National Sports Center Cycling Velodrome | Blaine, Minnesota

Following a first-night rainout, the Thursday Night Lights series got underway last week. Nearly 60 riders turned out to launch the 2012 racing season at NSC Velodrome. We welcomed a few new faces and cheered extra loud for our World Champion, Dan Casper.

The night's featured race was sponsored Muscle Milk Miss N' Out. Fifteen Cat 3 racers contested the first race in this new series. Strategies varied, with Fred Mills (Revolution Cycle/Twin6) pushing the pace off the front and Nate Brennaman (Birchwood) playing gatekeeper. Both were among the final four in the race, along with Matt Allen (Behind Bars/LGR) and Lionel Space (Focus Racing).

Ultimately, Allen, Space and Mills out-sprinted Brennaman. Allen's number was up next, leaving longtime racer and master's competitor Space and Mills, who started racing the track last summer, battling for the win. Just as he emerged from turn 2, Space got up out of his saddle and decisively overtook Mills. Mills could not catch the Space-man as he shot ahead to the finish and secured his second victory of the night.