The Scoop
MICHAEL ANTHONY ENDS 15 YEAR WIR DROUGHT – PAVEMENT RACING LEFTOVERS
Posted on: Tuesday September 6, 2022
Appleton, Wisconsin’s Michael Anthony ended a 15 year drought by winning the season ending super late model feature at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wisconsin Sept. 1. (Joe Holz photography)
For Appleton, Wisconsin’s Michael Anthony, the super late model feature win he earned September 1 at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wisconsin wasn’t a sure thing until the final corner of the final lap.
Anthony, who began racing WIR’s legendary D-shaped, half-mile paved oval in 2008, had only mustered up a sixth place finish prior to that in “Thursday Night Thunder” action.
Anthony started 3rd in the 35 lap contest and was fighting brake issues about 10 laps into the race. “It felt like there was too much front brake so I adjusted more rear brake and it didn’t seem to really help,” Anthony admitted. “So when I started entering the corners I started lightly pumping the brake pedal and that helped just enough.”
In addition after a late caution period, Anthony’s number 50 racer began experiencing some add transmission woes. “It was making really wierd noises and 2nd and 3rd gear weren’t working,” Anthony said. “But it held on until the finish thankfully.”
The Anthony family including Dad John Anthony have fielded a super late model at WIR since 1990. That was the year local legend J.J. Smith won the track championship for the team. The Anthony team by and large have been bringing a “knife to a gun fight” proverbially in the Thursday night “car fights” at WIR.
Team crew members include his wife Meagen, parents John and Kathy Anthony, Alex and Kyle Anthony, Larry Mcarthur, Logan Schmunck, Tom Hockers, Arlyn Bauer, Nick Kroehler and Franky Gruenke.
Marketing partners assisting Anthony with his racing efforts include Jeff Heiting Builders, Fox Cities Towing, Ken’s Sports, Christiano’s Pizza, Insta Print Plus, Lake Park Pub, Custom Windows Plus, Hank and Karen’s Pub and Grill, Haen Meat Packing, The Meat Block, BBQ Pit and Spirits, Elite Fireplace, Jim’s Auto Body, GB Logistics, Packerland Electric, Mike’s Racing Service, Anthony Accounting, Racetech Chassis, B & B Racing Engines and Behling Racing Equipment.
PAVEMENT PONDERINGS – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin’s Jordan DeVoy topped the 23 car super late model field in Round Five of the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series event at Golden Sands, Speedway in Plover, Wisconsin Monday, September 4.
The next TUNDRA series event will be Sunday, September 11 at State Park Speedway in Wausau, Wisconsin with a 2 p.m. start time.
NCAL RAINDATE – The Whelen World Crate Asphalt Late Model Championship Twin 55’s presented by Ken’s Sports has been rescheduled for Friday, September 16 at Marshfield Motor Speedway.
ARCA MT TOUR – Gabe Sommers captured the Jim Sauter Classic at Dells Raceway Park Saturday, September 3. The ARCA Midwest Tour’s season will wrap up at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway October 8 and 9 with the 52nd running of the popular Oktoberfest.
Gleason, Wisconsin’s Justin Mondeik earned the Norway (MI) Speedway late model track championship.
MONDEIK SHINES – Gleason, Wisconsin’s Justin Mondeik made the decision to race weekly at Norway (MI) Speedway pay off this year. Mondeik scored the track championship in the Coca Cola late models. Mondeik, who scored the prestigious Stateline Challenge among his multiple feature wins at Norway this year, simply needed to qualify to wrap up the crown during the track’s final night of racing.