Musher turned driver scores another victory

PALMER — An Alaska mushing legend was back in the legends class at the Alaska Raceway Park.

Four-time Iditarod Sled Dog Champion Lance Mackey was the top dog in the Legends of Classic Country Legends series during action at the Butte-area speedway May 26. Mackey, of Fairbanks, beat another Interior driver, North Pole’s Al Trettel to win the class.

A pair of Valley drivers also scored wins on the NASCAR sanctioned track. Tonya Klayum of Palmer won the Extreme Fun Center Baby Grand Series. Wasilla’s Tim Workman finished first in the Pruhs Construction Late Models Series.

Mike Thomas, of Palmer, was fifth in the legends. Big Lake’s Alex Schwochert was second in the baby grands. Palmer’s John Klayum and Wasilla’s David Elliott Jr finished fourth and fifth in the late models.

Palmer’s Monte Soper was among the winners on the Alaska Raceway Park’s drag strip, finishing first in the modified ET. Palmer’s Landon Binder was first in the trophy class.

Duane Dennis (top eliminator), Mike Mihalka (top sportsman), John Woods (super ET), Roy Rank (open air) and Lyle Hausser (junior dragsters) also won races.

The next oval track races are slated for June 9. The drag strip will be busy over the weekend. The park is hosting the Thunder Valley Flag Drags Saturday and the points races in seven different events Sunday.

For more, see raceak.com

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.