By: Dave Noelke
July 26, 2014 (West Salem, WI) – Ty Majeski earned his first Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model win of the 2014 season as he defeated the field in the 25 lap main event.
The race got underway as the field took the green with Bill Niles and Rookie Randy Humfeld on the front row. Cole Howland quickly got to the lead from his second row starting spot, but Majeski moved right up through the pack just as fast. As Humfeld and Howland battled for the lead, Majeski ran them down until both got underneath and passed Humfeld.
It was a cat-and-mouse game as the race progressed between leader Howland and chaser Majeski. Lapped traffic became an obstacle Majeski’s #91, but he showed patience, waiting for the right opportunity. With four laps to go, Majeski went underneath and took the lead.
The race’s only yellow took place as the field was taking the white flag, as Humfeld spun on the backstretch. That set up a two lap shootout.
Majeski restarted on the pole and cruised to the win, as Howland had to fight Steve Carlson for the runnerup position. Carlson got by Howland for second, followed Powell and Matthew Henderson.
“We were playing mind games,” commented Majeski, referring to the battle between he and Howland. “I couldn’t get the bite out of the corners that I wanted, and I’m glad he took the high side for the restart,” concluded Majesty.
May Charges to First TUNDRA Series Win
The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series made their second appearance at LaCrosse Speedway and it was rookie driver Reagan May who charged to her first series win.
May started on the outside of the front row and took the lead early on. She had the high line figured out as she fought off challenges for the lead throughout the race, including two yellow-flag double-file restarts, where she chose to restart on the outside pole.
With eight laps to go, point leader Dalton Zehr slid high in turn four, sending cars three wide, but all continued without incident. Meanwhile, Donny Reuvers caught fellow Minnesota driver Adam Royle and the two battled for second, allowing May the break she needed to take the win.
May, a three year Super Late Model racer with background in dirt and go-kart racing, commented after the win, “I give credit to my dirt track racing experience, knowing that it could help me carry momentum on the outside groove around the track. It was my first time here, (at LaCrosse) and I won the heat right away and now the feature, so we’re really happy,” concluded May.
The Grand National Sportsmen Whelen 15 got under way with Tom Luethe and Justin Mullikin on the front row, both of which were looking for their first feature win. Brian Hesselberg quickly showed the pack that his car was fast, and by lap five he took the lead from Mullikin, by powering around on the high side of the track.
The race was slowed by a couple of mid-race spins by Mandi Eckelberg and Mark Challet, but when the checkers flew Hesselberg retained the lead ahead of Jamie Dummer, Mullikin, Bill Martin and Nick Clements.
Jason Bolster won the United Auto Supply Thunderstox Whelen 15 feature, beating andy Moore, Jason Schaller, Thomas Farra and Jacinda Pfaff.
Racing continues next Saturday, August 2nd as fans will get to see the Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Street Stocks and the wild and crazy Trailer Race of Destruction. 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.