Scott Owen, Special to the Leader
Tim Rothe has now accomplished something that few in racing have ever done, especially in recent years. Rothe raced to his first career Late Model feature Saturday at Shawano Speedway, and has now won feature races in a dirt Late Model and an asphalt Late Model.
Travis VanStraten, meanwhile, won his third IMCA Stock Car race in a row, and Tracy Wassenberg won his fourth feature in IMCA Sport Mod action.
Also, Eddie Muenster made a pass on lap 19 to win his first IMCA Modified feature this season, and Joshua Slewinski secured his first win in Mighty Four competition.
Late Models
Rothe dominated the competition, leading all 20 laps. He survived numerous restarts with the likes of Aaron Holiday and Ron Berna on his back bumper, but was virtually unchallenged on his way to victory lane.
Berna finished second, Paul Parker took third, Brett Swedberg was fourth and Nick Anvelink finished fifth in the race after restarting 18th on lap three.
Rothe led every lap he raced in his heat race and the feature.
IMCA Modifieds
Tom Schaal led the first five laps of the IMCA Modified feature before Matt Oreskovich snuck underneath Schaal to take over the lead on lap six.
Oreskovich was quickly joined by Muenster and Jerry Wilinski out in front. After a lap seven caution for debris, Wilinski utilized an outside pass to get around Oreskovich.
Wilinski continued to race the high line of the track and looked to have the car to beat. Muenster, meanwhile, tried multiple grooves to stay with the leader.
On lap 19 Wilinski got too high in turn four and kissed the wall, breaking his momentum. Muenster capitalized on the mistake and grabbed the lead and went on to win.
Wilinski recovered to finish second. Marcus Yarie, who had taken the challenge to start last, passed 15 cars to finish in third.
IMCA Stock Cars
Rookie Trent Nolan paced the first six laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature, but Travis VanStraten began pressuring Nolan by lap four.
VanStraten took to the inside of Nolan exiting turn two on lap seven and secured the lead. VanStraten led the rest of the way for his third straight feature win.
Mike Schmidt finished second in the race. He has finished no worse than forth in a feature this year. Nolan held on to take third in the race. Justin Jacobsen took fourth.
IMCA Sport Mods
Lucas Lamberies shot from fourth into the lead on the first lap of the IMCA Sport Mod feature.
On lap five, Tracy Wassenberg moved to the second position to begin a high-speed chess match.
Lap after lap, Wassenberg tried to get inside of the leader. Wassenberg showed his nose to the Clintonville teenager numerous times, and Lamberies showed great poise staying in the lead.
Wassenberg kept trying to get inside of Lamberies until lap 18, when he tried the outside of Lamberies.
As the white flag waived the duo was still side by side but Wassenberg held a slight advantage.
Wassenberg pulled ahead on the final lap and scored his fourth win of the year. Lamberies took second. Jordan Bartz started last by taking the challenge and finished third.
Mighty Fours
In the Mighty Four feature race, Grant Kastning led the first seven laps before mechanical woes ended his night. Matt Hatterman assumed the lead, but held it for only one lap before Slewinski grabbed the lead on lap nine. Slewinski held off Jeff Behm to score his first win of the year.
This week
Saturday night is family night at the track. Mom, Dad and kids 16 and younger get in for $15 and get four free Sun Drop Slushies.
Races begin at 6:30 p.m.