The Vault
2009 – INAUGURAL “CLASH @ THE CREEK” RUN ON 141 SPEEDWAY PAVEMENT
Posted on: Tuesday March 15, 2022
Eric “Chummy” Arneson poses with his crew after being awarded the win for the first ever Clash @ The Creek at 141 Speedway in 2009. (danlewisphoto.net)
(Long before it became a high-paying race showcasing the top IMCA modified dirt racers across the country, the event was first run at the track in 2009 when the track was still a paved, quarter-mile bullring.
Three IMCA sanctioned classes were featured – IMCA northern sportmods, stock cars and hobby stocks. During 141’s final season as a paved track the hobby stocks and sportmods did run weekly flying the IMCA banner.
Check out this story from that race that was held July 22, 2009 and some of the dirt trackers who gave the 141 pavement a whirl. How many drivers are still racing yet in 2022?)
Eric “Chummy” Arneson (74) threw this car together at the last minute to race the first ever Clash @ The Creek on the pavement at 141 Speedway in 2009. Arneson scored the win after eventual winner Donnie Woller’s car failed to pass tech. (danlewisphoto.net)
ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARNESON WINS 141 IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD CLASH @ CREEK AFTER DQ
by Jordan Verdegan
(Francis Creek, WI) July 22 – Merrill veteran Donnie Woller crossed the line first, but it was Oconto Falls Eric Arneson who was awarded the victory in the 50 lap IMCA northern sportmod feature during the inaugural running of the “Clash @ the Creek” following a post-race inspection.
Track officials deemed Woller’s car illegal following post-race tech, which awarded the win to Arneson, who crossed the line second. In addition to collecting the $700 top prize, Arneson also collected the $100 Hard Charger award after starting 11th and getting the win.
Woller passed Kewaunee’s Jeff Vlies for the lead on lap 33 and kept the top spot through three late caution periods. The final yellow came with four laps to go at which time Arneson and Maribel’s Matt Rowe kept the pressure on in the late going. Rowe was credited with second following the post-race DQ. Bonduel’s Greg Wichman rebounded to a fourth place finish after being forced to pit for sheet metal damage on his car.
Track announcer Joe Verdegan interviews Chuck Grall. Grall was one of the pioneers of IMCA racing in northeast Wisconsin in the mid-1980’s. (danlewisphoto.net)
Amherst’s Eugene Gregorich Jr. took fourth in his first ever IMCA northern sportmod race after pitting earlier in the contest with a flat tire. Current track points leader Keith Kickbush of Kewaunee rounded out the top five finishers.
Oconto’s Scott Stewart inherited the lead on a lap six restart and fought off a fast-closing Brett Wenzel of Two Rivers to collect the $600 top prize in the 40 lap IMCA stock car feature.
Stewart caught a break when on lap five Pulaski’s Rod Snellenberger and Kewaunee’s Brian Bruechert tangled while battling for the lead. Both were sent to the back. Stewart kept the top spot through a pair of late yellows. Second generation driver Brett Wenzel sliced his way from deep in the field and was glued to Stewart’s rear bumper as the checkers flew.
Appleton’s Chas Van Ooyen, Denmark’s Rick Mahlberg and Wausau’s Mitchell Stankowski rounded out the top five finishers.
Mishicot’s Mark Christensen took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back, winning the 25 lap IMCA hobby stock feature. Kewaunee’s Luke Lemmens took second at the pay window, followed by Kewaunee’s Frank Paul, Green Bay’s Jared Van Lannen and Francis Creek’s Kraig Koehler.
Oconto’s Scott Stewart and crew are all smiles after Stewart’s Clash win @ 141 Speedway when the track was still paved in 2009. (danlewisphoto.net)
Rookie Brad Laurent from Manitowoc won the 25-lap sport four feature.
Next Saturday night, July 25 will feature Stock’s Harley Davidson bike night. It will be also be a Cretton Enterprises triple crown series night for the sport four division.
141 Speedway is located 20 miles south of Green Bay on County Trunk “R” in Whitelaw. For more information call 920 863 3377. The track’s website is 141speedway.com.
RACE SUMMARY
50 LAP IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD FEATURE – Eric Arneson, Coleman; Matt Rowe, Maribel; Greg Wichman, Bonduel; Eugene Gregorich Jr. Amherst; Keith Kickbush, Kewaunee; Brad Lautenbach, New Franken; Doug Maurer, De Pere; Cheyenne Cameron, Birnamwood; Tim Jorgenson, Seymour; Chuck Grall, Pulaski; Jeff Vlies, Kewaunee; Travis Van Straten, Hortonville; Chad Vetting, Valders; Greg Magsam, Pulaski; Aaron Holiday, Green Bay; Jesse Van Roy, Kaukauna; Johnny Whitman, De Pere; Donnie Woller, Merrill (DQ)
15 LAP SEMI-FEATURE – VanStraten; Lautenbach
10 LAP HEATS 1) Whitman; Woller 2) Rowe; Van Roy ) Vetting; Jorgenson
Race of Champions winner – Wichman; Viles
40 LAP IMCA STOCK CAR FEATURE – Scott Stewart, Oconto; Brett Wenzel, Two Rivers; Chas Van Ooyen, Appleton; Rick Mahlberg, Denmark; Mitch Stankowski, Wausau; Shawn Wagner, Seymour
10 LAP HEATS 1) Brandon Czarapata, Appleton; Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski
2) VanOoyen; Kyle Fredrick, Nick Gille
30 LAP IMCA HOBBY STOCK FEATURE – Mark Christensen, Mishicot; Luke Lemmens, Kewaunee; Frank Paul, Luxemburg; Jarred Van Lannen, Green Bay; Kraig Koehler, Francis Creek; Lana Rabas, Maribel
10 LAP HEATS 1) Lemmens; Mike Mueller, Green Bay 2) Ray Fuller, Manitowoc; Marcus Moede, Luxemburg
25 LAP SPORT 4 FEATURE – Brad Laurent, Manitowoc; Ian Fogeltanz, Manitowoc; Bruce Sand, Two Rivers; Mark Mincheski, Denmark; Dalton Cherney, Mishicot;
10 LAP HEATS 1) Jim Schirk, Whitelaw; Dave Gauger Sr. Manitowoc 2) Jason Cornelius, Oneida; Cody Huven, Green Bay
Fast Dash: Fogeltanz
Fast Time: Brandon Tegen