By: Paul Reichert
The weather warmed up to start the Memorial Day weekend, and the racing action also heated up on Buck Night at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Steve Carlson continued his hot streak by scoring his third straight NASCAR Late Model feature. The win would not come without some hard work through the field from the middle of the pack.
Carter Christenson outdueled Justin Mullikin for the lead early on in the feature, while the top guns struggled to get through the field. Christenson would build up a huge lead on the field. Could Carter score the first and biggest win of his career? Steve Carlson would have something to say about that. Carlson would move into fifth by halfway, fourth on lap 14, third on lap 15, and second on lap 17. Carlson started his pursuit of Christenson for the lead. Carlson would motor by the pink 02 on the outside with four laps to go for the lead. A late caution doubled up the field, but Carlson would not be stopped from winning for a third straight time. Nick Panitzke would wind up second, Nick Clements was scored in third, Carter claimed a career best fourth and Brent Kirchner came home in fifth.
A crazy night for the Sportsmen ended with a crazy feature. Chris Weber was leading with two to go when his engine expired. That gave the lead to Jeff Thompson, who would hold off Dan Gilster in a two lap shootout to score his first win of the season.
Dan Gallagher led much of the Thunderstox feature before Adam Moore caught and passed him with five to go to score yet another win. A big collision on the back straight with three to go in the Hornet feature would give Brandon Lamoine the lead and his second win of the season.
The Queen Bees made their annual appearance on Saturday night. Wendy Liebsch would get out to an early lead and drive away with an easy win. The Hornets also ran the novelty event, Double Spin to Win. Rob Stanfield and Zach Liebsch would spin their way to the wins.
Action continues next Saturday night, June 2nd with the NASCAR Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Street Stocks, the Outhouse Novelty Race, and the KQ98 Kids’ Rides. Gates open at 6pm, qualifying at 6:15pm, and racing starts at 7:30pm.
For more information about LaCrosse Speedway or the 2018 schedule of events, please call the office at 608-786-1525 or visit lacrossespeedway.com. LaCrosse Speedway is a proud NASCAR hometrack, part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.