Travis Sauter passed Kingsford’s Jason Wells for the lead on lap 43 and sweated out numerous caution periods to survive and win the 36th annual Stateline Challenge presented by Island Resort & Casino & Aurora Liquors at Norway Speedway Friday night.
Sauter started deep in the field and bided his time – staying clear of the multiple yellow flags that flew in the early going. Hometown driver Joey Pontbriand paced the opening two circuits before a caution – handing the lead to Kingsford’s Scott Stanchina. Stanchina kept the top spot until Wells’ wrestled the lead away from him on lap 8.
Wells kept his spot through numerous caution flags. Meanwhile Sauter, began slowly picking off cars after a lap 35 restart. The second-generation driver from Prairie Du Sac slipped into the eighth spot and muscled his way inside of Andy Monday to take over the second spot.
Sauter kept the field at bay through a bevy of yellows and captured not only the winner’s share of the purse $1,200, but with lap leader bonuses pushing his total won for the night to $2,260. Wells battled back to take second place. Wells pocketed $2,240 – just $20 less than the winner through cash donated by local businesses, fans and other racing enthusiasts.
Four time track champion Dillion Kralovetz captured third place, followed by Mike D’Angelo Jr. and Robby Iverson.
“I’ve got to dedicate this win to Gene Coleman,” Sauter explained in victory lane. “I was a 19-year-old kid who let me race his house car around at Norway and other tracks. I had no experience – my Dad just raced for him. Gene, This win is for you!”
In super stock action hometown driver Andy Gerwig emerged triumphant in the super stock main. The sport truck feature was captured by Kingsford’s Brent Barglind. After the checkers flew Marquette’s Destiny Bullard crashed her truck up between turns one and two. Bullard was transported by ambulance. Due to the lateness of the program the balance of the program was canceled.
Next Friday night July 12 the Kid’s Nickel toss will take place along with the spectator eliminator races. Please check our website norwayspeedway.com and at our page on Facebook for further information or email ostermannjohn@hotmail.com.
RACE SUMMARY 36th ANNUAL STATELINE CHALLENGE
BINK’S COCA COLA SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE – Travis Sauter, Prairie Du Sac, WI; Jason Wells, Kingsford; Dillion Kralovetz, Bonduel, WI; Mike D’Angelo Jr., Gwinn; Robby Iverson, Escanaba; Andy Monday, Appleton; Mark Schroeder, Green Bay; Dean Varda, Vulcan; Dan Lindsley, Vulcan; Mike Reichenberger, Appleton, WI; Joey Pontbriand, Norway; Mike Lantagne, Vulcan; Chad Butz, Green Bay, WI; Tyler Radavich, Eldorado, WI; Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain; Scott Stanchina, Kingsford; Bruce White, Kingsford; Neal Sannes, De Pere, WI; Tom Lindquist, Bark River
SEMI-FEATURE – Sannes; Varda; White; Matt Charlebois, Wallace; Jordan Chambers, Green Bay; WI; Robby Younger, De Pere, WI; Scott Bolster, Marquette; John Ostermann, Norway
FAST TIME – Sauter, 14.414
AUTO VALUE SUPER STOCK FEATURE – Andy Gerwig, Norway; Tim Schultz, Vulcan; Anthony Schiefelbein, Pembine, WI; Kevin Peterson, Marinette, WI; Ryan Wender, Upper Pine Creek; Kelly LaCount, Athelstane, WI; Adam Faull, Vulcan; Parker Cain, Big Bay; Savanna Novara, Iron Mountain; Brett Bray, Norway; John Mattia Jr, Norway (DNS)
FAST TIME – Schiefelbein, 15.965
141 AUTO SALES SPORTSMAN FEATURE – Canceled
FAST TIME -Preston Weddle, Crivitz, WI 18.296
SPORT TRUCK FEATURE – Brent Barglind, Kingsford; Brad Barglind, Kingsford; Drew Habeck, Green Bay, WI; Casey Vander Loop, Freedom; Blaine Habeck, Green Bay, WI; Destiny Bullard, Marquette; Keith Habeck, Green Bay, WI; J.J. Vanderloop, Freedom, WI; Beth Craig, Appleton, WI; Cody Vander Loop, Freedom, WI; Tom Krueger, Green Bay, WI; Pete Zarnoth, Brillion, WI; Tanner Fickel, Neenah, WI; Kelly Burcar, Norway; Ted Ullman, Greenville, WI; Andrew Secrist, Florence, WI
FAST TIME – Bullard, 16.950
4 CYLINDER A FEATURE – Canceled
FAST TIME – Jake Dolfurd, Vulcan 18.037
