Storm duels Schill for October Classic Super Late Model victory!
By Dale Erdmann

October 1, 2000; Lake Geneva, WI. - With the best weather ever for this annual event, the O'Doul's October Classic went into the record books, for the largest crowd to attend the event, second largest driver count (384) and Jeff Storm of Waterford winning his first career major super late model feature, in the 50 lap event, taking home $1500 for his efforts. Storm a 1992 sportsman champion here, won the Mid American point title, but since switching to late models, this was his first major victory.

After a hard fought weekend of racing the champions in some of the various divisions gather with their cars in a post race celebration. Shown in the front row from left to right are Jeff Lorenz (Street Stock), Mike Dekeuster (Mid-American), Dan Gracyalny (Limited Late Models), Jeff Storm (Late Models) and in the back row, Heidi Jo (Powder Puff), Ken Smart (Enduro), Ken Olson (LLM Champions event.)

Racine driver Mike DeKeuster was another first time winner taking his first McLeod USA Mid American 35 lap feature.

Terry Patnode led the opening lap of the Pierce Builders sponsored Super Late Model main event, with Billy Skinner Jr. in hot pursuit. Skinner grabbed the lead on lap number two, with Joe Fischer all over Patnode for second. Dicing for those spots, Fischer nosed into second, with Al Schill third, Jeff Storm and Patnode in a dead heat for fourth, with Landry Potter the 2000 champion here fifth. By lap eight Skinner and Fischer were close, but then lap ten Schill moved along side Fischer and it was a three way battle for the lead.

Jeff Storm (#25) scored the biggest win of his career winning the Late Model portion of the October Classic.

Just as Schill moved into second on lap eleven, Jamie Wallace the fast time qualifier entered the top five. That was a short lived experience for Wallace, as he stalled in turn two, bringing out the first caution on lap number fifteen. Two laps later a spin brought out another caution just as Fischer was in front of Skinner. Going ahead one lap, Skinner again was the leader, but Fischer wanted that front spot and by lap twenty it was his. Then the cluster of three became a cluster of six, as Conrad Morgan joined the fray. Fischer maintained the lead until Skinner bounced back in front on lap twenty six.

Fischer battled back to the front once more, but Potter was knocking on the door. Potter inched ahead for the lead on lap twenty eight, with Skinner and Fischer side by side in a dead heat for second, followed by Morgan, Schill and Storm. It was bound to happen and it did, lap thirty Skinner and Fischer made contact, they spun and out came the caution. On the restart Potter had Morgan all over him and Storm was side by side with Schill. Morgan tried the inside for two laps, but Potter held the line. Then the challenger tried the outside slipping in front just as the caution appeared for a Pat Echlin and Rick Corso get together.

In one of the hardest fought contests of the weekend Jeff Storm (#25) edged veteran racer Al Schill (#14) by this distance at the checkered flag.  The pair ran wheel to wheel the final ten laps, often inches apart.

The hot afternoon sun wasn't a factor, with afew clouds present, but after that restart, Potter and Morgan saw the sun come out, as they raced side by side for that top spot. Morgan used the inside this time, as Potter got wide on lap forty. Morgan didn't capitalize on the leaders problems, with Potter going wide again on the next lap the field tightened up again, as it was a four ray battle for that top spot. On lap forty four, Potter and Morgan made contact, with the leader spinning around, out came the final caution and both drivers vent to the rear.

Schill became the new leader, but on the restart, Storm was not going to let the Schill run avay and hide. Both dueled for that lead, as Storm decided to run outside. For those final five laps, it was a see say battle for the lead. Coming for that checkered Storm was in front, vith Schill less that a nose piece along side in second. Rookie Matt Kocourek who was a factor all day was right there finished third, with former rookie here, Chad Barker fourth. Wayne Freimund who advanced from the semf-feature came all the way through the field to finish fifth. Danny Darnell, Billy Baumeister and Jerry Mueller rounded out the top eight, in this close contest. Storm had this to tell the crowd, "Al Schill is a class act, he's always got his program together, he raced me clean and gave me just enough room to run." Storm then thanked everyone for their support.

Jeff Lorenz (#25) the newly crowned Super Stock champion at Lake Geneva Raceway came home a winner this afternoon in the Street Stock feature event.  The victory put an exclamation point on a fine season.  Lorenz also turned some laps in Super Late Model competition this weekend.

2000 Super Stock champion here at Lake Geneva Raceway, Jeff Lorenz, raced in the street stock class and with just afew laps to go, took the lead from John Maki Jr in the 30 lap feature event. Maki was able to finsih in the runner-up spot with fast timer Jerry Cowan right there for third. Rookie Jack Ruback was fourth, followed by Dave Timan, John Janssen, Greg Peterson and another rookie Dan Tschida rounding out the top eight. The contest was sponsored by Discount muffler and brake companies.

It has been a long time between visits to victory lane at Lake Geneva Raceway for Steve Lurvey (#97).  Lurvey who competed in the Late Model division at Lake Geneva Raceway has spent a long time away from the track competing with a Modified at other area raceway's.  Today Lurvey took his Modified and returned to Lake Geneva and promptly put himself in victory lane after the feature event.

It took fast qualifier Dan Gracyalny, the 2000 WIR Limited Late Model champion, sixteen laps to gain the front position, going on to a big victory margin in Limited Late Model action here. Mike Monroe driving in three divsions today was second. Kenny Olson was right on the runner ups tail for third, Dean Schultz, Bill Drefahl, the early race leader was fifth vith Jack Kossow, Bobby Dudzik and Chad Stevens next. The Limited Late Model feature was sponsored by Performance Unlimited.

Former super late model driver here, Steve Lurvey had fast time and won the 30 lap feature just in front of Brian Holtz in Midwest Modified action. Scott Sobczyk, Chuck Rein, Mike Bidlack, dirt track driver Lee Tibbitts, Rick Tackman and Paul Treuthardt rounded out the top eight.

Area hotshoe Scott "Chico" Reidner (#26) has proved to be tough to beat in Super Stock action at Lake Geneva Raceway. Reidner has set fast time during the past three October classic events in his class.  This weekend he scored not only quick time but the feature victory as well.

For the third year in arow, Scott Riedner took fast time and won the 30 lap super stock feature. It took Riedner half the race to gain that top spot and then ran away from his competitors. Scott Ascher was second, with Ron Preskar, Bill Shavlik, Dave Timan, Shane Radtke, Ken Dounais and Steve Vaughn completed the top eight, in the McHenry Limo sponsored event.

In the Midwest Enduro series type cars, Ken Smart slipped in front vith just two laps to go and stayed ahead of Darryl Traber, Adam Szymanskyj , Adam Pierce, Tom Barnharst and Gary Kasprek for another non stop race and a win.

The Pure stock, BIC style cars feature was 20 laps and Mike Monroe stayed just far enough ahead of Randy Schneider to win the event. Clyde Pagano, Matt Leppard, Dale Gustum and Jeff Stevens followed, across the line.

The Wisconsin mini sport trucks ran too complete shows, one Saturday Night and the other on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday Todd Verhagen who broke the track quaifying record won the wild 20 lap feature. Robyn Wussow was along side for second.Verhagen did not get a clean sweep like Saturday, as Wussow won the the heat on Saturday night by less than a foot.

Heidi Jo won the super late model and street stock powder puff for the fifth year in arow.

The clash of champions race ran on Saturday night. The limited late model feature vent to veteran driver Kenny Olson, just in front of Bob Moeller, Dan Gracyalny, Jason Erckson, Dean Schultz and Russ Blakley.

Rookie point leader Mike DeKuester scored the biggest win of his career in taking home first place the McLeodUSA Stock Car Series 35-lap feature race Sunday afternoon at the Lake Geneva Raceway.

It was the first ever series win for the young Racine, WI driver in the Langer Group 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He nosed out Bill Prietzel, the McLeodUSA Mid-Am Stock Car Series point leader, at the finish line. Former series champion Mark Pluer was a close third while fourth was nabbed by early race leader Peter Hernandez, who has had several top finishes in recent weeks. Rounding out the top six were Denny Norton Jr in the second 2000 Dodge Intrepid to hit the series trail and veteran Bobby Gutknecht, who stands third in the current point standings.

Hernandez took the lead on the first lap after a wild three-wide opening circuit around the one-third mile paved oval. The yellow flag flew on lap four when last year's champion Rick Corso and James Swan made contact on the front stretch, sending the entire front body work off of Swan's 1999 Monte Carlo.

On lap eight Corso tangled with Mike Monroe in turn four, resulting in another caution flag period.

Hernandez, Preitzel and DeKuester ran nose-to-tail for a number of laps before Preitzel finally got past on lap ten. DeKeuster followed Preitzel past Hernandez in the inside lane. DeKuester then used the inside lane to pass Preitzel. DeKuester motored ahead to a six-car length lead, but on lap 30 Jacques Terrault, Jr spun his car off of turn three to bring out the final caution flag of the race.

DeKeuster hung on to take the win which proved to be very popular with the crowd.

Mike Dekeuster (#6) an occasional competitor in Sportsman action during the summer here at Lake Geneva Raceway used his knowledge of the track to earn his first career Mid-American Stock Car feature victory.  The win was a popular one for the driver who grew up at the track helping his father Tom Dekeuster who competed weekly at the track until 1992.

In the super late models, Russ Blakley used his other car but blew the motor on the cool down lap, after winning the race over Landry Potter, Eddie May, Jeff Storm, Rick Corso and Conrad Morgan for another close clash event.

Saturday night October 7th. the annual "Run What Ya Brung" show tops off weekly racing. Time trials are at 6 p.m. racing at 7:30 p.m. sharp.

The annual rules meetings will be Saturday October 14th. Super hold their meeting on October 15th. BIC cars October 21st. at 11am. and Super Stocks October 21st. The meetings begin at 1 pm. for the other divisions at the Loft Bar next to the raceway.

RESULTS

SUPER LATE MODELS:
50 Lap Feature: 1.) Jeff Storm, Waterford; 2.) Al Schill, Franklin; 3.) Matt Kecourek, Racine; 4.) Chad Barker, Franklin; 5.) Wayne Freimund, West Allis; 6.) Danny Darnell, Park City, IL; 7.) Billy Baumeister, Janesville; 8.) Jerry Mueller, Butler; 9.) Rick Corso, McHenry, IL; 10.) Jason Hicks, Lake Geneva
20 Lap Race of Champions: 1.) Russ Blakley, Palmyra; 2.) Landry Potter, Delavan; 3.) Eddie May, Crystal Lake, IL; 4.) Jeff Storm, Waterford; 5.) Rick Corso, McHenry, IL; 6.) Conrad Morgan, Wales
First 20 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Jeff Way, Waterford; 2.) Wayne Freimund, West Allis; 3.) Eddie May, Crystal Lake, IL; 4.) Scott Broughton, Stoughton
Second 20 Lap Semi-Feature: 1.) Rick Corso, McHenry, IL; 2.) Pat Echlin, Dyer, IN; 3.) Ronnie Darnell, Wonder Lake, IL; 4.) Mark Simonsen, Crystal Lake, IL
1st Heat: 1.) Eddie May, Crystal Lake, IL; 2.) Bob Koidahl, Cary, IL; 3.) Mike Egan Slinger
2nd Heat: 1.) Toby Rott, Slinger; 2.) Jeff Way, Waterford; 3.) Chuck Johnson, Rockford, IL
3rd Heat: 1.) Rick Corso, McHenry, IL; 2.) Scott Broughton, Stoughton; 3.) Chad Barker, Franklin
4th Heat: 1.) Billy Skinner Jr., Pell Lake; 2.) Danny Darnell, Park City, IL; 3.) Billy Baumeister, Janesville
Dash: 1.) Matt Kecourek, Racine; 2.) Jeff Storm, Waterford; 3.) Conrad Morgan, Wales
Fast Qualifier: Jamie Wallace, Pell Lake,..........16.087 Seconds

LIMITED LATE MODELS:
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Dan Gracyalny, DePere; 2.) Mike Monroe, Pell Lake; 3.) Kenny Olson, Fort Atkinson; 4.) Dean Schultz, Juneau; 5.) Bill Drafahl, Evansville; 6.) Jack Kossow, Union Grove; 7.) Bobby Dudzik, Crown Point, IN; 8.) Chad Stevens, Beloite
1st Heat: 1.) Bob Moeller, Johnsburg, IL; 2.) Kenny Olson, Fort Atkinson; 3.) Bill Drafahl, Evansville
10 Lap Race of Champions: 1.) Kenny Olson, Fort Atkinson; 2.) Bob Moeller, Johnsburg, IL; 3.) Dan Gracyalny, DePere; 4.) Jason Erickson, Cambridge; 5.) Dean Schultz, Juneau; 6.) Russ Blakley, Palmyra
Fast Qualifier: Dan Gracyalny, DePere,..........17.300 Seconds

MIDWEST MODIFIEDS:
30 Lap Features: 1.) Steve Lurvey, Dousman; 2.) Brian Holtz, Franklin; 3.) Scott Sobczyk, New Berlin; 4.) Chuck Rein, Las Vagas, NV; 5.) Mike Bidlack, Elkhorn; 6.) Lee Tibbitts, Hebron, IL; 7.) Rick Tackman, New Berlin; 8.) Paul Treuhardt, Monroer
1st Heat: 1.) Chris Peterson, Cedarburg; 2.) Rick Tackman, New Berlin; 3.) Brian Holtz, Franklini
Fast Qualifier: Steve Lurvey, Dousman,.............17.112 Seconds

SUPER STOCKS:
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Scott Riedner, Waunakee; 2.) Scott Ascher, Sussex; 3.) Ron Preskar, Juneau; 4.) Bill Shavlik, West Bend; 5.) Dave Timan, Lake Villa, IL; 6.) Shane Radtke, Helenville; 7.) Ken Donais, Mauston; 8.) Steve Vaughn, Batavia, IL
First Heat: 1.) Ken Donais, Mauston; 2.) Mike DeMuth, Verona; 3.) Bill Shavlik, West Bend
Dash: 1.) Den Jung, Slinger; 2.) Scott Schmitt, Jackson; 3.) Ron Preskar, Juneau
Fast Qualifier: Scott Riedner, Waunakee,...........17.967 Seconds

STREET STOCKS:
30 Lap Feature: 1.) Jeff Lorenz, Waukesha; 2.) John Maki Jr., Antioch, IL; 3.) Jerry Cowan, Burlington; 4.) Jack Rubach, Burlington; 5.) Dave Timan, Round Lake, IL; 6.) john Janssen, Genoa City; 7.) Greg Peterson, Paddock Lake, IL; 8.) Dan Tschida, Lake Geneva
12 Lap Feature: 1.) Dan Tschida, Lake Geneva; 2.) Erik Engel, Wonder Lake, IL; 3.) Adam Mass, Wonder Lake, IL; 4.) Tom Fay, Arlington Heights, IL
1st Heat: 1.) Dan Tschida, Lake Geneva; 2.) Greg Janutka, Win Lake, IL; 3.) Doug Benedict, McHenry, IL
2nd Heat: 1.) Erik Engel, Wonder Lake, Il; 2.) Dave Timan, Round Lake, IL; 3.) Tom Fay, Arlington Heights, IL
3rd Heat: 1.) Jeff Lorenz, Waukesha; 2.) Jerry Cowan, Burlington; 3.) Mike Kooi, Island Lake, IL
Fast Qualifier: Jerry Cowan, Burlington,........18.929 Seconds

BIC CARS:
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Mike Monroe, Pell Lake; 2.) Randy Schneider, Burlington; 3.) Clyde Pagano, South Beloit, IL; 4.) Matt Leppard, Eagle; 5.) Dale Gustum, Round Lake, IL; 6.) Jeff Stevens, Pell Lake; 7.) Kent Metzger, Walworth; 8.) Jamie Everett, McHenry, IL
1st Heat: 1.) Nate Coon, Richmond, IL; 2.) John Curio, Racine; 3.) Bob Alverson, Beloit
2nd Heat: 1.) Dale Gustum, Round Lake, IL; 2.) Jeff Stevens, Salem; 3.) Jerry Price, Lake Geneva
3rd Heat: 1.) Jamie Everett, McHenry, IL; 2.) Randy Schneider, Burlington; 3.) Nick Bottlemy, McHenry, IL
Dash: 1.) Clyde Pagano, South Beloit, IL; 2.) Mike Monroe, Pell Lake; 3.) Tod Miller, Oak Creek; 4.) Bob Koch, McHenry, IL
Fast Qualifier: Mike Monroe, Pell Lake,...........22.004 Seconds

WISCONSIN SPORT TRUCKS: SATURDAY EVENTS
20 Lap Feature: 1.) Todd Verhagen, Freedom; 2.) Scott Bushman, Freedom; 3.) Robyn Wussow, Black Creek; 4.) Dan Vixmer, Fond Du Lac; 5.) Karl Moderson; 6.) Phil Ludwig, Chilton
1st Heat: 1.) Todd Schutte, Menasha; 2.) Keith Bentz, Fond Du Lac; 3.) John Meidam, Appleton
2nd Heat: 1.) Todd Verhagen, Freedom; 2.) Scott Bushman, Freedom; 3.) Robyn Wussow, Black Creek
Fast Qualifier: Todd Verhagen, Freedom,.........18.279 Seconds

WISCONSIN SPORT TRUCKS: SUNDAY EVENTS:
15 Lap Features: 1.) Todd Verhagen, Freedom; 2.) Robyn Wussow, Black Creek; 3.) Scott Bushman, Freedom; 4.) Dan Vixmer, Fond Du Lac; 5.) Phil Ludwig, Chilton; 6.) Todd Schutte, Menasha
1st Heat: 1.) Robyn Wussow, Black Creek; 2.) Todd Verhagen, Freedom; 3.) John Giese, Fond Du Lac
2nd Heat: 1.) Andy Monday, Appleton; 2.) Kyle Calmes, Freedom; 3.) John Meidam, Appleton

MIDWEST ENDURO SERIES CARS:
Feature: 1.) Ken Smart, Oconomowoc; 2.) Darryl Traber, Waterford; 3.) Andy Szymanskyj, East Troy; 4.) Eric Pierce, Lake In The Hills, IL; 5.) Tom Barnharst, Hales Corners; 6.) Gary Kasperak, Tigerton; 7.) Glenn Pfiel, Griffith, IN; 8.) Mark Bellman, Beach Park, IL
First Heat: 1.) Ken Smart, Oconomowoc; 2.) Darryl Traber, Waterford; 3.) Erik Pierce, Lake In The Hills, IL
Fast Qualifier: Randy Mohr,.........20.964 Seconds