The Vault
JOHNNY WHITMAN – THE IMCA MODIFIED MASTER OF 141 SPEEDWAY
Posted on: Thursday February 25, 2021
De Pere, Wisconsin native Johnny “Hitman” Whitman was the man to beat at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WIsconsin since the track was converted to dirt in 2010. Whitman copped six straight IMCA modified titles (seven total). (Photo courtesy of danlewisphoto.net
Although just 26-years-old Johnny Whitman feels like a true veteran in the IMCA modified ranks at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.
That’s because the De Pere driver has won five straight division titles at the quarter-mile, clay oval. Whitman is in his eighth year of racing in the track’s top weekly divisions, having missed just three nights of weekly racing since the track was converted from a paved oval to a dirt bullring in 2010.
Perhaps the only other modified driver who’s made as many nights running at 141 has been veteran R.M. Van Pay.
Whitman is joined by Green Bay native Jared Siefert, New Franken’s Shawn Kilgore and Sobieski’s Sean Jerovetz as the only other IMCA modified champions in the track’s history since it’s been dirt.
Whitman has plans to successfully defend his crown and gun for a record sixth straight division title this year. There is one small obstacle, however. “I’m standing up in my buddy Shane Gulseth’s wedding in late April so I’ve got to miss a night of racing,” Whitman explained. “I mean it’s still possible to win a title if you miss a night but it sure makes it tough. Those are 40 points somebody else could gain on you down the road.”
So for that reason alone, forgive Whitman if he does a rain dance on April 27. One driver who’s been in Whitman’s rear view mirror the past three years is Little Suamico’s Josh Long. Long has played bridesmaid to “The Hitman” Whitman for the past three seasons and is one of a handful of local modified hotshoes who are looking to knock Whitman off his throne. “Yeah Josh has been right there the last three years and he’s obviously got to be considered a favorite for a 141 title,” Whitman said.
The technology with the modified chassis is ever evolving. “It’s changed a ton since I started in the class in 2011,” Whitman said. “We used to build these bigger, bone stock claimer motors in the beginning. Now with most everybody running the crate motors it’s really forced guys to be on their “A” games with the race car handling itself. It blows my mind some of this technology. I can’t believe how far it’s advanced since guys like R.M. and Brian (Mullen) were on top of their games 20 or 30 years ago. They are still fast today but I can’t imagine all the stuff those guys have seen over the years.”
There is one burden that’s been lifted off Whitman’s shoulders as he’s no longer the car owner. “I worked out a deal with Sean (Jerovetz) and basically he owns my Rage chassis race car,” Whitman explained. “I provided the motor and transmission. I helped Sean and Ryan Rosenow build the car. But it would be really tough for me to be able to afford to run the car I have solely on my own. I’ve never been in a better piece of equipment in my life and I’ve really got to thank those guys for that.”
Whitman sold his championship car from a year ago to “Reckless Rob” Charapada of Oconto.
In addition to running a regular season at 141 Whitman also purchased a pit stall at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour and plans on competing there on Friday nights. “Those guys seem like they’ve got their act together,” Whitman said. “And they are in a great location to get cars and fans right between Green Bay and Shawano. I think they’ll have a really good turnout of cars and hopefully the fans follow too.”
Recently Whitman got to shake down his hot rod at Gravity Park USA in Chilton. “That’s a neat place too – a little small,” said Whitman. “It was just a good test to work the bugs out of the car.”
When it comes to naming off what other drivers will be running near the front Whitman says “take your pick.” “There are so many young guns like Wyatt Block and the Longs and many others who were racing karts too and are fast almost right out of the box,” Whitman said. “Wyatt and Lucas Lamberies both had good runs down in Iowa a week ago. Then Benji (LaCrosse) and Mikey (Mullen) both have different chassis they are racing this year. Jeremy Jacobs, Sean Kilgore even Russ Reinwald when he runs up here. All of those can win on any given night. It makes things a lot tougher for sure. What makes it real tough anywhere is with the point average invert with IMCA most of the time I’m usually starting the features in the fifth or sixth row, too. But it makes it more exciting for the fans.”
Whitman’s pit crew consists of his Dad Mike Whitman, Ryan Rosenow, Nick Danelski and Scott Teske. “Sean Jerovetz and my girlfriend Rosie Cecchi are also a huge part of what I do with racing too,” Whitman said. Whitman’s marketing partners for his racing effort include Jerovetz Motorsports, Paul Buman Trucking and a new sponsor in Doherty Brothers Construction of Arizona.
141 SPEEDWAY NOTEBOOK – The defending track champions at 141 are Whitman (IMCA modifieds), Gillett’s Kyle Frederick (IMCA stock cars), Manitowoc’s Cody Schroeder (IMCA northern sportmods) Oshkosh’s Jordan Ross (street stocks) Francis Creek’s Gregg Haese (grand nationals) and Chilton’s Shaun Bangart (IMCA sport compacts).Racing gets underway at their season opener Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. Highlighting the 141 season schedule is the 9th annual Clash at the Creek June 18 through the 20th. The event, which pays $10,000-to-win to the IMCA modified feature winner, will see an appearance by former NASCAR star Kenny Schrader. The King of the Creek for IMCA stock cars will pay $5,000-to-win Thursday, July 18. Check 141speedway.com for more information.
GRAVITY PARK LID LIFTER – Gravity Park USA in Chilton will kick off its second full season of oval track racing Friday April 19. The defending track champions at the quarter-mile, clay oval include Menasha’s T.J. Smith (modifieds), Green Bay’s John Heinz (stock cars), Malone’s Tim Warner (sportmods), Omro’s Derek Schrauth (grand nationals), Tim “Grasshopper” Mueller (street stocks) and Chilton’s Mitchell Meier (4 cylinders).
ANTIGO’S SOLO SHOT – Just one race will be run at the Langlade County Fairgrounds in Antigo this summer. The IRA Outlaw sprint cars will battle on the big half-mile, clay oval Friday night July 26 during the Langlade County Fair. Joining the winged warriors will be the IMCA style northern sportmods and stock cars. Hot laps are slated for 6 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.
T-STEW TO PLYMOUTH – Former Winston Cup champion and sprint car standout Tony Stewart will compete at the Plymouth Dirt Track Saturday, May 18 for the All-Star Circuit of Champions/IRA sprint car series. The MSA 360 sprint cars are also on the card at the third-mile, clay oval.
WIR PRACTICES – Open Tuesday practices at the oval at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna begin May 7th. The practices, which are open to cars from any and all divisions, begin at 4 p.m. and run until dusk. They are free to spectators. The first oval race at WIR will be the season opener for the TUNDRA super late model series under the lights Saturday May 11. Qualifying is set for 5:30 p.m. with the first green flag flying at 6:45 p.m. Joining the super late models will be the Midwest Compact series, Wisconsin Sport trucks and Figure 8’s. The first “Thursday Night Thunder” opener is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m.
RACING RETURNS TO THE MILE- For the first time since 2015 oval track stock car racing will return to the famed Milwaukee Mile on Father’s Day June 16. The ARCA Midwest Tour will headline the event. Support classes that will be joining the ARCA MT will be the Vintage Indycars, Mid-American stock car and truck series and the Upper Midwest Vintage Series. Practice will begin at 9:30 a.m. that day, with time trials at 11:00 a.m. and the first green flag flying at 1 p.m. Check midwesttour.racing for more information.
IOWA ICEBREAKERS LEFTOVERS – Several Wisconsin drivers posted top finishes during Iowa’s “Frostbuster” races last weekend. Sun Prairie’s Brandon Schmidt, a regular at Beaver Dam Raceway captured the IMCA northern sportmod feature at Boone (IA) Speedway Saturday. Green Bay native Mike Coel finished eighth in the stock car main at Boone Saturday; Oconto Falls Cole Magnin placed 10th in the sportmod main event at Marshaltown (IA) Speedway Friday while Shawano’s Trent Nolan took sixth in the stock car A main at Marshaltown that night as well.