Charter Raceway Park 5-12-07
By Dennis Thompson
The excitement was high as the World of Outlaw Late Models traveled to Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, WI on Saturday night and teamed up with the Johnsonville Brats Modifieds in a program that gave the fans everything that they had expected and more. Illinois driver Dennis Erb Jr. drove away with the WOO A-Main win while Mike Sandholm of Oconomowoc recorded the A-Main win in the modifieds.
Charging from the 11th starting position, Dennis Erb Jr. used the low groove to march to the front and take the lead away from the high riding Clint Smith of Georgia on lap thirty-five and went on to claim his first World of Outlaws A-Main of his career in the 50-lap event. Smith held off a persistent Chris Madden of South Carolina to finish in the second position. Steve Francis of Kentucky ran in the top five throughout the event and settled for the fourth position. Shannon Babb of Illinois finished in fifth. For complete results and story, check out the World of Outlaw Late Models press release at www.worldofoutlawsracing.com.
Mike Sandholm had the Johnsonville Brats Modifieds field covered as he led from start to finish in the 20-lap A-Main. Sandholm, who started on the pole, powered his way into the lead at the start of the event and quickly began to build a lead. The only challenges for Sandholm came following a couple of cautions, but he left little doubt that he had the dominate car as he pulled away each time and cruised to his first win of the season. Dave Schoenberger of Beaver Dam turned in another strong performance racing to a second place finish. Russ Reinwald of Iron Ridge moved up from the fifth row to cross the line in third. Jay Schraufnagel of Beaver Dam came from the fourteenth starting position to take fourth. Tim Lemirande of Verona also picked his way through traffic from the fifteenth starting spot to finish in fifth. Steve Mueller of Mukwonago followed in sixth ahead of Joe McGrath of Neosho. Eddie Lemay Jr. of Milwaukee, Brian Crapser of Brookfield and John Stanton of Reeseville rounded out the top ten.
B-Main wins were registered by Jim Zdroik of Big Bend, Jay Schraufnagel and Tim Lemirande. Heat race wins were recorded by Russ Reinwald, Joe McGrath, Brian Crapser, Eddie Lemay Jr., Frank Firari of Lowell and Don Scheffler of Wauwatosa.
A-Main – (1-10) – Dennis Erb Jr., Clint Smith, Chris Madden, Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, Darrell Lanigan, Rick Eckert, Josh Richards, Jimmy Mars, Chub Frank, (11-20) – Tim Fuller, A.J. Diemell, Brian Shirley, Brady Smith, Shane Clanton, Eddie Carrier Jr., Dave Eckrich, Mike Mataragas, Pete Parker, John Blankenship, (21-24) – George Scheffler, Terry Casey, Nick Anvelink, Adam Hansel
Fast Time – Josh Richards – 13.643 NTR
A-Main (1-10) – Mike Sandholm, Dave Schoenberger, Russ Reinwald, Jay Schraufnagel, Tim Lemirande, Steve Mueller, Joe McGrath, Eddie Lemay Jr., Brian Crapser, John Stanton, (11-20) – Aaron Rake, Andy Voigt, Larry Zirbel, Dylan Koltz, Frank Firari, Jim Zdroik, Pete Laubmeier, Dennis Krause, Mitch McGrath, Bill Tandetzke, (21) – Don Scheffler
B-Main 1 – Jim Zdroik, B-Main 2 – Jay Schraufnagel, B-Main 3 – Tim Lemirande
Heat 1 – Russ Reinwald, Heat 2 – Joe McGrath, Heat 3 – Brian Crapser, Heat 4 – Eddie Lemay Jr., Heat 5 – Frank Firari, Heat 6 – Don Scheffler