Clean Sweep for Bilderback and Brown / Schoffen Chalks Up Number Five! By Dale R. Erdmann

July 7, 2006;  Lake Geneva, WI. - It was a great night for racing in the family fun night weekly action at Lake Geneva Raceway,Friday night went into the record books,with close finishes and exciting racing.14 year old Michael Bilderback of South Beloit, Illinois and 63 year old Vern Brown of Waunakee showed that age did not make a difference. Bilderback took fast time, won the heat and the 15 lap feature for the Perfection Auto Body of Burlington, INEX legends cars. Brown’s
sweep came in the open wheel formula indy race cars, as he took fast time, won the heat on the last turn and ran tough in the 15 lap feature that he won.

Photo Highlights

Eventual winner Sonny Schoffen (#75) battles with Ralph Gentile (#34) during the Limited Late Model feature. Michael Bilderback scored a clean sweep in the Legends division. Vern Brown won the Formula Indy feature, then invited a lucky fan from the stands to join him in Victory Lane. The Weapons division put on a good show as Jeff Schultz (#74), Andy Krueger (#22) and Mike Herwald go three-wide during their heat race. Anthony Vito scored his first win of the year by capturing the Weapons feature. It was a good night for the Thomazin family at LGR as Chris Thomazin was the winner of a Mini-Mod heat race.... ....While Curt Thomazin won the Mini-Mod feature and posed with some family members for a victory photo.

Sonny Schoffen of Crystal Lake,IL.won his fifth late model feature for 30 laps,to maintain his points lead.14 year old Blake Brown of Franksville won his second 15 lap feature in a row in the bandolero class. Curt Thomazin of Elkhorn won his second Luisa’s pizzeria mini modified 15 lap feature of the season. Then Anthony Vito of Crystal Lake,IL. won his first career 15 lap weapons feature, in his “old black  betty bam ah lam”, race car.

The late model feature got off to a very rocky start, when Joe  Rusciano tried to squeeze his race car into a place it could not fit. As the leader Paul Edmundson and second place Andy Evraets tried to exit turn two, Rusciano moved inside, causing Edmundson to get loose. This caused both Edmundson and Evraets to go into the wall. No one was injuried, but both race cars received substantial damage. A complete restart ensued with Jack Rabey moving out front, Ralph Gentile was second, with Rusciano third. Gentile slipped in front on lap two until the next Yellow Book USA caution period on lap five. When the
green came back out, Sonny Schoffen stormed in front and easily won the race twenty five laps later, despite a lap fourteen caution. Second place went to Keith Tolf, Ken Johnson was third, quick qualifier Brian Ulrich was a close fourth, Rusciano claimed fifth and Gentile was sixth.

The legend feature began with Tom Palma in front one lap before Ryan Miles pulled off a slick move to gain the top spot. Right on his bumper was Curt Gnatzig, Palma, Kyle LaPier and Michael Bilderback. The group was to close to call, as they entered turn three on lap four, Gnatzig worked his way in front. Palma got his second wind, moving back to second and then inside the new leader. Bilderback was on the outside for the next two laps before he got by Palma. The top six were glued together, as Ernie  Schaal, racing with one arm, due to a broken wrist at Grundy on Sunday. On lap eight Bilderback drew even with Gnatzig who led the next two laps. The crowd went wild with the race up front. With five laps to go Bilderback
moved in front for good. The five lap dash was excellent, as Bilderback won the race, Gnatzig stayed right there, with Schaal third, LaPier nipped Palma, as did Miles at the wire.

The bandolero feature was another close contest, as Blake Brown charged in front, with Kyle Justis, Kyle Palma and Jesse Bernhargen right behind him. The only caution came on lap five, when Bernhagen spun in turn four with the rest of the field missing him. On the restart Palma was watching the  starter and roared by the former leader. Brown regained his momentum
and stayed with the leader. On lap ten Palma suddenly slowed and Brown moved by and never looked back for the win. Justis moved into second with just one half lap to go to finish second, Aaron Moyer was third, Bernhagen recovered for fourth,Cayle Duncanson took fifth and Palma was sixth.

The non stop mini modified feature saw Curt Thomazin take the lead on lap four, after John DeMay and Scott McCarthy lead a few laps. Once  in front Thomazin had first night driver Nick Pesta chase him the last ten laps. Jerry Giuliano was third. Chris Thomazin was fourth McCarthy was fifth and Jesse Johnson back in his own race car finish sixth.

The weapons feature was great, as Anthony Vito and Mike Herwald putting on a show for the entire 15 laps. Jeff Schultz was in the mix but did not finish the race. Herwald would move in front from time to time The only caution came on the white flag lap, causing a green, white checkered flag situation, that Vito won. Herwald who haunted the winner the whole race was second, first nighter Craig Phillips will be a force to be seen was third, Mark Tomasi ,Andy Krueger and Michael Shorten rounded out the top ten.

John Zalinga looked like a sure winner taking the lead at the off  set of the formula indy feature, leading the first seven laps. Vern Brown was running a distant was now the leader, as Zalinga dropped out. The fast time qualifier held on for the win, despite numerous challenges from Grant Greenfield, who had Kai McNulty right there. Second generation driver Lyle Phillips was next and Gary Cooper was sixth.

Next Friday night the rascal outlaws open wheel cars join five more divisions of race cars for the weekly show. Time trials are slated for 6pm.racing at 7:30.This is the final season of racing at Lake Geneva Raceway.

INEX Bandoleros
A-Main 01 -- 1. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 2. Kyle Jusits , Kenosha, Wis; 3. Aaron Moyer, Eden, Wis; 4. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 5. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis; 6. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 7. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 2. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 3. Aaron Moyer, Eden, Wis; 4. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 5. Kyle Jusits , Kenosha, Wis; 6. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis; 7. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis; 8. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 9. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 10. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill.; 11. Barry Trusky, Waukegan, Ill.; 12. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 13. Jesse

Time Trial -- 1. Kyle Jusits , Kenosha, Wis; 2. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 3. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 4. Hope Bidlack, Genoa City, Wis; 5. Aaron Moyer, Eden, Wis; 6. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 7. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis.

INEX Legends
A-Main 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback, S. Beloit, Ill.; 2. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Kyle La Pier , Belvidere, Ill.; 5. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 6. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 7. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 8. Hermann Greinig, Addison, Ill.; 9. Richard Miller, Mayville, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback , S. Beloit, Ill.; 2. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 3. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 4. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 5. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 6. Hermann Greinig, Addison, Ill.; 7. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 8. Richard Miller, Mayville, Wis; 9. Kyle La Pier, Belvidere, Ill..

Time Trial -- 1. Michael Bilderback , S. Beloit, Ill.; 2. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 5. Kyle La Pier , Belvidere, Ill.; 6. Tom Palma, Delavan, Wis; 7. Hermann Greinig, Addison, Ill.; 8. Joe Scala, Fox River Grove, Ill.; 9. Richard Miller, Mayville, Wis.

Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 3. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill.; 4. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 5. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 6. Ralph Gentile, Racine,Wis; 7. Jack Rabey,Brighton,Wis.; 8. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 9. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake, Wis; 10. Dan Baschal, Racine, Wis; 11. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 12. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls,

Heat 01 -- 1. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 2. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls, Wis; 4. Jack Rabey,Brighton,Wis.; 5. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 6. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 7. Dan Baschal, Racine, Wis; 8. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 2. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 4. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill.; 5. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls, Wis; 6. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 7. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 8. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 9. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 10. Jack Rabey, Brighton,Wis.; 11. Dan Baschal, Racine, Wis; 12. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake,

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 2. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 3. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 4. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill..

Mini-Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 2. Nick Pesta, Antioch, Ill.; 3.Jerry Giuliano,Schaumburg,Ill; 4. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 6. Jesse Johnson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 7. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 8. Barry Trusky, Waukegan, Ill.; 9. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill..

Time Trial -- 1. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis; 2. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis; 4. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 5. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 6. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill.; 7. Scott Johnson,Elkhorn,Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1.Jerry Giuliano,Schaumburg,Ill.; 2. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 3.Nick Pesta,  Antioch,Ill.

Weapons Division
A-Main 01 -- 1. Anthony Vito (t), Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Craig Phillips;; 4. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 5. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 6. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill.; 7. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 8. Todd Ludtke, Lake Geneva, Wis; 9. Jeff Schultz, Salem, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 2. Jeff Schultz, Salem, Wis; 3. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 6. Craig Phillips;; 7. Anthony Vito (t), Crystal Lake, Ill.; 8. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill.; 9. Todd Ludtke, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Jeff Schultz, Salem, Wis; 2. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 3. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill.; 6. Anthony Vito (t), Crystal Lake, Ill.; 7. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 8. Todd Ludtke, Lake Geneva, Wis.