RECORD IMCA STOCK CAR COUNTS EXPECTED AT LUXEMBURG IN '06
By Joe Verdegan

(Luxemburg, WI) - With more than 40 drivers already pre-registered and a solid crop of rookies it appears the always rough-and-tumble IMCA stock car class will have no problem filling up the pit area on Friday nights at Luxemburg Speedway when the season begins on Friday night, April 28. To start with, 2005 track champion Shawn Kilgore of Kewaunee has moved up to the IMCA modified division, opening the door to dozens of possible champions, and a crop of nearly one dozen rookies or drivers who'll return to this class who'll battle each week just to make the 22 lap main event every night. "We've always had a tough bunch of drivers in this class but this year our numbers will be unreal," said track manager Rick Goral. "We had 64 different drivers in the division earn points last year. I think we could surpass that by mid-season in all reality."Last year's runnerup Jamie Colwell of Greenleaf could be one of the leading candidates to nail down the crown.

Last year the points battle went down to the final night, with Colwell coming up a mere two points shy in the championshipchase. Pulaski drivers Jason Czarapata and Rod Snellenberger took third and fourth, respectively. 28 out of the top30 drivers in last year's point standings will be back to battle on a weekly basis.What's more, an exciting crop of rookies in the field will mix it up, including 2005 IMCA hobby stock champion TonySchlei of Zion, IL. He'll join former sport four champion Tyler Smith of Luxemburg in the rookie chase, along withformer street stock driver Mike Pierrard of Green Bay, Todd Polster of Baileys Harbor and Manitowoc's Keith Kellenbenz.

A number of drivers will be returning to compete at the track full time, after racing sparingly at the third-mile, clay ovalin the past. Leading the charge is Ellisville's Bob Waechter, who sold his IMCA modified and returns to his roots inan IMCA stock car, sporting number 72. Casco's Matt Junio, Bonduel's Steve Kasting, Luxemburg's Pat Davister, Door County's Gary Reinhardt, Green Bay's Troy Muench and Nick Gille will also compete, along with Troy De Grave of Green Bay who will return after suffering an injury last season.

In addition to the stock cars, IMCA modifieds, IMCA hobby stocks and sport fours will compete weekly Friday nightsthrough Labor Day weekend. An open practice session will take place Friday night, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.The practice session will be free to spectators and is open to any and all cars. For more information call 920 863 8446.

The track's website is luxemburgspeedway.com. Luxemburg Speedway is located 15 minutes east of Green Bay off state highway 54 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds.