Herbst and Carlson Finish Side by Side at the Line

By: Ashley Iwanski
(West Salem, WI – August 29, 2009) The fans were on their feet as J. Herbst and Steve Carlson raced nose to tail for the last five laps of the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature. When the pair exited turn four Carlson eased his car up next to Herbst’s. Herbst held his ground and crossed the finish line first; a foot ahead of Carlson.

Todd Oliver started on the pole and quickly pulled away from the rest of the pack. Meanwhile the cars 4th through 10th were pushing each other around trying to get as many positions as they could. By the half way point Todd Korish and Herbst had caught up to Oliver and was about to pass him when Emily Sue Steck spun on the front stretch. Tom Thill, Kevin Nuttleman and Tim Nelson also spun as a result. On the restart Korish took over the lead, which he didn’t hold onto for long. Within two laps both Herbst and Carlson had passed Korish. At that point it was a two car shootout. Herbst held off Carlson though another caution up until the last turn of the race. Herbst took the win followed by Carlson. Korish had finished third but was later disqualified. Mike Carlson finished in third.

A short burst of rain canceled qualifying for the Late Models; therefore qualifying was set by point standings. Still Herbst and Carlson started towards the front of the field. This was bad news for Thor Anderson who was qualified in the third position with only four more cars to qualify.

Greg Scheck won his first feature race of the season in the North Country Contractors Sportsmen division. It was another very exciting finish. Scheck took over the lead with five laps to go. Dan Gilster and Jes Tenner were coming up fast on his bumper. On the last lap as they exited turn four, Gilster was to Scheck’s inside while Tenner was on the outside. They finished three wide with Scheck barely in the lead. Gilster was scored in the 2nd position and Tenner in the 3rd.

It was a night for great finishes. Charles Vian Sr. won the United Auto Supply Thunderstox division feature race after passing Joey Johnson Sr. on the last lap. A caution came out half way through the race when Jake Krueger spun in the middle of turn three and four collecting half the field. Most of the cars where able to restart the race. With two laps to go Johnson Sr. and Dakota Miller were side by side for the lead. Then on the last lap Scheck passed both cars to take the win. Jason Stark finished 2nd and Miller 3rd. Johnson Sr. had finished 2nd, but failed to pass post race inspection and was disqualified.
The Skidders were in attendance tonight at the Speedway. When the feature began the cars started at slow trying not to spin out, but as the race went on the drivers got more daring. The cars were sliding all over the track in typical Skidder fashion. Despite the fact that he skidded a little too much at some points Adam Moore still walked away with a win.

Saturday, September 5th is the last night of regular season racing. The Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models will run twin 50 lap races along with the 15 lap Sportsmen and Thunderstox features. Friday, September 11th is one of the last two Friday Night Street Drags of the season. Multiple brackets will be open for any drivers who wish to join in on the fun.

For more information about La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway please visit www.lacrossespeedway.com or contact the office at (608) 786-1525 or lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com.