18th Annual Lake Geneva Raceway banquet sets new record!   By Dale Erdmann

January 26, 2002; Lake Geneva, WI. - Nearly 240 drivers friends family pit crew members and sponsored came to Rumpoles Hall as the 2001 champions that race weekly on Saturday night at Lake Geneva Raceway were honored. In racing records were made to be broken and the 2001 season saw that happen. First over $275,000 was paid out to the drivers.Next a new mark was set for point funds with over $21,500 going to a record number of drivers in the three divisions that compete here.

The first of the special awards went to Mike Vogt Jr. of East Troy a regular in the super late model class. Vogt won the second annual Jim Kjellander sportsmanship award.Kjellander raced here and after being killed in an automobile accident March 6th. 2000 this award was named after the good hearted driver in his honor.Landry Potter Jim’s friend along with his crew came up with the award. Potter campaigned with the 55 (Kjellander’s number) on his race car in 2000 and won the BARS “Let’s go racing”best of show award that year.

Vogt was honored for letting two of his fellow drivers use his race car after their cars had problems. Mike Lange was honorably mentioned after organizing the 911 disaster presentation that every driver participated in on September 15th.
a night many tracks elected not to open.

The HiLiter Graphics Contingency awards went to Potter, Lange and Jack Rubach. The Turbo Blue awards went to Potter Wayne Freimund and Denny Hiffman.

The 5 Five Race Car Body gift certificates went to Rubach and Lange. The 2002 body went to Vogt during a random drawing between 17 drivers eligible.

Back on March 29th. 1999 Lake Geneva Raceway’s 1995 champion and former rookie of the year Al Schill Jr. died unexpectedly at his home in Wind Lake. Each year the dash event has been named after the likable popular super late model driver. This year the events were sponsored by Kevin Barker’s reconditioning company. Landry Potter had five dash wins and walked away with first place and Jamie Wallace had four wins taking second.Eight other drivers had dash wins.

Denny Norton Jr. gave out some special awards from Performance Unlimited and Hoosier Tire Company. It was announced that Norton would sponsor the sportsman cars again. The feature would pay at least $300 to win. Marty Robb the super stock sponsor owner of McHenry Limousine announced that that feature would paid at least $125 to win. The late models will receive at least $700 to win the feature.

Landry Potter of Genoa City won his second super late model championship in arrow as the highly talented driver showed the way to a large field of competitiors from the two state area. Potter announced that he would be back in 2002 but would not race only at LGR and this left the field wide open for this strong division. Jamie Wallace a former champion and a second generation driver from nearby Pell Lake was runner up. Rookie of the year Wayne Freimund of West Allis was third. Denny Hiffman of River Forest was fourth Rick Corso and Joe Fischer both from McHenry,IL. were tied for fifth just afew points behind Hiffman.Former 2000 super stock runner Jerry Cowan of Burlington was next. Billy Baumeister a second generation pilot out of Janesville Billy Skinner Jr. of Pell Lake and 2000 legends champion rookie Jeff Way of Waterford rounded out the top ten.

The McHenry Limo super stocks saw the highest eligible for their point fund as calm cool and collected Jack Rubach of Burlington won the title. Rubach had fast time 15 fast times during the season but took until July 21st. to win his first feature. Rubach put any rumors to rest as he announced to the crowd he would be back to defend his crown. Mike Kooi of Island Lake,IL. was runner up even though mechanical problems plagued him while he was point leader at mid season.2000 rookie Lake Geneva driver Rob Summers was third. Former hobby stock star Dave Melahn of Burlington was fourth with Pete Olson of McHenry,IL. right behind him.

Part of the Antioch, IL. connection Craig Mertes held the point lead during the season finishing the season in the tight point battle in sixth. Former Midwest Enduro driver Andy Szymanskyj of East Troy retired Doug Peterson of Antioch,IL. Mike Bell of Waukesha and Adam Regnier who had his share of mechanical problems during this season still finished tenth.

In the Performance Unlimited sportsman division Mike Lange of Milwaukee pulled off a last night showing and won his first championship after taking a season off. Brian Baker of Springfield ran strong all season and claimed runner up for this growing division. Right behind him Lyons driver Jerry Freeman who announced he would campaign a super late model for Harry Bond during the 2002 season was a tight third. Zac Deeringer of Wonder Lake,IL. a former super stock champion
and Shawn Utphall of Racine a first year driver tied for the next position. The division sponsor Denny Norton Jr. another former super stock champion was 30 points behind. Terry Crowell of North Prairie had a great season finishing 7th. Rookie Ken Joosten of Wonder Lake,IL. was next with Jacko Terrault of Ingleside,IL. and Dan Erickson of Lyons completed the top ten.

The 2002 awards banquet will be Saturday night January 25th. 2003.