Mullen and Van De Hei
win Tri-Oval titles August 27, 2000; Seymour, WI - A cloudy day cleared for a nice night for racing at the Seymour Tri Oval Raceway featuring the spotlight series for the Street Stock division and final point nights for the IMCA Modified and Stock Car divisions, all on N.E.W. Hobby Shop night. The Street Stocks took the track first with a 25 lap Spotlight feature. Rick Naparalla took the lead at the start up to the first caution on lap 3, when point contender, Jamie Colwell, had the engine expire on his car, stalling in turn one. On the restart, Charlie Van Ooyen took over the lead just before a multi car crash entering turn one brought out a lengthy caution. Rich Kyllonen, Travis Van Straten, point leader Chaz Van Ooyen, James Van Rixel, Phil Hiles and Jeff Treml were involved. Kyllonen, Van Rixel and Treml were done for the event. Van Ooyen needed extensive repairs which put him down many laps before returning. Just before the restart, a flat tire sent the other point contender, Jesse Colwell to pit lane, but a quick change got him back to the lineup for the restart. Charlie Van Ooyen continued to set the pace followed by David Hoerning, Naparalla, Bob Bernier, Lance Ameson and Shannon Smith. The lead pack stayed tight while Van Straten and Colwell made their way up from the back of the pack. Hoerning tried both inside and outside lines, but could not get Van Ooyen to open a line. On lap 13, Bernier pulled alongside Hoerning, and the pair worked on the leader. Bernier took over the runner up spot on lap 15 with Naparalla, Colwell and Van Straten now back in the lead bunch. A lap 16 caution and one 2 laps later for spins caused a 2 lap dash on a time limit race. Van Ooyen still held the lead with Colwell moving into second on the restart. Colwell moved outside Van Ooyen and the pair crossed even for the white flag. Van Ooyen drove wide in turn one and two forcing Colwell to back off. Bernier and Van Straten tried to get by on the inside, but Van Ooyen was able to pull back in front and win his first career feature event. Van Straten took the runner up spot with Bernier third. Colwell ended his run in fourth with Arneson fifth and Tom Daubner, his first time at the track this season, rounded out the top six. Chaz Van Ooyen finished the race in 15th and now holds a 506 - 484 margin over second place Jesse Colwell. Van Ooyen has to qualify for next weeks final feature to secure his first career track championship. Colwell is still in the running if Van Ooyen fails to make the main.
The WlSSOTA Late Models were next with Troy Springborn taking the lead at the start followed by Terry Anvelink, Jim Rychtik, Tim Buhler and Terry Casey. Springborn pulled away in front while Casey moved up into the runner up spot by the mid point of the non stop race. Springborn collected his 5th feature win of the season and extended his point lead by a couple more marks entering next week final point race. Casey took the runner up finish with Anvelink third, Pete Parker fourth, Tom Naeyaert fifth and Buhler sixth. Tim Martzahl led the opening three laps of the Stock Car feature before Benji LaCrosse quickly moved from 9th place into the lead on lap 4. A two car spin on lap 5 brought out the lone caution of the race with LaCrosse still in command for the restart. Brandon Czarapata, Shawn Wagner, Larry Karcz Jr., and Jason Czarapata were lined up right behind. The entire front pack stayed tight with some close action for the lead.
Point leader, Tim Van De Hei, joined the lead pack and as the field bunched up for second, LaCrosse was able to open up a couple length lead. The battle remained tight for the runner up spot to the finish with LaCrosse winning his second feature of the season. Van De Hei managed to sneak by for the second place finish with Wagner right there in third. Jason Czarapata nipped cousin, Brandon, at the line for the fourth place finish. Travis Van Straten rounded out the top six positions. The second place finish iced the 2000 division championship for Van De Hei with a 525 to 454 margin over Shawn Wagner. Benji LaCrosse moved into third with the win with 453. Jerry Wilinski and Jeremy Christians rounded out the top five in the standings with 450 and 446 respectively. The IMCA Modifieds closed the show with Bill Lemmens leading the opening lap before stalling on the front chute to bring out the first caution on lap 2. Jared Siefert took up the top spot followed by Brad Rohloff, Jamie Schmidt, Mike Kudik, Scott Mullen, Eddie Muenster and 2000 division champion, Brian Mullen. On lap 6, Muenster lost the handle on his car, and did a perfect 360 in the middle of traffic in turn two, and maintained his spot as the field scrambled to avoid contact. As the field continued on, one car stalled, bringing out the caution again. Rohloff had taken over the top spot from Siefert 1 lap before the caution and was now setting the pace for the restart. Scoff Mullen moved into the runner up spot on lap with Muenster and Brian Mullen moving into the top four before the final caution on lap 9 for a spin. Brian Mullen moved into third after the restart and it was a brother battle for the second position for several laps, which allowed Rohloff the chance to open a lead. Brian secured the second spot on lap 15, but Rohloff was firmly in the front and drove to his third feature win of the season. Brian followed in second, with his fourth division title secure. Scott took third followed by R.M. Van Pay, having made a long run from the final starting spot. Eddie Muenster took fifth with Siefert taking the sixth spot. Brian Mullen's championship came after winning six features, all in a row, during the middle of th season. It was his first title here since 1995, and his second in one week, earning his fourth title at Luxemburg on Friday night. Next weeks final regular season race will be sponsored by Dairy Queen of Seymour. All four divisions will be in action, with the Wissota Late Model and Street Stock titles up for grabs. The 4th Annual Budweiser Nationals will close the 2000 season on Saturday night, September 23rd, with Sunday the 24th as the rain date. Racing will begin at 5 pm. The largest car counts of the year take part in the nationals with over $16,000 in prize money up for grabs. RACING SUMMARY WISSOTA Late Models: IMCA Modifieds: IMCA Stock Cars: Street Stocks: |
