Shawano win is Stankowski’s IMCA Modified first

By Scott Owen

SHAWANO, Wis. (May 9) – Mitch Stankowski gained redemption by winning his first career IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified feature Saturday at Shawano Speedway.

Jesse Peebles started outside row one and quickly looked as though he had the car to beat.  Behind Peebles, Stankowski moved in to second on the track and the two began to distance themselves from the rest of the field. Peebles built a comfortable lead by lap 10 when he caught up with the back of the pack and had to contend with lapped traffic.

Peebles had difficulties negotiating lapped cars, which allowed Stankowski to close in.  Peebles was forced low by the cars in front of him. Charlie Wild joined the mix as Peebles and Stankowski raced side-by-side in lapped traffic for the lead.

Stankowski was finally able to clear Peebles on lap 17 to take the lead and went on to win his first career feature in the division after nearly doing so last week. Wild took second and Mike Wedelstadt beat Peebles across the line by an eyelash for third.

Jordan Barkholtz outdueled Tracy Wassenberg to earn his first career Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod victory. Travis VanStraten returned the favor to Justin Jacobsen in winning his second feature of the year in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car class.

Barkholtz took the Northern SportMod lead on lap two and was quickly joined by Wassenberg and Lu­cas Lamberies.

Lap after lap, Barkholtz raced the outside groove with Wassenberg to his inside and Lamberies right on their back bumpers looking for an opening. The three cars raced in a tight pack to the finish as Barkohltz raced to his first career feature win. Wassenberg had to settle for second with Lamberies third.

Gary Kasperek led the opening lap of the Stock Car feature before mechanical woes forced him from the track. Jacobsen assumed the lead and led the following two laps before giving way to VanStraten.

Though pressured by Jacobsen, VanStraten led the rest of the way for his second win of the year. Steven Stewart came home a strong third.