Langsdorf Returns to Claim Columbus 151 Checkered, Retallick Crowned Pepsi Champ!
By Dennis Thompson

August 23, 2002; Columbus, WI. - Mike Langsdorf of Doylestown returned to the Columbus 151 Speedway in style on Friday night as he captured the 60-lap late model Pepsi Triple 60's Challenge Series Championship Night feature. Rob Retallick of Deerfield drove to a thirteenth place finish and was crowned the Pepsi Triple 60's Challenge Series Champion. Retallick had won rounds one and two of the three race series.

Photo Highlights

Mike Langsdorf (#96) reached the checkered flag first and salutes the crowd after winning the final round of the Pepsi Triple 60's at Columbus 151 Speedway. It was the first appearance of Mike Langsdorf (#96) in some time at Columbus 151 Speedway but he made his return memorable as he captured the Late Model feature race. Dale Ripp (#41) captured his second Street Stock feature win of the 2002 season. In the closing laps Dale Ripp (#41) had to ward off the challenges of Bob Jacobs (#23) in the Street Stock feature to secure the win. Ken Scott (#39) uses the outside line to pace race leader Gary Pashley (#20) on his way to winning the Hobby Stock feature race.. Bill Reynolds (#38) stays ahead of Travis Schneeberg (#75x) on his way to winning his third 4 Cylinder Bandit feature this season at Columbus 151 Speedway. Steve Oetzel (#87) captured his fourth Backup race win of the 2002 season

Langsdorf, making his first appearance of the season at the speedway, powered his way into the lead at the start of the event from the pole position and never gave up the top spot in the caution free event. Butch Mierendorf of Lake Mills led a pack of cars that closed in on Langsdorf on a couple of occasions when he encountered slower traffic. However, each time Langsdorf cleared the traffic, he pulled away and went on to build up a comfortable margin. Langsdorf is the ninth different driver to win a feature in the division this season.

Mierendorf finished the race in second ahead of Russ Goodwin of Beloit. Mierendorf was also second in the final Pepsi Series standings. Don Gaserude of Fort Atkinson moved up from the fifth row to take fourth. Aaron Wilke of Watertown, who started eleventh, came across the line in fifth. Finishing in sixth through tenth were Andy Tomlinson of Poynette, Al Weishoff of Columbus, Ed Wolff III of Clyman, Jason Dunn of Sun Prairie and Jeff Falbe of Beaver Dam.

In the tight battle for the track championship, Tomlinson holds a thirteen-point advantage over Dean Schultz of Juneau. Butch Mierendorf is only twenty-one points behind Tomlinson and Gerry Junget of Rio is only twenty-nine points off the pace. Only two events remain on the schedule.

Dale Ripp of Sun Prairie scored his second win of the season in the 25-lap street stock feature. Ripp fought it out with Ed Jackson of Madison in the early going exchanging the lead several times. Jackson, unfortunately was slowed by another car and dropped back in the field. Ripp then held off the challenges of Bob Jacobs of DeForest in the final laps to take the win. Kevin Anderson of Cottage Grove crossed the line in third ahead of Dale Weatherwax of Cambria and Don Trush of Sun Prairie.

Rookie Justin Schultz of Otsego finished in sixth and took over the lead in the point standings. Bret Schmidt of Watertown is only two points back in second. Dan Schmidt of Watertown is third at six points back. Bob Jacobs trails by only twenty-nine points.

Ken Scott of Rio took over the lead from Gary Pashley of Marshall and raced to his fifth win of the season in the 20-lap hobby stock feature. Jerry Chapman of Juneau drove to third. Grant Lindner of Poynette moved up well to finish in fourth. Larry Moen of Madison took fifth.

The 15-lap four-cylinder bandits feature was won by Bill Reynolds of Watertown. It was the third win of the season for Reynolds. Brandon Riedner of Waunakee charged from the sixth row to finish in second. Travis Schneeberg of Marshall drove to third. Joe Wipperfurth of Sun Prairie followed in fourth ahead of Danny Birkett of Dane.

Larry Mitchell of Portage was uninjured when he rolled his mount on lap four of the bandits feature.

Steve Oetzel of Marshall took over the lead on lap seven when Jim Remsik spun and went on to record his fourth win of the season in the 8-lap back up event. Matthew Wachuta of Brooklyn finished in second. Dave Moore of McFarland was third. Rick Verdon of Fitchburg and George Wachuta of Brooklyn finished in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Fast times for the evening were turned in by Dean Schultz in the late models at 13.882, Justin Schultz in the street stocks at 14.913, Ken Scott in the hobby stocks at 15.341 and Charles Novotny of Mauston in the bandits at 16.896.

Late model heat race wins were recorded by Brent Knight, Butch Mierendorf and Ed Wolff III. Street stock heat race victories went to John Schafer of Monona, Ed Jackson and Dale Ripp. Hobby stock heat race action saw wins registered by James Wingett of Fall River and Jim Schmidt of Jefferson. Bill Reynolds and Charles Novotny were victorious in the bandits heats.

Racing action continues Friday night at the Columbus 151 Speedway with Fan Appreciation Night. Junior Motorsports will be making their final appearance of the season. There will be stock car rides for the kids at intermission.

For complete results from the RACESTAT computer click here