By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – April 24, 2010) - Rain threatened to drench the area, but held off long enough to let enthusiastic fans witness Steve Carlson take the checkered flag in the season-opening Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature.

Carlson took the green flag in the seventh position and watched as pole-sitter Brent Kirchner pulled away to a seven-car-length lead. Three laps later Ty Reedy and Mark Lamoreaux spun in turn three. The new double-file restart fell into place and the drivers got to pick which lane they in which they wanted to restart. Carlson was the first driver to pick the outside lane. This choice put Carlson in position for the win.

Carlson quickly took the lead over Kirchner. Five laps later Todd Korish took the second position to challenge Carlson for the lead. Meanwhile multiple drivers were fighting for the fifth place position. J. Herbst took the position and stayed there for the finish. Korish continued to try to catch Carlson, but Carlson was three-car-lengths ahead as they took the checkered flag.

"I'm going to like that (double-file). When the top three cars all went low (groove), I didn't hesitate to go high,” said Carlson in a post race interview. The double-file worked for Carlson, who was followed across the finish by Korish, Kirchner, Shawn Pfaff, and Herbst, respectively.

Rob Mason took home his first feature win in the North Country Contractors Sportsmen division. Mason started on the pole, but had a hard time hanging onto that position with Dan and Jimmy Gilster following behind. As they came to take the checkered flag, Dan Gilster was side-by-side with Mason, but Mason pulled into the lead taking the win.

Earlier in the night Rich Shermerhorn broke the track record for the sportsmen division on the first lap of the year. Shermerhorn turned in a time of 21.833. Jes Tenner held the record previously with a time of 21.846; set during the 2009 Oktoberfest race weekend.

Adam Moore won the United Auto Supply Thunderstox feature after battling Charles Vian Jr. for the first place position. At the green flag Tom Hauser went spinning on the front stretch and was hit in the side by Nathan White. Moore worked his way to the front from a mid-pack starting position. As he came around for the checkered a caution came out for Joey Johnson, who had slammed into one of the barrier tires in turn four. Moore held onto the lead as he crossed the finish line followed by Vian Jr, Henry Vian, Andy Moore, and Josh Inglett

The Thunderstox novelty event for the night was a double spin to win.
During the race each car has to do a three-sixty twice in order to be able win. On their first try a few of the drivers spun around twice instead of just once. On their second spin cars were crashing into each other. Adam Moore spun his second time and got going right away to win the race.

The Window World Hornets will accompany the NASCAR Late Models, Sportsmen, and Thunderstox on Saturday, May 1st, which is also Food Pantry Night. Bring a non-perishable donation and get $2 off an adult admission. The Speedway will celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 8th. All escorted ladies get in free. The Queen Bees will be racing that night and there will be a Mom & Son/Daughter egg toss. For more information call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.

Click here for the full results.