by Bert Lehman
Shawano Speedway will be hosting a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event on Wednesday, Aug. 4. It will be the first time since 2003 that a national touring late model series will appear at the Speedway.

In what could arguably be one of the biggest races in the history of Shawano Speedway, the 50 lap late model feature will pay $10,000 to the winner. The local IMCA Modified drivers will also be part of the show, with the winner of the 20 lap feature receiving $2,000.

“I think fans can expect to see arguably the most talented field of dirt Late Model racers in the history of Shawano Speedway,” said Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series public relations director. “Some of the country’s most talented drivers are World of Outlaws Late Model Series regulars, and with this race leading into the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway there’s no telling who else will come up to Wisconsin early and join the action. This event is setting up as one of the toughest World of Outlaws fields fans will see compete anywhere in the country this year.”

The Series has around 12 drivers who follow the entire tour including: Josh Richards (Shinnston, W. Va.), Tim McCreadie (Watertown, N.Y.), Darrell Lanigan (Union, Ky.), Steve Francis (Ashland, Ky.), Austin Hubbard (Seaford, Del.), Shane Clanton (Locust, Ga.), Rick Eckert (York, Pa.), Tim Fuller (Watertown, N.Y.), Chub Frank (Bear Lake, Pa.), Clint Smith (Senoia, Ga.), Russell King (Bristolville, Ore.) and Brent Robinson (Smithfield, Va.).

1 Doug Blashe and M.J. McBride run door to door during WISSOTA Late Model action (Randy Van Hoof Photo)by Bert Lehman
On a special night at Shawano Speedway when Bobby Bennett and Jerry Muenster were inducted into the Shawano Speedway Hall of Fame, Terry Anvelink, a HOF inductee in 2009, won the WISSOTA Late Model feature. Jason Czarapata won his first IMCA Modified feature of the year, while Shawn Wagner won his second straight IMCA Stock Car feature of the year at the Speedway. A.J. Diemel won his fourth FASTRAK Late Model feature and Jason Guyette won his first IMCA Northern SportMod feature of the year.

Terry Anvelink grabbed the lead on lap three of the WISSOTA Late Model feature with Doug Blashe, Nick Anvelink, Tom Naeyaert and Gordie Seegert following. It stayed that way until lap five when Naeyaert’s car erupted into a fireball on the backstretch due to a broken oil line end. Naeyaert was not injured.

Terry Anvelink continued to lead on the restart only to have a couple of cautions come out around the midway point of the race. On the restart, Nick Anvelink tried to take the lead by ducking to the inside of his father, but Terry Anvelink fended him off. Nick Anvelink stayed in hot pursuit with Seegert, Justin Ritchie and Paul Parker following. With only a couple laps remaining, Nick Anvelink tried his best to take the lead, but couldn’t make the pass, as Terry Anvelink raced to the win.

In the IMCA Modified feature Aaron Milavitz jumped out to the early lead over Tim Van De Hei, Marcus Yarie, Jesse Peeples and Lance Arneson. Arneson moved to fourth on the third lap, as Milavitz, Van De Hei and Yarie raced bumper to bumper. Running the low groove, Jason Czarapata joined the top five on lap seven and began making his way through the top five.

Three wide IMCA Stock Car action Harley Simon 17, Mark Schuenemann in the 90 and Mike Schmidt in the 07 (Randy Van Hoof Photo)by Bert Lehman
After years of trying and coming up short the previous week, Todd Frank bested the WISSOTA Late Model field at Shawano Speedway, winning his first ever feature at the track. Brandon Czarapata won his second IMCA Modified feature, while Shawn Wagner won his first IMCA Stock Car feature of the year at the Speedway. Dave Fieber won his third FASTRAK Late Model feature and Chad Guyette won his first IMCA Northern SportMod feature of the year.

While running in second place, Troy Springborn brought out a caution on lap three of the WISSOTA Late Model feature with a flat right rear tire. Todd Frank maintained his lead on the restart with Terry Avenlink, Tom Naeyaert, Craig Bartz and Nick Anvelink following. Frank pulled out to a slight lead over the next few laps.

Midway through the race Bartz grabbed the third spot from Naeyaert, with Nick Anvelink following one lap later. Running the high-side, Nick Anvelink began gaining on the top two cars while Terry Anvelink began to gain slightly on Frank. Both Anvelinks ran out of time and couldn’t close the gap as Frank raced to his first career WISSOTA Late Model feature win at the Speedway.

Brandon Czarapata took the lead on a lap two restart in the IMCA Modified feature. Czarapata immediately began to pull away from the field with Eric Scribner, Paul Thorpe, Tim Van De Hei and Jerry Wilinski following. Wilinski moved to third on the next lap with Jason Czarapata joining the top five a few laps later.

Gordie Seegert 4s and Chris Ortell in the 51 run their WISSOTA Late Models side-by-side in 3 & 4 (Randy Van Hoof Photo)by Scott Owen
After three weeks of rain, Mother Nature decided it was time to race. Tim VanDeHei, Dan Michonski, and Jeff Curtin each picked up their first feature wins of the year. Matt Oreskovich won his second race in a row, while Terry Anvelink also won his second feature of the season.

In the WISSOTA Late Model feature Terry Anvelink ran the outside groove of the track to quickly power his way out in front of the rest of the field. Terry’s son, Nick, tried to play the role of the spoiler moving from his seventh starting position into second in just a few laps. Terry held off his son to score his second win of the year.

Tim VanDeHei was finally able to put his early season bad luck behind him as he went wire-to-wire to win the IMCA Modified feature. VanDeHei turned back the challenges of Tim Jorgenson and Brad Rohloff to win his first of the year. After the race Jorgenson denied a claim attempt by Paul Thorpe disqualifying him from the event.

Jeff Curtin showed the dominant form of a few years ago as he cruised to victory in the Fastrak Late Model feature. Joel Bennett kept Curtin in his sights but never was close enough to make a challenge for the lead.

WISSOTA Late Models Nick Anvelink in the 15 gets the inside and the top spot from Troy Springborn (Randy Van Hoof Photo)By: Bert Lehman
After a one week hiatus, racing action returned to Shawano Speedway Saturday night with Nick Anvelink proving too much for the WISSOTA Late Model field as he won his first feature of the year. A.J. Diemel won his second FASTRAK Late Model feature of the year. The IMCA Modified feature was won by Brandon Czarapata, while Rod Snellenberger won his third IMCA Stock Car feature of the year. Clint Forstner won his second IMCA Northern SportMod feature.

Craig Bartz jumped out to the quick lead over Troy Springborn, Mark Mitchell, Jim Rychtik and Justin Ritchie in the WISSOTA Late Model feature. Ritchie grabbed the fourth spot on the second lap. By lap five Springborn pulled up to Bartz’s rear bumper while Nick Anvelink joined the top five. Over the next several laps Springborn applied heavy pressure on Bartz for the lead while Anvelink gradually made his way through the top five. Using the high groove, Anvelink caught Bartz and Springborn midway through the race. He quickly drove around both of them to take the lead. A caution came out a couple laps later slowing the action. Anvelink began pulling away from the field on the restart, leaving Springborn, Mitchell, Ritchie and Rychtik to scramble for position. It was all Anvelink at the end, as he cruised to the win.