Record Attendance and over 100 awards highlights 2003 Champions Banquet!

November 15, 2003;  West Salem, WI - For the first time, the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway Champions Awards Banquet was held in November, and a record 420 people attended. The event, held at the LaCrosse Center, recognized many drivers, race teams, crew members, and sponsors for their accomplishments during the 2003 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season.

Photo Highlights Top three drivers gather in the NASCAR Kwik Trip in Late Models, 3rd-Charlie Menard (left), 1st - Steve Holzhausen   (center), 2nd- Kevin Nuttleman (right). Steve Holzhausen is the new Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Champion. A record attendance of 420 people enjoyed the festivities.showing claiming fifth in the contest. Plenty of accolades were awarded during the evening as over 100 awards were given out during the event. Many drivers and teams took the time to thank their sponsor Wes Fechner, of Fechner Motors. Sportsman of the Year winner, Kevin Nuttleman.

Rick Schermerhorn (Hornets), Ron Heller (Thunderstox), Dan Gilster (Sportsman) and Steve Holzhausen (Late Model) were honored as 2003 track champions for their respective divisions. In addition, the annual Sportsman of the Year award was awarded to Kevin Nuttleman. Over the years, Kevin has been an excellent spokesperson for racing at LaCrosse Speedway. In addition, he surpassed Dick Trickle this year to become the driver with the all-time most feature wins at the Speedway.

During dinner, several fun events included a drawing for a free late model complete body, courtesy of Five Star Stock Car Bodies, won by Tom McClintock. The Late Model and Sportsman Poker game winners received gift certificates for racing tires in 2004, in addition to some nice speedway apparel. Gary Gonczy of Kwik Trip was on hand, and had several great door prizes for the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Drivers. 10th place through 4th place in the Late Model, Sportsman, and Thunderstox divisions were presented a photo plaque recognizing their top ten achievement.

The 2004 Champions Banquet is tentatively set for Friday, November 12th, 2004. The 2004 racing season is set to begin on Saturday night, April 10th.

2003 Champions Banquet award summary
Features Sports Bar & Grill Hornets:
5th Place – Jim Schermerhorn   
4th Place – Ryan Happel

United Auto Supply Thunderstox:
10th Place – Travis Schendel
9th Place – Ed Senn          
8th Place – Jamie Dummer            
7th Place – Ben Allen
6th Place –Al Bartels
5th Place – Bill Inglett
4th Place – Tony Leis

Ray Hutson Chevrolet Grand National Sportsman:
10th Place – Mike Albrecht, Jr.     
9th Place – Sam Andersen         
8th Place – Jimmy Gilster             4th Place – Chand Wehling
7th Place – Tom Thill
  6th Place – Trent Boettcher
5th Place – Larry Bolster, Jr.
   4th Place – Chand Wehling

Kwik Trip ///NASCAR Late Models:
10th Place – Mark Lamoreaux        
9th Place – Rick Wateski              
8th Place – Blake Horstman      
7th Place – Todd Korish
6th Place – Brad Powell
5th Place – J. Herbst
4th Place – Tony Bagstad

Features SportsBar and Grill Hornets: 3rd Place – Gary Towner, 2nd Place – Jerry Lemke, Champion – Rick Schermerhorn
United Auto Supply Thunderstox Awards: 3rd Place – Matt Inglett, 2nd Place – Jason Bolster, Champion –Ron Heller
Ray Hutson Chevrolet Grand National Sportsman Division: 3rd Place – Rick Steinhoff , 2nd Place – Jeff Baker Champion – Dan Gilster
Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Division Awards: 3rd Place – Charlie Menard , 2nd Place – Kevin Nuttleman, Champion – Steve Holzhausen

Rookie of the Year: Late Models – Adam Degenhardt, Sportsman – Troy Anderson, Thunderstox – Jamie Dummer

Best Appearing Car (voted by the fans): Late Model – J. Herbst, , Sportsman – Larry Bolster, Jr., Thunderstox-Ben Allen, Hornet – Nate Towner

Best Appearing Car (voted by the competitors): - Late Model – Blake Horstman, Sportsman – Dan Linnehan, Thunderstox –Scott Voss, Hornets – Nicki Hagen

Tough Man Award: Late Model: Steve Holzhausen, Sportsman – Larry Bolster, Jr., Thunderstox – Ron Heller

NASCAR Craftsman Mechanic of the Year: Thunderstox – Keith Bower

Budweiser Dash Champion: Thunderstox –Tony Leis, Sportsman – Rick Steinhoff, Late Model – Kevin Nuttleman

Outstanding Performance Award: Thunderstox – Lindvig Racing, Sportsman – Chand Wehling, Late Model – Todd Korish

Outstanding Spokesperson Award: Kevin Eddy

Novelty Event Champion: Jason Bolster

Showmanship Award: Thunderstox – Ben Allen, Sportsman – John Olson, Late Model – Charlie Menard

Queen Bees Awards: 3rd Place – Denise Miller, 2nd Place – Amanda Lindvig

Outback Steakhouse Halfway Challenge: J. Herbst

Competition Achievement Awards: John & Tricia Towner, Mark Lamoreaux, Tom McClintock, Shane Anderson, Emily Sue Steck, Danielle Neary, Mary Schill, Branden Berg

Not Whether You win or Lose Award: Thunderstox – Dean Ashbacher, Sportsman – Bill Miller, Late Model – John Towner

Most Improved Driver: Thunderstox –Ben Allen, Sportsman – Mike Albrecht Jr., Late Model – J.Herbst

Best Appearing Race Team: Thunderstox – Jamie Dummer, Sportsman – Jeff Baker Racing, Late Model – Wehrs Racing

Special Recognition Award: Cow 97, Jacklyn Daniels

Good Luck Award: Thunderstox – Danny Fradette, Sportsman –Dan Linnehan, Late Model – Mike Belling

Most Popular Driver (voted by the fans): Hornets – Jerrod Loging, Thunderstox – Travis Schendel, Sportsman – Jimmy Gilster, Late Model – Bill Niles

Sponsor Appreciation Awards given out by Race Teams: Wes Fechner of Fechner Motors, presented by all race teams he sponsors in all divisions

Sharing Award: Ryan Powell, Mark Lamoreaux, Mary Schill

Sportsman of the Year: Kevin Nuttleman