PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 10, 2011
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New faces visit Victory Lane by Terry Lehnertz St. Croix Valley Raceway reporter/announcer ST. CROIX FALLS – Hot and sticky weather greeted fans and drivers to the second week of racing at St. Croix Valley Raceway, and in three of the four divisions a new winner collected the winner’s trophy. Ryan Olson was the only repeat winner at the track as the Future IVs, Pure Stocks and Sprints all saw new winners while the Pro Stocks made their 2011 debut on Saturday, Aug. 5. The first of five racing divisions to hit the track for their feature event was the Future IVs, with Kris Kaphing and Greg Hallin sharing the front row. At the drop of the green flag, it didn’t take long for Ben Kaphing to shoot from his secondrow starting spot and into the lead. At the same time there was a caution for Dylan Roberts’ broken steering, Hallin was involved in a rollover at the exit of turn three. Track officials took a few minutes to extricate Hallin from his ride, but when he did emerge from the wreckage he appeared unhurt. After racing resumed, Kaphing throttled his No. 88 Ford virtually unchallenged to the checkers, notching his first victory of the season. Behind Kaphing, the rest of the top five were Steve Sutton, Kris Kaphing, last week’s winner Damon Roberts and Chris Rick. The Pure Stock feature was similar in that once the early leader got to the front, no serious challenges were posed. Heat race winners Josh Bach and Brandon Davis redrew the front row for the feature but is was third-starting Lance Halverson who scored the top spot after lap one. Lap two, however, saw the trio of Krysta Swearingen, Tony DuBois and Davis take over the top three spots. Once in the lead, Swearingen ran clean and smooth to the end, besting Bach and last week’s winner, DuBois, who had to settle for second and third respectively. Steve Baker and Jon
away the top spot. Steffen made an effort, but slowly lost ground to the new leader. Behind the top duo, the racing was exceptional. A veritable beehive of activity formed the battle for third place. Tony Schill, Vince Corbin, Mike Mueller and Ryan Johnson all used myriad racing grooves and strategies to gain position, racing oftentimes three and sometimes four wide on the quarter-mile bullring. After a midrace caution, Schill emerged from the frenzy and claimed the runnerup position, relegating Steffen to the beehive battle for third. At the checkers, it was Olson claiming his second trophy in as many weeks in front of Schill, Corbin, Mueller and Johnson.
Krysta Swearingen holds the checkered flag after her win during the Pure Stocks feature at the St. Croix Valley Raceway last weekend, Saturday, Aug. 5. – Photo submitted Wigchers rounded out the top five. The Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series Traditional Sprints took to the track next, with the five-car exhibition win going to Tommy Kamrath. The 3M Graphic Film/Reactor Racing pilot shot to the lead from the front row and commanded the entire race. Action was slowed for a hard crash near the midway point as second running Jack Clark jumped his right rear tire over the cushion and slammed into the implement tires protecting the concrete wall at the track exit in turn one. The rubber served its intended purposed as the lightweight car bounced off the wall with only minor damage. With Clark unable to continue, Kamrath’s teammate, Johnny Parsons III, inherited the runner spot. Kevin Bradwell pulled off early in the event, leaving last week’s winner, Rab Caho, as the final finisher for the Traditionals. Making their first appearance at the
raceway in nearly two years, the Pro Stocks were 10 cars strong for their 2011 debut. Second heat race winner Shawn Kammerud started on the pole alongside Centuria chauffer Denny Stordahl. By the end of lap one, second heat race winner and track veteran Cory Davis had bolted from fourth place to second, behind Kammerrud. Through a number of restarts, Kammerud was continually able to maintain control of the coveted top spot, generally stretching his lead on long green flag runs. Davis maintained a strong grip on second throughout, beating Cody Campeau, Stordahl and Marcus Simonson to the stripe at the checkers. High-car-count honors went to a stout field of Pro Modifieds with all 21 of the cars who checked in appearing for the night’s final race. Kyle Steffen led the first lap from his outside front row starting spot. But by the end of lap two, last week’s victor, Ryan Olson, had wrestled
Race summary (unofficial): Future IVs, feature: Ben Kaphing, Steve Sutton, Kris Kaphing, Damon Roberts, Chris Rick, Stephanie Lebeis, Dan Strobach, Greg Hallin and Dylan Roberts. Pure Stocks, Feature: Krysta Swearingen, Josh Bach, Tony DuBois, Steve Baker, Jon Wigchers, Mike Olson, Kyle Hallin, Lance Halverson, Brandon Davis and Justin Rick. UMSS Traditional Sprints, feature: Tommy Kamrath, Johnny Parsons, Rob Caho, Jack Clark and Kevin Bradwell. Pro Stocks, feature: Shawn Kammerud, Cory Davis, Cody Campeau, Denny Stordahl, Marcus Simonson, Eric Berg, Ed Markel, Jeff Heintz, Marcus Berget and Miles Meidlinger. Pro Modifieds, feature: Ryan Olson, Tony Schill, Vince Corbin, Mike Mueller, Ryan Johnson, Kyle Steffen, Dave Siercks, Mike Kyllonen, Lucas Milz, Greg Arnt, Brent Swanson, Tim Siercks, Doug Toepper, Doug Merrill, Corey Fogleson, Zach Stewart, Kevin Marlett, Mike Brenny, Myles McEvers, Tom Smart and Shawn Carlson.
Third-annual Jane Wisse Open Area football scrimmages set golf tourney Sunday, Aug. 14 for this Saturday FREDERIC – The third-annual Jane Wisse Open Scholarship Fund Golf Scramble has been set for Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Frederic Golf Course. The four-person golf scramble will have a shotgun start at 11 a.m., followed by a memory celebration reception/dinner at 4 p.m. Participants can attend all events or just the reception/dinner. Proceeds will benefit the Jane Wisse Frederic High School Scholarship and individual projects Wisse embraced related to health, youth programs, etc. This year’s $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Trae Gehl. Wisse taught physical education and health at both Frederic and Siren schools, coached the Frederic gymnastics team and was an avid golfer who lost a 15-month battle with uterine cancer in March 2006. According to her daughter, Jennifer
Greenquist, Wisse’s friends and family created a fun event that encourages golfers and nongolfers alike to get together and raise money for several causes. “It’s been great to get many foursomes back every year and have additional friends attend the dinner or donate. We’re investigating new ways to use the proceeds that my mom would have appreciated, while having a great time in her memory,” says Greenquist. To register for the Jane Wisse Open, reception/dinner or make a donation, contact Jennifer Greenquist at 651-260-4770, jgreequist@mmm.com, Duane Wisse at 715-327-4848, Edina Realty, Frederic, or go to www.janewisseopen.com. Registration forms can also be picked up at the Frederic Golf Course. – submitted
by Marty Seeger Leader staff writer LEADER LAND – Fans of the gridiron will get their first taste of the upcoming football season as area teams are traveling or hosting scrimmages this Saturday, Aug. 13. The Frederic Vikings are traveling to Clayton on Saturday, along with three other teams including Clear Lake, Plum City and Boyceville. Those scrimmages begin at 10 a.m. Webster and Grantsburg football teams will be traveling to Shell Lake this Saturday, as will Northwood and Prairie Farm. Those scrimmages are set to start at 10 a.m. as well. The Unity Eagles football team will be traveling to Barron along with the Colfax Vikings. The scrimmage pairings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with Barron
Frederic football coach Ken Belanger readies his Vikings for battle during a practice on Tuesday, Aug. 9. – Photo by Marty Seeger and Unity going head-to-head in round one. St. Croix Falls is heading to BaldwinWoodville High School along with Chetek, Glenwood City and Spooner. The varsity scrimmages are scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
Luck football hosts youth camp
Luck football coaches and varsity players hosted a youth football camp for grades 4-8 this past week. All athletes practiced offensive and defensive skills and drills. The camp was attended by 30 young athletes. – Photos submitted