By Dale R. Erdmann
February 1, 1997; Richmond, IL.
The 1996 O'Doul's Race series is officially over as over 400 drivers, fans, pit crews, and families of the Lake Geneva Raceway jammed the cozy little place, called Hunters Country Club, honoring the champions.
This was the 13th annual and longest Promotional reign under one owner, Kevin Dawson, who servied as Master of Cerimonies. Drivers who completed 75% of all weekly shows run shared a new record $21,000 in point fund monies and contingencies.
Some special awards included a championship bonus of $200. Al's Machine Shop, with the help of Lee Tibbitts, gave away a new engine, value at $2,200, to a lucky Herb's street stock driver. Adam Regnier was the last card that Tibbitts picked out of the box. STS had over $2,000 available but only Rick Corso, Paul Loppnow and Rolf Tillman signed up and took home their share, which came to $525. (Satellite Technology Systems manufactures an onboard unit that produces a signal when the raceway starter throws the yellow flag.)
Bill Damron, owner of Herb's Used Auto Parts, was surprised as the drivers of the street stock division, which he sponsors, gave this popular person a plaque for all his efforts. A $1,500, 5 Star Stock Car Body went to Jim Kjellander in the late model division. Turbo Blue racing fuel gave a gift certificate for the 1997 race season. This went to Mark Simmonsen. Ralph Westman, representing Hoosier Tiers, gave out gift certificates for eligible drivers. On his own, Westman, another strong supporter of the track, gave out runner up jackets. Westman also urged drivers to support the ones who support them and buy locally, not from a catalog. Rookies of the year were announced as Bert Getchell, street; Shane Bishop, sportsman; Dean Schewechel, sport trucks; and Chuck Duncan, late models were named.
By division, Fran Prestay of Silver lake won his second title in three seasons, plus chalking up an impressive win slate with 16 features, 17 fast times, and numerous heat and dash wins in the last season of late model racing here. Ronnie Darnell finished runner up with a comfortable margin. Kent Burkoth was third, David Ray Salentine fourth, Bobby Giers fifth, followed by Mike Simon, Billy Skinner Jr, Denny Hiffman, Eddie May, and Mark Hartline rounding out the top ten.
In Herb's street stocks, Dennis Carlton of McHenry, IL won his first title ever here, running away with the crown over Adam Regnier, Rob Hunt, Denny Norton Jr, Mike Simon Jr, Gene Pennington Jr, Louie Bochette, Zac Deeringer, Jay Potter, and Jerry Marsh.
The 102.3 Sport Turcks celebrated their 7th season with their fourth different champion, as Donnie Swiercz from McHenry, IL nipped Rolf Tillman, Dan Ross, Dave Shine, Joel "the tinman" Filtz, Bill Swinford, Ron Ross, Chad Ross, Dean Schwechel, and Butch Edwards Jr.
In the mid american/sportsman Rick Corso of McHenry, IL won his second title in four years, finishing ahead of Eric Roberts, Shane Bishop, Paul Loppnow, Brian Baker, Ed Kubicz, Dave Lohse, Rick Schmidt, Kevin Rein, and Smokin' Joe Francisco.
The big announcement came! The new super late models would compete weekly starting April 5th. Herb's would sponsor the street stocks, with $100 for a feature win, plus this coming season, the semi features will pay $25 for each winner. Performance Unlimited will sponsor the mid american/sportsman with $200 for the feature winner. The late models are looking for a weekly sponsor, but have already been told that $600 would go to them for winning a feature. The next big event will be the 20th annual BARS "Lets go racing" Auto Show, March 17th through the 23rd at Lakehurst Mall in Waukegan, IL. WXLC 102.3 signed an agreement to again sponsor the original sport trucks. This station ranked near the top of the listenership survey in the last rating book. This will be their third year of sponsorship. June 7th will be WXLC night at the raceway.
Drivers and fans, we'll see you there. It's a great way to kick off the 1997 racing season.