By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – May 25, 2013) Cole Howland did what many Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model drivers have failed to do. He held off former time track champion Steve Carlson to take home a feature win at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday night.
Howland took the point on the first lap over pole sitter Jerimy Wagner. That gave Howland time to gain a lead while Wagner was busy trying to keep the second spot over Shawn Pfaff.
Pfaff, who started fourth, was on the bumper of Wagner ready to take the second spot. But a caution came out when Jonathan Eckelberg spun in turn 4 and Pfaff was forced to wait for the restart.
When the green flag waved again Pfaff took the second spot at Wagner fell back into the field. Within two laps Carlson was sitting in the third spot gunning for another feature win with Brad Powell in hot pursuit.
It took no time for Carlson to slide to the bottom of the track and squeeze past Pfaff for second. Powell followed suit to capture the third spot and bump Pfaff back to fourth.
With five laps to go Howland, Carlson and Powell were running one-two-three and the crowd was on the edge of their seats waiting to see if Howland could pull out his first feature win of the season.
On the final lap Carlson was nose-to-tail with Howland, but could get around him.
Carlson finished second, Powell third, Pfaff fourth and Todd Korish rounded out the top 5.
Jerrod Loging had a close call in the Exhaust Plus Sportsmen feature, but he was able to sneak away with the win.
At the halfway point Jimmy Gilster was side-by-side with Loging going for the lead. The duo reached turn 4 when Gilster got sideways. Loging was able to speed away untouched to grab the checkered flag.
Jake Arneson finished second and Bill Martin third.
It was a photo finish between Jordan Myers and Adam Moore in the United Auto Supply Thunderstox feature. The two were beating and banging for laps, fighting three- and four-wide from the time the green flag waved.
As the two crossed the finish line, followed closely by Andy Moore, they made contact. Myers went flying to the inside of the track as Adam Moore scraped the outside wall. But Myers was just inches ahead of Adam, claiming the victory.
Adam Moore was second and Andy Moore third.
The ANTS Complete Pest Control Hornets swarmed the track Saturday to join in on the racing fun. Matthew Moore fought his way through lap traffic to win the first feature. Kim Strom won the second.
Saturday, June 1st is Pischke Motors night at the races. All kids 11 and under get in free to see the regular weekly division race. Plus the Volden Construction Outlawz and a Tough Truck Competition. For more information please call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.
LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway is a proud NASCAR Hometrack, part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series – www.hometracks.nascar.com.