By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – September 5, 2009) The 2009 race season was one of J. Herbst’s best, with two feature wins and three top qualifying times. Saturday was icing on the cake when Herbst was declared the 2009 Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Champion.
Steve Carlson won the first of two Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model 50 lap features. Tony Bagstad passed Rookie of the Year Cole Howland for the lead early in the race and the two battled back and forth for the lead. Meanwhile Carlson was quickly making his way towards the front. On lap 20 Carlson passed Bagstad for the lead and extended his lead by five car lengths. Two laps later a caution came out when Howland, Brent Kirchner, and Emily Sue Steck spun exiting turn four. On the restart Carlson opened the lead as Bagstad fell back into fifth. Carlson held onto the lead through two more cautions and held off Todd Korish to win the feature. Korish finished 2nd, Herbst 3rd, Kevin Nuttleman 4th and Matthew Henderson 5th.
Emily Sue Steck held off Steve Carlson to win the second Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model 50 lap feature. Steck took over the lead on lap ten. It didn’t take her long to open up her lead, but both Carlson and Nuttleman were moving fast through the field. Carlson was passing four cars each lap. At the half way point Nuttleman was in 4th, Carlson in 5th, and Steck had a quarter of a lap lead over the second place car. When Carlson moved into the second position it was doubtful he would have enough time to catch Steck. Then, Albert Locy spun with 11 laps to go; bringing out the caution. It also brought Carlson to the bumper of Steck. Carlson tried both high and low to pass Steck, but he couldn’t get past her. Steck walked away with a win, while Carlson finished 2nd.
Rick Schermerhorn jumped to an early lead to win the North Country Contractors Sportsmen feature. It didn’t take long before Jimmy Gilster and Randy Humfeld was on his tail. Schermerhorn was able to open up his lead leaving Gilster and Humfeld behind to battle for 2nd. Schermerhorn started the night second in the point standings; 38 points behind Jes Tenner. Tenner finished 10th making it possible for Schermerhorn to catch up to him in the point standings. The champion will be determined during Oktoberfest Race Weekend.
Jason Bolster won the United Auto Supply Thunderstox feature. Three wide racing threaten to bring out multiple cautions while cars were being pushed all over the track. Among those cars were Josh Inglett and Adam Moore. Moore had come out of nowhere to finish side by side with Inglett. Inglett finished 2nd and Moore 3rd. Steve Owen (4th) and Danielle Neary (5th) round out the top five.
Friday, September 11th is one of the last two Friday Night Street Drags of the season. Multiple brackets will be open for any drivers who wish to join in on the fun. Saturday, September 12th is the Eve of Destruction. Events will include Trailer Race of Destruction, Green Mamba Jet Car, Monster Trucks, Hornets and More! The show starts at 7:00; you won’t want to miss it! October 8th--11th is La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway’s 40th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend. Throughout the 4-day event filled weekend there will be 19 different divisions of racing including the ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Late Model North, Wisconsin Late Models, La Crosse Late Models, USST North Trucks, Super Sportsmen, Thunderstox and many more! 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.
This article was posted to the website on September 5th, 2009
