The Vault
2007 – SNELLENBERGER RACING TOWARD 100TH VICTORY
Posted on: Monday January 26, 2026
Pulaski, Wisconsin’s ‘Hot Rod” Snellenberger
SNELLENBERGER RACING TOWARD 100TH VICTORY by Joe Verdegan
(REPRINTED FROM THE GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE MOTORSPORTS COLUMN MAY, 2007)
Pulaski’s Rod Snellenberger probably has more laps in an IMCA stock car than any other driver in Northeastern Wisconsin.
So, it should come as no surprise that heading into this weekend, Snellenberger, considered to be the dean of the stock car class, has scored 98 feature wins in a career dating back to 1991.
“I remember that was the same year Seymour started running the stock-car class,” Snellenberger said. “Kelly (Hafeman) had already been running them a couple years at Luxemburg.”
Snellenberger is hoping to hit the century mark during his three races this weekend. Over the years, the veteran pilot has earned a reputation as someone who’s not afraid to rub fenders.
As the wins piled up, his fan base grew. So did the number of boobirds, who often voice their displeasure when his name is announced at area ovals. “The booing doesn’t bother me at all,” Snellenberger laughed. “I guess I’ve got their attention and they know who I am.”
Snellenberger is no stranger to IMCA’s claim area, frequently using the sanctioning body’s motor-claim rule, and giving up just as many motors in the process. “Since they’ve gone to the exchange (motor for motor), nobody’s claiming anymore,” said Snellenberger, who has also been known to throw together “claimer” motors, complete with a hodgepodge of odd parts, ready to blow at any minute.
“I remember years ago up in Sturgeon Bay John Hill claimed my motor and there was no water left in it. He laughs about it to this day.”
“Junior (Karcz) is always fun to trade paint with,” Snellenberger said. “Years ago, Charlie Kroll and I would have a lot of good battles, along with Tony Bouche and John Gregorich.”
In addition to his 98 career wins, Snellenberger has won track championships at ThunderHill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay, Seymour Speedway and Shawano Speedway.
The Luxemburg Speedway title has eluded him, however. That’s why after racing weekly at Antigo last year, he’s back at Luxemburg every week. “The title at Luxemburg is real tough because of the bigger car counts and tougher competition,” Snellenberger said. “Plus, it’s a smaller third-mile and it’s sort of narrow. It’s tough to pass at Luxemburg.”
So far this year, Snellenberger is batting .500, winning a feature at Luxemburg, Shawano and Seymour in six starts. While he raced a late model owned by Randy and Tina Nelson last season, he has no plans to return to late model racing.
“I left on real good terms with those two,” Snellenberger said. “The late model work just took up too much time from my son Devin. I’ve got a late model chassis of my own sitting in my shop. I may put it together someday down the road.”
The defending Wisconsin stock car champion, Snellenberger says he doesn’t pay much attention to those points. “I know right now (Greg) Gretz is running for state points and running real strong. Junior (Karcz) is going for it, too.”
OUTLAWS ARE COMING: The World of Outlaws late model series will make its only Wisconsin stop of the season at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam. A $10,000-to-win feature headlines the program.
Wisconsin drivers expected to compete are Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Terry Casey of New London, George and Russ Scheffler of Waukesha, Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Jimmy Mars of Elk Mound and Bret Sievert of New Berlin.
The will also include a complete modified program. Oconto Falls Tim Lemirande, who lives in Verona, is the track’s modified points leader.
AREA TIES: For dirt late model star Josh “Kid Rocket” Richards of Shinnston, W. Va., Saturday’s race in Beaver Dam will be the first chance the 19-year-old will race in front of his main sponsor, Mike Seubert of Seubert Calf Ranches in Dorchester.
“Believe it or not, I haven’t seen him turn the wheel yet,” admitted Seubert, who sponsors several area dirt late model, modified and stock car teams. “I plan on being at Beaver Dam on Saturday for that one.”
CHANGE OF PLANS: After traveling with the United States Modified Touring Series the past several seasons, Fremont’s Mike Wedelstadt will be sticking closer to home this season. “I plan on racing for the IMCA national title,” Wedelstadt said. So far, he stands third in state points, competing Friday nights at Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Saturdays at Shawano and Sundays at Seymour.
BALDRY UPDATE: The winningest driver in Wisconsin International Raceway’s Thursday night history will be racing on a part-time basis in 2007. Terry Baldry of Omro confirmed this week he will run a limited schedule for car owners Gerald and Cheryl Schneider this year. “We don’t have a schedule planned out, but I can tell you we won’t be running every Thursday,” said Baldry, who won a record 11 Fox River Racing Club late model titles. “We’ll see how things go. We might run some Red, White and Blueraces and special or two elsewhere.”
Baldry’s son Brady is building a late model to race this year as is his daughter, Sarah Blashe, who plans to campaign a late model later this season.
WIR PRACTICE: WIR will host its first open practice session of the season Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Practice is open to all divisions.
The season opener for the Fox River Racing Club will be Thursday night, May 24.
Joe Verdegan is a free-lance writer who covers area racing for the Press-Gazette. E-mail him at jverdegan2@new.rr.com.