Perfect Weather For Family Fun Night! By Dale R. Erdmann

May 19, 2006;  Lake Geneva, WI. - .It was opening night for the weekly Friday night family night at Lake Geneva Raceway. A good size crowd came out to see 90 race cars compete for the final season here.

Photo Highlights

After having problems with his own car Sonny Schoffen (r) borrowed the car of Jeff Goodwin (l) and went on to set fast time and win the feature for the LGR Late Models. The BIC feature saw a fierce duel between Steve Doherty (#49) and Leo Bujack (#113) for the final few laps.  Doherty went on to victory. The Weapons feature saw eventual winner Mark Tomasi (#27) battle with Joshua Greenlund (#51) early in the event. Michael Bilderback (#2) wages a battle with Ryan Miles (#5) on the way to victory in the Legends. Vince Heywood made a successful return to the Mini-Mod division by capturing their feature event. Kyle Palma (#17) races with Kyle Jusits (#14) on his way to winning the Bandolero feature.

Sonny Schoffen of Crystal Lake, Illinois in the LGR late models had a great
night taking fast time and winning the 30 lap feature race. Michael Bilderback
of South Beloit,IL.also had a excellent night in the Perfection Auto Body INEX Legend cars. The former bandolero champion, won the dash and at the wire Michael won the 15 lap feature, by less than a foot, for a thrilling win. Defending champion Kyle Palma of Delavan just missed a clean sweep, by winning the dash and the 15 lap feature. Wind Lake’s Mark Tomasi won the weapons feature race. Steve Doherty from Rockford,IL.took fast time and won the 20 lap feature race in the Basic Inter national cars and Vince Heywood of Antioch,IL. won the 15 lap feature for the Lusia’s pizzeria mini modifieds,for his first feature of the season.

Rookie driver Jack Rabey made his debut tonight, leading the late model feature with a tough group behind him, as Joe Rusciano and Carrie Dygon put on a show for second. By lap five Andy Evraets and Doctor Tooth Ken Johnson made their
way past Dygon, then Rusciano three laps later. Entering lap ten Sonny Schoffen, Ralph Gentile and Keith Tolf looked like they were glued together trying to move up on the front four. On lap eleven the first of only two Yellow Book USA caution periods appeared for a solo spin by Rob Maule. On the restart Johnson blasted right past Rabey and there was a new leader. The field was still tight after some shuffling as Schoffen got by Tolf and set out on the leader. On lap seventeen Schoffen gained the top spot, just before Brian Ulrich and Rusciano tangled stopping the race for the final time. Those final three laps were excellent as Schoffen held back Tolf, Johnson, Gentile, Evraets and Rabey for the win.

Michael Cooter moved in front of the legends feature with Don Fort Jr. along side, first nighter Brian Peterson, second generation Ross Kenseth and Curt Gnatzig were all working on the leader. On lap three fast timer Ernie Schaal flew off of turn one, but continued on.Rookie Mark Sissulak had problems and headed to the ramp exit. He never made it off the track, stalling just off the track. This was the break Schaal needed and out came the caution flag. On the restart Kyle LaPier pulled a slick move and shot into the lead before the rest of the field entered turn one.

Ryan Miles quickly followed,with Gnatzig next. Coming off turn two, the front group went four deep and Miles eneded up on top, with Michael Bilderback second, Gnatzig at his side and LaPier on the inside. The crowd went wild as now Schaal made it a five car race for the win. As the group went into turn one with the white flag displayed, it was anyone’s race to win, coming off two, it was side by side excitment for the top spot. Being to close to call, Miles and Bilderback were dead even in turn three. Then Gnatzig tried one more time to pull off a victory, as LaPier stayed even ,waiting for a mistake. Then came turn four, Gnatzig got too wide as Bilderback drew even again, with the top four getting under Gnatzig. Coming towards the line, Miles inched ahead ,then right at the line, Bilderback moved ahead to edge Miles for the win. LaPier was third on the inside of the top two, Schaal was fourth, with Gnatzig recovering for five and Cooter rounding out the top six, in the best feature of the night.

The bandolero feature saw defending champion Kyle Palma charge in front of the field and never look back for the win, despite three caution periods, one of which was for fast qualifier Kyle Jusits who had been in a side by side battle for the lead. Coming off turn two ,Jusits got caught on  Palma’s rear bumper, then flew high in the air, before hitting the wall, cutting a tire. Palma won the event over rookie Steven Grossman, Blake Brown in his first race ever here, Tyler Blume in his first appearance of the year, Jesse Bernhagen another rookie and Jusits.

Joshua Grenlund and Mark Tomasi dueled for the lead of the weapons feature. Grenlund led the first four laps before Tomasi charged in front, Mike Herwald slipped into second after a four lap run with Grenlund. Tomasi went on to win the event, with Herwald finishing just in front of Andy Krueger, Michael Shorten, defending champion Reid Kahrs Jr and Grenlund.

The BIC feature went non stop for twenty laps as Dustin Richards led the first lap. Robert Palka snuck in front one lap later with Kevin Hill working on the former leader. By lap nine Steve Doherty who had fast time, was now up to fourth. Hill had problems one lap later, as Doherty took over the second position at that point and one lap later he was the new leader. The race for second was the rest of the race, as Doherty ended up winning the race, over Leo Bujack, Matt Booker, Spittle, Bryan Talbert and Palka for another great feature.

John DeMay held the lead one lap of the mini modified feature with Bill Trusky taking over one lap later. Then on lap five things got ugly, as the back of the field mixed it up, sending quick timer Mike VanHouten  and Jesse Johnson to the pits on the hook. VanHouten came back before the green reappeared with Chris Thomazin now the new leader four the next four laps. But then Vince Heywood caught the leader and moved by, going on to win the race over Glenn Vernezze,Scott McCarthy, DeMay, VanHouten and Jonathan Gagne.

The rascal outlaws and formula indy race cars join the late models, BIC cars, bandoleros and legends this coming Friday night. Time trials begin at 6pm.racing is at 7:30 sharp.

INEX Bandoleros
A-Main 01 -- 1. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 2. Steven Grossman, Barrington, Ill.; 3. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 4. Tyler Blume (b), Oregon, Ill.; 5. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 6. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 7. Dwight Dunlap, Rockford, Ill.; 8. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 2. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 3. Steven Grossman, Barrington, Ill.; 4. Tyler Blume (b), Oregon, Ill.; 5. Dwight Dunlap, Rockford, Ill.; 6. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 7. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Kyle Jusits (y), Kenosha, Wis; 2. Kyle Palma, Delavan, Wis; 3. Steven Grossman, Barrington, Ill.; 4. Blake Brown, Franksville, Wis; 5. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis; 6. Caylie Duncanson, De Pere, Wis; 7. Tyler Blume (b), Oregon, Ill.; 8. Dwight Dunlap, Rockford, Ill..

Basic Int'l Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Steve Doherty, Rockford, Ill.; 2. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 3. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 4. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 5. Bryan Talbert, Kenosha, Wis; 6. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 7. Jason Condrad, Burlington, Wis; 8. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 9. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 10. Morgan Breeding, Woodstock, Ill.; 11. Frank Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 12. Steve Kreft, Cary, Ill.; 13. Travis Dean, Lake Geneva, Wis; 14. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 15. Tim Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 16. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 17. Tom Homan, Antioch, Ill.; 18. Dustin Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 19. Kevin Hill,
McHenry, Ill.; 20. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill..

B-Main 01 -- 1. Travis Dean, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 3. Tim Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 4. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake, Ill.; 5. Gary Mondus, Antioch, Ill.; 6. Lori Jacoby, Elkhorn, Wis; 7. Bill Johnson, Antioch, Ill.; 8. John Krueger, Burlington, Wis; 9. Jennette Ellifritz, Lake Geneva, Wis; 10. Ryan

Heat 01 -- 1. Travis Dean, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Lori Jacoby, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. John Krueger, Burlington, Wis; 4. Gary Mondus, Antioch, Ill.; 5. Dan Wilson, Woodstock, Ill..

Heat 02 -- 1. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 2. Steve Kreft, Cary, Ill.; 3. Dustin Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 4. Frank Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 5. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 6. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake, Ill.; 7. Dennis Carlton, McHenry, Ill.; 8. Tim Redden, Woodstock, Ill..

Heat 03 -- 1. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 2. Jason Condrad, Burlington, Wis; 3. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 4. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 5. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 6. Bryan Talbert, Kenosha, Wis; 7.Morgan Breeding, Woodstock, Ill.; 8. Jennette Ellifritz, Lake Geneva, Wis; 9. Kevin Lynn, Lake Geneva,

Time Trial -- 1. Steve Doherty, Rockford, Ill.; 2. Tom Homan, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 4. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 5. Kevin Hill, McHenry, Ill.; 6. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill.; 7. Lenny Adams, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 8. Jason Condrad, Burlington, Wis; 9. Bryan Talbert, Kenosha, Wis; 10. Morgan Breeding, Woodstock, Ill.; 11. Robert Palka, Pell Lake, Wis; 12. Scott Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 13. Pete Koenig, Richmond, Ill.; 14. Frank Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 15. Dennis Carlton, McHenry, Ill.; 16. Dustin Richards, Kenosha, Wis; 17. Roger Schultz, Machesney Park, Ill.; 18. Steve Kreft, Cary, Ill.; 19. Tim Jendrycki, Round Lake, Ill.; 20. Tim Redden, Woodstock, Ill.; 21. Jason Spittle, Trevor, Wis; 22. Dan Wilson, Woodstock, Ill.; 23. Ryan Gutknecht, Oak Creek, Wis; 24. Travis Dean, Lake Geneva, Wis; 25. Gary Mondus, Antioch, Ill.; 26. Bill Johnson, Antioch, Ill.; 27. Evan Townsend, Elkhorn, Wis; 28. Kevin Lynn, Lake Geneva, Wis; 29. John Krueger, Burlington, Wis; 30. Lori Jacoby, Elkhorn, Wis; 31. Jennette Ellifritz,

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Matt Booker, Wonder Lake, Ill.; 2. Leo Bujak, Spring Grove, Ill.; 3. Steve Doherty, Rockford, Ill.; 4. Tom Homan, Antioch, Ill.; 5. Kevin Hill, McHenry, Ill.; 6. Ryan Andrews, Woodstock, Ill..

INEX Legends
A-Main 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 2. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 4. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 5. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 6. Michael Cooter;; 7. Don Fort Jr, Delavan, Wis; 8. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington, Ill.; 9. Brian Peterson, Mukwonago, Wis; 10. Mark Sissulak, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; 11. Timothy Narr, Franklin, Wis; 12. Nic Savaglio, Machesney Park, Ill..

Heat 01 -- 1. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 2. Don Fort Jr, Delavan, Wis; 3. Michael Cooter;; 4. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington, Ill.; 5. Brian Peterson, Mukwonago, Wis; 6. Mark Sissulak, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; 7. Nic Savaglio, Machesney Park, Ill.; 8. Timothy Narr, Franklin, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 2. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 4. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 5. Don Fort Jr, Delavan, Wis; 6. Curt Gnatzig, Hartford, Wis; 7. Ross Kenseth, Lake Barrington, Ill.; 8. Nic Savaglio, Machesney Park, Ill.; 9. Michael Cooter;; 10. Brian Peterson, Mukwonago, Wis; 11. Mark Sissulak, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; 12. Timothy Narr, Franklin, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Michael Bilderback (y), S. Beloit, Ill.; 2. Kyle La Pier (y), Belvidere, Ill.; 3. Ernie Schaal, Wauconda, Ill.; 4. Ryan Miles, Crystal Lake, Ill..

Limited (Millenium) 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. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 5. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls, Wis; 6. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 7. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 8. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 9. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake, Wis; 10. Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis; 11. Jeff Graf, Milwaukee, Wis; 12. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 13. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 14. Jeff Goodwin, Kenosha, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls, Wis; 2. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 3. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 4. Jeff Graf, Milwaukee, Wis; 5. Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis; 6. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 7. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 8. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake, Wis; 9. Jeff Goodwin, Kenosha, Wis; 10. Paul

Time Trial -- 1. Sonny Schoffen, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 2. Brian Ulrich (t), Racine, Wis; 3. Ken Johnson (t), Park Ridge, Ill.; 4. Keith Tolf, Union Grove, Wis; 5. Andy Evraets, Menomonee Falls, Wis; 6. Ralph Gentile, Racine, Wis; 7. Joe Rusciano, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 8. Paul Edmundson, Whitewater, Wis; 9. Carrie Dygon, Racine, Wis; 10. Jack Rabey, Lake Villa, Ill.; 11. Rob Maule, Burlington, Wis; 12. Jeff Graf, Milwaukee, Wis; 13. Paul Dygon (t), Wind Lake, Wis; 14. Jeff Goodwin, Kenosha, Wis.

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

Mini-Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 2. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis; 3. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 4. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 5. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 6. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill.; 7. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Barry Trusky, Waukegan, Ill.; 9. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 10. Jesse Johnson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 11. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jesse Johnson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis; 3. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 5. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 6. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill.; 7. Barry Trusky, Waukegan, Ill..

Time Trial -- 1. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 2. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 3. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis; 4. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 5. Scott McCarthy, Antioch, Ill.; 6. John DeMay, Lake Villa, Ill.; 7. Chris Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 8. Barry Trusky, Waukegan, Ill.; 9. Jonathan Gagne, Deerfield, Ill.; 10. Jesse Johnson, Lake Geneva, Wis; 11. Bill Trusky, Silverlake, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Mike Van Houten, Cary, Ill.; 2. Vince Heywood, Antioch, Ill.; 3. Curt Thomazin, Elkhorn, Wis; 4. Glen Vernezze, Salem, Wis.

Weapons Division
A-Main 01 -- 1. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 2. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 4. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill.; 5. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 6. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis; 7. Joshua Grenlund, Delavan, Wis; 8. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 9. Glenn Tomasini, Burlington, Wis; 10. Walt Lepperd, Eagle, Wis.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 2. Joshua Grenlund, Delavan, Wis; 3. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis; 4. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 5. Glenn Tomasini, Burlington, Wis; 6. Walt Lepperd, Eagle, Wis.

Time Trial -- 1. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 2. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill.; 4. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 5. Mark Tomasi, Wind Lake, Wis; 6. Anthony Vito, Crystal Lake, Ill.; 7. Joshua Grenlund, Delavan, Wis; 8. Glenn Tomasini, Burlington, Wis; 9. Walt Lepperd, Eagle, Wis; 10. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis.

Trophy Dash 01 -- 1. Mike Herwald, Lake Geneva, Wis; 2. Andy Krueger, Lake Geneva, Wis; 3. Reid Kahrs Jr, West Allis, Wis; 4. Micheal Shorten, Mundelein, Ill..