Tristan Swanson Gets Fifth Win in the Jim Sauter Classic 50

By: Kevin Ramsell

Wisconsin Dells, WI - It was only appropriate that Tristan Swanson would get his fifth win of the season in the Midwest Truck Series by taking home the Jim Sauter Classic 50 at Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Sauter, who drove his famous #5 back in the ASA and ARTGO days in the 1970s to 1990s. Sauter passed away in 2014, but his legacy lives on as a third generation of Sauters are competing in short tracks around the Midwest.

A solid field of 24 trucks took the green flag in front of a packed house.

Swanson and Kevin Knuese would battle side-by-side for the lead in the early going of the 50-lap main event. Swanson would get out and pull away from Knuese.

Swanson built up to a 4.166 lead over James Lynch, who just got by Knuese for the second spot until the first caution flew on lap 31 as Scott Ciesieski came to a stop heading up to the ramp with front-end issues.

On the restart, Allen Bontreger spun coming out of turn two, causing Austin Werner to spin to avoid him.

Swanson jumped out to a big lead on the restart with 19 laps to go, with Lynch in second and Knuese in third.

The second caution flew on lap 33 when Nick Quinnell went around in turn four. He was able to keep going and rejoin the field at the rear.

Once again, Swanson was able to keep the lead over Lynch. But Lynch found himself in a battle with Knuese, who took back the second spot with 15 laps to go in the event.

It was a 1.154-second lead for Swanson with 10 laps to go. Behind him, Lynch was in a battle for the final podium spot with Nick Van but was able to shake off and keep the spot.

The Minnesota driver pulled out a 3.610-second lead as he went on to another Midwest Truck Series victory. His fifth victory of the season.

Knuese would finish second with Lynch in third. Van was fourth with Grant Griesbach rounding out the top five.

The Midwest Truck Series will head to Jefferson Speedway for two nights of racing on Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th.

A replay of tonight’s racing is available on tracktv.com.