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Laursen, Christopersen and Kreuger Score First
Career Wins at LGR!
By Dale
R. Erdmann and Natasha Steenbergen |
Points leader Erik Lokemoen who is another traveling racer from
Merrill
just missed a clean sweep in the Perfection Auto Body INEX legends cars. Erik has
dedicated this season to his late Mother Kathy who died one year ago June 10th. Josh
Wallace of Pell Lake won his third in a row 25 lap S&P motorsports millennium late
model features, Andy Krueger a hometown driver from Lake Geneva won his first career
feature 12 lap race in the new weapons division and Tom Ross of Wadsworth, IL. won the
wild Midwest sport truck feature for 15 laps after taking fast time.
Rookie driver Vince Heywood moved into the lead of the bandolero feature as the green flag
came out, holding the front spot until lap four when Collin Laursen inched ahead.Quickly
points leader Michael Cooter slipped into second then racing along side the new leader one
lap later. The next go round Laursen went too hard into four nearly collecting his mount
on the wall as Cooter went in front and Kyle Palma was now along side Laursen.
The scuffle for the top third spots continued until Heywood running fourth
spun in turn four and the only Yellow Book USA caution period ensued. This tightened the
field up with the green back out, Laursen raced Cooter to turn one and won the drag race,
taking over the lead, then going on to win the race five laps later just inches ahead of
Cooter.Palma was a close third, with Branden Allen and Kyle Justis completing the top
five.
Carrie and Paul Dygon were the pole sitters of the millennium late model feature racing
side by side for the first two laps,when Paul took over the point, Ken Johnson moved into
second with Carrie third and newly wed Jeff Steenbergen next. The race came to halt on lap
four with a Keith Tolf spin. On the restart Paul Dygon stayed in front with Johnson and
Carrie fighting for third.Steenbergen somehow moved around Carrie then Johnson three laps
later setting his sights on the leader.On lap thirteen Johnson managed to grab second back
with Josh Wallace fourth.
Within two more laps fast timer Sonny Schoffen joined the top four as
Steenbergen faded to fifth.Things were very tight at the top as the top six were under a
blanket for their positions.On lap twenty Wallace caught the leader and one lap later the
lead changed.Schoffen moved past Dygon on lap twenty one,but time ran out for any serious
challenge, as Wallace won another one, Schoffen was second with Dygon third, Johnson
fourth and Steenbergen fifth in this close contest.
The legends feature saw 12 year old Ross Kenseth a second generation driver pace the race
briefly before Kyle LaPier moved in front for one lap.Curt Gnatzig crept ahead on lap two,
before Michael Bilderback caught him and moved in front on lap three.Things were close at
the top as Erik Lokemoen was shadowing the leader, right behind them LaPier and Gnatzig
were glued together in third.
Kenseth dropped out one lap later, as another rookie Dick Kaiser spun off
of turn one bringing the race to a stop. The restart was unbelievable as Bilderback,
Lokemoen and now Gnatzig out on a show for the lead. Lokemoen won the battle, with Gnatzig
and Bilderback in a dead heat behind the new leader. Suddenly Gniatzig slowed bringing out
the caution flag, as the field missed his car, retiring to the pits for the remainder of
the race, with what looked like a left rear flat tire. With the green shown again,
Lokemoen had Bilderback, LaPier and Ernie Schaal all over him. Tom Palma joined the fray
with four laps to go.
The final two laps were a crowd pleaser, as Lokemoen and Bilderback raced
along side each other, coming for the checkered Lokemoen won the event, with Bilderback at
his door for second, Schaal was third, with Palma nipping LaPier in another good race. In
a trackside interview, when asked about that finish with Bilderback. ”What a good
driver he is (Bilderback), even thou he’s a kid”, stated Lokemoen. ”This is
a great division with a good blend of youngsters and veterans” was added by the
points leader.
The rascal outlaw feature saw Kip Novotny dart in front with Keith Christophersen Lee
Halverson, Steve Kreft and Marc Adams in a cluster for the front spot. Novotny headed to
the in field on lap five with problems,as Christophersen gained the lead and never looked
back for the win in the non stop event. John LeSage came within four lengths of the
leader, but settled for second, Chris Bedore who won last weeks feature was third.
Next Friday night racing continues as the mini modified return to the schedule which means
seven divisions will race. Time trials begin at 6pm. racing at 7:30.
INEX Bandoleros
A-Main 01 -- 1. Collin Laursen, Nelson, Wis; 2. Michael Cooter (y);; 3. Kyle Palma,
Delavan, Wis; 4. Branden Allen (y), Yorkville, Ill.; 5. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 6.
Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 7. Hope Bidlack,Genoa City,Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Michael Cooter (y);; 2. Collin
Laursen, Nelson, Wis; 3. Branden Allen (y), Yorkville, Ill.; 4. Vince Heywood, Antioch,
Ill.; 5. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 6. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 7. Hope Bidlack,
Genoa City, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Branden Allen (y), Yorkville,
Ill.; 2. Collin Laursen, Nelson, Wis; 3. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 4. Hope Bidlack,
Genoa City, Wis; 5. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 6. Michael Cooter (y);.
Basic Int'l Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Steve Doherty, Woodstock, Ill.; 2. Bob Koch, McHenry, Ill.; 3. Lenny
Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 4. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 5. Andy Portzen, Burlington,
Wis; 6. Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 7.Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 8. Jason
Conrad, Burlington, Wis; 9. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 10. Matt Booker, Wonder
Lake, Ill.; 11. Tom Homan, Antioch, Ill.; 12. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 13.
RyanAndrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 14. Dylan Helfenstein, Racine, Wis; 15. Wes Schultz,
Wonderlake, Ill.; 16. Ken Causey, Elkhorn, Wis; 17. John Greene, Lakemoor, Ill.; 18. Kevin
Hill, McHenry, Ill.; 19. Jack Rabey, Lake
B-Main 01 -- 1. Dylan Helfenstein, Racine, Wis;
2. Kevin Hill, McHenry, Ill.; 3. Nick Donifer, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Fiona Lepperd, Eagle, Wis;
5. Jennette Ellifritz, Genoa City, Wis; 6. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 7. John Toft,
Elkhorn, Wis; 8. David Emery Jr., Lake Geneva, Wis.
B-Main 02 -- 1. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 2.
Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 3. Morgan Breeding, Woodstock, Ill.; 4. Kevin Lynn, Genoa
city, Wis; 5. David Rex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 6. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 7. Sam
Schaal, Genoa City, Wis; 8. Aaron Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 9. Frank Murray Sr,
Heat 01 -- 1. Dylan Helfenstein, Racine, Wis; 2.
Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 3. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 4. Kevin Hill, McHenry,
Ill.; 5. Nick Donifer, Elkhorn, Wis; 6. Fiona Lepperd, Eagle, Wis; 7. Jennette Ellifritz,
Genoa City, Wis; 8. Bill Urban, Twin Lakes, Wis; 9. Mark Dungan, Mundelein, Ill.; 10. John
Toft,
Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 2.
Frank Murray Sr, Richmond, Ill.; 3. Aaron Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 4. Ken Causey,
Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Morgan Breeding, Woodstock, Ill.; 6. Sam Schaal, Genoa City, Wis; 7.David
Rex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 8. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 9. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill.;
10. DavidEmery Jr., Lake Geneva, Wis.
Heat 03 -- 1. Andy Portzen, Burlington, Wis; 2.
Tom Homan, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 4. Roger Schultz, Machesney
Park, Ill.; 5. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 6. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.;
7.Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 8. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 9. Jason Conrad,
Burlington, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Steve Doherty, Woodstock, Ill.;
2. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. John Greene, Lakemoor, Ill.; 4. Bob Koch, McHenry,
Ill.; 5. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 6. Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 7. Matt Booker,
Wonder Lake, Ill.; 8. Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 9. Jason Conrad, Burlington,
Wis; 10. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 11. Andy Portzen, Burlington, Wis; 12. Tom Homan,
Antioch, Ill.; 13. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 15.
Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 16. Frank Murray Sr, Richmond, Ill.; 17. Ken Causey,
Elkhorn, Wis; 18. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 19. DavidRex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 20. Aaron
Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 21. Sam Schaal, Genoa City, Wis; 22. Morgan Breeding,
Woodstock, Ill.; 23. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 24. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 25.
Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 26. Mark Dungan, Mundelein, Ill.; 27. Dylan Helfenstein,
Racine, Wis; 28. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 29. Kevin Hill, McHenry, Ill.; 30. John
Toft, Elkhorn, Wis; 31. Bill Urban, Twin
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Steve Doherty, Woodstock,
Ill.; 2. Bob Koch, McHenry, Ill.; 3. Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 4. Lenny Adams, Crystal
Lake, Ill.; 5. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 6. John Greene, Lakemoor, Ill..
INEX Legends
A-Main 01 -- 1. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 2. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.;
3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 5. Kyle La Pier (y),
Belvidere, Ill.; 6. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 7. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 8.
Chris Helgerson, Burlington, Wis; 9. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 10. Dick Kaiser,
Milwaukee, Wis; 11. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 12. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington,
Heat 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit,
Ill.; 2. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 3. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 4. Chris
Helgerson, Burlington, Wis; 5. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 6. Vince Heywood,
Antioch, Ill.; 7. Dick Kaiser, Milwaukee, Wis; 8. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington, Ill..
Time Trial -- 1. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 2.
Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis;
5. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 6. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 7. Kyle
La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 8. Chris Helgerson, Burlington, Wis; 9. Vince Heywood,
Antioch, Ill.; 10. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington, Ill.; 11. Dick Kaiser, Milwaukee, Wis;
12. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill..
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 2.
Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 3. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 4. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda,
Ill..
Limited
(Millenium) Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Josh Wallace, Pell Lake, Wis; 2. Sonny Schoffen (t), Crystal Lake, Ill.;
3. Paul Dygon, Wind Lake, Wis; 4. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill.; 5. Jeff Steenbergen,
Waupun, Wis; 6. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 7. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 8.
Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 9. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 10. Carrie Dygon, Racine,
Wis; 11. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 12. Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 2.
Paul Dygon, Wind Lake, Wis; 3. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge,Ill.; 4. Ralph Gentile, Racine,
Wis; 5. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 6. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis;7. Carrie
Dygon, Racine, Wis; 8. Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Sonny Schoffen (t), Crystal
Lake, Ill.; 2. Josh Wallace, Pell Lake, Wis; 3. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 4. Jeff
Steenbergen, Waupun, Wis; 5. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 6. Keith Tolf, Union Grove,
Wis; 7. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill.; 8. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 9. Paul Dygon,
Wind Lake, Wis; 10. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 11. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 12.
Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis.
Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Jeff Steenbergen, Waupun,
Wis; 2. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 3. Josh Wallace, Pell
Lake, Wis; 4. Sonny Schoffen (t), Crystal Lake, Ill..
Weapons
A-Main 01 -- 1. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Mark Tomasi, West Allis, Wis; 3. Jeff
Schultz, Salem, Wis; 4. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 5. Anthony Vito;.
Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Tomasi, West Allis, Wis; 2.
Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Anthony Vito;; 4. Jeff Schultz, Salem, Wis; 5. Reid
Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis;
2. Jeff Schultz, Salem, Wis; 3. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis,
Wis; 4. Mark Tomasi, West Allis, Wis; 5. Anthony Vito;. |
