Dan Pederson’s life is pretty busy away from the race track. He runs a farm and seed business that limits the amount of time he can race.
“We’re plenty busy. I don’t have much time to work on (the car) anymore,” Pederson said. “I don’t get much seat time is my biggest thing. I need more seat time.”
That doesn’t mean the Underwood racer doesn’t enjoy being out there on the track.
“I like going out there. You meet a lot of people. And it’s fun to go drive,” Pederson said. “There’s a lot of talent out there.”
His brother in law, Chris Wolden raced and Pederson also followed Fergus Falls driver Brock Gronwold.
“I’ve been going ever since,” Pederson said.
After spending four years in the Wissota Modifieds, Pederson has moved back to the Wissota Midwest Modifieds this year. He bought Randy Klein’s IMCA Modified from 2020, which is an MB Customs car.
It’s been an adjustment returning to the midwest modifieds, which have less horsepower than an A mod.
“It’s definitely different,” Pederson said. “There’s more of a momentum feeling again, that’s the biggest change.”
The 34-year-old remembers his first career win several years ago. He led much of the midwest modified feature at I-94 before Dylan Goplen passed him; however Pederson made a comeback on the final lap for the win.
“I led a lot of it, and then Goplen passed me and I got him back on the last lap and won it out of (turn) four,” Pederson said.
He’s had some success in the Wissota Midwest Modified class at I-94 in the past. In 2015 he was fifth in the points at I-94 and was eighth in 2016.
Pederson hasn’t raced much in 2021 — his farm and seed business keep him busy during the summer months — but has two top five finishes in five starts at I-94. He’s been in the top 10 in four of his five starts.
“I’m hoping to get a couple of wins out of it,” Pederson said.
Driver Profile
Dan Pederson
Wissota Midwest Modified #5X
Age: 34
Residence: Underwood, Minn.
Sponsors: UMotors, City Side Collision, Pederson Farm and Seed, Ditterich Family Farms, Jim Wilson Crop Company, Justin Ohren Electric
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