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Scheffler, Anvelink Share Thunderhill Victory Lane
A daring last corner move by Nick Anvelink prevented Russ Scheffler from a two
feature sweep of the Forest County Potawatomi Late Model Shootout Wednesday
night at the Thunderhill Speedway in Sturgeon Bay.
Scheffler commanded the first 25 lap headliner, but the spotlight race had to
be the second feature as the two late model stars crossed the line in what may
have the closest feature finish in Thunderhill history.
Joining the late models to open the annual Door County Fair were two of the
Speedway's regular divisions; modifieds and stock cars. Four-time champ
Todd Dart won for the second year in a row in the modifieds, while Shawano
regular Rod Snellenberger returned to Sturgeon Bay to take top honors in the
stock cars.
The 2004 Shootout was the first to run under the banner of the Wisconsin Dirt
Late Model Association. And with that came the unique twin-25 feature
format. Each feature offered $1,000 to win, with a bonus of $500 paid if
one driver could take both checkers. It was Scheffler who stood to pick
up the bonus, after a smooth run to the win in the first feature. He
passed Terry Anvelink with 8 laps to go in the first main, then led the rest
of the way. The format called for an invert of the top 12 finishers in
the initial feature, placing Scheffler outside the sixth row for the nightcap.
It appeared early like the bonus might be paid, as the multi-time Hales
Corners Speedway champ was already up to fifth by the second lap, then third
four laps later. But once there, catching the leader, Nick Anvelink, and
second place Ron Berna proved to be a tough task. Running in line behind
the lead duo, Scheffler caught a break midway through the race with a caution
on lap 13. That set him on the outside of the second row for the
restart.
Anvelink used a nifty outside-inside move at the green to delay Scheffler, but
two laps later the Waukesha veteran used the high groove to slowly edge to the
lead. Passing Anvelink was one thing, disposing of him was
another. Anvelink refused to go away, fighting back on the inside
line. With five to go Anvelink took the lead back. Scheffler
abandoned the high line, crowding to the bottom to try and squeeze Anvelink
out. The tactic appeared to work, as with three to go it was Scheffler
regaining first.
With the white flying, Scheffler appeared headed to the double pay day.
Anvelink's low line was all but blocked until the duo shot out of four and
headed for the finish line. Scheffler cornered just high enough to open
a narrow path to the low side. Anvelink dove in, and in a flash was even
with the leader. It was a dead heat as the two headed for the
stripe. As the checkers flew, Anvelink was able to edge in front by an
estimated six inches to take the win.
Berna finished third, to go along with a solid 7th in the first
feature.
Used to starting near the back of the field on a normal Saturday night, Dart
took advantage of a front row starting spot in the modified feature to lead
all 25 laps and capture the $700 winner's share of the Fair night purse.
Kevin Sternard was an early threat, racing side by side with Dart for the
initial two circuits, but he dropped from competition shortly
thereafter. Jared Siefert and modified rookie Tim VanDeHei chased Dart
for the duration, but while close, could never pull even.
Siefert took second with VanDeHei third. Visiting faces shared spots in
the top five. Former Wisconsin State Champ Eric Scirbner was a solid
fourth with former Thunderhill Street Stocker Brian Drexler taking
fifth. Sean Jerovetz, forced to qualify for the feature through the
semi, advanced from a starting spot in the eighth row to take sixth.
A one-time regular at Thunderhill, Snellenberger had to fend off defending
champ Shawn Kilgore to win the stock car headliner. He advanced steadily
through the field, taking 3rd on lap 8, then second four laps later.
From there, he snatched the lead from Dave Bouche and quickly built a cushion
over the pack.
Kilgore passed Bouche for second with nine to go, but ran out of time before
he could catch Snellenberger.
Bouche took third in the caution-free event. Bernie Reinhardt, Jeff
Vlies and B.J. Soquet rounded out the top six.
With no one winning the $500 bonus in the late models, the prize will double
to $1,000 for the 2005 Fair opener.
Sturgeon Bay, WI - August 11, 2004:
WDLMA Late Model Feature 1:
Russ Scheffler, Waukesha - Terry Anvelink, Navarino - Tim Lemirande, Cross
Plains - Doug Blashe, Marion - Luke Roffers, Oneida - M.J. Hintz, Green Bay
WDLMA Feature 2:
Nick Anvelink, Navarino - Russ Scheffler - Ron Berna, Green Bay - Hintz - T.
Anvelink - Chris Carlson, South Milwaukee
Heat 1: Terry Casey, New London - Lemirande
Heat 2: Berna - T. Anvelink
Heat 3: George Scheffler, Waukesha - Blashe
Modified 25 Lap Feature
Todd Dart, Algoma - Jared Siefert, Green Bay - Tim VanDeHei, Green Bay - Eric
Scribner, Kiel - Brian Drexler, Oshkosh - Sean Jerovetz, Suamico
Semi-Feature:
Jerovetz - Matt McDermid, Oconto Falls - Benji LaCrosse, Luxemburg - Mike
Cole, Baileys Harbor
Heat 1: Drexler - Eric VanIten, Green Bay
Heat 2: Kevin Sternard, Sturgeon Bay - Jay Matthias, Green Bay
Heat 3: Siefert - Bill LeMieux, Sturgeon Bay
Stock Car 25 Lap feature
Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski - Shawn Kilgore, Kewaunee - Dave Bouche, Algoma -
Bernie Reinhardt, Sturgeon Bay - Jeff Vlies, Kewaunee - B.J. Soquet, Luxemburg
Heat 1: Mike Wietor, Green Bay - Snellenberger
Heat 2: Kilgore - Vlies
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