Scott Sippel Dominates 360 Sprint Car feature at Manitowoc!!

June 28, 1998; Manitowoc, WI. - Scott Sippel made it look easy Sunday night at the Manitowoc Expo Raceway as he completely dominated the 360 sprint car feature to highlight action at the track.

Jim Zdroik turned out to be the surprise winner in the modified main while Eddie Lemay drove to the win in the dirt sportsman class. Melvin I and Melvin II continued their unbeaten streak in the cruiser division as they won their seventh straight feature.

Sippel, who started the 25-lap sprint car main from the pole position, never looked back throughout the non-stop race. Building his lead to over one-half the track, Sippel appeared to have things well in hand until his mount slowed on lap 20

With smoke coming from the motor, Sippel was able to baby the car home to the win over Jerry Wenzel, Mike Emme, Randy Sippel, and Kurt Davis. Sippel's win, which was his second of the season at the track, came by 6.49 seconds over Wenzel.

Rick Otte led the first six laps of the modified feature over Shawn Jaeger with Jesse Brey, Mike Kudick, and Jim Zdroik following closely behind.

Jaeger made a move to take over the top spot after Otte lost the handle on his mount coming off of turn four on lap seven. Behind the lead change, Kudick and Zdroik got together in turn four with the contact sending Kudick hard into the outside guardrail.

Kudick's car was severely damaged in the incident sending him to the pit area. The guardrail took the brunt of the blow, though, and had to be repaired bringing out a red flag. Zdroik, who suffered a flat tire on his car in the melee, went to the pit area and was able to come back out and rejoin the field at the tail.

Back under green, Jaeger held the lead but Otte wasn't about ready to give it up, as he chased Jaeger for the next three laps until his car expired and he was forced to the pit area.

Otte's departure left Brey in the second spot. Closing quickly on Jaeger it appeared the Brey had the car to beat as he looked for a way around the leader. As the duo entered turn three on lap 15 Jaeger spun his mount taking Brey with him. Jaeger's car was heavily damaged and Bray would also have to go to the pit area.

That handed the lead to Zdroik who marched to the win over Bryan Anderson, Todd Hughes, and John Averill. Brey was credited with fifth place after returning to the track

Billy Lemay led the first lap of the dirt sportsman feature but from that point on it was Eddie Lemay as he took the top spot away from his brother on the second circuit and held on through two caution flags to take the win.

Jesse Cullen appeared to have a car that could challenge Eddie Lemay for the win but his race came to a halt on the 12th lap after he made contact with a lapped car. Cullen was through for the night.

Jerry Kurscheidt came home second followed by Chad Rathke, Frank Wirtz, and Mike Anderson in the 20-lap feature.

Troy Thor and Jason Hendickson led the first five laps of the 12-1ap cruiser feature but their chances to unseat Melvin I and Melvin II came to halt in the mud puddle on lap six and the duo found their car burried on the infield after a spin.

Melvin I and Melvin II took over the lead and never looked back as they topped Weasel I and Weasel II and The Bull & Company for the win.

UMP late model action returns to Manitowoc on Sunday night, July 5th as the high powered cars take to the track for their second show of the year. Modified, dirt sportsman, and cruiser racing is also slated. Qualifying will begin at 5:30 pm with racing at 6:00 pm.

The track is located on 1-43 and Highway 151 on the Southwest side of Manitowoc. The third mile high-banked clay oval has easy access from the freeway and is located on the Maintowoc County Expo Fairgrounds.

SUMMARY

360 SPRINT CARS:
25 Lap Feature - 1.) Scott Sippel, Elkhart Lake; 2.) Jerry Wenzel, Two Rivers; 3.) Mike Emme, Cleveland; 4.) Randy Sippel, Elkhart Lake; 5.) Kurt Davis, Milwaukee.
First 10 Lap Heat - 1.) R.Sippel; 2.) Rick Busslaff, Campbellsport
Second 10 Lap Heat - 1.) Bill Warren, Beaver Dam; 2.) Emme

DIRT SPORTSMAN:
20 Lap Feature - 1) Eddie Lemay, Milwaukee; 2.) Jerry Kurscheidt, Glenbulah; 3.) Chad Rathke, Fredonia; 4.) Frank Wirtz, Milwaukee; 5.) Mike Anderson, Sheboygan.
First 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Scott Sohrweide, Chilton; 2.) E. LeMay
Second 8 Lap Heat: 1.) Rathke; 2.) Wirtz

MODIFIED:
20 Lap Feature- 1.) Jim Zdroik, Big Bend; 2.)  Bryan Anderson, Milwaukee; 3.) Todd Hughes, Glenbulah; 4.) John Averill, Sheboygan; 5.) Jesse Brey, Manitowoc.
First 8 Lap Heat:  1.) Zdroik; 2.) Randy Brunette, Chilton
Second 8 Lap Heat:  1.) Mike Kudick, Michicot; 2.) Brey

CRUISERS:
12 Lap Feature - 1.) Melvin I and Melvin II, Francis Creek; 2.) Weasel I & Weasel II, Manitowoc; 3.) The Bull and Company, Manitowoc; 4.) Butch and Ray, Manitowoc
6 Lap Heat - 1.) Melvin I and Melvin II; 2.) Weasel I & Weasel II