Skinner Winner of the SLM Feature on Day Two of the O'Doul's Fall Classic! By Dale Erdmann

September 29, 2002; Lake Geneva, WI. - Just like they said sun shine by noon and there was sun shine on day number two of the O’Doul’s Fall Classic at Lake Geneva Raceway. With over 310 drivers participating over the weekend feature races were won by Billy Skinner Jr. of Pell Lake in the Budweiser super late model cars taking the 75 lap feature and claiming the $2500 prize. The Planet Pages 45 lap feature went to James Swan of Lake Geneva at the home track of defending 2001 Mid Am champion and newly crowned LGR Sportsman champion. The non stop Wisconsin mini sport truck feature for 20 laps went to fast timer Hank Calmes of Freedom.

Photo Highlights

Billy Skinner Jr. (#47) bested a large field of cars and able to fend off Donavan Morgan to take top honors in the O' Doul's Fall Classic Super Late Model feature contest. Former two-time Jefferson Speedway champion Dan Chesmore (#27) captured the main event in the Limited Late Models. 2002 Lake Geneva Raceway Mid-American Sportsman champion James Swan (#97) won the Mid-American Series feature in convincing fashion. Scott "Chico" Reidner (#26) grabbed the Super Street Stock main event. John Janssen (#43) topped the Super Stock feature event during the O'Doul's Fall Classic.

John Janssen of Burlington won the 30 lap Street stock feature. Terry Wangness took a clean sweep in the Midwest Enduro style cars. Two time Jefferson Speedway champion and second in last years feature Dan Chesmore of Janesville won the 50 lap limited late model feature. In the super street stocks number one class Scott Riedner of Waunakee just missed a clean sweep after winning his heat and the 20 lap feature. Riedner told the crowd” after 18 years of racing I’m retiring from this sport but could come back for next years show”. John Henning of Saukville won the H&H super street stock feature for 20 laps and Bob Koch of McHenry, Illinois won the 15 lap pure stock feature. 6 states were represented at the 11th. annual event.

With temperatures in the mid 80’s the super late model feature brought out a field of familiar drivers as Jason Hicks shot in front before 2002 LGR champion Matt  Kocourek got squeezed into the wall after going over Mike DeKeuster’s hood after Ryan Matthews spun causing Terry Patnode to go wide. No one was hurt but after engine problems last night and this happening Kocourek’s weekend wasn’t what he hoped for then being flat bedded to the pits with front end damage.

Hicks slipped in front again but on lap eleven Billy Skinner Jr. was along side and inched ahead for the lead just before DeKeuster spun in turn two causing the next caution. Skinner paced the field with Billy Baumeister around Hicks one lap later. Right behind this cluster Joe Fischer, Jerry Cowan and Patnode were glued together.

Within five laps Donovan Morgan was on the move grabbing fourth on lap thirty. Jerry Freeman joined the fray next as the top was tight again. By lap forty Morgan was second with Freeman, Hicks and Baumeister in that order. Jamie Iverson was smoothly moving forward entering the top six with Rick Corso right behind him.

Lapped cars came into play on lap fifty two but on lap fifty five Wayne Freumund tagged DeKeuster and around he went again. That stopped in intense action and the next lap just couldn’t get in finally on the go once more Skinner paced the field with Morgan not gaining any pavement to the leader. From time to time Freeman would slip under Morgan but never gain the momentum needed to make the pass stick.

Al Schill fresh from his great showing at Rockford last weekend and second place in points here was along side Iverson with just five laps to go. These two raced until the checkered side by side with Skinner taking the win. Morgan was second with Freeman, Corso, Schill and Iverson completing the top six.

The limited late model feature was going to be another close race as Mike Lange moved in front for the first five laps before the first caution on lap five. Lange headed to the pits and Josh Shaw briefly led the race as Mark Guess slipped in front one lap later.

Another close race was just behind these two as Tommy Novoso and Paul Dygon put on a good show. Chris Klein joined the battle with Shawn Conley right there too.

Entering lap nineteen Dan Chesmore smoothly came into play for positions. Steve Vaughn was along fast timer Mike Beyer and it began to look like the starting lap again.Within five go rounds Chesmore and Beyer were second and third. Two laps
later Chesmore who had worked on Guess for three laps got around him taking the lead and then the win as Beyer was second Guess held onto third with Klein, Shaw, and Mike Kruschke following closely.

The street stock feature for thirty laps started off with Trevor Mock in front for just two laps before John Janssen scooting past. Dave Edwards was along the new leader but never advanced to challenge. Joe DeGubellis was right there as Mock had all he could do to stay with the front three. Dave Melahn moved up into second quickly as everyone shuffled for a position .It was hot at the top as Dan Huber now joined in on the fight for the lead.

The first of only two caution flags came on lap eleven when Craig Aarptmeyer’s radiator let loose dumping liquid all over turn four. On the restart Huber slipped into second with Janssen comfortly out front. Bell began to knock on Melahn’s door as
Sonny Schoffen now fifth right along side Bell. The top ten were so close to call as the caution was displayed on lap twenty seven when something happened to Melahn’s car.

The dash for the final three spots produced a great race ending as Janssen was able to hold on for the win, as Huber and Bell diced for second. Huber took it back for the runner up spot with Bell, Schoffen, Bob Moeller and Scott Eggebrecht rounding out the top six.

The first super street stock feature was short on cars but not action as the non stop event saw Jeremy Hayton lead the first five laps before Trent Erdman scrambled in front before Scott”Chico” Riedner moved out front for the win on lap twelve. Erdman was second with a cluster behind him of Wally Morgan, Bret Schmidt Hayton and Bobby Stough next.

The H&H super street stock feature for 20 lpas was also short on cars but there was some close action as Dave Obermeyer took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Quickly Rick Wagner slipped in front on lap four with Jason Taghikhani next. The field was tight as John Henning grabbed second on lap six. Two laps later fast qualifier Paul Wagner was challenging the top two before the only caution came when Ron Benedict spun and stalled in turn four.

On the restart Rick Wagner saw Paul Wagner charge into second and it looked like it would be a great finish until these two tangled with five laps to go. Henning went on to win the race with Taghikhani third. Joe Osterman was next as Nick Quinnell and Obermeyer right there in sixth.

The Wisconsin mini sport trucks were again non stop as Hank Calmes took the lead from Dan Vixmer on lap five and held back numerous challenges to win the race after fast time Saturday afternoon.Vixmer was second with Dave Hansen yesterdays feature winner next. Tom Gee Jr took fourth with Scott Bushman and Nate Otrlieb next.

There was just two laps to go before quick timer Terry Wangness took the lead of the Midwest enduro style cars 30 lap feature. Jeremy Hartwig was second followed by Jeremy Bloomberg who also raced Mid American cars, Willy Peterson Brevenard Lewis and Les Wiedenhoeft.

The pure stock feature for 15 laps went to Bob Koch former champion of the division that races here. Nick Kalteis was on his tail for second with 2002 champion Greg Sheldon third Eric Schoffen in his first race was fourth as Jeff Bremer and Tony Burrafato completed the top six.

On Saturday October 5th. the weekly shows come to a close with the annual “Run What Ya Brung” brings out dirt track late models strret stocks 4 cylinders and pure stocks.

Time trials begin at 5:45 p.m. and first race at 7  p.m. The last program of the year is going to be a Midwest Enduro race on October 19th.