(Kevin Lee photo) Dan Lindsley of Vulcan won the 2020 Late Model championship at Norway Speedway. His first Late Model championship since 2014.

By JOE VERDEGAN

For The Daily News

NORWAY TOWNSHIP — Former track champion Dan Lindsley of Vulcan fought off a late race surge by Mike D’Angelo Jr. on the final circuit to win the Auto Value late model feature at Norway Speedway Friday night.

At the outset of the 50 lap contest it appeared D’Angelo may be the man to beat. The Gwinn racer shot from his pole position into the lead and kept it through a bevy of early caution periods.

Meanwhile Lindsley, who started tenth on the grid, carefully sifted his way through traffic, wrestling the second place spot away from Joey Pontbriand on the 20th circuit. Five laps later Lindsley squeezed inside of D’Angelo for the lead.

A caution flew with seven laps remaining and as the white flag was displayed, D’Angelo mounted a late race charge, pulling his fender alongside Lindsley’s door. That’s how the pair crossed the finish line when the checkers flew.

“I’ll tell ya Mike really made me earn that win tonight as I’m beat down tired,” Lindsley exclaimed in victory lane. “I’m an old man now and this stuff tires me out! This new car we’ve got has been on rails here and the pit crew I’ve got is the best!”

D’Angelo took home second place money followed by Neenah, Wis. driver Braison Bennett, who scored an impressive third in his super late model debut at the third-mile, paved oval. Green Bay, Wis. driver Chad Butz and Kingsford’s Jason Wells placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Upper Pine Creek’s Ryan Wender led wire-to-wire and sweated out a handful of caution periods to capture the 35 lap super stock main event. Menominee’s John Komp made a return after 13 seasons to collect second place. Hometown driver and former track champion Joe Ostermann captured the stock car class feature win while Freedom, Wis. Cody Vanderloop came out on top of a dogfight with Kingsford’s Brad Barglind to win the sport truck feature.

Faithorn’s Elliot Reid took home the Lion’s share of the purse by winning the stock four feature and Bark River’s Mike Richer successfully defending his crown by winning the second annual Pavement Pounder sportmod special.

Friday night, the Spectator eliminators will be an added to the show. Racing gets underway at 7 p.m. Go to norwayspeedway.com for further information or email ostermannjohn@hotmail.com.

RACE SUMMARY

BINK’S COCA COLA SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE – Dan Lindsley, Vulcan; Mike D’Angelo Jr, Gwinn; Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis. Chad Butz, Green Bay, Wis. Jason Wells, Kingsford; Joey Pontbriand, Norway; Travis Rodewald, Manitowoc, Wis. Scott Stanchina, Kingsford; Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, Wis. Mike Lantange, Vulcan; Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain; Bruce White, Kingsford; Alex Seidl, Appleton, Wis. Dean Varda, Vulcan; Wyatt Blashe, Clintonville, Wis.; Karl Lamoreaux, Niagara, Wis. Robby Iverson, Escanaba; Gregg Haese, Manitowoc, Wis. Tanner Kelly, Waucedah

DASH – Wells

HEATS 1) Stanchina; Blashe

2) Pontbriand; Bennett

FAST TIME – Iverson, 14.551

PAVEMENT POUNDER FEATURE – Mike Richer, Bark River; Wyatt Lemmers, Larsen, Wis. Russ Franks, Oconto, Wis. Ryan Manthei, Green Bay, Wis. (DNS); John Ostermann, Niagara, Wis. (DNS)

HEAT – Lemmers; Richer

FAST TIME – Richer, 16.779

AUTO VALUE SUPER STOCK FEATURE – Ryan Wender, Upper Pine Creek; John Komp, Menominee; Parker Cain, Big Bay; Jeremy Yelle, Gwinn; Kevin Peterson, Marinette, Wis. Kelly LaCount, Athelstane, Wis. Adam Faull, Vulcan; Bob Schiefelbein, Pembine, Wis. Andy Gerwig, Norway; Anthony Schiefelbein, Pembine, Wis.