By Gene Harmelink
The race night at Tomahawk Speedway, on July 24, got off to a late start due to a shower hitting the track just as the first heat of the night was circling the track waiting for the green flag. The cars were pulled off the track, the shower was allowed to pass, and then owner Ron VanDusen skillfully manicured the track back with the help of the grader, packing trucks, and the race drivers’ cars. Once racing began, it took a few heats to get the track in shape, but the feature races proved to be excellent.

In WISSOTA Midwest Modified action, Roger Walker and Dennis Mikkelson began the feature on the front row, but it was Bruce Belland, who had won his heat and had started third, who would grab the early lead. With Belland in the lead, Mikkelson and Jason Zdroik fought it out early for second, with Mikey Nosser and Roger Walker vying for the third spot. Track point’s leader, Zdroik’s night would end early as he pulled off the track with his engine suffering a broken rocker.

Belland continued to pull away from the rest of the field, and by mid-race had extended his lead. A caution during lap fifteen for Roger Walker, whose car needed assistance off the track after suffering a gear problem, regrouped the field. Belland again shot to the lead, but Mickey Nosser was right on his bumper. With the laps winding down, Belland continued to lead and it looked like it might be a sure win for him, but as the cars rounded turn four on the checkered flag lap, Nosser was able to get his car to “stick” and surge forward. Fortunately for Belland, Nosser was only able to get up to Belland’s door as Belland completed a sweep for the night, earning his first feature win of the year in his Belland Firewood-sponsored Midwest Mod. Rounding out the top five were: Nosser, Mikkelson, John Johnson, Jr., who had started seventh, and Mark Kralicek, who had started sixth.

In WISSOTA Street Stock action, heat winner, Keith Troutman, and Jeff Klopstein, Jr. lined up on the front row for the start of the feature. Klopstein was off to an early lead, with Troutman following right behind. As Klopstein and Keith Troutman battled it out for first, Matt Troutman and track point’s leader, John Kallas, fought it out for second, with visitor, Sam Frankhauser, joining in the battle.

As Klopstein stretched his lead in the caution-free feature, the rest of the field fought it out for the remaining top five spots. In the end it was Klopstein taking the win in his Auto Pro Glass and Tire-sponsored Streeter. Rounding out the top five were: Kallas, Franhauser, Keith Troutman, and Matt Troutman.

Tomahawk Pure Stock action was once again fast and furious with heat winner, Austyn Booth, taking the early lead, leading the first eleven laps of the feature. It was after the completion of lap eleven that Alex Durand spun in turn one, resulting in Travis Friske being sent to the back and Durand getting his spot back.

On the restart, JJ Waller jumped to the lead as Booth’s car showed signs of slowing due to a miss-firing engine. Woller went on to take the win, with Chris Nylund, who successfully worked his way up through the field, took second. Rounding out the top five were: Booth, Heidi Karshbaum, and Alex Durand.

The Tomahawk Four-Cylinder Bandits feature began with Travis Smith and John Barlowski on the front row. Barlowski was off to an early lead, with track point’s leader, Kasey Gross, who had started fourth, right behind him. As Barlowski and Gross fought it out for the top spot, Brit Bromann and heat winner, Nick Visser, battled it out for third. With five laps to go, Barlowski, Gross, Bromann, and Visser were bumper-to-bumper getting two and three wide at times.

With four to go, Bromann’s car lost a right rear wheel and his night was done. Once racing resumed, Barlowski once again assumed the lead with Gross tight on his car’s bumper. As the checkered flag was waving and the cars rounded turn four, Gross went to the inside and passed Barlowski for the win, beating Barlowski out by a half-car length. This win padded Gross’ track points lead and insured the fact that he now leads in track points not only in Tomahawk, but also at Thunder Hill Speedway in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

As for “Superfan Johnny”—you’ll have to read my column in All The Dirt for that one! I will tell you this though, he’s right 50% of the time!

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway, Tomahawk, WI

July 24, 2009

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds

20-Lap Feature: Bruce Belland, Mickey Nosser, Dennis Mikkelson, John Johnson, Jr., Mark Kralicek, Robert Laskowski, Jr., Roger Walker, Jason Zdroik

Heat: Belland, Nosser, Mikkelson, Walker, Zdroik, Kralicek, Johnson, Jr., Laskowski, Jr.

WISSOTA Street Stocks

20-Lap Feature: Jeff Klopstein, Jr., John Kallas, Sam Frankhauser, Keith Troutman, Matt Troutman, Jeff Hoogland

Heat: K. Troutman, Klopstein, Jr., Hoogland, M. Troutman, Kallas, Frankhauser

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

15-Lap Feature: JJ Woller, Chris Nylund, Austyn Booth, Heidi Karshbaum, Alex Durand, Devin Wilson, Matt Smith, Travis Friske, Jake Paris, Tim Miller, Ken Schram

Heat 1: Wilson, Miller, Smith, Durand, Friske, Paris

Heat 2: Booth, Woller, Karshbaum, Nylund, Schram

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

15-Lap Feature: Kasey Gross, John Barlowski, Mike Warga, Nick Visser, Travis Smith, Brit Bromann, Jay Wilberding

Heat: Visser, Gross, Smith Warga, Barlowski, Bromann, Bobby Sheldon, Jr., Wilberding