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Rookie
LaCrosse Sweeps Luxemburg IMCA Mod Action!
By Joe Verdegan |
July 18, 2003;
Luxemburg, WI. - Hometown rookie Benji LaCrosse snatched the lead
away from Dennis Young on lap 13 and survived a pair of later cautions to capture his
first career 25 lap IMCA modified feature win at Luxemburg Speedway Friday night.
LaCrosse's heat win netted him a sweep of the night's action.
102 cars were on hand, including 31 IMCA modifieds, 40 IMCA stock
cars, 15 IMCA hobby stocks and 16 sport fours.
Dennis Young paced the opening round of the contest when a yellow flew for a Dave Fisher
spin with one lap in the books. When racing resumed Young maintained his advantage over
Bill LeMieux and Chad Wilcox. LeMieux caught up with Young and stayed glued to his rear
bumper, while Brian Mullen methodically worked his way through the field, from 17th to
ninth in just five laps.
By lap six Mike Cole blasted from eighth into second and began closing in on Young. Benji
LaCrosse ran third, and worked on Cole for the second spot for the next several laps. The
pair caught up with Young by lap 11 and began challenging for the lead. LaCrosse worked
Young on the outside for two laps before passing him for the lead on lap 13. Mike Klenz
looped his mount on the 13th lap, drawing another amber. Under the green RM Van Pay snuck
underneath Young to claim the second spot, while LaCrosse opened up a comfortable five car
length cushion.
A Brad Rohloff spin on lap 16 tightened the field once more. With nine laps remaining
Scott Mullen and Van Pay applied heavy pressure to LaCrosse. LaCrosse and Scott Mullen
pulled away from the field to settle the score, with LaCrosse fending off Mullen's
challenges to collect the win. Mullen raced from eighteenth to second, coming through the
semi-feature. Van Pay, Sean Jerovetz and Mike Mashl rounded out the top five finishers.
The contest was only two laps old when Charlie Kroll and Brett Wenzel tangled in turn
four, drawing a caution. Eric Van Iten kept the lead briefly on the restart, with Travis
Van Straten and Pat Davister blowing past Van Iten to take the top two positions. Kyle
Frederick joined the two to make it a three car scrum for the lead. The trio went three
wide, swapping the lead for the next several laps. Pat Davister had the lead on lap 14
when Derrick Bruechert's machine stalled, halting the action. With eight laps remaining
Davister fought off a fast-closing Travis Van Straten in the final laps to collect his
win. Van Straten took second, followed by Tim Van De Hei, who sliced his way through the
pack from the 18th position, Brandon Czarapata and Craig Paque.
Zion, Illinois' Tony Schlei passed Joe Hegnet for the lead on lap 13 and won his eighth 15
lap IMCA hobby stock feature of the season. Hegnet settled for second, followed by Ed
Anschutz, Mike Mueller and last week's winner Evan Madden.
Algoma's Kenny Malcore won the 10 lap sport four feature.
Races were halted in the first stock car heat when Jim Gonion's car smashed into two other
machines and rolled off of the track, landing on his roof. He was shaken up but otherwise
ok.
Next Friday night, July 25 The Bank of Luxemburg will sponsor the kid's coin toss at
intermission. Street stocks will also be a part of the program beginning at 7 p.m. Kids
twelve and under will be admitted free.
On Wednesday, July 30 biggest paying modified show in track history will take place during
the McCoy's Harley Davidson Modified Classic. A $2,000 payout is on the line to the
winner. The stock cars will battle for a $1,500 top prize. A 7 p.m.start time is slated.
For more information call 920 863 8446. The track phone number is 920 845 2300. The
track's website is www.luxemburgspeedway.com.
RACE SUMMARY
IMCA Modified
25 lap feature - Benji LaCrosse, Luxemburg; Scott Mullen, Seymour; RM Van Pay,
Green Bay; Sean Jerovetz, Suamico; Mike Mashl, De Pere; Brian Mullen, Seymour
14 lap semi feature - Brian Mullen; Scott Mullen; Jared Siefert, Green Bay; Bob Waechter,
Ellisville
10 lap heats 1) LaCrosse; Scott Derenne, Luxemburg 2) Dennis Young, Seymour; Mike Klenz,
Sobieski 3) Chris Derenne, Luxemburg; Van Pay
IMCA Stock Car
22 lap feature - Pat Davister, Luxemburg; Travis Van Straten, Hortonville; Tim Van
De Hei, Green Bay; Brandon Czarapata, Horicon; Craig Paque, Algoma; Kyle Frederick,
Gillett
12 lap semi features - 1) Van De Hei; Shawn Olson, Algoma; Dave Davister, Luxemburg;
Laurel Ettien, Luxemburg 2) John Heinz, Green Bay; Dave Bouche, Algoma; Gregg Gretz,
Kewaunee; Jamie Colwell, Greenleaf
10 lap heats 1) Van Straten; Derrick Bruechert, Kewaunee 2) Davister; Chris Van Iten,
Green Bay 3) Corey Suchoski, Luxemburg; Brett Wenzel, Two Rivers 4) Brian Bruechert,
Kewaunee; Frederick
IMCA Hobby Stock
15 lap feature - Tony Schlei, Zion, IL; Joe Hegnet, Sturgeon Bay; Mike Mueller,
Green Bay; Ed Anschutz, Algoma; Mike Mueller, Green Bay; Evan Madden, Algoma; Dan
Davister, Luxemburg
8 lap heats 1) Anschutz; Dave Lane, Green Bay 2) Madden; Derek Moede, Casco
Sort Four
10 lap feature - Kenny Malcore, Algoma; Jeff Kropp, Seymour; Josh Sand, Mishicot
8 lap heats 1) Jasper Drengler, Shawano; Marty Van De Hei, Seymour 2) Greg Banker, Black
Creek; Todd Welsing , Denmark
Big Wheel race winners - Mackenzie Junio, Luxemburg; Adam Smith,
Kaukauna; Justin Mahlberg, Denmark; Matt Marquis, De Pere; Amanda Kroll, Algoma |
