September 2007 News and Rumors
Dirt Racing
When Dale Hodkiewicz took over the reins as race director of Shawano Speedway four years ago, he implemented a long-range plan to help the fabled, half-mile clay oval climb out of a $325,000 hole. Four years later, a commitment to Shawano's weekly program, and a temporary abandonment of the high-dollar specials, helped chop the debt in half. Green Bay Press Gazette (09-29-07)
A $5,000-to-win 200 lap Enduro presented by Tisler Salvage will will close the curtains on the 2007 racing season at Luxemburg Speedway Saturday, October 13 at 2 p.m. The enduro is open to most 4 cylinder cars including the track's weekly sport 4's. The car entry fee is $100 if the driver provides his own transponder or $110 if the track must supply a transponder. Press Release (09-26-07)
The 2007 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints season concludes this Saturday night, September 29th, with the traditional curtain closer, The Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic. A fan favorite, the Sheboygan County Fair Park in Plymouth, Wisconsin has been the annual site of this race. The Filskov Memorial event was first run in 1997 as a tribute to long time IRA racer Frank Filskov, who lost his life while competing in the World of Outlaws portion of the IRA co-sanctioned US Dirt Nationals at Hartford (MI) Speedway back in October of 1996. Press Release (09-26-07)
Brooke Tatnell overtook early leader Travis Whitney, then heldoff a late race charge by Wayne Johnson to claim victory in the O'Reilly Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints sanctioned Illinois Valley Fall Sprint Classic at the LaSalle Speedway. Tatnell piloted the Guy Forbrook Maxim to victory. The win his sixth career with IRA , and his first in IRA competition this season. Press Release (09-24-07)
A series of late cautions couldn't stop Todd Dart from pocketing the $1,000 Modified top prize at Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway's Fall Classic Saturday night. Eight divisions took part in the two day show, with Greg Gretz in the Stock Cars, Brad Lubach in the Grand Nationals, Eugene Gregorich in the Northern Sport Mods, Brian Drexler in the Street Stocks, Marcus Moede in the Hobby Stocks, J.J. Anderson in the 4 Cylinders and Brett Koehler in the Bombers all joining Dart as Classic champions. Press Release (09-24-07)
Only 3 races remain on the 07 IRA schedule, and a pair are set for this coming weekend, Sept. 21-22, as the series takes to the fast Wisconsin red clay 1/3 mile Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway Friday, then travel south of the border to Illinois on Saturday for the Illinois Valley Fall Sprint Classic to be contested the highbanked 1/4 LaSalle Speedway. Press Release (09-19-07)
Ricky Logan made the long commute from Arkansas to Wisconsin payoff as he captured the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints Dick Witt Checkered Classic at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Logan started in the second row and took the lead on lap six and did a masterful job in traffic keeping runnerup Brooke Tatnell from attempting any last lap heroics.Logan piloted the Lucas Oil #10 to his 3rd career IRA win at his first ever appearance on the big Dodge County half-mile. Press Release (09-17-07)
The Gibbsville Cheese INEX Legends/Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series joined the World of Outlaw Sprints at Charter Raceway Park for an action packed night of racing on Sunday night. Twenty-six Legends cars were on hand for the special event. Daryn Pittman captured the 40-lap World of Outlaws Sprints A-Main. Current point leader Donny Schatz finished in second followed by Jason Meyers, Craig Dollansky and Paul McMahan. Press Release (09-17-07)
The 2007 Plymouth Dirt Track regular season racing concluded this past Saturday, crowning a new champion in each of its four regular divisions of racing. Advance Machine LLC of Sheboygan sponsored the night of great racing action. The Grand National division was up first with a great A-main that would go to the last lap to determine the champion. Mark Scholten of Random Lake picked up the feature win, keeping his car at the point while contesting with heavy lapped traffic. Fellow Random Lake drivers Jeremy Sauter and Brad Mueller had four points seperating them for the championship, a difference of two finishing positions. Press Release (09-17-07)
Navarino's Nick Anvelink passed Troy Springborn for the lead on lap 14 and went on to win the caution free 30 lap Fastrak late model feature at Luxemburg Speedway Friday night. IMCA stock car track champion Jamie Colwell of Greenleaf fought off his brother Jesse Colwell in the waning laps to win the caution free, 30 lap stock car feature. Defending IMCA Supernationals northern sportmod champion Tracy Wassenberg of Shawano took the lead on a restart with two laps to go to win the division's 25 lap feature. Press Release (09-16-07)
Charter Raceway Park Final Point Standings (09-16-07)
The final points night of the season took place at Charter Raceway Park on Saturday night on Charter Communications Half Price Night at the Races. Dave Schoenberger of Beaver Dam captured his second win of the season in the 20-lap Johnsonville Brats Modifieds A-Main. Tim Lemirande of Verona, who wrapped up his third track championship the previous Saturday, unfortunately also lost an engine in that event and did not compete on the final points night. Press Release (09-16-07)
Tracy Wassenberg will be the first to admit he's not a household name in Northeastern Wisconsin racing circles. But after the Shawano driver captured the prestigious IMCA Supernationals A main in the northern sportmod division in Boone, Iowa, last Saturday, he's quickly gaining a name for himself not only locally, but on a regional level as well. Green Bay Press Gazette (09-15-07)
With temperatures hovering just above 40 degrees, the Forest County Potawatomi's "Summer Sizzler" presented by One Prospect Technologies seemed questionable, but promoters were determined to get the postponed event in. As the white flag came out, Tatnell made one last effort to get by Johnson and exiting turn four, dived low to try and get by, but it would be Johnson defending his title as the Summer Sizzler Champion for the second straight year. Neitzel would finish third followed by Meyer and Goeden. Press Release (09-15-07)
The Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints take to a pair of the nicest fairground half-mile venues found anywhere this weekend, Sept. 14-15. As a matter of fact the sprint car world will be focused on Wisconsin the entire weekend as the World of Outlaws compete just down the road on Sept 16th. The weekend goes green Friday night with the rescheduled Summer Sizzler at the red clay half-mile of the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo. Press Release (09-13-07)
It takes patience to win a championship and a feature event. Travis Whitney started third and watched Scotty Neitzel put a straightaway lead on him for the first 10 laps of the O'Reilly Bumper to Bumper IRA event at Superior Speedway's Budweiser Northern Nationals. Whitney waited. He waited until traffic held up Neitzel and then sprung into the top spot. Press Release (09-10-07)
Mike Reinke claimed his second consecutive Jerry Richert Memorial victory in the O'Reilly Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw 410 Sprints headlined event at the Cedar Lake Speedway. The Richert event is certainly one of the jewels on the IRA schedule. Reinke claimed $3000 plus numerous bonus awards for his thirty lap effort aboard Scott Cowman's Mike's Construction Maxim. The victory was Reinke's third in 2007 IRA competition. Press Release (09-10-07)
After a week off for the Sheboygan County fair, the clouds cleared in the morning and made way for a clear night of racing this past Saturday night, at the Plymouth Dirt track. The Sprint cars hit the track first on the evening with, Shane Wenninger, Earl Posse, Oostburg's Brian Portschy and Al Schlafer all capturing heat race checkered flags. Press Release (09-10-07)
Mike Sandholm of Oconomowoc captured his fourth win of the season as he drove to the win in the 20-lap Johnsonville Brats Modifieds A-Main at Charter Raceway Park on Saturday night on ABC A Branovan Company Night & Boelter Consulting Night. Tim Lemirande of Verona clinched the Modified track championship with his ninth place finish. Lemirande also won championships in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Press Release (09-10-07)
Plymouth Dirt Track hosted the United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget racing series last night as well as the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association (WDLMA). Levi Jones (Olney, Ill) in the Tony Stewart Motorsports car picked up his first career midget win in the 30 lap first annual Stan Fox Memorial race. The WDLMA saw Russ Scheffler (Waukesha) taking the checkered flag for their 25 lap feature. Press Release (09-8-07)
The fourth annual Luxemburg Speedway two day fall classic presented by Augie's Sports Bar and Grill and Seubert Calf Ranches is slated for Friday September 14 and Saturday September 15. The raindate, if needed, will be Sunday, September 16. Nine divisions will be in action during the two day show. On Friday night Grand national sportsman will run a complete show. IMCA style modifieds, stock cars, northern sportmods and hobby stocks will run heat races, along with street stocks, sport fours and Eastern 8's, Thunderbombs/Challengers. Press Release (09-8-07)
Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) USAC driving duo of Levi Jones and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., are set to return to Wisconsin for the third straight week of USAC National Midget Car Series racing action this Friday, as they’ll take part in the Inaugural Stan Fox Memorial at the Plymouth (Wis.) Dirt Track. Who Won (09-5-07)
An 18-year-old Beaver Dam man accused of setting two separate fires at Charter Raceway Park last May will stand trial. David Allhands appeared Wednesday morning for an arraignment before Dodge County Circuit Court Judge John Storck. Allhands is charged with two felony counts of arson. If convicted, Allhands faces over 40 years in prison and up to $110,000 in fines. Oshkosh Northwestern (09-5-07)
Two traditional events are on tap for the O'Reilly Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints this weekend, September 7th & 8th. IRA headlines the Friday portion of Superior Speedway's Northern Nationals and then makes the two hour commute south to the Cedar Lake Speedway for Saturday's annual Jerry Richert Memorial IRA/Knoxville/NOSA Challenge. Press Release (09-5-07)
Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam hosted the High Speed Holiday Series on Monday night. The event featured the Mortgage Guys Grand Nationals, the MSA Sprints and the Wisconsin-Illinois Mini-Sprints. Press Release (09-5-07)
A huge crowd welcomed back sprint car racing to the Seymour Speedway as a high-flying Mike Reinke captued the all green affair that was met with thunderous approval in victory lane. The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw 410 Sprints headlined event was the first time since 1989 that sprint cars took to the Seymour Speedway. Press Release (09-3-07)
The final round of the “Duel at the Dam” Series took place at Charter Raceway Park on Saturday night with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints, the Johnsonville Brats Modifieds and the Wally’s Auto Dirt Devils providing the action. Travis Whitney drove to the IRA Sprints A-Main win. Mike Sandholm of Oconomowoc drove to the win the Johnsonville Brats Modified A-Main. The victory was the second consecutive win and third win of the season for Sandholm at the facility this season. Press Release (09-2-07)
Thirty winged Outlaw Sprinters helped to kick off the Labor Day weekend at Charter Raceway Park on Saturday night on a perfect night for racing. Terrific weather lent to a perfect track which was more than evident during time trials as time's did not fall off at all from start to finish and when all was said and done, it was Scott Young topping the time sheet with a lap of 12.032 seconds. Press Release (09-2-07)
Hometown driver Benji LaCrosse grabbed the lead on a lap 18 restart and went on to win the IMCA modified feature at Luxemburg Speedway Friday night. Champions were crowned in the five track divisions, including Green Bay's Jared Siefert, who captured the IMCA modified crown one week prior. Other champions were Jamie Colwell of Greenleaf in the IMCA stock cars, De Pere's Tim Jorgenson in the IMCA northern sportmods, Lomira's Jesse Kanas in the IMCA hobby stocks and Suamico's JJ Anderson in the sport four division. Press Release (09-2-07)
The IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints have several 2007 race dates left on their schedule. Beginning this weekend, IRA has four consecutive doubleheader weekends remaining before their September 29th finale. Labor Day Weekend has the upper Midwest's premier traveling series running Saturday at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Sunday night the IRA takes to the Seymour Speedway, Seymour is located just west of Green Bay and is new to the IRA schedule for most as it's been since 1989 that sprints last ran there. Press Release (09-2-07)
Asphalt Racing
These days Dick Trickle probably spends more time driving one of his tractors than stock cars, the four-wheeled machines which made him famous. And make no mistake about it, Dick Trickle has achieved a level of fame that even many of today’s Nextel Cup drivers will never achieve. The Dick Trickle 99 is three separate races of 33 laps each, that when combined, will determine a champion. That event is being held on Friday night. Trickle’s also racing on Sunday. La Crosse Tribune (09-30-07)
FRRC is looking for possible candidates for the following positions (read press release) for the 2008 racing season. If you are interested in any of these positions send an email to Foxriverracingclub@yahoo.com with your name, contact info, experience and position you would like to apply for. Press Release (09-29-07)
Steve Carlson and championships seem to go hand in hand. This season, the West Salem, WI driver has already locked up two more championships—the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway track championship and the Wisconsin championship for the NASCAR Whelen All American racing series. While he has to wait until September 30th for it to be official, Steve will also add $25,000 and the title of 2007 NASCAR Whelen All American National Champion to his incredible racing resume. Speed 51 (09-29-07)
Just as he did a year ago, Jay Kalbus topped the superstock/sportsman 50-lap feature Sunday afternoon as part of the Miller Lite Futures program at the Slinger Super Speedway. Al Stippich charged from deep in the field and drove to victory in the 30-lap thunderstock/hobby stock feature event. Joel Steffen won the 15-lap thunderstock/hobby stock semi-feature over Robert Selsing and Kyle Stark. Greg Beebe finished fourth and Roger Miller finished in fifth place. Stippich also was the fastest qualifier at 13.711 seconds. Press Release (09-24-07)
Lowell Bennett used the outside groove following an early restart to take the lead and never look back en route to the victory in the 40-lap Pepsi Challenge Series finale late model feature Sunday afternoon at the Slinger Super Speedway. “My hat’s off to this crew,” Bennett stated afterwards. “We destroyed our other car three weeks ago and this is actually our Kaukauna car and in the last three weeks we ran second, third, and first. What an awesome race car and awesome race crew I’ve got.” Press Release (09-19-07)
Manitowoc businessmen Donnie Murray and Bruce Terp have agreed to lease 141 Speedway in Francis Creek for two years from owner Matt Rowe with an option to purchase. Murray is a former sport four track champion. The promoting duo's first official race will be the annual New Year's Day Enduro. Green Bay Press Gazette (09-15-07)
Eve of Destruction, the ever-popular auto racing smash for the cash, made its annual run Friday night before thousands of chilled fans at Wisconsin International Raceway. Photo Gallery - Post Crescent (09-15-07)
Steve Carlson has passed Woody Pitkat as the leader in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series national weekly point standings. Pitkat had leaded since the first standings were announced. Speed 51 (09-6-07)
Behling Circle Track Season Championships presented by Old Wisconsin Sausage. The first 1500 adult fans will get a $2 Bill with their general admission ticket. Everyone will get $1 off coupons from Old Wisconsin Sausage and the kids will get a chance to win a bike. It’s season championship night and All Division Champions will be crowned! The Behling Circle Track 75 lap Late Model Race presented by Old Wisconsin Sausage will highlight the racing activities. Press Release (09-5-07)
Brad Mueller drove to his second feature victory of the season in the Bob Fish Pontiac Buick GMC Labor Day Special 100-lap late model main event Sunday night at the Slinger Super Speedway. “Wow!” Mueller exclaimed upon exiting his car in Victory Lane. “It has been a long time and I’m very, very happy.” Press Release (09-3-07)
Kaukauna's Jeff Frederickson was supposed to make his debut three weeks ago in Jeff Zwiers' No. 24 2006 Dodge Charger that Sarah Blashe had raced most of the season. But Frederickson said there was so much work to do on the car that his crew didn't have it ready for Aug. 16, and last week was rained out, so he didn't get a chance to race it until last night. Zwiers said the driving change was made not because he was unhappy with Blashe's performance, but because Frederickson could bring in more sponsorship money and would put in the time needed to straighten out the car. Appleton Post Crescent (09-2-07)
When Gary Bock was suspended for a week for over aggressive driving three weeks ago, it was mutually agreed that Kaukauna's Don Dix would race his limited late model car for the week he was off. But since last week's race was rained out, Bock's penalty extended to the final week of the season. Given the opportunity, Dix made the best of it, putting the car on the pole with a time of 20.877 seconds. Appleton Post Crescent (09-2-07)
In an effort to support “built motor” engine builders and the engine parts manufacturer industry, the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment is pleased to announce that Tesar Engineering has come on board to give away a brand new ACE engine valued at $26,000 in addition to the other two engines valued at over $50,000 at the 2007 championship banquet. ASA Midwest Tour (08-22-07)
A pair of 45s staged an old-fashioned shootout in the Fox River Racing Club's 30-lap late model feature at Wisconsin International Raceway in Buchanan. In the end, the blue and white No. 45 Ford Fusion of Mike Gardner had just enough to hold off the black No. 45 Fusion of Jeff Van Oudenhoven before a crowd of 3,500 in the final Thursday night program of the season. Appleton Post Crescent (09-2-07)
Going into the final night with a 40-point lead over Mike Gardner and then timing third-fastest in qualifying, it was a foregone conclusion that Tim Rothe would win his second straight Fox River Racing Club late model stock car championship Thursday at Wisconsin International Raceway. Appleton Post Crescent (09-2-07)
The August 26th Old Wisconsin Hot Dog Winner is Steven Schulz. Steven was the Midwest Modified fast qualifier and feature winner. Congratulations to Steven for earning The Old Wisconsin Hot Dog of the Race Award. Press Release (09-2-07)
Touring Racing
In a very thrilling 200-lap Feature that saw an ASALMS record Nine (9) lead changes among Four (4) different drivers, Eau Claire, Wisconsin veteran, Charlie Menard led 164 laps of the 200-lap affair and survived a ferocious battle with Derek Thorn to score his Second ASALMS Challenge Division Feature of the 2007 Season in an event that saw the last 100 laps run caution free! Travis Dassow who by merely taking the green flag, the West Bend, Wisconsin driver clinched the 2007 ASALMS Challenge Division Championship for his T.D. Racing Development Team. ASA Late Models (09-30-07)
From BrewCrew Motorsports: We plan to race this coming Saturday at Elko, MN and if everything test out with the new car, motor, and chassis, we plan to run two Mid-American series races at Marshfield the following week and then Oktoberfest over in West Salem the first weekend in October. This coming weekend at Elko is a double feature night so we should get plenty of laps to shake the car down. Brew Crew Motorsports (09-19-07)
After spending his first season in Nextel Cup caught between feuding teammates and his second season driving for an under-funded team destined for failure, Travis Kvapil vowed the next time would be different. The 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion from Janesville will move back into the Cup Series next season with Yates Racing, a team also rejuvenated by a partnership with Roush Fenway Racing. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (09-8-07)