PLOVER, WI – Gabe Sommers Racing took on their second Trickle 99 in a row this past Saturday at Dells Raceway Park. Fresh off mechanical gremlins haunting their day at Golden Sands’ version of the Trickle 99, GSR hoped to have luck on their side at Dells Raceway Park.
Early in the day, rain showers dotted the forecast, bringing the day’s schedule to a halt before it could even get started. Gabe and the crew could do nothing but watch the rain and wait for the clouds to clear. After a few hours, the track was dry and the cars in the pits were ready to hit the pavement. With only two practice sessions for Super Late Models, making the most of the given track time was paramount. Sommers was able to pilot his No. 15 to a third place spot on the leaderboard by the end of the first session, within 0.007 seconds of the fastest posted time. The Travis Sauter led crew went to work on the No. 15 Ford, looking to improve on their positioning within the 28 car field. Second practice was an improvement, taking over the runner up spot as Gabe searched for a little more speed heading into qualifying.
The track would continue to rubber up as qualifying drew near, bringing the competitors closer together in speed as they tried to keep up with an ever changing track state. Sommers would be one to find the mechanical grip he needed, laying down a 13.340 second effort in his qualifying run. The chips would continue to fall as Gabe and the crew watched the scoreboard, where they would firmly sit in second place once again, just 0.002 off of provisional once all was said and done. They’d soon after have to roll the car out for a qualifying heat, which Gabe took it easy in, not wanting to waste his tires and car before the big show later on in the night. He would conservatively climb from 7th to 5th in the eight lap sprint.
The big dance was now the only thing left to take on for the team, and they’d roll off from the fifth spot for 99 laps of Alive for 5 Super Late Model action. Gabe set the tone early by marching past multiple cars before lap 10/99, settling into 2nd place and locking in on the leader.Just nine laps later, the No. 15 put the nose out front and into the lead. Multiple restarts bunched up the field, and time and time again Gabe was able to pull ahead with a near perfect racecar. Maintaining control for the final 81 laps, fending off all challengers, Sommers would collect his second win of the 2024 season in dominant fashion.
Fresh off a win, we will regroup and attempt to bring the momentum with us as we prepare for a doubleheader with the ASA STARS National Tour, June 14 and 16 at Madison International Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile. You can join us trackside, or tune in on Track TV to catch the live broadcast