Photo by Randy Van HoofBy: Randy Van Hoof
Week one of Tilleda Thunder is in the books and a beautiful day greeted the 31 drivers checked into the pits. Bright sunshine and temps in the low 20 made for a great day on "Lake Speed"

First feature up for the day was the wild outlaw RWD Studded class with the 10 of "The Wiley Veteran" Ben Michonski in his Loose Gruff Modified leading the field to the green. On lap one the 07 of Mike Schmidt had the right front go flat and the race was stopped to allow him to change the tire. The race was re-started with the 10 of Michonski on the pole, 07 Monte Carlo of Schmidt in second and the 41 of "Pugs" Wildenberg in his Monte starting last. These three cars can put on a heck of a show as all of them ran in a close group for over half of the race. Michonski started to pull away late in the race. With two to go Schmidt started to put on the heat and they ran side by side. On the final lap coming out of turn four Michonski bobbled and Schmidt was on the outside and on the loud pedal hard and passed Michonski and won by about one car length at the checkered with Wildenberg ending up third. Michonski won the heat.

Feature two on the day was the RWD Non-Studded class with last seasons FWD Non-Studded champion Nate Michonski now running the black 33 station wagon leading the full field of 17 cars to the green flag. The 21 Tony Wudstrack started Second followed by the 2 of Gary Kasperek the 64 of Clint "Chucky" Forstner and the 1 of Dan Michonski. Lap 3 Kasperek gets by N. Michonski for the lead. A lot of action in this one a few spins but nothing major. Top five all ready bunched up getting into lapped traffic by lap 6. The only red flag of the day comes out 1 lap after the ½ way mark for the 39 car in the inside snow bank on the front stretch with the drivers door facing traffic so the race was stopped for safety reasons. Not what the leader 33 N. Michonski wanted to see. On the re-start it was N. Michonski, Wudstrack, Forstner and Kasperek the top four. Lap 11 Wudstack spins, N. Michonski opens up the lead. Lap 12 find the leader N. Michonski going around and the 64 of Forstner take the top spot. At the finish it was Forstner taking the win with Kasperek, N. Michonski & Wudstrack rounding out the top four.

Next up was the FWD Studded class with only two cars starting as the 14 was a scratch for the feature. As it turned out it was the Cousins Kralovetz show with Dillon in the 2 car starting on the inside and the 21 on Dallas on the out side. Considering this was only a two car feature it was still very entertaining as they ran side by side for the whole 10 laps. Dillon on the outside with more momentum and Dallas on the inside with more torque. Taking the white the two were side by side and in the end it was Dillon taking the win by a car length.

FWD Non-Studded feature action found five cars taking the green flag. Leading the group was the 20 of Greg Gutt followed by the 1 of Jeff Joeltz, the 9er of Dusty Grall, John Babino in the 61 and the 22 of Mike Paulmer bringing up the rear. Gutt leads the first lap as Babino works his way into second. Good clean racing in this one as the 1 gets by Babino for second on lap 10 as Gutt was checking out. At the finish it was Gutt in his 20 ride followed by the 1 of Joeltz, Babino in the 61 third, the 9er of Grall followed by Paulmer in the 22 for the final checkers of the day.

Thanks to this seasons sponsors: Herb's Tigerton Lanes, Horne-ets Nest, Brady's Septic Service, Satin's Outcasts, S & W Plowing, Olson's Rural Electric, Hwy. 29 Auto Parts, Mathew's Supper Club, Auto Service Plus and B & J Custom Graphics.

www.tilledathunder.9k.com www.photosbyhoofer.com