Scott Owen, Leader Columnist
Midseason racing at the Shawano Speedway means there are a lot of story lines to get caught up on.
First off, two more legends will join the Shawano Speedway Hall Of Fame on Saturday night.
Jerry “Medina” Smith and Cubby Lamberies will join racers MJ McBride, Pete Parker, Terry Anvelink, R.A. Bob Schmidt, Roger Regeth, John Beyers, Les Yaeger, Lyle “Pappy” Diemel, Bobby Bennett, Jerry Muenster, John Schultz, Roger Paul, Cliff “Squeek” Miller and former track announcer Jerry Rhode in the hall.
Lamberies was one of the track’s early hotshoes back in the 1960s, while Smith gained fame as one of the top Late Model drivers at the track in the 1970s.
Smith won the track championship in 1972 and also held the track record for fastest lap in time trials numerous times in his career.
Lamberies has continued to stay involved in racing through the years—first by helping his son Kevin become a track champion, and now by helping grandson Lucas become one of the top IMCA Sport Mod racers at Shawano.
Anticipation is also building for Tuesday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model series race. The traveling stars roll into town for a fifth consecutive season. The field of cars should be very strong this year.
Drivers to watch include former Navarino resident AJ Diemel.
Diemel, the grandson of the aforementioned Pappy Diemel, finished fifth in last year’s race. The former track champion should again be strong contender.
Diemel’s longtime friend and competitor, Nick Anvelink, has run well with the Outlaws in the past and is also looking to have a good showing.
Anvelink and Diemel both have plans to race again with the Outlaws next weekend at the Cedar Lake Speedway’s annual USA Nationals.
Last week’s Racing for a Reason night was hugely successful, as a great crowd of racers and fans came out to support the fight against childhood cancer.
Three-time IMCA Modified champion Jared Siefert returned to the track last week and finished fourth in the night’s feature. Siefert spoke about his plans to race in the Late Model division next season.
Siefert’s father, Art, was a Sportsman Division track champion at Shawano in 1982.
Rumor has it that Pulaski’s Brad Rohloff will be back behind the wheel of an IMCA Modified this week. Rohloff has been a front-running Modified and Late Model driver since the 1980s.
As the season winds on through July and into August, look for things to heat up on track.
See you at the Speedway.