(West Salem, WI - Sunday, October 9, 2005) - The Big 8 Series debut at the 36th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend ended with two historical events taking place. Mike Beyer became the Series first two-time winner while Jon Reynolds Jr. became the inaugural season champion.

A packed grandstand at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway witnessed 38-cars attempt to make up the 24-car field for the 40-lap event. The top 8 in points were automatically locked in to the main event. Others had to come through qualifying and last chance races.

Bill Niles grabbed the early lead in the feature event. Four laps later, Bobby Wilberg got past Niles to take over the top spot. Wilberg would hold on to the lead until lap 13 when Beyers moved from his fifth row starting position to take over the top spot.

The event was slowed four times. George Bohn brought out a caution on lap 14 when a blown tire coming off the fourth turn sent him right into the inside front stretch wall. We would be able to drive his car into the pits, but was done for the day. The worse wreck occurred on lap 18 when Jim Jarlsburg, Justin Switlick, and Todd Oliver were involved in a multi-car wreck on the backstretch.

Beyer would continue to lead over Wilberg all the way to the checkered flag to take home his second Big 8 Feature win, becoming the first two-time winner in the Series. Tony Bagstad came home third while Ryan Carlson and Ricky Bilderback rounded out the top five.

Jon Reynolds Jr. came home seventh and was enough to capture the Big 8 Series Championship by 21 points over Beyers. Reynolds Jr. was excited by his championship. He stated that this Championship takes him by surprise because just about every track he competed at was a first time experience for him.

The 40-lap event was the final race of the 36th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend. Along with the Big 8 Series, fans were also treated to an ARTGO Reunion with many former competitors and officials, including Art Frigo, were on hand for this weekend's activities.

Big 8 Series Limited Late Models
Feature -- 1. Mike Beyer, Machesney Park; 2. Bob Wilberg, Orfordville, Wis; 3. Tony Bagstad, Westby, Wis; 4. Ryan Carlson, Loves Park; 5. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 6. Brad Powell, LaCrosse, Wis; 7. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Roscoe; 8. Rick Corso, McHenry; 9. Kris Kelly, Norway, Mich.; 10. Kyle Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 11. Jason Erickson, Lake Mills, Wis; 12. Tom McClintock, Onalaska, Wis; 13. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 15. Jeremy Switlick, Wausau, Wis; 16. Dan Steele, West Salem, Wis; 17. Larry DeVito, Camp Douglas, Wis; 18. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis; 19. Bill Niles, Holmen, Wis; 20. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 21. Justin Switlick, Marathan, Wis; 22. Todd Oliver, Bangor, Wis; 23. George Bohn, Machesney Park; 24. Kyle Bauknecht, Reedsville, Wis.

Last Chance "A" 01 -- 1. Tom McClintock, Onalaska, Wis; 2. Jeremy Switlick, Wausau, Wis; 3. George Bohn, Machesney Park; 4. Kris Kelly, Norway, Mich.; 5. Nick Shutkas, Caledonia; 6. Paul Block, Wausau, Wis; 7. Luke Westenberg, Watertown, Wis; 8. Mondell Peters, Mosinee, Wis; 9. Derek Dombeck, Eland, Wis; 10. Carey John, Montello, Wis; 11. Kyle Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 12. Danny Heying, Waukesha, Wis; 13. Kevin Eddy, Sparta, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Bill Niles, Holmen, Wis; 2. Rick Corso, McHenry; 3. Brad Powell, LaCrosse, Wis; 4. Justin Switlick, Marathan, Wis; 5. John Baumeister, Jr., Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Dan Steele, West Salem, Wis; 7. Tom McClintock, Onalaska, Wis; 8. George Bohn, Machesney Park; 9. Danny Heying, Waukesha, Wis; 10. Kevin Eddy, Sparta, Wis; 11. Carey John, Montello, Wis; 12. Mike Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 13. Andy Niles, LaCrosse, Wis; 14. Tim Noble, Janesville, Wis.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jim Jarlsberg, Cambridge, Wis; 2. Larry DeVito, Camp Douglas, Wis; 3. Kyle Bauknecht, Reedsville, Wis; 4. Todd Oliver, Bangor, Wis; 5. Jason Erickson, Lake Mills, Wis; 6. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 7. Jeremy Switlick, Wausau, Wis; 8. Nick Shutkas, Caledonia; 9. Paul Block, Wausau, Wis; 10. Luke Westenberg, Watertown, Wis; 11. Kyle Taylor, Stoughton, Wis; 12. Mondell Peters, Mosinee, Wis; 13. Derek Dombeck, Eland, Wis; 14. Steve Miller, Onalaska, Wis; 15. Kris Kelly, Norway, Mich..