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RODEWALD LOOKS TO RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP FORM AT WIR IN ’21
Posted on: Friday May 14, 2021
ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RODEWALD LOOKS TO RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP FORM IN WIR LATE MODEL RANKS IN ‘21
After not running weekly the last two seasons Manitowoc’s Travis Rodewald is looking to regain the late model track title at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wisconsin in 2021 (JS Designs photo)
(KAUKAUNA, WI) May 14 –Travis Rodewald is hoping his return to “Thursday Night Thunder” action at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna will lead to another track championship in 2021.
The 40-year-old Manitowoc racer plans a return full time to the late model class in ’21. Rodewald copped the division track championship in 2017. In 2021 he’s bringing back that same championship car he wheeled four years ago.
The division title will be wide open this year as 2020 champion Braison Bennett of Neenah has taken over the wheel of the Chase Motorsports 47 super late model on Thursday nights.
“Truth is almost everything on this car is the same from when we won the title,” said Rodewald. “We haven’t raced much at all the last two years. We’ve been trying to save up our pennies so we can do this again weekly. And now I’m 40 and not getting any younger. We’ve spent a lot of time going through the car and we’re going to go for another track championship.”
Truth is many of the same players that Rodewald was forced to fend off for the ’17 crown are still at it in the late model class. “Bryan Monday will be very tough again as will “Showstopper” (Mike Meyerhofer) who took some time away like I did,” Rodewald said. Others expected back to race weekly in the late model class include Eddie Muenster, Mike King, Matthew Wittman, Justin Woller, Scott Baker, Tarra Springstroh, Will Timmers, Brandon Reichenberger, Todd Verhagen, Brian Henry, Nathan Van Wychen, Dan Koch, Chase Randerson, Rachel Evans, Kevin Retzlaff, Robert Younger, Nick Van, Craig Krueger and Jake Zelinske. “It looks like we’ll have a full field of cars in this class this year. Truth is most of them can win on any given Thursday night. You’ve always got to be on top of your game.”
For a track championship to come together multiple variables can play a factor. “You’ve got to stay out of trouble,” Rodewald said. “You’ve got to be careful and mind your own business. You don’t necessarily have to win every race to win a track championship, but you need to keep those top three and top five finishes every night and finish every race. And the key too is the time you put in at your shop. To me, that is where races are won or lost.”
Rodewald, who also has a super late model at his disposal, said the late model class remains an affordable option for drivers wanting to test the waters on WIR’s legendary half-mile. “Truthfully, a guy could get a halfway decent used car that can be competitive for between $10,000 to $15,000,” Rodewald pointed out.
Rodewald will have a teammate if needed this season – Kaukauna veteran Jim Duchow. “Duke has been a secret weapon to my success for many years,” Rodewald said. “He may climb behind the wheel as a teammate a time or two this year.”
In addition to racing weekly at WIR, Rodewald plans on supporting the Big 8 Series race at the Milwaukee Mile August 29. “To me if a late model team can afford it we should all be supporting that show down there,” Rodewald said. “We may take the super late model up to Norway (MI) Speedway a time or two as well if we have the time and money available.”
Crew members helping out Rodewald this year include Curt and Heather Carstens, Doug Lange and Todd Bethe. Rodewald is light on sponsors to support his program but he is carrying JSL Real Estate and Abbey Ridge Developments on his number 27 racer this year. “I sure could use some more sponsors that’s for sure,” Rodewald said.
The season opening race for the FRRC’s ‘Thursday Night Thunder’ is Thursday, May 20. Racing gets underway at 6:30 p.m. The defending track champions in the respective classes include Montello’s Bobby Kendall (super late model), Bennett (late model), Kaukauna’s Shane Krueger (super stocks), Neenah’s Tom Spierowski (1/4 mile late model), Freedom’s Cody Vanderloop (sport trucks), Appleton’s Scott Wolf (Sizzlin’ 4’s), and West Bend’s Nick Osberg (figure 8’s).
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