By: Paul Reichert
May 30, 2026
After the home team scores a big victory in an NHL matchup, the public address announcer introduces the fans to their players that were the third, second and first stars of the game. Each player salutes the crowd and even tosses a puck, jersey or hockey stick to the crowd in appreciation. Maybe we should do something like that and salute our three stars of each race night at the LaCrosse Speedway. Two drivers in the NASCAR Late Model division were the biggest and brightest stars of the first double feature night this year. Adam Degenhardt powered to the lead on lap seven and dominated the first feature for his first win in nearly two years. Mike Litchfeld roared to the front of the second feature with six laps remaining to score his first ever feature triumph at LaCrosse.
The first 20 lap Altra Federal Credit Union NASCAR Late Model feature saw Mike Carlson (West Salem, WI) and Steve Bachman (Sparta, WI) both power past rookie Carter Horstman (Bangor, WI) to move into the top two positions. Bachman looked underneath Carlson for the lead four laps in with Adam Degenhardt (Coon Valley, WI) hot on his tail. Both drivers completed the pass of Carlson on lap five to now run in first and second. Degenhardt found an opening under Bachman to move in the lead role on lap seven. Starting a little deeper in the field was Jacob Goede (Carver, MN), who picked off drivers one-by-one to move into third at halfway. A lap later Goede powered around Degenhardt to claim the runner-up position and set his sights on Degenhardt. Unfortunately there was too much distance for Goede to make up on the leader as Degenhardt claimed a relatively comfortable first feature triumph of 2026. After the race Degenhardt said “We had a really good car after we made a couple changes after qualifying.”
Jeremy Wolff (Chaska, MN) quickly took command of Altra Federal Credit Union 20 lap NASCAR Late Model feature number two. Steve Bachman (Sparta, WI) and Mike Carlson (West Salem, WI) touched in turn four on lap two. The result was Bachman ending up in the turn four wall. Nick Clements (West Salem, WI) stuck right behind Wolff on the restart as they worked together to pull away from the field. Cole Howland (LaCrosse, WI) made things difficult for Adam Bendzick (New Prague, MN) in the fight over third. Bendzick finally got by Howland on lap six and set his sights on the lead twosome. Clements began to feel racy as we approached the mid-race point and looked for a way under Wolff to take over first. Clements ramped up the pressure on Wolff as he kept working the inside lane, while Bendzick slowly began to reel in those two. Clements got loose coming off of turn two with seven laps left and lost it down the back straight. Bendzick and Mike Litchfeld (Pardeeville, WI) wasted little time off the restart to drop Wolff back to third, but rookie Carter Horstman (Bangor, WI) looped it in turn four to build the drama of the finish to the second feature. Litchfeld was shot out of a cannon to power into first on the restart with six laps to go. Jacob Goede (Carver, MN) tried to keep pace with the ‘Cuatro-Cuatro’ machine in the closing laps, but there would be no denying the Dells champion his first career feature triumph at LaCrosse. After the race Litchfeld said “How about that? We get to show up the big boys here at LaCrosse to prove we can be as competitive as they are.”
Bill Schott (LaCrosse, WI) led the first lap of the NASCAR Sportsmen feature, and quickly broke free from the other four cars hounding him for first. Charles Vian, Jr. (Sparta, WI) tried to make the outside lane work but that was allowing Schott to pull ahead. Vian, Jr. decided to follow Schott’s tire tracks for several laps in order to pick his spot to go after the lead. Vian, Jr. could not close the deal as Schott got good runs out of the turns to maintain the lead position. With five laps left to run, Mark Challet (Sparta, WI) began to inch closer to the lead duo as did Justin Berg (Bangor, WI). Fast qualifier Zach Oliver (Rockland, WI) spun out coming to the white flag, setting a hectic two lap run to the checkered flag. Vian, Jr. played the restart to perfection as he powered by Schott down the back straight to score feature win number one of the season.
Bentley Knaack shot to the front of the NASCAR Hornet feature. Knaack ran a bit wide in turn two and that opened the door for Lee Dechant to move into first place on lap two. Dechant continued to show the way while Al Bartels and Shawn Strangstalien battled hard for second as the crossed flags were displayed. The recent graduate from Sparta would receive a great graduation gift in the form of his first career feature victory.
Brandon Gallagher made a daring three-wide move on lap two to move around both Brandon Bion and Byran Olsen for first in the Six Shooter feature. Andy Moore stuck to the inside groove and drove underneath Gallagher for first place on lap five. Gallagher did everything in his power to close back up on Moore, but it was not in the cards. Moore would add another feature victory to his long list of LaCrosse accomplishments.
Smilin’ John Koran roared his vintage modified to the lead at the start of the Milwaukee Stock Car Racing Association feature. Brad Swendrowski needed only two laps to come from deep in the field to wrestle the lead spot away from Koran. Darin Allard moved around Koran for second at halfway, and began to eat away at Swendrowski’s lead. Allard tried to make his move on Swendrowski on either side of him, but suddenly Swendrowski slowed with a flat left rear tire only two laps from the finish. Now Allard would have to fight back dad Jeff during the final restart, and Darin Allard was successful in that task to claim the win.
The wacky 2nd Over the Lins Wins race was the action for our Novelty competitors this week. This week you do your darndest to avoid finishing in first. The end of the race is the most thrilling as the drivers try to make each other flinch to go first. Brandon Gallagher waits for precisely the right time to lunge at the stripe to claim the victory in this crazy race.
Downtown West Salem has played host to the county’s annual June Dairy Days celebration since 1972, and next weekend the 55th annual event takes place. LaCrosse Speedway will be a part of those festivities with our first-ever Dairy Appreciation Night next Saturday, June 6. The High School Racing Association will run its first race of 2026 and join the Late Models, Sportsmen, Hornets and Street Stocks. We will be holding Dairy Games for the fans and the Novelty event will be the brand new Dairy Race. Gates open at 5:15, qualifying will shift into high gear at 5:30, while the racing thrills and action come to life at 7.
To learn more about LaCrosse Speedway and the 2026 schedule of events, call the track office at 608-786-1525 or visit our website at lacrossespeedway.com. LaCrosse Speedway is proud to be a NASCAR Regional track, part of the NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts.
RESULTS
Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models
Feature #1 (20 laps): 1. 03-Adam Degenhardt, Cashton, WI [5], 2. 72-Jacob Goede, Carver, MN [7], 3. 14-Steve Bachman, Sparta, WI [3], 4. 78-Skylar Holzhausen, Sparta, WI [8], 5. 50-Michael Carlson, West Salem, WI [1], 6. 44-Mike Litchfeld, Pardeeville, WI [14], 7. 21-Adam Bendzick, Prior Lake, MN [9], 8. 5-Tom Luethe, Bangor, WI [4], 9. 8C-Nick Clements, West Salem, WI [6], 10. 1-Cole Howland, West Salem, WI [11], 11. 32-Jeremy Wolff, Chaska, MN [15], 12. 66-Steve Carlson, West Salem, WI [10], 13. 40-Michael Beamish, Saint Paul, MN [17], 14. 75-Carter Horstman, Bangor, WI [2], 15. 51-Tom Carlson, West Salem, WI [12], 16. 7-Don Turner, La Crosse, WI [13], 17. 57-Robert Bradley, Sparta, WI [16]
Feature #2 (20 laps): 1. 44-Mike Litchfeld, Pardeeville, WI [6], 2. 72-Jacob Goede, Carver, MN [10], 3. 78-Skylar Holzhausen, Sparta, WI [8], 4. 21-Adam Bendzick, Prior Lake, MN [5], 5. 1-Cole Howland, West Salem, WI [2], 6. 50-Michael Carlson, West Salem, WI [7], 7. 32-Jeremy Wolff, Chaska, MN [1], 8. 5-Tom Luethe, Bangor, WI [4], 9. 03-Adam Degenhardt, Cashton, WI [11], 10. 66-Steve Carlson, West Salem, WI [12], 11. 40-Michael Beamish, Saint Paul, MN [13], 12. 8C-Nick Clements, West Salem, WI [3], 13. 51-Tom Carlson, West Salem, WI [15], 14. 7-Don Turner, La Crosse, WI [16], 15. 57-Robert Bradley, Sparta, WI [17], 16. 75-Carter Horstman, Bangor, WI [14], 17. 14-Steve Bachman, Sparta, WI [9]
Qualifying: 1. 44-Mike Litchfeld, 19.7700; 2. 78-Skylar Holzhausen, 19.8550; 3. 21-Adam Bendzick, 19.9260; 4. 32-Jeremy Wolff, 19.9870; 5. 8C-Nick Clements, 20.0220; 6. 03-Adam Degenhardt, 20.0540; 7. 5-Tom Luethe, 20.0810; 8. 40-Michael Beamish, 20.1190; 9. 14-Steve Bachman, 20.1230; 10. 72-Jacob Goede, 20.1660; 11. 75-Carter Horstman, 20.2040; 12. 50-Michael Carlson, 20.2190; 13. 66-Steve Carlson, 20.3650; 14. 1-Cole Howland, 20.5780; 15. 51-Tom Carlson, 20.5810; 16. 7-Don Turner, 20.6140; 17. 57-Robert Bradley, 21.6320
NASCAR Sportsmen
Feature (15 laps): 1. 1-Charles Vian Jr, Sparta, WI [2], 2. 21-Bill Schott, West Salem, WI [1], 3. 75-Justin Berg, Bangor, WI [4], 4. 18-Tina Lodermeier, Rosemount, MN [5], 5. 13-Mark A Challet, Sparta, WI [3], 6. 68-Jamie Dummer, Tomah, WI [11], 7. 60-Jacob Lodermeier, Elko New Market, MN [9], 8. 10-Zach Oliver, Rockland, WI [10], 9. 14-Melissa Rusch, Galesville, WI [8], 10. 30-Landon Lockington, Melrose, WI [6], 11. 8-Jason Bolster, Sparta, WI [12], 12. 97-Robert Fort, Fountain City, WI [7]
6-for-6 Dash (6 laps): 1. 18-Tina Lodermeier, Rosemount, MN [2], 2. 13-Mark A Challet, Sparta, WI [3], 3. 1-Charles Vian Jr, Sparta, WI [4], 4. 75-Justin Berg, Bangor, WI [5], 5. 10-Zach Oliver, Rockland, WI [6], 6. 21-Bill Schott, West Salem, WI [1]
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. 68-Jamie Dummer, Tomah, WI [1], 2. 60-Jacob Lodermeier, Elko New Market, MN [4], 3. 97-Robert Fort, Fountain City, WI [6], 4. 30-Landon Lockington, Melrose, WI [2], 5. 14-Melissa Rusch, Galesville, WI [3], 6. 8-Jason Bolster, Sparta, WI [5]
Qualifying: 1. 10-Zach Oliver, 22.0140; 2. 75-Justin Berg, 22.2520; 3. 1-Charles Vian Jr, 22.2880; 4. 13-Mark A Challet, 22.3020; 5. 18-Tina Lodermeier, 22.3960; 6. 21-Bill Schott, 22.4750; 7. 30-Landon Lockington, 22.8680; 8. 97-Robert Fort, 23.1340; 9. 8-Jason Bolster, 23.1470; 10. 68-Jamie Dummer, 23.2310; 11. 14-Melissa Rusch, 23.4870
Skyline Fireworks NASCAR Hornets
Feature (15 laps): 1. 17-Lee Dechant, Sparta, WI [4], 2. 111-Shaw Strangstalien, West Salem, WI [6], 3. 28-Jimmy Bjorkman, West Salem, WI [13], 4. 12T-Ben Thurk, La Crosse, WI [11], 5. 02-Shane Kohlmeier, Onalaska, WI [9], 6. 32-Joey Johnson III, Holmen, WI [10], 7. 36-Brandon Olson, Eden Prairie, MN [12], 8. 12B-Al Bartels, Tomah, WI [3], 9. 44-Jake Schomers, La Crescent, MN [8], 10. 21-Jacob Iverson, West Salem, WI [7], 11. 77-Bentley Knaack, Onalaska, WI [2], 12. 48-Wally Olsen, Galesville, WI [15], 13. 3/4-Nick Hadler, Inver Grove Heights, MN [5], 14. 12G-Greg Oliver, Bangor, WI [1], 15. 09-Ben Kohlmeier, Onalaska, WI [14], 16. 79-Nick Loesel, Eau Claire, WI [16]
6-for-6 Dash (6 laps): 1. 36-Brandon Olson, Eden Prairie, MN [1], 2. 32-Joey Johnson III, Holmen, WI [3], 3. 28-Jimmy Bjorkman, West Salem, WI [6], 4. 02-Shane Kohlmeier, Onalaska, WI [5], 5. 44-Jake Schomers, La Crescent, MN [4], 6. 21-Jacob Iverson, West Salem, WI [2]
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. 12T-Ben Thurk, La Crosse, WI [5], 2. 12B-Al Bartels, Tomah, WI [4], 3. 111-Shaw Strangstalien, West Salem, WI [8], 4. 17-Lee Dechant, Sparta, WI [6], 5. 12G-Greg Oliver, Bangor, WI [2], 6. 3/4-Nick Hadler, Inver Grove Heights, MN [7], 7. 77-Bentley Knaack, Onalaska, WI [3], 8. 48-Wally Olsen, Galesville, WI [10], 9. 79-Nick Loesel, Eau Claire, WI [1], 10. 09-Ben Kohlmeier, Onalaska, WI [9]
Qualifying: 1. 28-Jimmy Bjorkman, 15.7290; 2. 02-Shane Kohlmeier, 15.9820; 3. 44-Jake Schomers, 16.0250; 4. 32-Joey Johnson III, 16.0890; 5. 21-Jacob Iverson, 16.1050; 6. 36-Brandon Olson, 16.1070; 7. 111-Shaw Strangstalien, 16.1890; 8. 3/4-Nick Hadler, 16.2780; 9. 09-Ben Kohlmeier, 16.3010; 10. 17-Lee Dechant, 16.3120; 11. 12T-Ben Thurk, 16.3590; 12. 12B-Al Bartels, 16.5050; 13. 77-Bentley Knaack, 16.6330; 14. 12G-Greg Oliver, 16.7410; 15. 48-Wally Olsen, 16.8950; 16. 79-Nick Loesel, 17.0880
Auto Value Six Shooters
Feature (15 laps): 1. 29M-Andy Moore, Sparta, WI [9], 2. 5-Brandon Gallagher, Sparta, WI [8], 3. 9-Matt Moore, Kendall, WI [10], 4. 1-Dan Osthoff, La Crosse, WI [11], 5. 24-Colton Jacobson, La Crosse, WI [4], 6. 27L-Cole Lewis, La Crosse, WI [5], 7. 02-Tyler Stuber, La Crosse, WI [7], 8. 1220-Bryon Olsen, La Crescent, MN [2], 9. 59-John Eron, Westby, WI [3], 10. 68-Brody Rundhaugen, La Crosse, WI [13], 11. 10-Derek Larson, Melrose, WI [12], 12. 05-Brandon Bion, La Crosse, WI [1], 13. 74-Kyle Cottone, La Crosse, WI [6]
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. 74-Kyle Cottone, La Crosse, WI [2], 2. 1220-Bryon Olsen, La Crescent, MN [4], 3. 05-Brandon Bion, La Crosse, WI [3], 4. 68-Brody Rundhaugen, La Crosse, WI [6], 5. 59-John Eron, Westby, WI [5], 6. 34-Molly Snodgrass, La Crescent, MN [1], 7. 10-Derek Larson, Melrose, WI [7]
Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. 29M-Andy Moore, Sparta, WI [6], 2. 5-Brandon Gallagher, Sparta, WI [4], 3. 9-Matt Moore, Kendall, WI [7], 4. 1-Dan Osthoff, La Crosse, WI [5], 5. 02-Tyler Stuber, La Crosse, WI [3], 6. 24-Colton Jacobson, La Crosse, WI [1], 7. 27L-Cole Lewis, La Crosse, WI [2]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Matt Moore, 16.2460; 2. 29M-Andy Moore, 16.2860; 3. 1-Dan Osthoff, 17.0480; 4. 5-Brandon Gallagher, 17.0850; 5. 02-Tyler Stuber, 17.3980; 6. 03S-Bryan Schott, 17.4430; 7. 24-Colton Jacobson, 17.5200; 8. 68-Brody Rundhaugen, 17.6760; 9. 59-John Eron, 17.7540; 10. 27L-Cole Lewis, 17.8450; 11. 1220-Bryon Olsen, 18.6920; 12. 10-Derek Larson, 18.7960; 13. 05-Brandon Bion, 18.8950; 14. 74-Kyle Cottone, 19.3380; 15. 34-Molly Snodgrass, 19.5310
Milwaukee Stock Car Racing Association
Feature (15 laps): 1. Darin Allard [–], 2. Jeff Allard [–], 3. Jerry Jacobson [–], 4. Dale Hering [–], 5. Cal Maule [–], 6. John Koran [–], 7. Doug Drews [–], 8. Ralph Pulver [–], 9. Brad Swendrowski [–]
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Doug Drews [–], 2. Darin Allard [–], 3. Ralph Pulver [–], 4. Brad Swerdrowski [–], 5. Jeff Allard [–], 6. Jerry Jacobson [–], 7. Cal Maule [–], 8. John Koran [–], 9. Dale Hering [–]
Novelty
2nd Over the Line Wins (5 laps): 1. 5-Brandon Gallagher, Sparta, WI [5], 2. 29M-Andy Moore, Sparta, WI [7], 3. 27L-Cole Lewis, La Crosse, WI [6], 4. 68-Brody Rundhaugen, La Crosse, WI [2], 5. 59-John Eron, Westby, WI [4], 6. 1220-Bryon Olsen, La Crescent, MN [1], 7. 1-Dan Osthoff, La Crosse, WI [3]