By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – August 8, 2009) It may have been a hot and muggy night, but neither affected Emily Sue Steck as she jumped out of and then kissed her car after winning the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature race Saturday night at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.
The race started with rookie Kyle Peters and Bill Niles racing side by side for five laps. On lap five the “big one” happened for the third week in a row. Tim Nelson spun out entering turn two. Behind him cars started to lose control. Kevin Nuttleman, Steve Carlson, Jimmy Summerfield, and Tony Bagstad were all involved. Once the race got restarted Shawn Pfaff got loose and spun out in turn four bringing out the yellow flag once again. On the following lap Todd Oliver spun down the front stretch for a third caution. Nine laps later, race leader Kyle Peters got loose in turn four as he was being overtaken by Steck. Peters came down the front stretch and slammed into the inside wall nearly flipping his car. This wreck brought the caution total to four and created a 16 car field.
Meanwhile, Steck moved into the lead followed by Mike Carlson. Steve Carlson had moved into the third position after racing his way to the front from the tail end of the pack. For the last ten laps of the race it was a three car battle for the lead. Mike Carlson stayed stuck to the back bumper of Steck while trying to shake Steve Carlson, who was on Mike Carlson’s bumper. Neither Mike nor Steve Carlson had enough to overtake Steck. Steck held on to take her second feature win of the season. Mike Carlson finished 2nd and Steve Carlson 3rd.
John Olson walked away from the track Saturday with a United Auto Supply Sportsmen division win. Like the Late Model feature this race was also caution filled. The most significant wreck happened in turn two on the first lap. Many of the top contenders were collected when a car got loose a slid sideways. The race was then restarted and Olson overtook Greg Scheck to capture the lead. Olson then had to hold off Jes Tenner as they came around to the checkered flag. Scheck finished 3rd.
Henry Vain was able to capture the checkered flag in the United Auto Supply Thunderstox division feature. The only caution of the feature was brought out by a spin in turn four that started with just two cars but collected another that drove straight into the wreckage. After safety crews pulled the cars apart they were able to restart the race. Vian was able to survive the three wide racing through the turns and get into the lead, but he was unable to survive post-race inspection. Vian was disqualified making Adam Moore the official race winner.
The Thunderstox Novelty drivers participated in the double spin to win race Saturday night. In the six lap race drivers had to make two complete spins before crossing the finish line; one at the halfway point and the other on the last lap. Both Adam Moore (heat 1 winner) and Jason Stark (heat 2 winner) seemed to have the best strategies as to how to spin and take the wins.
Friday, August 14th there will be another exciting Friday Night Street Drags. Multiple brackets will be open for any drivers who wish to join in on the fun. And Saturday, August 15th the Sportsmen and Thunderstox divisions will accompany a 30 lap Late Model feature race. 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 August 8th, 2009
