By: Dave Noelke
(West Salem, WI – May 8, 2010) While struggles seemed evident the first two weeks of the season, 2009 Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Champion J. Herbst had his car hooked up in championship form and took home the feature win.

LaCrosse’s Ty Reedy started on the outside pole for the Christen Farm Nursery 25, next to rookie contender Troy Rave and jumped to an early lead. Laps later Brent Kirchner broke away from the pack and worked hard to reel in Reedy, but was only able to come within about 5 car lengths. Meanwhile, eighth place starter Herbst was marching through the pack and caught Kirchner for second by lap 15 and with seven to go Herbst was able to overtake Kirchner for second. Point leader Shawn Pfaff started in tenth, just behind Herbst, but was not able to quite get to the front, however was able to make it up to the top five.

The race’s only yellow came out with three laps to go, as Paul Mahlum Jr. spun his car in turn two. That played right into the hands of Herbst. With the new “double up” procedure on restart lineups, Herbst was able to line up outside leader Reedy for the green with three to go. Herbst took the high lane around Reedy, who was trying to get his first career feature win. Herbst cruised home to his first win of the 2010 season.

“I knew where Tyler was going to go after the restart, so I was able to plan my move under the yellow,” commented Herbst after the race. “We were lucky for that yellow, as I think I would have caught him, but I don’t think that there would have been enough laps remaining to make a pass. I want to say thank you to all the fans for coming out in this cool weather, and Happy Mothers’ Day to all of the Mom’s out there,” concluded a jubilant Herbst.

The North Country Contractors Sportsmen division may have been the best race of the entire night. Mark Challet started on the pole of the Christen Farm Nursery 15 but Nick Clements took the high side on the first lap around Challet to take the early lead. By the 4th lap, Greg Scheck had moved up from fifth starting position to take second from Challet. Meanwhile, the fastest car on the track appeared to be Larry Bolster Jr., who started seventh, and caught Clements and Scheck by the halfway lap. An incredible battle between Bolster and Scheck dicing it out to try and get by Clements kept fans on their feet for the race’s final six laps. Bolster almost got under Clements in turn two and the next lap tried the high side, and ran the high groove on the final lap to finish side by side at the checkers. Clements took the victory by just inches in one of the closest finishes seen ever at the speedway. Bolster, Scheck, Rob Mason and Matt Inglett completed the top five.

The United Auto Supply Thunderstox Christen Farm Nursery 15 went wire to wire caution free. A spin occurred on the first lap with #05 Tom Hauser turning his car around near the start finish line, causing damages to his car and forcing him to the pits. The action was furious as usual on the tight quarter mile track, and during the mid-staged a spin by Steve Rusch almost brought out the yellow but Rusch was able to continue. Adam Moore, who started deep into the pack in 10th place charged to the front and took the lead from Rusty Winchel. Moore was able to cruise to his second Thunderstox victory of the year.

Next weekend includes a doubleheader of race action starting on Friday Night, May 14th, with the first round of Street Drags, presented by Unique Edge Customizing. Everyone is welcome to bring out their personal street vehicle to participate in side by side drags down the speedway’s dragstrip. Over ten different brackets of competition will take place, in addition to a burnout contest and shine n’ show contest. NASCAR Racing continues Saturday Night May 15th as Pischke Motors presents the action of the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, North Country Contractors Sportsmen, United Auto Supply Thunderstox and the R.A.Y.S., a division similar to “run what ya brung.” Plus it’s Carload night, where a carload of fans will be admitted for just $30.

Find the LaCrosse Speedway and become a fan on Facebook, or sign up for our weekly email newsletters at the speedway’s official website. For more information about LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.

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