One last lap

WILLOW — Mike Kriger said scrambling to escape his wrecked and burning 1999 Chevy Lumina was, for him, the perfect way to end the 2007 racing season at Capitol Speedway in Willow.

“Finish with a bang and start working on cars for next year,” Kriger said moments after he and son Michael outlasted eight other cars to win the demolition derby, the final event of a wild final weekend at the Willow dirt track.

The Krigers won despite losing a right front tire early in the demo and being forced to withstand a repeated bashing from Kevin Erickson — also driving a Lumina — as the two fought to see which would be the last one running.

“I was like, ‘he’s coming again — bam!’” Michael Kriger said. “Those cars just wouldn’t die.”

Erickson’s car conked out shortly before the Krigers’ caught on fire. While father and son technically left their vehicle before Erickson timed out, they were still declared the winners.

The final demo capped off Sunday’s “Fun Day,” during which racers took turns getting a few last laps in before heading home. None of the day’s races counted in the overall points standings.

That wasn’t the case Saturday, when the final points races of the season were held to determine which racers get bragging rights until next spring and eight drivers were crowned champions.

Ralph Gobert won the biggest prize, taking home the stock car championship for the second year in a row, beating out second-place Linden Fyfe by just 105 points.

On Sunday, Gobert said the key to winning the highly competitive class was being able to run well week in and week out.

“You’ve got to be consistent,” he said. “That, and a little luck helps.”

Gobert said that with plenty of bumping on the track throughout the season, there were times when the points race got a bit heated.

“It gets pretty competitive,” he said. “Every once in a while you get kind of a rivalry going, but we’re all friends off the track.”

The 38-year-old mechanic from Chugiak has been racing at Capitol for 11 years, during which time he’s won three titles. He said he originally got into the sport when an employer invited him to spend a day at the track as a spectator.

“The first time I watched it I had to do it,” he said.

Now a veteran, Gobert said he plans on racing for as long as he can, and is especially looking forward to coming back next season and helping his 14-year-old daughter, Darion, compete for the first time.

“That’s kind of a dream of mine,” he said.

Other class winners at Capitol included Dale Brummer in the Mini Stocks, Michael Kriger in the Hobby Stocks, Jeff Wallace in the 300 Sprints, Clifford Barney in the 360 Sprints, B.R. Smith in the Modified Lites, Robert Kirkhill in the Sportsman Class and Michael Gallagher in the always-popular Pick-Up Class.

Drivers in each division understandably feel their particular style of racing is best, but Millie Wade, who finished fourth in the pick-ups, said she believes the truck class features the best personalities.

“The truck class is the best class we have,” she said.

Wade said drivers all season long were more than willing to go out of their way to help her out when she needed it — both on and off the track.

Wade’s daughter, U.S. Army Sgt. Victoria Unutoa, died while serving in Iraq in July, a big blow for Wade that she said has been made more bearable because of the friendships she’s made at the speedway.

“They’re just the sweetest people,” she said of her racing family.

Folks at the track even dedicated one day of racing to Wade’s daughter, which she said made her feel like her daughter was able to be with her in sprit.

“I think she was looking down on us.”

Racing at Capitol Speedway, which is located just outside WIllow at Mile 75.5 of the Parks Highway, is scheduled to start up again next May.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com

Final 2007 Season Standings

Capitol Speedway

Willow

Stocks

1. Ralph Gobert, 1720; 2. Linden Fyfe, 1615; 3. Tommy Potter, 1416; 4. Robert Potter, 1244; 5. Dean Nelson, 662; 6. Howie Fox, 543; 7. Tom Theiner, 472; 8. Andy Gallagher, 328; 9. Mike Kriger, 128; 10. Guy Hamilton, 75; 11. John Clemmons, 75; 12. Raymond Shade, 71; 13. Michael Kriger, 70; 14. Wayne Oliver, 61; 15. Brian Vukasin, 61; 16. Charlie Potter, 38; 17. David Rutheford, 34; 18. Rick Potter, 31; 19. Tom Wrench, 19.

Mini Stocks

1. Dale Brummer, 1558; 2. Dave Burke, 917; 3. Fred Lloyd, 898; 4. Greg Markee, 415; 5. Seth Siver, 408; 6. Pat Wiser, 370; 7. Gary Rice, 329; 8. Billy Miller, 140; 9. James M., 109; 10. Anna Burke, 44; 11. Steve Courier, 41.

Hobby Stocks

1. Michael Kriger, 1703; 2. Steven Vial, 1596; 3. James White, 1371; 4. Rick Potter, 1277; 5. David Keene, 1058; 6. Tandi Fox, 1040; 7. Collin Gardner, 997; 8. Charles Goodenough, 284; 9. Brian Madsen, 144.

Pick Ups

1. Michael Gallagher, 1581; 2. Brad Cook, 1540; 3. James Ross, 1392; 4. Millie Wade, 714; 5. Robby Arlt, 593; 6. Dradin Hyatt, 412; 7. John Butcher, 376; 8. Dozer, 185; 9. Raquel Thurman, 136; 10. Jeff Barren, 14.

300 Sprints

1. Jeff Wallace, 641; 2. Charles Goodenough, 523; 3. Robert Kirkhill, 195; 4. Robert Watkins, 162; 5. Royal Cutway, 103; 6. Ron Cartwright, 115; 7. Brad Cutway, 26; 8. Jerry Mitchell, 21.

360 Sprints

1. Clifford Barney, 600; 2. John McDonald, 396; 3. Doug Fisher, 381; 4. Terry Bundtrock, 297; 5. Bob Erdman, 238; 6. Pete Ishe, 230; 7. Ernie Segar, 163; 8. Robert Dall, 88; 9. Bob Gardiffe, 75; 10. Tyler McDonald, 34.

Modified Lite

1. B.R. Smith, 167; 2. George Park, 131; 3. Jeff Evans, 102; 4. Keith Bucklin, 98.

Sportsman

1. Robert Kirkhill, 59; 2. Terry Bundtrock, 44; 3. Chip Defendorf, 29.