Scott Owen Special to the Leader
It was a day to remember for Jason Ebert. Saturday afternoon, Ebert walked across the stage as he graduated from Clintonville High School. At night, Ebert raced to victory lane in the IMCA Sport Mod feature, ending Lucas Lamberies’ three-race win streak.
Kevin Feck (IMCA Modified) and Jason Stueck (Mighty Four) each scored their first career Shawano Speedway feature wins, while Nick Anvelink (Late Model) and Travis VanStraten (IMCA Stock Car) returned to victory lane.
Fresh off a runner-up finish in last week’s Late Model feature, Anvelink was determined to return to victory lane. The Navarino veteran led every lap to obtain the win. Chris Engels finished second, while Derek Jahnke employed a late-race pass on Ron Berna to finish in third. Berna and Tom Naeyaert rounded out the top five.
Mike Wedelstadt led the opening lap of the IMCA Modified feature before succumbing to the pressures of Feck on lap two. Feck used the outside groove of the track to take the lead and remained committed to the top side the entire race.
Running inches from the concrete barrier, Feck was able to secure the feature win that had eluded him to this point of his career. Wedelstadt finished second, while Lance Arneson took third after starting in 10th. Marcus Yarie finished in fourth after starting in 14th, while J.J. Anderson crossed the finish line in fifth.
The IMCA Stock Car feature saw Gary Kasperek take control early on before Kurt Olson went to the outside of Kasperek for the lead on lap five. Olson found the outside line to his liking, but steadily began getting higher and higher on the track.
On lap 12, Jeremy Christians began to pressure Olson for the lead. VanStraten soon joined the party at the front of the field. On lap 15, Olson lost the handle on his car and spun. Olson was unable to continue.
Christians inherited the lead before VanStraten pulled even with him on lap 17. The duo raced side by side for a lap before VanStraten pulled ahead by a car length. In the end, it would be VanStraten who crossed the finish line first, followed by Christians, Kasperek, Tom Riehl and Harley Simon.
Bryce Clements took the early lead in the IMCA Sport Mod feature while being challenged by Ebert. Ebert was able to make the pass for the lead on lap four. Through the remainder of the race, Ebert was pressured by Kyle Raddant and Lamberies. Ebert would fend off all comers as he scored his first win of the year. Lamberies, Raddant, Jordan Barkholtz and Jason Jach rounded out the top-five finishers.
In Mighty Four action, Stueck led every lap of a caution-free affair. Brad Nelson constantly pressured Stueck but could never muster a pass. At the end, it was Stueck who took first, followed by Nelson, Max Oreskovich, Calvin Stueck and Brad Wedde.
Racing continues Saturday night with Twigs Beverage Hall of Fame Night. Former track champions Terry Kralovetz and Brian Thielke will be honored. Racing will begin at 6 p.m. Information can be found online at www.shawanocountyfair.net.