Dart Nips Seifert For First
Thunderhill Checker of the Season!
By Tom Wagner
June 14, 2003; Sturgeon Bay, WI. -
In a battle of two track champions, Todd Dart edged Jared Siefert to win his first IMCA
modified feature of the year Saturday night at the Thunderhill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay.
Joining Dart in the winner's circle were Matt Junio in the IMCA Stock Cars, Troy Muench in
the Street Stocks, IMCA Hobby Stock victor Evan Madden and newcomer Joe Schaefer in the 4
Bangers.
The modified feature left defending champion Siefert wandering
"what if". Siefert sprung from his second row starting spot to grab the
feature's initial lead. It was a lead he built to what probably would have been an
insurmountable cushion over George Henkel. Henkel had been whittling away at the margin,
but if it weren't for a series of cautions, the first on lap 13, the trophy would have
been Siefert's. The yellow flag allowed not only Henkel, but also Dan Ratajczak, R.M.
VanPay and Dart to get back into contention. Dart started the event in 9th row after
qualifying through the semi-feature.
Dart took control of second with six to go, and moved to the inside of Siefert to
challenge for the point. The two ran side by side until a final caution flew with four
laps to go. On the restart, Dart again surged to the inside of Siefert. With just two laps
to go, Dart finally gained the edge at the line. Siefert's momentum on the higher line
wasn't enough, as Dart was able to make the pass stick.
The IMCA Stock Car feature also proved to be a five car battle down to the checker. Jason
Czarapata parlayed his front row starting spot into the early lead. But Junio was on the
attack early, using the higher line to circle Czarapata in only four laps.
Even though he led early, the race was far from won for Junio. Tim VanDeHei passed
Czarapata for second on lap eight, and quickly moved in to challenge Junio. Not only was
VanDeHei tight on the bumper of the leader, but Czarapata kept pace along with Pat
Davister and Rod Snellenberger.
Over the course of the next eight laps, VanDeHei ran bumper to bumper with Junio, until he
faded just slightly with a couple to go. Czarapata was able to grab the runner-up spot
back on the final lap, with Davister just edging Snelllenberger for fourth. The solid
performance by Junio earned him his second straight feature win in the class.
15 straight green flag laps and heavy lapped traffic made the Street Stock feature an
interesting affair. Todd Wagner set the early pace, joined by Scott Iverson, Jeremy
Wiitala, Scott Reinhardt and Darren Otto. Iverson took over the lead on lap six, working
to what appeared to be a safe margin.
But within a couple laps of assuming the top spot, he already started to encounter lapped
traffic. While he picked his way through the congestion, points leader Muench was charging
forward. With five laps left, he took over second, then wheeled in on Iverson in a matter
of a couple laps. As Iverson was working one of the lappers, Muench swooped in, grabbed
the inside line and was gone.
The victory was Muench's fourth of the season, tops at the Raceway.
While Muench has been a familiar face in the winner's circle, the checker for Madden was
his first in an IMCA sanctioned race. He duplicated a dominating heat win, by jumping to a
big lead in the Hobby Stock headliner.
With Madden solidly out front, the race was for second, with Greg Aregoni, Tony Schlei,
Joe Hegnet, Dave Lane and Brandon Peterson all in contention. Late in the contest, the
lead was wiped away as Shawn Graf lost a wheel, sending him into the concrete in turn two.
Schlei secured second on the restart and began to test the inside of Madden for the lead.
On lap 12, the two made just enough contact to force Schlei to fall back about three car
lengths. By the time he was back to speed, the checkers were waving in Madden's favor.
Schaefer made his first appearance at the track a memorable one as he held off both Chad
Williams and Todd Welsing to claim the win in the 4 Banger class.
Next Saturday night June 21, the legends of Door County racing will be back for the second
annual Old Timer's Night. The action will be sponsored by STAR 97.7 FM. All five classes
will be back, beginning at 6 p.m. For more information call 920 743 7052. The track
website is www.racethunderhill.com.
THUNDER HILL RACEWAY RACE RESULTS 6-14-03
IMCA MODIFIED
20 LAP FEATURE: Todd Dart, Algoma - Jared Siefert, Green Bay - R.M. VanPay, Green Bay -
Dan Ratajczak, Frog Station - George Henkel, Sturgeon Bay - Eric VanIten, Green Bay
SEMI-FEATURE: Julie McDermid, Oconto Falls - Jay Matthias, Green Bay - Dart - Dave
Zeitler, Luxemburg
HEAT 1: Scott Derenne, Luxemburg - Darrell Massart, Brussels
HEAT 2: Ratajczak - Mike Cole, Baileys Harbor
HEAT 3: Siefert - VanPay
IMCA STOCK CAR
20 LAP FEATURE: Matt Junio, Casco - Jason Czarapata, Pulaski - Tim VanDeHei, Green Bay -
Pat Davister, Luxemburg - Ron Snellenberger, Pulaski - Larry Karcz, Pulaski
SEMI-FEATURE: Shawn Olson, Algoma - Jeff Vlies, Brussels - Tracy Koontz, Brussels - B.J.
Soquet, Luxemburg
HEAT 1: Czarapta - Karcz
HEAT 2: Chris Christensen, Carlsville - Craig Paque, Algoma
HEAT 3: Junio - Gary Reinhardt, Fish Creek
STREET STOCK
15 LAP FEATURE: Troy Muench, Green Bay - Scott Iverson, Sturgeon Bay - Scott Reinhardt,
Baileys Harbor - Darren Otto, Pulaski - Jeremy Wiitala, Green Bay - Von Etchyson,
Forestville
SEMI-FEATURE: James Iverson, Dykesville - Kevin Brungraber, Carlsville - Don Polcen,
Sturgeon Bay - Eric Arneson, Pulaski
HEAT 1: Todd Wagner, Brussels - Faron Beilke, Oneida
HEAT 2: Rick Sternard, Sturgeon Bay - Muench
HEAT 3: Scott Iverson - Otto
IMCA HOBBY STOCK
15 LAP FEATURE: Evan Madden, Algoma - Tony Schlei, Zion, IL - Joe Hegnet,
Sturgeon Bay - Brandon Peterson, Sturgeon Bay - Mike Mueller, Green Bay - Dave Lane, Green
Bay
HEAT 1: Madden - Greg Aregoni, Sturgeon Bay
HEAT 2: Hegnet - Dan Davister, Luxemburg
4 BANGER
FEATURE: Joe Schaefer, Denmark - Chad Williams, Sturgeon Bay - Todd Welsing, Denmark - Bob
Skippon, Sturgeon Bay
HEAT: Williams - Welsing |
