5/5/2019
141 Speedway
LaCrosse Dominates Opener at 141 Speedway
Benji LaCrosse has the new car figured out early in the 2019 Season. LaCrosse dominated a stacked 38 car field to win the opening night at 141 Speedway in the IMCA Modifieds. The win netted him a $990 payday which included lap leader money and extra money from Ricky Lemmens. 153 cars showed up to battle in 6 divisions.
Other Feature winners included: Brian Cesar (IMCA Stockcars) Ryan Lemieux (IMCA Sportmods) Greg Haese(Grand Nationals) Adam Crapser(Street Stocks) and Shaun Bangart(IMCA Sport Compacts.)
Mike Wedelstadt opened up with the early lead in the IMCA Modified Feature. Benji LaCrosse would work from his eighth starting spot to a third place run by the time the caution flew on lap six. On the restart, LaCrosse stayed on the outside and drafted Wedelstadt down the back stretch. On lap seven Wedelstadt gave LaCrosse just enough room between he and the wall to sneak passed for the race winning pass. LaCrosse would dominate the field and win by a straightaway over Wedelstadt. Josh Long would stay in the third spot for the whole race. 5-time defending champion, Johnny Whitman charged from his 12th starting spot to finish fourth. Kelsy Hayes had a solid top five to start the new campaign.
Brian Cesar liked the idea of starting up front in the IMCA Stockcar Feature. He liked even better that every lap led was $30. He decided to take charge of the show and lead every lap en-route to the 20 lap win. Cesar would have to take every challenge that former champion Brett Wenzel would throw at him. Wenzel used various lines to try and get around Cesar but could never get enough momentum. Cesar would take home $910 for the win which included lap leader money. Wenzel would settle for second. Nick Strobbe came home third with Rod Snellenberger beating Aaron Stolp back to the checkered flag for fourth.
Randy Lemieux Jr started up front in the IMCA Sportmod Feature and grabbed the reigns early. Little brother Ryan decided to show his big brother a faster way around the 1/3 mile. Ryan Lemieux used the top of the clay-oval to get around and into the lead on lap three. Lemieux would lead with Vince Engebregtsen and Cody Schroeder in the shadows. A late caution set up a green, white, checker finish. On the final restart, the trio would go three wide off of turn two with Lemieux having the advantage on top. Lemieux would take the crown in the opener over Engebregtsen. Schroeder would clip a tire and end his night on the infield. Travis Hansen would come along to finish third in front of Billy Edler. Jayden Schmidt came from an early caution to finish fifth.
Mark Baker was borrowing his daughter's car for the evening and ran to the front of the Street Stock Main Event. Baker would lead until the first caution on lap four. On the restart, Baker slammed into the wall in turn one and would take his racer behind the wall. Kraig Koehler would inherit the lead and run down low. Adam Crapser used the top of the track to gain on Koehler. Crapser would lose momentum when they entered lapped traffic. Once clear, Crapser again used the top to move to the outside of Koehler with four laps remaining. Crapser would grab the lead but have to fight with lapped traffic again allowing Koehler to stay within striking distance. Crapser kept Koehler at bay for the win. Jesse Krahn finished third ahead of Logan Lannet and Mike Carter.
Greg Haese started up front of the Grand National Feature and looked to be the man to beat early. Haese would lead until Terry Van Roy found enough speed to catch the defending champion. Van Roy worked around Haese and into the top spot on lap four. Van Roy would lead until mechanical woes would force him pit side on lap 12. Haese would cruise to the win with no challengers. Dustin Weiss ran to a runner-up finish. Jeff Jungwirth finished third ahead of Ryan Minster and Rick Gustavson.
Shaun Bangart won a 15 lap IMCA Sport Compact Feature that could see the top six Talladega drafting throughout the race. Mike Zitzer won a race long duel with Tony Everard to finish second. T.J. Everard finished fourth in front of Brian Watzka.
Next Saturday, May 11th, The IMCA Modifieds will be running their first race in the Red, White and Blue Series. The winnner will get a cool $1000.
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Article Credit: Greg Aregoni
