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Kurt Clapper
Victorious at Columbus 151 Speedway
By
Andrew Schaller |
May 11, 2007; Columbus, WI. -
Dane's Kurt Clapper claimed victory in the 35 lap late model main
event last Friday at Columbus 151 Speedway. Clapper made his way to
the top spot from the inside of row four during the caution filled
race. Mike Taylor and Jerry Eckhardt made up the front row at the
start, with Taylor grabbing the early lead on the opening lap.
Eckhardt fell into second, but two laps later became loose,
handing the runner up position to Steve Schlosser. The first of four
cautions flew on lap four for a multi car melee on the backstretch.
The restart saw Jerry Auby use the high groove to move into second
behind Taylor just as caution number two waved over the field. This
time, Clapper used the high side to gain positions, and on the
restart, charge to the outside of the leader. Clapper gained the top
spot two
laps later and quickly began to pull away from the pack as Al
Weishoff moved into second. But the third caution on lap 13 would
erase Clapper's advantage. After restarting, the top five began to
space themselves out from each other until the final caution on lap
23 brought them back together. But Clapper managed to hold off all
challenges for the lead as he crossed the line in first followed by
Weishoff, Dean Schultz, Auby and Rocky Breezer. Steve Dobbratz was
tops in qualifying with a lap of 13.423 while heat winners were
Taylor and Jeff Falbe.
In street stock action, Bud Riedner of Waunakee used his front
row starting spot to cruise to the win in the 25 lap feature.
Starting alongside Johnny Robinson, Jr, Riedner took control on lap
one with Tylor Schultz following into second. Riedner pulled out to
a healthy lead until lap ten when the only caution of the event
flew. On the restart, Robinson went to the high side of Schultz for
second and Schultz became very loose allowing Robinson to slide into
second. Robinson immediately went to work on the leader, Riedner.
Robinson continued to pressure Riedner for the lead, but couldn't
find the lane to make a pass. At the checkers, it was Riedner out
front with Robinson, Schultz, Jim Rohrbeck and Don Trush rounding
out the top five. Kevin Anderson owned fast time with a lap of
14.024 while heat winners included Riedner and Dan Gosda.
Sun Prairie's Jamie Dunn claimed her first career feature win at
Columbus 151 Speedway with her victory in the 20 lap hobby stock
feature. Starting from the pole, Dunn lead every lap en route to the
win. Jarrod Sutherland started outside the eventual winner as the
two ran side by side in the opening laps. Dunn held the slight
advantage each lap until lap four when she took sole possession of
the lead. On lap eight, Sutherland became very loose which allowed
Chet Paffel to charge into second. Paffel pulled up to Dunn's rear
bumper, but was unable to make a pass. Dunn lead the way to checkers
followed by Paffel, Gary Pashley, Larry Moen and Jim Tate. Tate was
also quick qualifier on the evening with a 15.268 second lap. Heat
winners included Dunn and Sutherland.
An action filled 18 lap bandit feature ended with Kyle Watters of
Stoughton pulling into victory lane. Kevin Kulka and Zach Durham
paced the field to green. The only caution of the event flew on the
first lap with Kulka holding the lead. On the restart, Bobby
Ollerman charged to the inside of Kulka for the top spot. One lap
after claiming the lead, Ollerman got loose and slid out of the top
five. Sean Watters inherited the top position with his brother,
Kyle, right behind for second. Kyle went to work on the high side of
Sean for the lead while the battle for third raged behind them
between Jake Wasserburger, Gary Stark and Stephen Scheel. Finally,
on lap 12, Kyle Watters took over as leader and began to distance
himself from the pack. Kyle Watters ran away to the win with Sean
Watters in second. Scheel, Wasserburger and Stark rounded out the
top five. Wasserburger set fast time once again with a lap of
15.614. Phil Denikas won the semi feature and heat winners were
Denikas, Stark and Kyle Watters.
Jim Remsik, Jr of DeForest claimed the 8 lap back up feature win
after running down the leader half way through the event. Wayne Hook
grabbed the lead on the first lap and stayed out front as Remsik was
running him down. Remsik caught Hook and made the winning pass on
lap four with Bruce Havel in tow for second. Havel made several
attempts at a pass for the lead, but Remsik had too much and was
able to hold him off. At the line, it was Remsik for the win
followed by Havel and George Wachuta.
Also on hand for the evenings festivities was the Formula Indy
Racing Association. Grant Greenfield of Waupun claimed top honors in
the 20 lap FIRA feature event. Greenfield made up one half of the
front row along with Deron DeBoer. DeBoer spun into turn one of the
opening lap bringing out the first caution of the event. Greenfield
and Vern Brown restarted the race side by side with Brown taking
control of the top spot. Greenfield pulled up right behind Brown and
began looking for a way around the leader. After trying the low
groove, Greenfield went to the outside and pulled even with Brown
for the lead. The two leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap six
and Greenfield used it to his advantage to claim the lead. A lap
later, the second and final caution of the race flew over the
speedway. On the restart, Greenfield opened up a lead with Brown in
second and Jim Bass right behind. The three ran away to the checkers
as they finished in that order followed by John Zelinga and Gary
Cooper in fourth and fifth respectively. Brown owned quick time with
a lap of 13.197 while Bass won the heat race.
Next Friday, May 18, will feature the Milwaukee Stock Car Auto
Racing Association in conjunction with a full program in all
divisions. Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8 pm.
For complete results from the RACESTAT computer click here
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