141 SPEEDWAY 2012 TRACK CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT AWARDS BANQUET

(Manitowoc, WI) January 5 – More than 300 drivers, crew members and track officials were in attendance as the 141 Speedway track champions were recognized during the 2012 awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc on Saturday.

New Franken’s Shawn Kilgore became the third modified track champion in as many years, beating out 2011 champ Sean Jerovetz of Sobieski by a mere four points on the final night of racing in October. Luxemburg’s Jared Siefert won the division title in 2010, the first year the track was converted to a high-banked, third mile clay oval. 69 different modified drivers competed in weekly racing action.

In the IMCA stock car class Green Bay’s John Heinz collected his first title by 33 points over 2011 champion Junior Karcz. Just like in the modifieds, Heinz became the third different champion in as many years as Pulaski veteran “Hot Rod” Snellenberger captured the first year division crown in 2010. Heinz will do double duty in 2013, racing in both the stock car and IMCA northern sportmod class. Heinz purchased a sportmod from Brad Lautenbach last Fall. 71 stock car drivers raced in weekly action in 2012.

It was hometown driver Kraig Koehler of Francis Creek capturing the Tisler Salvage street stock title. Koehler edged Manitowoc’s Brad Laurent by 11 points to earn the crown. Koehler joins Greenville’s Danny Gracyalny and Brillion’s Ryan Brandes as past champions in that fendered class. 86 different street stock drivers competed during weekly racing.

Josh Long of Suamico won his first IMCA northern sportmod track championship by 32 points over Kewaunee’s Brian Bruechert. Past titlists in the division include Green Bay’s Troy Jerovetz (2011) and De Pere’s Johnny Whitman (2010). 57 different sportmods drivers competed in weekly action.

West Allis’ Don Sorce Jr. won his first Brian Peterson Builders Grand National champion over 2011 track champion TJ Smith of Menasha by 41 points and 51 points over Logan Rhode of Manitowoc. Smith also captured the division title in 2010, holding claim to being the only driver to repeat as champion in the dirt tracks three year tenure. 34 different grand national drivers competed in weekly action.

Brian Johnson out of Oconto Falls won the sport four track title. Oconto Falls Ralph Legois Jr. won the crown in 2011, and Pulaski’s “Sam Bam” Ambrosius captured the crown in 2010. 58 different sport four drivers competed in weekly racing action in 2012.

Rookie of the year awards went to West Allis’ Charlie Scancinati (Grand National), Manitowoc’s Laurent(street stocks), De Pere’s Jake Maurer (sportmods), Luxemburg’s Chris Malfroid (stock cars), Abrams’ and Mike Montie (sport fours).

Most improved driver awards went out to Sheboygan Falls Randy Markwardt Jr. (modified), Stockbridge’s Adam Broehm (grand national), Green Bay’s Carl Slack (street stock), Green Bay’s Derek Kaye (sportmods), Manitowoc’s Keith Kellenbenz (stock cars) and Manitowoc’s Stephen Krejcarek (sport fours).

The season is slated to open April 12 and 13, with two nights of racing. For more information check 141speedway.com or follow them on both Facebook and Twitter. The track phone number is (920) 863 3377.

Posted on January 6th, 2013