“Hitman” Whitman goes back-to-back in IMCA Modified action at Outagamie
By Edward Anschutz
(Seymour, WI) June 2, 2023 Race Report presented by Klink Equipment and Elite Coatings Inc- 107 checked in to battle at Outagamie Speedway. There were 19 IMCA Modifieds, 25 IMCA Stock Cars,25 IMCA Sport Mods, 21 IMCA Sport Compacts and 17 Unified Street Stocks.
A beautiful night of racing greeted a solid crowd that saw 5 divisions of racing and the final checker flag flew before 10:00PM
Fresh off a Heat race win Wyatt Block looked to be the man to beat early in the IMCA Modified feature. Last week’s winner Johnny Whitman joined the battle for the top spot before the midway point but with both drivers running the same line, Block was in control. That all changed once Block hit lap traffic and had to move around the track. Once Block was deep in lap traffic, Whitman threw a slider in turn 3, pinning Block behind a lap car. Whitman took over the top spot and dominated the remainder of the event. Block had to settle for second, Konnor Wilinski took third and with a fourth-place finish Lucas Lamberies took over the points lead.
It’s not over till it’s over and that was the case in the IMCA Sport Mods. A thriller between Corey Kemkes and Brady Harshbarger. Harshbarger dogged Kemkes most of the main but a caution with 3 laps remaining set up a dash to the checkers. On the restart Kemkes began to work the low groove leaving the top open for Harshbarger. On the final two corners Harshbarger pulled even with Kemkes. Coming to the checkers it was Harshbarger by a bumper for the win to the roar of the crowd. Kemkes had to settle for second but took over the points lead, Matt Radke took third and last week’s winner Derek Fehling rounded out the top four.
It was a family affair early in the IMCA Stock Car main event has Nathan and Darren Otto traded the lead early on. Darren led until a caution on lap 8 allowed Austen Jansen to slip by down low. His reign up front did last long as Kyle Frederick raced to the top spot on lap 11. Frederick never looked back enroute to his first win of the season. Clint Forstner placed second, Eric Arneson was third and Jansen took fourth.
Paul Diefenthaler looked well on his way to another trophy in the Unified Street Stock feature until his car lurched sideways in turn 2 and came to a stop, bringing out the caution. His car did refire but he had to start at the tail. Justin Jacobsen grabbed the top spot until Jesse Krahn came cruising by up with 7 to go. Krahn held on for his first win of the season. By placing second Jacobsen took over the point lead, James Fletcher was third and Trey Van Straten raced from row 7 to take fourth.
In IMCA Compact action Matt Brehmer went unchallenged for his first win of the season. Cody Booth made a late race charge to place second, point leader Bailey Tate placed third and Brett Deprez was fourth.
FEATURE, HEAT & LCQ RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE: Johnny Whitman; Wyatt Block; Konnor Wilinski; Brian Mullen; Lucas Lamberies
HEAT 1) Lucas Lamberies 2) Wyatt Block
IMCA STOCK CAR FEATURE: Kyle Frederick; Clint Forstner; Eric Arneson; Austin Jansen; Tyler Wilson
HEAT 1) Kyle Frederick 2) Nathan Otto 3) John Heinz
LCQ 1) Tyler Wilson
IMCA SPORT MOD FEATURE: Brady Harshbarger; Cory Kemkes; Matt Radtke; Derek Fehling; Max Oreskovich
HEAT 1) Kolton Roehl 2) Brady Harshbarger 3) Cory Kemkes
LCQ 1) Ryan Schmidt
IMCA SPORT COMPACT FEATURE: Matt Brehmer; Cody Booth; Bailey Tate; Brett Deprez; Kyle Jorgenson
HEAT 1) Matt Brehmer 2) Cody Booth 3) Michael Brehmer
UNIFIED STREET STOCK FEATURE: Jesse Krahn; Beau Schroder; Justin Jacobsen; James Fletcher; Trey Van Straten
HEAT 1) Kevin Humphrey 2) Beau Schroeder
