Aug. 22—GRAND FORKS — The last time Greg Nikitenko won a NOSA sprint car feature was on Aug. 31, 2008, at the Nodak Speedway in Minot.
A number of the drivers in the 18-car field at River Cities Speedway on Friday night had yet to run their first race in 2008.
And some probably didn't even have their driver's license.
Age and experience definitely prevailed as the 58-year-old sprint driver from Minot won a battle of attrition to take the 30-lap feature that served as the final leg of the Wayne Anderson Cup — the four in-season races that honor the memory of the RCS founder.
Nikitenko, who started seventh, inherited the lead with six laps to go and hung on for his 12th NOSA win and third at RCS on a lightning-fast racing surface that produced sub 10-second laps during heat races.
And the fast track perhaps played a role in some crashes, too, as 11 of the 18 cars finished the race. Brendan Mullen, Jack Croaker and Weston Olson all held leads during the feature but all lost their leads due to crashes.
For Nikitenko, the win was rewarding as he now races a part-time schedule. Still, he ranks 13th in career NOSA wins.
"It was just one of those nights where everything worked out," said Nikitenko. "It's great to come back and win at the Forks. I mean we've run good here but we've never won a lot here. You get a little redemption, I guess."
A rain shower hit the track roughly an hour before the first race and that may have led to an even faster racing surface.
Laela Eisenschenk posted a lap time of 9.653 seconds in her heat race while Mullen ran a 9.681-second lap time in his heat. The track record is 9.269 seconds (116.517 mph) set by former World of Outlaws driver Jason Meyers in 2009.
"It was a pretty fast track for a guy just getting back into it," said Nikitenko. "It was a fast track but it was smooth. It wasn't kicking and bouncing you around."
Nikitenko beat Amelia Eisenschenk to the flagstand by 2.217 seconds. Croaker, who went to the back of the pack after losing the lead with 17 laps to go, rebounded with a hard charge and finished third. Zach Omdahl and Adam Sobolik rounded out the top five.
The field did not include Mark Dobmeier or Andy Pake, who have dominated a big chunk of the RCS season.
But that didn't matter to Nikitenko. "Winning here is pretty great," said Nikitenko. "We like racing here. It's a good show and a fast track with good racers. You know, the studs weren't here tonight but whatever. A win is a win. You take it when you can get it."
Four other classes raced Friday night.
In the Midwest modified feature, 17-year-old Kenna Breidenbach won the 20-lap feature, leading every lap.
It was her second win this season at The Bullring.
She held off Jory Berg by 0.218 seconds. Austin Hunter, Maddox Klassen and Frank Veert rounded out the top five in the caution-free race.
"I feel we've had way more ups than downs this season," said Breidenbach. "And the track tonight was probably the fastest it's been all year. It was really smooth, too."
Cole Greseth continued to dominate the streets class as he won his 10th feature this season at RCS. He's usually won going away but he had to hold off Greg Jose much of the race. He won by 0.705 seconds.
"This track was wide open," said Greseth. "It was crazy fast. I don't know if I've ever run that fast here before."
For Greseth, it was his 27th win this season in 44 nights of racing.
In the 305 sprint feature, Brandon Rekow took the checkered flag, winning from the pole. His top lap time was 10.885 seconds.
The legends also competed at RCS. Ryan Braseth won the 20-lap feature as eight cars comprised the field.
The World of Outlaws return to RCS next Friday, Aug., 28, for their second stop of the season at The Bullring.
River Cities Speedway
Friday's results
305 sprints
Feature — 1. Brandon Rekow, 2. Ty Hanten, 3. Matthew Taves, 4. Marcus Rothenbacher, 5. Owen Graf
Legends
Feature — 1. Ryan Braseth, 2. Owen Broden, 3. Bryce Barnhardt, 4. Alexander Clark, 5. Scott Richardson
Midwest modifieds
Feature — 1. Kenna Breidenbach, 2. Jory Berg, 3. Austin Hunter, 4. Maddox Klassen, 5. Frank Vreet
Streets
Feature — 1. Cole Greseth, 2. Greg Jose, 3. John Halvorson, 4. Doug VanMill, 5. Jeremy Gust
Sprints
Feature — 1. Greg Nikitenko, 2. Amelia Eisenschenk, 3. Jack Croaker, 4. Zach Omdahl, 5. Adam Sobolik
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