by Andrew Schaller
COLUMBUS, WI (Friday, August 28, 2009) Don Gaserude of Fort Atkinson won an exciting finish to get the win in the 35 lap Late Model feature at Columbus 151 Speedway on Friday night. Kelsey Bauer and Dean Schultz made up the front row at the start. Three cautions prevented the field from completing the first lap. When the race finally got started, it was Bauer leading lap one by a small margin. Bauer took sole possession of the point on lap two as Schultz pulled into second with Jerry Eckhardt in third. Schultz continued to fill up Bauer's rear view mirror as point leader Randy Breunig slid into fourth behind Eckhardt. Caution waved on lap 18 and as the leaders slowed, a pile up ensued involving Bauer, Schultz, Eckhardt and Breunig. Breunig was forced to retire with Bauer restarting as the leader. As the green returned, Schultz charged to the inside of Bauer and stole the point away with Andy Wendt following into second. On lap 21, Wendt's hood flew up impeding his vision. He was forced to retire handing second to Don Gaserude. Gaserude pulled up to Schultz's rear bumper and began to challenge for the lead. Gaserude looked to the outside on lap 30 and pulled even with Schultz. The pair battled side by side as they passed under the white flag. As they came to the stripe, Gaserude held a slight advantage to take the win followed by Schultz, Bauer, Eckhardt and Jerry Auby.

Stoughton's Kyle Watters captured the win in the 30 lap Sportsman feature event. Watters and Phil Denikas led the field to green with Watters leading lap one. Dan Gosda moved up to second on lap two and set his sights on Watters for the lead. Mike Winters joined the fight on lap nine, moving to the outside of Gosda. Gosda regained the runner up position a lap later while Watters continued to show the way. The leaders ran nose to tail over the remaining laps and Watters saw the checkers first. Rounding out the top five were Gosda, Mike Winters, Gary Winters and Kevin Anderson.

Jim Tate of Watertown dominated every lap of the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature on his way to the win. Tate took the lead at the drop of the green and stayed out front while Dustin Ward and Steve Sauer battled for second. Tate maintained his lead through two cautions as he motored to the win followed by Ward and Sauer.

Kale Peterman of Iron Ridge was awarded the win of the 25 lap Thunder Stock feature event. Billy Robinson grabbed the early lead on lap one with Burroughs sliding up to second. On lap six, Burroughs drove hard to the inside of Robinson for the top spot as the duo broke away from the pack. Burroughs claimed the point a lap later as Kale Peterman moved up to third. On lap 13, Robinson lost his right front wheel and drove hard into the turn two wall to bring out the caution. Burroughs, Peterman and Scottie Hatton restarted as the top three. As the green returned, Peterman began to search for a way past the leader as they pulled away from the field. But another caution on lap 16 erased their advantage. But Burroughs remained out front over the final nine laps to take the win followed by Peterman, DL Hatton and Scott Hatton. Following post race inspection, Peterman was declared the winner of the event.

Verona's John Beale captured the win in the 18 lap Bandit main event. Phil Wuesthoff and Zach Falk paced the field to green as Wuesthoff fired into the lead. Falk fell into the pack as Beale and Jeff LeFave moved up to fight for second. Beale chipped away on the outside of Wuesthoff lap after lap as he moved up to challenge for the lead. Carlyn Voigt used the third groove to move and join the fight for the point. As they came to the line to complete lap six, they were three wide for the lead. Voigt dropped back as Beale gained the slight advantage. Wuesthoff wouldn't go away as the two battled for the lead. On lap 11, several drivers got together in turn four sending Voigt hard into the front stretch wall and bringing out the caution. Beale restarted as the leader with Wuesthoff directly behind in second. Beale immediately opened up a healthy advantage while Brandon Condroski and Ed Klug moved up to second and third on the high side. Beale cruised to the checkers for the win followed by Condroski, Mike Heimann, Klug and LeFave.

Dustin Von Allmen took the win in the crazy 8 lap Back Up feature. Von Allmen led lap one at the line with Ryan Oetzel charging up to second. Matt Wachuta moved up to challenge Oetzel for second, taking the spot on lap five. Wachuta moved up to the outside of Von Allmen as they crossed the line for the final lap. Von Allmen held on to take the win followed by Wachuta and Oetzel.

Next Friday, September 11, is Season Championship Night with a full program in all divisions. Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8pm. Please visit www.columbus151.com for more information.