TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
After battling mother nature, the Merrill Ice Draggers were able to run their final scheduled event and complete Week 3/the Memorial Day Race on Feb. 25, 2023. The season was short but very well attended. Cindy Opichka, President of the Merrill Ice Draggers Inc., said this year was their “largest season to date.”
The frozen surface of Lake Alexander [off the boat landing in Council Grounds State Park] was definitely the place to be. And that just proved “it will take more than some unseasonable temps and thunderstorms in Feb. to stop this 58-year tradition,” she said.
Some racers drove more than 14 hours “just so they can say they took a pass down the Fastest 1/8 Mile on Ice,” Opichka said. “SEGA ( South East Gassers Association) brought four cars from Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Mississippi. After the 14-hour drive, they were seen taking pictures with snow and marveling at the snowmobiles on the lake.”
“Check out the Merrill Ice Drags Facebook page for several video links of their adventure,” she said. “Numerous other racers came from Minnesota, Illinios, and Southern Wisconsin to run, as well. Spectators from Milwaukee, Minnesota, Toronto (Canada), and all over Wisconsin were also in attendance.”
Week 3 Memorial Day Race results:
2 WD
1st place: Emma Meyer, Merrill, driving a 2007 Chevy Impala
2nd place: Linda Krebsbach, Rhinelander, driving a 2019 Chevy Malibu Premier
4×4
1st place: Jay Deitzler, Wausau, driving a 2018 GMC Terrain
2nd place: Travis Smith, Plover, driving a 2013 Subaru WRX
11.0
1st place: Erin Dombeck, Ringle, driving a 1987 Buick Grand National
2nd place: Dakota Pingle, Bowler, driving a 1988 Chevy Camaro
Easy Street II
1st place: Scott Stricklin, Gleason, driving a 1998 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Mandy Herning, Merrill, driving a 1988 Ford Mustang
10.0
1st place: Harley Hixon, Merrill, driving a 1965 Chevy II
2nd place: Chris Huitffeldt, Merrill, driving a 1973 Olds Cutlass
Ultimate Street
1st place: Todd Weisenfeld, Merrill, driving a 1992 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Hunter Diels, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
9.0
1st place: Joshua Graap, Merrill, driving a 1991 Chevy S10
2nd place: Steve Traeger, Foley, Minn., driving a 1990 Chevy C1500
Modified
1st place: Ryan Podeweltz, Merrill, driving a 1979 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Jimmy Bartelt, Merrill, driving a 1985 Mazda RX7
8.5
1st place: Duston Koening, Merrill, driving a 1974 Chevy Vega
2nd place: Joshua Graap, Merrill, driving a 1991 Chevy S10
Altered
1st place: Mike Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
2nd place: Ryan Podeweltz, Merrill, driving a 1979 Chevy Camaro
8.0
1st place: Zach Degner, Merrill, driving a 1972 Chevy Vega
2nd place: Adam Reich, Irma, driving a 1993 Chevy Camaro
7.0
1st place: Mike Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
2nd place: Jimmy Bartelt, Merrill, driving a 1985 Mazda RX7
Open Door Slammer
1st place: Ryan Podeweltz, Merrill, driving a 1979 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Peter Vogels, DePere, driving a 1979 Jeep CJ7
Outlaw
1st place: Ron Krueger, Rhinelander, driving a 1947 Willys Modified Rail
2nd place: Peter Vogels, DePere, driving a 1979 Jeep CJ7
Championships
On Feb. 25, following the week three races, Championship points were tallied and results were calculated, without a Championship Day race this year.
Season Championship Results 2023:
2 WD
1St place: Emma Meyer, Merrill, driving a 2007 Chevy Impala
2nd place: Linda Krebsbach, Rhinelander, driving a 2019 Chevy Malibu Premier
4×4
1st place: Travis Smith, Plover, driving a 2013 Subaru WRX
2nd place: Jay Deitzler, Wausau, driving a 2018 GMC Terrain
11.0
1st place: Erin Dombeck, Ringle, driving a 1987 Buick Grand National
2nd place: Dakota Pingle, Bowler, driving a 1988 Chevy Camaro
Easy Street II
1st place: Mandy Herning, Merrill, driving a 1988 Ford Mustang
2nd place: Scott Stricklin, Gleason, driving a 1998 Chevy Camaro
10.0
1st place: Harley Hixon, Merrill, driving a 1965 Chevy II
2nd place: Chris Huitfeldt, Merrill, driving a 1973 Olds Cutlass
Ultimate Street
1st place: Todd Weisenfeld, Merrill, driving a 1992 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Austin Willis, Merrill, driving a 1984 Ford Mustang
9.0
1st place: Joshua Graap, Merrill, driving a 1991 Chevy S10
2nd place: Travis Arndt, Wisconsin Rapids, driving a 1972 Chevy Chevelle
Modified
1st place: Ryan Podeweltz, Merrill, driving a 1979 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Kyle Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1975 Chevy Camaro
8.5
1st place: Duston Koening, Merrill, driving a 1974 Chevy Vega
2nd place: Joel Frisch, Wausau, driving a 1970 Ford Maverick
Altered
1st place: Mike Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
2nd place: Ryan Blake, Merrill, driving a 1997 Chevy Corvette
8.0
1st place: Adam Reich, Irma, driving a 1993 Chevy Camaro
2nd place: Jeff Stricklin, Merrill, driving a 1969 Chevy Nova
7.0
1st place: Mike Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
2nd place: Stephan Pophal, Merrill, driving a 1974 Chevy Nova
Open Door Slammer
1st place: Peter Vogels, DePere, driving a 1979 Jeep CJ7
2nd place: Mike Bohman, Merrill, driving a 1970 Chevy Nova
Outlaw
1st place: Ron Krueger, Rhinelander, driving a 1947 Willys Modified Rail
2nd place: Peter Vogels, DePere, driving a 1979 Jeep CJ7
Merrill Ice Draggers, Inc. Annual Banquet
On Saturday, March 4, the Merrill Ice Draggers celebrated with their annual banquet during which special awards were presented.
Outstanding volunteers were recognized with Volunteer of the Year Awards. Those so recognized included 10-year-old Colton Oswalt of Merrill; Bliss JenneJohn of the “Two Buddies Racing Team” of Rhinelander; Cody Herning of Merrill; Bill Hartl of “Stinken Leakers Auto Repair” of Merrill; and Tyler Woller of Wausau.
Special awards were presented for outstanding contributions in 2023. Dan Hixon of Athens received the Iron Man Award and Josie Opichka of Madison received the Web Master 2023 Award.
Eight 2023 racers were also inducted into the Mile per Hour Club. Joel Frisch (100.14 mph), Chad Hoernke (100.24 mph), Scott Butler (100.34 mph), Mike Bohman (104.19 mph), and Dusty Nielsen (109.45) were all inducted into the 100 MPH Club; Gary Harris (114.05 mph) was inducted into the 110 MPH Club; Peter Vogels (124.60 mph) was inducted into the 120 MPH Club; and Ron Krueger (130.75 mph) was inducted into the 130 MPH Club.
Three racers were inducted into the 5 Second Club and 6 Second Club. Gary Harris (6.776 seconds) and Peter Vogels (6.445 seconds) joined the 6 Second Club and Ron Krueger (5.838 seconds) joined the 5 Second Club.
“Thank you to all the generous donations and sponsorships from Merrill and Wausau and the surrounding areas for your continued sponsorship,” Opichka said. “We couldn’t do it without you!”
“All the racers, their crews, and our family and friends, thank you also for your support,” she said. “And the biggest thanks of all go out to the amazing group of men and women who volunteer their time to make this event happen. Without you, it is not possible!”
“We’ll see you next year for the 59th Annual World Championship Merrill Ice Drags!” Opichka said.