Scott Owen, Special to the Leader
Chris Hidde controlled the majority of Shawano Speedway’s annual 150-lap Impact Survival Series Enduro on Friday until a crash ended his night, allowing Scott Blanke to take the lead for the remaining portion of the race.
Fifty-eight competitors took to the 3/8-mile track.
Hidde jumped out to the lead on lap one from his middle-front row starting position and quickly set a fast pace, beginning to put cars laps down as Dylan Pingel and Scott Blanke gave chase early on.
Pingel fell from the quick pace near lap 40, while Blanke continued to pursue Hidde. Lap 50 passed with Hidde leading Blanke.
Hidde was able to put a lap on Blanke during the next 50 laps, though Blanke stayed right on Hidde looking to get his lap back. Lap 100 came and went with Hidde still leading.
Exiting turn four on lap 101, Hidde’s fortunes were reversed.
Two cars collided right in front of Hidde and his car was gathered up in the wreck. Hidde’s night was over. Blanke barely missed the pileup as well.
Over the final 50 laps of the race, Blanke set a blistering pace. Frank Calabrese initially chased Blanke in second before having to pit. Blanke had a scare at around lap 130 as he spun coming out of turn four but was able to recover without losing much track position.
In the closing laps, Blanke continued to race hard with Brandon Bloomer in second and Brad Wedde in third. Blanke lapped both cars on the final lap of the race. In the end, Blanke won by four laps over Bloomer and five over Wedde.
Blanke was elated in victory lane as he celebrated the win on the roof of his car in front of family, friends and many fans of the hometown driver.
Paul VanPay, Kyle Miller, Norb Rivest, Frank Calabrese, Trevor Clark, Dale Brandt and Jasper Drengler rounded out the top 10.
Complete results and information can be found online at www.iraceiss.com.