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Gardner Grabs Win, Rothe Takes Title! |
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August 30, 2007; Kaukauna, WI - The night of final night of Thursday Night Thunder was presented on a perfect night for racing and one of the largest crowds of the season came out for a night of great racing action and to see the titles decided in each of the six Fox River Racing Club divisions. The MCL / Valley Liquor Fan Appreciation Night at the races had drama right until the final checkered of the Figure Eight feature. The final race of the 2007 season.
In the Super Late Model division, fans were treated to an exciting battle to the wire in the 30 lap feature contest, between Mike Gardner of Gladstone, MI and Jeff Van Oudenhoven of nearby Kimberly. The event was decided by mere feet with Gardner being awarded the victory after Van Oudenhoven's final turn passing attempt wound up just short. Tim Rothe who finished third in the contest, nailed down his second straight Fox River Racing Club title, edging Gardner by 47 points.
In the Limited Late Model division Kris Kelly, would win the championship by a comfortable margin in spite of an accident which eliminated him from the contest. In the feature race Jesse Oudenhoven drove to a solid victory, his first career in the class, putting a highlight on a rookie season which proved frustrating at times with some early seasons accidents.
In The Wisconsin Sport Trucks, it was Dan Vixmer rebounded from an early race spin to earn his fourth feature win of the 2007 season and put an exclamation point on his second straight title. Randy Van Roy would earn his second feature win of the season in Super Stock action, but it was Greg Hauser nailing down his first career championship in the class with a solid fourth place showing.
Sawyer Effertz appeared to have scored his first career victory in the Sizzlin Four victory but his car did not pass post race tech turning the win over to Nicholas Boldt. Rookie Scott Verboomen finished second in the race winning his season first career championship in his rookie season. Last, but not least, Terry Van Roy nursed a heavily damaged and overheating car to the finish line in fourth place to edge Jared Baughman for his 10th career Figure Eight title. Though Baughman won the race, he was edged for the championship by a mere 20 points by Van Roy.
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Photo Highlights |
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Action was hot and heavy from the drop of the green flag in the Super Late Model division.
Tom Gee Jr., would outrun fellow front row starter Robb Vanderloop taking the initial lead of the 30 lap feature contest. Third position was not decided until lap four as Mike Gardner and Jason Vandenberg ran wheel to wheel. Gardner would secure the spot prior to the first caution on lap six, when Keith Romenesko spun into the inside barrier on the backstretch.
Gee Jr., and Vanderloop squared off again at the drop of the green flag and like before Gee Jr., was able to take command. The event put just one more lap in the books when J.J. Smith slammed into the turn one wall. Fortunately Smith was unhurt, but his 2007 season ended before the final checkered flag. John Meidam would restart the event from the tail of the field for his involvement in the accident.
For the next start Gee Jr., and Gardner were side by side with Vanderloop and current point leader Tim Rothe holding down the second row.
This time Gee Jr., was unable to repel the challenges for the lead, as Gardner shot into the top spot. Rothe was quick to advance powering to second on lap eight followed by Jeff Van Oudenhoven who earlier won the dash.
Van Oudenhoven showed his muscle working past Rothe with and inside move on lap 12, and he then began to chase down Gardner. The effort to close the gap was helped along by a spin by Vandenberg in turn two on lap 17.
This restart saw Gardner and Van Oudenhoven side by side for the start, while Rothe and fast qualifier Andy Monday made up the second row. Heading into the feature, Gardner had a single point advantage on Monday for second place in the standings. Gardner got a good start, but Van Oudenhoven worked hard in the outside line as the lead pair raced inches apart for several laps.
Gardner would win out on the duel on lap 19, retaking the top spot as Van Oudenhoven filtered into second. Rothe maintained the third spot while attention focused on the side by side battle between Monday and Gee Jr. for the fourth position After several laps of hard racing, Monday would claim the fourth spot.
As the race continue the battle out front again began to brew as Van Oudenhoven began to pressure Gardner, closing within a car length as the white flag unfurled. Van Oudenhoven attempted to pass down the backstretch and swung wide heading into turn three. Gardner would drift up the track allowing Van Oudenhoven to dart to the inside coming off the final turn. In a drag race to the line Gardner would reach the stripe first by matter of feet. This gave Gardner the win, his second of the year and the victory created the book ends on the year as he won both the season opening, and closing events. The victory also secured the second place point finish for Gardner. Van Oudenhoven would settle for second after a solid night which included a dash win. Rothe finished comfortably in third winning his second straight Fox River Racing Club Super Late Model championship. Monday held onto fourth with Gee Jr., completing the top five.
Kris Kelly, locked up the 2007 championship in the Limited Late Model division championship before the pit gate opened this evening and would start the final feature of the 2007 season from the twelfth spot in the sixteen car field. Rookies Travis Stabane and Jesse Oudenhoven brought the field to the green flag with the pair running side by side. Working the outside, Oudenhoven was inches ahead at the line the first three laps before he finally secured the spot on lap four. Jessie Gracyalny and Doug Carpenter fought a similar battle for the third spot, with Gracyalny getting the position on lap six.
Oudenhoven would open up a four car length advantage over Stabane by the halfway point, with Gracyalny, Carpenter and Brandon Conrad holding down the top five. Kelly had advanced to the seventh spot and was just beginning to move forward, when Conrad wiggled coming off turn two on lap 12. Kelly was clipped by Conrad and spun into the infield guardrail a hard impact, ending his evening. While Kelly was towed to the pits, Conrad would resume the event from the tail of the field. In spite of the recent string of bad luck, Kelly still won the title comfortably, finishing 103 points ahead of Todd Verhagen and Jerry Van Handel who had tied for the second spot.
As the race continued, Oudenhoven would have Gracyalny at his side for the next restart with Stabane and Carpenter in row two. Oudenhoven gained the upper hand at the drop of the green flag with Gracyalny filtering into second. Jerry Van Handel who had worked by both Carpenter and Stabane to reach third would force the next caution on lap 15, when he spun coming off turn four negating his shot at victory.
Oudenhoven was back to leading the way as the green flag again, pulling away from Gracyalny. Oudenhoven who overcame adversity with some early season accidents confidently lead the way to the checkered scoring his first career feature win in his rookie season. Gracyalny took the second spot he best career performance in her second season of Limited Late Model racing. Rookie Stabane lead the completed the youth movement claiming third. Carpenter was the first of the veteran racers racing the line in fourth and Jeff Tisler placed fifth, giving rookie drivers three of the top five finishing positions.
George Schwalbach was on the pole for the final Super Stock feature of the 2007 season in his 1970's vintage Dodge Charger and used the position to grab the early lead over Jerry Hansen and Mark Ritger. Ritger hungry for his first career Super Stock victory at the track worked past Hansen and was nipping at the rear bumper of Schwalbach when the caution appeared for Phil Verboomen who tagged the front stretch wall.
Using the low line Schwalbach was quick to regain the lead with Ritger again giving chase. Contact between Travis Willing and Dylan Wenzel would result in a spin by Wenzel forcing the next caution on lap ten. Wenzel and Willing went to the tail of the field, while Schwalbach and Ritger resumed their duel for the lead when action resumed.
This time Ritger struggled with outside line allowing Schwalbach to pull away and Randy Van Roy to grab the second spot. A spin by Tyler Bauknecht on lap 12, forced the next slowdown again bunching the field. Ritger meanwhile would end a solid showing with disappointment as he would pull to the infield with a flat tire before the race would resumed.
On the next restart Schwalbach has his hands full as Van Roy was more successful in the outside line taking command of the lead while Schwalbach shuffled back on the inside. In quick succession Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., would move to second, David Hoerning to third and newly crowned title winner Greg Hauser advancing to fourth.
Van Roy would open the gap over Meyerhoffer who would eventually lose the second spot to Hoerning with three laps to go. Though Hoerning was able to close the gap over the final few circuits Van Roy was able to hold on for the victory. Hoerning would settle for second, Meyerhoffer Jr., third, Hansen fourth and Schwalbach holding onto the fifth spot.
The Final Wisconsin Sport Truck feature contest of the 2007 season presented a field of 21 drivers. 20 plus year veteran Pete Zarnoth and rookie Brad Davis brought the field to the green flag. Zarnoth would pace the first two circuits before Scott Baker took command. A spin before the start of lap three by newly crowned champion Dan Vixmer slowed the field. With the green returning Baker was back out front with Jeff Van Handel and Ryan Heiting giving chase. Van Handel ducked to the inside of Baker entering turn one on lap five annexing the top spot, with Heiting moving to second moments later.
Clear of traffic Van Handel and Heiting pulled away while third was hotly contested between Baker, Sam Haven and Ron Magdanz. That battle became a duel for second as Heiting spun coming off turn four at the halfway point of the contest. After another quick caution, this caused by a spin by Baker, the field again resumed action.
Van Handel now had Magdanz to contend with while third presented a side by side battle between Brandon Kucksdorf and Haven. Magdanz was able to drive deeper into the turns and surpassed Van Handel for the top spot with eight laps to go. Kucksdorf found himself in control of the third spot far behind the lead pair when second place runner Van Handel looped his ride in turn three. The resulting yellow flag set the stage for a green, white checkered finish.
Magdanz now had Kucksdorf and Haven on his rear bumper, with Vixmer back up to fourth after his early spin and fast qualifier Kyle Quella holding down the fifth spot.
Vixmer making great choice of lanes for the restart took the spot alongside Magdanz and at the drop of the green edged into the lead. Working the high lane Vixmer was able to pull away from Magdanz who now had Quella to contend with. While Vixmer would reach the finish line with a spin to win victory, Quella would make a final turn pass of Magdanz to take second. Magdanz claimed third followed by Kucksdorf and Haven.
One of the largest 4 cylinder fields of the season showed up on the final night of racing, with over 20 cars taking the green flag. In a non-stop contest Sawyer Effertz would show the way winning his first career Sizzlin 4 main event. Nick Boldt who had numerous feature wins to his credit would finish second after a late race charge. However, a post race inspection negated the win by Effertz giving the win to Boldt. Scott Verboomen would be awarded second after moving into that spot on the final lap. Trevor Howard, Evan Sannes and Tim Richter completed the top five runners.
The Figure Eight race got off to a wild start as Matt Greenwood stalled at the start of the contest. As the green flag fell the drivers split the field to try and miss him shooting both high and low. Unfortunately Randy Rahn was unable to do so, running into the back of the car and flipping it into it's roof. The accident would eliminate both Rahn and Greenwood. Greenwood was fortunately unhurt in the accident, the accident also heavily damaged the ride of Terry Van Roy the point leader heading into the evening. As a result the accident left the title chase wide open as Jared Baughman who entered the night 50 points behind now just needed a solid finish to steal the title.
Van Roy soldiered on with a car which had no radiator climbing through the field on each restart as Baughman worked into the lead in the caution plagued event. Baughman kept Jeff Beschta in his rear view mirror to win the contest doing all he could to steal the title. Beschta would finish second, Jeff Wohlrabe third and Van Roy limped to the line with his engine expiring to earn fourth just enough to gain his 10th career figure eight title by 20 points over Baughman. Between Figure Eights and Super Stocks, Van Roy has now amassed 18 championships at in Fox River Racing Club action.
With the 2007 season in the record books upcoming off-season highlights will include the 2007 Awards Banquet, and monthly meetings for the Fox River Racing Club which presents the weekly racing program at Wisconsin International Raceway. The 2008 Fox River Racing Club season is expected to get underway in May.
Wisconsin International Raceway the host track of the Fox River
Racing Club is located near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and KK just
south of Kaukauna. For additional information consult the club website
at www.frrc.net or call (920) 766-5577 or (920) 766-5575.
Results:
Bergstrom
Motors Super Late Models
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Mike Gardner, Gladstone, MI; 2.) Jeff Van
Oudenhoven, Kimberly; 3.) Tim Rothe, Appleton; 4.) Andy Monday,
Appleton; 5.) Tom Gee Jr., Sobieski; 6.) Kyle Calmes, Appleton; 7.)
Gregg Haese, Two Rivers; 8.) Pete Vandermolen, Oshkosh; 9.) Nate Van
Wychen, Appleton; 10.) Lowell Bennett, Neenah
15 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Nate Van Wychen, Appleton; 2) Pete Vandermolen,
Oshkosh; 3.) Bob Danes, New Holstein; 4.) Jim Duchow, Appleton; 5.)
Maxwell Schultz, Reedsville; 6.) Cal Harrell, Harrison
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Jim Duchow, Appleton; 2.) Cal Harrell, Harrison;
3.) Bob Danes, New Holstein
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Nate Van Wychen, Appleton; 2.) Pete Vandermolen,
Kaukauna; 3.) Gregg Haese, Two Rivers
6 Lap Dash: 1.) Jeff Van Oudenhoven, Kimberly; 2.) Jason Vandenberg,
Appleton; 3.) Tim Rothe, Appleton
Fast Qualifier: Andy Monday, Appleton, 19.494 Seconds
Eagle
Graphics Limited Late Models
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Jesse Oudenhoven, Appleton; 2.) Jessie Gracyalny,
Kaukauna; 3.) Travis Stabane, Kaukauna; 4.) Doug Carpenter, Little
Chute; 5.) Todd Verhagen, Freedom; 6.) Cory Kemkes, Appleton; 7.) Jeff
Tisler, Two Rivers; 8.) Ben Scheurer, Kaukauna; 9) Jack Pankratz,
Kaukauna; 10.) Don Dix, Kaukauna
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Jack Pankratz, Kaukauna; 2.) Jim Ebben,
Appleton; 3.) Ben Scheurer, Kaukauna; 4;) Jim Ebben Appleton; 5.) Tanner
Bohlin, Hortonville; 6.) Terry Miller, Neenah
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Cliff Ebben, Appleton; 2.) Terry Miller, Neenah;
3.) Ben Scheurer, Kaukauna
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Jack Pankratz, Kaukauna; 2.) Doug Carpenter,
Little Chute; 3.) Jim Ebben, Appleton
6 Lap Dash: 1.) Todd Verhagen, Kaukauna; 2.) Kris Kelly, Norway, MI; 3.)
Pat Braun, Kaukauna
Fast Qualifier: Don Dix, Kaukauna, 20.877 Seconds
Midwest
Design Homes Wisconsin Sport Trucks
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Dan Vixmer, St. Peter; 2.) Kyle Quella, Appleton;
3.) Ron Magdanz, Freedom; 4.) Brand Kucksdorf, Green Bay; 5.) Sam Haven,
Kaukauna; 6.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Jason Roberts, Neenah; 2.) Todd Kostichka, Green
Bay; 3.) Randy Yaeger, Appleton
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton; 2.) Scott Baker, Freedom;
3.) Jeff Van Handel, Freedom
Fast Qualifier: Kyle Quella, Appleton, WI, 15.978 Seconds
TNT Truck
and Auto Accessories Parts Super Stocks
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Randy Van Roy, Kaukauna; 2.) David Hoerning,
Appleton; 3.) Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., Kaukauna; 4.) Greg Hauser, DePere;
5.) George Schwalbach, Harrison; 6.) Neal Sannes, DePere; 7.) Dylan
Wenzel, Freemont; 8.) Travis Willing, Appleton
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Denny Crass, Maribel; 2.) Phil Verboomen,
Kaukauna; 3.) Ed Howard, Little Chute; 4.) Stephen Schweitzer,
Greenville; 5.) Nick Van Roy, Menasha
First 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Ed Howard, Little Chute, 2.) Dave Meyerhoffer,
Kaukauna; 3.) Corey Manders
Second 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Phil Verboomen, Kaukauna; 2.) Neal Sannes,
DePere; 3.) Stephen Schweitzer, Greenville
Third 10 Lap Heat 1.) Randy Van Roy, Kaukauna; 2.) Travis Willing,
Appleton; 3.) Dylan Wenzel, Freemont
6 Lap Dash:
Fast Qualifier: David Hoerning, Appleton, WI, 15.962 Seconds
Schmitty's
Tickets Sizzlin Fours
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Nick Boldt, Little Chute; 2.) Scott Verboomen,
Kaukauna; 3.) Trevor Howard, Kaukauna; 4.) Evan Sannes, DePere; 5.) Tim
Richter, Hortonville; 6.) Tyler Lind, Little Chute
Theimer's
Auto & Salvage Figure Eight
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Jared Baughman, Kaukauna; 2.) Jeff Beschta, Darboy;
3.) Jeff Wohlrabe, Appleton; 4.) Terry Van Roy, Darboy; 5.) Willy Van
Camp, Appleton; 6.) Bob Dietzen, Kaukauna
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The Final Thunder of 2007! |
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August 27, 2007; Kaukauna, WI - The 2007 Fox River Racing Club season has been accented by solid car counts and large crowds and will gown down in the record books as one of the more successful in the club's 50 plus year history. While the 2007 season of events will be one of the shortest on record since the club started holding their events at Wisconsin International Raceway in 1975, the season itself has proven to be action packed and crowds have responded with solid attendance throughout the season.
The last chance to witness the Thursday Night Thunder program for the 2007 season, will present itself this Thursday evening with the Valley Liquor/MCL Fan Appreciation Night at the races. The point championships in each of the division will be highlighted as part of the program.
In the Super Late Model division, Tim Rothe of Appleton, WI, appears to be headed for his second consecutive track title. After winning his first crown last season, Rothe dominated the early half of the year and overcame a serious accident a in early August to show the way atop the standings by a mere, 41 points over Mike Gardner of Gladstone, MI. For Gardner, it's the second straight year of chasing Rothe down to the wire, as last year Gardner narrowly missed the title, by a mere 16 points.
The key for Rothe will be to qualify for the main event, and finish the feature to lock up the title. Everyone else will be shooting for the victory as with the odd chance of a mechanical failure by Rothe, Gardner and third place point man Andy Monday, who lies some 52 markers back still have a shot to overtake him. Former Limited Late Model champion Kyle Calmes has the Rookie of the Year title solidly in hand in the Super Late this season currently sitting in fourth slot in the standings, six markers ahead of Jeff Van Oudenhoven who currently rounds out the top five.
In the Limited Late Models the title is crystal clear, as Kris Kelly of Norway, MI will arrive and collect his 2007 championship. Though hampered in recent weeks with accidents, Kelly's domination of the division throughout the season leaves him with a hefty 94 point lead heading into the final night. Jerry Van Handel currently holds down the runner-up point position, with a 25 point lead over Todd Verhagen, last season's points runner-up. Doug Carpenter and Andrew Kluck currently comprise the top five heading into the final night.
A late season surge has given Greg Hauser of DePere a 28 point gap on defending Super Stock champion Randy Van Roy. While the title is not locked up heading into the final night, barring misfortune, Hauser appears to be on his way to his first ever Fox River Racing Club crown. Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., who led the standings early in the season lies in third ahead of Dylan Wenzel and George Schwalbach.
The Wisconsin Sport Trucks title is in hand for St. Peter resident Dan Vixmer, who will earn his second straight championship on very convincing fashion. Ron Magdanz his nearest competitor lies over 100 points behind heading into the final night. Second place however could be up in the air as John Roeser sits in third just 24 markers behind Magdanz. Ryan Heiting and Sam Haven also have a mathematical shot at the second position heading into the final night.
The Sizzlin 4 point chase will go down to the final checkered flag, with the champion not determined until the finish line of the final feature, on the final night of racing. Tom Schweitzer currently sits a mere two markers over Scott Verboomen, with Paul Yohr, who had lead the standing throughout much of the year, sitting just ten points back heading into the final night of racing. Tim Richter and Nicholas Boldt complete the current top five.
Last, but not least, one of the most competitive divisions this season has been the Figure Eights, with a string of no-repeat feature winners that lasted until just two weeks ago. Division kingpin Terry Van Roy who wants to add to his title collection in the class and has a 50 point advantage heading into the final night. While it sounds like a comfortable margin, four drivers have a shot at the title including Van Roy, Jared Baughman, Jeff Beschta and Randy Rahn. All except for Baughman have won championships in the division, but his current second place spot, is the prime place to be should Van Roy have troubles on the final night. Dan VanDaalwyk, having his best season in Figure Eight action, is showing in fifth in the current standings.
In addition to the point battles which lie ahead, younger fans will also get to take to the track on the final night of racing with the Kid's Ride Along program, where children will have the opportunity to ride in a race car. The Ride Along is scheduled to take place at 6:45 pm.
Stock Car racing action begins at 7:00 p.m. with racing taking place on the half-mile D-shaped oval in both the Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions. The balance of the show is contested on the inner quarter mile oval which will see action with Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Street Stocks and Sizzlin Fours. The 2008 Fox River Racing Club season will begin in May.
Wisconsin International Raceway the host track of the Fox River Racing Club is located near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and KK just south of Kaukauna. For additional information consult the club website at www.frrc.net or call (920) 766-5577 or (920) 766-5575.
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Haese Takes Victory,
Rothe Tops SLM Bud Triple Crown! |
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August 16, 2007; Kaukauna, WI - The final round of the Budweiser/WAPL Triple Challenge presented by USG Sheetrock was played out with a full pit area and packed grandstand as the final weeks of the 2007 Thursday Night Thunder racing program are played out as Wisconsin International Raceway. The three race Bud Triple crown is a perfect preview to the 2007 Fox River Racing Club champions, as the three triple crown events are hosted throughout the season and like the season long point chase, provides the drama of deciding the best weekly racers. Tim Rothe the current point season long point leader and defending division champion would wrap up the 2007 Triple Crown title by a 209 to 195 point margin over Gregg Haese who would win this evening's 50 lap feature event. The victory was the third of the year for Haese in weekly action and he has also won two special events at Wisconsin International Raceway this year.
In the Limited Late Models Andrew Kluck would fend off the challenges of Jerry Van Handel to earn his first feature win of the 2007 season. While it would be a bad evening for division point leader Kris Kelly after a late race tangle, Kelly would soldier on finishing high enough to edge Van Handel by a mere six points. The final Budweiser Triple Crown title to be decided was that of the Super Stock division where Greg Hauser would take a well earned victory and the title as well. Like Rothe, both Kelly and Hauser are also the season long point leaders as the final two weekly race programs are set to take place.
Rounding out the night's winners were Dan Vixmer who scored his fifth Wisconsin Sport Truck win of the year. Scott Verboomen would top the Sizzlin 4's and Jeff Wohlrabe topped Figure Eight action.
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Photo Highlights |
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With 50 lap of all out racing ahead, 18 cars presented for the green flag for the Super Late Models. Rookie Kyle Calmes and Robb Vanderloop would square off running door to door. The field stayed racing pack style when Jim Duchow went around coming off turn two. The field skillfully avoided Duchow, who quickly got his car headed the right direction, but not before the caution flew. For the next restart Calmes was on the outside, and like the earlier battle Vanderloop and Calmes would race wheel to wheel. Calmes finally got a good run off turn two on lap six to secure the lead, with Gregg Haese also powering by to nab the second spot. Lowell Bennett would work into third prior to a second caution appearing for Duchow who looped in turn three on lap eight.
This restart has Calmes and Haese bring the field to the green, and Haese used the momentum of the outside line to power into the lead. Tim Rothe, recovering from a wicked crash a week prior in qualifying worked by Bennett into the third spot on lap nine. Mike Gardner held down fifth with ten laps recorded.
Haese driving flawless laps would begin to build a small margin on Calmes, while third was hotly contested between Rothe, Bennett, Gardner and Jeff Van Oudenhoven who earlier won the dash.
Van Oudenhoven began to sneak forward working past Gardner and then Bennett for fourth by lap 28. Van Oudenhoven gained another spot on lap 33 with a quick inside pass of Rothe. John Meidam would go up in smoke on lap 37, but though his car lost power he was successfully able to head to the pits without caution.
Haese would begin to encounter lapped traffic with eight laps to go, but had a two second advantage on Calmes with Van Oudenhoven a distant third. It was perhaps the lapped traffic that would provide the biggest scare for Haese and Calmes would close the cap while Haese cautiously worked past lapped cars. Calmes was able to close within two car lengths with a pair of laps to go, but he drifted wide in turn two allowing Haese to squirt away claiming his third Thursday Night Thunder feature win of the year. Calmes finished second. Van Oudenhoven, Rothe and Gardner would comprise the top five.
In Limited Late Model action rookie Jeff Tisler was bolted into the initial lead of the 30 lap contest, with one lap in the books before a spin by Jack Pankratz spinning in turn two. Tisler would start next to Andrew Kluck when the action resumed. Driving deep into the turns Kluck would gain the advantage taking the top spot on lap three and bringing Jerry Van Handel with him. Van Handel would stay glued to Kluck's rear bumper with Tisler following in third as the lead trio pulled away. A spin by Pat Braun in turn three on lap nine would restack the pack as Braun skillfully avoided contact with the wall.
Kluck would have a new rival next to him as Todd Verhagen chose the outside line to start next to Kluck for the restart. The pair ran wheel to wheel for a lap trading paint, before Kluck gained the upper hand with Verhagen drifting back. This placed Van Handel back into second, with Gary Bock now in the third position. Kris Kelly, the Budweiser Triple Crown point leader and fast qualifier would also squirt by Verhagen before the halfway point.
As the laps past it became apparent the duo of Kluck and Van Handel would have the speed to pull away for their own private battle, as action for third between Bock, Kelly and Verhagen allowed the lead pair to pull even further away. Kelly had just completed passing Bock for third when contact would send Kelly spinning in turn four on lap 22. As Kelly went around he was clipped by Pankratz who was unable to work past Kelly's errant mount. Bock was given the black flag for the incident and was sent to the pit area.
On the restart Kluck was back to the lead pulling comfortably away from Van Handel. Tisler would work into the third slot putting pressure on Van Handel in the closing laps. Kluck had a four car length margin of victory at the checkered. Van Handel would fend off a last turn passing attempt by Tisler for second. Tisler, dash winner Jessie Gracyalny and Verhagen completed the top five finishers.
25 laps was the distance of the extended Budweiser Triple Crown feature for the Super Stock division. Dylan Wenzel the series point leader would jump from his pole position to the early lead. Greg Hauser, the point runner-up in the Bud crown chase would work into second spot on lap three. With not only the feature win at stake but the Triple Crown title as well Wenzel and Hauser would thrill the fans with a side by side battle for the lead that lasted several laps. Wenzel would gain the upper hand when Hauser got sideways on lap nine, nearly losing second to division rookie Donald Van Camp.
Hauser was quick to recover however and was back on Wenzel's rear bumper at the halfway point of the race. made Wenzel, would drop from the contest on lap 16 while leading, pulling into the infield and coming to a stop. This gave the lead over to Hauser. Hauser had barely a moment to enjoy that lead however as a tangle between Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., and Phil Verboomen brought out the caution before the next lap could be completed.
Hauser now found himself side by side with defending division champion Randy Van Roy as the green flag returned. Hauser made a smooth start retaking the top spot and Van Roy drifted back on the outside allowing Van Camp to regain second.. George Schwalbach who won the dash event earlier in the evening got up to the third spot before the next caution appeared for a Mark Ritger spin on lap 19.
Six laps would decide the event with Hauser and Schwalbach side by side for the start. Again Hauser would take the advantage with Schwalbach falling into the number two slot. The fourth and final caution of the race would make it a three lap sprint as Tyler Bauknecht, Travis Willing and David Hoerning went around in turn four. Hauser would click off the final three laps without incident to collect he feature win and overall title. Schwalbach would finish second followed by Van Cam, Van Roy and Larry Raygo in the top five.
The buzz on the quarter-mile would mean the 19 truck Wisconsin Sport Truck main event was underway with the snowmobile engine powered mini-truck bodied machines came up to speed. Brad Davis would pace the first two circuits before Sam Haven worked to his inside taking the lead in turn on lap three. Jeff Van Handel would follow the move reaching second before the start of the fourth orbit around the raceway.
A spin by Tyler Vandermoss would slow the pace on lap six, however the event quickly resumed and Haven and Van Handel were set to square off for the lead. Ryan Heiting had advanced into the third spot followed by division point leader and defending champion Dan Vixmer.
The outside line proved to be the quick route as Van Handel shot into the lead brining Vixmer with him into second. With a sweeping outside pass on lap ten Vixmer moved ahead of Van Handel for the top spot and began to pull away.
Van Handel soon found himself coming under pressure from Heiting, who would make a successful outside pass for second on lap 16. By this time however Vixmer had built up a quarter-lap lead, extending the margin with each passing lap. The race ran without caution with Vixmer taking his fifth victory of the season by a comfortable margin. Heiting finished a distant second. Third place was settled on the final lap as John Roeser and Haven ran wheel to wheel to the strip. Roeser took the third spot by a matter of inches. Haven would be awarded fourth with fast qualifier Kyle Quella climbing to fifth at the finish.
17 Sizzlin 4's accepted the green flag, spiced with plenty of fender banging action during the opening rounds, eventually leading to a spin by Randy Sankowsky on lap four. Scott Verboomen was out front when the second caution appeared for contact between several cars. Paul Yohr the division point leader heading into the night retired to the pit area. For the balance of the race the battle for the lead would come down to a battle between Verboomen and Tim Richer. Verboomen was up to the task taking a narrow win. Richter was second less than a car length back, followed by Tom Schweitzer, Amanda Fenske and Ben Deitzen.
Nine participants took part in the final event of the evening, the Figure Eight contest. Jeff Wohlrabe would lead the non-stop contest from start to finish threading the needle at the intersection on several occasions taking a convincing win. Jared Baughman would finish second with last weeks feature winner Jeff Beschta taking third.
Next week, August 23rd, will be MCL Night at the races. As a special feature, a Kid's Ride Along will take place giving children an opportunity to take a ride in the races cars which they will see competing in the night's racing program.
Action will take place on the half-mile oval in both the Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions. The balance of the show is contested on the inner quarter mile oval which will see action with Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Street Stocks and Sizzlin Fours. The evening will again conclude with the Figure Eight program. Thursday Night races at Wisconsin International Raceway will conclude the following week on August 30th, with Fan Appreciation Night presented by Valley Liquor. That show will end the 2007 season point chase, with the 2008 Fox River Racing Club season set for May.
Wisconsin International Raceway the host track of the Fox River Racing Club is located near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and KK just south of Kaukauna. For additional information consult the club website at www.frrc.net or call (920) 766-5577 or (920) 766-5575.
Results:
Bergstrom
Motors Super Late Models
50 Lap Feature: 1.) Gregg Haese, Two Rivers; 2.) Kyle Calmes, Freedom;
3.) Jeff Van Oudenhoven, Kimberly; 4.) Tim Rothe, Appleton; 5.) Mike
Gardner, Gladstone, MI; 6.) Lowell Bennett, Neenah; 7.) Andy Monday,
Appleton; 8.) Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids; 9.) J.J. Smith, Appleton;
10.) Brett Piontek, Green Bay
15 Lap Last Chance: 1.) Tom Gee Jr., Sobieski; 2.) J.J. Smith, Appleton;
3.) Josh Bauer, Random Lake; 4.) Keith Romenesko, Kaukauna; 5.) Pete
Vandermolen, Oshkosh; 6.) Nate Van Wychen, Kaukauna
6 Lap Dash: 1.) Jeff Van Oudenhoven, Kimberly; 2.) Mike Gardner,
Gladstone, MI; 3.) Mark Schroeder, Green Bay
Fast Qualifier: Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, 19.527 Seconds
Eagle
Graphics Limited Late Models
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Andrew Kluck, Appleton; 2.) Jerry Van Handel,
Waupaca; 3.) Jeff Tisler, Reedsville; 4.) Jessie Gracyalny, Kaukauna;
5.) Todd Verhagen, Kaukauna; 6.) Doug Carpenter, Little Chute; 7.) Jim
Ebben, Appleton; 8.) Ben Scheurer, Kaukauna; 9.) Travis Stabane,
Kaukauna; 10.) Cory Kemkes, Appleton
12 Lap Last Chance: 1.) Ben Scheurer, Kaukauna; 2.) Doug Carpenter,
Little Chute; 3.) Cory Kemkes, Appleton; 4.) Eric Hopfensperger, Darboy;
5.) Jesse Oudenhoven, Appleton; 6.) Nik Glaser, Kewaunee
6 Lap Dash: 1.) Jessie Gracyalny, Kaukauna; 2.) Kris Kelly, Norway, MI;
3.) Gary Bock, Kaukauna
Fast Qualifier: Kris Kelly, Norway, MI, 20.635 Seconds
Midwest
Design Homes Wisconsin Sport Trucks
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Dan Vixmer, St. Peter; 2.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton;
3.) John Roeser, Green Bay; 4.) Sam Haven, Kaukauna; 5.) Kyle Quella,
Appleton; 6.) Jeff Van Handel, Freedom; 7.) Brad Davis, Neenah; 8.)
Jason Plutz, Appleton
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Josh Jeske, Sherwood; 2.) Jason Plutz, Appleton;
3.) Eric Johnson, Kaukauna
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton; 2.) John Roeser, Green
Bay; 3.) Jeff Van Handel, Freedom
Fast Qualifier: Kyle Quella, Appleton, 16.238 Seconds
TNT Truck
and Auto Accessories Parts Super Stocks
25 Lap Feature: 1.) Greg Hauser, DePere; 2.) George Schwalbach,
Harrison; 3.) Donald Van Cap, Seymour; 4.) Randy Van Roy, Kaukauna; 5.)
Larry Raygo, Omro; 6.) Neal Sannes, Green Bay; 7.) Tim Arnouldussen,
Neenah; 8.) Mark Ritger, Elkhart Lake; 9.) Ed Howard, Kaukauna; 10.)
Tyler Bauknecht, Reedsville
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) 1.) Denny Crass, Maribel; 2.) Mark Ritger,
Elkhart, Lake; 3.) Stephen Schweitzer, Greenville; 4.) Tim Arnouldussen,
Neenah; 5.) Brandon Wittmann, Kaukauna
6 Lap Dash: 1.) George Schwalbach, Harrison; 2.) Todd Baumann, Kaukauna;
3.) David Hoerning, Appleton
Fast Qualifier: Tyler Bauknecht, Reedsville, 16.059 Seconds
Schmitty's
Tickets Sizzlin Fours
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Scott Verboomen, Kaukauna; 2.) Tim Richter,
Hortonville; 3.) Tom Schweitzer, Menasha; 4.) Amanda Fenske, Green Bay;
5.) Ben Deitzen, Kaukauna; 6.) Matt DeWilde, Appleton
Theimer's
Auto & Salvage Figure Eight
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Jeff Wohlrabe, Appleton; 2.) Jared Baughman,
Kaukauna; 3.) Jeff Beschta, Appleton; 4.) Dan Van Daalwyk, Kaukauna; 5.)
Terry Van Roy, Darboy; 6.) Craig Kueger, Little Chute
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Point Leaders Struggle,
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August 9, 2007; Kaukauna, WI - FASTCARE Night at the races played out before a great late season crowd, with exciting finishes, championship chase drama and first time winners.
In Super Late Model racing it there were several stories taking place. A first career feature win and a point leaders struggles. Andy Monday, the 2004 rookie of the year in the Super Late Model division, scored his first career feature victory fending off the challenges of Mike Gardner though several late race restarts. Monday who owns the all-time track record and has won numerous dashes and fast times, had never won a feature before this evening at Wisconsin International Raceway. The other major story was that of Tim Rothe. Rothe the current point leader and defending champion had a mechanical failure on his car during qualifying causing him to slam into the wall in turn one, destroying his car. Shaken but otherwise unhurt it appeared Rothe would be done for the evening. In an act of sportsmanship, Mark Schroeder, the 1996 track champion would lend Rothe his machine for the evening. Rothe would qualify into the feature through the semi, but ran a strong race in the main event to finish seventh and maintain a 40 point lead on Gardner with three races remaining.
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Photo Highlights |
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In Limited Late Model action, a similar fate befell point leader Kris Kelly as he was collected in a multi-car tangle early in the Limited Late Model feature. Though Kelly was unable to complete the race, he still maintains a comfortable point lead in the division. The main event itself appeared headed for a first time winner just like the Super Late Models, as Eric Hopfensperger has held onto the lead through several cautions and appeared headed for victory lane. However a final restart with only a couple laps remaining allowed Doug Carpenter show his ability for solid restarts taking the lead and sailing to the win. His second of the year.
The Super Stock feature would see David Hoerning collect his first win of 2007, while Brandon Kucksdorf bounced back from a flip in his heat race to win his second Wisconsin Sport Truck main event of 2007. Nicholas Boldt would collect the checkered flag in Sizzlin 4's. The final event of the night would see Jeff Beschta, break the no repeat win streak, that the Figure Eights have had all season. It would be Beschta's second victory of the year.
Gregg Haese and Robb Vanderloop were to provide the front row for the start of the Super Late Model contest. But the machine of Haese lost speed as the field assembled for the green flag. This moved up Keith Romenesko onto the pole next to Vanderloop as 17 cars came up to speed.
Romenesko would take the top spot on the first lap but a chain reaction incident involved several cars near mid pack before lap two could begin including Jeff Van Oudenhoven and Kyle Calmes, both sustaining some body damage in the process. Romenesko and Vanderloop would square off again with Tom Gee Jr. and Andy Monday in the second row when action resumed. This time Vanderloop gained the upper hand using the outside to take the top spot. Monday would follow into second on lap two, and begin the challenge Vanderloop for the top spot. Meanwhile Gardner the evening's fast qualifier worked into the third spot on lap five as Romenesko faded.
Vanderloop had his hands full keeping Monday behind him as Gardner joined the battle making it a three car duel for the top spot on lap nine. Monday would slice under Vanderloop heading into turn one on lap nine grabbing the lead. Gardner followed Monday's moved and Vanderloop found himself going from the lead to slowly fading as several other cars worked by during the next few circuits.
A spin by Brett Piontek on lap 12 would bring out the second caution of the race. This placed Monday and Gardner side by side in the front row, with Gee Jr. and Lowell Bennett in the second row.
The green was out again with Monday taking the top spot and Gee Jr. working by Gardner for second. Gardner would settle into third looking for a way back to challenge for the lead. Gardner would find that path working back under Gee Jr. in turn two on lap 16. Gee however continued the fight using the outside line as the pair would dice back and forth. The battle allowed Monday to extend his lead to a half dozen car lengths before Gardner was able to finally secure second on lap 21.
A spin by Pete Vandermolen on lap 23, after contact with Jason Vandenberg would regroup the field, as Gardner and Monday would square off again.
Monday would get a solid jump moving out to a three car length advantage with three laps to go. Gardner appeared content to hold in the second spot. Gee Jr., Bennett and Vanderloop comprised the top five.
In Limited Late Model action it was an all-rookie front row as Barnaby Tomazeric and Cory Kemkes would lead the first to the opening green flag. Unfortunately the "big one" would take place coming off turn four heading for the stripe to start lap two. Tomazeric would wiggle and eventually spin and the field would scatter every direction. Un fortunately the tightly packed horde had little room to maneuver as cars sailed everywhere. When the dust settled no less than a half dozen cars were involved and Tomazeric, Jerry Van Handel and Jeff Tisler would need an assist from the track by means of a tow truck. Several other cars drove to the pit area with heavy damage including Jack Pankratz and Travis Stabane. The incident all dropped current point leader Kris Kelly from the event.
An abbreviated field of 13 cars would continue the chase. This time is would be Eric Hopfensperger and Doug Carpenter showing the way. As the green flag flew the hood would fly open on Gary Bock's machine but he safely navigated to the pit area and returned though losing laps in the process. Hopfensperger meanwhile was busy showing the way with Carpenter pressuring for the lead. Pat Braun would settle into the third spot ahead of Andrew Kluck and Joe Ebben top five cars with five laps completed.
Kluck and Ebben would drop Braun to fifth spot on lap eight, with Kluck showing he would have the speed to run down the lead duo of Hopfensperger and Carpenter. However catching and passing would be two different things as Carpenter clung tenaciously to the second spot. The yellow would appear on lap 17, when Kelly came out of the pit area, but with a loose body and the entire right side of his car missing he was immediately sent back to the pits. The track was quickly checked for debris and racing quickly resumed. On lap 18, two different drivers would slap the wall. Braun on the backstretch and Bock, who would spin in turn three, backing into the outside wall and forcing a yellow.
This setup a green, white, checkered finish, with Hopfensperger, Carpenter, Kluck, Ebben and Todd Verhagen holding down the top five spots. Carpenter would make the move as the while flag flew getting under Hopfensperger and with a clean pass would steal the victory. Hopfensperger would settle for a second place finish, the strongest run for him this season. Kluck grabbed third, Ebben fourth and Verhagen fifth.
Super Stock action rolled onto the quarter-mile oval 18 cars strong, with former Sizzlin 4 standout Phil Verboomen, and Neal Sannes brining the field to the green flag. David Hoerning would take advantage of a surprise start, charging past the leaders before the first lap was complete. Sannes would settle into second ahead of Verboomen before the first caution appeared on lap two when Ed Howard spun in turn three.
Back underway Hoerning resumed the lead position with Sannes and Verboomen giving chase. While the action continued throughout the pack, Hoerning set sail opening a head lead on the battle between Sannes, Verboomen and Greg Hauser. However a quick caution on lap 11, would erase the large margin and restack the field.
Hoerning went right back to setting the pace as action began. Contact between Sannes and Verboomen allowed Travis Willing to make a bold move to charge into second on lap 14. Todd Baumann and Hauser would also slip by for third and fourth on the next circuit. For Hoerning however is was business as usual as he again opened up a solid lead on his rivals. The victory was Hoerning's first of the 2007 season. Willing would settle for second with Baumann, Hauser and Verboomen completing the top five.
The opening laps of a Wisconsin Sport Truck feature are always a thrill to watch as the mini-truck bodied racers go three and four wide while jockeying for position during the opening rounds. Ryan Heiting and rookie Pat Gorchals brought the field up to speed with Heiting gaining the upper hand. Sam Haven would move into the second spot on lap two, followed by Brandon Kucksdorf who recovered nicely from a flip earlier in the night during a heat race. John Roeser and fast qualifier Dan Vixmer comprised the top five by the fifth lap.
Kucksdorf working the low line would drop Haven a spot on lap eight to take second and quickly closed on Heiting, applying the pressure in effort to take the lead spot. With an inside move in turn three on lap 11, Kucksdorf's march to the front was complete as he took the lead from Heiting. Haven would follow in Kucksdorf's tire tracks taking second before the next round. Vixmer meanwhile was also on the move marching into the third spot with five laps to go. However, the lead pair of Kucksdorf and Haven had built a comfortable gap. Though Haven would continue to pressure Kucksdorf to the wire, Kucksdorf was able to end the evening in victory lane, far better then his heat race, which had finished on his roof! Haven claimed second, Vixmer third, while Heiting and Roeser would complete the top five finishers.
17 cars were ready for the Sizzlin 4 feature event. Nicholas Boldt would blast into the lead on lap two running away from the field until a caution on lap four. Boldt was back out front after a couple cautions chased by Scott Verboomen and Tom Schweitzer at the halfway mark.
Next week, August 16th, will be final round of the Budweiser/WAPL/USG Sheetrock Triple Crown series. Point champions for the three race series will be named in several classes. Extended feature events will take place for the Super Late Models and Limited Late Models on the half-mile oval. With the Super Late Model feature to be contested at 50 laps. The balance of the show is contested on the inner quarter mile oval which will see action with Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Street Stocks and Sizzlin Fours. The evening will again conclude with the Figure Eight program. Thursday Night races will continue each week until August 30th, which will conclude the 2007 racing season on the oval at Wisconsin International Raceway.
The 2007 Thursday Night Thunder racing program at Wisconsin International Raceway presented by the Fox River Racing Club continues on Thursday Nights through the end of August.
Wisconsin International Raceway the host track of the Fox River Racing Club is located near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and KK just south of Kaukauna. For additional information consult the club website at www.frrc.net or call (920) 766-5577 or (920) 766-5575.
Results:
Bergstrom
Motors Super Late Models
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Andy Monday, Appleton; 2.) Mike Gardner, Gladstone,
MI; 3.) Tom Gee Jr., Sobieski; 4.) Lowell Bennett, Neenah; 5.) Robb
Vanderloop, Kaukauna; 6.) John Meidam, Appleton; 7.) Tim Rothe,
Appleton; 8.) J.J. Smith, Appleton; 9.) Josh Bauer, Random Lake; 10.)
Keith Romenesko, Kaukauna
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Jason Vandenberg, Appleton; 2.) Jim Duchow,
Appleton; 3.) Nate Van Wychen, Kaukauna; 4.) Tim Rothe, Appleton; 5.)
Cal Harrell, Harrison
First 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Jim Duchow, Appleton; 2.) Jason Vandenberg,
Kimberly; 3.) Nate Van Wychen, Kaukauna
Second 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Josh Bauer, Random Lake; 2.) Robb Vanderloop,
Kaukauna; 3.) John Meidam, Appleton
6 Lap Dash: 1.) J.J. Smith, Appleton; 2.) Brett Piontek, Green Bay; 3.)
Andy Monday, Appleton
Fast Qualifier: Mike Gardner, Gladstone, MI, 19.783 Seconds
Eagle
Graphics Limited Late Models
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Doug Carpenter, Little Chute; 2.) Eric Hopfensperger,
Darboy; 3.) Andrew Kluck, Appleton; 4.) Joe Ebben, Appleton; 5.) Todd
Verhagen, Kaukauna; 6.) Terry Miller, Neenah; 7.) Jessie Gracyalny,
Kaukauna; 8.) Cory Kemkes, Appleton; 9.) Brand Conrad, Freedom; 10.) Dan
Petermann, Brillion
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Brandon Conrad, Freedom; 2.) Travis Stabane,
Kaukauna; 3.) Jessie Gracyalny, Kaukauna; 4.) Dan Petermann, Brillion;
5.) Tanner Bohlin, Hortonville
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Jessie Gracyalny, Kaukauna; 2.) Tim Springstroh,
Kaukauna; 3.) Travis Stabane, Kaukauna
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Brandon Conrad, Freedom; 2.) Terry Miller,
Neenah; 3.) Eric Hopfensperger, Darboy
6 Lap Dash: 1.) Kris Kelly, Norway, MI; 2.) Todd Verhagen, Kaukauna; 3.)
Jeff Tisler, Reedsville
Fast Qualifier: Kris Kelly, Norway, MI, 20.836 Seconds
Midwest
Design Homes Wisconsin Sport Trucks
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Brandon Kucksdorf, Green Bay; 2.) Sam Haven,
Kaukauna; 3.) Dan Vixmer, St. Peter; 4.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton; 5.)
John Roeser, Green Bay; 6.) Ron Magdanz, Freemont; 7.) Brad Davis,
Neenah; 8.) Josh Jeske, Sherwood
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Josh Jeske, Sherwood; 2.) Scott Baker, Freedom;
3.) Pete Zarnoth, Brillion
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Sam Haven, Kaukauna; 2.) Ryan Heiting, Appleton;
3.) Ron Magdanz, Freemont
Fast Qualifier: Dan Vixmer, St. Peter, 16.300 Seconds
TNT Truck
and Auto Accessories Parts Super Stocks
30 Lap Feature: 1.) David Hoerning, Appleton; 2.) Travis Willing,
Appleton; 3.) Todd Baumann, Kaukauna; 4.) Greg Hauser, DePere; 5.) Phil
Verboomen, Kaukauna; 6.) Neal Sannes, DePere; 7.) Larry Raygo, Omro; 8.)
Tyler Bauknecht, Reedsville
12 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Larry Raygo, Omro; 2.) Josh Christianson,
Little Chute; 3.) Dave Meyerhoffer, Kaukauna; 4.) Dylan Wenzel,
Freemont; 5.) Jerry Hansen, Green Bay
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Dylan Wenzel, Freemont: 2.) Brandon Wittmann,
Kaukauna; 3.) Dave Meyerhoffer, Kaukauna
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Larry Raygo, Omro; 2.) Donald Van Camp, Seymour;
3.) Denny Crass, Maribel
Third 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Travis Willing, Appleton; 2.) David Hoerning,
Appleton; 3.) Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., Kaukauna
Fast Qualifier: Greg Hauser, DePere, 16.129 Seconds
Schmitty's
Tickets Sizzlin Fours
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Nicholas Boldt, Little Chute; 2.) Scott Verboomen,
Black Creek; 3.) Tom Schweitzer, Appleton; 4.) Randy Sonkowsky,
Kimberly; 5.) Sawyer Effertz, Appleton; 6.) Tyler Lind, Grand Chute
Theimer's
Auto & Salvage Figure Eight
15 Lap Feature: 1.) Jeff Beschta, Darboy; 2.) Jared Baughman, Kaukauna;
3.) Terry Van Roy, Darboy; 4.) Willy Van Camp, Appleton; 5.) Randy Rahn,
Forest Junction; 6.) Jim Germain, Chilton
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August 2, 2007; Kaukauna, WI - Gene Fredrickson Trucking Night at the races was this evenings chapter of Thursday Night Thunder as the season heads into the final four point shows of the 2007 season after tonight's program.
Heading up the list of the evening winners was Super Late Model rookie of the year title contender Kyle Calmes. Calmes, a former champion in the Limited Late Model class, stepped up to the top division of the Fox River Racing Club program for the 2007 season and has proven to have the speed and talent to compete with the finest Super Late Model pilots in the area. Tonight Calmes scored his first career feature victory in the class holding off a late race charge from current point leader end the evening's fastest qualifier Tim Rothe.
In the Limited Late Model class, Jerry Van Handel was able to withstand a little late race rubbing with current division point leader Kris Kelly to spring to the finish line first by a car length, and taking his first victory of the 2007 season.
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Photo Highlights |
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Scott
Baker pays a visit to victory lane after winning the Wisconsin
Sport Truck main event. |
In the Super Stock division, Mike Meyerhoffer Jr., was able to fend off the challenges of defending champion Randy Van Roy and Greg Hauser in a special 30 lap feature contest. The event, part of the four race Gandrud Chevrolet 141 Speedway/FRRC Super Stock challenge would go down to the wire for the series title. The win by Meyerhoffer was enough to give him the overall title in the inaugural season of the series.
In Wisconsin Sport Truck action Scott Baker collected his first checkered of the 2007 season, while Scott Verboomen earned his second straight Sizzlin 4 feature flag. The night concluded with yet another first time winner as Dan Van Daalwyk scored his first career Figure Eight checkered, and kept a live a no repeat win streak in the class, that has spanned the entire season so far, so eight races.
30 laps was the distance of tonight' Super Late Model feature contest, with 18 cars presenting for the green flag. Keith Romenesko would bring the field to the green flag from his pole position with former champion Mark Schroeder to his outside. Schroeder, would gain the advantage and take early lead while Romemesko would settle into second. Rookie Kyle Calmes would filter into third closing the gap on the lead duo, with Gregg Haese and dash winner Mike Gardner holding down the top five spots with five laps in the books.
Calmes would make a break under Romenesko who began to fall back in the field, reaching second by lap 15. Haese would advance into third followed by Tim Rothe the evening's fast qualifier and division point leader. The caution would appear on lap 17, for Andy Monday to assure he would acknowledge the black flag which had been waving for several laps, as it was deemed his car was leaking fluid on the racing surface. Monday would head to the pits and racing would resume with Schroeder and Calmes sharing the front row.
Driving deep into the turns Calmes would jump ahead using the outside line taking over the top spot and dropping Schroeder into second. Rothe, also on the move worked past Haese for the third spot on lap 18 and then working the low line Rothe was able to get the upper hand on Schroeder on lap 21. Rothe would then set out after a hard charging Calmes, who was seeking his first career win in the division.
Lap after lap Rothe would slowly close the gap, but Calmes remained on pace to win the event as long as he would drive an error free race. Coming off the final turn Rothe made a single attempt to try and take the top spot, but Calmes was able to repel the challenge and captured the victory. Rothe would settle for second but extend his point lead as he seeks a second straight division title. Schroeder, John Meidam and Haese would comprise the top five finishers.
The 20 lap Limited Late Model main event headed to the track 18 strong. Rookie Barnaby Tomazeric would start on the pole for the event with fellow rookie racer Cory Kemkes to his outside. Tomazeric would set the pace during the opening rounds with Terry Miller and Andrew Kluck in pursuit. The first caution of the event would appear on lap five as Jeff Tisler, running in the fourth spot, would spin down the backstretch.
The order shuffled a great deal as drivers chose their favorite lanes for the restart. Tomazeric would again take control of the pace, while second running Kluck fell to the tail of the field with mechanical ills. This paced Jerry Van Handel in to second, with Miller, Doug Carpenter and division point leader Kris Kelly in the top five. As has been the case in previous events, Kelly has been able to star deep in the field and patiently pick off cars working steadily to the front.
Tonight was not exception as Kelly placed himself into third by lap 12, six car lengths behind a battle between Van Handel and Tomazeric. That gap was erased on lap 13, when the cars of fast qualifier Gary Bock and Miller became tangled in turn two.
The next restart however would be Tomazeric's undoing as both Van Handel and Kelly blasted by into the first and second spots. On lap 17 Kelly briefly got into the back of Van Handel coming off turn four but backed off allowing the leader to correct himself. This allowed Todd Verhagen to briefly take second from Kelly, before Kelly rallied on the next lap retaking the position and continuing his quest for the lead. Though Kelly would close up to Van Handel's rear bumper again on the final circuit, Van Handel was up to the task taking his first feature win of the 2007 season. Kelly would settle for second, followed by Verhagen, Jack Pankratz and Tomazeric. Pankratz unfortunately failed post race technical inspection dropping him from the feature results.
It would be a field of 20, taking the green flag for the snowmobile engine powered Wisconsin Sport Trucks. Pat Gorchals, who flipped his machine during an earlier heat race would sit on the pole and battle with Sam Haven for the early lead. Though his truck was battle scared from the earlier incident it did not affect it's speed as Gorchals took the top spot after the initial lap. Josh Jeske and Scott Baker would move into second and third by lap two, waging a side by side battle for the second spot.
At the halfway point Gorchals maintained a two length lead on Baker, with Jeske, Brandon Kucksdorf and Haven comprising the top five. Gorchals would bobble coming off turn four on lap 12, and in gathering up his ride, turned the lead over to Baker. Gorchals would lose several more spots over the next two laps.
Baker would continue to set the pace narrowly missing a lapped car which had spun, but the lapped machine got pointed in the right direction swiftly enough to avoid a caution. Baker would hold on to win the race by less than a truck length over Jeske who closed swiftly during the final lap. Kucksdorf would settle for third, followed by Haven and Brad Davis.
The final round of the FRRC/141 Speedway Gandrud Chevrolet Super Stock Challenge Series would take place this evening with the championship to be decided in tonight's feature. Donald Van Camp would set the initial pace, chased by Mike Meyerhoffer Jr. Series point leader Lee Kielpikowski would bring out the first caution on lap three when he spun in turn one suffering a flat tire in the process. Kielpikowski would head to the pits to change the tire but would return in time to join the field before the green flag flew, but would restart the race from the tail of the field.
Van Camp was on the pole for the restart with Dave Gauger Jr., to his outside. On lap eight the race leader, Van Camp would go wide allowing Meyerhoffer Jr. and a string of cars to sail past, dropping Van Camp well back in the field.
Meyerhoffer Jr., would hardly have a comfortable lead however as Greg Hauser and defending division champion Randy Van Roy were applying the pressure for the top spot. Meyerhoffer Jr., got a brief reprieve on lap 13, when Travis Willing spun in turn four bringing out the second caution of the contest.
Meyerhoffer Jr., and Van Roy would be lined up side by side for the restart with Hauser and David Horning in the second row. Meyerhoffer Jr., clung tenaciously to the inside line while Van Roy continued to pressure from the outside. Hauser would join the fray making it a three car battle for the top spot on lap 16.
Lap after lap Meyerhoffer Jr., and Van Roy would run side by side, with Hauser looking for a break to take a shot at the lead. On lap 21, Van Roy would wiggle, giving Meyerhoffer Jr., sole command of the top spot, Hauser would use the opportunity to fly into second and now he would test the outside line trying to get to the front.
Again the outside proved to be a bit tricky, as Van Roy would duck back underneath for second with five laps to go. Lapped traffic would come into play with the race winding down, reaching lapped cars on the white flag lap. The lapped cars graciously moved out of the way for the leaders, and Meyerhoffer was able to hold on for the victory. Van Roy would claim second, followed by Hauser, Hoerning and Gauger Jr.
By winning the feature this evening Meyerhoffer Jr., would vault to the top over the overall series standings taking the championship. Gauger Jr., would claim second overall in the series, with Keilpikowski, Dylan Wenzel and Andy Casavant competing the top five in the standings.
Excitement was the name of the game as 18 drivers participated in the Sizzlin 4 contest this evening. Sawyer Effertz would show the way for two laps before Trevor Howard would work his was to the lead. Tim Richter, with three previous wins to his credit found himself in second by the halfway point, working hard at erasing the lead Howard had built. He was helped a great deal by the stalled car of Luke Bowers on lap 8, which forced a caution, bunching the field.
Howard was back to setting the pace until lap 12, when Scott Verboomen was able to squeeze by for the lead coming off turn four. Nicholas Boldt would also slide by Howard taking second, working hard to try and gain one final spot. Boldt's efforts would come up short with Verboomen earning his second straight Sizzlin 4 victory. Boldt would settle for second ahead of Richter, Howard and Tom Schweitzer in the top five.
The evening would conclude with the Figure Eight contest and Dan Van Daalwyk would score his first career event win edging multi-time champion Terry Van Roy for the victory by a fender length.
Next week, August 9th, will be FASTCARE Night at the races. The six division program will again feature both the Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions taking to the semi-banked D-shaped half-mile oval for extra distance features. The balance of the show is contested on the inner quarter mile oval which will see action with Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Street Stocks and Sizzlin Fours. The evening will again conclude with the Figure Eight program. Thursday Night races will continue each week until August 30th, which will conclude the 2007 racing season on the oval at Wisconsin International Raceway.
The 2007 Thursday Night Thunder racing program at Wisconsin International Raceway presented by the Fox River Racing Club continues on Thursday Nights through the end of August.
Wisconsin International Raceway the host track of the Fox River Racing Club is located near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and KK just south of Kaukauna. For additional information consult the club website at www.frrc.net or call (920) 766-5577 or (920) 766-5575.
Results:
Bergstrom
Motors Super Late Models
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Kyle Calmes, Freedom; 2.) Tim Rothe, Appleton; 3.)
Mark Schroeder, Green Bay; 4.) John Meidam, Appleton; 5.) Gregg Haese,
Two Ri