(West Salem, WI - Monday, November 14, 2005) - The 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season at LaCrosse Speedway officially concluded Friday night, November 11th at the 2005 awards banquet.  The festivities were moved to a new location, the Stoney Creek Inn Conference Center in Onalaska, which was a well-received change for the event.  Approximately 330 people attended the sold-out event, and well over 100 awards were handed out.

Photo Highlights The Top Ten in the Speedway's three divisions were recognized for their efforts, including the Thunderstox Division, pctured here. A well detailed slide show accompanied the awards presentation. Kevin Nuttleman, 9-time track champion addresses the crowd.

Highlighting the event was the crowning of two-time Hornet Champion Rick Schermerhorn, first- time Thunderstox Champion Jason Bolster, three-time Sportsman Champion Dan Gilster, and an unprecedented nine-time Late Model Champion Kevin Nuttleman.   A video highlighting Kevin Nuttleman’s second NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Regional championship from the NASCAR banquet in Nashville was shown.  Other highlights included a standing ovation for Mary Schill, who announced her likely retirement from racing, and for Branden Berg, while he received recognition for putting together the Bryce Sylla: Racin’ for a Reason event.  Concluding the festivities was the Sportsman of the Year award, given to LaCrosse Tribune Sports writer and editor, Jeff Brown.

The 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season will begin in Mid-April and conclude in early September.  The Speedway’s schedule will end with the annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend, October 5th-8th.  For more information about the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, please call 608-786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com. 

2005 LaCrosse Speedway Award Recipients:

Top Ten Drivers in Late Model, Sportsman, and Thunderstox Points

Top Five Drivers in Hornet Points

Speeding Bullet Awards – Tom Thill, Andy Burgess

Rookie of the Year: Thunderstox – Steve Owen, Sportsman – Chad Rosendahl, Late Model – Chris Skrede

Best Appearing Car Award (Fan Vote): Hornet -  Kim Strom, Thunderstox – Wayne Smith, Sportsman – Lucas Korish, Late Model -  Andy Niles

Best Appearing Car Award (Competitors’ Vote): Hornet – Nate Towner, Thunderstox – Jerry Aylsworth, Sportsman – Emily Sue Steck, Late Model – Kevin Nuttleman

Tough Man Award: Thunderstox – Ron Heller, Sportsman – Jes Tenner, Late Model – Steve Holzhausen

NASCAR Craftsman Mechanic of the Year – Gary Nelson (Team Menard)

Budweiser Dash Champions: Wayne Smith, Dan Gilster, Kevin Nuttleman

Outstanding Performance Award: Thunderstox – Steve Bornitz, Sportsman – Mike Albrecht Jr., Late Model – Chris Skrede

Outstanding Race Team Spokesperson Award: Bill Niles, Jim Hagel

Novelty Event Champion: Andy Moore

Showmanship Award:  Thunderstox – Mary Schill, Sportsman – Matt Inglett, Late Model – Mike Belling

Daredevil Challenge – Ron Heller

Outback Steakhouse Halfway Champion – Mark Lamoreaux

Competition Achievement award: Justin Berg, Don Hess, Mark Lamoreaux, Jim Schermerhorn, Larry Bolster Jr.

Not Whether you win or lose Award:  Thunderstox – LaVern Berg, Sportsman – Danielle Neary,  Late Model – Curt Eckelberg

Most Improved Driver:  Thunderstox -  Josh Inglett, Sportsman – Branden Berg, Late Model – Joe Scholze

Best Appearing Race Team: Thunderstox – Jamie Dummer, Sportsman – Branden Berg, Late Model – Kevin Nuttleman

Special Recognition Award:  Branden Berg (Racin’ for a Reason: Bryce Sylla)

Good Luck Award:  Thunderstox – Ray Burkum, Sportsman – Rob Mason, Late Model – Albert Locy

Most Popular Driver Award (Voted by the Fans):  Hornet – Nate Towner, Thunderstox – Mary Schill, Sportsman – Tom Thill, Late Model – Bill Niles

Sharing Award:  Thunderstox – Ron Heller, Sportsman – Aaron Hass, Late Model – Todd Korish

2005 Sportsman of the Year:  Jeff Brown of the LaCrosse Tribune