Scott Owen, Leader Columnist
Two weeks into the 2016 racing season at Shawano Speedway, a few things have become crystal clear.
Marcus Yarie is the man to beat in the ultra-competitive IMCA Modified division. Yarie, the 2014 IMCA Modified track champion, has scored feature wins in both weeks of racing thus far.
Yarie, who got his start racing dirt go-karts at area tracks such as the HiGo Raceway in Cecil and the GSR Kartway in Clintonville, hails from the Wausau area and builds his own chassis.
Yarie’s chassis business, Banshee Chassis, has also been in victory lane this year with other racers. Jordan Barkholtz rode a Banshee to the win on opening night in the IMCA Sport Mod feature.
Aside from racing in Shawano, Yarie has additional ties to the community. Marcus’s wife, Kelsey, is originally from Shawano, and her father, Butch Hokenstad, and brother, Cody Hokenstad, have both been racers at the Shawano Speedway. Cody, in fact, was the runner-up in the 2013 Sport Mod standings.
The competition on the track has seen a bump thus far, also. Former IMCA Modified Supernationals champion Benji LaCrosse has been at the track both nights so far this season, and right now, is second in points behind Yarie.
Last week also saw multiple-area track champion, Todd Dart, at Shawano. This week should again see an impressive field of cars with the 141 Speedway already having canceled its show for Saturday night.
Other drivers that have been at Shawano already this year who have not been regulars include Modified drivers Johhny Whitman, Randy Theys, Brad Lautenbach, Andy Kleczka, Jay Matthias and Jeremy Christians.
In the Sport Mod class, Chris Budzban, Brian Bruechert, Todd Wiese, Travis Arenz and Jeff Shmuhl have dipped their toes in the proverbial water. Hunter Parsons is slated to compete this week in Shawano as well. Hunter is the son of former Modified competitor Clint Parsons and has deep roots in the Shawano community.
The IMCA Stock Car class has been bolstered early on by the return of Rod Snellenberger, as well as Jerry Winkler, Ryan Blank and Billy LeMieux.
It is also worth mentioning that Mighty Four racer Jason Hopinka scored his first-ever feature victory at Shawano last week in only his second night of competition. Hopinka hails from the Weston area and looks to be another stout competitor added to the already hardy Mighty Four mix.
With car counts of 152 and 124 already this season and another big car count expected this week, the Shawano Speedway is the place to be on Saturday nights. See you at the speedway.