A driver who literally grew up at Brown County Speedway celebrated the biggest win of his career at the track Friday night.

Dawson Zabel of Selby captured the Midwest Modified Special feature race, earning $1,000 in the process.

“This is probably number one,” Zabel said of the biggest wins of his young career. “It’s my second-highest paying win, but probably my favorite win so far to date.”

The 20-year-old found a spot on the bottom of the oval to his liking and hugged the track as tight as he could for the majority of the 25-lap event. Zabel ran just outside the tires outlining the bottom of the track.

“The traction was right there around the bottom,” Zabel said. “I knew I had to keep my left front right around the tires or I’d get into the slick and there’s usually somebody right on your tail.”

A couple of restarts bunched up the field and Zabel was concerned somebody might hook up on top and go around him, but that never happened.

“Every restart I figured somebody would be coming on the top,” he said, “but I never saw anybody beside me and I just kept my line and it paid out.”

The victory was the 12th of his racing career as he carries on the rich racing tradition of his father, Duane, who now helps him in the pits.

“I was just months old when I was at my first race,” Zabel said of growing up at the track. “It’s just always been a knack of mine and something that I just absolutely love.”

Of course, his dad has been there for every turn of the wheel.

“My first couple of years were really rough and I learned a lot,” Zabel said. “He was there to give me pointers and support me through the good and the bad.”

Another racer is also carrying on the tradition of his father.

Luke Johnson of Miller won the Street Stock feature on Friday. Johnson’s father, Lorin, was a standout racer back in his day.

“I’ve watched him race everywhere, win everywhere,” Johnson said, “and I would love to be able to repeat it.”

The 18-year-old is in his first full year of racing at BCS. He was able to grab a lead and then hold off a late charge by Aberdeen’s Chris Serr to take the checkered flag.

“After the caution, the green flag dropped, I didn’t get the best start and I saw Chris Serr right on the inside of me,” Johnson said. “I knew he would take the opportunity, but I knew I just had to keep going and hope for the best.”

Johnson said the track conditions were ideal for him.

“Tracks like this where it’s tacked off right after they farm it, that’s when my car is the best,” Johnson said. “I don’t do the best on dry-slick, so this track right here tonight was the best for me.”

The track conditions were also the best for Kent Arment. The veteran outraced the field for a victory in the Modified feature race.

“It was kind of demanding track for sure tonight,” Arment said. “With a track like that, I’ve been known to step on the gas quite hard. I’m alright in that stuff. That’s my wheelhouse right there.”

Arment was able to take the lead on a restart and sped away for the victory.

While he has experienced hundreds of feature wins during his stellar career, he still enjoys every one of them.

“They’re always a good time,” Arment said. “We always have fun out there.”

Other feature victories went to Eric Edwards of Edgeley, N.D. in the Late Model division, and Nathan Grehl of Hitchcock in the Super Stock division.

Racing continues at 7 p.m. Friday.

To see complete race results, click on the following link:

https://www.myracepass.com/events/421932/races