For the first time in recent memory, a champion received a standing ovation upon his arrival to the podium with raceway promoter and owner, Kevin Dawson serving as Master of Ceremonies. The drivers name was Al Schill, who won his third straight super late model title. It was an emotional night and season for Al Schill, his family, crew and everyone in attendance. Today was ten months to the day, the Schill family lost their son, Al Jr. on March 29th.
This season, Al Schill, who started racing the year the raceway was built some 34 years ago, said he would dedicate the rest of his racing career to his son and our former 1995 champion. Al Schill won the first feature of the season and the last of the regular season, but never ran away with the point lead. Schill said that his son was along side of him, in every race. Kevin Dawson said, "that as long as he owned the raceway, there will be a "Al Schill Jr. memorial race, each year. Their was a plaque with the first name on it, Steve Carlson, winner of the Re/Max race last July here.
Runner-up to Al Schill was Randy Rodgers, who won the Al Schill Jr. memorial dash, with 12 wins. Chuck Dominaco from Chuck's Sherdian Auto Salvage out of Racine, was the sponsor of the weekly event, that started seven drivers. Rodgers picked up $500 and Danny Darnell received $200, with his win totals. Darnell finished third in the standings, winning only 1 feature this past season, as many factors caused his dismay, but the strong runs giving the second generation drivers, a close finish in the standings. Brad Durbin who came back this season, competing very well, finishing fourth. Kent Burkoth was fifth.With Landry Potter, Denny Hiffman, Joe Fisher, rookie of the year, Russ Blakely ninth and Bob Moeller former street stock champion rounding out the top ten.
In the growing Super stock division sponsored by McHenry Limo, Zac Deeringer took over the point lead just before mid season and never looked back. Winning his first championship ahead of defending champion John Janssen, who was runner-up in the final standings the last year of the century. Adam Regnier, who was plagued by mechanical problems during mid season, came back to finish third. Class sponsor and second year driver Marty Robb was fourth, smooth and constant driver, Doug Peterson was fifth. The rest of the top ten, were Shane Bishop, Troy Weber and Jeff Lorenz who were tied for seventh, with Greg Peterson and John Maki next. Rookie of the year was Dan Huber in his slick looking Dodge Charger.
In a division that three years ago, looked terminal, has now come up very strong, the sportsman class champion who during the last decade won three crowns, Scott Poritz grabbed the title in a close battle with runner-up Brian Baker. Mike Lange was third, with Dan Erikson and former two time champion, and current Mid American champion, Rick Corso fifth. Completing the top ten were, LeRoy Potter, rookie of the year, finishing next was Monty Coffman, followed by Brad Troxel, Jerry Freeman and Rick Rowlett. The class was sponsored by Denny Norton Jr. and his Performance Unlimited Company. Norton gave out some special awards and is being credited with helping this division to grow.
In the struggling sport truck division, Chad Ross, a second year driver grabbed the point lead, with just one month to go and beat R.J. Ross, Bob Koidahl, Chad Phillips, Jim Olson, Lance Ross, Todd Ross, Curt Mason, Vincent Merry and Ryan Hughes. This division will get a big shot in the arm with weekly Friday nights events beginning May 26th. for fourteen weeks.
In a special drawing, Danny Darnell won the 5-Star Stock Car body. Torch oil, distributors of Turbo Blue racing fuel gave Kent Burkoth, Landry Potter, Larry Surleta, Mike Lange and Dan Erikson extra money for using their products.
The next event the raceway participates in is the 23rd. annual BARS "Let's go racing" Motorsports show at the Original Outlet Mall at I-94 and Highway 50, just west of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mike Babicz, is the promoter of this show and drivers should call (847) 855-0019 to enter.
At a few minutes before midnight December 31st. 1999, Russ Blakley won what is considered the truly final event of the old century. Dane Schultz won the first race of the new century that started at 12 midnight January 1st, 2000. Making Lake Geneva Raceway the last track in the country and first track in the country to hold a race. Over twenty drivers came out and raced.
Opening night for the 2000 season, will be April 8th.