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Chris Marniello First Career Win at LGR!
Lange Wins Second MLM In a Row!

By Dale R. Erdmann

August 15, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. -  It was a hot and humid Friday night at Lake Geneva Raceway as 2002 co rookie of the year Chris Marinello of Bristol won his first feature race in the Herb’s mini modifieds,leading wire to wire for his victory. Michael Bilderback of South Beloit,IL. took another clean sweep of the new this season Bandolero cars, by taking fast time, winning the heat and the 8 lap feature.

Rob Hunt of Crsytal Lake,IL.won the unusual Anchor Towing Basic Interntational car 15 lap feature as the 20 car field had their own choice to run the old quarter mile track or the banked third mile. Vincent Merry of Wadsworth,IL. the defending champion of the Midwest sport trucks won another 15 lap feature.

Photo Highlights

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The three Bandolero cars ran a feature race Friday at LGR with Michael Bilderback (l) winning; Michael Cooter (c) placing second and Brian Heberlin
(r) taking third.
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Mike Lange (#7) nips Shane Conley (#03) at the line to win the Millennium late model main event Friday night at Lake Geneva Raceway.
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Valerie Epright (#20) raced to victory in the BIC semi-feature race Friday at the
Raceway.
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Rookie Jesse Johnson visited victory lane for the first time collecting the first heat race for the mini-modifieds.

Lyle Kuklinski of New Berlin won his second Perfection Auto Body legends car 15 lap feature of the season and Mike Lange of Milwaukee won his second S&P motorsports millennium late model 20 lap feature in a row in a photo finish run.

The BIC cars were given a choice and they did use both tracks as Roger Schultz jumped in front of the field leading the first three laps,before Chris Koleno took over.

It was quite exciting as drivers came off turn three from either track dicing for positions. The solo caution came with three laps to go when the muffler came off fast timer Brit Browman’s mount, landing in the center of the track. This gave Rob Hunt as he needed over taking Koleno before the next lap was completed, before going on to the win. Dan Clements was second, with Scott Norton, Rod Brossart, Koleno and Mike Gesselle completing the top six.

It took Mike Bilderback just one lap to charge in front of the Bandolero feature and go on to win the feature. Michael Cooter shadowed the winner, never letting up until the checkered for second. Brian Heberlin was third.

The millennium late model feature was just like a parade lap for the first twelve laps with Earl Counter out front of the pack. Michael Kruschke dropped out for some unknown reason on lap thirteen as Mike Lang closed in on the leader. Two laps later Lang inched ahead of Counter. The race was all but over as Shawn Conley moved into second two laps later. It was a great race as these to dueled for the lead. Coming off turn four Conley came ahead, but at the line it was Lang but only inches for the win that had the crowd on their feet at the checkered. Sonny Schoffen was waiting for a mistake, it never came as he finished along side the winner but in third. Paul Dygon, Brian Ulrich and Counter rounded out the top six.

Chris Helgerson led the first three laps of the legend feature before Robb Duffek moved in front.Joe Scala crept inside the leader for the next seven laps before taking over the top spot on lap ten.It was then a five way battle with Scala, quick qualifier Curt Gnatzig, Lyle Kuklinski and Duffek. Five laps later Kuklinski was the leader and eventual winner as Scala settled for second, with Duffek, Garrett Will, Herman Greinig and Larry Will next.

Chris Marinello shot out front of the mini modified feature but after one lap was completed, the caution came out with everyone maintaining their position. Somehow rookie Curt Thomazin stopped in turn three as Mike VanHouten the fast qualifier had no where to go and smashed into the dead mount. Van Houten’s night was over.

Finally underway for the next fourteen laps going non stop Marinello won the race even with the lapped cars getting in his way. Ken Johnson the point leader was second, with Thomazin third, Phil Schultz fourth, Bill Trusky fifth and Andy Krueger sixth.

This coming Friday night marks the third to the last of the weekly shows. The open wheel Formula indy cars and the Rascal Outlaws will be here along with The Great Lakes Allison legacy cars,the millennium late models, legends, Bic cars and Bandolero cars. Time trials begin at 6pm. racing at 7:30 sharp.

MLM Feature            
1    7    Mike Lange    Milwaukee, WI
2    3    Shawn Conley    Huntley, IL
3    23    Sonny Schoffen    Crystal Lake,IL.
4    95    Paul Dygon    Racine, WI
5    23U    Brian Ulrich (t)    Racine, WI
6    32    Earl Counter    Geneva, IL
7    30    Mark Hartline    Gilberts, IL
8    23m    Jeff MacKoniak    Oak Lawn, IL
9    7t    Bob Torkelson    Fontana, WI
10    63    Jacob Humphrey    Lake Geneva, WI
11    2    Monty Coffman    Barrington, IL
12    0    Carrie Dygon    Racine, WI
13    19    Michael Kruschke (t)    Muskego, WI
           
MLM Heat #1           
1    23m    Jeff MacKoniak    Oak Lawn, IL
2    95    Paul Dygon    Racine, WI
3    23U    Brian Ulrich (t)    Racine, WI
4    2    Monty Coffman    Barrington, IL
5    7t    Bob Torkelson    Fontana, WI
6    7    Mike Lange    Milwaukee, WI
7    32    Earl Counter    Geneva, IL
8    19    Michael Kruschke (t)    Muskego, WI
9    0    Carrie Dygon    Racine, WI
           
MLM Time Trials           
1    23    Sonny Schoffen    Crystal Lake,IL.
2    63    Jacob Humphrey    Lake Geneva, WI
3    30    Mark Hartline    Gilberts, IL
4    3    Shawn Conley    Huntley, IL
5    23U    Brian Ulrich (t)    Racine, WI
6    7    Mike Lange    Milwaukee, WI
7    95    Paul Dygon    Racine, WI
8    2    Monty Coffman    Barrington, IL
9    7t    Bob Torkelson    Fontana, WI
10    32    Earl Counter    Geneva, IL
11    23m    Jeff MacKoniak    Oak Lawn, IL
12    0    Carrie Dygon    Racine, WI
13    19    Michael Kruschke (t)    Muskego, WI
           
MLM Dash           
1    30    Mark Hartline    Gilberts, IL
2    3    Shawn Conley    Huntley, IL
3    23    Jeff Goodwin(t)    Kenosha, WI
4    63    Jacob Humphrey    Lake Geneva, WI

egends Feature            
1    45    Lyle Kuklinski    New Berlin, WI
2    28    Joe Scala    Fox River Grove, IL
3    66    Robb Duffek    Orland Park, IL
4    79    Garrett Will    Batavia, IL
5    78    Hermann Greinig    Addison, IL
6    59    Larry Will    Batavia, IL
7    6    Curt Gnatzig    Hartford, WI
8    21L    Nick Shutkas    Caledonia, IL
9    8    Clayton Kruse    Burlington, WI
10    77H    Chris Helgerson    Burlington, WI
11    0    Eddie Mecum Jr    Legend,
12    2    Dave Cooter Sr.    Loves Park, IL
           
Legends Heat #1           
1    28    Joe Scala    Fox River Grove, IL
2    59    Larry Will    Batavia, IL
3    79    Garrett Will    Batavia, IL
4    0    Eddie Mecum Jr    Legend,
5    78    Hermann Greinig    Addison, IL
6    77H    Chris Helgerson    Burlington, WI
7    2    Dave Cooter Sr.    Loves Park, IL
8    66    Robb Duffek    Orland Park, IL
           
Legends Time Trials           
1    6    Curt Gnatzig    Hartford, WI
2    21L    Nick Shutkas    Caledonia, IL
3    8    Clayton Kruse    Burlington, WI
4    45    Lyle Kuklinski    New Berlin, WI
5    59    Larry Will    Batavia, IL
6    79    Garrett Will    Batavia, IL
7    78    Hermann Greinig    Addison, IL
8    28    Joe Scala    Fox River Grove, IL
9    77H    Chris Helgerson    Burlington, WI
10    66    Robb Duffek    Orland Park, IL
11    0    Eddie Mecum Jr    Legend,
12    2    Dave Cooter Sr.    Loves Park, IL
           
Legends Dash           
1    45    Lyle Kuklinski    New Berlin, WI
2    6    Curt Gnatzig    Hartford, WI
3    21L    Nick Shutkas    Caledonia, IL
4    8    Clayton Kruse    Burlington, WI
           
Mini Modified Feature           
1    25    Chris Marinello    Bristol, WI
2    2    Ken Johnson    Paddock Lake, WI
3    40    Curt Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI
4    74    Phil Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
5    72    Bill Trusky    Silverlake, WI
6    72z    Andy Anybody    Lake Geneva, WI
7    4m    Tim Hansen    Elkhorn, WI
8    13    Jesse Johnson    Lake Geneva, WI
9    71    Hermie Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
10    21    Chris Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI
11    50    John DeMay    Lake Villa, IL
12    24    Mike Vanhouten    Cary, IL
           
Mini Modified Heat #1           
1    13    Jesse Johnson    Lake Geneva, WI
2    72    Bill Trusky    Silverlake, WI
3    71    Hermie Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
4    4m    Tim Hansen    Elkhorn, WI
5    50    John DeMay    Lake Villa, IL
6    21    Chris Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI
7    25    Chris Marinello    Bristol, WI
8    72z    Andy Anybody    Lake Geneva, WI
           
Mini Modified Time Trials            
1    24    Mike VanHouten    Cary, IL
2    2    Ken Johnson    Paddock Lake, WI
3    40    Curt Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI
4    74    Phil Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
5    25    Chris Marinello    Bristol, WI
6    13    Jesse Johnson    Lake Geneva, WI
7    71    Hermie Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
8    4m    Tim Hansen    Elkhorn, WI
9    72z    Andy Krueger    Antioch,IL.
10    72    Bill Trusky    Silverlake, WI
11    50    John DeMay    Lake Villa, IL
12    21    Chris Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI
           
Mini Modified Dash           
1    2    Ken Johnson    Paddock Lake, WI
2    24    Mike VanHouten    Cary, IL
3    74    Phil Schultz    Silver Lake, WI
4    40    Curt Thomazin    Elkhorn, WI

Bic Feature            
1    75    Rob Hunt    Mchenry, IL
2    39c    Dan Clemenz    Waukegan, IL
3    X    Scott Norton    Wonder Lake, Il
4    24    Rod Brossart    Fox Lake, Il
5    17    Chris Koleno    McHenry, IL
6    11g    Mike Gesselle    Marengo, IL
7    73    Josh Brisbois    Salem, WI
8    28B    Matt Bushnell    Fox River Grove, IL
9    10S    Roger Schultz    Machesney Park, IL
10    20e    Valerie Epright    Lake Geneva, WI
11    26b    Brit Browman    Grayslake, IL
12    51    Rob Schiebel    Ingleside, IL
13    7w    Ryan Walsh    Woodstock, IL
14    44D    Dale Krause    Lake Geneva, WI
15    16B    Matt Booker    Wonder Lake, IL
16    0    Joey Bentfield    Waukesha, WI
17    23    Randy Schneider    Burlington, WI
18    420    Don Bridgeman    Twin Lakes, WI
19    97    Reid Kahrs Jr    West Allis, WI
20    31p    Jayme Payne    Northlake, IL
           
Bic Semi Feature           
1    20e    Valerie Epright    Lake Geneva, WI
2    7w    Ryan Walsh    Woodstock, IL
3    44D    Dale Krause    Lake Geneva, WI
4    31p    Jayme Payne    Northlake, IL
5    34P    Andy Portzen    Burlington, WI
6    31R    Steve Rudolph    Delavan, WI
7    15b    Jeff Larson    Lake Geneva, IL
8    81    Nick Weber    Lake Moor, IL
9    57    Ryan Andrews    Woodstock, IL
10    96    Josh Matz    Burlington, WI
11    82G    Bob Groh    McHenry, IL
12    220    Jason Conrad    Burlington, WI
           
Bic Heat #1           
1    20e    Valerie Epright    Lake Geneva, WI
2    44D    Dale Krause    Lake Geneva, WI
3    15b    Jeff Larson    Lake Geneva, IL
4    81    Nick Weber    Lake Moor, IL
5    57    Ryan Andrews    Woodstock, IL
6    96    Josh Matz    Burlington, WI
7    82G    Bob Groh    McHenry, IL
           
Bic Heat #2           
1    7w    Ryan Walsh    Woodstock, IL
2    31p    Jayme Payne    Northlake, IL
3    23    Randy Schneider    Burlington, WI
4    34P    Andy Portzen    Burlington, WI
5    0    Joey Bentfield    Waukesha, WI
6    31R    Steve Rudolph    Delavan, WI
7    16B    Matt Booker    Wonder Lake, IL
8    220    Jason Conrad    Burlington, WI
           
Bic Heat #3           
1    17    Chris Koleno    McHenry, IL
2    10S    Roger Schultz    Machesney Park, IL
3    11g    Mike Gesselle    Marengo, IL
4    24    Rod Brossart    Fox Lake, Il
5    420    Don Bridgeman    Twin Lakes, WI
6    97    Reid Kahrs Jr    West Allis, WI
7    73    Josh Brisbois    Salem, WI
8    80    Randy Lewis    Antioch, IL
           
Bic Time Trials           
1    26b    Brit Browman    Grayslake, IL
2    75    Rob Hunt    Mchenry, IL
3    39c    Dan Clemenz    Waukegan, IL
4    28B    Matt Bushnell    Fox River Grove, IL
5    X    Scott Norton    Wonder Lake, Il
6    51    Rob Schiebel    Ingleside, IL
7    11g    Mike Gesselle    Marengo, IL
8    73    Josh Brisbois    Salem, WI
9    24    Rod Brossart    Fox Lake, Il
10    420    Don Bridgeman    Twin Lakes, WI
11    10S    Roger Schultz    Machesney Park, IL
12    97    Reid Kahrs Jr    West Allis, WI
13    17    Chris Koleno    McHenry, IL
14    23    Randy Schneider    Burlington, WI
15    0    Joey Bentfield    Waukesha, WI
16    16B    Matt Booker    Wonder Lake, IL
17    31R    Steve Rudolph    Delavan, WI
18    7w    Ryan Walsh    Woodstock, IL
19    220    Jason Conrad    Burlington, WI
20    31p    Jayme Payne    Northlake, IL
21    34P    Andy Portzen    Burlington, WI
22    44D    Dale Krause    Lake Geneva, WI
23    96    Josh Matz    Burlington, WI
24    20e    Valerie Epright    Lake Geneva, WI
25    15b    Jeff Larson    Lake Geneva, IL
26    81    Nick Weber    Lake Moor, IL
27    57    Ryan Andrews    Woodstock, IL
28    82G    Bob Groh    McHenry, IL
29    13b    Marty Butler    Lake Villa, IL
31    80    Randy Lewis    Antioch, IL
           
Bic Dash           
1    75    Rob Hunt    Mchenry, IL
2    28B    Matt Bushnell    Fox River Grove, IL
3    39c    Dan Clemenz    Waukegan, IL
4    26b    Brit Browman    Grayslake, IL
5    X    Scott Norton    Wonder Lake, Il
6    51    Rob Schiebel    Ingleside, IL

Bandolero Cars     
Feature Race 8 laps           
1    2    Michael Bilerback    ,South Beloit,IL.
2    0    Michael Cooter    Loves Park,IL.
3    26    Brian Heberlin    Rockford,IL.

Heat Race 5 laps           
1    2    Michael Bilderback    South Beloit,IL.
2    0    Michael Cooter    Loves Park,IL.
3    26    Brian Heberlin    Rockford,IL.

Time Trials           
1    2    Michael Bilderback    South Beloit,IL.
2    0    Michael Cooter    Loves Park,IL.
3    26    Brian Heberlin    Rockford,IL.