Nygaard Wins Norman County, Pierce Stands Tall at River Cities
June 27, 2017 – Thursday night at Norman County Raceway, the NOSA 410 Sprint Cars invaded the three-eighths mile oval for the first and only time in 2017. Nine-time and defending NOSA champion, Wade Nygaard, claimed the big check after a thrilling 25 laps.
A soldout crowd watched Nygaard and Thomas Kennedy battle for the lead in the opening laps of the main event, which was presented by Buffalo Wild Wings and the Norman County Fair. Nygaard held off Kennedy’s initial charge and led with little challenge until he reached lapped traffic.
At the midway point, Kennedy mounted a challenge on Nygaard once again as the winningest driver in NOSA history, Mark Dobmeier, entered the fray. Kennedy had a run on Nygaard exiting turn four, but Nygaard took his line away to hold the top spot.
With eight to go, the top three cars were within four car lengths when the lone caution flew to reset the field.
On the ensuing restart, Nygaard got a great jump and pulled away from the field. Kennedy and Dobmeier were left to battle for the runner-up spot as Nygaard recorded his first win at NCR since 1999 and fifth overall.
Dobmeier topped Kennedy for second as Austin Pierce and Shane Roemeling rounded out the top five.
The Buffalo Wild Wings NOSA Sprint Cars were 26 cars strong for their 25-lap main event Friday night at River Cities Speedway. Austin Pierce and Jackson Moffett brought the field to the green with Pierce grabbing the early lead.
Wade Nygaard quickly moved into the second position and set his sights on Pierce as the lead duo reached lapped traffic within the first five laps. Nygaard placed a bid for the lead on lap seven as he ducked to the inside of Pierce in turns one and two.
Pierce fended off the nine-time and defending NOSA champion to hold the lead, despite being mired in heavy lapped traffic.
At the halfway point, the red flag came out as Jackson Moffett and Nick Omdahl made contact on the front stretch. Omdahl’s No. 0 machine flipped end over end twice before coming to rest on his side. Omdahl hopped out of his mangled car uninjured.
On the restart, Chris Ranten and Nygaard battled for the second spot as Pierce looked to check out from the field.
Pierce cruised to his second win of the season as Nygaard, Ranten, Thomas Kennedy, and Casey Mack rounded out the top five.
Next weekend, the NOSA Sprints will be back in action Friday at River Cities and Saturday at Greenbush Race Park. Races start at 7pm both nights.
