It was a cool night with HOT racing! By Pam Haller

October 5, 2001;  West Salem, WI -  The weather was typical for 'Fest racing - cool and clear. Not only were the trees showing their fall colors, so was the flagman. The racing was nose to tail and door to door leaving the yellow and red flag to fly several times. Fortunately, all drivers were able to walk away from their wrecks, although their cars were not so lucky. 

The night got off to a great start with Jim Jarlsberg of Cambridge, Wi, setting a new track record for the Limited Late Models. He motivated his 2001 Monte Carlo around the 5/8th mile track in 20.021 seconds (98.047 mph). That beat Scott Null's record of 20.155, set in 1998. His night was just beginning.

The Limited Late Models had a hard time starting their feature. Only ½ lap into it, the yellow flew when 2 cars tangled between one and two. Jarlsberg worked his way through the field and took the lead as he made his way around Dean Schultz with seven to go. Those were probably the seven longest laps that Jarlsberg had run. Within those seven final laps, the yellow flew three times, however he was able to hang on and take it to victory lane.

The Area Sportsman field started their last chance race with a red flag. That was when Tom Thill of West Salem got loose out of four, taking the green flag, instigating an eighteen car melee. Only 5 cars went through unscathed. Unbelievable, only three cars needed wrecker assistance, and most of the 23 car field were able to restart the race. After some exciting racing, Josh Helfand crossed the finish line first, followed byk Larry DeVito.

The Midwest Truck Oktoberfest Feature looked like it could go the entire distance green. Fred Oswald and John Odegaard swapped paint for several laps, which resulted in a yellow with only one to go. ON the restart, it looked as if leader John Grueneberg would take the checkered, but it was not to be. Charlie Cottam of Janesville came from thrid to first on the last lap in a thrilling finish to take the checkers! Grueneberg took second and Josh Weir of Cottage Grove was third.

Area Sportsman
Qualifying: 1. Kenny Richards, Montello, 21.729 sec. (90.340 mph) 2. Dave Auringer, Prior Lake MN, 20.281 sec. 3. Andy Simonis, Mosinee 21.781 sec. 4. Blake Horstman, Rockland, 21.793 sec. 5. Shawn Stetzer, Wis. Rapids, 21.877 sec.
Qualifying Feature 1: 1. Cale Laessig, Marshfield 2. Len Raupp, Reedsburg, 3. Larry Schultz, Marshfield 4. Scott Ascher, Sussex; 5. Wes Coon, Nekoosa
Qualifying Feature 2: 1. Jeff Baker, Holmen; 2. Don Henderson, Holmen; 3. Shane Huebel, Wonewoc; 4. Dave Auringer, Prior Lake, MN; 5. Dan Gilster, West Salem
Qualifying Feature 3: 1. Curt Thompson, Palmyra, 2. Jason Woller, Wausau; 3, Tony Ciano, LaCrosse; 4. Andy Simonis, Mosinee; 5. Rick Shisler, LaCrosse
Last Chance 1: 1. Josh Helfand, Rockford, IL; 2. Larry DeVito, Camp Douglas
Last Chance 2: 1. Corey Jankowski, Tomah; 2. Telly Violetto, Montello, 3. Adam Degenhardt, Coon Valley; 5. Kevin Brescia, Baraboo
Oktoberfest Feature: 1. Keith Bomsach, Wisconsin Rapids; 2. Jeff Baker, Holmen; 3. Scott Ascher, Sussex; 4. Larry Bolster, Sparta; 5. Corey Jankowski, Tomah

CWRA Late Models
Qualifying Feature 1:  1: Dan Mills, Menn Falls; 2. Dan Fredrickson, Farmington, MN 3. Jeff Way, 4. Gary Back, Vesper; 5. Kirby Kurth, Nekoosa
Qualifying Feature 2: 1. Todd Stapleman, Wautoma; 2. Brian Back, Vesper; 3. Monte Gress, Neilsville; 4. Rocky Breezer, Poynette; 5. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill
Last Chance: 1. Andrew Morrissey, DeForest; 2. Peter Kempf, Nekoosa; 3. Bryan Roach, Becker, MN; 4. Ben Pettis, EauClaire, 5. Dean LaPointe, Marshfield
Oktoberfest Feature: 1. Dan Fredrickson; 2. Bobby Wilberg, Orfordville, WI; 3. Kirby Kurth, Nekoosa; 4. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 5. Clint Sillars, Weston, WI

Modifieds
Heat 1: Eldon Zacek, St. Peters, MO 2. Mike Tuma, Prior Lake MN; 3. Steve Johannacek, Lichfield, MN 4. Paul Neisius, Hastings, MN 5. Wade Roggeman, Hopkins, MN
Heat 2: 1. Mike Bidlack, Elkhorn, 2. Kirk Olson, Reedstown; 3. Adam Seurer, Brooklyn Park, MN 4. Troy Kaus, St. Paul, MN 5. Keith Gogel, North Liberty IA
Oktoberfest Feature: 1. Steve Johannacek, Lichtfield, MN; 2. Dale Prunty, Allentown, WI; 3. N/A 4. Scott Sobczyk, New Berling, WI; 5. Mike Tuma, Prior Lake, MN

Midwest Trucks
Heat 1: Charlie Cottam, Janesville; 2. Dave Grueneberg, Madison, 3. Todd Norder, Janesville; 4. Andy Jirik, Lonsdale MN; 5. Josh Weir, Cottage Grove
Oktoberfest Feature: 1. Charlie Cottam, Janesville; 2. John Grueneberg, Madison; 3. Josh Weir, Cottage Grove, 4. Dave Grueneberg, Madison; 5. Todd Norder, Janesville

Limited Late Models
Qualifying: 1. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge, 20.021 sec (98.047 mph); 2. Scott Null, 20.264 Sec.; 3. Chris Schulenberg, Cross Plains, 20.270 sec. 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago IL, 20.390 sec. 5. Tony Bagstad, Cashton, WI 20.430 sec.
Qualifying Feature 1: Mike Belling, LaCrosse; 2. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge; 3. Todd Otis, Madison; 4. Tom Gille, Winnebago, IL; 5. Dave Lawrence, Baraboo
Qualifying Feature 2: 1. Brian Besaw, Omro; 2. Dean Schultz, Juneau; 3. Toph Gray, Madison; 4. Ryan Ley, Sullivan; 5. Brian Paszek, Middleton
Last Chance: 1. Luke Westenberg, Palmyra, WI 2. Kurt Clapper, Dave, WI; 3. Justin Switlick, Wausau; 4. Rick Martin, Farmington, MN; 5. Lorin Kurth, Waukon, IA
Oktoberfest Feature: 1. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge; 2. Dean Schultz, Juneau; 3. Brian Paszek, Middleton, 4.. Scott Bleecker, Jefferson; 5. Tony Bagstad, Cashton