Polesitter Craig Priewe of Beaver Dam had his sights set on a first ever BMT win. He and winner Mitch McGrath of Neosho traded the lead (and some paint) all race long. Priewe’s car showed a plume of smoke just prior to receiving the white flag, and McGrath stormed past to earn his fourth career BMT win while a dejected Priewe, who had a pair of podium finishes heading into Wilmot, settled for 2nd place money at the pay window.

FIRST PODIUM FINISH – For Green Bay’s Eric Van Iten, third place never felt so good. Van Iten scored his first podium finish of his career of BMT competition taking third. “It’s the first time I’ve ever gotten a trophy for third before,” joked Van Iten in a post race interview.

LAUTENBACH SERVES NOTICE – Vlies Custom Bodies/Victory Sign rookie-of-the-year candidate Brad Lautenbach of New Franken most certainly served notice that he’s a legit threat to win in BMT competition. The former IMCA northern sportmod state champion battled his way past seasoned veterans Benji LaCrosse of Green Bay and defending BMT champion Brian Mullen of Seymour, and pressured Van Iten in the final laps to score an impressive fourth place finish.

MAHLIK CASHES IN – Green Bay’s Eric Mahlik became the first BMT driver to earn extra money through the Gandrud Chevrolet “Crate Cash” bonus. Mahlik, the only driver in the field running with the GM crate 604 under the hood, made the feature and earned an extra $200 in doing so.

LOCALS FARE WELL –The Wilmot Raceway regulars fared much better this year than they did in 2012, with seven locals cracking the 53 car field as opposed to just two the season prior. Defending track champion Chris Carlson earned the Wild Inc. hard charger award finishing seventh. Round Lake Beach, Illinois’ Jason Hyderdall was 12th, young Cameron Kuxhouse 14th, Burlington’s Joel Crowbridge 15th, former track champ Mike Sullivan of Burlington 16th, Waukesha’s Phil Rehberg 17th’s and Genoa City’s Nick Simons 19th.

POINTS SHAKEUP – With Seymour’s Jerry Wilinski opting to race at his home track Seymour Speedway Sunday
During the Wilmot race, a points shakeup of sorts took place. LaCrosse holds an 8 point edge over McGrath, with Mullen third 15 points out of first. Oconto Falls Lance Arneson sits fourth 27 points out of first while Eagle River’s Pat Zdroik, who towed 6 and one-half hours south from Eagle River, Wisconsin parlayed a ninth place finish into a fifth in points.

TOP 20 IN THE MONEY – Shawano rookie Cody “Hudson Hornet” Hudson currently sits in the 20th spot, the final paying points spot for the season ending points fund.

BY THE NUMBERS – An average of 54 cars have turned out for the first two BMT shows of the season. The 53 cars at Wilmot eclipsed last year’s record of 52 by one. A total of 81 different drivers from Wisconsin and Illinois have competed in the first two events in 2013.

NEXT UP – The $10,000-to-win Clash at the Creek V is up next for the BMT at 141 Speedway June 26-27. The highest paying modified race in Wisconsin’s history will be awarding 25 show points across the board to all BMT drivers for this event. 56 drivers from three states are already pre entered, with many more expected. A special BMT 6-for-6 provisional dash for the top six in points will be run at some point Wednesday June 26 with details to be announced later this week. The drivers set for the dash include LaCrosse, McGrath, Mullen, Arneson, Zdroik and Priewe. For further information check 141speedway.com and badgermodtour.com. The track phone is 920 863 3377.

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc., Lena Bumper to Bumper

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Bassett Wheel, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Pro World Race Parts, Quartermaster, R2C Performance Products, Vlies Custom Bodies, Victory Sign, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, widirtracin.com

(Wilmot, WI) June 16 –  Neosho’s Mitch McGrath survived a race long, back-and-forth tussle with Beaver Dam’s Craig Priewe and dodged a handful of cautions to win the Custom Windows Plus Badger Mod Tour presented by Gandrud Chevrolet race at Wilmot Raceway Sunday.

A total of 53 BMT modifieds checked in to compete at Wilmot.

McGrath, who started on the outside front row, sped away with Priewe in the early laps and traded the lead lap after lap, with Priewe protecting the bottom line and McGrath hammer down on top.  A lap nine caution bunched up the field.  On the restart, the duo of McGrath and Priewe would pick up where it left off and distance themselves from the field.

A heated battle for third ensued for much of the night, as Green Bay drivers Eric Van Iten and Benji LaCrosse along with defending BMT champion Brian Mullen, all battled hard with Van Iten breaking away to take command of the third spot late in the race following a string of mid-race yellows.

With a late caution and a handful of laps remaining, heavy smoke shot out of Priewe’s racer just prior to the white flag being displayed.  McGrath scooted by to take the lead.  McGrath would go on to score his fourth career BMT main.  Van Iten came up just shy of nabbing a runnerup spot, catching Priewe’s slowing race car at the checkers, and nabbing his first podium finish.  BMT Vlies Custom Bodies/Victory sign rookie candidate Brad Lautenbach, the only BMT rookie to make the show, sliced his way through the field of veterans to score fourth.    Defending race winner Lance Arneson of Oconto Falls rounded out the top five finishers.

Former track champion Chris Carlson of Union Grove earned the Wild Inc. hard charger award, storming through the pack from 19th to finish 7th.

Green Bay’s Eric Mahlik became the first BMT driver to win Gandrud Crate cash.  Mahlik scored a 10th place with his GM 604 crate powerplant under the hood, and earned an extra $200.

Eagle River’s Jimmy Zdroik earned the Fusion Enterprises Long Haul award, towing more than 6 and a half hours to compete.

The next event on the BMT slate will be the $10,000-to-win Clash at Creek V at 141 Speedway June 26-27.  On Wednesday night the top six BMT points drivers following the Wilmot show will race in 6-for-6 dash at 141 on June 26 to determine who will earn the BMT provisional into the big show.

For more information please check badgermodtour.com.  You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.  For further information call (920) 905 1112 or (920) 676 5990.

RACE SUMMARY

30 LAP CUSTOM WINDOWS PLUS BADGER MOD TOUR PRESENTED BY GANDRUD CHEVROLET “A” MAIN

1) Mitch McGrath, Neosho 2) Craig Priewe, Beaver Dam 3) Eric Van Iten, Green Bay 4) Brad Lautenbach, New Franken 5) Lance Arneson, Oconto Falls 6) Benji LaCrosse, Green Bay 7) Chris Carlson, Union Grove 8) Brian Mullen, Seymour 9) Pat Zdroik, Eagle River 10) Eric Mahlik, Green Bay 11) Todd Dart, Algoma 12) Jason Hyderdall, Round Lake Beach, IL 13) Mark Weisnicht, Shawano 14) Cameron Kuxhouse, Antioch, IL 15) Joel Crowbridge, Burlington 16) Mike Sullivan, Burlington 17) Phil Rehberg, Waukesha 18) Tony Wedelstadt, Fremont 19) Nick Simons, Genoa City 20) Tim Lemirande, Middleton 21) Matt Recheck, Beaver Dam 22) Brian Crapser, Brookfield 23) Don Scheffler, Milwaukee 24) Johny Whitman, De Pere

B MAIN 1) Weisnicht; Joel Crowbridge

B MAIN 2) Lemirande; Mahlik

B MAIN 3) Carlson; Sullivan

PRO WORLD RACE PARTS HEAT 1) Rechek

WEHRS MACHINE & RACE PRODUCTS HEAT 2) Mullen

R2C PERFORMANCE RACING HEAT 3) Mitch McGrath

JERVOVETZ MOTORSPORTS SHOCK SERVICE HEAT 4 –Rehberg

ALLSTAR PERFORMANCE HEAT 5 – LaCrosse

Heat 6 –Priewe; Van Iten

Provisionals – BMT (Wedelstadt), Wilmot (Kuxhouse)

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS

Wild Incorporated Hard Charger Award – Carlson (19th to 7th)
Vlies Custom Race Bodies – Rehberg
Comp Cams – Van Iten, Brian Mullen
Quartermaster Clutches- Van Iten, Brian Mullen
Extreme Enterprises Long Haul award – Jimmy Zdroik, Eagle River, Wisconsin
Lena Bumper to Bumper (5th) –  Arneson
Gandrud Crate Cash – Mahlik ($200)

“Up until that point I had only heard about it because years ago I remember hearing about Julie (McDermid) at the time running down there once in awhile when we’d rain out up here,” said Arneson. “I never really ran on a track with that tight of corners before. I heard the track surface has been pretty good down there this year so obviously we’re looking forward to going back there.”

On June 16 Arneson will return to Wilmot where he hopes to capture some of that beginners luck once again. Last year’s win came in a Harris chassis. This year he’s wheeling a BMS chassis. “There some things last years car maybe did better on certain surfaces but I’m confident with what we’re running now we should be ok down there at Wilmot,” said Arneson.

LAST YEAR – 52 drivers representing three states were on hand. The event was the series debut as the planned opener at Beaver Dam Raceway was rained out the month prior. The feature event saw five different leaders swap the lead throughout the balance of the contest. Even on a Sunday night, and being slotted last in the running order, most of the capacity crowd stuck around to watch the debut of the BMT.

PROVISIONALS – Those who are in the drivers seat for the 23rd and 24th A main starting spots for the respective provisionals are Wilmot’s feature winner a week ago Round Lake Beach, Illinois’ Jason Hyerdall (Wilmot provisional) and current points leader Benji LaCrosse of Green Bay (BMT provisional).

GAME DAY DECISION – It will likely be a true “gameday decision” on June 16 for “Sgt. 6 time” Scott Kuxhouse of Antioch, Illinois. The six time Wilmot champ is on the mend from a wild wreck in weekly racing action at Wilmot a week ago Saturday. Kuxhouse’s PF Flyer chassis went airborne and landed atop the track’s banking, damaging some bolt on parts and the chassis. What’s more, Kuxhouse injured his back in the melee. Kuxhouse topped all local finishers in last year’s BMT maiden voyage with a sixth place finish.

CRATE CASH – The Gandrud Chevrolet “Crate Cash Bonus” stands at $200. That amount will be awarded to the highest finishing driver in the A main competing with the GM 604 crate motor. If no driver makes it the crate bonus goes to $300 for the next BMT event.

ROOKIES REPRESENT – Five Vlies Custom Bodies/Victory Sign Rookie-of-the-year candidates are pre entered early for the Wilmot show. They include Shawano’s Cody Hudson, who won in a sportmods Saturday at Shawano, New Franken’s Brad Lautenbach, who’s two-for-two at Seymour, New Franken’s Mark Joski, Jackson’s Eddie Blaine and Milwaukee’s Mark Brunner.

$10,000 REASONS – BMT drivers have $10,000 reasons to race hard and finish strong at Wilmot. On Wednesday, June 26 the top six drivers in BMT points will throw down at 141 Speedway in a 6-for-6 BMT dash, the winner of which will earn the 24th starting spot into the $10,000-to-win Clash @ The Creek V June 27. The event is the largest paying modified event in Wisconsin history.

LONG HAUL – Fusion Enterprises is sponsoring the $100 Long Haul award. Last year’s Long Haul award winner at Wilmot was Eagle River’s Pat Zdroik.

Racing gets underway at 6:15 p.m. The BMT will be joined by the UMP Summernationals Hell Tour late models and street stocks.
For more information on the Badger Mod Tour, including membership and downloadable forms for Wilmot Raceway you can check badgermodtour.com and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Call (920) 676 5990 for more information on the BMT. The website for Wilmot Raceway is wilmotraceway.com. The track phone is 262 862 2090. Wilmot Raceway is located at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds at 30820 111th Street Wilmot, WI.

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc., Lena Bumper to Bumper

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Bassett Wheel, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Pro World Race Parts, Quartermaster, R2C Performance Products, Schaeffers Lubricants, Vlies Custom Bodies, Victory Sign, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine

Located in Hartford, Wisconsin Fusion Enterprises is an auto repair business owned by BMT driver Eddie Blaine. Fusion Enterprises focuses on offering the same quality services you would expect from a dealership at corner garage prices. Appointments can be made during evenings and weekends.

In addition they have added race parts and supplies including Hoosier tires, AllStar Performance products, Outpace rods and ends, Aero and Bassett Wheels and Howe suspension products. They also offer next day shipping from supplier to the customer’s doorstep. Inventory is continuously being added.

Fusion Enterprises is located just off highway 41 at 4950 Wildlife Road #1 Hartford, WI 53095. The phone number is 414-828-9004.

Last year’s Long Haul award winner at Wilmot was Eagle River’s Pat Zdroik.

Racing gets underway at 6:15 p.m. The BMT will be joined by the UMP Summernationals Hell Tour.

For more information on the Badger Mod Tour, including membership and downloadable forms for Wilmot Raceway you can check badgermodtour.com and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Call (920) 676 5990 for more information on the BMT. The website for Wilmot Raceway is wilmotraceway.com. The track phone is 262 862 2090. Wilmot Raceway is located at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds at 30820 111th Street Wilmot, WI.

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Bassett Wheel, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Lena Bumper to Bumper, Pro World Race Parts Quartermaster, R2C Performance Products, Schaeffers Lubricants, Vlies Custom Bodies, Victory Sign, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, widirtracin.com

While no rookies were able to crack the star-studded 24 car starting field, the 22-year-old Hudson came within a whisker of making the field at his home track, placing fourth in one of three loaded last chance qualifiers. “I guess I can’t feel too bad finishing behind Benji (LaCrosse) and Jason (Czarapata) in the heat,” said Hudson, who drives a Victory chassis owned by Dave “Dr. Gear” Stoffer and Jessica Stoffer of Shawano. “The field of cars made up 99% of the best drivers in Wisconsin and to do as well as we did at my home track took some pressure off. It was the first night ever competing with a mod, you need to stay on top of your game when racing the BMT .”

The R-O-Y deal remains tight after the first show, with just four points separating the top five contestants. Hudson has a 2 point edge over Oconto Falls Derek Kozak, while New Franken drivers Brad Lautenbach and Mark Joski, along with Seymour’s Kurt “Barnstormer” Moeller are just four points out of first in the rookie chase.

Hudson’s pit crew consists of Greg Slewinski, Sterling Richards, Trent Nolan, Steve Quinn, Tucker Quinn, Jeff Wolff, Mike Sortino. His team of sponsors includes Dr. Gear,
Mathena Roofing & Siding, Quality Auto Body, Floors By Design/Ricky Lemmen Motorsports and RSR Shocks and Dyno Testing .

The Tour heads to Wilmot Raceway Sunday, June 16. The “Hudson Hornet” has never before competed at the paper-clip shaped, 3/8 mile clay oval. “I’ve never been there before but I’ve watched the BMT video from Josh VanPay last year but haven’t since studied the track,” said Hudson. Racing gets underway at 6:15 p.m. The BMT will be joined by the UMP Summernationals Hell Tour.

For more information on the Badger Mod Tour, including membership and downloadable forms for Wilmot Raceway you can check badgermodtour.com and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Call (920) 676 5990 for more information on the BMT. The website for Wilmot Raceway is wilmotraceway.com. The track phone is 262 862 2090. Wilmot Raceway is located at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds at 30820 111th Street Wilmot, WI.

Vlies Custom Bodies/Victory Sign BMT
Rookie of the year standings
(as of May 26, 2013)

03 Cody Hudson, Shawano 58
02 Derek Kozak, Oconto Falls 56
21L Brad Lautenbach, New Franken 54
68 Mark Joski, New Franken 54
21x Kurt Moeller, Seymour 54
3M Mike Mueller, Fond Du Lac 53
69 TJ Smith, Menasha 53
64 Mark Brunner, Milwaukee 52
89 Adam Reed, Rubicon 52

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Bassett Wheel, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Lena Bumper to Bumper, Pro World Race Parts Quartermaster, R2C Performance Products, Schaeffers Lubricants, Vlies Custom Bodies, Victory Sign, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, widirtracin.com

Wheeling a new Madman chassis, LaCrosse led all 30 laps and collected $1,925, $1000 top prize money and the balance donated by local fans and businesses.  The victory was LaCrosse’s second career BMT win and the 2nd for MadMan chassis, as Seymour’s Brian Mullen put one in victory lane at the 141 Speedway Fall Classic last October.  Benji’s dad Larry LaCrosse serves as the crew chief on the 54 car.  With the win LaCrosse moves into second in all time BMT wins behind Neosho’s Mitch McGrath who has three.

WILINSKI TOUGH – Former Shawano track champion Jerry Wilinski netted a solid second place and brought home the first podium finish for SSR chassis and Wilinski, who purchased a BMT membership.   When interviewed in victory lane about possibly traveling to Wilmot Raceway June 16, Wilinski said “We’ll see how it goes for the work schedule.”

HARD CHARGERS – Neosho’s Mitch McGrath earned his own Wild Inc. hard charger award, storming from his 22nd starting spot and finishing fifth.  Eagle River’s Pat Zdroik also turned in his best BMT performance.  The veteran started 17th and worked his way up to sixth on the slicked over, half-mile, clay oval.

JET LAG – Oconto Falls “Dancin’ Lance” Arneson raced with a case of jet lag Saturday.  Arneson, cut his honeymoon short a bit early to fly back from Florida to race.    Arneson wound up 7th.  Arneson married Emily Holtger on May 18.

R-O-Y CHASE – There was certainly no shame in not cracking the 24 car starting field with 55 of the state’s best modified drivers on hand.  As a result no Vlies Custom Bodies/Victory Sign rookie-of-the-year candidates made the A main, but a few came fairly close.  Shawano’s Cody Hudson and Oconto Falls Derek Kozak just missed transfer spots in their last chance qualifiers, respectively.  Hudson currently leads the R-O-Y standings with 58 points.  Kozak sits 2nd with 56 while New Franken drivers Brad Lautenbach and Mark Joski are tied for 3rd with 54 points apiece.

MIA – A couple of BMT regulars weren’t in attendance at Shawano, and both for good reason.  Juneau’s Russ Reinwald suffered heavy damage to his Slick chassis the night prior at Luxemburg Speedway and was unable to attend.    Randy Kenneth Markwardt III was born to BMT driver Randy Markwardt’s significant other Celeste Mattheis Saturday at 12:18 p.m. in Sheboygan.   Baby Markwardt wound up being 7 lbs. and 1 oz.  Both drivers are expected at Wilmot Raceway for the next series race June 16.

GANDRUD CRATE CASH –  Not one of the 55 drivers in attendance at the BMT opener came with a 604 GM Crate motor.  As a result, the Gandrud Crate cash bonus will roll over to the next series stop at Wilmot Raceway June 16 and a $200 cash bonus will be paid out to the highest finishing crate motor car in the A main.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE – After the Shawano race, 10 drivers have had perfect attendance since the Tour started a year ago.  They are Mullen, Pat Zdroik, Arneson, Gillett’s Tom Schaal, Milwaukee’s Eddie Lemay, Beaver Dam’s Craig Priewe, Neosho’s Joe and Mitch McGrath, Burlington’s Joel Crowbridge and Middleton’s Tim Lemirande.

$10,000 REASONS – There are many reasons for the drivers in the top 20 in points to follow the Tour to Wilmot.  On June 26 a 6-for-6 BMT dash will take place among the top six in the BMT point standings at 141 Speedway.   The winner of that race will land the BMT provisional into the $10,000-to-win Clash at Creek V at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek June 27.

NEXT UP –   The next BMT tour event will be Sunday, June 16 at Wilmot Raceway.  The BMT will share the bill with the UMP Summernationals Hell Tour.  Last season Arneson topped a 52 car field on the paper-clip shaped, 3/8 mile clay oval. The race saw no less than 5 different leaders during the 30 lap feature.  Racing gets underway at 6:15 p.m.

For more information on the Badger Mod Tour, including membership and downloadable forms for Wilmot Raceway you can check badgermodtour.com and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  Call (920) 676 5990 for more information on the BMT.  The website for Wilmot Raceway is wilmotraceway.com.  The track phone is 262 862 2090.
Wilmot Raceway is located at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds at 30820 111th Street Wilmot, WI.

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance,  Bassett Wheel, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Lena Bumper to Bumper, Quartermaster, R2C Performance Products, Schaeffers Lubricants, Vlies Custom Bodies, Victory Sign, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, widirtracin.com

(Shawano, WI) May 25 –Green Bay’s Benji LaCrosse led every lap and sweated out five caution flags to capture the series opener for the Custom Windows Plus Badger Mod Tour presented by Gandrud Chevrolet at Shawano Speedway Saturday. In the process LaCrosse pocketed $1,925 with the lap leader and halfway bonus money.

LaCrosse outraced polesitter and current Shawano points leader Jerry Wilinski of Seymour to take the lead. LaCrosse kept the top spot through several caution periods, one of which flew late in the race for Wausau’s Marcus Yarie, who was battling with BMT defending champion Brian Mullen for fourth. Yarie’s car hit a tractor tire and bent a tie rod on his racer, ending his night.

LaCrosse picked up where he left off on each restart, and sped away to a comfortable cushion to capture his second career BMT feature win. “I was a little bit worried on the restarts just because the field of cars is so tough here,” said LaCrosse. “You get into a rhythm and those cautions can throw you off a bit.”

Wilinski held on to second place in his first BMT start, and wound up as the highest finishing Shawano Speedway regular. Mullen wound up in third, after Pulaski’s Jason Czarapata lost a driveshaft while challenging Wilinski for the runnerup spot.

A total of 55 BMT modifieds checked in to compete in the Tour’s season opener.

The Tour’s second stop comes to Wilmot Raceway Sunday, June 16. The show will run with the UMP Summernationals HellTour. Oconto Falls Lance Arneson is the defending race winner.

For more information please check badgermodtour.com. You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter. For further information call (920) 905 1112 or (920) 676 5990.

RACE SUMMARY

30 LAP CUSTOM WINDOWS PLUS BADGER MOD TOUR PRESENTED BY GANDRUD CHEVROLET “A” MAIN

Benji LaCrosse, Green Bay
Jerry Wilinski, Seymour
Brian Mullen, Seymour
Paul Parker, Appleton
Mitch McGrath, Neosho
Pat Zdroik, Eagle River
Lance Arneson, Oconto Falls
Jared Siefert, Luxemburg
Eddie Muenster, Green Bay
Tony Wedelstadt, Fremont
Kyle Lentz, Green Bay
Tom Schaal, Gillett
Joe McGrath, Neosho
Todd Dart, Algoma
Eddie LeMay Jr, Milwaukee
Mark Weisnicht, Shawano
Jason Czarapata, Pulaski
Eric Van Iten, Green Bay
Brad Rohloff, Pulaski
Tim Jorgenson, Seymour
Johnny Whitman, De Pere
Marcus Yarie, Wausau
Tim Czarneski, Denmark
Craig Priewe, Beaver Dam

B MAIN 1) Pat Zdroik; Wedelstadt

B MAIN 2) Dart; Mitch McGrath

B MAIN 3) Eddie Muenster; Lentz

PRO WORLD RACE PARTS HEAT 1) Van Iten; Priewe

WEHRS MACHINE & RACE PRODUCTS HEAT 2) Whitman; Weisnicht

R2C PERFORMANCE RACING HEAT 3) Czarneski; Rohloff

JERVOVETZ MOTORSPORTS SHOCK SERVICE HEAT 4 –Yarie; Siefert

ALLSTAR PERFORMANCE HEAT 5 –LaCrosse; Czarapata

HEAT 6- Wilinski; Parker

CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS

Wild Incorporated Hard Charger Award – Mitch McGrath
Vlies Custom Race Bodies – Jason Czarapata
Comp Cams – Wilinski, Parker
Quartermaster Clutches- Mullen, Siefert
Schaeffers Lubricants – LaCrosse
Extreme Enterprises Long Haul award – Jason Hyerdall, Round Lake Beach, IL
Lena Bumper to Bumper (5th) – Mitch McGrath

The storied, half-mile clay oval has been a Saturday night tradition in Shawano County since the early 1960’s. In the early 2000’s it was not uncommon to see fields of close to 50 modifieds on a weekly basis early in the season. “I think we should hit numbers close to that for the BMT show,” said track public relations person Bert Lehman.

Racing gets underway at 6 p.m. Late models, IMCA stock cars and IMCA northern sportmods will also be on the card.

The large field of BMT mods field will be scrapping for 24 spots in the 30 lap contest. Here’s a preview of what’s to come at Shawano on Saturday night:

CHASSIS PARITY – To date, three different chassis manufacturers found their way to victory lane in BMT competition in 2012. Wild Inc. and Harris race cars each wound up in the winners circle on three occasions in 2012, while MadMan chassis scored one victory last season. Of the 41 current members on the BMT roster, the chassis breakdown features 17 different chassis brands, including Harris (7), Slick (5), MadMan (5), Wild Inc. (4), BMS (3), GRT (3), RSM (2), Victory (2), Skyrocket, Zdroikbuilt, CJ Rayburn, Tracer, Magsmod, Mutt, Wolfe, Jeff Taylor and SSR all with 1 apiece.

DUE DATES – Don’t be alarmed if a pair of BMT drivers mysteriously speed away from the race track at any given moment Saturday. Jackson’s Eddie Blaine and Sheboygan Falls Randy Markwardt Jr both are expectant fathers. Eddie’s fiance’ Stacey has a due date in June while Markwardt’s girlfriend Celeste has a due date May 23. They didn’t pre-enter for a reason!

PAST CHAMPS – The field expected on Saturday will draw a ton of past Shawano Speedway modified champions, including Luxemburg’s Jared Siefert, Kiel’s Eric Scribner, Pulaski’s Jason Czarapata, Seymour’s Jerry Wilinski, Green Bay drivers Eddie and Jerry Muenster and Oconto Falls “Dancin Lance” Arneson.

BONUS $$$ – Presenting sponsor Gandrud Chevrolet is awarding $100 cash to the highest finishing car in the A main who races with a 604 GM Crate motor. If no driver qualifies the money will roll over into a pot and that amount will double to $200 at the next BMT race Sunday, June 16 at Wilmot Raceway. In addition, $925 in lap leader bonuses will be available to drivers, making it possible for a driver to walk away with close to $2,000 Saturday night.

FATHER-SON DUOS – There will be at least two father-son duos dueling in the BMT opener. Ageless Jerry Muenster and son Eddie will pilot Razor chassis while Joe McGrath and son Mitch will wheel Wild Inc.cars.

LONG HAUL AWARD – Extreme Enterprises in Cecil is sponsoring the $100 Long Haul award to the driver who tows the furthest to compete. Round Lake Beach, Illinois’ Jason Hyerdall is one of the candidates for the award, with a near 4 hour-plus tow to the races. Don’t be surprised to see some other drivers from out of the area pop in unexpectedly, without pre-entering, to compete in the BMT opener.

LATE MODEL ACES – A large number of former dirt late model drivers will be competing with the BMT this year. Among them Middleton’s Tim Lemirande, Eagle River’s Jimmy Zdroik, Shawano’s Mark Weisnicht, Milwaukee’s Mark Brunner, Luxemburg’s Dave Zeitler, and Pulaski’s Brad Rohloff. Appleton’s Paul Parker, Gillett’s Tom Schaal, Neosho’s Mitch McGrath and Benji LaCrosse of Green Bay currently wheel dirt late models on occasion.

PROVISIONALS – Seymour drivers Jerry Wilinski and Brian Mullen are guaranteed provisionals, should they need them, into the big show on Saturday. Wilinski’s earned his as being the high point man at Shawano for weekly racing, while Mullen earns his as the defending track champion.

2013 SCHEDULE

Saturday April 20 141 Speedway (Francis Creek, WI) (rained out)
Saturday, May 25 Shawano Speedway (Shawano, WI)
Sunday, June 16 Wilmot Raceway (Wilmot, WI)
Wed-Thur June 26-27 141 Speedway ($10,000-to-win Clash @ Creek V)
Thursday, July 4 Eagle River Raceway (Eagle River, WI)
Friday July 12 Dodge County Fairgrounds (Beaver Dam, WI)
Friday, July 19 Oshkosh Speedzone (Oshkosh, WI)
Sunday August 4 Seymour Speedway (Seymour, WI)
Thursday, August 22 Manitowoc County Speedway (Manitowoc, WI)
Friday, October 4 141 Speedway (Francis Creek, WI)

TOP 20 IN POINTS FROM 2012

1 Brian Mullen 526
2 Mitch McGrath 531
3 Russ Reinwald 486
4 Mike Mullen 477
5 Craig Priewe 455
6 Jeremy Christians 453
7 Joe McGrath 428
8 Tim Lemirande 418
9 Matt Rechek 415
10 Eddie LeMay Jr. 414
11 Lance Arneson 413
12 Tom Schaal 400
13 Benji LaCrosse 397
14 Jared Siefert 363
15 Kyle Frederick 349
16 Kyle Kudick 339
17 Randy Markwardt Jr. 331
18 Joel Crowbridge 309
19 Jason Zdroik 300
20 Scott Kuxhouse 297

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Pro World Race Parts, Quartermaster, R2C Performance, Schaeffers Lubricants, Victory Sign, Vlies Custom Bodies, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Widirtracin.com; Wild Inc.

The cash will be awarded to the BMT mod driver who tows the furthest to compete.

Owned by Greg Borowski, Extreme Enterprises has been in business since 1992.  Located in a remodeled barn, they have a full machine shop with a superflo dyno.  They sell and service engines for a variety of dirt divisions including late models, modifieds and stock cars, as well as dragsters and truck pullers.  They are also certified by IMCA to seal the crate engines used for that sanctioning body.

Extreme Enterprises is located at N7125 Cheese Factory Road Cecil, WI 54111.  The phone number is (715) 745 4094.

A 30 lap BMT feature will highlight the action. The BMT will be joined by the late models, IMCA northern sportmods and IMCA stock cars. 7-year-old cancer survivor Reed Luepke will serve as the honorary starter for this event.

You can follow the BMT on Facebook and Twitter and at the website badgermodtour.com. Drivers can find the Shawano pre-entry forms there. Call (920) 676 5990 for more information. The track’s website is shawanospeedway.net.

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Pro World Race Parts, Quartermaster, R2C Performance, Schaeffers Lubricants, Victory Sign, Vlies Custom Bodies, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Widirtracin.com; Wild Inc.

He was in attendance for the World of Outlaws late model show in 2011. The winningest driver in the brief history of the Custom Windows Plus Badger Mod Tour presented by Gandrud Chevrolet is hoping to pull off a bit of first time Irish luck as the BMT kicks off it’s 2013 season May 25 at 6 p.m. at the storied, half-mile, clay oval.

“The Neosho Nightmare’s” track record is pretty solid on half-mile tracks. “I won my very first mod feature ever at Dodge County Fairgrounds (1/2 mile) back in 2007,” said McGrath. “The big half miles get a little boring, but I have run decent on them. Plus that day is my birthday so I’m feeling pretty good about it.”

McGrath’s racing appearances so far have been limited in 2013 with just a couple of races being run. “I’m currently building a new house and work is keeping us busy at Wild Inc,” said McGrath. “Our plan is to run the entire BMT schedule once again, along with a few specials and some weekly shows whenever possible.”

McGrath finished four points behind Seymour veteran Brian Mullen in the final points night at 141 Speedway’s Fall Classic last year, which went right down the wire. “I think the BMT title will definitely be a tough challenge for all competitors again,” said McGrath. “There are a ton of good names following this deal. (Dirt Late Model standout) Paul Parker in my car from last season will be tough to beat at Shawano.”

McGrath will wheel a brand new car out of Wild Inc. North this year. “These new cars were built by National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Pete Parker,” said McGrath. “I need to thank the “Parkers” for helping get Wild Inc. North up and rolling to better serve the North Central Wisconsin racers.” More than $2,000 in bonus cash is up for grabs in lap leader money, as well as a $100 cash bonus to the highest finishing driver with a GM Crate 604 motor under the hood.

A 30 lap BMT feature will highlight the action. The BMT will be joined by the late models, IMCA northern sportmods and IMCA stock cars. 7-year-old cancer survivor Reed Luepke will serve as the honorary starter for this event.

You can follow the BMT on Facebook and Twitter and at the website badgermodtour.com. Drivers can find the Shawano pre-entry forms there. Call (920) 676 5990 for more information. The track’s website is shawanospeedway.net.

-30-

TITLE SPONSORS – Custom Windows Plus, Gandrud Chevrolet

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS – Directional Drilling Services, Wild Inc.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS – AllStar Performance, Comp Cams, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Services, Pro World Race Parts, Quartermaster, R2C Performance, Schaeffers Lubricants, Victory Sign, Vlies Custom Bodies, Webmaster Chewy, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Widirtracin.com; Wild Inc.