By: Dave Noelke
July 19, 2014 (West Salem, WI) – LaCrosse Speedway’s race teams were again left hungry for action after last week’s racing was washed out by rain, and their return to racing Saturday night provided the action that both fans and drivers were looking for.
Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models took the center stage as the annual LaCrosse Interstate Fair night showcased two feature races. In the first Budweiser 20, polesitter Cole Howland jumped out to an early lead over Mike Carlson.
As the race progressed, Howland’s lead increased lap by lap, but the fastest car on the track, 10th place starter Ty Majeski, was not only working his way through traffic, but was reeling in Howland. At Halfway, Majeski got into the back of 2nd place Carlson, but got his car loose and ended up losing ground as Powell got by.
The race’s only yellow came out with five laps to go as Carter Christenson spun in turn two, forcing a double file restart and eliminating the lead that Howland had built. Powell started on the outside of Howland and passed for the lead going into the first corner. Powell held off Howland for the win, and Majeski, Steve Carlson and Shawn Pfaff rounded out the top five positions.
“I think that Cole (Howland) was a little bit better than my car, but a win is a win. We certainly wouldn’t have caught him without that caution,” Powell commented after the race. “We’ll take it and hope to continue that into the second feature,” concluded Powell.
For the second Budweiser 20, Jerimy Wagner took the early lead from the front row. The fastest car of the first race, Ty Majeski, was buried in the middle of the pack, which came to haunt him on lap six.
Mike Koeneke suddenly slowed in turn four while running with the leaders, and when all cars tried to avoid trouble, Majeski ran into the back of Powell, forcing him to spin. The result was damage to the blue number 91 Late Model of Majeski. Bill Niles also spun but was able to continue.
On the restart, Todd Korish took control but just a couple laps later Steve Carlson proved he was the one to beat, as he passed Korish on the outside on lap nine. Carlson was able to drive off to another feature win, holding off top five finishers Korish, Shawn Pfaff, Howland and Jerimy Wagner.
A first time winner was almost to be in the Grand National Sportsmen division, as Brad Warthan led 14 laps of the Budweiser 15. Lap 15 was not his, as Greg Scheck ran him down from a tenth place starting position and took the lead on the high groove of the final lap. Scheck was the winner, followed by Warthan, Jimmy Gilster, Brian Hesselberg and Bill Martin.
The United Auto Supply Thunderstox teams took their Budweiser 15 around for only a lap before the first caution came out. Kayla Steinhoff, Kayla Lockington, Melissa Rusch and Jacinda Pfaff all had problems as they completed the first lap. Rusch had damage and went in for repairs. The race restarted and Jason Schaller took control to win. Jordan Myers, Andy Moore, Thomas Farra and Jason Bolster completed the top five.
Mark Bornitz had a dominating night in the ANTS Complete Pest Control Hornets, winning both his heat and the Budweiser 15 feature. A couple yellows and some attrition helped Bornitz make his way to the front after a 17th place starting position. He beat Jeff Thompson, Garrett Thicke, Kevin Turner and Jeff Stumlin at the line.
Racing continues next Saturday, July 26th as fans will get to see the Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, and a special appearance by the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series. 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.
Click here for the full results.