SCHRAUFNAGEL AGAIN AT MANITOWOC! By Bill Schlei

August 7, 2002; Manitowoc, WI - Fresh off of a string victories all over the northeastern part of the state, Jay Schraufnagel added another feature win at Manitowoc Wednesday night.

Photo Highlights

Jay Schraufnagel (#10) who currently ranks in the top ten Nationally in the IMCA Modified point standings captured another checkered flag here at the Manitowoc County Expo Raceway. The lead pair of Brad Rohloff (#03) and Jay Schraufnagel (#10) put on a show for the fans as the diced for the lead in the IMCA Modified main event. A late race repstart allowed Jeremy Christians (#99) to slip past Brett Piontek (#84) for the lead of the IMCA Stock Car feature.  Christians would hold on for the victory. Paul Kuehn (#20) captured the Street Stock feature race. Paul Kuehn (#20) noses under Lance Arneson (#75) for the lead in the Street Stock feature. Bruce Sands (#90) edged out Tom Schmidt (outside) by this margin to win the 4 Cylinder feature race at Manitowoc.

The race began with Jerry Wenzel leading until lap eight when Schraufnagel came from his third row starting spot to the lead. Brad Rohloff would pose a threat after a lap fourteen caution tightened up the field but Schraufnagel was just too strong and held him off for the victory. Jared Siefert was third followed by Wenzel and Dean Mauer.

The IMCA stock cars had more drama after the race than during. Brett Piontek took the lead at the green flag and looked to be unstoppable until a late race yellow gave Jeremy Christians the opportunity to close the gap. He would pass Piontek for the lead on lap 18 and hold on for the win but that's just when the fireworks began.

A parade of cars made their way to the infield signaling that a claim or two might be on the way. This turn out to be the understatement of the year as there were three claims in one race.

First, Rod Snellenberger claimed the engine of Brett Wenzel. At the same time Troy Jerovets was trying to lay claim to the same motor. A coin toss gave the nod to Snellenberger and the claim was accepted on the condition that the drivers swap engines.

While this was going on Travis VanStraten claimed the engine of Piontek. Before Piontek could accept or deny, VanStraten withdrew the claim.

Next up were the Street Stocks and the first victory of the year for "Hard Luck" award candidate Paul Kuene. Over the last four weeks Kuene had been in contention to win only to have mechanical failures or flat tires crush his dream. This week however, the only Ford powered entry in the field drove to a near perfect victory.

Doug Morgan and Lance Arneson spent the better part of the race battling for the second spot with Arneson coming out on top while Morgan dropped to fifth. John Mignon and Jeff Treml were fourth and fifth.

The Hobby stocks supplied an exciting battle for the fans. Dan Koch held the early lead but was quickly overtaken by Travis Rodewald in only his second appearance on a dirt track. The action was delayed bay lap 4 caution when the car driven by Joel Beyer lost an axle in turn two.

On the restart it was Rodewald leading again with Eric Wetenkamp and Andy Waack giving chase until Rodewald had a tire go down and had to retire giving the lead to Waack.

Waalk would go on to the win ahead of Wetenkamp and third place Travis Groelle who was making his first appearance on a dirt track that night.

Derek Moede and Jerry Brice rounded out the top five.

In the four cylinder class, newcomer Bruce Sand drove his Dodge powered ride to a win over Tom Schmidt of Seymour.

Next week is Manitowoc Trophy night at the Expo Speedway with MT giving away every bodies favorite door prize, CASH. Gates open at 4:30 with racing at 7pm.

MANITOWOC COUNTY EXPO RESULTS - August 7, 2002