August 15, 2005;  West Salem, WI  -The 36th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend will have a new look in 2005 at the LaCrosse fairgrounds Speedway with a sanctioned 100-lap ASA Late Model championship race being added to Friday night’s program and the just announced ARTGO “Reunion 100” taking the green flag Sunday afternoon.

Like many of their big brother Nextel Cup events, the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series 200, with live pit stops, will be featured under the lights Saturday evening. That raindate will be Sunday. Local favorites Justin Diercks and Steve Carlson have dominated the action in touring series races from Colorado to Ohio this year.

While the ASA and NASCAR events are sanctioned and bring their own officials, the ARTGO ‘Reunion 100’ will be run under the popular Wisconsin late model rules for straight rail cars. Hoosier tires will be specified. The old ARTGO format of qualifying, heat races and last-chance events will apply to the “Reunion 100”. A large field is expected.

“The pits will be absolutely jammed,” veteran official Ray Loughan predicted. “And the overflow pits will be full, too, as the traveling Big 8 Series, Central Wisconsin late models and the Mid-America cars and trucks will join all of the weekly divisions that race regularly at LaCrosse.

Although many of the touring series use semi trucks and trailers as transporters, all the tall units will be parked outside the speedway during the racing programs. Additional information can be obtained by checking the track’s website at www.lacrossespeedway.com .

“We’re not about to change our nine-foot, six-inch height limit in the infield,” Loughan explained, “the fans and officials need to see all of the action.” Prior to Sunday’s race, many of the former ARTGO ‘Stars’ will be introduced to the crowd during the on-track autograph session.

The traditional four day event, affectionately known as “Racing’s Family Reunion”, kicks off Thursday night October 6th and continues through the following Sunday afternoon. Weekly Saturday night racing at the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway concludes September 3rd with a NASCAR Dodge Racing Series 100-lapper. September 10th is the track’s 13th Annual ‘Eve of Destruction”.