OSHKOSH, Wis. (June 6) – The Total Power Sales IMCA Stock Cars have a reputation of close racing and Friday’s event at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway lived up to those expectations.
Justin Jacobsen powered into the top spot before David Hoerning took charge and began to pull away from the pack with Larry Parshen, Mark Schuenemann, John Heinz, Tom Roehl and Travis Van Straten battling behind.
Hoerning continued to pull away from the field with Jacobsen holding the runner-up spot until Van Straten was able to take over the spot on lap 10. Van Straten closed the gap slightly but it appeared Hoerning had things well in hand until a lone caution on lap 15 bunched the field for a five-lap dash.
Van Straten, winner of the last three features, pulled into the top spot after the restart. Heinz made a daring move and passed him for the lead as Van Straten drifted out of the groove a bit, allowing Hoernig to follow right behind Heinz.
Van Straten needed two laps to retake the runner-up spot and pulled even with Heinz. The pair ran even over the final three laps with Heinz able to pull off the victory, his first ever here and end Van Straten’s streak. Hoerning held off Larry Karcz Jr. and Schuenemann for third.
The Automotive Supply Company IMCA Modifieds started with a series of cautions. Dan Roedl led the opening three laps before Marcus Yarie powered into the lead after a restart. A 10-lap stretch after a lap five caution allowed some great racing to take place for second as Yarie was able to open a lead on the field.
Travis Spaulding, Jeremy Christians, T.J. Smith and Sean Jerovetz, who had started the main through the consolation in 18th place, were in a bunch with Christians and Jerovetz moving ahead by lap 10. They set out to catch the leader but Yarie was in rhythm to keep the lead margin until a final caution appeared on lap 14 for debris.
Yarie again took the inside line on the restart with Jerovetz checking into second. Yarie took the white flag with Jerovetz ready to pull alongside but Yarie opened the door inside when the car hit a ridge in turn two, which made the car go a bit wide, enough for Jerovetz to pull inside. The pair ran side-by-side through the final turn with Yarie wide alongside the front wall on the power to take the victory by less than a half car length. Christians was third with Mike Wedelstadt edging Chris Engels for fourth.
The Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods were out of character as cautions plagued their feature event from the start and made hard racing a premium.
On lap 12, Jeff Schmuhl was able to wrestle the top spot away before what would be the final caution and lap of the race, appeared on lap 14. The cars could not complete another lap and the contest was finally ended on time limit with Schmuhl taking his second straight feature win with Robby Thiel settling for second.
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