Race Reports and Photos of the Season 2006

May 7, 2006

Reuvers replicates 2005 success at Raceway Park
By Corey Butler Jr.

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Just like Donny Reuvers did opening night - and a lot - in 2005, he won the 30-lap Country Joe Homes Late Model feature Sunday at the "Action Attraction."

The defending Raceway Park champion worked his way through the field en route to the victory that is sure to be the first of many. Not far behind him was Jason Schneider, who is returning to a full-time schedule at RWP. Schneider worked up to the bumper of Reuvers and attempted the outside lane, but couldn't do anything beyond pressuring the always smooth Reuvers. The field was shuffled after a collision in turn two collected or involved over half the field. When racing resumed, Schneider continued to pressure Reuvers, but would have to settle for second. Tony Brewer finished third.

Steve Marschall jumped to the point of the 25-lap Turtle's Bar & Grill Hobby Stock feature at the drop of the green, overtaking pole sitter Lucas Grosinger. Marschall built a sizable lead with everyone else jockeying for position. A caution late in the race allowed the group to tighten up and for Bryan Turtle to choose the outside line on the restart to challenge Marschall. However, Marschall was not to be beat, as he pulled away with Turtle following his bumper to the line. Mark Hawes rounded out the top three.

Eric Larson started the year out right by winning the 20-lap Coca-Cola Short Tracker feature. After building a sizable lead - that continued to grow throughout the race - the real race was for second. Mike Dimmick was holding a solid line on the bottom, holding on for second, as the former three-time track champion, Paul Haeg, worked the outside line to get by. It wasn't until turn four of the final circuit that Dimmick slid up the track a little and allowed Haeg to squeeze by at the line by less than a fender length.

Jamie Schoaf and Todd Eberhardy looked to be the class of the field in the Lupient Chevrolet of Belle Plaine Bombers as they pulled away from the field early and battled for the top spot, but a late caution brought the field together. Schoaf retained the lead and Eberhardy quickly followed suit. The side-by-side racing continued behind them as they again drove away. Schoaf was able to hold off Eberhardy, with Donny Little crossing the finish line third. However, Eberhardy was disqualified in post-race inspection, regulating Little to second and moving Zack Kersting to third.

Ricky Martin lead early and late, as he was the first to the line in the first of two features in the Miller Lite Figure 8's. Martin held off and avoided his 22 competitors, as there were many challenges and scares in the "Crossroads of Doom." The returning Matt Dickey and John Lebens finished second and third, respectively. In the second 15-lap event, Adam Radiske chased down Louis Ansolabehere and passed him for the lead. They would finish that way with Todd Wilson rounding out the top three.

Make sure to be on hand Friday, May 12, for the first Friday Night Destruction presented by Minnesota Precision Manufactures Association. On tap for the night are the Enduro Figure 8's, Flag Pole Racing, Dukes Jump, Flat Track Motorcycles, Cruzers and the Great North Legends. Also, don't forget about Sunday, the perfect Mother's Day gift should involve the County Joe Homes Late Models, Turtle's Bar & Grill Hobby Stocks, Coca-Cola Short Trackers, Lupient Chevrolet of Belle Plaine Bombers and the "wild and crazy" Miller Lite Figure 8's.


© Photos provided by mhc-media

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