By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – August 16, 2014) When Brad Powell entered La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday night he was sitting second in the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model division standings, 65 points behind Steve Carlson. But with a second place finish in the first of two 20-lap features, winning the second feature and some bad luck for Carlson, Powell is back in contention for the 2014 championship.
Carlson had the fastest car of the night qualifying first, three spots a head of Powell.
Mike Carlson started on the pole and grabbed the checkered flag in the first Late Model feature of the night. The win didn’t come quite that easy though.
Mike Carlson quickly jumped out to the point when the green flag waved with Matthew Henderson in hot pursuit. The duo pulled away from the field, but the leader was unable to break free from Henderson’s 33 car.
A caution on lap four changed the game.
Seven cars, including points leader Steve Carlson, piled up in the exit of Turn 2 after Shawn Pfaff slowed and got loose. Both Steve Carlson’s and Pfaff’s cars were destroyed.
Henderson took the lead on the restart and was able to put space in between himself and Mike Carlson. It took some time, but Carlson raced his way back up to recapture the lead.
A few laps later Henderson slowed and pulled off the track. That allowed Powell to grab the second spot followed by Jerimy Wagner, Mike Koeneke and Harley Jankowski.
Todd Korish who made his last appearance in the 32 car at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway finished seventh.
Korish was set to run the second feature, but allowed Steve Carlson to pilot the number 32.
Powell narrowly missed a disastrous start to the second Late Model feature.
Scott Rand got loose in Turn 4 on the first lap after it appeared contact was made from behind. Rand was able to avoid a huge pile-up by keeping his car out of the middle of the track, allowing Bill Niles, Koeneke and Powell to escape unscathed. Unfortunately Randy Humfeld was too close on the outside, and both Rand’s and Humfeld’s cars were damaged.
Branden Berg maintained the lead on the restart as Powell started to move up through the field. Powell grabbed the second spot five laps into the race and the lead three laps after that.
Meanwhile, a hard charging Ty Majeski was making his way to the front. With two laps to go Majeski snuck into the second spot between Jankowski and a lap car.
Majeski finished second, Jankowski third, Berg fourth and Wagner fifth.
Jamie Dummer held off Brad Warthan to win the 20-lap Grand National Sportsmen feature. Dummer gained an early lead with Warthan on his bumper. The duo escaped the five-car group behind them that were fighting for the third spot.
Nick Clements emerged to finish third. And despite a last lap attempt to pass the leader, Warthan finished second.
The Mid-American Stock Car Series came back to the La Crosse Speedway with a bang. The two 20-lap features were filled with three-side racing and tons of action.
Rick Corso won the first feature, holding off West Salem’s Dan Gilster. Rick Tackman took the checkered flag in the second feature.
Andy Moore overpowered Jordan Myers (2nd) and Kayla Steinhoff (3rd) to win the United Auto Supply Thunderstox feature. Moore also won the first division heat earlier in the night.
Join us for the final weekly race of 2014 on Aug. 23 that brings five great divisions of action to check out. Plus, it’s Buck Night. All concession menu items are just $1. Pack up your box car racers and arrive at the track early for the Subway Fresh Fit for Kids Race after Late Model qualifying. 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.