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4 Divisions Battle it out on a Chilly night at LaCrosse!
By Philip Jahnke

October 4, 2002;  West Salem, WI - Friday night racing during the Oktoberfest race weekend was hot, hot, hot, despite the very cool temperatures at the track.  The night included IMCA Modified, Local Sportsman, Limited Late Models, and Central Wisconsin Late Models features.  The day started out as planned until around 3:30 when it decided to rain and postpone qualifying. 

Luckily it only rained for 15 minutes and the track got dried up in time to get the Central Wisconsin Late Models Qualified and the races began on time.  Neil Knoblock of Wausau, WI took the checkered flag in the Limited Late Models division Friday Night.  Knoblock fought a hard race working his way up through traffic after a couple of restarts and ended up holding off the pack to come up with the win.  Mike Beyer, Dan Chesmore, Tim Hagen, and Jim Jarlsberg, would round out the top five.

Central Wisonsin Late Models feature winner Todd Stapleman of Wautoma, WI took the lead from Gregg Haese after  four laps and a caution that involved around six cars who when spinning out looked as if they were trying to dance with each other.  Gregg Haese, Troy Nelson, Wayne Breitenfeldt, Jim Carlson, and Wayne Cottrell would round out the top five.  The Central Wisconsin Late Models feature would showcase three cautions that involved a caution lap with one to go to bring up an old fashioned dog fight for the checkered flag.  The feature wasn't the only exciting point to the Central Wisconsin Late Model series as Ryan Mathews in the second qualifying feature got involved in a crash and ending up on top of the wall in turn one.

Area Sportsman racing could be summed up with one word, exhilarating.  Sportsman drivers from around the area showed up to race and race they did.  Ray Hutson Chevrolet Grand National Sportsman season Champion Corey Jankowski won the feature putting the icing on the cake to his already great racing season.  Brad Wiles, Eric Melby, Travis Sauter, and Keith Bohmsach would round out the top five.  In the IMCA Modifieds division twelve cars would start the race and only eight would finish on the last lap.  After three cautions the high powered modifieds crowned Jeff Holtz the winner of the IMCA Modified feature.  Holtz took the lead after 4 when then race leader Dennis Haldemann got mixed up in turn one.  John Odegaard, Eugene Gregorich, Jack Paulson, and Lee Kreyer would round out the top five.

Great race action continues tomorrow with Planet Pages Mid American cars and trucks, NASCAR Northern series, Wisconsin Late Models features, and RE/MAX Challenge Series semi-features.  Come early to the tack so you can get a good seat and come early to the 4-H scrambled egg breakfast starting at 7 am and going until the supply runs out.   Grand stands open at 8:30 and race action will begin a 5 pm.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday:  Budweiser Day - Race action starts at 5:00 p.m. with the gate opening at 1:30 p.m.  Saturday will feature NASCAR Northern Series, Wisconsin Late Models, Planet Pages MA Stock Car and Truck Features, and a RE/MAX semi feature.  Post Race party sponsored by Budweiser and CC106 starting around 9:30pm.

Sunday:  Alltel Day - Race action kicks off at 12:00 featuring the NASCAR Northern Series Oktoberfest 50, Wisconsin Late Model Oktoberfest 50, and the RE/MAX Oktoberfest 250. 

Limited Late Model:
Oktoberfest 25: 1. Neil Knoblock, Wausau; 2. Mike Beyer, Rockford, Il; 3. Dan Chesmore, Janesville; 4. Tim Hagen, LaCrescent, MN; 5. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge;6. Curt Thompson, Fort Atkinson: 7. Gene Olson Jr, Jefferson; 8. Brian Paszek, Madison; 9. Duane Halverson, Rosemount, MN; 10. Jerry Parker
Qualifying feature 1: 1. Kris Kelly, Norway, MI; 2. Mike Ehde, Prairie Du Chien; 3. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge; 4. Dale Smith, Lake Mills; 5. Toph Gray, Madison
Qualifying Feature 2: 1. Neil Knoblock, Wausau; 2. Kevin Eddy, Sparta; 3. Gene Olson Jr, Jefferson; 4. Dan Chesmore, Janesville; 5. Doug Hahn, Whitewater

Area Sportsman:
Oktoberfest 25: 1. Corey jankowski, Tomah; 2. Brad Wildes, Tomah; 3. Eric Melby, Endeavor; 4.Travis Sauter, Necedah; 5. Keith Bohmsach, Wisconsin Rapids; 6. Dan Linnehan, Sparta; 7. Thayran Rezin, Toamh; 8. Ken hutchens, Black River Falls; 9. Cale Laessig, Marshfield; 10. Dan Gilster, West Salem
Qualifying Feature 1: Travis Sauter, Necedah; 2. Jeremy Szmokowiak, Stevens Point; 3. Jason Thoma, Jefferson; 4. Mike Campbell, Bangor; 5. Jimmy Gilster, West Salem
Qualifying Feature 2: 1. Thayran Rezin, Tomah; 2. Corey Jankowski, Tomah; 3. Keith Bohmsach, Wisconsin Rapids; 4. Tim Robbins, Van Dyne; 5. Cale Laesdsig, Marshfield
Qualifying Feature 3: 1. Brad Wildes, Tomah; 2. Sam Anderson, Melrose; 3. Eric Melby, Endeavor; 4. Dan Gilster, West Salem; 5. Dan Linnehan, Sparta
Last Chance 1: Kent Eastlick, Shakopee; 2. Tim Plowman, Port Edwards; 3. Tom Reents, Janesville; 4. Bobby Stolze, Jr; Schofield; 5. Brent Kane, Prior Lake, MN
Last Chance 2: Ken Hutchens, Black River Falls; 2. Greg Scheck, West salem; 3. Larry Schultz, Marshfield; 4. Brian Scmutzer, Wisconsin Rapids; 5. Doug Lee, Holmen
Last Chance 3: Kyle Taylor, Stoughton; 2. Mark Storlie, Lavkeville, MN; 3. Jamie Millis, Black River Flalls; 4. Tim Zuchlke, Omro; 5. Brian Schmutzer, Wisconsin Rapids

Central Wisconsin Late Models:
Oktoberfest 25: 1.Todd Stapleman, Wautoma; 2. Gregg Haese; 3. Troy Nelson; 4. Wayne Breintenfeldt, Wausau; 5. Jim Carlson, LaCrosse; 6. Wayne Cottrell, Ofordville; 7. Earl Possi, De Forest; 8. Trent Snyder, Ironton; 9. Bob Kubishak, Schofield; 10. Rocky Breezer
Qualifying Feature 1: Todd Stapleman, Wautoma; 2. Kenny Richards, Montello; 3. Wayne Breitenfeldt, Wausau; 4. Dean LaPointe, Marshfield; 5. Bobby Wilberg, Orfordville
Qualifying feature 2: Jay VanDerGeest, Merrill; 2. Gregg Haese; 3. James Carlson, LaCrosse; 4. Chris Bires, Mauston; 5. Rocky Breezer, Portage
Qualifying: 1. Bobby Wilberg, Orfordville; 19.984 sec; 2. Ryan matthew, Lake Geneva; 20.211 sec; 3. Andrew Morissey, De Forest; 20.245 sec; 4. Don Turner, LaCrosse; 20.354 sec; 5. Kraig Burrows, West Salem; 20.416 sec; 6. Jim Carlson, LaCrosse; 20.464 sec; 7. Wayne Breitenfelt, Wausau; 20.256 sec; 8. Kirby Kurth, Nekoosa; 20.584 sec; 9. Clint Sillars, Schofield; 20.679 sec; 10. Troy Nelson; 20.692 sec

IMCA Modified:
Oktoberfest 20: 1. Jeff Holtz, Rosemount, IL; 2. John Paul Odeggard, Brooklyn Center, MN; 3. Eugene Gregorich, Kewaukee; 4. Jack Paulson, Fairbault, MN; 5. Lee Kreyer; 6. Roger Bongers, Fairbault, MN; 7. Larry Hall, Rochester, MN; 8. Kevin Lang, Kenosha; 9. Keith Gogel, Solon, IA; 10. Dennis Halderman, Janesville
Heat 1: John Paul odegaard, Brooklyn Center, MN; 2. Eugene Gregorich, Kewaukee; 3. Jim Kulseth, Rosemount, IL; 4. Jack Mass, Fairbault, MN; 5. Roger Bongers, Fairbault, MN