April 7, 2002; Luxemburg, WI. - Mike Coel admits on paper his odds of winning the 2002 street stock championship at Luxemburg Speedway look good, real good. After all, three of the top five points finishers from a year ago have either hung up their helmets or moved into another division. But the fourth year Green Bay driver knows better. After finishing 2nd in last year's final points tally to champion Jesse Colwell, Coel knows better. Last year's bridesmaid in the points chase will be loaded for bear when the season kicks off on Friday night, April 26 at 7 p.m. "It doesn't matter what the points said last year," said Coel. "Luxemburg is always real competitive. Plus, you always have some non-regulars popping in from Seymour and Sturgeon Bay from time-to-time. It will be a tough season, no matter how it looks on paper." The pre-season odds do tilt in favor of Coel. Champion Jesse Colwell will sit out in 2002. Third place finisher Jeff "Peppy" Vlies has moved up into the IMCA stock car division as has fourth place finisher Jamie Colwell. And fifth place finisher Freddy "Andretti" Davister will also be running an IMCA modified weekly. With some of the big guns gone or at least focused on other tasks, who does Coel see as legit challengers for the title? "My number one concern would be Charlie Kroll if he runs every week," said Coel. "They don't call him Chargin' Charlie for nothing. If Troy Muench comes back he'll be tough, too. He always ran tough in a street stock up at Sturgeon Bay. And Fred Davister is one tough son-of-gun on his home track." Among the returning challengers perhaps none other than Davister poses the toughest threat. Davister captured that division's crown in 1994 and has probably logged more laps at Luxemburg in a street stock than any of his foes. In addition to Kroll and Muench other top ten drivers who've thrown their hats in the ring include Green Bay's Leon Schott, Luxemburg's Laurel Ettien and Algoma's Eddie "The Eagle" Anschutz. Others expected back who finished in the top 15 in points include Phil Hiles of Appleton who'll debut a new car, New Franken's David Baenen, Tom Leonard of Two Rivers, Dan Davister of Luxemburg and J.R. Van Rixel of Abrams. In addition to street stocks, IMCA modifieds and IMCA stock cars will compete every Friday night. Sport trucks, bombers and the track's newest four cylinder class the sport fours will compete every third week. Luxemburg Speedway is located 15 minutes east of Green Bay off highway 54 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds. For more information call 920 863 8446. The track phone number is 920 845 2300. The track's website is www.luxemburgspeedway.com. |
