By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – July 25, 2009) - The fans were out full force Saturday night to see Kevin Nuttleman and Mike Carlson battle for the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature win while other drivers struggled to stay out of trouble.
Rookies Cole Howland and Thor Anderson started on the front row. Last week both drivers were involved in a wreck on the front stretch that left their cars mangled. This week, when the two were battling to lead the first lap, they touched in the middle of turns three and four getting both cars loose. Howland was able to hold onto his car, but Anderson’s car went spinning in the exit of turn four collecting seven other cars (including Steve Carlson and Brad Powell) as he did. Howland was sent to the back of the pack as Anderson was getting towed off of the track.
Matthew Henderson and Bill Niles moved to the front row to restart the race. Niles quickly fell back and Henderson was only able to hold the lead for two laps. Kevin Nuttleman was on Henderson’s bumper and moved to the inside to take the lead in turn four. Nuttleman put a few car lengths between himself and the rest of the pack. By the half way point Mike Carlson was in Nuttleman’s rear view mirror, looking both high and low for a chance to pass the leader. Carlson came close to passing Nuttleman a few times, but Nuttleman kept closing the door. Nuttleman took the checkered flag, followed by Mike Carlson, Todd Korish, Henderson, and Shawn Pfaff.
Jes Tenner walked away Saturday with a North Country Contractors Sportsmen feature win. Tenner started mid-pack and fought his way to the front of the pack. A caution came out with six to go when Justin Mullikin spun in turn four. The restart proved to be very interesting when the cars of Ken Lewis, Jimmy Gilster and Rob Mason lost power sending all three drivers to the pits. Tenner held on to the lead as he came around to the checkered flag followed closely by Rick Schermerhorn and John Olson.
Harley Jankowski walked away Saturday night with a United Auto Supply Thunderstox feature win. The drivers were very impatient, bumping and banging before they got the green flag. Within laps of the start drivers moved into three wide racing. The outside cars were inches from the wall as they sped around the ¼ mile oval. Many drivers attempted to go four wide in the corners but backed off before they had the chance. Chris Weber took the checkered followed by Jesse Vian. Both cars failed to pass post race inspections making Jankowski the official winner.
The Features Sports Bar and Grill Hornets were also out Saturday night for some exciting racing. Cars were being pushed and shoved all over the field throughout both feature races. After multiple wrecks, cautions and spins, John Eron drove away with the first feature win. Pete Muenkel had to race a three lap shoot out, after a car caught fire on the track, to take the second feature win.
Saturday, August 1st will be another exciting night of racing with the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, North Country Contractors Sportsmen, United Auto Supply Thunderstox and a special Trail Race of Destruction. The regular weekly series divisions will be out Saturday, August 9th along with Kids Box Car Races. 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 July 25th, 2009
