May 5, 2008; Columbus, WI. - Fort Atkinson's Ron Bishofberger maneuvered from the outside of row
two at the start to score the first 35 lap late model feature of the season at Columbus 151 Speedway. Defending champion Dean Schultz and Al Weishoff made up the front row at the drop of the green flag on Sunday afternoon.

Photo Highlights

Ron Bishofberger picks up his first Late Model Feature win of the Season. #51 Dean Schultz tries to hold off #76 Ron Bishofberger during the Late Model Feature. Brett Schmidt captures his first Sportsman Feature win of the season. Leader #4D Brandon Riedner holds off his Father Scott Riedner #26, while #20 Brett Schmidt takes the outside lane on his way to a Sportsman Feature win. #32 Jake Wasserburger got loose after a restart and headed into the front stretch wall, #19 Dan Schmidt then made contact with him as #21 Dan Gosda slides by on the inside. Both drivers were uninjured. Dustin Ward grabs his first Hobby Stock Feature win this season. #9 Dustin Ward flies by #22 Chester Williams on his way to a Hobby Stock Feature win.   #96 Alan Dorn gets together with #41 Nick Newton during the Hobby Stock Feature. Kyle Watters wins his first Bandit Feature this season. #39 George Wachuta took an early lead and never looked "back", picking up his first Back-Up Feature this season.

Schultz grabbed the lead before completing the first lap while Weishoff began slipping back on the outside. Jerry Auby moved into second with Andy Wendt right behind for third. On lap 11, Bishofberger moved to the high side and began to challenge Wendt for third. Making the move stick, Bishofberger made the pass on Wendt and went to work on Auby. Bishofberger finally cleared for second on lap 16 and sent his sights on the leader. Two laps later, Bishofberger caught Schultz and immediately drove to the outside for the top spot. Making quick work of the leader, Bishofberger began to drive away from the pack and open up a healthy advantage.

Bishofberger cruised to the victory with Wendt, Don Gaserude, Schultz and Auby rounding out the top five. Nick Wendt claimed top honors in qualifying with a lap of 13.459. Claiming wins in earlier heat race action were Bishofberger and Weishoff.

Bret Schmidt of Watertown started the season out right by battling for the win in the 30 lap sportsman feature event. Dan Gosda started from the pole with Tiffany Desjarles to his outside. Gosda grabbed the lead on lap one, but Desjarles fought back to the high side and taking the advantage on lap three. Gosda returned the favor and fought back to take over sole possession of the lead by lap six. The first of three cautions flew on lap seven for a fluid leak on the racing surface.

On the restart, Desjarles was slow to get up to speed, allowing Brandon Riedner to slide into second. Lap nine saw Riedner move around the outside of Gosda for the lead. Gosda began to slide back into the pack allowing Jake Wasserburger and Scott Riedner by into the top three. The second caution waved on lap 14, and on the restart Wasserburger got very loose on the front stretch, spinning into oncoming traffic and getting slammed by Dan Schmidt. After the cleanup, the restart saw Bret Schmidt move to the outside and challenge for the lead. With Brandon Riedner out front and his father Scott Riedner on his rear bumper, there was a three way battle for the lead. After the final caution, Schmidt made a strong move to take over the top spot. Schmidt muscled by Riedner into the lead and drove away from the pack for the win. Schmidt was followed across the line by Scott Riedner, Tim Syvrud, Brandon Riedner and Dale Weatherwax. Schmidt also grabbed quick time with a 13.833 second tour of the quarter mile. Heat winners included Scott Riedner and Syvrud.

Waterloo's Dustin Ward took control and lead every lap en route to the win in the 20 lap hobby stock feature. Starting outside Chester Williams, Ward took the lead and started to pull away from the field. Lincoln Keeser moved into second with Williams pulling in behind for third. Ward was enjoying a large lead when the only caution of the race flew on lap 11 as Alan Dorn and Nick Newton tangled in turn four. With Ward's lead evaporated, Keeser and Williams lined up side by side for the restart right behind him.

As the green returned, Ward immediately reclaimed his lead while Keeser and Williams battled for second. The two raced side by side all the way to the checkers while Ward took home the trophy. Keeser took credit for second with Williams, Andy Raley and Jim Robinson rounding out the top five. Setting the pace in qualifying was Gary Pashley with a lap of 15.206 while heat winners were Ward and Ben Monday.

Kyle Watters of Stoughton was declared the winner of a tight finish in the 18 lap bandit feature. Carlyn Voigt benefited from a bunch up at the start to take the early lead. Watters began moving through the pack from his fourth row starting spot, moving into third on lap four. Meanwhile, Voigt was moving out to a big lead. Watters grabbed second on lap five and set his sights on Voigt. Voigt maintained her lead until lapped traffic allowed Watters to close the gap with three
laps to go. Watters pulled to her rear bumper as they saw the while flag and moved inside Voigt as they entered turn three. The two competitors crossed under the checkers side by side. Watters held the slight advantage with Voigt taking second. Following them were Brandon Johnson, David Schmidt and Steve Privett. Michael Clapper held fast time while heat winners included Mike Waddell, Voigt and Josh Bisbee.

In wild and crazy back up action, George Wachuta of Brooklyn claimed the victory in the 8 lap feature. Taking control of the lead on the second lap, Wachuta dominated the remaining laps to take the win. He was followed across the line by Andy Ward and Dave Moore.

Next Friday, May 9, is a full program in all divisions including the return of the Formula Indy Racing Association. Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8 pm. Columbus 151 Speedway will also be hosting a Kids Bike Giveaway on Friday, August 8. Drivers and sponsors are being encouraged to donate a kids bike to the speedway that will be given away that evening. More information will follow in the coming weeks. For more information about Columbus 151 Speedway, please visit www.racingonline.com/columbus151.

For complete results from the RACESTAT computer click here