Tony Bouche tops Thunderhill Stocks

By Edward Anschutz

STURGEON BAY, Wis. (May 9) – Saturday night at Thunderhill Raceway, a pair cagey veterans in Tony Bouche and Charlie Kroll squared off. Bouche was able to put his 38 years of racing knowledge to good use as he outdueled Kroll late in the going to score a popular win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event.

Four different drivers took turns over the first half of the contest. Trouble ensued just past midway as Billy LeMieux and John Anschutz locked horns, sending both of them spinning and bringing out the caution. The displeasure between the drivers was obvious.

On the restart, Bouche in his Ford Thunderbird raced to second behind Kroll. For several laps the duo ran nose to tail on the high side. With four laps remaining Kroll slipped high allowing Bouche take the lead and eventual checkers.

Other feature winners were Greg Gretz in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Cody Rass in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Dave Schmidt in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.

Gretz had no regrets in getting out the broom with a clean sweep in the Modifieds. Todd Dart ap­plied heavy pressure the last half of the event but Gretz was up for the challenge leading every lap.

Rass had a perfect night, leading every lap of the heat and feature in the Northern SportMods. Chris Budzban closed late to place second in the main event.

Schmidt remains undefeated in the Hobby Stocks. It wasn’t an easy win be any means as Ford Malvitz built up a straightaway advantage running the cushion. Schmidt, who started 10th on the grid, caught Malvitz by running the same line.

With a handful of laps remaining Schmidt cleared Malvitz for the lead using the low groove. Schmidt went on to win his third feature of the year.

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