FRANTIC FINISH FAVORS NOTTESTAD AT ROCKFORD’S SPRING CLASSIC

2023-04-24

By: Russ Wheeler

It was going to be a good opening day for reigning Big 8 Late Model Series champion Dale Nottestad. And then suddenly, the day went from good to great.

After forging through the field early in the 88 lap Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway, Nottestad found himself near the front of the field as the race neared the mandatory halfway break at lap 44. Nottestad challenged race leader Jeremy Miller multiple times before the halfway yellow flew, settled for second at the break with the plan of making a move for the lead soon after the race’s resumption.

But when the race restarted, Miller was able to jump away from everyone else, leaving Nottestad in a furious fight for second. Once Nottestad got second to himself, Miller had checked out. Over the course of the next 39 laps, the race went caution free allowing Miller to jump out to a straightaway advantage, leaving Nottestad with little chance at catching Miller and painting a picture of simply a solid second place result.

But the entire complexion of the race changed on lap 83, when Jerry Mueller’s car went into a spin and caught fire, bringing out the yellow flag with just five laps to go. The stoppage set up a trophy dash for the win and Nottestad took full advantage. Capitalizing on Miller drifting into turn one, Nottestad made his move to the inside for the lead. It took two laps before Nottestad was able to nose into first place on the 85^th lap.

Just as Nottestad thought he was free and clear, Miller and Max Kahler collected in turn one and two, sending Kahler around and bringing out the yellow flag with just two laps to go. On the ensuing Green-White-Checkered finish, Nottestad was taxed with holding off a pair of former Spring Classic winners in Jon Reynolds Jr and Alex Papini. On the restart, Reynolds put the pressure on Nottestad but could not make a move. When the checkered flag flew, it was Nottestad ahead of Reynolds by a car length, while Papini held third ahead of Minnesota’s Grant Brown. Two-time Spring Classic winner Mike Beyer rounded out the top five.

The win was Nottestad’s tenth career Big 8 Series triumph, and his fourth Big 8 Series win at Rockford. In securing the win, Nottestad also secured his third Spring Classic conquest, making him one of just five drivers to win the event three times or more.

Reynolds had a solid opening day, starting off with posting fast time in Qualifying with a blistering lap of 13.490. To go along with that, Reynolds was also the Powersource ‘Power Mover of the Race,’ advancing from his fourteenth starting spot to a second-place finish and earning a $100 bonus.

The next race for the Big 8 Late Model Series is set for Friday night May 19 at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, WI.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8latemodels.com.