The future of racing at the Shawano Speedway was on display Saturday night in the IMCA Sport Mod claim area as the rain drops began to fall.
Two rookies in the division have shown that the future of racing is very bright. Second-generation racer Jordan Bartz, of Shawano, scored her first career feature win in only her fifth start. Third-generation racer Lucas Lamberies, of Clintonville, finished fourth in the feature in only his third start.
Bartz is the daughter of veteran racer Craig “The Tiger” Bartz and moved to the sport mod class after cutting her teeth on the area’s local dirt go-kart tracks.
Lamberies is the son of former track champion Kevin Lamberies and the grandson of Shawano Speedway pioneer Cubby Lamberies.
Just like Bartz, Lamberies established himself as one to watch during his go-kart racing career.
The poise shown by both of these racers has been impressive given their limited experience. The IMCA Sport Mod class features some of the stiffest competition week in and week out and serves as a great proving ground for young racers and veterans alike. It has also been the class of choice, since its addition to the weekly racing program at Shawano in 2006, for area drivers making the transition from go-kart racing to full-size stock car racing.
Among those that took the route of go-kart to sport mod include Marcus Yarie, Jason Jach and Joe Reuter.
The Sport Mod division has rules in place to help keep costs down by limiting what can be done with engines and suspensions. The rules are also designed to simplify things a bit for the young racer.
No one knows what exactly the future holds for Bartz and Lamberies, but it certainly bears watching.
And like Timbuk 3 said, “I gotta wear these shades.”
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