 |
Prunty Edges Bennett and
Gets Win #4 of The Season!
By Dan
Margetta |
(Slinger,
WI) August 14, 2005 - David Prunty edged Lowell Bennett to win the 65-lap late
model feature Sunday night at the Slinger Super Speedway to pick up his fourth feature
victory of the season.
“He (Bennett) was
all over me,” an excited Prunty told the crowd from victory lane. “I was very
tight and I knew any second he would be able to stick his nose under me but luckily I was
ahead the whole way and was able to keep the tires cooler.”
Mike Strupp brought the field to the green flag and led the early laps as Prunty slide
into second place by lap ten, ahead of Bennett, Fred Winn, and John Mueller. With the
close racing up front, the field remained tightly bunched, causing a gridlock situation
back in the field that resulted in a spin involving Ken Wills that also collected Travis
Dassow on lap fourteen. Strupp led Prunty, Bennett, and Winn on the restart while John
Mueller and Brad Mueller followed as behind them, Dennis Prunty, Austin Konetski, and Dave
Feiler worked their way around Robert Maynor. The top three began to pull away as both
John and Brad Mueller worked the outside in an attempt to get around Winn for fourth while
Dennis Prunty, Konetski, and Feiler staged their own struggle over the seventh spot.
Winn began to fade as John
and Brad Mueller each used the outside to pass by and then Konetski and Feiler took to the
top to get around Winn as Dennis Prunty looked to make a move on the inside. Meanwhile at
the head of the field, David Prunty was able to turn under Strupp and take command of the
race on lap 23 and Bennett followed with a similar inside move to grab second. With Prunty
still leading over Bennett and Strupp, Brad Mueller found a groove on the high side and
was able to pass John Mueller for position by lap 30 as Konetski closed in. The caution
flag waved for the second time a few laps later when contact between Konetski and John
Mueller sent Mueller spinning off the front straightaway, relegating both drivers to the
rear of the field for the restart.
Prunty and Bennett eased ahead of the field on the restart while Strupp found himself
being challenged by both Brad Mueller and Feiler for third. Mueller was able to draw
alongside Strupp but as he did, his car suddenly became loose in the corners and on the
next circuit around he skated wide in turn four, losing two positions as both Feiler and
Nick Schumacher drove by him. Feiler looked to the inside of Strupp and took over third
place by lap 40 as Prunty continued to circle the speedway with Bennett glued to his back
bumper. Over the final laps, Bennett appeared to have the better handling car and he made
numerous attempts to take the lead, but each time, Prunty proved to be just strong enough
to keep him at bay. Prunty was able to gain a slight advantage when the leaders caught
lapped traffic and he held off Bennett’s charges to take the win by about a half car
length. Feiler finished a strong third while Strupp capped off his respectable run with a
fourth place finish. Schumacher crossed the finish line in fifth place but was later
relegated back two positions for actions on an earlier restart. That left Dennis Prunty
officially in fifth place and Brad Mueller in sixth. Schumacher was credited with seventh
place while Rich Loch, Mike Egan, and Jeremy Lepak rounded out the top ten.
Mark Bitzan drove a flawless race to win the 30-lap late model semi-feature while Dave
Teske finished second to grab the final transfer spot into the main event. Scott Schoeni
crossed the stripe in third followed by Dan Jung and Brad Dahmer. Dennis Prunty won the
fast dash and Dave Feiler was the fastest qualifier at 11.347 seconds.
James Swan charged from deep in the field to score the win in the 30-lap Midwest Sportsman
main event over Brad Keith and Collin Bamke.
Scott Schambeau and Jimmy Evans began from the front row and raced alongside each other
for the opening circuits with Schambeau able to edge ahead at the line. With the top two
racing side-by-side, Swan and Keith were able to slice their way forward into third and
fourth place. Eventually, Evans began to fall back as first Keith and then Swan dove to
the inside to take over second and third respectively as Schambeau continued to lead.
Schambeau’s car appeared to be loose on the exits of the turns and that allowed Keith
and Swan to close quickly using the outside lane. The duo continued on the outside and
raced around Schambeau on lap 19 as farther back, Bamke and Pat McIntee staged their own
battle over the fourth position. As Bamke and McIntee raced door to door, McIntee skated
high in turn four and Bamke took over third place. Keith and Swan ran nose to tail until
the final lap when Swan made his move on the outside, pulling even with Keith at the white
flag. As they exited turn two, Keith’s car slid slightly on the inside and Swan was
able to gain momentum and take the lead on the backstretch. Swan then was able to beat
Keith back to the finish line to claim the win. Keith finished a close second while Bamke
came home with a third place result. Scott Schambeau took the checkered flag in fourth
place and Jay Schambeau was fifth.
Dave Thomas claimed the win in the fast dash and Swan set fast time after turning in a lap
of 12.680 seconds.
Russ Grade left the field in his mirrors as he raced to the win in the 25-lap Midwest
Modified feature.
Grade started the event from the pole position and led at the outset as Steve Huelsbeck
moved forward to challenge Eddie Bentfield for second. Huelsbeck completed the pass a few
laps later as Grade continued to lead. Two of the division’s hotshoes experienced
trouble almost simultaneously as fast qualifier Jason Feyereisen dropped off the pace with
mechanical problems and Dale Prunty spun around in turn four after contact with another
car as the field remained under the green. Steve Schulz, Wes Biswell, and Ron Schmitt all
made their way by Bentfield to advance into the top five just before the caution flew on
lap eight when Bentfield looped around in turn four.
Grade led on the restart
over Huelsbeck and Schulz as Biswell battled Schmitt over the fourth spot. Schulz jumped
to the outside lane and challenged Huelsbeck for second and their tussle allowed Grade to
streak ahead. Huelsbeck and Schulz remained side by side for several laps as Grade
continued to extend his lead while Biswell and Schmitt also raced alongside each other.
Relatively unchallenged throughout the closing laps, Grade raced to the victory while
Huelsbeck turned back Schulz for second. Schmitt nipped Biswell at the finish to grab
fourth place, leaving Biswell to settle for fifth.
Huelsbeck took top honors in the Midwest Modified fast dash and Jason Feyereisen blistered
qualifying with a lap of 12.296 seconds.
Eric Schuetz captured the win in the 12-lap Thunderstocks feature over Andy Okrasinski and
Rick Schaefer. Jim Bentzler finished in fourth place while Dustin Krebs was fifth. Tom
Berens and Miles Dornbrook were victorious in Slinger Bee races and Bill Astovich Sr. won
the Port-A-John Speedway Guest Cars. Dannon Tessmer was the winner of the Spectator
Eliminator event and Willie Van Camp won the Figure 8 race. The night concluded with a
demolition derby that was won by Jody Schubert.
For Complete results from the RACESTAT computer CLICK HERE
SUBWAY
EAT FRESH Twin 50’s PRESENTED BY COKE
Fan Appreciation Night
(Slinger, WI) Sunday Night
21st Coke and Subway eat fresh night! Twin 50 Lap Late Model Features Along with our
regular Sunday program that includes Midwest Modified, Midwest Sportsman, Thunderstocks,
Complete Car Care Slinger Bees, Figure Eights, Port A John Speedway Guest Cars and the One
on One Spectator Eliminators.
Free Bike drawing for kids 11 and under and Coca Cola 500 Big Wheel Races for Kids! Plus
Fan appreciation night - FREE Beer and Soda after the races!
Gates open at 4:45, Qualifying at 5:15, and Racing at 7:00.
Stop by your local SUBWAY® restaurant and try your favorite sub toasted, or let us
suggest a couple that we came up with ourselves that showcase the great tastes of
toasting!
There are select advertising and sponsorship opportunities as well as company and group
hospitality outings available for the 2005 season. For more information, contact the
speedway’s public relations department at: 262-370-0440, the track office at:
262-644-5921 or our web site at: www.slingersuperspeedway.com. |
