Final night of the regular season crowns six division champions. By Antigo Stock Car Inc.
Antigo, WI Sep 03, 2008 - It was the final night of the regular season at the Langlade County Speedway for the 2008 racing season. While some point leaders left themselves a cushion going into the final feature races, two divisions would go down to the wire, both the IMCA Stock Cars and Wissota Street Stocks would have to wait for double checker to crown their champions.
Travis Rank and Daniel Schmidt lead the field of 10 UTRA trucks for a 12 lap feature event. Schmidt held the lead for three laps before Jeff Becker took over the lead. As Becker grabbed the lead Robin Procknow, JP Remington and Forest Crandall all battled behind as they worked their way towards Becker. It appeared as though Becker would get the win in this one, but mechanical woes ended his race after taking the white flag, so it was Remington picking up the win on the last lap. Remington was also crowned the 2008 track champion.
Eugene Shawano Jr. and Jeremy Wolfe were on row 1 for the 12 lap Wissota Street
Stock feature event as Wolfe grabbed the lead. Wolfe held on for several laps as Gary Kasperek, Carl Christjohn and Lee Christjohn all battled door to door behind the leader. With 4 laps to go Lee Christjohn took over the top spot as fans kept their eye on Kasperek and C. Christjohn behind, as Kasperek held a 2 point lead after heat races. When 12 laps were complete it was L. Christjohn picking up the win, and Kasperek taking home his 2nd consecutive track championship.
18 IMCA Sport Mods lined up for the feature event with Keith Raab and Jason Jach on the pole. In an event that was caution filled, few laps were scored before one or two cautions would slow the race. A time ticked away, it was Raab who would claim victory after the blue light and one last caution ended the race on lap 6. Raab would later be disqualified for not scaling after tech inspection, giving Chad Jaje the win.
Jon Peters and Jeremy Hanson lead the field of 21 IMCA Modifieds. Peters held the lead for this one, as Charlie Wild, Hanson Eric Scribner and David Diemel all battled behind, aiming for the top spot. Diemel took over the top spot with 4 to go, as Charlie Wild moved into 2nd with just 2 laps remaining. When all 15 laps were in the books it was David Diemel picking up his first feature win of the season, and Wild winning the championship. Congratulations to Joe Haferkorn who completed his 40th year of dirt track racing on Friday evening.
10 Wissota Lates were up next as Doug Blashe and Gordie Seegert Jr., grabbed row 1 through the heat races. Seegert used his starting spot to his advantage taking the early lead and continuing to build that lead as the race went on. Behind him Troy Springborn, Nick Anvelink, Troy Buhler and Blashe all battled charging for a top 4 finish, but when this contest was over it was Seegert getting the win. Troy Springborn was crowned the track champion.
The IMCA stock cars rounded out the evenings events as Jamie VanOoyen and Mark
Schuenemann lead the field of 14. Schuenemann held the top spot for 2 laps before Nate Michonski took over for him. Dan Michonski, Larry Karcz Jr., and Rod Snellenberger all worked their way towards the top, as the points race between Karcz Jr. and D. Michonski was tight, but mechanical failure caused Michonski’s night to end early, leaving the track championship to Karcz Jr. In an exciting race that went cautionless it was Karcz Jr. and Snellenberger racing door to door the last 4 laps of this one, but in the end it was Snellenberger picking up his 5th feature win in a row but Karcz took home top honors.
A huge thank you goes out to all of the fans, drivers and sponsors for your support during the 2008 regular race season. Fans mark your calendars for the 8th annual Indian Summer Classic, coming up October 3 & 4th, 2008. Keep watching the website for full details.
