Thunderhill Speedway Prepares for WDLMA
Dirt Late Model Special slated for Wednesday, August 11

by Tom Wagner

Sturgeon Bay, WI:  July 30, 2004 - Thanks to the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association (WDLMA), the Potawatomi Thunderhill Speedway's biggest racing event of the 2004 season just got twice as big.  

For the second straight year, the unique third-mile clay oval in Sturgeon Bay, WI will open the annual Door County Fair with a dirt late model special.  But this year's edition will be different than the 2003 version for two reasons; the event's governing rules will change, and the night's late model feature format will be unique to not only the track, but also the series itself.

Set for Wednesday night, August 11, the card will also include two of the Speedway's regular divisions, IMCA-style modifieds and stock cars, with increased winner's purses for both classes.  It'll be possible for the late model over-all winner to pocket $2,500 in feature earnings, while the modifieds will race for $700 to win and the stock cars $350. 

With the late model portion of the show now designated a WDLMA sanctioned event, the door will be open to several teams not able to participate under the WISSOTA-style rules in place for 2003.  Not only will fans be treated to the opportunity to see more late model teams than last year, they'll be able to see them twice.

Feature qualifying late models will compete in not one, but two 25 lap main events, with $1,000 going to the winner of each.  A clean sweep of both headliners will be worth an additional $500 bonus, bringing the winner's share to a possible $2,500 total.  The Twin 25s will be the bookends, the first running before, and the second after, the modified and stock car features.

According to Thunderhill co-promoter Bryan "Woody" Wodack, the decision to join WDLMA for its inaugural season was an easy one.  "Years ago the late models were part of the show here on a weekly basis," he said.  "The rules back then allowed for the southern Wisconsin drivers to come up here for specials, taking on the locals and the guys that ran Shawano, DePere and Seymour.  We kind of thought those days were gone, but to have the chance to see something like that again on our hometown track is really exciting." 

While the WDLMA has raced at several venues around the state, Wodack feels the Sturgeon Bay track will provide plenty of extra drama as it's "neutral territory" for most teams, no matter where they're based.

"We had 22 late models run our special last year," he said.  "For most of them, it was the only time they'd ever been on the track here.  Of the current late model racers, the one guy that raced here the most is probably Gordie Seegert.   But most of that was something like 25 years ago!"  

Co-promoter Brian Duquaine added that the night's line-up should not only provide quality for the fans, but quantity as well.  "We're running this on a Wednesday, meaning we're not in conflict with any of the area tracks," he said.  "I expect we'll see quite a few new faces in the mods and stocks.  Plus the WDLMA has been fielding consistent counts of 30-40 late models this year, so 100 cars in the pits in the three divisions is certainly realistic."

Terry Casey is the defending champ of the late model portion of the event.  He passed Terry Anvelink early in the contest to win the 2003 special.  Four-time Thunderhill modified champ Todd Dart topped a field of 38 entrants to take home that division's top prize.  Troy Muench won last year in the street stock class, and will be able to repeat as he has moved up to the stocks.  Once again this year, the mods and stocks will compete under regular track rules, excluding any claims.

Admission for the event will be $12.00 for adults, students (13-16) $8.00, kids (6-12) $3.00 and under 5 will be admitted free.  Pit passes are $25.00.  Pit gate opens at 3:30, with the grandstand gates opening at 4:00.  The first preliminary heat will hit the track at 6:30.  There will be no additional charge for midway entry or parking.

An additional point night for the Speedway's regular divisions is slated for Thursday, August 12th, but the evening will be used as a rain date for the WDLMA series special if necessary.

The Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Speedway is located at the John Miles Fair Park, just off Highway 42-57 on Sturgeon Bay's north side.  For more information, visit the Speedway's website at www.racethunderhill.com, the WDLMA website at www.widirtlm.com, or call 920-743-7052.