The Wissota Midwest Modified class has been pretty competitive at Devils Lake Speedway this season, as eight different drivers have won features in the Wissota Midwest Modified class at Devils Lake this season.
Jaden Varnson of Lakota sees that first hand each week at the 1/4-mile oval. Despite having five top five finishes at his home track this season, Varnson has found cracking victory lane to be tougher. Even though chasing those wins has been fun.
“The season has been going OK; I have a couple of heat wins,” Varnson said. “The car has been good and we have been moving up every week. I’ve been close a few times but there is so much competition. Anyone can win any night…it has just been a blast this year.”
Varnson got into racing through the Hamel and Haugland families from the Lakota area. He started out in the Pure Stock class; his first career feature win came in the Pure Stocks at age 14.
“It was cool to get your first win in your first year,” Varnson said.
He moved up to the midwest modifieds four years ago. In 2018, he was third in points at Devils Lake and had one feature win; in 2019 he also had a feature win.
This season, he is fifth in points at Devils Lake, although racing is on hold. Varnson farms north of Lakota and now harvest season is in full swing.
Varnson has five top five finishes in 13 starts at Devils Lake this season.
“I started to be somewhat competitive with the top guys like Preston Carr and Matt Schow,” Varnson said. “I’m trying to be consistent with the top guys.”
He finished second at Grand Rapids, Minn., on July 23 for his best finish of the season.
“I traveled to Grand Rapids which I've never been to and got second to Tyler Kintner. It was fun to be competitive against guys like him and Skyler Smith because they are always fast and up front in Grand Rapids,” Varnson said.
Varnson said he is grateful for his sponsors and for the help of Christian Johnson, who works on his car and the street stock driven by Trey Hess.
Now in his seventh year, Varnson is enjoying his time behind the wheel.
“The group of people you race with, is fun,” Varnson said. “Sometimes you want to quit; but it gets in your blood.”
Driver Profile
Jaden Varnson
Wissota Midwest Modified #12
Age: 21
Residence: Lakota, N.D.
Sponsors: MKT Seed, Blasey Farms, Luehring Farms, Miller Repair, Flaagen Farms, Lawrence Bay Lodge, Vasichek Insurance, DM Acoustics, DD’s Place, Walhalla Building Center, Huso Crop Consulting, A and Z Farms, Dakota Auto, Lake Region Pest Control, Lakota Auto
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