WHITMAN THWARTS JEROVETZ, TAKES HOME 141 SPEEDWAY MOD MAIN

by Joe and Jordan Verdegan

(Francis Creek, WI) July 14 – De Pere’s Johnny Whitman fended off defending track champion Sean Jerovetz of Sobieski in the waning laps to capture the modified feature at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek Saturday.

Clean sweeps were scored by drivers in all of the tracks fendered classes. Among them were Green Bay’s John Heinz (stock cars), Greenville’s Shawn Haydon (Tisler Salvage street stocks), Little Chute’s Matt Vetting (Brian Peterson Builders Grand Nationals) and Oconto Falls Brian Johnson Jr. (sport fours).

A total of 109 cars checked in to do battle. The field included 16 modifieds, 11 Brian Peterson Grand Nationals, 25 stock cars, 22 Tisler 23 street stocks, 23 IMCA northern sportmods and 12 sport fours.

In the modified main it appeared De Pere’s Jay Matthias may have been headed for victory in the early going. “Big Money” Matthias wrestled the lead away from the polesitter Randy Markwardt Jr. of Sheboygan Falls on lap 6. Two circuits later, Matthias’s blew a motor, ending his night.

Matthias’ misfortune wound up being a break for Whitman. The “Hitman” inherited a comfortable lead, which appeared in jeopardy as Jerovetz, who started in row five, charged his way through the field, slicing his way into the runnerup spot by lap 10. Jerovetz caught a break with five to go when the caution flew when Denmark’s RM Van Pay stalled in turn four. When racing resumed, Whitman picked up where he left off and collected the victory. Jerovetz collected second play money at the pay window. Points leader Shawn Kilgore of New Franken took third, followed by Juneau’s Russ Reinwald and De Pere’s Dean Maurer.

Heinz passed teammate Kyle Wanner of Sobieski for the lead with seven laps remaining and went on to win the stock car feature. Greenleaf’s Mike Gilson made a late race charge to earn second, followed by Oconto’s Dustin Loberger who took third. Wanner and Jerry Leary of Pensaukee rounded out the top five finishers.

Vetting ended the recent dominance of points leader Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis in the Brian Peterson Builders Grand Nationals with a popular win. Vetting passed Stockbridge’s Adam Broehm for the lead on lap eight. Sorce broke through traffic by the feature’s halfway point, and closed in on Vetting. Sorce had his machine glued to Vetting’s
rear bumper but Vetting fended off his challenges for the win. Sorce claimed second, followed by Broehm, Charlie Scancinati and defending track champ TJ Smith of Menasha.

Defending IMCA northern sportmod track champion Troy Jerovetz passed rookie Jake Maurer for the lead on lap four and sweated out a handful of caution periods to win the division’s feature. points leader Josh Long took home second place. Kewaunee’s Brian Bruechert and New Franken’s Brad Lautenbach, who both raced their way into the main event through a last chance qualifier, took third and fourth places, respectively. Suamico’s Andy Kleczka.

Haydon’s win in the Tisler Salvage street stocks came up against a second place finish by Green Bay’s Jason Kosticha. Kostichka’s Monte Carlo was built by Jared Siefert and raced back in 1997. Oshkosh’s Jeff Jungwirth, Two Rivers’ Jeremy Hebel and Manitowoc’ Ray Fuller rounded out the top five finishers.

Racing resumes next Saturday, July 21. It will be Christmas in July night sponsored by S & B Trailer Sales. 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

MODIFIED FEATURE – Johnny Whitman, De Pere; Sean Jerovetz, Sobieski; Shawn Kilgore, New Franken; Russ Reinwald, Juneau; Dean Maurer, De Pere

HEATS 1) Jared Siefert, Luxemburg; Maurer 2) Randy Markwardt Jr., Sheboygan Falls; RM Van Pay, Denmark

BRIAN PETERSON BUILDERS GRAND NATIONAL FEATURE – Matt Vetting, Little Chute; Don Sorce, West Allis; Adam Broehm, Stockbridge; Charlie Sacinati, West Allis; TJ Smith, Menasha

HEATS 1) Vetting ; Sacinati 2) Broehm; Smith

STOCK CAR FEATURE – John Heinz, Green Bay; Mike Gilson, Greenleaf; Dustin Loberger, Oconto; Kyle Wanner, Suamico; Jerry Leary, Pensaukee

SEMI FEATURE –Roger Johnson, Saukville

HEATS 1) Tyler Derenne, Kewaunee; Tyler Smith, Luxemburg 2) Heinz; Loberger 3) Wanner; John Mahlberg, Hilbert

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD FEATURE – Troy Jerovetz, Green Bay; Josh Long, Suamico; Brian Bruechert, Kewaunee; Brad Lautenbach, New Franken; ) Andy Kleczka, Suamico

SEMI FEATURE Bruechert; Lautenbach

HEATS 1) Jessi Ness, Green Bay; Long 2) Mike Dauphinais, Green Bay; Tyler Hackett, Algoma 3) Kleczka; Nick Mahlik, Green Bay

TISLER SALVAGE STREET STOCK FEATURE – Shawn Haydon, Greenville; Jason Kostichka, Green Bay; Jeff Jungwirth, Oshkosh; Jeremy Hebel, Two Rivers; Ray Fuller, Manitowoc

HEATS 1) Fuller; Hebel 2) Kostichka; Paul Diefenthaler, Manitowoc 3) Haydon; Andrew Melberg, Kaukauna

SPORT FOUR FEATURE – Brian Johnson, Oconto Falls; Ralph Legious, Oconto; Mike Montie, Abrams; Shaun Bangart, Chilton; Brandon Kaye, Green Bay

HEATS 1) Legiois; Scott Johnson, Green Bay 2) Brian Johnson; Cody Hungerford, Little Chute

Posted on July 15th, 2012