Darnell and Bauer Take LGR Wins!   Schoffen Sweeps Super Stocks! By Dale Erdmann

May 3, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. -  The first special of the season gave race fans what they came for as third generation driver Erik Darnell of Beach Park,Illinois won the first round of the 5-Star Race Car Bodies No Bull series 50 lap feature race for the super late models. race.The events nightly sponsor was Barry’s Bar No Grill of Genoa City. Josh Bauer of Random Lake won his first feature here in the second Midwest sportsman series event. Sonny Schoffen of Crystal Lake,IL. the 2002 rookie of the year has taken fast time the first three times out this season but tonight he also won the 6 lap Chuck’s Storage dash and then won the 25 lap feature for the McHenry Limousine super stock cars giving the second year driver a clean sweep.

Photo Highlights

Erik Darnell (#7) dives under Fran Prestay (#05) on his way to late model feature win honors Saturday night at Lake Geneva Raceway. Josh Bauer (#71) outran Nick Schumacher (outside) Saturday night in the sportsman main event at Lake Geneva. Sonny Schoffen (#75) won the super stock headliner at LGR Saturday and was joined in victory lane by Junior Fan Club member Trace Bradford.

Before the super late model feature could even start pole sitters Shane Bishop and Bob Koidahl bounced off each other causing a delay.The green appeared as Koidahl flew in front with Jerry Freeman,Bishop and Fran Prestay in tight formation.A lap four caution for a Matt Mylon,Landry Potter,Dan Mecum and Jamie Artelt get together brought the intense pace to a halt.On the restart Prestay got around Freeman with Koidahl still in front.By lap eight Jeff Storm had moved into third with everyone still close.

Bishop and Billy Skinner Jr. tangled on lap twelve as the caution came out again. One lap later debris on the track stopped the race another time.With the green out Storm was now behind Koidahl but Prestay wasn’t content with third moving along side Storm from time to time as it was tight at the top. Lap eighteen Koidahl and Storm spun after contact as the former leader spun wildly on the infield. After a quick caution Prestay became the leader as the involved cars went to the rear.  This set up another close pace as Saturday night point leader here Jamie Wallace slipped behind the new leader. On lap twenty Erik Darnell who was taking his time grabbed second from Wallace.

It took the Darnell ten laps to get around the multi time champion as this young driver moved in front.One lap later Mecum and Jason Hicks tangled bringing out the final caution. As the green appeared Wallace got around Prestay as Darnell moved away from the field.

Prestay would soon feel the pressure of Freeman as he slipped under him on lap thirtyone with Matt Kocourek joining the fray one lap later. Two laps later Freeman lost third to Prestay as now fast time qualifier Donovan Morgan another second generation driver moved into the picture.Then Jeff Way became a factor as the final ten laps would be wicked.

Second through tenth were too close to call as Darnell finished a comfortable distance in front for his first win of the season.Wallace nipped Prestay for second with Freeman just ahead of defending raceway champion Kocourek and at his side Morgan was sixth.

The super stock feature was just two laps old when Mike Gunderson got caught up in one of those brake check incidents ending his night early and this produced the first caution of the race. Two laps later Tony Burrafato had problems ending up side ways after being pushing through the corner grazing the right side of last weeks feature winner Adam Regnier mount. The caution came out and Regnier was regaled to the rear with Burrafato retiring to the pits. After each green Norm Paulsen would move out front with Brad Norgard, Scott Eggebrecht, Byron Oaks and Paul Konieczny all over the leader.

Rob Summers joined battle on lap eight with Eggebrecht moving into second one lap later. Sonny Schoffen and Dan Huber were coming through the pack and by lap eleven Paulsen could feel Summers at his side. One lap later there was a new leader as the next four spots were in a see saw battle for a new position.Schoffen was trying to overhaul Paulsen and on lap fourteen he made his move.

The race for the lead was a side by side fight with Schoffen inching ahead of Summers with ten laps to go. The race for second was now on with Eggebrecht taking that spot with five laps to go. Schoffen won the contest with Eggebrecht, Summers,  Huber, Paulsen and Jack Rubach under a blanket for the next five spots.

This coming Saturday night will give race fans a sneak preview of the Friday night program that begins the following week. The S&P Motorsports Millennium late models and the Anchor Towing Basic International cars will join the Budweiser super late Models and the super stocks. Time trials begin at 5:45 pm. with the first race at 7pm sharp. The raceway phone number is 262-248-8566.

Bauer Claims MSCS Win In True LGR Style!
By Natasha Fabian

LAKE GENEVA, WI (May 3, 2003) - Frigid temperatures and icy winds did not stop fans from coming to Lake Geneva Raceway for the second event of the Midwest Sportsman Championship Series Saturday night.

Random Lake, Wisconsin's, Josh Bauer was able to take an early lead in the 50-lap main event, and drive to the line for the win. Of the 30 cars timed in, 20 advanced to the feature. Five and Drive sponsored duo Bob Hacker and Steve Hoff paced the field. Erik Pierce brought out the first caution on lap three for a spin in the second turn. Hacker remained at the point until "Hollywood" Nick Schumacher of Germantown, Wisconsin, slipped by for the lead.

By lap 15, Bauer was making a tough contest for the top position and was able to gain the spot. West Allis, Wisconsin's, Bill Prietzel and Schumacher were close behind in the battle for second, while James Swan kept the #97 machine secured in forth. Hoff and Pierce went around in turn four on lap 35 "breaking off a dandy battle up front" according to announcer Dave Kamholtz. Bauer, Prietzel, Schumacher and Swan engaged in edge-of-the-seat racing action for the duration of the race, not leaving anything certain until the checkered flag was displayed.

At the line, it was Bauer, followed by Schumacher, Prietzel, MSCS winner at Rockford Speedway Jeremy Miller of Rockton, Illinois, and Gary Lamonte rounding out the top five.

Previously in the evening, the Sportsman cars were split into three heat races. Gary Norton, Shawn Utphall, and Bob Hacker picked up 25 points each for their victories.

Those still looking for a spot in the feature competed in a single 15-lap semi-feature in which Dave Gentile Jr. and Shawn Utphall advanced.

The Midwest Sportsman Championship Series will next be racing Sunday, May 11, 2003 at Slinger Super Speedway.

Sportsmen
A-Main 01 -- 1. Josh Bauer, Random Lake, Wis; 2. Nick Schumacher, Germantown, Wis; 3. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 4. Jeremy Miller, Rockton, Ill.; 5. Gary Lamonte, West Allis, Wis; 6. John Senerchia, Oak Forest, Ill.; 7. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 8. Brandon Norris, Ottawa, Ill.; 9. Jim Thorson, Sugar Grove, Ill.; 10. Dennis Norton Jr, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 11. Kenny Joosten, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 12. Jeremy Bloomberg, Hampshire, Ill.; 13. Dave Gentile Jr, Elwood, Ill.; 14. Shawn Utphall, Racine, Wis; 15. Bob Hacker, Loves Park, Ill.; 16. Bobby Guttneckt, Franklin, Wis; 17. John Fischer, Burlington, Wis; 18. Steven Hoff (t), Janesville, Wis; 19. Patrick McIntee, West Bend, Wis; 20. Erik Pierce, Lake In The Hills, Ill..
B-Main 01 -- 1. Dave Gentile Jr, Elwood, Ill.; 2. Shawn Utphall, Racine, Wis; 3. Dave Thomas, Franklin, Wis; 4. Mark Rhode, East Troy, Wis; 5. Lee Gibbs, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Chris Klein, East Troy, Wis; 7. Michael Anderson, Sheboygan, Wis; 8. Gary Norton, Hebron, Ill.; 9. Tyson Leonard, East Troy, Wis; 10. Todd Stoner, Pleasant Prairie, Wis; 11. Rick Rowlett,
Heat 01 -- 1. Gary Norton, Hebron, Ill.; 2. Mark Rhode, East Troy, Wis; 3. Dave Gentile Jr, Elwood, Ill.; 4. Todd Stoner, Pleasant Prairie, Wis; 5. Lee Gibbs, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Dave Thomas, Franklin, Wis; 7. Rick Rowlett, Marengo, Ill.; 8. Dan Churck, Burlington, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Shawn Utphall, Racine, Wis; 2. Michael Anderson, Sheboygan, Wis; 3. Jeremy Bloomberg, Hampshire, Ill.; 4. Erik Pierce, Lake In The Hills, Ill.; 5. Kenny Joosten, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 6. Patrick McIntee, West Bend, Wis; 7. Tyson Leonard, East Troy, Wis; 8. John Fischer, Burlington, Wis; 9. Chris Klein, East Troy, Wis.
Heat 03 -- 1. Bob Hacker, Loves Park, Ill.; 2. Nick Schumacher, Germantown, Wis; 3. Josh Bauer, Randon Lake, Wis; 4. Jim Thorson, Sugar Grove, Ill.; 5. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 6. Steven Hoff (t), Janesville, Wis; 7. Bobby Guttneckt, Franklin, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. John Senerchia, Oak Forest, Ill.; 2. Brandon Norris, Ottawa, Ill.; 3. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Jeremy Miller, Rockton, Ill.; 5. Gary Lamonte, West Allis, Wis; 6. Dennis Norton Jr, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 7. Nick Schumacher, Germantown, Wis; 8. Bill Prietzel, West Allis, Wis; 9. Josh Bauer, Randon Lake, Wis; 10. Steven Hoff (t), Janesville, Wis; 11. Bob Hacker, Loves Park, Ill.; 12. Bobby Guttneckt, Franklin, Wis; 13. Jim Thorson, Sugar Grove, Ill.;
14. Kenny Joosten, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 15. Jeremy Bloomberg, Hampshire, Ill.; 16. Erik Pierce, Lake In The Hills, Ill.; 17. Patrick McIntee, West Bend, Wis; 18. John Fischer, Burlington, Wis; 19. Shawn Utphall, Racine, Wis; 20. Chris Klein, East Troy, Wis; 21. Michael Anderson, Sheboygan,Wis; 22. Dave Gentile Jr, Elwood, Ill.; 23. Dave Thomas, Franklin, Wis; 24. Lee Gibbs, Lake Geneva, Wis; 25. Todd Stoner, Pleasant Prairie, Wis; 26. Mark Rhode, East Troy, Wis; 27. Gary Norton, Hebron, Ill.; 28. Dan Churck, Burlington, Wis; 29. Rick Rowlett, Marengo, Ill.; 30. Tyson Leonard, East Troy, Wis.    
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Brandon Norris, Ottawa, Ill.; 2. John Senerchia, Oak Forest, Ill.; 3. Jeremy Miller, Rockton, Ill.; 4. James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Dennis Norton Jr, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 6. Gary Lamonte, West Allis, Wis.

Super Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Erik Darnell, Beach Park, Ill.; 2. Jamie Wallace, Pell Lake, Wis; 3. Fran Prestay, Waterford, Wis; 4. Jerry Freeman, Burlington, Wis; 5. Matt Kocourek, Racine, Wis; 6. Donovan Morgan, Oconomowoc, Wis; 7. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis; 8. Wayne Freimund, West Allis,Wis; 9. Billy Skinner Jr (t), Pell Lake, Wis; 10. Bob Koidahl (t), Cary, Ill.; 11. Jeff Storm, Waterford, Wis; 12. Joe Fischer, Burli, Ill.; 13. Dan Mecum, Marengo, Ill.; 14. Jamie Artelt, Waukegan, Ill.; 15. Shane Bishop, Lake Geneva, Wis; 16. Jeff Way, Burlington, Wis; 17. Matt Mylin, Rocton, Ill.; 18. Jerry Cowan, Burlington, Wis; 19. Jason Hicks, Delavan, Wis; 20. Landry Potter
B-Main 01 -- 1. Landry Potter, Racine, Wis; 2. Matt Mylin, Rocton, Ill.; 3. Rick Corso (t), McHenry, Ill.; 4. Ron Stoehr, Douasman, Wis; 5. Vincent Merry (t), Wadsworth, Ill.; 6. Mike Simon Sr, Grayslake, Ill.; 7. Jeff Menolascino, Walworth, Wis; 8. Russ Blakeley, Delavan, Wis; 9. Chuck Duncan, Milwaukee, Wis; 10. Jim Bennett, Round Lake Beach, Ill.; 11. Mark Hartline, Gilberts, Ill.; 12. Don Collins, Trevor, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Landry Potter, Racine, Wis; 2. Don Collins, Trevor, Wis; 3. Matt Mylin, Rocton, Ill.; 4. Chuck Duncan, Milwaukee, Wis; 5. Jeff Menolascino, Walworth, Wis; 6. Jim Bennett, Round Lake Beach, Ill.; 7. Russ Blakeley, Delavan, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Jeff Way, Burlington, Wis; 2. Mark Hartline, Gilberts, Ill.; 3. Jamie Artelt, Waukegan, Ill.; 4. Vincent Merry (t), Wadsworth, Ill.; 5. Dan Mecum, Marengo, Ill.; 6. Ron Stoehr, Douasman, Wis; 7. Jerry Cowan, Burlington, Wis; 8. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
Heat 03 -- 1. Joe Fischer, Burli, Ill.; 2. Jason Hicks, Delavan, Wis; 3. Fran Prestay, Waterford, Wis; 4. Shane Bishop, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Jeff Storm, Waterford, Wis; 6. Jerry Freeman, Burlington, Wis; 7. Rick Corso (t), McHenry, Ill.; 8. Bob Koidahl (t), Cary, Ill..
Time Trial -- 1. Donovan Morgan, Oconomowoc, Wis; 2. Wayne Freimund, West Allis, Wis; 3. Matt Kocourek, Racine, Wis; 4. Jamie Wallace, Pell Lake, Wis; 5. Erik Darnell, Beach Park, Ill.; 6. Billy Skinner Jr (t), Pell Lake, Wis; 7. Jeff Storm, Waterford, Wis; 8. Jerry Freeman, Burlington, Wis; 9. Fran Prestay, Waterford, Wis; 10. Bob Koidahl (t), Cary, Ill.; 11. Shane Bishop, Lake Geneva, Wis; 12. Jason Hicks, Delavan, Wis; 13. Joe Fischer, Burli, Ill.; 14. Jamie Artelt, Waukegan, Ill.; 15. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis; 16. Jerry Cowan, Burlington, Wis; 17. Dan Mecum, Marengo, Ill.; 18. Jeff Way, Burlington, Wis; 19. Vincent Merry (t), Wadsworth, Ill.; 20. Ron Stoehr, Douasman, Wis; 21. Mark Hartline, Gilberts, Ill.; 22. Don Collins, Trevor, Wis; 23. Russ Blakeley, Delavan, Wis; 24. Landry Potter, Racine, Wis; 25. Mike Simon Sr, Grayslake, Ill.;
26. Matt Mylin, Rocton, Ill.; 27. Chuck Duncan, Milwaukee, Wis; 28. Jeff Menolascino, Walworth,Wis; 29. Jim Bennett, Round Lake Beach, Ill..
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Wayne Freimund, West Allis, Wis; 2. Donovan Morgan, Oconomowoc,Wis; 3. Matt Kocourek, Racine, Wis; 4. Jamie Wallace, Pell Lake, Wis; 5. Billy Skinner Jr (t), Pell Lake, Wis; 6. Erik Darnell, Beach Park, Ill..

SUPER STOCKS
A-Main 01 -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Scott Eggebrecht, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Rob Summers, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Dan Huber, Antioch, Ill.; 5. Norman Paulsen (t), Beach Park, Ill.; 6. Jack Rubach, Burlington, Wis; 7. Brad Norgard, Pell Lake, Wis; 8. Paul Konieczny, Oconomowoc, Wis; 9. Mike Bell, Waukesha, Wis; 10. Tom Roney, Ridgefield, Ill.; 11. Craig Mertes, Antioch, Ill.; 12. Byron Oaks;; 13. Nick Nelson, Lombard, Ill.; 14. Ken Eisbrenner, Racine, Wis; 15. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 16. Chris McKay, Hanoverpark, Ill.; 17. Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis; 18. Tony Burrafato, McHenry, Ill.; 19. Adam Regnier, Twin Lakes, Wis; 20. Mike Gunderson (t), Union Grove, Wis.
B-Main 01 -- 1. Nick Nelson, Lombard, Ill.; 2. Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis; 3. Shane Sapp, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 4. Adam Mass, Woodstock, Ill.; 5. Paul Roscoe, Mundelein, Ill.; 6. Tom Fay(t), Arlington, Ill.; 7. Joe DeGubellis, Salem, Wis; 8. Willy Peterson (t), Woodstock, Ill.; 9. Darrick Perrier (t), Streamwood, Ill.; 10. Buddy Baumgartner, Lake Geneva, Wis; 11. Brennan Lewis, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 12. Jason Krage, Huntley, Ill..
Heat 01 -- 1. Nick Nelson, Lombard, Ill.; 2. Paul Roscoe, Mundelein, Ill.; 3. Willy Peterson (t), Woodstock, Ill.; 4. Shane Sapp, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 5. Buddy Baumgartner, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Brennan Lewis, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 7. Jason Krage, Huntley, Ill.; 8. Darrick Perrier (t), Streamwood, Ill.; 9. Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis.
Heat 02 -- 1. Adam Mass, Woodstock, Ill.; 2. Craig Mertes, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Adam Regnier, Twin Lakes, Wis; 4. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 5. Joe DeGubellis, Salem, Wis; 6. Ken Eisbrenner, Racine, Wis; 7. Aaron Willms, Burlington, Wis; 8. Chris McKay, Hanoverpark, Ill..
Heat 03 -- 1. Mike Bell, Waukesha, Wis; 2. Jack Rubach, Burlington, Wis; 3. Scott Eggebrecht, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 4. Norman Paulsen (t), Beach Park, Ill.; 5. Byron Oaks;; 6. Mike Gunderson (t), Union Grove, Wis; 7. Brad Norgard, Pell Lake, Wis; 8. Tom Fay(t), Arlington, Ill..
Time Trial -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Dan Huber, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Tom Roney, Ridgefield, Ill.; 4. Rob Summers, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Paul Konieczny, Oconomowoc, Wis; 6. Tony Burrafato, McHenry, Ill.; 7. Mike Gunderson (t), Union Grove, Wis; 8. Brad Norgard, Pell Lake, Wis; 9. Scott Eggebrecht, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 10. Norman Paulsen (t), Beach Park, Ill.; 11. Byron Oaks;; 12. Jack Rubach, Burlington, Wis; 13. Mike Bell, Waukesha, Wis; 14. Craig Mertes,Antioch, Ill.; 15. Ken Eisbrenner, Racine, Wis; 16. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 17. Adam Regnier, Twin Lakes, Wis; 18. Chris McKay, Hanoverpark, Ill.; 19. Joe DeGubellis, Salem, Wis; 20. Adam Mass, Woodstock, Ill.; 21. Aaron Willms, Burlington, Wis; 22. Nick Nelson, Lombard, Ill.; 23. Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis; 24. Shane Sapp, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 25. Paul Roscoe, Mundelein, Ill.; 26. Buddy Baumgartner, Lake Geneva, Wis; 27. Willy Peterson (t), Woodstock, Ill.; 28. JasonKrage, Huntley, Ill.; 29. Brennan Lewis, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 30. Tom Fay(t), Arlington, Ill.;
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Dan Huber, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Rob Summers, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Tom Roney, Ridgefield, Ill.; 5. Paul Konieczny, Oconomowoc, Wis; 6. Tony Burrafato, McHenry, Ill..