Bilderback Auto World Class Small Car Spring Opener Huge Success at LGR! By Dale R. Erdmann

May 6, 2005;  Lake Geneva, WI. -   It was a warm beautiful night at Lake Geneva Raceway for the first to be annual World class small car spring opener, despite rain and tornados all around us. The most exciting feature of the evening was the INEX legends event for 15 laps. Eric Lokemoen of Merrill made the long haul down to win the three deep across the line feature. The INEX bandolero cars were out in force with the third most per division here, as 15 year old Michael Cooter of Loves Park, Illinois won the feature race for 15 laps.

Photo Highlights

A clean sweep of the Rascal Outlaws division was scored by Chris Bedore. The Small Car/Sport Truck race was won by Jason Bragg in his Mustang. Three wide racing was the norm in BIC action. Pete Koenig #2B, Ashleigh Kitterman #25 and Richard Rendino stack up behind Matt Booker in heat race action. Eventual winner Michael Cooter drives away as #25 Collin Laursen spins during the Bandolero feature. Mini Mod feature winner Mike Van Houten in Victory Lane. Curt Gnatzig #6 tries to chase down eventual winner Eric Lokemoen #8 during the Legend car feature. Different car, same result. Last weeks feature winner Bob Koch did it again in the BIC feature.

The Double D towing Basic International cars had Bob Koch take his second clean sweep in six days. The McHenry,IL. driver took fast time, won the dash and finished just in front of a gaggle of cars in the 20 lap feature. Mike Van Houten of Cary,IL. won the first 15 lap Lusia’s pizzeria mini modifieds feature. Chris Bedore of Cary,IL. had a great night in the open wheel Rascal Outlaws. Bedore taking fast time and then running away with the feature race for 15 laps and the 4 cylinder trucks and cars class saw rookie driver Jason Bragg of Rockford,IL. take fast time and win the 10 lap feature in a car. The show was sponsored by Bilderback Auto Parts from South Beloit,IL.who we thank for their support.

Kyle LaPier moved in front of the field as the legends feature began and held onto the front spot until lap three when Eric Lokemoen inched ahead.Kyle Palma moved into second on lap four with LaPier not contend with third, moving back  into second one lap later. The only Yellow Book USA caution period came on lap seven when twelve year old Ross Kenseth in his first night out, spun in turn four.

This tightened up the field as Lokemoen’s lead was gone. On the restart LaPier held onto second until turn three,then fast qualifier and defending champion Curt Gnatzig crept by.

Then 2004 rookie of the year, thirteen year old Michael Bilderback followed, setting up a six lap dash that would have the large crowd on the edge of their seat until the conclusion.With the white flag shown, Lokemoen felt Gnatzig at his left side, racing into turn two, both cars got high, giving Bilderback room to get underneath the room two some. Coming into three it was a dead heat, off of four three cars came across the line side by side, with Lokemoen the winner, Gnatzig was second with Bilderback third. The crowd gave the drivers a standing ovation. LaPier was fourth right behind them, Ernie Schaal was fifth and Joe Scala sixth.

The mini modified feature wasn’t even one lap old when fast timer Glen Vernezze night ended quickly after getting squeezed into the wall, bending up his front end,creating a complete restart, minus Vernezze, who was not injuried in the melee. With the green back out, Chris Thomazin snuck in front for four laps before  Mike VanHouten grabbed the top spot and never looked back, winning the event over Thomazin, Curt Thomazin, Bill Trusky and Jerry Giuliano in the former championship car of Ken Johnson.

The bandolero feature brought Michael Cooter from the second row starting spot into the lead before the first lap could be completed. Collin Laursen didn’t let the leader out of his sight moving into second after starting midpack. Jimmy Uteg III was next and Kyle Palma along side him. On lap eight Uteg, Bobby Yonkee and quick quaifier Kyle Justis got together slowing down the race. On the restart it was a dead heat with Cooter and Laursen out front. Palma had Dwight Dunlap all over him.First nighter Vince Haywood in the championship car of Michael Bilderback’s dropped out with five laps to go.

Two laps later Dunlap dropped out, one more lap in, Laursen and Cooter got hooked together, causing Laursen to back into the wall backwards, breaking up the fiberglass body. Laursen wasn’t hurt,but his night was over. With the final green displayed Cooter stayed just ahead of Palma and Bobby Yonkee for a close finish. Uteg was fourth with Justis recovering for fifth and a rookie fourteen year old Hope Bidlack sixth. Earlier in the evening during the heat, Yonkee crashed head on into the wall and it looked like his night was over. But with lots of help, he made it back for the feature start.

The BIC feature was very close during the twenty lap event, as it took Bob Koch eight laps to move through the field of nine teen other cars. But unlike the last two features of the season Koch didn’t run away with the race, finishing just in front of Lenny Adams, Todd Miller ,Jason Conrad, Jack Rabey and Andy Portzen.

Chris Bedore started on the pole after taking fast time and finished far ahead of second place Keith Christopherson, Bill Gundlach, Mark Findley who started in the second last row and fifth place went to Roger Aronson who started near last.

Weekly Friday night racing begins on May 20th. The Lions Club will use next Friday May 13th. for their raindate of their May 12th. show. Time trials begin at 6pm.Racing is at 7. Tickets are available at the gate or from local clubs until the
show.

INEX Bandoleros
A-Main 01 -- 1. Michael Cooter,Loves Park,Ill. (y);; 2. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 3. Bobby Yonkee (b), Willowbrook, Ill.; 4. Jimmy Uteg III, Manhatta, Ill.; 5. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 6. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis; 7. Jim Uteg Jr, Manhattan, Ill.; 8. Collin Laursen, Nelson, Wis; 9. Dwight Dunlap (o), Machesney Park, Ill.; 10. Vince

Heat 01 -- 1. Michael Cooter (y);; 2. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 3. Dwight Dunlap (o), Machesney Park, Ill.;4. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis; 5. Collin Laursen, Nelson, Wis; 6. Jim Uteg Jr, Manhattan, Ill.; 7. Vince Haywood, Antioch, Ill.; 8. Bobby Yonkee (b), Willowbrook, Ill.; 9. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 10. Jimmy

Time Trial -- 1. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 2. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 3. Collin Laursen, Nelson, Wis;4. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis; 5. Dwight Dunlap (o), Machesney Park, Ill.; 6. Michael Cooter (y);; 7. Jimmy Uteg III, Manhatta, Ill.; 8. Bobby Yonkee (b), Willowbrook, Ill.; 9. Vince Haywood, Antioch, Ill.;

Basic Int'l Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Bob Koch, McHenry, Ill.; 2. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 4. Jason Conrad, Burlington, Wis; 5. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 6. Andy Portzen, Burlington, Wis; 7. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 8. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 9. Tony Prietzel, Racine, Wis; 10. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 11. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 12. David Rex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 13. Steve Bayer, Burlington, Wis; 14. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 15. Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 16. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 17. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 18. Richard Rendino, McHenry, Ill.; 19. Tim

B-Main 01 -- 1. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 2. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 3. Bill Urban, Twin Lakes, Wis; 4. Frank Murray Sr, Richmond, Ill.; 5. Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 6. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 7. Rodger Emery, Delavan, Wis; 8. Mike Hudson;; 9. Deric Blanken, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 10. David

Heat 01 -- 1. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 2. David Bole, Sharon, Wis; 3. Frank Murray Sr, Richmond, Ill.; 4. Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 5. Rodger Emery, Delavan, Wis; 6. Mike Hudson;; 7. Deric

Heat 02 -- 1. Ken Causey, Elkhorn, Wis; 2. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 3. David Rex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 4. Steve Bayer, Burlington, Wis; 5. Tim Hansen, Elkhorn, Wis; 6. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 7. Bill Urban,

Heat 03 -- 1. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 2. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 3. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 4. Tony Prietzel, Racine, Wis; 5. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 6. Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 7. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 8. Richard Rendino, McHenry, Ill..

Time Trial -- 1. Bob Koch, McHenry, Ill.; 2. Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 3. Jason Conrad, Burlington, Wis; 4. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 5. Andy Portzen, Burlington, Wis; 6. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 7. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 8. Richard Rendino, McHenry, Ill.; 9. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 10. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 11. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 12. Tony Prietzel, Racine, Wis; 13. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 14. Ashleigh Kitterman, Burlington, Wis; 15. Ken Causey, Elkhorn, Wis; 16. David Rex Jr, Burlington, Wis; 17. Tim Hansen, Elkhorn, Wis; 18. Steve Bayer, Burlington, Wis; 19. Bill Urban,
Twin Lakes, Wis; 20. Kevin Lynn, Genoa city, Wis; 21. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 22. David Bole, Sharon, Wis; 23. Frank Murray Sr, Richmond, Ill.; 24. Wes Schultz, Wonderlake, Ill.; 25. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 26. Rodger Emery, Delavan, Wis; 27. Deric Blanken, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 28. Mike

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Bob Koch, McHenry, Ill.; 2. Todd Miller, Oak Creek, Wis; 3. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 4. Nick Kasten, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Jason Conrad, Burlington, Wis; 6. Andy Portzen, Burlington,

INEX Legends
A-Main 01 -- 1. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 2. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 3. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 4. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 5. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 6. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 7. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 8. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 9. Ross Kenseth;Cambridge,Wis. 10. Jason Halbrader

Heat 01 -- 1. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 2. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 3. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 4. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 5. Ross Kenseth;; 6. Jason Halbrader (o), Machesney Park, Ill.; 7. Vince

Time Trial -- 1. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 2. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 3. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 4. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 5. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 6. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis;7. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 8. Don Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 9. Ross Kenseth;; 10. Jason Halbrader (o), Machesney Park, Ill.; 11. Vince Haywood, Antioch, Ill..

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Eric Lokemoen, Merrill, Wis; 2. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis.

Mini-Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 2. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis; 5. Jerry Giuliano, Schaumburg, Ill.; 6. Hermie Schultz, Silver Lake, Wis; 7. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis; 2. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 4. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis; 5. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 6. Jerry Giuliano, Schaumburg Ill.; 7. Hermie Schultz, Silver Lake, Wis; 8. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill..

Time Trial -- 1. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis; 2. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 3. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Jerry Giuliano,Schaumburg, Ill.; 5. Hermie Schultz, Silver Lake, Wis; 6. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 8. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis.