Updated Sept. 9, 2011

Kallas, Van Natta, Follstad, Ryskoski and Beeksma Win At Tomahawk on Day Two

Tomahawk Speedway, September 4, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

With the racing rained out on Saturday night, Tomahawk Speedway held the second day of their two-day event on Sunday afternoon. With racing scheduled to begin at 3:00, rain delayed racing for an hour on a track that earlier in the day looked to be unmanageable due to continued showers up until 2:00.

A big day of racing did successfully happen with racing in five divisions plus mechanics’ races and powder puff races. Without the extra efforts of track personnel working together, this event would have never become reality.

Sixteen year old, Alex Van Natta, got his second feature win of the weekend in his WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified, while John Kallas did the same in his WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stock. In the Tomahawk Pure Stocks, Bill Follstad tallied a win, while Mark Ryskoski won in the Tomahawk Four- Cylinder Bandit Division. In addition, Patrick Beeksma collected win number two of the weekend in his Ashland Six-Cylinder.

The WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks were the first division to hit the track with Carolyn Nosser and John Kallas sharing the front row. Kallas was off like a shot as the green flag dropped, but Nosser was not going to roll over and play dead as she hounded Kallas for many laps.

As the race neared the midway point, Dennis LaCrosse, Jr. pulled into the pits with his race coming to an end after running fourth. A short time later, Heidi Karshbaum caused the only caution of the feature when she spun in turn four.

Kallas proved to just be too strong and went on for the second sweep of the weekend in his Coor Light-sponsored car. Nosser and Karshbaum rounded out the top three.

The Ashland Six Cylinders were up next, with Patrick Beeksma and Ron Lillie first to accept the green flag from Flagman Guy Carley. Beeksma showed his dominance early just as he had in the Friday night feature.

As the race reached the midpoint, Beeksma was stretching his lead, Bill Anderson continued to run second, Don Muzzy ran third and Ron Lillie ran fourth.

By race end, it was Beeksma with the second win of the weekend in his EAS Construction- sponsored car. Anderson, Muzzy and Lillie rounded out the other top spots.

Alex Van Natta and Bruce Belland started side-by-side for the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified feature with Van Natta surging to the lead by the end of lap one.

By lap five, Van Natta continued to lead and Belland ran second three or four car lengths behind Van Natta. Meanwhile, Travis Friske followed closely in third. Running fourth at the time was CJ Hedges, Jr. with Dennis Mikkelson in fifth.

A caution after lap five occurred when Rob Weber’s car veered into the turn two wall after the rear axle let go.

When racing resumed, Van Natta once again grabbed the lead with Belland, Friske, Mikkelson and Hedges giving chase. Two laps latter Mikkelson drove off into the pits and his race was done.

By lap ten of the 20-lap feature, Van Natta still led, Belland was still in second, Friske was still in third, but Dan Melton had moved all the way to fourth after starting ninth and Scott Weber was running fifth after starting eighth.

Lap 15 saw the same running order. A couple of laps later Hedges slid up into the turn one wall and he was done.

In the end, it was Van Natta picking up win number two of the weekend in his Van Natta Plumbing-sponsored car. Belland, Friske, Melton and Steve Weber rounded out the top five.

The Tomahawk Pure Stocks were up next with Bill Follstad and Duke Leu on the front row. You could tell that Follstad was hungry for a win as he drove a determined first three laps with Mike Brown, Leu, Randy Conner and Wayne Eskola fighting it out for second.

With three laps in, two successive cautions occurred when Jason Melton spun out coming out of turn four and on the restart Keith Troutman got his car sideways coming out of turn two. Once racing resumed, Follstad again took the lead.

Follstad was still in the lead by the end of lap five and Conner had moved into the second spot as Brown ran third, Eskola ran fourth and Nate Langberg ran fifth.

By lap ten, Conner was on Follstad’s bumper as the remaining cars maintained their positions with Brown, Eskola and Langberg running a tight pattern right behind.

By race end, Follstad had claimed the win in his Tomahawk Sports Center sponsored car. Conner, Eskola, Brown and Langberg rounded out the top five.

The Tomahawk Four-Cylinder Bandits were up next with Mark Ryskoski and Zach Degner leading the way. Ryskoski, who is an excellent runner wherever he goes, showed his strength early taking the lead by the end of lap one, with Degner relegated to second.

During the first five laps Ryskoski received no real threat, but Degner, Brandon Langbecker, Adam Johnson and Richard Barlowski battled hard for second. It was after lap five that both Johnson and Langbecker dropped off into the pits changing the top five.

Ryskoski stretched the lead by lap ten, with Degner running in second, Barlowski in third, Tim Holleran in fourth and Elliot Marquardt in fifth.

By race end it was Ryskoski with yet another win. Rounding out the top five were Degner, Barlowski, Holleran and Linc Leu, who inherited fifth when Marquardt dropped out of that race with four to go.

That was not the end of the day’s activities, as there was a Cop and Robber race, several Powder Puff races and several Mechanics’ races.

Despite the weather, a good time was had by all in conclusion of the 2011 racing season.

Once again thanks to everyone who helped to keep the three-legged stool upright. The racers, the fans and everyone else associated with the track in one way or another.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

September 4, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: Alex Van Natta, Bruce Belland, Travis Friske, Dan Melton, Scott Weber, Bill Muhlig, CJ Hedges, Jr.. Rob Weber, Dennis Mikkelson

Heat: R Weber, Van Natta, Friske, Mikkelson, Belland, Hedges, Jr., Muhlig, S Weber, Melton

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: John Kallas, Carolyn Nosser, Heidi Karshbaum, Dennis LaCrosse, Jr.

Heat: Kallas, La Crosse, Jr., Nosser, Ron Van Dusen, Karshbaum, Jason Jensen

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Bill Follstad, Randy Conner, Wayne Eskola, Mike Brown, Nate Langberg, Duke Leu, Steve Brown, Jason Melton, Terry Selmer, Keith Troutman, Josh Cole

Heat 1: Conner, Follstad, S Brown, Gunard Hoogland, Langberg, Melton

Heat 2: Leu, Eskola, M Brown, Cole, Selmer, Troutman

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: Mark Ryskoski, Zach Degner, Richard Barlowski, Tim Holleran, Linc Leu, George Brixius, Brett Oenning, Louis Malluege, Brandon Langbecker, Adam Johnson, Elliot Marquardt

Heat 1: Holleran, Johnson, Oenning, Brixius, Malluege

Heat 2: Langbecker, Degner, Barlowski, Ryskoski, Marquardt, Leu

Ashland Six Cylinders

Feature: Patrick Beeksma, Bill Anderson, Don Muzzy, Ron Lillie

Heat: Anderson, Muzzy, Beeksma, Lillie

Updated August 29, 2011

Boettcher, Soltis, Conner and Barlowski Tops in Points at Tomahawk Speedway

August 26, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

The final night for points at Tomahawk Speedway saw Chad Boettcher winning the track points battle in the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified division. Adam Soltis won in the WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stock division, Randy Conner won in the Tomahawk Pure Stocks, and John Barlowski won in the Tomahawk Four Cylinder bandits.

In racing action on Friday night, the Tomahawk Pure Stocks were first to take to the track with Mike Brown and Josh Cole sharing the front row. Cole tried his best to get the early lead, but Brown made contact with Cole as the cars rounded turn one after the drop of the green flag.

With that early caution out of the way, and Brown in the back of the pack, racing resumed with Gundard Hoogland rocketing to the lead. Hoogland led the first four laps with Nate Langberg and Randy Conner swapping spots for second, with Conner coming out the winner of that fight.

As the cars began the fifth lap, Conner was on the move and passed Hoogland in turn two for the lead. With Conner in the lead, Hoogland was relegated to second followed by Langberg, Bill Follstad, and Steve Brown.

With five laps to go, Conner still led, stretching his lead to a full front stretch. Hoogland ran second, Jason Havel ran third, Follstad ran fourth and Langberg ran fifth.

By race end, it was Conner with the win in his COMO Oil and Propane-sponsored car, completing a sweep for the night and securing the points title in the Pure Stock division. Havel, Follstad, Keith Troutman, and Hoogland rounded out the top five.

It has been a fast and furious battle for most of the year between John Kallas and Adam Soltis in the Street Stock division. Those two lined up in the second row for the start of the Street Stock feature as Jeff Klopstein Jr. and Cody Kummer led the cars to the green flag.

Kummer was quickest out of the shoot, with Klopstein following closely in second as Soltis and Kallas fought it out for third.

The midpoint of this caution-free race saw Kummer putting distance between himself and the rest of the pack. Meanwhile, Soltis, Klopstein and Kallas ran bumper-to-bumper and sometimes door-to-door in a battle for second.

In spite of the best efforts of the rest, Kummer was just too strong as he motored away for the win and a sweep in his Vince’s Speed Shop-sponsored car. Rounding out the top five were track points’ champion, Soltis, Kallas, Klopstein, and Jason Jensen.

The Midwest Modified feature looked to be a very good one as Roger Walker and Chad Boettcher led the field to the green flag. Unfortunately for track visitor, Nick Koehler, a gas cap was found on the track and track officials determined it belonged to Koehler’s car. After track officials tried to get the cap back on the gas tank, it was found that the gasket was also missing and Koehler was sent to the pits as the cap would not stay on without the gasket.

When racing commenced, Alex Van Natta took the early lead as he rounded the track at the finish of lap one. Another caution, prior to the end of lap two, sent Boettcher to the rear of the pack for contact made with Walker, which had sent Walker sideways in turn one.

Racing resumed and so did Van Natta’s lead with Travis Friske, Walker, Bruce Belland and CJ Hedges, Jr. in hot pursuit. Another caution, after lap six, sent Boettcher to the pits as he was once again the cause of the caution.

With the track points’ leader in the pits, racing resumed with Van Natta once again in the lead, followed closely by Belland, Duane Dunbar, Friske and Eric Klafka.

Van Natta’s lead came to an end when Belland made the pass for the lead during lap nine. Belland was smooth as he quickly put some distance between his car and the car of Dunbar, who inherited the second spot after Van Natta exited to the pits.

With five to go, Belland continued to lead, as Dunbar ran second, Klafka moved into third, Friske ran fourth and Hedges ran fifth.

When the checkered flag flew, Belland had taken the win in his Central Timber, Inc.-sponsored car. Rounding out the top five were Dunbar, Klafka, Friske and Hedges, Jr.

Despite spending most of the feature in the pits, Boettcher had accumulated enough points to secure the points’ title.

Last up for the night were the mighty Tomahawk Four-Cylinder Bandits with Rory Radtke and Jay Wilberding on the front row. Wilberding took the early lead with Jennifer Nitzsche moving into second from her fourth-place starting spot.

Wilberding survived a couple of restarts as cautions slowed the pace and rearranged the running order, with Mark Ryskoski moving into second. Tim Holleran ran third, Nitzsche ran fourth and Duke Leu ran fifth.

Just as the race hit the midpoint, Nitzsche’s car lost a wheel and once again the battle for first intensified with Wilberding challenged by Ryskoski.

With five laps to go, Ryskoski made the pass for the lead, the eventual win and sweep. Rounding out the top five were Wilberding, Leu, Langbecker, and Schuppler.

Racing resumes on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3, for the end of the year season wrapup races. Friday will be a regular start time and Saturday will see the races starting earlier at 6:00 p.m.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

August 26, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: Bruce Belland, Duane Dunbar, Eric Klafka, Travis Friske, CJ Hedges, Jr., Dennis Mikkelson, Roger Walker, Alex Van Natta, Chad Boettcher

Heat 1: Klafka, Walker, Belland, Hedges, Jr., Mikkelson

Heat 2: Van Natta, Friske, Dunbar, Boettcher, Nick Koehler

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: Cody Kummer, Adam Soltis, John Kallas, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., Jason Jensen, Jeff Mullins

Heat: Kummer, Kallas, Soltis, Klopstein, Jr., Mullins, Jensen

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Randy Conner, Jason Havel, Bill Follstad, Keith Troutman, Gundard Hoogland, Nate Langberg, Steve Brown, Josh Cole, Jeff Becker, Michael Brown

Heat 1: S Brown, Havel, Follstad, Langberg, Troutman

Heat 2: Conner, Hoogland, M Brown, Cole, Becker

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: Mark Ryskoski, Jay Wilberding, Duke Leu, Brandon Langbecker, Ryan Schuppler, Tim Holleran, Zach Degner, Rory Radtke, Louis Malluege, Jennifer Nitzsche, John Barlowski, Brett Oenning

Heat 1: Ryskoski, Barlowski, Langbecker, Radtke, Schuppler, Oenning

Heat 2: Leu, Holleran, Wilberding, Nitzsche, Degner, Malluege

Updated August 22, 2011

A Race Night for Tori

Tomahawk Speedway, August 19, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

The race night at Tomahawk Speedway began as it usually does with a rendition of the National Anthem, but this night with all cars lined up on the track. The race night then took a twist as the announcer asked everyone to be silent and offer up a prayer of healing for ten-year-old Tori Stevens, one of Tomahawk Speedways biggest fans, who is ill and in the Marshfield hospital.

The race night then began with the Tomahawk Pure Stocks going to the track first with Nate Langberg and Bill Follstad on the front row. Langberg was fast off the line, taking the lead with Follstad following in second, Steve Brown in third, and Randy Conner in fourth.

As the top four cars ran bumper-to-bumper, Langberg continued to lead, leading the first eleven laps of the 15-lap feature. Meanwhile, Follstad and Conner had a spirited battle for second with Conner getting the upper hand by the end of lap ten.

With four laps to go, Conner made his move to take the lead, sending Langberg to second. In the end it was Conner taking the win and completing a sweep to add to his track points lead in his Guy’s Restoration-sponsored car. Langberg, Follstad, Brown, and Keith Troutman rounded out the top five.

The WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks were up next with Ron Van Dusen and Jeff Klopstein, Jr. sharing the front row. Klopstein was quick off the line to take the lead, as Van Dusen settled into second.

As lap three was in the process of being completed, John Kallas made the pass on Van Dusen and as Van Dusen fought to get his spot back, the cars of Van Dusen and Kallas made contact, sending Kallas into the infield.

Once racing resumed with Kallas getting his spot back and Van Dusen at the rear of the pack, Klopstein continued to lead with Adam Soltis moving up to take second and Kallas running third. For several laps, which followed, Soltis and Kallas ran side-by-side with Soltis hanging on to second.

As the race reached the midway point, Kallas passed Soltis for second, as Klopstein continued to lead. At the midpoint Kallas went on to take the lead, with Klopstein in second and Soltis in third.

Just three more laps into the race and with Kallas in the lead, Kallas suddenly pulled off the track on the front stretch with a blown power plant. As the cars continued to round the track, Soltis moved into the top spot, as Dennis La Crosse moved into second with Van Dusen running third and Heidi Karshbaum running fifth. Meanwhile, Klopstein was slowing.

With five laps to go, Klopstein’s car slowed even more and he exited to the pits with mechanical problems. The racing order at that point was Soltis, La Crosse, Van Dusen and Karshbaum.

With four laps to go, Soltis still led, but as he drove into turn four, his car erupted in smoke as he lost his motor and transmission, and then there were three cars remaining, with La Crosse now in the lead.

As the checkered flew, La Crosse came across the line first, with Van Dusen giving chase and Karshbaum not far behind. It looked like La Crosse was going to get his first win at Tomahawk Speedway, but he failed to scale and Van Dusen was awarded the win in his Super 8-sponsored car. The remaining four top spots went to Karshbaum, Soltis, Klopstein, and Kallas.

The Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits were up next, with Rory Radtke and Ryan Schuppler running side-by-side as the green flag flew. It was John Barlowski, though, who would come from fourth to take the lead by the end of lap one.

Barlowski on this race night proved to have the fastest car, as he not only led, but managed to stretch his lead to a full front stretch over the other ten cars in the feature. This race ran without caution and the best action was for second with Brandon Langbecker, Ryan Schuppler, and Adam Johnson contending for second.

In the end it was Barlowski with the win in his Shirts, Signs and Designs-sponsored car. Rounding out the top five were Langbecker, Schuppler, Johnson and Charlie Gross.

The final feature of the night saw the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modifieds on the track with Dennis Mikkelson and Chad Boettcher leading the way. Boettcher was the early leader, with Mikkelson and Eric Klafka fighting for second as Duane Dunbar maintained his fourth-place starting spot.

Four laps into the feature, Klafka shot to the lead, dropping Boettcher to second as Dunbar moved up to third and Mikkelson ran fourth with CJ Hedges in fifth.

With ten laps of the 20-lap feature complete, Klafka continued to lead, Dunbar ran second, with Bruce Belland moving up to third. Travis Friske ran fourth and Roger Walker ran fifth.

Just as lap eleven was about to be completed, Boettcher collected Mikkelson, spinning Mikkelson in turn one. Both Mikkelson and Boettcher went to the pits, with Mikkelson returning to go the back of the pack.

Another caution occurred one lap later when Friske spun coming out of turn one. When racing resumed, Dunbar saw his chance to go for the lead and he, Klafka and Belland ran three-wide down the backshoot with Dunbar eventually passing as the cars drove under the flag stand first.

Three more laps into the race, Belland’s car pulled up lame in turn three with a flat right front tire causing another caution. Belland rejoined the race after a tire change and racing resumed with Dunbar once again in the lead.

As this interesting and exciting feature came to an end, Dunbar came home with the win and completed a sweep in his Vince’s Speed Shop-sponsored car. Friske, Klafka, Walker and Belland rounded out the top five.

The race night was not over, as the Midwest Modifieds had to pass through tech inspection in the pit inspection area. Once tech inspection was completed a number of drivers, Follstad, Conner, Belland, Boettcher, La Crosse and Kallas returned to the front stretch to donate their night’s winnings to Tori’s mother to help her with her daughter’s medical expenses. A very nice gesture indeed!

Racing resumes on Friday, August 26, when Tomahawk Speedway presents the final track points night of the 2011 race season.

After that, two other nights of racing remain on the 2011 race schedule with racing on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3. Although the track points will have come to an end, WISSOTA points will be awarded both nights.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

August 19, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: Duane Dunbar, Travis Friske, Eric Klafka, Roger Walker, Bruce Belland, Dennis Mikkelson, CJ Hedges, Jr., Chad Boettcher

Heat: Dunbar, Hedges, Jr., Klafka, Boettcher, Mikkelson, Belland, Friske, Walker

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: Ronald Van Dusen, Heidi Karshbaum, Adam Soltis, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., John Kallas, Dennis La Crosse, Jr.

Heat: Soltis, La Crosse, Kallas, Klopstein, Jr., Van Dusen, Karshbaum

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Randy Conner, Nate Langberg, Bill Follstad, Steve Brown, Keith Troutman, Mark Brown

Heat 1: Conner, S Brown, Langberg, Troutman

Heat 2: Follstad, M Brown, Josh Cole

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: John Barlowski, Brandon Langbecker, Ryan Schuppler, Adam Johnson, Charlie Gross, Tim Holleran, Zach Degner, Rory Radtke, Louis Malluege, Brett Oenning, Kasey Gross

Heat 1: C Gross, Langbecker, Holleran, Radtke, Malluege, Jennifer Nitzsche

Heat 2: K Gross, Schuppler, Barlowski, Johnson, Oenning, Degner

Updated August 15, 2011

Dunbar and Kallas ROC Qualifiers at Tomahawk Speedway

August 12, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

On a night when heavy rain fell within a couple of miles of the Speedway after threatening skies all afternoon, Tomahawk Speedway hosted the Race of Champions qualifier races for the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks.

Duane Dunbar dominated the second half of the Midwest Modified feature to take the win and qualify for the Race of Champions, while John Kallas edged out Adam Soltis on the checkered flag lap to take the win in the Street Stock Division to qualify.

The night’s feature racing began with the Tomahawk Pure Stocks taking to the track first with Josh Cole and Gunard Hoogland on the front row. Hoogland showed early promise as he led the first four laps with Nate Langberg and Randy Conner battling for second.

It was during lap five that Hoogland lost traction and spun just enough to have the cars of Bill Follstad, Dustin Miller, and Nate Langberg pile up behind him. Follstad’s car was damaged and had to be towed to the pits while the other cars continued, with Hoogland being sent to the rear on the restart.

When racing resumed, Langberg saw his opportunity and shot to the lead, to lead the next two laps. With those two laps completed, another caution occurred when Miller’s car found its way into the infield. Miller went to the pits for repairs and racing resumed.

As the cars rounded the track after this caution, track points’ leader, Randy Conner, took advantage and made a nice move on the outside in a surge to secure the top spot. Conner went on to take yet another win and complete a sweep in his CONCOR-sponsored car.

The WISSOTA Street Stock feature was next with Heidi Karshbaum and Jeff Klopstein, Jr. leading the way. Klopstein was the early leader as the first lap was completed.

With two laps in the books, Adam Soltis shot to the lead, with Klopstein dropping to second and John Kallas running in third.

With three laps in the books and Soltis still leading, Kallas made a pass on Klopstein to grab second.

For the next sixteen laps it was Soltis in the lead with Kallas right behind him, threatening the whole time to take the lead.

As the cars took the white flag, Kallas made his move coming out of turn two. As the cars entered the backstretch the cars ran side-by-side with some rubbing going on. The two cars made significant contact as they entered turn three. Soltis then slowed in turn three in what appeared to be an attempt to block and Kallas motored on by for the eventual win and sweep in his ARS (Accurate Roustabout Service) of Williston, ND-sponsored car.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds were up next, with Travis Friske and Roger Walker first to accept the green flag thrown by Flagman Mike Trinka.

Friske was the early leader, with Duane Dunbar giving chase. Meanwhile, Chad Boettcher, Roger Walker, and CJ Hedges, Jr. fought it out for third.

With ten laps of the 20- lap feature completed, Dunbar had closed the small gap between himself and Friske and went for the pass as they came out of turn two.

From that point on, Dunbar led and continued to pull away from the rest of the field to take the win and complete a sweep in his Garfield Construction-sponsored car.

Up last—the Tomahawk Four-Cylinder Bandits took to the track with Bobby Sheldon, Jr. and Brandon Langbecker leading the way.

Langbecker was quickest off the line, leading the first five laps of the feature. It was during lap six that John Barlowski, coming from fifth, made the pass on Langbecker for the lead.

Barlowski proved to be the strongest of the 13 cars that had started the feature, as he went on for the win and a sweep in his NAPA of Rhinelander-sponsored car.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

August 12, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: Duane Dunbar, Travis Friske, CJ Hedges, Jr., Chad Boettcher, Roger Walker

Heat: Dunbar, Hedges, Jr., Friske, Boettcher, Walker

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: John Kallas, Adam Soltis, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., Heidi Karshbaum

Heat: Kallas, Soltis, Klopstein, Jr., Karshbaum

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Randy Conner, Nate Langberg, Steve Brown, Gunard Hoogland, Todd Brass, Jake Terry, Josh Cole, Bill Follstad, Dustin Miller, Michael Brown

Heat 1: Conner, Langberg, Brass, Cole, Terry

Heat 2: Follstad, Hoogland, Miller, S Brown, M Brown

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: John Barlowski, Kasey Gross, Brandon Langbecker, Zach Degner, Tim Holleran, Bobby Sheldon, Jr., Jennifer Nitzsche, Rory Radtke, BJ Lipke, Louis Malluege, Adam Johnson, Ryan Schuppler, Brett Oenning

Heat 1: Barlowski, Johnson, Gross, Schuppler, Radtke, Malluege, Oenning

Heat 2: Sheldon, Jr., Langbecker, Holleran, Degner, Nitzsche, Lipke

Updated August 9, 2011

Rookie Hedges Goes Topless and Wins His First at Tomahawk Speedway

July 5, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

An excellent track--the raciest track of the season, and excellent weather greeted the racers and fans at Tomahawk Speedway on Friday night.

The Tomahawk Pure Stocks were up first with Keith Troutman and Wayne Eskola on the front row. In this race, which ran 15 caution-free laps, Eskola was quickest as the green flag dropped, with Troutman settling in for second and Randy Conner, Steve Brown and last week’s feature winner, Bill Follstad, fought it out for second.

At the halfway point, Eskola continued to lead, but Conner was on the move and closing as Troutman dropped to third, Brown ran fourth and Follstad ran fifth.

With five laps to go, Conner saw an opportunity and passed for the lead as the cars rounded turn two. Conner of Suring, WI, completed a sweep as he went on for the feature win, his fifth, in his Greg’s Restoration-sponsored car.

The WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks were up next in what many fans said was the most hotly contested battle of the night. Even though the numbers were not good, the action was exemplary.

Heidi Karshbaum and Adam Soltis shared the front row as the race began, but Soltis proved to be the stronger of the two, grabbing the early lead. Meanwhile, John Kallas moved up from fourth to secure the second spot as Jeff Klopstein, Jr. settled into third.

Soltis, Kallas, and Klopstein ran bumper-to-bumper for the first ten laps, separated most of the time by just a few feet.

With five laps to go, Soltis led and Kallas challenged, trying to get under Soltis as the cars rounded the turns. Kallas was able to get up to driver’s door of Soltis’ car on several occasions, but Soltis proved to be just too strong as the Ladysmith, WI driver went on for the win in his Northern Seamless Gutters-sponsored car.

Travis Friske and Roger Walker led the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modifieds for the start of their feature, with Friske taking the early lead.

As the cars came to the flag stand for the third time, Rookie, CJ Hedges, Jr., made his move for the lead, dropping Friske to second as Walker and Duane Dunbar “duked” it out for third.

As the race neared the midpoint, Hedges continued to lead as he, Friske and Dunbar ran bumper-to-bumper. Just a bit back a second race materialized in which Walker, Chad Boettcher and Eric Klafka ran in a similar group.

With five laps to go and Hedges still in the lead, the top six cars ran bumper-to-bumper with Dunbar replacing Friske in second.

On what would have been the white flag lap, Walker’s car began to show an under hood fire, which developed into a major fire, engulfing the entire motor compartment. With the fire out and Walker unharmed, the cars were realigned minus Walker.

As the green, white, checkered began, Boettcher got into Friske in turn two and we had another restart, this one successful. As the checkered flew, Hedges was able to win his first ever feature and complete a sweep, as well, in his rookie year as the driver of the Tomahawk Iron and Metal Sponsored- Midwest Modified.

The Tomahawk Bandits were up next with Ryan Schuppler and Jennifer Nitzsche showing the way to what each hoped would be a feature win for them. This feature would prove to be the most entertaining of the night as cars battled for the top five spots for the entire race.

Nitzsche was fastest off the line taking the lead with Schuppler giving chase as Casey Gross ran third after starting fifth.

With half of the race completed, Nitzsche continued to lead, but Gross was losing ground and now ran third with Adam Anderson moving into third, after starting seventh.

With five laps to go, Nitzsche led by just a fender, as Anderson kept the pressure on. Nitzsche and Anderson ran side-by-side for several laps. With two laps to go Anderson completed the pass to take the lead and go on for his second win in as many weeks.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

August 5, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: CJ Hedges, Jr., Duane Dunbar, Chat Boettcher, Eric Klafka, Cory Dickman, Travis Friske, Roger Walker, Dennis Mikkelson

Heat: Hedges, Jr., Friske, Walker, Klafka, Dunbar, Boettcher, Dickman, Mikkelson

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: Adam Soltis, John Kallas, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., Heidi Karshbaum

Heat: Kallas, Klopstein, Jr., Soltis, Karshbaum

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Randy Conner, Wayne Eskola, Keith Troutman, Steve Brown, Bill Follstad, Nate Langberg, Gundard Hoogland, Michael Brown, Josh Cole

Heat: Conner, S Brown, Troutman, Eskola, Follstad, Hoogland, Langberg, M Brown, Cole

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: Adam Johnson, Jennifer Nitzsche, Ryan Schuppler, Tim Holleran, Brett Oenning, Kasey Gross, Louis Malluege, Rory Radtke, Zach Degner, Brandon Langbecker, Bobby Sheldon, Jr., John Barlowski

Heat 1: Gross, Malluege, Johnson, Schuppler, Radtke, Oenning

Heat 2: Barlowski, Holleran, Nitzsche, Langbecker, Degner, Sheldon, Jr.

Updated August 1, 2011

Dunbar and Soltis Win at Tomahawk

Tomahawk Speedway, July 29, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

A near perfect weather night greeted racers and fans for an exciting night of racing at Tomahawk Speedway. The kids had an opportunity to get the drivers to sign their checkered flags and all the fans had a chance to meet the drivers on the track during intermission.

The feature races were all run with just one total caution on a very smooth and fast track. Duane Dunbar took top honors in the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified division and Adam Soltis did the same in the WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stock division. Winners in the Tomahawk divisions were Bill Follstad in his Pure Stock and Kasey Gross in his Four Cylinder Bandit.

The Tomahawk Pure Stocks were up first with Steve Brown and Bill Follstad sharing the front row. Follstad was off like a shot, with Brown following right behind and Nate Langberg, Wayne Eskola and Gunard Hoogland battled it out for third.

Midway through the feature track points leader, Randy Conner, was on the move, running fourth, as Follstad continued to lead, with Brown following by a car length and Langberg right behind.

By race end, Follstad had picked up a sweep and his second feature win of the year in his Tomahawk Sports Center-sponsored car. Brown hung on for second, Langberg finished third, Conner came home fourth, and Eskola rounded out the top five.

Up next were the Street Stocks with Heidi Karshbaum and Jeff Klopstein, Jr. on the front row. Klopstein surged to an early lead, as Adam Soltis moved up from his fourth place starting spot to run second. Meanwhile John Kallas and Cody Kummer fought it out for third.

Soltis kept the pressure on Klopstein and by lap fifteen made the pass on the front stretch for the lead. As Klopstein dropped to second, Kallas and Kummer moved up to put the pressure on as the top four cars ran nose-to-tail.

In the end, Soltis came home the victor in his Colonial Landscaping, Inc.-sponsored car. Klopstein hung in there for second, Kallas for third, Kummer for fourth and Heidi Karshbaum rounded out the top five.

The Midwest Modifieds were up next, minus one car. Dennis Mikkelson’s motor dropped a cylinder during the heat race and Mikkelson did not start the feature.

CJ Hedges, Jr. and Duane Dunbar lined up one and two for the start of the feature with Hedges taking the early lead. Despite the best efforts of Dunbar, Hedges was able to keep him at bay for the top spot, as Chad Boettcher, Eric Klafka and Roger Walker fought tooth and nail for third.

Midway through the race, Hedges was still in command. Dunbar looked like he was destined to finish second. Klafka then took third when Boettcher drifted too high in turn two, relegating him to fourth and Walker continued to run fifth.

With four laps to go, Dunbar made a veteran move to take the lead as Hedges dropped to second, then third, and eventually fourth.

By race end, Dunbar had taken the win in his Garfield Construction-sponsored car, with Klafka finishing second. Boettcher regained the third spot, Hedges settled for fourth and Walker came in fifth.

Up last, but not least, were the Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits with Brett Oenning and Jennifer Nitzsche sharing front row honors.

Nitzsche was quickest off the line, taking the early lead with Kasey Gross coming from sixth to run second. Meanwhile Brandon Langbecker, Adam Johnson and Zach Degner had an excellent fight for third.

Things were moving along well until Rory Radtke lost a wheel as he entered turn two, causing the only caution of the race night.

Once the field was reset, Gross saw the opportunity and took it, grabbing the lead, as Johnson moved in to run second. Nitzsche and Bobby Sheldon, Jr. at the same time were having a great battle for third.

By race end, it was Gross taking the win in his Specialty Fireworks-sponsored car. Johnson, Nitzsche, Degner and John Barlowski rounded out the top five.

Racing resumes on Friday, August 5, when once again all four divisions will be in action and it will be “Topless Night”. Come see what this is all about—no ladies it not your worst nightmare!

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

July 29, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified

Feature: Duane Dunbar, Eric Klafka, Chad Boettcher, CJ Hedges, Jr., Roger Walker, DNS—Dennis Mikkelson

Heat: Klafka, Hedges, Jr., Boettcher, Mikkelson, Dunbar, Walker

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks

Feature: Adam Soltis, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., John Kallas, Cody Kummer, Heidi Karshbaum

Heat: Kummer, Klopstein, Jr., Kallas, Soltis, Karshbaum

Tomahawk Pure Stocks

Feature: Bill Follstad, Steve Brown, Nate Langberg, Randy Conner, Wayne Eskola, Gunard Hoogland, Michael Brown

Heat: Follstad, Langberg, S Brown, Conner, Hoogland, Eskola, Josh Cole, M Brown

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits

Feature: Kasey Gross, Adam Johnson, Jennifer Nitzsche, Zach Degner, John Barlowski, Tim Holleran, Brandon Langbecker, Brett Oenning, Louis Malluege, Rory Radtke, Bobby Sheldon, Jr.

Heat 1: Johnson, Malluege, Oenning, Langbecker, Radtke, Sheldon, Jr.

Heat 2: Holleran, Gross, Nitzsche, Barlowski, Degner

Updated July 25, 2011

Soltis and Boettcher Win on New Clay at Tomahawk Speedway

Tomahawk, WI, July 22, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

On a hot and sultry night, the new clay laid down over a week ago held up well as Adam Soltis won the WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stock feature and Chad Boettcher bested the field in the WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified feature as Miller Beer, Central Beer Distributors, and ESPN Sports Fan 104.4 FM presented the races.

In the Tomahawk Speedway divisions, Nate Langberg won in his Pure Stock and Adam Anderson won in his Four-Cylinder Bandit.

The Tomahawk Pure Stocks were up first with Gunard Hoogland and Nate Langberg on the front row. Langberg was quickest off the line in a race that ran caution-free.

The tale to be told here is that Langberg won the feature and won his heat race to complete a sweep for the night in his Stick Em Graphics and Designs-sponsored car.

Hoogland was able to hang on to second, Steve Brown claimed third, Randy Conner captured fourth, after running sixth for most of the race, and Bill Follstad finished fifth.

The WISSOTA Street Stocks were up next with Adam Soltis and Jeff Klopstein, Jr. leading the way.

Klopstein was the early leader, but that didn’t last but one lap as Soltis made the pass for the lead just two laps into the race.

This was an excellent race as the top four cars were evenly matched and separated by just a few feet for the first half of the feature, which once again ran caution-free.

The largest margin Soltis had over the rest of the field was five car lengths as Klopstein, John Kallas, and Jordan Kurtti ran nose-to-tail for much of the race.

In the end, it was Soltis taking the win and completing a sweep in his Oaks Management- sponsored car. Kallas, Klopstein, and Kurtti rounded out the top four of the remaining cars in the feature.

Heat winner, Eric Klafka and Chad Boettcher led the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds to the green for the start of their feature, with Boettcher grabbing the early lead.

This feature had just two cautions for Boettcher to survive, with the first caution being a multi-car affair in which Duane Dunbar, Alex Van Natta, and Travis Friske pitted for quick repairs and then rejoined the field after lap four.

Boettcher led as Klafka and Stan Rychlock battled it out for second, with Rychlock taking second at the end of lap eight.

As Bottcher continued to lead, Rychlock ran second until lap twelve, when Rychlock spun on his own and then retired to the pits. With Rychlock out, Klafka inherited second, but he was quickly replaced in the second spot as Van Natta made the move for the second spot.

On this race night, Boettcher was just too tough for the rest of the field, taking the win in his Super 8-sponsored car. Van Natta, Klafka, CJ Hedges, Jr., and Dunbar filled out the top five.

Rounding out the race night were the mighty Bandits with Jennifer Nitzsche, in the borrowed car of Bo Bennish, and Louis Malleuge accepting the green from Flagman Mike Trinka.

Nitzsche was quick off the line and led the first four laps. A caution for the dying car of Brandon Langbecker reset the field and once again Nitzsche assumed the top spot.

Nitzsche’s lead lasted just one additional lap as her car slowed with mechanical problems and was retired to the pits. With Nitzsche in the pits, Adam Johnson moved into the top spot with Bill Martin giving chase.

Martin ran second for four laps, but his luck ran out when his right front tire went down and Kasey Gross inherited second.

With five laps to go it was Johnson and Gross in a good fight for the number one position. Johnson would prove to have the better car, taking the win in his K & M Window Cleaning-sponsored car, as Gross hung onto second, John Barlowski secured third after starting seventh, Malleuge finished fourth, and Tim Holleran captured fifth, after starting eleventh.

SUMMARY

Tomahawk Speedway

July 22, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified
Feature: Chad Boettcher, Alex Van Natta, CJ Hedges, Jr., Duane Dunbar, Roger Walker, Travis Friske, Stanley Rychlock
Heat: Klafka, Boettcher, Walker, Rychlock, Van Natta, Dunbar, Hedges, Jr., Friske

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks
Feature: Adam Soltis, John Kallas, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., Jordan Kurtti, Jason Jensen
Heat: Soltis, Klopstein, Jr., Kallas, Jensen, Kurtti

Tomahawk Pure Stocks
Feature: Nate Langberg, Gunard Hoogland, Steve Brown, Randy Conner, Bill Follstad, Michael Brown, Matt Smith
Heat: Langberg, Conner, Follstad, S Brown, Hoogland, M Brown, Smith

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits
Feature: Adam Johnson, Kasey Gross, John Barlowski, Louis Malleuge, Tim Holleran, Rory Radtke, Zach Degner, Brandon Langbecker, Bill Martin, Bobby Sheldon, Jr., Jennifer Nitzsche, Ryan Schuppler
Heat 1: Gross, Johnson, Malleuge, Martin, Sheldon, Jr., Degner
Heat 2: Barlowski, Radtke, Schuppler, Nitzsche, Langbecker, Holleran

Upated July 15, 2011

Tomahawk Speedway Cancels

Tomahawk, WI

By Gene Harmelink

The Friday night races at Tomahawk Speedway were cancelled on July 15 due to a new application of clay made during the week being not ready for racing. Hopefully, with the predicted warm weather in the forecast for the upcoming week, the clay will have dried and will be ready for racing on Friday, July 22, when the races will be presented by Miller Beer.

Keep Friday, July 29, open on your race schedule when once again there will be flag signing and driver autographs at intermission. Upcoming events also include Topless Night on August 5 and the Amsoil Qualifier - Race Of Champions races on August 12.

Updated July 11, 2011

Kurtti, Conner, and a Dunbar Double at Tomahawk Speedway

July 8, 2011

By Gene Harmelink

If your name was Dunbar and you drove a racecar, then Tomahawk Speedway was the place you wanted to be on Friday night, July 8. Duane Dunbar won for the second week in a row in his Midwest Modified and so did his son, Marcus, in his four-cylinder Bandit.

Also winning on Friday night were Jordan Kurtti in his Street Stock and Randy Conner in his Pure Stock.

Perfect weather greeted a nice crowd as Stewart Optical presented four divisions of exciting racing along with gifts for the adults and kids in attendance.

The Tomahawk Pure Stocks were first to see action with Michael Brown and Josh Cole on the front row. Brown took charge early, leading the first three laps of the race.

During lap four Bill Follstad came from his third place starting spot to take the lead as Brown dropped to second. John Johnson moved into third and John Johnson, Jr. settled into the fourth spot.

Johnson Jr. spun during lap six and exited to the pits as his night ended. Two laps later, Brown also exited to the pits as Johnson, Sr. ran second and Gunard Hoogland moved into third from his tenth-place starting spot.

With two laps to go it looked like Follstad would be the winner, but track points’ leader, Randy Conner, was thinking otherwise. Conner had come from dead last as he had exited to the pits earlier in the race for quick repairs.

As the white flag flew, Conner of Hayward, WI, made his move and passed Follstad for the lead and the eventual win in his Como Oil-sponsored car.

The WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks with Carolyn Nosser and Jordan Kurtti leading the way were up next. It would be Jeff Klopstein, Jr., though, who would be the early leader.

As Klopstein led, Kurtti attached the front bumper of his car to the rear bumper of Klopstein’s car. Meanwhile, Cody Kummer and John Kallas battled it out for second, as Nosser settled into fifth.

With ten laps in and ten to go, things were really getting interesting as Kummer and Kallas had caught the leaders and four cars now ran as one.

As it turned out, it got too tight and contact was made resulting in the cars of Kummer and Klopstein retiring to the pits with damage.

Once racing resumed, Kurtti inherited the lead with Kallas giving chase. Nosser, Jason Jensen and Heidi Karshbaum fought it out for third.

The rest of the race was all about Kurtti distancing himself from the pack for the eventual win. It was the sixth feature win of the year for the Bruce Crossing, MI, native in his Al’s Auto-sponsored car.

The WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modifieds were up next with Travis Friske and Alex Van Natta showing the way.

Van Natta was off to a quick start taking the lead by the end of the first lap, with heat winner, Chad Boettcher, running in second.

With five laps in, Van Natta was still leading, as Boettcher continued to run second and Duane Dunbar moved up for the third spot.

It was after lap five that Friske’s car went up in smoke and CJ Hedges, Jr. spun coming out of turn one, causing a caution.

One more lap was completed and then it was time for “the big one” as multiple cars were involved in a wreck between turns three and four. The result was that Van Natta, Jim Barttelt, Sr., and Boettcher’s nights were done.

Once racing resumed, Duane Dunbar inherited the lead and then the Marenisco, MI, resident proceeded to drive away for his third feature win at Tomahawk Speedway In his Dunbar Service-sponsored car.

Last up for the night were the mighty Tomahawk four-cylinder Bandits with Tim Holleran and Marcus Dunbar on the front row.

Dunbar shot to an impressive lead as Holleran settled in for second. Dunbar and Holleran ran first and second for the first seven laps, but then Kasey Gross entered the picture as he passed Holleran for second.

A caution for the stopped car of Jennifer Nitzsche caused a caution with eleven laps in. The field realigned and to the surprise of all, the leader retired to the pits.

Dunbar once again was in the lead and John Barlowski moved up to run second. Dispite the best efforts of Barlowski and others, the Marenisco, MI, native, Dunbar, went on for his second win in so many weeks in his US 2 Mini Storage-sponsored car.

SUMMARY
Tomahawk Speedway
July 8, 2011

WISSOTA/Amsoil Midwest Modified
Feature: Duane Dunbar, CJ Hedges, Jr., Eric Klafka, Jim Barttelt, Jr., Alex Van Natta, Travis Friske, Chad Boettcher
Heat: Boettcher, Barttelt, Sr., Van Natta, Friske, Klafka, Hedges, Jr., Dunbar

WISSOTA/Amsoil Street Stocks
Feature: Jordan Kurtti, John Kallas, Heidi Karshbaum, Carolyn Nosser, Jason Jensen, Cody Kummer, Jeff Klopstein, Jr., Adam Soltis
Heat: Kummer, Kurtti, Kallas, Klopstein, Jr., Nosser, Jensen, Karshbaum, Soltis

Tomahawk Pure Stocks
Feature: Randy Conner, Bill Follstad, Gundard Hoogland, Steve Brown, Terry Selmer, Josh Cole, Michael Brown, John Johnson, Jr., Nate Langberg, John Johnson, Sr.
Heat 1: Langberg, Johnson, Sr., Follstad, Cole, Selmer
Heat 2: Johnson, Jr., S Brown, Conner, M Brown, Hoogland

Tomahawk Four Cylinder Bandits
Feature: Marcus Dunbar, John Barlowski, Bill Martin, Bo Bennish, Tim Holleran, Bobby Sheldon, Jr., Louis Malleuge Rory Radtke, Zach Degner, Brandon Langbecker, Jennifer Nitzsche, Kasey Gross
Heat 1: Holleran, Dunbar, Nitzsche, Langbecker, Radtke, Degner
Heat 2: Barlowski, Gross, Martin, Malleuge, Sheldon, Jr., Bennish