By: Dave Noelke
(West Salem, WI – June 20, 2009) - Sometimes the fastest car doesn’t win. And sometimes it does. It was one of those nights where everything fell into place for one of the fastest drivers this season. West Salem’s J. Herbst has been fast since opening night, but after a few early season accidents, and the bad luck out of the way, it was his night to celebrate in the winners’ circle.
Herbst began the Clason Pontiac-Buick-GMC 25 outside row two in the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Division, as Tony Bagstad took the green from the pole. By the end of the first lap, Herbst showed that he wasn’t going to be patient, and he was to be reckoned with, by moving up to 2nd. By the halfway lap Herbst was comfortably in the lead; meanwhile there were some really close calls back in the pack, where the action was intense. The only caution happened with four laps to go, as Tim Nelson was involved in a single car spin coming out of turn two. Following the restart, Shawn Pfaff saved his car from a spin while running near the front of the pack exiting turn four, narrowly avoiding contact with any other cars. At the finish, it was Herbst taking the win over Bagstad, Matthew Henderson, Pfaff and Brad Powell completing the top five.
Following his win, Herbst received congratulations from his biggest fan, his daughter Brooklyn in Victory Lane. “Once the car came in to handling better, we have been able to run good every night now,” Herbst commented after his win. “The car has been phenomenal all season on restarts, and I wasn’t too worried with four laps to go. I’ve also got a lucky horseshoe that’s been riding passenger in the car for a couple weeks,” concluded a happy Herbst.
The North Country Contractors Sportsmen Clason Pontiac-Buick-GMC 15 was the most thrilling race of the night. Keaton Hilby, in his third sportsmen season, took the early lead. The excitement started early as a sparking car of Jerimy Wagner was sent to the pits. With six laps to go, last week’s winner Nick Clements did a half spin coming out of turn four, while running near the front of the pack. On the restart, Greg Scheck didn’t get up to speed and fell out, meanwhile, Hilby was put to the test and fought off challenges from Jimmy Gilster, Dan Gilster and point leader Rick Schermerhorn. Mark Challet spun on the frontstretch, bringing out another yellow, and on the restart Schermerhorn got the jump, but Hilby was not going to surrender the lead. The Bangor High School Valedictorian at last month’s graduation charged to the checkers, winning his first feature win. Finishing in the top five were Dan Gilster, Randy Humfeld, Jimmy Gilster and Tony Leis.
Henry Vian survived a wreck-filled Clason 15 for the United Auto Supply Thunderstox. Leader Joey Johnson spun on the frontstretch early, causing a large pileup. Another caution came out in almost the same spot a few laps later, involving Adam Gallagher. Harley Jankowski, Josh Inglett, Jake Krueger and Jason Stark finished in the top five. The Hornets were also on hand tonight, and Pete Muenkel and Jim Schermerhorn won the Clason Pontiac Buick GMC features.
Coming up next Saturday - joining the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models will be the ASA Late Model North Series and the USST North Truck Series. Event admission for this special event is $15; grandstands open at 5pm, and for more information visit www.asalatemodelsnorth.com.
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 June 21st, 2009
