Van Straten wins third straight at Shawano

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Travis Van Straten raced to a third straight IMCA Sunoco Stock Car victory during Halloween at the Half Mile at Shawano Speedway. (Photo by Turn 2 Photos)

By Scott Owen

SHAWANO, Wis. (July 13) – Halloween at the Half Mile had no tricks, just treats for Travis Van Streten, Konnor Wilinski and Jordan Bartz.

Van Straten outdueled Dan Michonski for his third straight Shawano Speedway IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature win while Wilinski scored his first IMCA Modified feature of the season and Bartz got Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod win number three.  

The Stock Car feature saw Kurt Olson lead the opening two laps before Michonski snuck past.  On lap five, Van Straten got around Olson and into second. As has consistently been the case lately, Michonski and Van Straten began a duel for the lead. 

Van Straten took the lead on lap seven working the lowest line on the track. Michonski took the lead back on lap eight running the highest line. They continued to battle door-to-door on lap nine with Van Straten holding the lead on the lap. 

Over the next 11 laps, Van Straten had his hands full as Michonski worked high and low trying to a find a way back to the front. Van Straten was flawless, though, and held off Michonski for the win.

Cautions plagued the start of the Modified feature before Mark Weisnicht led lap one.  By lap three, Wilinski had worked his way to second and went to work on Weisnicht. Wilinski moved to the inside of Weisnicht on lap four and took the lead.

Due to the early cautions the race was shortened as it reached the time limit. In the end it was Wilinski followed by Weisnicht, Matt Oreskovich, Jason Czarapata, and Rob Charapata.

Sawyer Haese looked to have the car to beat early on in the Northern SportMod feature until Ja­son Jach stormed past on lap four to grab the lead. Haese fell victim to mechanical gremlins on lap five, ending his night.

Bartz moved to second on the grid at this time and set her sights on Jach. Bartz and Jach swapped the lead back and forth for the next few laps. On lap nine, Bartz took over for good and did not look back on her way to victory lane.

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