Casey, Mullen, Karcz Jr., and Van Ooyen wrap up regular season win victories at Seymour Tri-Oval!
By Dave Panske

September 3, 2000; Seymour, WI - After a day that provided heavy early morning rain, to sun, then late afternoon sprinkles to windy and cold, N.E.W. DIRT held firm and was able to get in their final regular season race Sunday night at the Seymour Tri Oval Raceway. All four divisions were on hand with the Street Stock and WISSOTA Late Model titles decided.

At last!  Scott Mullen (#1) had been running near the head of the pack all season long in IMCA Modified action.   Tonight he scored his first career feature victory in front of his hometown fans!

The Modifieds took the track first with a couple tries to get the first lap recorded. Bill Lemmens finally set the pace with Jamie Schmidt, Bob Zegers, Joel Schmit, Jerry Muenster and Mike Kudick behind. Jamie Schmidt and Joel Schmit challenged the leader through the first half of the race, while Scott Mullen moved through traffic into the top three by half way. A final caution was displayed on lap 14, with Lemmens still in command, Mullen right behind followed by Eddie Muenster, R.M. Van Pay, Joel Schmit, Travis Van Straten and Dan Gracyalny. Mullen took to the outside on the restart and pulled into the lead and drove off to collect his first career modified feature win at his hometown track. Van Pay moved to second to finish there with Lemmens taking third. Muenster, Gracyalny and Spaulding rounded out the top six.

His car was barely visible behind this gathering of fans, friends and supporters of Chaz Van Ooyen (#26) (front row second from right).  Van Ooyen not only won the feature this evening, but used that victory to seal his first career championship in Street Stock action here at the Seymour Tri-Oval Raceway.

The Street Stock division was still up for points and Rick Naparalla took the lead for the opening lap before Bob Bernier pulled into the top spot. Jamie Colwell moved into the runner up spot on lap three with point leader, Chaz Van Ooyen, moving into the top four 1 lap later.

Bob White (#6) won his first race of the season at Seymour as he made his way to the winner's circle after topping the Street Stock consolation race.

A pair of cautions on laps 6 and 7 bunched the field with Bernier still in control. On the second restart, Van Ooyen used the outside route to pull into the top spot bringing Jesse Van Ooyen along into second. Travis Van Straten moved into fourth and it was the top four in the standings running together to decide the track championship. After a final caution on lap 14, Van Ooyen, Jesse, Jamie Colwell and Van Straten renewed their battle to the finish, with Van Ooyen not only winning his third feature of the season, but earned his first career track championship. Jesse and Jamie Colwell and Travis Van Straten completed the top four in the race and in the final point standings. Dean Kellner and Darci Czarapata rounded out the top six feature finishers.

Terry Casey (#42) took top honors in the final point race of the season during WISSOTA Late Model action. The victory was his second of the season on the unique third-mile clay tri-oval.

The WISSOTA Late Models ran their final point feature of the season in quick fashion, running 20 non-stop laps. Terry Casey took control at the start with Pete Parker, Troy Springborn, and Terry Anvelink dropping in behind. Parker challenged early but by mid way, Casey was pulling away and drove off to collect his second feature win of the season. Parker took second with Springborn taking third and along with it, his second straight division track championship. Anvelink, Tom Naeyaert and Tim Buhler rounded out the top six.

Larry Karcz Jr. (#36) won his first IMCA Stock Car main event of the season.

Tony Bouche led the opening 3 laps of the IMCA Stock Car final before Larry Karcz, Jr powered into the top spot on lap 4. T.J. White and Jerry Wilinski moved into the top three before the lone caution of the race appeared on lap 7, Karcz again set the pace on the restart, and pulled ahead a bit as the battle for second place stayed tight the entire race. Witinski, White, Rod Snellenberger, Tom Coel and Scott Karcz ran right behind.

Karcz picked up his first feature flag of the season with Snellenberger, Wilinski, Scott Karcz, White and Chad Bartel rounding out the top six.

This was the final regular season race at the Tri Oval this season. However, one race remains on the 2000 schedule. The 4th Annual Budweiser Nationals will take place on Saturday night, September 23rd. The event features the four regular divisions with each running a 25 lap features. Along with the heats and other qualifying races to set the features. There will be several specialty races added to the program for each division.

Pit gates open a 2 PM. All drivers must be signed in before 4 PM with racing starting at 5 PM for the big event. The grandstand opens at 3 PM

N.E.W. DIRT would like to THANK all of the fans, drivers and sponsors for their continued support throughout the season and invite all to the season ending Budweiser Nationals on the 23rd.

RACING SUMMARY

WISSOTA Late Models:
20 LAP FEATURE: 1) Terry Casey, New London; 2.) Pete Parker, Kaukauna; 3.) Troy Springborn, Shawano; 4.) Terry Anvelink, Navarino; 5.) Tom Naeyaert, Shawano; 6.) Tim Nuhler, Glenbeulah
FIRST 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Naeyaert; 2.) Casey
SECOND 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Parker; 2.) Buhler

IMCA Modifieds:
20 LAP FEATURE:  1.) Scott Mullen, Seymour; 2.) R.M. Van Pay, Green Bay; 3.) Bill Lemmens, Green Bay; 4.) Eddie Muenster, Green Bay; 5.) Dan Gracyalny, Little Chute; 6.) Travis Spaulding, Greenville
FIRST 10 LAP HEAT: 1) Lemmens; 2.) Mullen
SECOND 10 LAP HEAT: 1) Mike Kudick, Mishicot; 2.) Joel Schmit, Green Bay
THIRD 10 LAP HEAT: 1) Dennis Young, Seymour; 2.) Gracyalny

IMCA Stock Cars:
20 LAP FEATURE: 1) Larry Karcz Jr., Pulaski; 2.) Rod Snellenberger, Paulski; 3.) Jerry Wilinski, Seymour; 4.) Scott Karcz, Pulaski; 5.) T.J. White, Green Bay; 6.) Chad Bartel, Shiocton
FIRST 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Karcz Jr., 2.) Brad Buckarma, Pulaski
SECOND 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Snellenberger; 2.) Tom Coel, Green Bay

Street Stocks:
20 LAP FEATURE: 1.) Chaz Van Ooyen, Appleton; 2.) Jesse Colwell, Greenleaf; 3.) Jamie Colwell, Greenleaf; 4.) Travis Van Straten, Hortonville; 5.) Dean Kellner, Green Bay; 6.) Darci Czarapata, Pulaski
12 LAP CONSOLATION: 1.) Bob White Jr., Green Bay; 2.) Czarapata; 3.) Tim Caymenberg, Green Bay; 4.) Jeff Treml, Greenleaf
FIRST 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Bob Bernier, Sobieski; 2.) Jesse Colwell
SECOND 8 LAP HEAT: 1) VanOoyen; 2.) Phil Hiles, Appleton
THIRD 8 LAP HEAT: 1) Jamie Colwell; 2.) Lance Arneson, Oconto Falls