Auto Value Super Stock feature winner Joey Pontbriand and his crew are all smiles after recent racing action at Norway Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Lia Olson)

NORWAY — For seven weeks in a row, Norway Speedway has been blessed with hot weather and even hotter racing.

This past week was the Auto Value Challenge Series Round No. 1 with special guest and Norway Speedway Hall of Famer Greg Ives making his return to the Norway track. Ives, who is one of the most highly-touted engineers in the NASCAR ranks, is from Bark River and was a weekly runner at the speedway years ago.

Last Friday, Ives had some inspirational words for the racing community at the drivers meeting and spent a lot of time socializing with competitors and fans with his son Parker.

Coca-Cola Late Model championship points leader Scott Stanchina drove through the field, took home the big payday and increased his point lead. Early front runner Chad Butz looked to be on his way to his second feature in the early weeks but fell off the pace due to electrical issues, as did Neenah’s Braison Bennett.

Stanchina drove flawlessly, maneuvered the lapped traffic strategically and held off hard-charging Cory Cootware who had his best win of the season as well.

Rounding out the Top 5 were Manitowoc’s Greg Haese, Appleton’s Neal Sannes and Marquette’s Scott Bolster, who also recorded his first top-five finish.

In the Auto Value Super Stock division, mid-season point leader Joey Pontbriand of Norway drove from the back to the front and held off an aggressive effort by first-timer Cody Potter of Harvard, Illinois. Potter was a crowd pleaser as he raced a nostalgic 57 Chevy and was extremely competitive. Upper Pine Creek’s Tony “Rocket” Wender finished a strong third and Norway’s Andy Gerwig and Dean Bellmore of Hermansville rounded out the top five.

In the 141 Auto Stock Car division Appleton’s Nick Kroehler after missing 3 weeks due to mechanical issues came back strong and won his first feature event. The 2021 track champion, BJ Schoneck from Marion, Wisconsin, finished right behind Kroehler. Darren Peterson recorded his first top-five finish, with Menominee’s Travis Hulsizer and defending track champion Joe Ostermann rounding out the top five.

In the Fabulous 4 division, Zach Gazda took advantage of starting on the pole and easily went onto win the 20-lap event, followed by Zach Hanson, Alex Bellmore, Cole Brown and Brock Pearman.

The Spectator Eliminators division is gaining popularity, at the speedway every week. On Friday, Mike Singletary edged out Ryan Okler Jr. to win the Mid-Season Championship. Spectator Eliminator coordinator Jim Chartier won his championship round at Marquette’s Sands Speedway on Sunday and will be returning to Slinger Speedway next week.

Racing continues this Friday night with the Ed Hedlund Memorial Race sponsored by Fine Lines Painting & Drywall and Incredible Bank.