Exciting Battle has Crowd on its Feet

Hunter was the # 1 qualifier for the SHOWDOWN AT SUNDOWN at the ISOC Grand Finale at Lake Geneva Resort in Wisconsin. This was a invitatation only race for all the regional circuit class leaders from across the country and Canada. Hunter won his qualifiyng heat and recorded the fastest lap times of the day to earn the top spot.

Hunter had a rough weekend on one of the largest tracks we have been on this season. Saturday  started out decent as Hunter took a 2nd and a 4th in Sport Super Stock qualifying. However Hunter did not feel comfortable on this track at all as this was where he was landed on while leading in the Nationals last year. After a little pep talk Hunter came back to win his Sport 600 round 1 and took the checkered in Sport Super Stock Saturday by almost a 4 second margin.

SUNDAY turned out to be a different day as the suspension gremlins hit again starting with a blown center shock. Hunter finished 2nd in his 1st round of Sunday Super Stock and 1st in his 2nd round of Sport 600 being the #1 qualifier. In round 2 of Super Stock it was a broken suspension bolt that sidelined him while leading the race. In the Super Stock final Hunter was making a charge for the lead when a blown rear shock helped kick him sideways and off his sled on the front stretch rhythm section.While trying to get up, Hunter was drilled by his friend and competitor Leo Patenaude who was following Hunter's line. Much to the pleasure of the worried crowd and paramedics Hunter got up and gave a wave and returned to his sled to drive off. Hunter suffered a bit tongue, bruised knee and shin, and some cuts to his chin.

In the Sport 600 final even as the #1 qualifier, Hunter did not want to be a danger to his competitors as he was too sore to race, so he lined up in the back row. As everyone sped away Hunter rode to the table top, waved to the crowd and pulled off the track.

Even with the bad luck we experienced, Hunter left Salem in 1st place in Saturday Super Stock and in 3rd place in Sunday Super Stock.