Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!; words heard normally in December were in vogue at the Minneapolis Raceway Saturday as "Christmas in July" was the theme on a warm summer evening. Children age 14 and under participated in multiple drawings for summer Christmas gifts. Those who didn't win in the drawings still won a prize, making this outing great fun for the younger set. As for the races, another great night of competition entertained a good size crowd as 93 cars from 5 classes kept everyone's interest through 18 races on a good track.

The Lott Implement IMCA Sport Compacts lead off the Feature races with only one caution flag slowing the race. Branston Arnder jumped from his front row pole position, gaining a good lead which he never relenquished. Arnder finished this race with a several car length lead and gained his second Feature win of the season and career at the MRW. Winners of the Heat races were David Rock and Andrue Halpain.

The Terry Smith Plumbing Mod-Lite class followed and provided a little more competitive racing. Trevor Smith gained a lead early from his 2nd row starting positions and lead through 12 laps. At his point, Smith gave way to a hard charging Bud Lee who took the lead from Smith in the backstretch of Lap 12. From this point on Lee cruised to the checkered flag though Dustin Forsberg was closing fast. Travis and Trevor Smith each won one of the Heat races in this division.

In the Bank of Tescott IMCA Stock Car Division, Cory Struckhoff stayed "oh so close" to points leader Trevor Thorton by winning the "A" Feature race. Tony Millholland gained an early lead from his second row starting position and held it through 8 laps. Struckhoff then gained the lead on the backstretch and cruised to a win by a large margin. The Stock car Heat races were won by Brett Jackson and Millholland.

The Grandma Max's Restaurant IMCA Modifieds didn't disappoint with another exciting Feature race despite 6 caution restarts. Terry Malm gained an early lead but by mid-race was passed by Gary Clements. Danny Morrison Jr. gained alot of ground on Clements after the 4th caution restart and gained the lead after the 5th restart. The two then dueled for the last 4 laps, with Clements giving way in the last lap with engine difficulties. By winning the Feature, Morrison passed Dave Hardesty as the points leader for the Modifieds division. The winners of the Heat races were Warren Huffman, Jarrod Johnston and Kurt Johnston.

The final Feature race was for the Coors Lite IMCA Hobby Stocks. Tim McBurney gained a good lead off his outside pole position but couldn't hold the lead through caution restarts. Coming out of the 11th lap, points leader BJ Dauer gained the lead from McBurney followed close behind by G.W. Fuller. These two drivers then finished the last 6 laps as #1 and #2 for the 2nd night of the weekend with BJ Dauer taking the checkered flag and adding to his points lead at the MRW. The winner of the "B" Feature was

Brent Schoen, while the Heat races were won by Jake Hedlund, McBurney, and David Weber.

The Minneapolis Raceway takes the night off next Saturday, August 1st, but returns to action on August 8th with all 6 classes of cars competing as the final six weeks of the season start to count down towards the track point championships.