Dave Buss, Special to tthe Leader
Over 200 kids went home with backpacks as Little Ceasars and Mike’s Videos presented backpack night at the Shawano Speedway. With the help of numerous race teams and sponsors, 225 backpacks complete with supplies were given away during intermission.
On the track, Mike Mullen dominated the Late Model feature, and Jerry Wilinski scored back-to-back feature wins. In the IMCA Stock and Sport Mods features, it was Dan Michonski and Brandon Nygaard, respectively, scoring their first feature wins.
IMCA Stock Cars
The IMCA Stock cars rolled on the track with a full field of twenty-four cars. Greg Wichman and Trent Nolan made up the front row, but Brandon Czarapata didn’t let them enjoy it long, as he grabbed the lead on the first lap. Czarapata would lead the feature event until lap eight, when Michonski would power by, pushing Czarapata to second. Michonski, who has finished runner-up more than any other driver this year, would begin to pull away as Shawn Wagner began to battle Czarapata for second. Michonski would never relinquish the top spot as he picked up his first feature win in 2015. Wagner would grab second late in the race, while Czarapata held on for third. Scott Stewart and Michael Schmidt rounded out the top five.
IMCA Sports Mods
The IMCA Sport Mods began with Nygaard and Austin Carter leading the field to the line. Nygaard would jump to the lead on lap one, with Brianna Ambroziak moving into the second spot. Nygaard would begin to pull away until a lap four caution reset the field. On the restart, Wyatt Block would grab the second spot, with Ambroziak falling to third. Nygaard would again pull out to a sizable lead, only to have the lead eliminated by two more cautions on laps 11 and 15. Nygaard was on his game, running the high side to perfection and cruising to his first ever feature win. Lucas Lamberies powered his way to second with Block third and Jason Jach fourth. Brekken Kleinschmidt fought to fifth.
Late Models
The Late Model division saw Joe Reuter jump to the early lead with Doug Blashe grabbing second. Blashe would slide past Reuter on lap three and lead the feature for the next six laps. Mullen, who has been strong in his rookie late model campaign, would power past Blashe on lap eight and never look back. Mullen would build a lead of nearly a half track before a late caution bunched the field back up. Mullen would be up to the restart and again storm to a commanding lead on his way to the win. Nick Anvelink would move to second while Blashe held onto third. Ron Berna and Troy Springborn rounded out the top five.
IMCA Mods
Wilinski, fresh off a feature win last week would grab the lead on lap four of the IMCA Modified feature. John Peters and Kevin Feck would take turns in the runner-up spot trying to track down the Wilinski machine. Feck would eventually grab hold of the second spot and hold on through the last half of the race. Wilinski would cruise to his second feature win in as many weeks. Mitch Stankowski would grab the third spot with Matt Oreskovich and John Berna completing the top five.
Mighty Fours
The 4 Cylinders completed the night with its feature event. Hollie Welch, who spent many hours organizing the back pack giveaway, would take the lead on third lap of the feature event. Welch would be up to the challenge, as she fought off Brad Wedde throughout the race including two cautions. Welch would grab the win with Wedde, Calvin Stueck, Grant Kastning, and Carl King finishing in the top five.
Racing returns to the speedway Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. with spectator eliminators.
RACE SUMMARY
Shawano Speedway
Aug. 15
IMCA STOCK CARS
Heat 1: Czarapata, Steven Stewart, Wichman.
Heat 2: Wagner, Joe White, Scott Stewart.
Heat 3: Michonski, Schmidt, Travis Van Straten.
IMCA Sport Mods
Heat 1: Jach, Tracy Wassenberg, Nygaard.
Heat 2: Block, Barkholtz, Lamberies.
Late Models
Heat 1: Mullen, Reuter, Blashe.
Heat 2: Springborn, Anvelink, Tom Naeyaert.
IMCA Mods
Heat 1: Peters, Berna, Stankowski.
Heat 2: Wilinski, Feck, Eddie Muenster.
4 Cylinders
Heat 1: Stueck, Dustin Urban, Dalton Nelson.
Heat 2: Kastning, Wedde, King.