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EGF's Pulkrabek picks up first career win at River Cities Speedway
TL;DR
Gage Pulkrabek won his first career race at River Cities Speedway, taking the NOSA 25-lap feature. The 19-year-old sprint car driver capitalized on a late spin by leader Mark Dobmeier to secure the victory.
Key points
- Gage Pulkrabek won his first career race
- Victory at River Cities Speedway
- Pulkrabek is 19 years old
- Mark Dobmeier spun out during the race
- The race was part of the NOSA series
Mentioned in this story
River Cities Speedway
Gage PulkrabekMark DobmeierNOSA
May 16—GRAND FORKS — Gage Pulkrabek began the 2026 race season traveling and competing against High Limit Racing, one of the top two sprint car circuits in the country. Racing against the best in the country apparently has paid off for the 19-year-old East Grand Forks sprint car driver.
Pulkrabek returned home Friday night, winning the season-opening NOSA 25-lap feature at River Cities Speedway — his first career win at The Bullring.
Pulkrabek caught a break when NOSA career wins leader Mark Dobmeier spun out with 13 laps to go. At the time, Dobmeier led Pulkrabek by 2.704 seconds.
"It's a pretty big win for me," said Pulkrabek. "It's my home track."
He said Dobmeier's bobble opened the door for him. "But the track conditions were great. The bottom didn't wear out until probably the last restart."
Dobmeier was looking for career NOSA win No. 199.
"The car was really good," said Dobmeier. "I just drove it a little too hard into the corner."
Jade Hastings, the defending NOSA season champion, finished second, followed by Jack Croaker, Nick Omdahl and Colton Young.
Friday's windy conditions forced RCS officials to alter the program. Sprint cars didn't hit the track until after all the heat races in the other divisions and two features were completed.
Pulkrabek said he will return to the HIgh Limit series next week. The circuit's next race is in Pennsylvania.
He said he's learned a lot so far running a national series.
"You just have to find a way to push yourself through," said Pulkrabek. "You just can't stick behind people and wait for them to mess up. You've got to find a way to force yourself through."
Pulkrabek said he still hopes to race this season at RCS.
In other classes, Shane Edginton captured the 20-lap late model feature, passing pole-sitter Kelsi Pederson for the lead with eight laps to go. Edginton caught Pederson on the back straightaway and managed to grab the lead in Turns 3 and 4.
"I knew we were pretty good," said the Winnipeg driver. "I just had to bide my time."
Dustin Strand, who started seventh, closed strong to take second, 3.767 seconds off the lead. Pederson finished third, followed by her dad, Joey, and John Seng.
"It was kind of surreal watching her lead all those laps," said Joey of his daughter.
The late model field also featured East Grand Forks driver Tom Corcoran, who began his 57th season of racing Friday night.
Eric Guyot won the wingless sprint feature, leading all 20 laps. Nick Shirek, a former 410 sprint driver, finished second, 1.142 seconds off the pace.
Winnipeg driver Frank Vreet won the Midwest modified feature while Cole Greseth captured the 20-lap streets event.
Greseth, a Harwood, N.D., driver, has raced four times this season, winning three features.
Q&A
Who is Gage Pulkrabek and what did he achieve at River Cities Speedway?
Gage Pulkrabek is a 19-year-old sprint car driver from East Grand Forks who won his first career race at River Cities Speedway.
What happened to Mark Dobmeier during the NOSA feature race?
Mark Dobmeier, the NOSA career wins leader, spun out with 13 laps remaining, allowing Pulkrabek to take the lead and win the race.
How did the track conditions affect the race outcome at River Cities Speedway?
The track conditions were favorable for Pulkrabek, as the bottom did not wear out until the last restart, contributing to his victory.
What is the significance of Pulkrabek's win at his home track?
Pulkrabek's win at River Cities Speedway is significant as it marks his first career victory and is at his home track, enhancing its personal importance.
