By: Paul Reichert
June 10, 2023
It seems that when big money is put on the line for big feature races, the best of the best comes out looking for that huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Steve Carlson has captured his fair share of big money races throughout his storied racing career. Skylar Holzhausen has claimed a few big feature wins and big money paydays in his career as well. On this Saturday night longtime LaCrosse supporter Rich Volden put up the biggest payday ever for a NASCAR Late Model feature win of $1,000. Steve Bachman was up to the challenge as he shot by Carlson with 13 laps to go and collected his first checkered flag win of the season.
In the 30 lap Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature, veteran LaCrosse campaigner Steve Carlson (West Salem, WI) took advantage of a rough start for Tom Luethe (West Salem, WI) to take the early race lead. Carlson began to open up a lead on the field as was looking for his first win of the season. By the one-third mark of the race fast challengers were ready to take on the ‘King of the Short Tracks’. Steve Bachman (Rockland, WI) broke into the top five on lap 11 and powered his way into the runner-up slot by the halfway mark. Skylar Holzhausen (Bangor, WI) and Jacob Goede (Carver, MN) surged into the top five as the crossed flags were displayed. Bachman’s rocketship was quickly reeling in the veteran, then powered under Carlson to become the leader of the pack on lap 18. Holzhausen and Goede motored their way by Adam Bendzick (New Prague, MN) with seven laps to go but could not catch the leading pair in their own fight. Bachman slowly edged away from Carlson in the closing laps to claim his first feature of the year and bag his biggest paycheck ever of $1,000. After the race Bachman said “Thanks to Rich Volden for putting up the money for our feature tonight and thanks to my crew for working hard this week to give me an awesome race car.”
Andy Barney (West Salem, WI) and Bob Fort (Fountain City, WI) renewed their opening day battle in the second half of the NASCAR Sportsmen feature. There was a lot of banging and beating between these two drivers, but Fort pulled ahead on the white flag lap to claim his first win of the season. However, Fort ran afoul of the breakout rule three times during the main event. That would give Barney his second trip to Altra Federal Credit Union Victory Lane.
In the NASCAR Hornet feature, Nick Hadler was having a career night at LaCrosse as he was challenging the best Hornet racers for his first win at LaCrosse. However, Thomas Farra was having a better run ahead of Hadler as he saw first checkered flag victory in at least a few years.
Matthew Bornheimer took the lead on lap two of the Street Stock feature. Bornheimer’s mirrors would be full of teammate Keith Larson over the last six laps. Bornheimer never folded under the pressure Larson was applying as he powered his way to career feature victory number one.
In the Mini-Van feature, Rob Stanfield powered by Al Bartels on lap two and seemingly ran with the race. Zach Liebsch was not going to make things easy for Stanfield. Liebsch chomped down Stanfield’s huge advantage, but Stanfield resisted the challenges by Liebsch down the stretch to claim his third checkered flag victory of the night.
It took two to win this week’s Novelty event, the Tag Team race. One driver ran a lap, then bumped the rear of their teammate in turn one to run their lap, and this continued on for six laps. John Huebner and Rob Stanfield proved why they are the kings of the quarter mile as they worked perfectly together to dominate the Tag Team race.
We take a break from the fast and furious racing action next Saturday, June 17 to enjoy a night of good clean hard hitting action at the annual Smash-O-Rama. The Hobby Stocks and Six Shooters will be competing on the ‘action track’ quarter mile. You will also witness monster trucks in action along with fun events like the Steel Wall Crash, the Rollover Contest and the Pool Jump. The night will end on a smashing high note with the annual Shipwreck Boat Race. Gates open at 5:30, qualifying begins at 5:45 and the first hard hit of the night will take place starting at 7 PM.
For more information about LaCrosse Speedway or the 2023 schedule of events, please call the track office at 608-786-1525 or visit our web site at lacrossespeedway.com. LaCrosse Speedway is proud to be a NASCAR Hometrack, part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.