Butch Mierendorf ends dry spell tops Columbus 151 Speedway Late Models!
By Dennis Thompson

July 21, 2000; Columbus, WI. -  Butch Mierendorf of Lake Mills drove to his first feature win at the Columbus 151 Speedway since September 6, 1996 when he captured the thirty-five lap late model feature Friday night on Auto Armor Night. Mierendorf made his move to the inside of Dale Smith of Lake Mills on lap twenty-seven to take the lead and the win.

Ending the dry spell!  Butch Mierendorf (#12) made his way back to victory lane here at Columbus 151 Speedway. This evening marked Mierendorf's first feature win since September 6, 1996 on the quarter-mile paved oval.  Mierendorf became the tenth different winner in Late Model action this season.

He is the tenth different driver to win a feature in the division this season in the eleven events held. Dale Smith had his best finish of the season crossing the line in second. Jeff Falbe of Beaver Dam also had his best finish of the year taking third. Andy Tomlinson of Poynette moved all the way up from the eighth row to finish in fourth. Dean Schultz of Juneau, who started in the sixth row, followed in fifth.

Dan Schmidt of Watertown took over the lead on lap two and went on to record his first win of the season in the twenty-five lap street stock feature. Schmidt is the eighth different feature winner in the division this season. Scott Riedner of Waunakee and Gerry Junget of Rio were closing in rapidly on Schmidt as the checkered flag waved, finishing second and third. Ed Jackson of Madison drove to fourth. Ron Preskar of Juneau was fifth.

Bret Schmidt (#9) earned his second Hobby Stock feature victory of the 2000 season holding off a late race charge by point leader Dennis Gaserude.

Bret Schmidt of Watertown scored his second win of the season in the twenty-lap hobby stock feature. Dennis Gaserude of Oregon moved up from back in the pack to take second. Justin Schultz of Rio drove a strong race and finished third. Andy Junget of Rio was fourth. Jim Rohrbeck of Portage followed in fifth.

Ron Schneidewind of Madison took over the lead with one lap remaining and went on to claim his fourth win of the season in the back up division. Steve Broome of Deansville finished closely behind in second. Dave Moore of McFarland was third.

Shayne Poehnelt of Sun Prairie was victorious in the fifteen lap Junior Motorsports feature. Scott Kleist of Poynette, who led most of the way, followed in second. Bob Long of Pardeeville crossed the line in third ahead Nick Maerz of Arena. Ray Kreyer of Poynette was fifth.

Fast times for the evening were turned in by Al Weishoff in the late models at 13.844, Ron Preskar in the street stocks at 14.620, Dennis Gaserude in the hobby stocks at 15.564 and Ray Kreyer in the Junior Motorsports at 16.832.

Late model heat race wins were registered by Dale Smith, Rich Schumann Jr. of Portage and Brent Knight of Watertown. Ed Jackson and Ron Schmitt of Jackson were victorious in the street stock heats. Justin Schultz and Jay Finnegan of Milton captured hobby stock heats.

In Junior Motorsports action, Bob Long raced to the win in the dash. Heat wins went to Bryan Pautsch of Sun Prairie and Bob Long.

Racing action continues this Friday night at the Columbus 151 Speedway with WIBA 101.5 Night. In addition to the regular program of late model, street stock, hobby stock and back up racing, the Ad World spectator races are also on the schedule. This week there will be a "Christmas in July" sponsored by B.J.’s Roadside of McFarland. The infield will be stocked with small Christmas items that will be up for grabs by various age groups.

RESULTS

LATE MODEL:
FEATURE: 1.) Butch Mierendorf, Lake Mills; 2.) Dale Smith, Lake Mills; 3.) Jeff Falbe, Beaver Dam; 4.) Andy Tomlinson, Poynette; 5.) Dean Schultz, Juneau;
FIRST HEAT: 1.) Dale Smith, Lake Mills
SECOND HEAT: 1.) Rich Schumann Jr., Portage
THIRD HEAT: 1.) Brent Knight, Watertown
FAST QUALIFIER: #46 Al Weishoff, .............13.844 Seconds

STREET STOCKS:
FEATURE: 1.) Dan Schmidt, Watertown; 2.) Scott Reidner, Waunakee; 3.) Gerry Junget, Rio; 4.) Ed Jackson, Madison; 5.) Ron Preskar, Juneau
FIRST HEAT: 1.) Ed Jackson, Madison
SECOND HEAT: 1.) Ron Schmit, Jackson
FAST QUALIFIER: #71 Ron Preskar, Juneau,............14.620 Seconds

HOBBY STOCKS:
FEATURE: 1.) Bret Schmit, Watertown; 2.) Dennis Gaserude, Oregon; 3.) Justin Schultz, Rio; 4.) Andy Junget, Rio; 5.) Jim Rohrbeck, Portage
FIRST HEAT: 1) Justin Schultz, Rio
SECOND HEAT: 1) Jay Finnegan, Milton
FAST QUALIFIER: #81 Dennis Gaserude, Oregon,...........15.564 Seconds

BACK-UPS:
FEATURE: 1.) Ron Schneidewind, Madison; 2.) Steve Broome, Deansville; 3.) Dave Moore of McFarland.

JUNIOR MOTORSPORTS:
FEATURE: 1.) Shayne Poehnelt, Sun Prairie;   2.) Scott Kleist, Poynette; 3.) Bob Long,  Pardeeville; 4.) Nick Maerz, Arena; 5.) Ray Kreyer, Poynette
FIRST HEAT: 1) Brian Pautsch, Sun Prairie
SECOND HEAT: 1) Bob Long, Pardeeville
DASH: 1) Bob Long, Pardeeville
FAST QUALIFIER: #99 Ray Kreyer, Poynette,...........16.832 Seconds