First Career Win For Ulrich, Then Came The Rain! By Dale R. Erdmann

June 6, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. -It was a great night for stock car racing as the weekly Friday family fun night show brought out the feature races first. For Racine driver Brian Ulrich those seven years behind the wheel of a super late model race car proved to be a big factor upon his first career win in the S&P motorsports Millennium late models. Ulrich during his days in the super late model had come close with a few second place finishes in the features and even taking fast time one night two seasons ago. Tonight Ulrich took over the point lead after being tied going into tonights action and impressed his fellow drivers and the fans that came out to watch him win the 20 lap event.

Photo Highlights

Brian Ulrich in victory lane after winning his first-ever Millennium late model feature Friday at Lake Geneva Raceway. Brian Ulrich (#23) uses the outside line to slip past Mark Hartline (#30) on his way to winning the Millennium Late Model main event.

Dan Giannotti of Bristol won the 15 lap Anchor Towing Basic International cars feature race his first of the season and he did it on a rain slick track. In the open wheel Rascal outlaws Dave Colletti of Lake in the Hills,Illinois won his first feature on his first night out in the Greg Carlson mount. The final feature before the rain cancelled the remainder of the show was won by Curt Gnatzig of Hartford in the Perfection Auto Body legends feature.

The late model feature was a side by side show between Shawn Conley and Mike Lange for the first six laps before a spin by fast time qualifier Sonny Schoffen,team driver for last weeks feature winner Jeff Goodwin, brought out the first of two cautions. On the restart Lange walked Conley but one lap later Mark Hartline took his place along side the leader. The final caution came on lap nine for another solo spin and this tightened up the field even more.

As the green reappeared Lange again scooted away from the field with Hartline now feeling the pressure of Brian Ulrich. Not giving an inch Ulrich had to work for his goal of challenging the leader before time ran out. There was three laps to go and it looked like Lange would score his first win, as they entered turn one Lange gave Ulrich just enough room to stick his nose in,that was all she wrote and with two laps to go Ulrich was a few inches ahead for the eventual win. Lange was second with Hartline, Josh Shaw, Paul Dygon and a recovering Schoffen sixth. In victory lane Ulrich said,“it’s a lot more fun in these cars, the lower cost makes it that way and with everyone with the same motor, your driving experience is what wins races and we have a full field of cars”.

This coming Friday night marks the return of the Herb’s mini modifieds and the Central States super mini cups, along with the other four divisions. Time trials begin   At 6pm. with racing at 7:30 sharp. Quality Builders will sponsor the show.