Bemidji Speedway Banquet Honors 2025 Season Champions, Previews 2026

Three Bemidji Speedway competitors claimed national Wissota titles in 2025, and all three were recognized Sunday evening at the Sanford Center during the track's annual awards banquet, which doubled as a preview of what's coming in 2026.

Dustin Puffe of Laporte, who piloted the No. 21X, took home the 2025 Wissota Pure Stock National Championship. Kolton Brauer of Eyota matched that distinction in the Street Stock class, while Bemidji's own Dawson Oelrich earned national Rookie of the Year honors in Wissota Mod Fours. The local haul didn't stop with outright titles: Austin Carlson finished fourth nationally in Pure Stocks, Cade Leeper seventh, Alex Berg ninth and Mason Smith 10th. In Mod Fours, Dean Larson placed second nationally and Ashton Schwinn third. Brady Fosso and Russell Kiker Jr. each finished third nationally in Wissota Hornets, and Dalton Carlson came in seventh nationally in Super Stocks.

Racers, crew members, sponsors, families and fans filled the Sanford Center for the occasion. Longtime track announcer Mark Ricci presented the top 10 in each class, while track owner and promoter Tonja Stranger and Randy Hayes distributed the physical awards. Track photographer Lisa Rhen handled the People's Choice and Driver's Choice Awards. The evening opened with dinner prepared by Sanford Center staff and a prayer from Carole Olson, chaplain for Racers for Christ. Stranger closed the program by thanking drivers, track workers and fans for what she called an incredible 2025 season and expressing her anticipation for 2026.

Single-class Rookies of the Year were recognized across seven divisions: Troy Foster in Mini Stocks, Logan Delaney in Hornets, Landon Weeks in Pure Stocks, Dawson Oelrich in Mod Fours, Deryk Weleski in Street Stocks, Cejay LaValley in Midwest Modifieds and Justin Barsness in Super Stocks. Barsness and Devyn Weleski were also named track point champions in Super Stocks and Modifieds, respectively.

The 2026 season opens Memorial Day weekend with the Jack Sparby-Chicken Shack Nationals on Sunday and Monday, with all regular classes on track. June 25 brings a tractor pull for the second consecutive year, and the season wraps Oct. 3-4 with the annual Paul Bunyan Stampede. A new Fantasy Racing League will form through MyRacePass, with details to follow. Once the track opens Memorial Weekend, the Chicken Shack will operate each Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.