July 3, 2001; Marshfield, WI: - Todd Kluever dodged spinning racecars and flying sheet metal on his way to victory in the McLeodUSA MARS Firecracker 100 late model stock car race Tuesday night, July 3 at the Marshfield Speedway. It was the first win of the year for the series point leader in the Famous Daves Bar-be-Que Ford Taurus. Kluever, a rookie who has been racing stock cars for just 1 1/2 years, took the lead on lap eight and beat out Mark Eswein by three car lengths in a race marred by seven caution periods. Eswein won two McLeodUSA MARS races at Marshfield last year.
Kluever, a former World Snow Cross champion at Eagle River, WI, was cool throughout the race. While others slid out of control into sand piles, spun and crashed he smoothly pulled away from the rest of the pack following every restart. Wayne Breitenfeldt led the opening round, but was overhauled by Rory Melbinger on lap two. Dan Mills, the winner at The Milwaukee Mile Saturday, climbed the turn three sand pile after losing control in the outer groove while trying to move into second place. Melbinger paced the field until Kluever shot past on lap eight. Chris Weinkauf moved into second place on lap 13, but was passed by Eswein on lap 44. Eswein stayed on Kluever's rear bumper the rest of the way. Additional cautions flew on lap 20 when Eric Fransen and Tony Strupp got together, on lap 25 when Rick Grunden spun in turn one, on lap 27 when Clint Sillars and Grunden piled up in turn four, on lap 39 when Grunden slid off turn one in a shower of sparks and blasted the outer sand pile, on lap 57 when Jason Weinkauf blew a tire and rammed the turn three sand pile, and on lap 82 when Mike Pascavis looped his car at the finish line. There were no injuries reported in spite of the multitude of incidents, some of which were quite spectacular in nature. Melbinger followed Kluever and Eswein in third while Chris Weinkauf was fourth, Judd Brandl fifth in his best McLeodUSA Series finish and Strupp sixth. LaPointe won a $1,000 "Lucky Dog Draw" among drivers who raced both McLeodUSA MARS events at Marshfield Speedway during the 2001 season. The CWSSA Super Stock feature saw Duwayne Davis, Tim Plowman and Keith Bohmsach each lead the field. Through several cautions Bohmsach held on for the win. Larry Schultz went home second, Plowman third, Merle Weinfurter fourth and Matt Wisz fifth. The 4-Cylinder feature had four lead changes in only 12 laps. Frank Wilhelm led the first four, Brian Schmutzer the next two, Paul Berg the following four and Johnny Bell led the white and checkered flag laps. Berg came in second, Doug Adams third, Schmutzer fourth and Keith Wirtz fifth. Rodney Feltz returned to victory lane once again in the 1-Man Cruiser feature. Josh Elmhorst took second, Don Tieman third, Travis Zvolena fourth and Fran Esser fifth. The winners of the 2-Man Cruiser race were Jeff Gotter and Larry Scholl. Mike Dodson and Luke Hall second, and Bob Payne and Steve Bores third. Next Saturday's event is Bucks Night (grandstands $3.00 adm.) and The Bill Sherman Memorial. Sponsored by V & H Inc, WDEZ 101.9FM, CARQUEST, Monroe Truck Equipment, Fire-Up Fireworks, Subway and The Home Front. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30. Divisions racing are Super Late Models, CWSSA Super Stocks, Legends, 1-Man Cruisers and 2-Man Cruisers. |
