ROOKIE ERIC “CHUMMY” ARNESON LEADS WIRE-TO-WIRE IN 141 MOD GO

by Joe Verdegan and Chris Janda

(Francis Creek, WI) May 12– Oconto Falls rookie Eric “Chummy” Arneson led every lap and fought off a hard charging Kyle Frederick of Gillett to capture his first career modified feature at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.

A total of 144 cars checked in to compete. The field included 30 modifieds, 13 Brian Peterson Grand Nationals, 25 stock cars, 32 Tisler Salvage street stocks, 28 IMCA northern sportmods and 16 sport fours.

Arneson held a sizeable lead but his margin was erased when a caution flew with five laps remaining. Frederick hung on for second in his best finish of the year. Veteran RM Van Pay of Denmark applied late race pressure to take third. Luxemburg’s Jared Siefert sliced his way from his 16th starting spot to finish fourth, earning the US Bank hard charger award. Algoma’s James Lee Tebon rounded out the top five finishers.

Second generation driver Brett Wenzel of Manitowoc scored a gritty victory in the stock car division, trading paint with seasoned veteran John Heinz of Green Bay in the waning laps. Heinz took runnerup money, followed by Oconto Falls Jon Courchaine, who led much of the race early on. Greenleaf’s Mike Gilson and defending track champion Junior Karcz of Pulaski took fourth and fifth, respectively.

West Allis’ Charlie Sancinani scored his first career win in the Brian Peterson Builders Grand National class. The Milwaukee area visitor most certainly earned his win, collided with defending track champion TJ Smith of Menasha at the finish line as the checkers flew. West Allis’ Don Sorce Jr., Valders Matt Vetting and Manitowoc’s Logan Rhode rounded out the top five finishers.

Kewaunee’s “Flyin Brian” Bruechert brought the crowd to his feet in the IMCA northern sportmod feature. Bruechert, who started 11th, charged through the pack, chasing down race leader Ryan “Rocket” LeMieux of Sturgeon Bay, and passing him on the final lap to capture the win. Lemieux took the runnerup spot, followed by last week’s feature winner Eric Mahlik of Green Bay, Suamico’s Brandon Long and Valders Chad Vetting.

Opening night feature winner Mitch Vandermause of Luxemburg mixed it up with Oshkosh visitor Jerry Winkler in the final laps and came out victorious in the Tisler Salvage street stock feature. Winkler took second, followed by Mike Nehmer, Shawn Haydon and George Paul rounded out the pack.

Defending track champion Ralph Liegios Jr. won the sport four feature.

A pair of nasty wrecks prompted red flags during the night, the first of which occurred on the first lap of the first event of the night. Appleton’s Frank Groeshel collided with Green Bay’s Carl Slack on the frontstretch on the first street stock heat. The collision sent Groeschel on his roof. Groeschel’s car was totaled by his spectacular showing was rewarded with a case of beer from Bottoms Up bar in nearby Maribel.

The street stock feature was halted midway through the event when New Franken’s Dave Baenen clobbered the frontstretch wall coming out of turn four. Baenen was checked out by paramedics following the shot, as he was removed from the battered racer on a backboard. He was conscious and alert following the wreck.

Racing resumes next Saturday night, May 19. 141 Speedway will be hosting the Sippel Open Wheel driving school on Monday, May 21. Spots are still available. For more information call check sippelracin.com. For more information please check 141speedway.com. You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter. The track phone is (920) 863 3377. For further information call (920) 905 1112. 141 Speedway is located 15 minutes south of Green Bay on County “R” in Francis Creek.

RACE SUMMARY

MODIFIEDS

FEATURE — Eric Arneson, Oconto Falls; Kyle Frederick, Gillett; RM VanPay, Denmark; Jared Siefert, Luxemburg; James Tebon, Algoma

SEMI-FEATURE 1) Siefert; Shawn Kilgore, New Franken

HEATS 1) VanPay; Tebon 2) Randy Markwardt Jr., Sheboygan Falls; Mike Wedelstadt, Freedom 3) Arneson; Tim Czarneski, Denmark

BRIAN PETERSON BUILDERS GRAND NATIONALS

FEATURE Charlie Sancinati, West Allis; T.J. Smith, Menasha; Don Sorce, West Allis; Matt Vetting, Valders; Logan Rhode, Manitowoc

HEATS 1) Sancinati, Sorce 2) Kevin Damrow, Manitowoc; Brian Cesar, Sheboygan Falls

STOCK CARS

FEATURE — Brett Wenzel, Manitowoc; John Heinz, Green Bay; John Courchaine, Lena; Mike Gilson, Greenleaf; Larry Karcz Jr., Pulaski

SEMI FEATURE 1) Tony Bouche, Algoma; John Mahlberg, Hilbert

HEATS 1) Wenzel ; Luke Lemmens, Kewaunee 2) Gilson; Tyler Debouche, Green Bay 3) Courchaine; Dan Nelson, Hilbert

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMODS –

FEATURE — Brian Bruechert, Kewaunee; Ryan Lemieux, Sturgeon Bay; Eric Mahlik, Green Bay; Brandon Long, Suamico; Chad Vetting, Valders

SEMI FEATURES 1) Tyler Hackett, Algoma; Brad Lautenbach, New Franken

HEATS 1) Lemieux; Vetting 2) Long; Troy Jerovetz, Green Bay 3) Bruechert; Chad Kaminski, Luxemburg

TISLER SALVAGE STREET STOCKS

FEATURE — Mitch Vandermause, Luxemburg; Jerry Winkler, Oshkosh; Mike Nehmer, Waupun; Shawn Haydon, Oshkosh; George Paul, Luxemburg

SEMI FEATURE 1) Carl Slack, Green Bay; Matt Warner, Bucktown

HEATS 1) Nehmer; Jon Ashcraft, Oshkosh 2) Allan Schlueter, Oconto; David Baenen, New Franken 3) Paul Diefenthaler, Manitowoc; Vandermause 4) Haydon; Winkler

SPORT FOURS

FEATURE – Ralph Legious Jr., Oconto; Brian Johnson, Oconto Falls; Mike Montle, Oconto; Cody Hungerford, Little Chute; Eddie Lemay III, Milwaukee

HEATS 1) Legious; Mathias Prouty, De Pere 2) Johnson; Brandon Goeser, Chilton

Posted on May 12th, 2012