Fran Prestay becomes Eighth different winner in Super Late Model action this season at Lake Geneva!!
By Dale R. Erdmann

June 12, 1999; Lake Geneva, WI. - Alko Woodcrafters of Cary, Illinois sponsored the ninth weekly Saturday night race program at Lake Geneva Raceway this season. Fran Prestay of Silver Lake, the 94 and 96 late model champion, won his first 30-lap super model feature of the season.

Fran Prestay (#99) the 1994 and 1996 track champion made a rare appearance at the raceway payoff as he won the Super Late Model feature.   Above he is shown holding back the charge of Brad Durbin (#57)

This gives eight different drivers, feature wins. Point leader, Zac Deeringer of McHenry, IL. scored his third 20 lap super stock feature win, taking it at the wire of another non stop event. Bob Koidahl of Pell Lake, just missed another clean sweep of the sport truck competition, taking fast time, second in the heat and breezing to victory in the 12 lap main event . Dave Lohse of Harvard,IL. won his second one on one event, over Bob Beutter, who took second again.

Just after the green flag came out in the super late model feature, Garrett Fait and Billy Skinner Jr. tangled, causing a complete restart. Quick work with the Skinner pit crew stopped any laps lost as the next green was shown. From his outside pole starting position, Fran Prestay moved in front of the eighteen car field. Fait spun in turn two, collecting Bob Moelter, with the next slowdown, on lap four. Each time Prestay shot out front, someone was right there, to challenge. First it was Kent Burkoth who came under the leader to no avail, then Denny Hiffman slipped into second, each time Prestay charged back to a small advantage. Lap seven, Fait spun again, causing another restart.

Super Late Model action at Lake Geneva Raceway is always close and exciting here four distinct lines are used to work through Geneva's progressively banked turns.  Kent Burkoth (#19) turned in the best performance taking third in the feature event.

Finally all out racing ensued, as Brad Durbin moved in on Prestay. For the next five laps, these two diced for the top spot. Then on lap fifteen, Durbin moved to the outside of the leader. Two laps later, Durbin scooted in front. Establishing a comfortable margin in front, Durbin moved to the outer groove.

It looked like the was the wrong move, as Prestay shot back under the leader. Then last weeks feature winner, Joe Fisher stalled, causing the next stop.

Again, Durbin claimed the outside for the restart. Prestay was inside next row, with fast timer Danny Darnell along side. Durbin moved back in command, looking like he'd pull off his second win. But with just five laps to go, Prestay grabbed his second wind, getting under the leader and then moving out front of the field. Durbin faded, first one, then two spots, slowing quickly. Darnell quickly made up some pavement, as Prestay held a small lead.

Now Al Schill joined the cluster, along with Burkoth, Billy Skinner Jr. and Jamie Wallace all getting past Durbin. With only two laps to go, Darnell tried the inside of Prestay. Each time, the leader came back. On the white flag lap, Darnell and Schill were all over the leader. Coming off the final corner, Prestay pulled away from the group, winning the event by two lengths, over Darnell, Schill, Burkoth, Skinner,  Wallace, Durbin and Landry Potter, in quite the thriller.

Jim Hughes climbed in front of the 20 car super stock feature, with rookie Craig Mertes, Scott Eggebrecht, Jeff Lorenz and Marty Robb next. On lap five John Janssen got the black flag for sheet metal hanging , while running thirteenth. Jockeying for positions, Robb moved into second on lap six, with Hughes feeling the pressure. One lap later, there was a new leader, as Robb took the point.

Zac Deeringer (#02) used a final lap pass on Marty Robb to win this evening's feature event for the McHenry Limo Super Stock division.   Deeringer is the current point leader in the class.

Within a few laps Robb's comfortable margin was gone, as Jerry Cowan, Zac Deeringer and quick timer Shane Bishop moved in, as Hughes went backwards in the running order. It was a great side by side race, with Robb holding a small margin. With the white flag out, Robb held the steady line, but somehow Deeringer slipped under the leader. Coming into three Robb charged back in front. But rounding fourth and final turn, Deeringer and Robb dueled for the lead. Coming across the wire, Deeringer inched ahead, with Robb holding back, Cowan, Bishop, Denny Norton Jr., Adam Regnier, Lorenz and Katie Taylor, in this close contest.

Chad Ross held the lead for just two laps, before brief leader, Chad Phillips, Bob Koidahl flew to a three truck win over, Jim Olson, Dan Ross, R.J. Ross, Lance Ross and Bill Vankirk of the sport truck feature.

This coming Saturday night All Modes trucking from Park City, IL. will present four divisions of action. As the Sportsman and Wisconsin Allison Legacy Series, join the Super Lates and Super Stocks. A special added attraction will take place, as the Fireside Fireworks Super Store will put on a giant fireworks display. There will be no increase in admission prices. Time trials will take place at 6 pm. racing at 7:30 sharp.

Lake Geneva Raceway is located on Bloomfield Road just one and a half mile southeast of downtown Lake Geneva. The track surface is a paved one third mile banked oval.

For a complete schedule of the 1999 events , send one large self addressed stamped envelope to: Lake Geneva Raceway 1015 N. Bloomfield Road , Lake Geneva, WI. 53147. If you wish to contact the track the phone number is  (414) 248-8566.

RESULTS

First 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Potter; 2.) Moeller; 3.) Billy Baumeister
Second 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Joe Fisher; 2.) Lynn Jr.; 3.) Russ Blakley

First 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Tim Wilson; 2.) Craig Mertes; 3.) Scott Peterson
Second 10 Lap Heat: 1.) Regnier; 2.) Lorenz; 3.) Robb