The Scoop
MAHLIK DRAWS 1ST BLOOD @ GRAVITY – ’23 DIRT TRACK FEATURE WIN TOTALS
Posted on: Monday April 17, 2023
Green Bay’s Eric Mahlik copped the opening night stock car feature at Gravity Park USA in Chilton, Wisconsin April 14. (photo courtesy of Eric Mahlik)
Gravity Park USA in Chilton can lay claim to being the first northeastern Wisconsin track to host an opening night race in 2023.
A 98 car field in six divisions played host to a sizeable crowd which saw Green Bay’s Eric Mahlik best the 17 car stock car field in the non-sanctioned program.
Other opening night winners at Gravity Park included hometown driver Steve Schneider (modified), Waupun’s Aaron Streblow (grand national), De Pere’s “Devilish Doug” Maurer (sportmod), Denmark’s Nick Wunrow (Unified street stock) and Newton’s James Riske (four cylinder).
Mother Nature was the winner in the planned Saturday night openers at both Shawano Speedway and 141 Speedway in Francis Creek. Both ovals will attempt to kick off their respective 2023 racing seasons this coming Saturday, April 22.
The previously postponed FanFest which was scheduled for Clintonville was held at the Crawford Center building located outside of turn two of the race track at the Shawano County Fairgrounds.
Jordan Bartz’ IMCA modified was one of dozens of racers showing off their rides at Shawano Speedway’s FanFest.
Dozens of race cars representing many different classes were on hand. Hats off to Brad Luepke Shawano County for putting this deal together late. It was well attended and a real diverse lineup of cars showed up to support the event.
Practice sessions were held recently at 141 and also at Plymouth Dirt Track. Between the practice sessions and many teams getting a jump start on their respective season schedules with out-of-state openers it’s fair to say that most drivers don’t have to wait until May unlike decades ago to get some laps in.
To the south Beaver Dam Raceway hosted the Wipperfurth Memorial race Saturday night. The weather held off long enough to allow Springfield, Illinois’ pilot Jordan Goldesberry top the 25 car sprint car field to nab the victory.
Unified street stocks and Legends ran in support of the IRA, with Pell Lake’s Cody Potter picking up street stock win. Of note a trio of Everard’s towed down from Green Bay itching to get some racing in. TJ Everard placed sixth in the street stock main, with Tony Everard 7th and Nick Everard finishing 9th in the street stock A main.
Green Bay’s Rick Brown finished 23rd in the Legends feature, which was won by Marion, Iowa’s Michael Weber.
Another contingent of Wisconsin dirt racers made the trek to Iowa late last week. Little Suamico’s Tyler Wilson took fourth in the IMCA stock car A main at Marshalltown Speedway Friday night. Sobieski’s Nick Buckarma placed 10th.
Denmark’s Cole Czarneski placed 14th in the IMCA modified feature at Marshalltown Friday.
ISS JEFFERSON LEFTOVERS – Upper Michigan racer Elliot Reid of Faithorn finished fourth in the Impact Survival Series (ISS) enduro at Jefferson Speedway Saturday. Krakow native Rachel Czarapata finished 8th while Maribel’s Denny Crass took ninth. 79 cars took the green for the event, which was won by Jake Balk of South Milwaukee.
The next ISS enduro race is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at Gravity Park USA in Chilton, Wisconsin. A 6 p.m. start is scheduled.
TIRE BULLETIN – Eagle River Speedway promoters Pat and Patti Zdroik have announced the 2023 tire rules for the Chef Rene B modified division.
Effective immediately, the only tires permitted in the division in 2023 will be either the Hoosier G-60 or the American Racer G-60 tire. Eagle River Speedway has been a ‘non-sanctioned’ track for the B modifieds in recent years.
“Unfortunately, WISSOTA has strictly forbidden Hoosier from selling non-sanctioned tracks the WISSOTA tire,” said Pat Zdroik. “In order to mitigate this problem and to maintain a level playing field The Hoosier G-60 and American Racer G-60 tires are the only two brands permitted in 2023. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Because of its location in northern Wisconsin, Eagle River Speedway has opted to not sanction with any group. “We cannot feasibly go WISSOTA sanctioned and expect to get enough cars for a full field of modifieds,” Zdroik explained.
PAVEMENT PONDERINGS – Dells Raceway Park has announced it’s annual Icebreaker event featuring the Alive For Five super late model series and the Midwest Truck series has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 24.
MIRACLE ON THE HIGH BANKS – Slinger Super Speedway will host the ASA Midwest Tour during it’s “Miracle On The High Banks” Sunday, April 23.
Joining the super late model tour will be Pro late models, Slinger Bee’s, American Super Cups, and modifieds. Qualifying is slated for 12:05 p.m. with the first green flag flying at 2 p.m. The raindate, if needed is slated for Sunday, April 30.
WISCONSIN KDDP FINALISTS – Two Wisconsin pavement super late model drivers are seven finalists in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP). 2021 TUNDRA super late model series champion Utica’s Riley Stenjem is among the finalists as is Milwaukee Mile Midwest truck series winner Levon Van Der Geest of Merrill.
The drivers each received a one-time stipend of $7,777 to cover their ’23 operating expenses. The award winner will pick up an additional prize of $54,439.
The KDDP was established in 2014 by the Kulwicki estate for the purpose of helping worthy drivers toward reaching their dreams while at the same time keeping Wisconsin native and Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki’s memory and legacy alive.
2O23 NORTHEAST WISCONSIN DIRT TRACK FEATURE WINNERS
(Divisions include late model, modified, sportmod, stock car, grand national and four cylinder. Tracks included will be Seymour, Chilton, Francis Creek, Shawano, Sturgeon Bay, Luxemburg, Plymouth and Beaver Dam. It will include IMCA sanctioned and non-sanctioned classes)
LATE MODEL
None yet
MODIFIED
Mike Mullen 1
Steve Schneider 1
STOCK CAR
Jeremy Christians 1
Eric Mahlik 1
SPORTMOD
Jeremy Berkevich 1
Doug Maurer 1
STREET STOCK
Jesse Krahn 1
Cody Potter 1
Nick Wunrow 1
GRAND NATIONAL
Aaron Streblow 1
FOUR CYLINDER
James Riske 1