Wettstein hungry in pursuit of first career feature win

Derek Wettstein has raced in the Wissota Street Stocks at Viking Speedway since 2020. And he’s chasing one thing that has eluded him – a feature victory.

He does have heat race wins, but he hasn’t found victory lane yet. The 37-year-old from Little Falls is aiming to change that this year.

“I want to get the monkey off my back,” Wettstein said. “My first heat win was fun; I can’t even imagine my first feature win.”

It would be even sweeter for Wettstein to get a feature win at the track he’s known since he was a kid.

“Growing up I always came over here to Viking Speedway, and always had a dream of racing someday,” Wettstein said. “A couple of buddies in the street stocks got me tied up into it, and one thing led to another.”

He had a best finish of sixth in his first year in 2020 and then added three top fives in 2021.

The year 2022 itself was a rough one for Wettstein, who owns Wettstein Concrete in Little Falls. He suffered serious burns to his left arm, hand and chest after a pressure washer backfired, which led to a trip to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. He was able to return to racing, but his season came to an abrupt end at the end of July.  

“Then I rolled my car later that summer,” Wettstein said. “That was a tough year.”

He bounced back with three top fives in 2023, and nearly pulled off his first win. He led several laps of the feature and had some breathing room up front – when a late-race caution derailed those hopes. His friend, Roger Berkness of Eagle Bend, would pass him late and pick up his first career win.

“We had caution one night and I was leading,” Wettstein said. “I would have won it but we had a caution. My buddy ended up getting by me and getting his first feature win.”

Wettstein doesn’t race a huge amount of shows each summer with other activities and events going on, and he “tries to enjoy them with the family.”

While he doesn’t have any wins yet, he has been competitive.  He’s finished in the top 10 in points in five out of the last six years at Viking, including a third-place finish in 2023. He has eight top five finishes in his career with a  best finish of third.

“A track championship would be my ultimate goal,” Wettstein aid. “Top three in points or a track championship is my goal this year. And consistency – being consistent every week.”

He’s raced only twice so far in 2026, but one night was part of the Dirt Race Central Street Stock Tour at Viking over Memorial Day weekend.

“I love competing with them, they hold their own lanes,” Wettstein said. “It makes you a better driver if you can keep up with some of the bigger guys.”

The Wissota Street Stock class is a close-knit bunch at Viking, he said.

“I enjoy how everyone helps each other out,” Wettstein said. “We’re all friends. It’s fun racing side-by-side. The camaraderie is so fun in this class. It’s competitive.”

Driver Profile

Derek Wettstein

Wissota Street Stock #21

Age: 37

Residence: Little Falls, Minn.

Sponsors: American Food Groups – Long Prairie, Long Prairie American Legion Post 12, Mille Lacs Liquor – (Garrison), Saarella Sign Works, Canteen Bar and Grill -- Little Falls, Meadow View Tree Service -- Little Falls, Wettstein Concrete --- Little Falls,  U1 Motorsports -- Alexandria