By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – July 4, 2009) - La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway promised fireworks for the Independence Day celebration. What fans didn’t expect was to see more fireworks on the track than in the sky. Matthew Henderson caused most of the fireworks as he held off Todd Korish and Steve Carlson for his first feature win.
For the first couple of laps the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model drivers maintained their starting positions. What looked like the beginning of an uneventful race was really just the calm before the storm. It didn’t take long for the leaders to start shuffling themselves around. Just as the front three started to break away from the rest of the field a caution came out. Tim Nelson, Cole Howland, Jeff Baker, and Shawn Pfaff were all involved in a wreck on the front stretch that left Pfaff crumpled in the entrance to turn one. When the green flag waved again Henderson was in the lead and Carlson was moving up through the field.

At the half way point battles were igniting behind the leader. Korish and Kevin Nuttleman were fighting for 2nd while Carlson and Tony Bagstad were fighting for 5th. With only ten to go Korish was glued to the bumper of Henderson. It appeared as though Henderson was going to be able to walk away with the win until another caution came out with two laps to go. On the restart Korish dove to the inside of Henderson, but with Carlson in third Korish had to back off in order to hang on to a 2nd place finish. In a post race interview Henderson said “With two to go, before the caution, I was thinking ‘Okay, I can do this.’ Then the caution came out…” Henderson handled the restart like an expert and took the checkered flag. Carlson finished 3rd.

Jes Tenner walked away Saturday night with the North Country Contractors Sportsmen division win. Jimmy Gilster and Branden Berg were close behind Tenner for most of the race. Gilster was able to get to Tenner’s bumper once, but when he tried to pass Tenner closed the door and Gilster was left to hold off Berg. Gilster finished 2nd and Berg 3rd; followed by Randy Humfeld and Rick Schermerhorn.

Rusty Winchel survived three wide racing and getting knocked loose multiple times to win the United Auto Supple Thunderstox feature. Winchel was running 2nd behind Thomas Farra for most of the race. Then, with five to go, Farra got loose exiting turn four. Unlike Winchel, Farra was unable to save the car and fell to the back of the pack. Nathan White was quick to take the 2nd position and tried many times to get around Winchel, but was unsuccessful. White finished 2nd and Brad Warthan 3rd.

The Lights Out novelty race was one that kept the fans on their feet. Many of the Thunderstox drivers put in their final appearance of the night in the dark. All of the lights were turned off and the drivers were forced to race with only the minimal amount of lights they added to their cars. Some drivers raced without any lights at all. Drivers had a hard time seeing anything that wasn’t directly in front of them. The one thing that no one failed to see was Ray Hardy crossing the finish line first, taking with him the win.

Another exciting Friday Night Street Drags will take place July 10th, brought to you by Unique Edge Customizing, Monster Energy Drink and the U.S. Army. Saturday, July 11th La Crosse Speedways Late Models, Sportsmen, and Thunderstox divisions will be back for a regular night of racing sponsored by Quillin’s. There will also be 2 for 1 adult admission with coupon. For more information about La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway please visit www.lacrossespeedway.com or contact the office at (608) 786-1525 or lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com.

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