Former Street Stock Champ Reichenberger Subs and Wins!
Oshkosh, WI, July 5, 2013 – Fireworks! Fans were treated to intense action both in the sky and on the track as Domino’s Pizza presented the annual “Night of Fire” at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway. While the crowd enjoyed the fireworks show which lit up the sky after the race program, the fireworks taking place on the track surely thrilled a fan or two.
A large field of 125 cars were in the pit area this evening topped by the Hansel Trucking IMCA Northern Sport Modifieds with 33 participants. 32 Automotive Supply Company IMCA Mods were on hand with 23 Ellington Mutual Insurance Dirt Devils and 21 Total Power Sales Street Stocks in the pits. The Outlaw Chassis Grand Nationals had 16 drivers appear for competition tonight.
Second generation modified racer Matt Klenz had seen his father Mike collect feature wins in the Automotive Supply Company Modifieds at Oshkosh Speedzone on several occasions. Tonight Matt enjoyed the experience firsthand as he made the trip to victory lane after fending off the challenges of Chris Engels in a time shortened event.
In the Hansel Trucking IMCA Northern Sport Modifieds, division rookie Steve Schneider wasted little time in making a return trip to victory lane. After scoring his first career division main event victory last week, Schneider turned in a dominating performance in scoring his second straight feature checkered. Larry Richards rebounded from an early race incident to nab his third victory of the season in the Outlaw Chassis Grand National division.
2009 division champion Tim Reichenberger would top the Total Power Sales Street Stocks as a guest driver behind the wheel of a car normally driven by Jon Ashcraft. Reichenberger who is a top runner in the Grand Nationals quickly adapted to tonight’s ride in the Street Stocks taking a convincing win. The Ellington Mutual Insurance Dirt Devils were topped by division point leader Mike Montie who scored a division leading third feature victory. Montie who continues to show the way in the point standings has not finished out of the top five in any feature race this year.
The 20 lap Automotive Supply Company Modified main event would prove the old adage “smooth is fast and to finish first, first you must finish”. Matt Klenz was a perfect example of that saying driving with precision and control which would allow him to place his car in victory lane while many of his rivals faltered.
Travis Spaulding would set the pace during the early going in the contest while Klenz, Eric Mahlik and rookie T.J. Smith wrestled for the second spot. John Schultz would join the battle for runner-up honors as Spaulding worked the cushion on the high side of the track to extend his lead on Klenz.
Spaulding was looking solid out front when his car suddenly slowed coming down the front stretch on lap six allowing Klenz to flash by with the lead. The yellow would come out as a result of Spaulding’s slowing machine bunching the field on the rear bumper of Klenz.
Title contender Sean Jerovetz would spin in turn two on the restart extending the caution as he tried to avoid a car exiting the racing surface. The green returned only briefly with Klenz again showing the way while Schultz and Smith battled for second. Chris Engels soon joined the pack that was contesting runner-up honors and managed to work by both Schultz and Smith to reach second before the next caution flew for Mike Wedelstadt spinning off the track in turn two.
Engels began to pressure Klenz for the lead position when the race was again slowed for a tangle between Tim Lemirande and Marcus Yarie. Both drivers rejoined the fray at the tail of the field. With the time limit fast approaching the race would resume for a green, white checkered finish. On the restart Klenz again kept his composure to fend off the challenges of Engels. Over the final lap Klenz caught a break as Smith came up to do battle with Engels for the second allowing Klenz to pull away. Klenz would take the victory by a couple car lengths scoring the win over Engels who managed to turn back Smith to take second. 11 laps were officially in the books when the checkered flag fell. For Smith, a rookie in the class, his third place run was his best performance since joining the Modified division. Schultz finished in the fourth spot fending off two-time and defending champion Brian Drexler.
Hunter Parsons would find himself showing the way early in the Hansel Trucking IMCA Northern Sport Modified main. Schneider wasted little time in scrambling through the pack surging past Parsons for the lead by lap three and bringing Ron Charapata and Jeff Schmuhl with him. The lead trio started to pull away from the field with Aaron Muhle reaching fourth at the halfway point.
Schneider effortlessly clicked off the fastest laps in the field extending his lead on each passing lap. Muhle would work past Schmuhl for the third spot on lap 12 and started to pressure Charapata for second. The battle between Muhle and Charapata kept the attention of the fans while Schneider continued to dominate the contest. Muhle would gain second with five laps to go in the event and catch the break he needed when a caution flew with two laps remaining as Charapata lost power rolling to a stop and ending his fine run.
This allowed Muhle to restart the contest on Schneider’s rear bumper. The sprint to the checkered began with Schneider making a good restart to keep Muhle behind him. Schneider kept Muhle at bay the final two laps scoring his second consecutive win. Muhle settled for second while Cody Hokenstad, Schmuhl, and Clint Forestner comprised the top five runners.
The Outlaw Chassis Grand National main event had its cautions occur early in the event with three yellows in the first two laps. Don Sorce Jr., who was competing as a substitute driver for John Schultz III this evening set the pace in the early going taking the top spot from Don Schumacher. Larry Richards whose car was sporting the battle scars of an earlier incident quickly worked into contention reaching second at Schumacher’s expense on lap four.
Richards would favor the high line while Sorce Jr., opted for the low groove. It soon became apparent that Richards had the faster line and he would secure the top spot on lap seven.
Richards would never manage to gain more than a slight advantage on Sorce Jr., until the final few laps when he began to pull away. Richards would take his ride to victory lane for the third time this season and from the winner’s circle dedicated his win to fellow racer Roger Lee who was injured in an ATV accident just a couple weeks ago, an incident which had claimed the life of his girlfriend Richelle Struck. Though Sorce Jr, and Nick Strobbe had crossed the line second and third respectively both were dropped to the tail of the running order when both failed to head to post race tech.
This elevated defending champion Brian Henry to second in the official standings with Jim Rhode, Kelly Brown and Charlie Sancinati comprising the official top five.
The Total Power Sales Street Stock feature contest saw Patty Winkler, Mark Schultz and Tim Reichenberger trade the top spot in the early going before Schultz established himself as the leader by the time the second caution flew for a multi-car tangle in turn three.
Schultz would show the way on the restart before Reichenberger grabbed the front running spot on lap five. Reichenberger soon found himself challenged by Jerry Kope who opted for the high lane. Finding the groove to his liking Kope briefly took over the top spot before his car began to give up some speed which allowed Reichenberger to again move to the top spot on lap eight.
Kope continued to fall back as his mechanical woes intensified giving second back to Schultz. Reichenberger had his huge lead wiped out on lap 14 when Brandi Luebke spun in turn four. This bunched the field for the six lap dash to the checkered flag and as the green returned Reichenberger went back to setting the pace.
Over the final circuits Reichenberger retained command of the race scoring the win. Schultz had crossed the line in second but later failed post-race tech giving second spot to defending division champion Richard Garb. Steve Gawaresky, Jeff Jungwirth and Jerry Winkler made up the top five finishers.
In the final event of the evening Mike Montie came out on top of a side by side battle with Matt Brehmer for the victory. Brehmer, Chris Maas, Jason Fairbank and Shaun Bangart comprised the top five finishers.
Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway now presents an abbreviated schedule for the duration of July as the Sunnyview Expo Center on which the track resides will be hosting several non-racing functions.
There are two special events taking place in July on the track. On Friday Night July 19th the Badger Modified tour will be making its lone appearance at the third-mile clay oval. One of the Midwest’s most successful Modified series, last year 46 Modified were on hand for the contest which was captured by Mitch McGrath who outran Benji LaCrosse. McGrath is the current point leader for the tour in 2013 with several wins to his credit.
The evening will also mark the debut of the Badger Stock Car Series based around the popular IMCA type Stock Car. The cars had been previously seen at the track during the running of the Fall Classic events at the raceway and proved especially popular with the fans. The Hansel Trucking IMCA Northern Sport Modifieds will also be on hand presenting a full point program. The show takes place with generous support of Capital Credit Union.
Special event pricing is just $15 for adults with a youth ticket for fans ages 11 through 15 just $10. Children ages 10 and under are admitted FREE with a paid adult.
Then just four days later the track will present its final race in July on a very special Tuesday Night. On July 23rd, The annual “Walk of Fame” presented by Coor’s Light will take place. The evening is a throwback to the heyday of motorsports and a tribute to those who raced at the Leo’s Speedway, the predecessor to the Oshkosh Speedzone track which had operated at the former fairgrounds until the mid-1970’s.
Several drivers will be inducted into the “Walk of Fame” for their contributions to the success of the old Leo’s Speedway. Throwback pricing is in effect with grandstand admission just $5.00. In addition fans will only pay $1.00 for tap beer, soda or hot dogs.
The show will feature all five point divisions in action featuring the Automotive Supply Company IMCA Modifieds with Hansel Trucking IMCA Northern Sport Modifieds, Outlaw Chassis Grand Nationals, Total Power Sales Street Stocks and Ellington Mutual Insurance Dirt Devils all on the card. Nearly 120 cars are expected to participate in the show.
Fans can print out the 2013 season schedule by visiting the track website at www.oshkoshspeedzone.net . Oshkosh Speedzone can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thespeedzone
Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway is a 1/3 mile semi-banked clay oval located at the Sunnyview Expo Center which resides near the intersection of Highways 76 and County Trunk Y in Oshkosh.
BOX SCORE:
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY COMPANY IMCA MODIFIEDS:
Feature (Top 15): 1.) Matt Klenz; 2.) Chris Engels; 3.) T.J. Smith; 4.) John Schultz; 5.) Brian Drexler; 6.) Eric Mahlik; 7.) Sean Jerovetz; 8.) Troy Jerovetz; 9.) Johnny Whitman; 10.) Tim Lemirande; 11.) Dennis Schultz; 12.) Eddie Lemay; 13.) Joel Crowbridge; 14.) Marcus Yarie; 15.) Jerry Muenster
First Consolation: 1.) Eddie Muenster; 2.) Mike Mueller; 3.) Chad Nelson; 4.) Matt Rechek; 5.) Chad Bartel; 6.) Shaun Froelich
First Consolation: 1.) Lemay; 2.) Whitman; 3.) Rick Robbins; 4.) Steve Mueller; 5.) Brad McGuire; 6.) Eugene Gregorich Jr.
First Heat: 1.) Smith; 2.) J. Schultz; 3.) Drexler
Second Heat: 1.) Mike Wedelstadt; 2.) T. Jerovetz; 3.) Klenz
Third Heat: 1.) Mahlik; 2.) Yarie; 3.) J. Muenster
Fourth Heat: 1.) Travis Spaulding; 2.) Lemirande; 3.) Engels
HANSEL TRUCKING IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MODIFIEDS:
Feature (Top 15): 1.) Steve Schneider; 2.) Aaron Muhle; 3.) Cody Hokenstad; 4.) Jeffrey Schmuhl; 5.) Clint Forestner; 6.) Todd Wiese; 7.) Colten Van Hierden; 8.) Jeff Steenbergen; 9.) Brandon Schmitt; 10.) Kevin Bethke; 11.) Nick Furman; 12.) Robby Thiel; 13.) Hunter Parson; 14.) Lucas Lamberies; 15.) Cory Wegner
First Consolation: 1.) Steenbergen; 2.) Van Hierden; 3.) Jon Schultz; 4.) Brock Saunders; 5.) Hunter Schultz; 6.) Scott Besaw
Second Consolation: 1.) Furman; 2.) Rob Krull; 3.) Kelsy Hayes; 4.) Todd Ewald; 5.) Randy Theys; 6.) Ron Besaw
First Heat: 1.) Lamberies; 2.) Hokenstad; 3.) Bernie Miller
Second Heat: 1.) Rob Charapata; 2.) J.J. Anderson; 3.) Muhle
Third Heat: 1.) Parsons; 2.) Thiel; 3.) Schmuhl
Fourth Heat: 1.) Schneider; 2.) Mark Howe; 3.) Bethke
OUTLAW CHASSIS GRAND NATIONALS:
Feature (Top 10): 1.) Larry Richards; 2.) Brian Henry; 3.) Jim Rhode; 4.) Kelly Brown; 5.) Charlie Sancinati; 6.) Terry Van Roy; 7.) Tom Schneider; 8.) Don Schumacher; 9.) Dan Schumacher; 10.) Arianne Beattie
First Heat: 1.) Jeff Richards; 2.) Dan Sorce Jr.; 3.) Reichenberger
Second Heat: 1.) D. Schumacher; 2.) L. Richards; 3.) Schneider
TOTAL POWER SALES STREET STOCKS:
Feature (Top 10): 1.) Tim Reichenberger; 2.) Richard Garb; 3.) Steve Gawaresky; 4.) Jeff Jungwirth; 5.) Jerry Winkler; 6.) Jerry Kope; 7.) Patty Winkler; 8.) Frank Knaus; 9.) Lexii Ashcraft; 10.) Jeff Wicinski
First Heat: 1.) Reichenberger; 2.) Dan Knaus; 3.) J. Winkler
Second Heat: 1.) P. Winkler; 2.) Wicinski; 3.) Gawaresky
Third Heat: 1.) Mark Schultz; 2.) F. Knaus; 3.) Jungwirth
ELLINGTON MUTUAL INSURANCE DIRT DEVILS:
Feature (Top 10): 1.) Mike Montie; 2.) Matt Brehmer; 3.) Chris Maas; 4.) Jason Fairbank; 5.) Shaun Bangart; 6.) Erik Kollmann; 7.) Matt Dewilde; 8.) Ben Meyerhofer; 9.) Patrick Klawitter; 10.) Brandon Kaye
First Heat: 1.) Ralph Liegeois Jr.; 2.) Bangart; 3.) Fairbank
Second Heat: 1.) Montie; 2.) Brehmer; 3.) Calvin Nowak
Third Heat: 1.) Maas; 2.) Kyle Stark; 3.) Dan Juszczyk