LeMieux Edges Dart for First IMCA
Modified Feature Win of The Season! May 17, 2003; Sturgeon Bay, WI. - Randy LeMieux, Jr held off a torrid charge from three-time track champ Todd Dart to win his first IMCA modified feature of the year Saturday night at the Thunderhill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay. LeMieux proved to be the only first time winner on the night, as Craig Paque in the IMCA stock cars, Troy Muench in the street stocks, Eddie Anschutz in the IMCA hobby stocks and Todd Welsing in the 4 Cylinder class all backed up opening night wins with repeat triumphs.
While the record book will show LeMieux leading all 20 laps, the run by Dart made it anything but easy. With two early cautions behind him, an extended green flag run allowed LeMieux to build what appeared to be a safe cushion over the rest of the field. Starting in the 7th row Dart picked up several spots early in the contest, taking third on lap 8, then second from Randie Back two laps later. But Back refused to fade, charging to the inside of Dart for the next several laps. By the time Dart was able to dispense with Back, time was short in his pursuit of LeMieux. With five to go he caught the leader, but LeMieux commanded the lower line and the outside pass attempts that worked on Back fell short. A final corner “diamond” move was the last chance Dart had, but LeMieux was able to edge him at the line by less than a car length. The IMCA stock car finale proved to be even closer at the checker as Shawn Olson tracked down Paque and almost managed a final corner pass. In what could have been the move of the night, Paque pulled off a three-wide pass on lap nine, with Matt Junio to his inside and Pat Davister to the outside. Junio had inherited the lead two laps prior as Mark Derenne had spun while setting the pace, taking third place Brett Wenzel out as well. Olson, Shawn Kilgore, Davister and Jeremy Christians raced in a tight pack for second with Olson securing the spot late in the race. With Paque choosing the middle groove, Olson had room to move to the inside. It was side by side for the closing laps, but Paque’s momentum on the higher line provided him enough of an edge to claim the win. Like Paque, Muench had to come from deep in the field to record his second straight win. Starting in row five, he gained plenty of ground early, securing second at the feature’s midpoint. Then it was a matter of chasing down leader James Tebon, who had parlayed his front row spot into what appeared to be a safe advantage. It took five laps for Muench to catch him as the two pulled away from the field. With Muench closing, Tebon was forced to fight his way through heavy lapped traffic. With three to go, Muench found an opening, then pulled away for the win. Certainly the king of the early season IMCA hobby stock wars has been Anschutz, who has booked four feature wins between Luxemburg and Sturgeon Bay. Starting in the fifth row, “The Eagle” quickly shot through the pack to third in only two laps. By lap six, he was in contention for the point, gaining a hold on the inside of Wayne Moore. Moore refused to give for the next several laps, hanging on to the outside groove, but eventually he faded enough to allow Anschutz to secure the spot. While it appeared Anschutz would have an easy go of it the rest of the way, Tony Schlei had other thoughts. Making the long tow from Zion, Illinois, Schlei took second with five to go, closing within a car length of the lead. But time ran out on his charge, as Anschutz crossed the line a slim car length ahead. In the 4 cylinder class, Welsing secured first with less than two to go
from Bob Skippon to cruise to victory lane. |
