I-96 Speedway
Schlenk rallies from 10th to capture I-96 opener
By Matt Prieur
I-96 Speedway
Dona Marcoullier (6m) chases leader Rusty Schlenk. (randyellenphotography.com)
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. (April 30) — Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., rallied from his 10th starting spot at I-96 Speedway and outdueled Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., for a victory in the track's season opener.
Schlenk took the lead for good with four laps remaining in the 20-lap feature on the track's 3/8-mile oval. Marcoullier, who led laps 2-16, settled for second while Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park ace Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, finished third. Rich Neiser of Fruitport, Mich., and Tom Sprague Jr. of Muskegon, Mich., rounded out the top five on a night when 39 Late Model packed the pits.
Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer John Grega and Sprague started up front with Sprague leading the first lap. Marcoullier shot past to grab the lead on the second lap.
Schlenk, who started in the fifth row, quickly moved into the second spot and cut into Marcoullier's big advantage, catching the lead just past the halfway point.
The frontrunners wrestled for the lead before Schlenk took command on lap 17. Marcoullier didn't give up, trying every trick in his arsenal to get by reigning UMP DIRTcar weekly champ. Marcoullier briefly edged back ahead, but Schlenk used lapped traffic to motor back into the lead and take the victory.
Notes: Schlenk's Lazer Chassis is sponsored by Main & Company. ... The track's UMP Late Model division is sponsored by Tinney Automotive. ... The event drew 146 race cars overall. ... The feature lasted about 11 minutes. ... Curtis Roberts came from 16th to finish eighth. ... Reigning track champion Eric Spangler won a consolation race and finished 14th. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature: Billy Bray, Zack Olger, David Hillicker, Elex Leyton and Hollywood stuntwoman Kathy Jarvis. ... The track begins bi-weekly practice nights on May 3; they run through the month of June. ... Flat-track motorcycles are in action at I-96 on May 6, followed by a $1,500-to-win feature for UMP Late Models on May 7.
Icebreaker: (1) Rusty Schlenk, (2) Dona Marcoullier, (3) Jon Henry, (4) Rich Neiser, (5) Tom Sprague Jr., (6) John Grega, (7) Dan Hubbell, (8) Curtis Roberts, (9) Sam Epling, (10) Dale Sheehy, (11) Brandon Thirlby, (12) Kevin Nelson Jr., (13) Donnie Marcoullier, (14) Eric Spangler, (15) Dave Hartman, (16) Ryan Vanderveen, (17) Adam Thrush, (18) Scott Baker, (19) Kris Patterson Jr., (20) Brian Ruhlman. Heat race winners (among 39 cars): Epling, Schlenk, Dona Marcoullier, Sprague. Consolation winners: Spangler, Vanderveen.
