, he quickly surrendered the lead to Matt Lofton and then #25 Brennan Poole (photo above) took over the top spot on lap 12. Poole seemed to be the quickest car on the track the entire race. Lofton, Frank Kimmel and Buescher took the opportunity to pit during an early caution on lap 66. Poole stayed out and only lost the lead during a pit sequence when on lap 90 MN native Joey Miller spun and his Venturini team serviced the car, he returned to the track in the 8th position behind cars who had pitted on an earlier caution.
On lap 117 crowd favorite #66 Steve Arpin (photo above) spun bringing out a caution and Poole had worked his way to fourth and all the cars in front of him had tires 24 laps older than his, giving him a slight advantage.
Poole then worked the high side through lapped traffic to take back the lead on lap 133, a lead he would never let go of. Matt Lofton had an impressive run, getting past Buescher and Kimmel in the last 25 laps to score a second place finish.
It was a dogfight for the next few positions, drivers went three wide numerous times with a bit of contact to thrill the crowd at the finish line.
Chris Buescher got third, followed by Frank Kimmel who had the oldest tires at the end and a hard charging Tom Hessert in fifth and hometown boy Joey Miller fighting back for sixth place.
Eleven cars finished on the lead lap with long-time Minnesota dirt track star Steve Arpin the first car one lap down. Mason Mingus who drives for MN race team Win-Tron racing finished in 9th position.
For complete results go to www.arcaracing.com
"Speedtalk on 1360" will broadcast interviews with Brennan Poole, Matt Lofton, Frank Kimmel and Steve Arpin on Saturday June 9th 10-11am (Central) on KRWC 1360am or listen live web-cast at www.krwc1360.com
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