Reunanen “Finally” posts first modern race win

Two weeks ago, Paxton Reunanen shook his head after the 1/10 scale modern final and said, “man…it’s hard to win the modern final.”

On Saturday, he did just that.

Reunanen posted his first-ever ERCU 1/10 scale modern final with his 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. And he did it by chasing down four-time 2023 race winner Mike Hughes and his 1991 Winston Eagle.

“Paxton really had it today, and I just didn’t,” Hughes said, after the final.

Despite “not having it”, Hughes did finish second in the 1/10 scale modern final, followed by Chuck Murray’s 2000 Miss Elam Plus. Fourth place, despite a buoy penalty, went to Nelson Holmberg’s 2023 Bucket List Racing. Briana Burdsall’s 1988 Sutphen Spirit blew over in the backstretch on lap four and did not finish.

But the day’s success didn’t stop there for Reunanen. In the next final, he capped a perfect day with his 1983 Miss Rock KISW by winning the 1/10 scale classic final. Second place went to David Newton, driving Chuck Murray’s 1976 Olympia Beer and third was Jerry Dunlap in his 1986 Boat. Mick Shutt, driving his 1978 Miss Circus Circus finished fourth. DNFs in the 1/10 classic final went to Paul Dunlap in Rick Evans’ 1973 Red Man Too, and to Bill Mowatt driving Evans’ 1972 Notre Dame.

Seventh scale classic and modern ran together, due to a low boat count, but Craig Mullen topped the field with Denise Sjostrom’s 1974 Miss U.S. Nelson Holmberg took second on the water running his 2021 Graham Trucking, as the only modern boat, along with classics including the Miss U.S. and Mowatt driving Newton’s 1970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak. Mowatt was third. Classics and moderns, while running together, were scored separately as has been the precedent this season, so the Graham Trucking was also awarded full points and a win.

When it came to the 1/10 and 1/7 vintage heats, Newton put his foot down and wouldn’t allow anyone to steal the show from him. Newton swept the two vintage finals on the day. In 1/10 scale vintage, Newton drove Kerry Kjos’s 1960 Miss Thriftway to a race win, finishing just ahead of defending Sayres Memorial champ Reunanen – who drove his 1964 Coe-Z-Miss in the final. Third went to Mowatt, who had earlier won the connie and started as a trailer in the final with his 1968 Miss Bardahl. Fourth in the final was John Howell with his 1966 Savair’s Mist. DNFs went to Paul Dunlap (1964 Miss Exide) and Chuck Murray (1955 Hawaii Kai).

Newton also took the 1/7 vintage final, holding off chine-happy Mullen, driving John Sjostrom’s 1960 Miss Thriftway and third was another Sayres Memorial defending champ – Dennis Caines with the 1968 Miss Eagle Electric.