Scott Owen Special to the Leader
Second-generation racer Bryce Clements scored his first career feature win Saturday night. The win was an early Father’s Day gift for his dad Scott, a former Sportsman division racer at the Shawano Speedway.
Four-time track champion Eddie Muenster scored his first IMCA Modified win of the year. Late Model pilot Nick Anvelink won his third feature of the season. Travis VanStraten brought home win number four in IMCA Stock Car action, and Calvin Stueck brought out a brand new ride for his second Mighty Four feature win on the year.
Sheboygan Falls racer Jim Schmidt grabbed the lead at the start of the Late Model feature as Troy Springborn gave chase. As Schmidt led, Anvelink worked his way through traffic after starting fifth.
As Anvelink continued to reel in Schmidt, Brett Swedberg and Springborn battled for third. On lap 14, Anvelink got past Schmidt for the lead and never looked back. Schmidt, Swedberg, Springborn and Joel Bennett would round out the top-five finishers.
In IMCA Modified action, Shawn Frelich led lap one before Jerry Muenster went to the high side of the track on lap two to grab the lead. Muenster’s son Eddie took to the outside line on lap four as the father and son duo raced side by side for the lead for the next two laps.
Eddie Muenster eventually pulled ahead, while mechanical issues forced his father to retire for the night. Eddie Muenster would continue to lead as Kevin Feck and Mark Weisnicht chased him. Muenster proved too tough though, as he picked up the win followed by Weisnicht, Feck, Lance Arneson and Marcus Yarie.
Kurt Olson took the lead at the start of the IMCA Stock Car feature, looking to turn his luck around. Olson led a number of laps each of the last two weeks before having issues and ending his night early. A Mike Schmidt rollover after lap three relined the field.
On lap four, Trent Nolan got to the inside of Olson and eventually took the lead on lap five. On lap nine, Dan Michonski made an outside pass to take the lead from Nolan, while Nate Michonski moved to third on the track. By lap 11, Nate Michonski joined his brother Dan at the front of the field.
VanStraten would assert himself on lap 12 as he raced door to door with Dan Michonski for the lead. VanStraten pulled ahead to take the lead. After starting 12th, VanStraten scored the win. Dan Michonski came home second after starting 11th, while Nate Michonski finished third after starting eighth. Junior Karcz and Vern Stedjee finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Kaden Besaw led the early stages of the IMCA Sport Mod feature, while Clements fell in line behind him. Clements used the outside line to his advantage to take the lead on lap three. As Clements led the race, Kyle Raddant battled with Besaw for second on the track.
Raddant eventually would get past Besaw, as would Jordan Barkholtz. The race was marred by a series of late-race cautions. Clements survived every challenge, fending off Raddant and Barkholtz. Clements would not be denied as he scored his first career feature win. Completing the top five were Raddant, Barkholtz, Lucas Lamberies and Jordan Bartz.
In Mighty Four action, Brad Nelson took the lead on the opening lap. Jason Stueck and Taylor Becher soon joined him out front.
After starting 17th on the grid, Calvin Stueck steadily worked forward. Jason Stueck took the lead from Nelson on lap eight. Calvin Stueck would power his way into the lead on lap 10 and not look back. Becher, Jason Stueck, Steve VanOudenhoven and Nelson rounded out the top five.
Racing continues Saturday night as Spectator Eliminators will join the show. Racing will begin at 6 p.m. Information can be found online at www.shawanocountyfair.net.