Casey Clobbers Sturgeon Bay Late
Model Foes!
By Joe Verdegan
August 6, 2003; Sturgeon Bay, WI. -
New London's Terry Casey took the lead away from Terry Anvelink on lap five and
cashed in on a $3,250, 30 lap late model victory at Thunder Hill Raceway Wednesday night
during the Forest County Potawatomi Dirt Late Model Shootout. It was the first appearance
of late models in more than twenty years.
A total of 93 cars took part in the program, including 22
WISSOTA-style late models, 38 IMCA-style modifieds and 33 street stocks.
Anvelink jumped into the lead at the drop of the green with Casey glued to his rear bumper
from his second row starting spot. The pair began to pull away when a caution flew when
Pete Parker stalled on the frontstretch, drawing the lone yellow of the race.
When racing resumed Casey ducked underneath Anvelink to take the lead, one he never
surrendered again. Anvelink was able to close the margin slightly around lap 13 when Casey
got caught up in lapped traffic. But "Mr. Excitement" kept his advantage to
score the biggest paying win of the season. Anvelink settled for second place money,
followed by Gordie Seegert, Tim Buhler and Troy Springborn.
Algoma's Todd "Felix" Dart shook off a tenacious Jay Matthias for the lead on
lap six and cruised to victory in the 25 lap modified feature, pocketing a total of $1,300
for the win.
Matthias shot into the lead at the drop of the green with Tim McCormick hot on his tail.
Dart slipped past McCormick for second and began working on Matthias for the lead.
Matthias kept working the high line with Dart finding the bite he needed down low. The
pair pulled away, with Dart wrestling the lead away from Matthias on lap 6. Dart slowly
began pulling away from the pack, and eventually went on to collect his fourth feature win
of the year. Matthias hung on for second, followed by Dave Zeitler, Dan Ratajczak and Eric
Scribner.
Troy Muench took the lead on lap 10 and cruised to victory in the 20 lap street stock
feature. Muench collected $500 in race winnings.
Kevin Sternard paced the opening two circuits of the 20 lap street stock feature when a
caution flew when Scooter Iverson's car stalled on the backstretch. Sternard kept the lead
on restart until lap 10 when he and Scott Pagel got together coming down the backstretch.
The pair bobbled slightly, handing the lead to Troy Muench.
Muench kept the lead until Sternard and Pagels got together again in turn two, which
resulted in Pagels and Aaron Thornton getting taken out of the race and Sternard getting
black flagged on lap 14.
With six laps left to the finish Faron Beilke's mount stalled on the 16th round, drawing
another amber. Muench maintained the lead to collect his sixth feature win of the season.
Trailing Muench at the line were David Baenen, Jeremy Wittala, James Tebon and James
Iverson.
There will be no racing this Saturday night because of the Door County Fair. Racing will
resume on Saturday night, August 16 for Engine Rebuilding Service night at the track.
Racing gets underway at 6 p.m. For more information call 920 743 7052. The track's website
is www.racethunderhill.com.
RACE SUMMARY
Late Model
30 lap feature - Terry Casey, New London; Terry Anvelink, Navarino; Gordie Seegert,
Oostburg; Tim Buhler, Glenbeulah; Troy Springborn, Shawano; Nick Anvelink, Navarino; Mark
Weisnicht, Shawano; Randy Markwardt, Sheboygan Falls; Todd Flannery, Antigo; Mike
Kunschke, Shawano; Ralph Aschenbrenner, Green Bay; Michelle Ploeckelmann, Green Bay; TJ
White, Green Bay; Ron Bomber, Rio Creek; Greg Haney, Green Bay; MJ Hintz, De Pere; Julie
McDermid, Oconto Falls; AJ Diemel, Bonduel; Pete Parker, Kaukauna; Luke Roffers, Oneida;
Doug Blashe, Marion
10 lap heats 1) Blashe; Springborn 2) Seegert; Buhler 3) Casey; Terry Anvelink
Prospect 1 hard charger award - Seegert
IMCA Modified
25 Lap feature - Todd Dart, Algoma; Jay Matthias, Luxemburg; Dave Zeitler, Luxemburg; Dan
Ratajczak, Frog Station; Eric Scribner, Kiel; Jeremy Jacobs, Kewaunee; Mike Cole, Baileys
Harbor; Julie McDermid, Oconto Falls; Mike Wedelstadt, Fremont; Tim McCormick, Sturgeon
Bay
Prospect 1 hard charger award - Zeitler
12 lap semi features - 1) Wedelstadt; Brian Mullen, Seymour; Joe Haferkorn, Norway, MI;
Randy Back, Green Bay 2) Jerry Wenzel, Two Rivers; Mike Mashl, De Pere; Benji LaCrosse,
Luxemburg; Chad Wilcox, Pulaski
10 lap heats 1) Dan Gracyalny, Little Chute; Zeitler 2) Ratajczak; Scribner 3) Jacobs;
McCormick 4) Matthias; George Henkel, Sturgeon Bay
Street Stock
20 lap feature - Troy Muench, Green Bay; David Baenen, New Franken; Jeremy Wittala, Green
Bay; James Tebon, Algoma; James Iverson, Sturgeon Bay; Kevin Jandrin, Forestville
Prospect 1 hard charger award - Jandrin
8 lap semi-features - 1) Tom Frea, Sturgeon Bay; Faron Beilke, Sturgeon Bay; Eric
Arnenson, Oconto Falls; John Knudson, Sturgeon Bay 2) Darren Otto, Pulaski; Jandrin; Von
Eychenson, Forestville; Jesse Colwell, Greenleaf
10 lap heats 1) Brandon Peterson, Sturgeon Bay; Jerry Denil, Brussels 2) Muench; Don
Polceen, Sturgeon Bay 3) Kevin Sternard, Sturgeon Bay; Aaron Thornton, Sturgeon Bay 4)
Scott Iverson, Sturgeon Bay; Scott Pagels, Little Sturgeon Bay |
