Algoma's Anschutz's Luxemburg IMCA Hobby Title Defense Will Be Anything but a Cakewalk! By Joe Verdegan

February 27, 2007; Denmark, WI. - On the surface it would appear that Algoma's Eddie "The Eagle" Anschutz might
be able to sail through his title defense in the IMCA hobby stock class at Luxemburg Speedway when the gates swing open at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds Friday night, April 20.

Past heavy hobby stock hitters Tom Brumlic, Duane Mertens and Adam White are moving into the track's new IMCA northern sportmod class. And, with former champion Keith Kickbush currently not planning on running Luxemburg on a weekly basis Anschutz, the defending state champion could have an easier time than normal with his title defense.

"I don't look at it like that at all," said Anschutz, who's netted a total of 109 career wins dating back to his street stock and bomber days in the mid 1990's. "While I understand what it takes to win championships a lot of teams are stepping up and honestly I think the competition will still be as tough as ever."

Heading the list of chief foes to dethrone Anschutz from the top are Lomira visitor Jesse Kanas and hometown driver Dan "Hollywood" Davister who finished second and third in the final point standings, respectively. Also, Kewaunee's Dave "The Hammer" De Grave will have a new machine at his disposal.

"Since Tony Schlei moved up to the stock car class Dave's taken over kind of as my chief rival," said Anschutz. "He's like me, very aggressive. We've gotten into some arguments and he'll be very tough to beat this year. Kanas is a very smooth driver and Davister always seems to be running near the front. All those guys will be tougher than ever."

Other returning hobby stock drivers who'll challenge for the crown include Green Bay drivers Mike Mueller, Joe Slack and Jared Van Lannen. Others include Kewaunee's Frank Paul, Sturgeon Bay's Brandon Peterson, John Hill and Jeff Lautenbach, Casco's Marcus Moede, Luxemburg's Chad Kaminski, Pleasant Prairie's Marty Abschire and Shawano's Clint Forstner.

Among the newcomers are a pair of former IMCA modified drivers - Newton's Mike Plate and Sturgeon Bay's Jason LaViolette. Other rookie contenders include Luxemburg drivers Aaron Zellner, Wesley Salentine and Scott Bolanger along with Maribel's Bob Abbett, Mishicot's Dean Anhalt and Sobieski's Tyler Wilson.

The 2007 season will kick off Friday night, April 20 at 7 p.m. IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars, IMCA hobby stocks, IMCA northern sportmods and sport fours will compete weekly through Labor day weekend. An open practice session for cars in any and all divisions will take place Friday, April 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. 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 highway 54 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds.