Five Drivers See Victory Lane to Open 2024
By: Scott J. Owen
Seymour, WI,05/03/2024 – Mother nature was a race fan this week as the 2024 racing season kicked off at the Outagamie Speedway presented by Klink Equipment and Elite Coatings. A full pit area of 132 cars signed in for night one action. Feature winners on the night included James Fletcher, Colton See, Brandon Czarapata, Konnor Wilinski, and Taylor Junk.
Multitime track champion James Fletcher led the entirety of the Vetting Customs Rigs and Rides Unified Street Stock feature race. Fletcher had to fend off Paul Difenthaler in the late stages of the race en route to victory. Trey VanStraten crossed the line third. While Devin Yaeger advanced 10 spots to finish fourth. With third generation racer Michael Czarapata taking fifth. The top five finishers advanced a total of 42 positions from their respective starting spots.
Next on the track was the Trailer Express IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature. Cole Slezewski led early on before giving way to Colton See. See was soon chased by Derek Fehling. See saw his way through lapped traffic better though and was able to keep Fehling at bay. In the end it was See followed by Fehling, Jake Carpenter, Dylan Waldvogel, and Slezewski.
The Monroe Truck Equipment IMCA Stock Car feature was more exciting than Thor at a 2 for 1 hammer sale. Brandon Czarapata and Josh Mroczkowski dualled early with Rod Snellenberger and Mike Mullen tight behind them. Mullen soon moved to second and showed the nose of his car to Czarapata multiple times as Czarapata continued to show the way. On lap 9 of the race Mullen took the lead, but it was Czarapata storming back to the lead the next lap. Mullen then took the lead right back. Czarapata tucked his car under Mullen’s entering turn one of lap 15 to retake the lead. A late race yellow would bunch the field up, but Czarapata would not be deterred. It would be Czarapata followed by Mullen, Snellenberger, Brett Wenzel, and Kyle Frederick at the finish.
Derek Jahnke led the first 2 laps of the Professional Plating IMCA Modified feature before Konnor Wilinski took over. Wilinski held serve the rest of the way as he held off a late challenge from Brian Mullen. Wilinski, Mullen, Johnny Whitman, Jayden Schmidt, and Wyatt Block took occupancy in the top five.
The Schulte Construction, Building Blocks Childcare IMCA Sport Compact feature saw Taylor Junk score the win over the likes of Thomas Schulte, Al Cottrell, Cody Booth, and Shaun Bangert.
Racing will continue next Friday night as the Late Model division will join the action along with the five weekly divisions. Pits open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, and racing will start at 6:30. Full results and more information can be found online at outagamiespeedway.com or on the MyRacePass app.
Racing Summary
Professional Plating Inc IMCA Modified Feature1) Konnor Wilinski, Seymour. 2) Brian Mullen, Seymour. 3) Johnny Whitman, Suamico. 4) Jayden Schmidt, Seymour. 5) Wyatt Block, Tigerton.
Monroe Truck Equipment IMCA Stock Car Feature 1) Brandon Czarapata, Pulaski. 2) Mike Mullen, Seymour. 3) Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski. 4) Brett Wenzel, Manitowoc. 5) Kyle Frederick, Oconto Falls.
Trailer Express IMCA Northern Sport Mod Feature 1) Colton See, Chilton. 2) Derek Fehling, Beaver Dam. 3) Jake Carpenter, Green Bay. 4) Dylan Waldvogel, Antigo. 5)Cole Slezewski, Pulaski.
Vetting Customs – Rigs and Rides Unified Street Stocks FeatureJames Fletcher, Beaver Dam. 2) Paul Diefenthaler, Manitowoc. 3) Trey VanStraten, Hortonville. 4) Devin Yaeger, Menasha. 5) Michael Czarapata, Pulaski.
Schulte Showers and Construction/Building Blocks Childcare Center IMCA Sport Compact FeatureTaylor Junk, Shawano 2) Thomas Schulte, Kaukauna. 3) Al Cottrell, Oshkosh. 4) Cody Booth, Oshkosh. 5) Shaun Bangert, Chilton.
