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RECORD IMCA STOCK CAR
COUNTS EXPECTED AT LUXEMBURG IN '06
By Joe Verdegan |
March 15, 2006;
Luxemburg, WI. - With more than 40
drivers already pre-registered and a solid crop of rookies it
appears the always rough-and-tumble IMCA stock car class will have
no problem filling up the pit area on Friday nights at
Luxemburg Speedway when the season begins on Friday night, April 28.
To start with, 2005 track champion Shawn Kilgore of
Kewaunee has moved up to the IMCA modified division,
opening the door to dozens of possible champions, and a crop of
nearly one dozen rookies or drivers who'll return to
this class who'll battle each week just to make the 22 lap main
event every night. "We've always had a tough bunch of
drivers in this class but this year our numbers will be unreal,"
said track manager Rick Goral. "We had 64 different
drivers in the division earn points last year. I think we could
surpass that by mid-season in all reality."
Last year's runnerup Jamie Colwell of Greenleaf
could be one of the leading candidates to nail down the crown. Last
year the points battle went down to the final night, with Colwell
coming up a mere two points shy in the championship
chase. Pulaski drivers Jason Czarapata and Rod Snellenberger took
third and fourth, respectively. 28 out of the top
30 drivers in last year's point standings will be back to battle on
a weekly basis.
What's more, an exciting crop of rookies in the
field will mix it up, including 2005 IMCA hobby stock champion Tony
Schlei of Zion, IL. He'll join former sport four champion Tyler
Smith of Luxemburg in the rookie chase, along with
former street stock driver Mike Pierrard of Green Bay, Todd Polster
of Baileys Harbor and Manitowoc's Keith Kellenbenz.
A number of drivers will be returning to compete at
the track full time, after racing sparingly at the third-mile, clay
oval
in the past. Leading the charge is Ellisville's Bob Waechter, who
sold his IMCA modified and returns to his roots in
an IMCA stock car, sporting number 72. Casco's Matt Junio, Bonduel's
Steve Kasting, Luxemburg's Pat Davister, Door
County's Gary Reinhardt, Green Bay's Troy Muench and Nick Gille will
also compete, along with Troy De Grave of
Green Bay who will return after suffering an injury last season.
In addition to the stock cars, IMCA modifieds, IMCA
hobby stocks and sport fours will compete weekly Friday nights
through Labor Day weekend. An open practice session will take place
Friday night, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The practice session will be free to spectators and is open to any
and all cars. For more information call 920 863 8446.
The track's website is luxemburgspeedway.com. Luxemburg Speedway is
located 15 minutes east of Green Bay off state highway 54 at the
Kewaunee County Fairgrounds.
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