ROOKIE VAN DE HEI SWEEPS LUXEMBURG IMCA MOD
ACTION
by Joe Verdegan
(Luxemburg, WI) August 13 - Green Bay rookie Tim Van De Hei
took the lead on a lap five restart and survived several caution periods to
win his first 25 lap IMCA modified feature at Luxemburg Speedway Friday night.
Van De Hei's heat win also netted him a sweep for the evening.
A total of 38 IMCA modifieds were on hand, along with 29 IMCA stock cars,
17 IMCA hobby stocks and 19 sport fours.
Rookie James Tebon paced the opening two circuits of the IMCA modified main
when Scott Mullen and Brad Rohloff tangled in turn one, drawing a lap two
yellow. When racing resumed Tebon kept the lead, with the points leader Mullen
rejoining the field at the tail. Van De Hei muscled his way into second when
a three car tangle involving Chad Wilcox, Jeremy Hodkiewicz and Doug Maurer
occurred on lap five, tightening the field again.
On the restart Van De Hei snuck underneath Tebon for the lead, and quickly
went to work building a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. A Brian
Drexler spin on lap 11 bunched the field again, with Randy LeMieux Jr. passing
Tebon for second on the restart. Van De Hei kept his nose clean the rest of
the way to record his first feature flag of 2004. LeMieux held off Todd Dart
for second. Tebon posted his best finish of the year with a fourth while Dan
Ratajczak placed fifth, coming from deep in the field after winning one of
two semi-features. Mullen battled back to an eighth place finish, padding
his points lead.
Rod Snellenberger of Pulaski came out on top of a race-long dogfight with
Greg Gretz and Shawn Kilgore to win his second 22 lap IMCA stock car feature
of the season.
Rookie Shawn Havel grabbed the early lead from the pole and kept the lead
until Snellenberger ducked underneath for the top spot on lap 10. Gretz and
Kilgore methodically sliced their way through the field, catching Snellenberger
by lap 15. The three waged a fierce challenge for the lead. As the white flag
was displayed Gretz car clipped an infield tire, sending his car into a spin
on the frontstretch. The caution was thrown after the white had already been
displayed. Per IMCA rules, the race was called complete with Snellenberger
winning. Points leader Kilgore took second, followed by Laurel Ettien, Pat
Davister and Havel.
Zion, Illinois' Tony Schlei fended off a fast-closing Tom Brumlic to win his
third 18 lap IMCA hobby stock feature. Brumlic, Keith Kickbush, Ed Anschutz
and Derek Moede followed in the caution free contest.
Algoma's Kenny Malcore survived a race-long battle with Todd Welsing to capture
his second 18 lap , caution-free sport four feature of the season.
. Next Friday night, August 20 the races will be sponsored by the Rendezvous
of Luxemburg. The street stocks will make their fifth and final appearance
of the season. Powder Puff races will also be held. For more information call
920 863 8446. The track phone number is 920 845 2300. The track's website
is www.luxemburgspeedway.com.
RACE SUMMARY
25 lap IMCA modified feature - Tim Van De Hei, Green Bay; Randy LeMieux, Jr.,
Sturgeon Bay; Todd Dart, Algoma; James Tebon, Algoma; Dan Ratajczak, Frog
Station; RM Van Pay, Green Bay
12 lap semi features - 1st) Danny Deau, Little Suamico; Chad Wilcox, Pulaski;
Brad Rohloff, Pulaski; Lance Arnenson, Krakow 2nd) Ratajczak; Jeremy Hodkiewicz,
Green Bay; Brian Drexler, Oshkosh; Dave Maurer, De Pere
10 lap heats 1) Dave Zeitler, Luxemburg; Jared Siefert, Green Bay 2) Scott
Derenne, Luxemburg; Scott Mullen, Seymour 3) Billy LeMieux, Sturgeon Bay;
Joe White, Oconto Falls 4) Van De Hei; Tebon
22 lap IMCA stock car feature - Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski; Shawn Kilgore,
Kewaunee; Laurel Ettien, Luxemburg; Pat Davister, Luxemburg; Shawn Havel,
Brussels; Travis Van Straten, Hortonville
12 lap semi features - 1) Craig Paque, Algoma; Dave Davister, Luxemburg; Kyle
Frederick, Gillett; Troy DeGrave, Green Bay 2) Jeff Vlies, Kewaunee; Corey
Suchoski, Bolt; Derrick Bruechert, Kewaunee; Charlie Kroll, Algoma
10 lap heats 1) Kilgore; Dave Bouche, Algoma 2) Ettien; Jamie Colwell, Greenleaf
3) Larry Ingebretsen, Luxemburg; Mike Weitor, Green Bay 4) Greg Gretz, Kewaunee;
Havel
20 lap IMCA hobby stock feature - Tony Schlei, Zion, IL; Tom Brumlic, Denmark;
Keith Kickbush, Kewaunee; Ed Anschutz, Algoma; Derek Moede, Casco; Evan Madden,
Algoma
10 lap heats 1) Moede; Madden 2) Duane Mertens, Luxemburg; Mike Mueller, Green
Bay
15 lap sport four feature - Kenny Malcore, Algoma; Todd Welsing, Denmark;
Greg Banker, Bonduel; Tim Jorgenson, Oneida; Ben Daoust, Seymour; DJ Jorgenson,
Oneida
8 lap heats 1) Bruce Sand, Two Rivers; Jim Roffers, De Pere 2) Tim Jorgenson;
Daoust