After five seasons of toiling in the sport truck division, Tom Gee figured it was time to step up to something bigger and better. So far, the 23-year-old from Sobieski doesn't regret his decision to move up into the limited late model division at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna on Thursday nights. So far this season Gee has captured one feature win and one heat win on the same night. The rookie driver currently sits in the fifth position in the Fox River Racing Club point standings. He's gunning for the Thursday night rookie-of-the-year crown. "We're focusing each week on bringing the car home in one piece," said Gee. "I plan on running this car as a limited late model again next season. I don't want to wad it up anytime soon." Gee's transition from a snomobile engine-powered sport truck to a full-sized 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is two-fold. For starters, the trucks compete on WIR's relatively flat, quarter-mile paved oval. The limiteds compete on the D-shaped, half-mile paved oval. It's the track that's spawned champions like Matt Kenseth, Dick Trickle and Alan Kulwicki. "The truck's didn't have power steering so physically they were often pretty tough to drive," said Gee. "With the limited we've got power steering and everything goes much smoother. It allows me to concentrate that much more, and that's something you definitely need when racing at half-mile speeds."

To the average spectator, the difference between a limited late model and a super late model may no be obvious at all from the grandstand. The limiteds run a narrower and much harder tire. "We run a Hoosier 53 which is an eight inch tire," said Gee. "It's not nearly as smooth in the corners like the late models have with their 10 inch tires. They are able to run through the corners much more quickly." And, Gee runs what's called a "spec" motor. "By running a motor that doesn't allow for a lot of the porting and other engine work the late models have we receive a 150 lb. weight break," said Gee. "Whenever you can run lighter it's to your advantage."

Like a good prize fighter with a manager in his corner, Gee's got a good "trainer" if you will in uncle Mike Butz. As a car owner Butz has teamed up with drivers like Kenseth and Terry Baldry to record a record number of Thursday night titles. "We helped build the car with Mike's guidance," said Gee. "Then we took it back to our shop, took it all apart and powdercoated the chassis. Then we put everything back together ourselves. We scale the car ourselves and do most of the setups ourselves. But if we ever get into a jam or want to try something really different, we'll check with Mike. He's been a big help." Gee's race car is sponsored by Michael Bushmaker of Five Star Mortgage, Lineville BayMart and the Four-Way Bar and Restaurant.

STEWART AT SHAWANO - Defending Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart will be making an appearance this coming Monday, June 23 at Shawano Speedway. The half-mile, clay oval will be hosting the first race of the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Summernationals, which hosts 25 dirt late model shows in 30 days at clay ,ovals all across the Midwest. While it's no guarantee that Stewart himself will climb behind the wheel and race Shawano Speedway officials say Mooresburg, Tennessee's Scott Bloomquist will compete at the Monday night special. Bloomquist told this scribe back in May up in Superior that he would not be running the entire Summernationals tour this year because UMP will not be putting up a $100,000 prize to the series champion. Bloomquist collected that cash last season. A solid field of late models (between 30 to 40) is expected, since this is the first race of the tour. Most drivers compete in the first week of the series and depending where they are sitting in the point standings decide whether or not to stick it out.

What's more, the prestigious "Masters" race will be held this weekend at Cedar Lake Speedway in Somerset, WI. That race carries the Extreme DirtCar series sanction. It's expected that most of those series drivers may stick around in Shawano Monday, since it pays good money and is on the way home for them anyhow. Among the locals who will participate in Monday's special are the traditional open motor drivers Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Gordie Seegert Jr. (winner at Luxemburg Saturday night) of Oostburg, Shawano's Troy Springborn, MJ Hintz of Green Bay and New London's Terry Casey. Leading the Milwaukee contingent of drivers will be Pewaukee's Dan Schlieper, Waukesha's Russ Scheffler, and New Berlin's Bret "The Jet" Sievert. Racing gets underway at 6:30 p.m. The IMCA modifieds will also compete in a track points race that evening.

LUXEMBURG DISCOUNT - Fans who present their ticket stubs from Saturday night's IRA sprint car/WISSOTA late model doubleheader at Luxemburg Speedway will receive discounts at the ticket windows tomorrow night. Adults will be admitted for just $5.00. Students and seniors will get in for $4.00, while everyone 12 and under will be admitted free with an adult. Racing gets underway at 7 p.m.

STURGEON BAY LATE MODELS - It was announced recently that for the first time in 20 years late models will be making an appearance at Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay on a Wednesday night, August 6. The race will pay $2,000-to-win and be sponsored by Forest County Potawatomi. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

NEVILLE HAPPENINGS - This Saturday seven-year-old kart racer Caylie Duncanson of De Pere will sign autographs and demonstrate her driving skills outside the Neville Public Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be toy car collectors showing off their NASCAR diecast collectables, wooden cars and NASCAR trading cards.