Wi Dirt Racin

Schmidt, Snellenberger, Budzban, Anschutz and Moede Grab Feature Wins

LUXEMBURG, Wis. (July 24, 2015) – It may have taken some time for the heavy hitters to find the front of the field in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature presented by Lena Swamp Archery and Vandrisse Racing Parts on Friday Night at Luxemburg Speedway, but when they did, they didn’t disappoint.

After a restart on lap ten Shawn Kilgore shot to the lead of the Mod main. When it seemed as though he had the win locked up, Josh Long made huge strides in the final circuits to chase him down. Long attempted a last lap pass in turns three and four but came up just short at the line. The final margin of victory was 0.026 seconds.

In the first ten laps of the main, although drivers were three and four-wide throughout the field, very little movement was happening. Front row starters Rob Charapata and Lance Arneson exchanged the lead several times with Jeremy Jacobs, Brad Theys and Brandon Long filling out the top five. Top point getters Benji LaCrosse, Kilgore, Josh Long and Brad Lautenbach were stuck at the tail end of the top ten.

The complexion of the race changed on lap ten when caution fell for a spin by LaCrosse. On the restart Kilgore made a quick move on the outside from seventh to grab fourth by the time the field hit the backstretch. On the following lap Kilgore stole third and set his sights on Arneson, who had taken the lead from Charapata after the restart. On lap 13 Kilgore ducked to the inside and grabbed the top spot from Arneson.

After another yellow on lap 16, Kilgore jumped away on the restart. This time Josh Long stood out in the field. Long found plenty of momentum in the low line and advanced from sixth to third right after the restart. On lap 17 Long grabbed second, but was nearly a half of a straightaway behind Kilgore.

Over the final three circuits Long continued to gain ground by diving to the low line. He was within two car lengths of Kilgore as the white flag fell. In turns three and four Long nosed ahead, however, Kilgore had just enough momentum to hold on for his second straight win. Arneson finished third, Charapata fourth and James Tebon rounded out the top five. LaCrosse was able to make his way back to ninth after the spin.

The Late Models saw an invader visit Victory Lane in the 25-lap feature event. Jim Schmidt rocketed away from Justin Schmidt at the start of the main and led every lap of the main to pick up his first win at Luxemburg.

There was little time and room for miscues in the feature event which went without caution. An early scare happened on lap one when Justin Schmidt was completely sideways in turns three and four, but he was able to correct his machine, and even held his spot in the top five.

With Jim Schmidt building a lead, Doug Blashe slid to second. Behind them, point leader Brett Swedberg mounted a charge to the front. On lap four Swedberg had advanced from his seventh-place starting spot to fifth. Three laps later he took fourth from Ron Berna. Once Swedberg caught Jared Siefert, a battle for third ensued. Siefert held on until the pair caught second-place Blashe. Siefert then swung past Blashe on the outside with Swedberg soon to follow. By this point, Schmidt’s lead was nearly a straightaway. With no caution to aid Siefert and Swedberg, Schmidt held on to see the checkered flag. Behind Siefert and Swedberg, Blashe held on for fourth and Ron Berna rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Stock Car feature saw a familiar face take the win as Rod Snellenberger forced his way to the top spot on lap 16 of the 20-lap affair.

Tony Bouche and Jeremy Jauquet led the field to green, with Jauquet quickly seizing the top spot. Behind him, Barry VanStraten swiped second. As the top five sorted out, the point leaders, including Snellenberger tried to make their way to the front.

Perhaps one of the biggest story lines of the night in the Stock Cars was the hard luck for the point leaders. Evan Madden, who entered the night fourth in points, dropped out on lap two. After a restart on lap five, point leader Shawn Havel had a flat left rear tire and dropped out, as well. Brett Wenzel, who sat second in points coming into the night, could not find his way to the top five.

After the lap five restart Snellenberger made his charge to the front. On lap nine Snellenberger grabbed the inside line and the third spot from Derek Moede. Two laps later he made his way past VanStraten for second.

In short order Snellenberger caught up to the back bumper of Jauquet. Knowing that Snellenberger was strong on the inside, Jauquet did his best to keep the bottom sealed off. Snellenberger waited for the right opportunity and finally seized it on lap 16 as he muscled his way to the inside and took the lead. Once out front Snellenberger was able to build his advantage and grab his second win of 2015. Jauquet finished second, VanStraten third, Moede fourth and Junior Karcz rounded out the top five.

In the IMCA Sport Mods it was Chris Budzban’s turn to add his name to the list of multiple time feature winners in the division. Budzban took the lead on the outside after a lap three restart and was able to keep the rest of the field at bay.

The early race lead was held by Matt Valliquette, who almost came together with fellow front-row starter Bill Edler at the outset of the 20-lap feature. The near skirmish opened space for Cody Rass, Budzban and Jacob Zellner.

A caution fell on lap three for a stalled car. Budzban was on the outside of Zellner in the second row, trailing Rass to the green flag. With space to work, Budzban blasted past the top two and into the lead. Another caution fell on lap six when Edler and point leader Todd Wiese came together. On the restart Budzban again was able to get away.

After the restart Josh Lambert made a run through the top five. Lambert grabbed fourth on lap seven, and was to second by lap ten. Unfortunately for Lambert, Budzban’s advantage was too strong to overcome. Zellner finished third, Lucas Lamberies was fourth and Troy DeGrave rounded out the top five.

Budzban wasn’t the only family member to take a win on the night. His sister Michelle topped the field in the Powder Puff race.

In the 20-lap Street Stock feature it came down to the two top guns in the division. Scott Boulanger, who has won five features this season, and Ed Anchutz faced off in the second half of the main.

Boulanger grabbed the lead from his sixth-place starting spot on lap four. Anschutz took a few more laps to get to the front, but was ready to mount a charge when he got there. Anschutz caught Boulanger on lap nine and completed the pass on lap 13. Boulanger stayed close and gave one final challenge on the last lap, but he was denied a sixth win by Anschutz. Making his first start of the season at Luxemburg, Jesse Krahn finished third, Jason Kostichka was fourth and Scott Karbon was fifth.

Marcus Moede held on to win the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Moede took the lead from pole-sitter Dean Anhalt on lap four and held off Cody Junio in the final laps. Cory Cotter was third, Dan Van Pay fourth and Anhalt rounded out the top five.

Next Friday night at Luxemburg features Hall of Fame night presented by the 54 Run. Late Models will have the night off. For more information visit www.luxemburgspeedway.com

Late Models
25-lap Feature: 1. Jim Schmidt, Cleveland, Wis.; 2. Jared Sifert, Green Bay, Wis.; 3. Brett Swedberg, Shawano, Wis.; 4. Doug Blashe, Marion, Wis.; 5. Ron Berna, Green Bay, Wis.
Heat Winners: Blashe, Schmidt

IMCA Modifieds
20-lap Feature: 1. Shawn Kilgore, New Franken, Wis.; 2. Josh Long, Suamico, Wis.; 3. Lance Arneson, Krakow, Wis.; 4. Rob Charapata, Green Bay, Wis.; 5. James Tebon, Algoma, Wis.
Heat Winners: Brad Theys, Kewaunee, Wis.; Kilgore

IMCA Stock Cars
20-lap Feature: 1. Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski, Wis.; 2. Jeremy Jauquet, Green Bay, Wis.; 3. Barry VanStraten, Shiocton, Wis.; 4. Derek Moede, Casco, Wis.; 5. Junior Karcz, Pulaski, Wis.;
Heat Winners: Jauquet, VanStraten

IMCA Sport Mods
20-lap Feature: 1. Chris Budzban, Luxumburg, Wis.; 2. Josh Lambert, Casco, Wis.; 3. Jacob Zellner, Luxemburg, Wis.; 4. Lucas Lamberies, Clintonville, Wis.; 5. Troy DeGrave, De Pere, Wis.;
Heat Winners: Lambert, Lamberies

Street Stocks
20-lap Feature: 1. Ed Anschutz, Two Rivers, Wis.; 2. Scott Boulanger, Luxemburg, Wis.; 3. Jesse Krahn, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 4. Jason Kostichka, Green Bay, Wis.; 5. Scott Karbon, De Pere, Wis.;
Heat Winners: Boulanger, Anschutz

IMCA Hobby Stocks
15-lap Feature: 1. Marcus Moede, Algoma, Wis.; 2. Cody Junio, Casco, Wis.; 3. Cory Cotter; 4. Dan Van Pay, Green Bay; 5. Dean Anhalt, Mishicot, Wis.
Heat Winner: Anhalt

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