Bill Niles (The self-proclaimed "Mid-Pack Legend") takes his first career win on Saturday Night.By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – June 12, 2010) Bill Niles, known as the “Mid-Pack Legend” at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, won his first Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature. Niles crossed the finish line behind Mike Carlson, but Carlson was later disqualified making Niles the official winner.

Niles had never finished higher than third before this feature and was happy enough to walk away with a second place finish; not that he didn’t try to get the win. Carlson was leading and Niles was running second when a caution came out with two laps to go. When the drivers had to pick a lane to restart the race Niles followed Carlson to the inside. That allowed Brent Kirchner to move up and lead the outside line when the green flag waved.

It took two tries, but the race was finally under way again Kirchner quickly fell back allowing Niles to move up into second. Kirchner was running in the fourth position, but was all over the track trying to hold onto his car. This held up the cars behind him allowing Carlson and Niles to pull away. When they came around to turn four on the final lap Niles dove to the inside trying to get the win, but failed. Carlson crossed the finish line first for what would have been his first feature win of the season.

After post-race inspection it was determined that Carlson had an illegal part on his car giving Niles the official win.

“It’s not the way I wanted to win it,” Niles said, “but I’ll take it.”
Steve Carlson, who had finished fourth, was also disqualified making. The official top five are Niles, Todd Korish, J. Herbst, Kirchner and Matthew Henderson.

Jimmy Gilster went three wide with Matt Inglett and Larry Bolster Jr. on the final lap of the North Country Contractors Sportsmen feature to take the checkered flag. A caution came out with five to go and Gilster restarted in the lead followed by Bolster Jr. in second and Inglett in third. As the laps wound down Bolster Jr. and Inglett closed the gap on Gilster. Inglett made a run at Bolster Jr. slowing the two down just enough for Gilster to get the win. Inglett finished second and Bolster Jr. third.

Intense drivers and multiple cautions allowed Brad Warthan to work his way into the lead in the United Auto Supply Thunderstox division. Dustin Bagstad and Ray Hardy got together in turn two on the first lap. Both drivers went to the pits following the contact. Jason Schaller and Henry Vian were the next to make contact. They got together in turn four causing Vian to lose a tire.

Schaller was involve in more action with seven to go and was nearly taken out of the race. Warthan was moving through the field during all the cautions and was able to capture the checkered flag. Jesse Vian and Josh Inglett followed.
The Faster Pastor races brought more excitement to the night. In the first race one driver hit the barrier tires and the wall multiple times before taking a detour through the rain water in the infield. During the second race cars were smashing into each other and being torn apart. The race winners were Andy Burrows and James Munson.

Coming up June 19th at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway is Smash-O-Rama. Events include Monster Trucks, Roll Over Contest, Hornets and a fireworks show. Regular season racing returns on June 26th for Fan Photo Night. Come out and take pictures with your favorite drivers. For more information call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.

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