Tilleda Thunder Media Day

Calvin Stueck in the 35Q leads the 03 of Cody Hudson and the 0 Of Cody Hockenstad through turns 3 & 4 during the FWD Studded heat raceBy: Randy Van Hoof
Week number 5 of Tilleda Thunder On Ice was a special “Media Day” with guest drivers running a special race to help promote the club. It was well received by the fans and the drivers. There were 6 guest drivers competing in RWD non-studded cars. Thank You to those drivers letting the guests drive their cars for this race.

Andrea Olson in the 07 and the 11 of Mel Westphal leads the RWD non-studded heat race to the greenFWD Studded class was the first feature of the day with 3 cars competing. Cody Hudson in his 03 ride making his first start at Tilleda led the field to the green with the 0 of Cody Hockenstad starting second and current points leader Calvin Stueck in the 35Q stating at the tail. Hudson jumped out to the lead and Stueck fell into the second spot after the first lap. Stueck was able to apply some pressure on Hudson for the first few laps, but by lap six Hudson started to pull away and led all fifteen laps. Hudson took a half lap victory over Stueck and Hockenstad finishing third also in his first race of season at Lake Speed.

RWD Studded feature 41 Craig Wildenberg and Mike Schmidt in the 07 head for the greenSecond Feature of the day, the RWD Non-Studded Class had a full field of 17 starters again today. Andrea Olson was on the pole and lead the field to the green. She was able to maintain the lead for the first two laps but was overtaken by the 00 of Jeff Jolitz on the third circuit. Jolitz lead was short lived as Tony Schwamer in the 06 was able to get by for the lead at the completion of lap four. But Schwamer’s time at the point was also short lived as the “Wiley Veteran” Ben Michonski in the 10 got by Tony on lap five and these two put on some good racing for the next four laps. On lap nine Schwamer was able to get back to the point bringing the 33 of Nate Michonski with him into the second spot. As Tony and Nate battled through traffic for the final five laps. Taking the white flag and going into turn one Schwamer over drove it a little and opened up the bottom lane for N. Michonski and the pair was side by side coming out of two. Going into three Nate was able to compete the pass and Ben was also able to get by Tony for second. At the double checkers is was N. Michonski, B. Michonski, Schwamer, Jolitz, and D. Michonski rounding out the top five.

Denny Bandt winner of the "Guest Race" with the Michonski CrewFeature three for the day was the wild and crazy RWD studded class. With only two horses in this race with the 41 of Craig Wildenberg starting on the inside with the 07 of Mike Schmidt starting on the outside. Wildenberg was able to run out to the lead as Schmidt was fighting brake problems all day. Wildenberg went on to take the win with Schmidt in second after the completion of ten laps.

FWD non-studded driver John Babino got a hole in the block of 61 ride and it eruppeted in flamesFinal double green flag of the day was the FWD non-studded feature. Missing from this race was the 61 of John Babino who went up in flames during the heat race with a hole in the block of his ride and put him out for the day. That left five cars to battle it out for this one. With Dusty Grall in the 6 taking the lead on the opening lap. He held that lead as Greg Gutt in the 20 and Jeff Jolitz were fighting through the field. By lap seven Gutt had worked his way up to second with Jolitz in the third spot. On lap eight Grall had the air go out of lead and his left front tire and was forced to head to the pits giving the lead to Gutt. At the end of this one it was Gutt taking the win followed by Jolitz and Carl King in the 82K.

Cody Hudson FWD studded feature winnerThe special guest race consisted of these six drivers: The #1 Track Chaser of Randy Lewis in the 45B of Scott Blank, Randy’s wife Carol in the 07 of Andrea Olson, they are from San Clemente, CA. Denny Brandt in the 33 of Nate Michonski, he is director of RacingOnLine.com and lives in Madison. Randy Kamenick in the 46 of Pete Forstner, his girlfriend Diane Kuhn in the 22 of Eddie Jung, Randy is the track announcer & reported for Jefferson & 151 Speedways and are from Watertown. Dave McGrath in the 629 of Todd Wildenberg he is the Sports Reporter for the Shawano Leader and is from Shawano. After an all California front row with Carol Lewis leading her husband Randy to the green. Randy Lewis jumped out to the early lead as Randy Kamenick and Denny Brandt were coming through the pack. After the eight lap race was over it was Denny Bandt picking up the win with Randy Lewis in second.

RWD non-studded feature winner Nate MichonskiRacing will resume next Saturday at 1:00 and run through February with a “special” two day race scheduled for March 7th and 8th, ice permitting.

RWD studded feature winner Craig "Pugs" WildenbergThanks to this seasons sponsors: Herb’s Tigerton Lanes, Horne-ets Nest, Brady’s Septic Service, Satans Outcasts, S & W Plowing, Olson’s Rural Electric, Hwy. 29 Auto Parts, Mathew’s Supper Club, Auto Service Plus, American Marine & Motorsports Super Center and B & J Custom Graphics.