Dan Lewis Photo - danlewisphoto.netBy: Sandy Shultz
July 9, 2009 (KAUKAUNA, WI) It took Robb Vanderloop fourteen years to win his first late model feature at Wisconsin International Raceway, but only took him fourteen days to win his second. Vanderloop started the 30-lap feature from the pole and battled with Jason Vandenberg for the lead. Vanderloop led the first lap, but Vandenberg pulled ahead on lap two. Vanderloop remained in pursuit of Vandenberg until the caution flag came out on lap eight. Tom Gee Jr. and Andy Monday sustained damage after a collision in turn three, Gee was unable to continue. On the restart, Vanderloop and Pete Vandermolen started on the outside and both were able to overtake Vandenberg. The next lap, the red flag was displayed as Vandermolen and Vandenberg made contact in turn four in front of the rest of the field. Jeff VanOudenhoven, Brett Piontek, and John Meidam were also involved in the accident. Meidam climbed over Van Oudenhoven’s car trying to avoid the accident and jumped onto the turn four wall. Meidam’s car came to rest on the front straightaway, on the inside wall. The WIR Safety Crew worked tirelessly to safely extricate Meidam from the car using the Jaws of Life. On the restart, Vanderloop held the lead, followed by Vandermolen, Lowell Bennett, Greg Haese, and Eugene Gregorich. Gregorich moved ahead of Haese on lap eleven, while everyone else ran single file. Bennett dove inside Vandermolen on the front stretch on lap 21, the two ran side by side in turn one and turn two, until Bennett cleared him in turn three, followed by Gregorich. Vandermolen was shuffled back to fourth position until Haese passed him three laps later. Bennett ran out of time, closing in on Vanderloop as the laps wound down. Vanderloop held off Bennett by 0.18 seconds, followed by Gregorich, Haese, and Vandermolen. VanOudenhoven maintains his lead over Bennett in the point standings by 36 points.

Dan Lewis Photo - danlewisphoto.netKris Kelly continues to have a great season in the limited late model division, winning his fourth feature of the season. The 20-lap race was plagued with caution flags, the first coming out before the first lap was completed as Mike Meyerhofer, Jesse Oudenhoven and Jeff Tisler got together in turn three. Brandon Conrad took the early lead after starting outside row one. Conrad led until the caution came out on lap six when Gary Natrop and Cliff Ebben ended up in the soft wall in turn one. Ebben was driving the familiar #66 that is normally driven by Jim Duchow, who was serving a one-week suspension. Tanner Bohlen overtook Conrad on the restart and continued to lead until the caution flag came out on lap thirteen. Jessie Van Roy and Andrew Kluck found the softwall on the back straightaway going into turn three. Kelly pulled inside Bohlen in turn three and battled side-by-side until Kelly pulled ahead going into turn one. Kelly pulled away and was unchallenged for the remaining six laps. Bohlen finished second, followed by Jack Pankratz, Randy Van Roy, and Corey Kemkes. Kelly holds a 106 point lead over Randy Van Roy in the championship standings, Duchow dropped to fourth place, 116 points behind Kelly.

Dan Lewis Photo - danlewisphoto.netReagan May won the 20-lap Sport Truck feature. May started the race from fifth position, advancing to the lead on lap three, after the leader spun in turn two. May held a big lead for most of the race, finishing 4.2 seconds ahead of Ron Magdanz. Dan Vixmer finished third, followed by Sam Haven, and Taylor Vandermoss. Magdanz extends his point lead to 41 points over Dan Vixmer.

In Super Stock action, Larry Raygo won the 20-lap feature race. Raygo started on the pole and led every lap of the race; he was followed by Neal Sannes, Sawyer Effertz, Todd Baumann, and Dylan Wenzel. Baumann continues to be the point leader by 15 points over second place Effertz.

Dan Lewis Photo - danlewisphoto.netTwin Features returned for the Sizzling Four division. Tim Richter took the checkered flag in the first 15-lap feature. Richter took the lead coming to the white flag, as he drove inside Jamie Reynolds. Richter and Reynolds battle side by side in turn one and two, but Richter pulled away as they entered turn three. Richter was followed across the finish line by Reynolds, Dave Wacek, Chris Loewenhagen, and Ben Meyerhofer. In the second feature, Bill Bruehl started from the pole and led every lap of the 15-lap race. Bruehl was closely followed by Tom Schweitzer, Kyle Fink, Richter, and Rachel Meyerhofer. Richter remains the point leader by 27 points over Schweitzer.

Dan Lewis Photo - danlewisphoto.netTerry Van Roy was the winner of the Figure Eight race. Jared Baughman finished second, followed by Jeff Beschta, Ed Howard, and Willy Van Camp. Baughman is the point leader by 10 points over Van Roy.

Next week is the second round of the Red, White & Blue Championship Series. The White Race sponsored by Budweiser/WAPL/Kurz Electric will have an extended 75-lap feature for the late models.