ALEXANDRIA — The season of roaring engines, checkered flags and loud grandstands in Douglas County came to a close as Viking Speedway hosted its season championship races in the Fallen Lineman Modified Special on Saturday night. (The Fallen Lineman Organization is a nonprofit that supports families of deceased power line workers.)

All five drivers who entered Saturday’s events as leaders in their division finished the evening as season champions.

In the Midwest Mods category, Tanner Bitzan finished the season as the points leader but finished ninth in Saturday’s race. Haley Dykhoff won the final race of the season and finished twelfth overall.

Davey Kruchten extended his lead at the top of the Street Stock division by racing to a win in the final feature race of the season, securing his title for 2024.

Jake Sutherlin/Alexandria Echo Press

Hornet division champion Jeff Rohner finished second in Saturday’s race, only better than Chase Pourrier, who finished the season in sixth place.

In the Super Stock division, Bailey Rosch took the season title after finishing sixth in the final race. Trevor Saurer won the final race of the season but finished fifth in the overall standings.

The main event of the evening, the Fallen Lineman Modified Special, was also the most competitive category of the season. Season points leader Brady Gerdes entered the evening with a 10-point lead over Dustin Bitzan. In addition, Saturday’s main event featured approximately $2,150 in prize money.

Jake Sutherlin/Alexandria Echo Press

“I went into the race (on Saturday) trailing in the points standings, so I knew the only thing I could do was try to win the last race to put pressure on Gerdes, and then it would depend on where he finished,” Dustin said.

And that’s exactly what Dustin did: He won the last race of the season and secured the cash prize – but Gerdes also did what he had to do.

Jake Sutherlin/Alexandria Echo Press

“I had calculated in advance that if Dustin finished first, I would have to finish at least third,” said Gerdes. “So in the last 10 laps we were as high up the track as we could get and I was careful not to go over the edge because I knew I couldn’t afford to make a mistake.”

Gerdes finished the race in second place and was five points ahead of Dustin in the season standings.

“Brady (Gerdes) always rides fast; he’s one of the best here every weekend,” Dustin said. “I did what I could and I gave it my all, but he won this time. Regardless, it was fun to finish with a win on the last night. There are so many guys here every weekend who can win one of these races, and that challenge and competition is what makes it so fun. We spent a lot of hours on the track and in the shop, and I’m thankful for my team, my sponsors and the fans. We had a packed grandstand again (on Saturday), and that always makes these nights fun.”

Jake Sutherlin/Alexandria Echo Press

Gerdes said that his championship title in the 2024 season would be the 12th of his career, which is quite an achievement.

“My team and I are consistent,” said Gerdes when we asked him what makes him such a successful racer. “We take care of our car all season long so we don’t have any breakdowns, and when you get consistent good results you know you’re up there at the end of the season. I’ve been told I do well under pressure… I love racing because of the competition, but it’s also something that brings our family together. My wife and child are here, and my wife’s father races too, so we’re all here together every weekend.”

While the 2024 season standings may be set in stone, Viking Speedway isn’t quite ready to close the track just yet. It will host the Labor Day doubleheader on August 31 and September 1, so there are still some races up for grabs.

Jake covers sports in Alexandria and the surrounding area.