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Greg Parent
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. (May 24) - The first of four Feature Only and Kids Nights was held at the Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday May 24 and proved to be an entertaining and eventful evening of racing action at the 3/8 mile high-banked Wisconsin speedplant. A good field of 102 cars signed into the pits in five NASCAR racing divisions. There were eleven different feature winners, as no driver was able to win both main events in any of the divisions. The first round of races held in each division were the Qualifying Features followed by the Main events for all classes.
The final qualifying feature event pitted 22 NASCAR late models for 20 laps of full throttle racing. Barry Underdahl bolted into the lead from his pole starting position and proceeded to show the way for the first two laps. On lap 3 Pat Doar took command of the top spot for good, but there were still several cars on the move forward behind him. The first caution appeared 8 laps into the race when Mike Nutzmann suffered a breakdown and stalled on the track. Nutzmann's car was towed to the pits and did not race anymore. Ashley Anderson had just moved into second place before the caution, and as the race got back underway he began looking for a way to get by Doar. Just one lap later, the second and final yellow slowed the pace when Jeff Keeney got sideways in turn one, causing Jeff Martire to loop his car to avoid contact. The race then went 11 laps nonstop to the finish. Brent Larson had caught the fan's attention at this point having moved from 18th to 5th. Larson moved to 4th a lap later behind third place runner Rick Hanestad. The order would remain the same for the rest of the race, as Pat Doar finished first followed by Ashley Anderson, Rick Hanestad, Brent Larson and Chuckie DeSmith.
The 25 lap NASCAR late model main event came trackside 20 cars strong. Brent Larson was looking for his second win of the season and his pole starting spot via a strong run in the first feature earlier in the night meant he bring the field to life. Larson immediately grabbed the lead in front of Pat Doar and never looked back. Ashley Anderson got by Doar on lap 2. Three cautions in the first four laps slowed the pace, but it was then 21 straight laps of green flag racing to the finish. The running order did not change much during the green flag run, but things got a bit interesting for a couple of laps when the leaders worked lapped traffic. Brent Larson went on to earn the victory in front of Ashley Anderson, Pat Doar, Rick Hanestad and Rick Egersdorf.
The NASCAR street stock division was on the track first with a 14 car qualifying feature event for 10 racing laps. Fresh off her feature win on Thursday night at CLS, Chanda Fjorden-Nord was looking to make it two straight. The popular female driver immediately bolted into the lead from her outside front row starting spot. The race was quickly under caution with just one lap completed when Kyle Howland got crossed up in turn 4 and collected the cars of Shawn Kammerud and Ryan Kostreba. All cars were able to continue and the race was soon back under green. Chris Peterson was steadily moving forward from his fifth starting spot and began applying pressure on the leader on lap five. One more yellow for a spin in turn 4 by Kevin Schmidt slowed the pace with seven laps in the books. Fjorden-Nord's yellow #5 street stock was strong on the restart and she was able to hold off Chris Peterson for the victory. Following Peterson to the checkers was 10th starter Shawn Kammerud, opening night feature winner Devin Neske, and 11th starter Ryan Kostreba to complete the top five.
The NASCAR midwest modified division had a large enough field of cars that two 15 lap qualifying feature events were run with 13 cars in each. The first qualifier saw Bryan Siercks grab the lead from his pole starting position and race ahead of the field. Shawn Phillips worked his way forward from his 6th starting spot and soon found himself in second behind Siercks. As the laps clicked by, Siercks maintained his lead. The lone caution of the race bunched the field up when Mike Gibson spun in turn 4 with 12 laps scored. The three lap dash to the finish found Siercks fend off the challenges of Phillips for the win. Completing the top five were Sam Nelson, Vince Corbin, and Kyle Steffen. The second qualifier for the midwest mods would see four lead changes amongst three different drivers. Justin Schill powered into the lead at the drop of the green from his outside second row starting spot and proceeded to pace the first six laps. Unfortunately for Schill, his engine went up in smoke and the caution waved after six laps. Dane Durbin inherited the lead and on the ensuing restart Durbin and Clark Perry made contact in turn one with both cars continuing on. Durbin led the next three laps before Perry came back and grabbed the top spot for two laps. Durbin returned to the lead on lap 12 and was able to keep Perry behind him for the win. Following the leaders were Lonnie Louschke, Jeremy Houle and 13th starter Mark Trog in the top five.
A 20 car starting grid in the NASCAR super stocks saw Jim Gullikson lead all the way in their 15 lap qualifying feature race. For the second time in the past two race nights, a super stock ended up on its roof. Following an opening lap spin by Brent Kobs, the race attempted to get underway for the second time. This try saw Justin Dodge spin in turn two and while trying to avoid him Brent Kobs clipped the front of Dodge's car. Kobs ended up rolling over on his roof. Nobody was injured but both cars were out. As the green replaced the red, Gullikson powered ahead of the field on the high side of the track while positions changed hands behind him. The race was under caution after nine laps for a spin by defending track champion Larry Boumeester. Gullikson continued the strong pace on the restart. Lap 13 proved to be unlucky for last year's Legendary 100 winner Dale Gangl. After hard contact with the turn 4 wall, Gangl had a right front tire go down and made contact with the turn 1 wall. As the yellow flew, second place runner Lyle Archambeau saw his fine run go up in smoke with a burned piston. Just as he had done all race long, Jim Gullikson led the final two circuits for the win. Rich Bishop rode home in second ahead of Justin Stahl, Tim Borgeson, and Dan Carlson. Stahl failed to go to the tech area after the race, so he was disqualified. This moved Cale Berry up into the fifth finishing spot.
Racing 24 cars strong, the exciting NASCAR modified division roared to life under Jeff Stacken's green flag for their 15 lap qualifying feature. A spin by Mike Mueller on the opening lap resulted in a complete restart. Mueller headed pitside but would return to the race when Keith Lepinski spun in turn 2 on the restart and collected the car driven by Don Brightbill in a hard nose-to-tail crash. Both cars were done for the night. As the race went green, Terry Hanson took advantage of his outside front row start and moved up to the high side of the track on the cushion with Thursday night winner Pat Doar in tow. Craig Brightbill had a strong run going and soon moved past Doar for second. A spin by Shaun Kelley in turn 4 with 7 laps in closed the field. Defending and four time track champion Dave Cain had already come from 14th to 4th at this time as track announcer Chris Stepan pointed out. Cain would continue his march forward when the race resumed. A lap later Cain was third and then took second from Brightbill the following lap. Another caution flew with 10 laps completed when Mike Kelley Jr made contact with the turn 1 wall and came to rest up against it. His car would need wrecker assistance. Two laps after the restart, Craig Brightbill moved back past Dave Cain for second when Cain slapped the frontstretch wall. The final yellow waved for Chris Magistad when his car lost power and stalled on the inside of the front straightaway with 13 laps in the books. This set the stage for an exciting green-white-checker dash to the finish. Terry Hanson held off Craig Brightbill and Dave Cain for the win. Rounding out the top five finishers was 17th starter Jason Miller and Pat Doar.
With the Qualifying Feature races now completed, passing and finishing points were used to determine the starting lineups for the main events.
Following an intermission for some activities for the kids, the NASCAR street stocks were the first division to take to the track to complete their racing program with a 15 lap feature. Chris Peterson grabbed the early lead, but Shawn Kammerud moved past Peterson on lap two for the top spot. After a Jared Gross spin in turn 4 brought the field under yellow with two laps completed, Kammerud took off into the lead on the restart. The final yellow flag flew with five laps in when Kyle Howland spun in turn 4. Again Kammerud showed the way up front with Devin Neske now in second. A lap later Chanda Fjorden-Nord moved past Peterson for third. Peterson changed lines on lap 8 and suddenly found himself moving back forward, as he retook third from Fjorden-Nord on lap 9 and then repassed Neske for second on lap 12. Peterson closed in on leader Kammerud with the laps clicking by and was right behind him on the final circuit. Kammerud held off Peterson for the win. Neske, Fjorden-Nord and Ryan Kostreba completed the top five. A jubilant Kammerud emerged from his car in victory lane with arms held high to celebrate his first-ever CLS feature win.
Twenty five starters were scheduled to go 15 laps in the NASCAR midwest modified main event. Dane Durbin quickly moved from his third starting spot to grab the early lead until the first of six cautions slowed the pace four laps into the race. Shawn Phillips moved past Durbin on the restart, as Durbin soon found himself battling with Clark Perry and Mark Trog. A series of cautions for a couple of spins on lap 7 brought the fan's attention to the gains made by Jason Vandekamp. A flat tire in his qualifier meant that this former street stock driver would have to start 23rd. Vandekamp had gained 12 positions in the first seven laps of the race. A couple of laps later and another spin brought out another caution with Vandekamp now running in 7th. Phillips continued to lead up front. On lap 11 Vandekamp moved to 4th and then got by Perry for 3rd on lap 12. A couple more yellows with 12 laps scored resulted in a green-white-checker dash to the finish. Vandekmap continued his march forward by passing Dane Durbin for second but ran out of laps and time to contend for the win. Shawn Phillips backed up his Thursday night victory with another win. Jason Vandekamp certainly was the hard charger in this race coming from 23rd to finish 2nd. Dane Durbin, Clark Perry and rookie Eric Herbison completed the top five in a race cut short by one lap due to time limit. Shawn Phillips collected another $100 for his win on Goodyear Tires.
The NASCAR super stocks would see 17 cars race for 20 laps in their main feature event for the evening. Outside row one starter Rich Bishop took to his familiar high line around the CLS high banks, as he bolted into the lead at the drop of the green flag. The first of two cautions brought the field under yellow with three laps scored when Mike Weber and Larry Boumeester made contact in turn 1. Boumeester went to the work area to change a flat tire while Weber went to the tail for causing the caution. These two would create some drama following the race. On the restart, Bishop bobbled slightly in turn 3 and that is all second place runner Dan Carlson needed, as he was able to get by Bishop exiting turn 4 for the lead. A lap later, Mike Weber spun in turn 2. He was allowed to continue. The race then went 16 laps nonstop to the finish with Bishop applying the pressure on Carlson. Bishop was not able to retake the lead and had to settle for second place behind race winner Dan Carlson. Jim Gullikson turned in another strong effort to finish third in front of Tim Borgeson and Cale Berry, as these five drivers finished in the top five in both feature races. Following the race, Boumeester and Weber were disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct along with Justin Stahl. A fracas ensued in the pits and further disciplinary action may be taken pending a meeting by track officials.
With the fans still buzzing from the post-race drama following the super stock main and with lightning flashing in the western sky, the NASCAR modified main got underway with 19 of the scheduled 24 starters able to make the call. Jason Miller got the jump on pole sitter Dave Cain and blasted into the lead on the high side of the track. After a caution with four laps in for a stalled car, the race resumed. With Miller moving down off the cushion a bit on lap 6, Cain was able to power around to the outside of Miller on lap 7 and take the lead. Dave Cain in the lead at Cedar Lake usually means one thing, and Dave did not disappoint his fans as he began to pull away from the field. Miller's night came to an end 12 laps into the race when his right rear tire went flat. Craig Brightbill was now in second, but Cain again distanced himself from the field during the remaining 8 laps enroute to his first CLS victory of the season. A solid effort for Brightbill earned the "Wild Child" another second place finish. Rounding out the top five were Jason Schill, Pat Doar and Mark Froehlich with qualifying feature winner Terry Hanson in sixth. The Goodyear bonus of $200 was paid to Cain for his victory on Goodyear Eagles.
With storm clouds approaching the track, many fans and drivers quickly headed for home after the conclusion of the racing program. Next Saturday night May 31 racing action is slated to get underway at 6:30 with all five NASCAR divisions running a regular night of racing. Come on out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Saturday night NASCAR dirt tracking racing at the Cedar Lake Speedway, as the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat help add to the drama and entertainment experienced during an action-packed night of auto racing.
Race Summary
NASCAR Impact Printing Late Models
A Main- Brent Larson, Ashley Anderson, Pat Doar, Rick Hanestad, Rick Egersdorf, Mike Hesselink, Kelly Anderson, Jim Carlson, Chuckie DeSmith, Barry Underdahl, Toby Patchen, Paul Hipsag, Jeff Keeney, Mike Bear, Brent Mueller, Jeff Martire, Rick Friendt, Bryan Wennen, Mike Raboin, Jon Chrest, Dave Friendt, Mike Nutzmann
Prelim Feature- Doar, Anderson, Hanestad, Larson, DeSmith, Egersdorf, Carlson, Underdahl, Hesselink, Anderson, Patchen, Wennen, Hipsag, Bear, Keeney, Friendt, Mueller, D Friendt, Martire, Nutzmann, Raboin, Chrest
NASCAR Amsoil Modifieds
A Main- Dave Cain, Craig Brightbill, Jason Schill, Pat Doar, Mark Froehlich, Terry Hanson, Jason Gross, Chris Gorka, Shaun Kelley, Jake Jay, Cory Williams, Jeremy Gross, Mike Mueller, Kevin Viebrock, Marc Johnson, Scott Pomeroy, Darrell Moe, Dave Siercks, Jason Miller
Prelim Feature- Hanson, Brightbill, Cain, Miller, Doar, Schill, Froehlich, Siercks, Pomeroy, Gorka, Jay, Williams, Johnson, Mueller, Gross, Gross, Wood, Moe, Brightbill, Magistad, Lepinski, Kelley, Kelley, Viebrock
NASCAR Sunoco Super Stocks
A Main- Dan Carlson, Rich Bishop, Jim Gullikson, Tim Borgeson, Cale Berry, Tom Chrest, Dale Gangl, Ryan Wiome, Mike Bruggeman, Joel Collins, Cody Campeau, Greg Nippoldt, Brent Kobs, Brian Lick
Prelim Feature- Gullikson, Bishop, Borgeson, Carlson, Berry, Nippoldt, Collins, Bruggeman, Wiome, Chrest, Boumeester, Campeau, Lick, Roth, Archambeau, Gangl, Weber, Dodge, Kobs, Stahl
NASCAR 3M Midwest Modifieds
A Main- Shawn Phillips, Jason Vandekamp, Dane Durbin, Clark Perry, Eric Herbison, Bryan Siercks, Vince Corbin, Kyle Steffen, Karth Mitchell, Josh Bazey, Steve Strandlund, Matt Durbin, Sam Nelson, Jeremy Houle, Lonnie Louschke, John Clark, Mark Trog, Steve Strandlund Jr. Mike Gibson, Todd Steffen, Eric Gadach, Jake Miller, Jared Gorka, Kyle Matuska, AJ Roschen
Prelim Feature #1- Siercks, Phillips, Nelson, Corbin, Steffen, Roschen, Strandlund, T Steffen, Gorka, Gibson, Mitchell, Vandekamp, Gadach
Prelim Feature #2- Durbin, Perry, Louschke, Houle, Trog, Herbison, Bazey, Miller, M Durbin, Clark Matuska, Strandlund Jr, Schill
NASCAR Dodge Street Stocks
A Main- Shawn Kammerud, Chris Peterson, Devin Neske, Chanda Fjorden-Nord, Ryan Kostreba, Jared Gross, Kevin Schmidt, Scott Splittstoesser, Ed Puariea, Kyle Howland, Kim Korstad, Steven Johnson, Derek Borchardt
Prelim Feature- Fjorden-Nord, Peterson, Kammerud, Neske, Kostreba, Gross, Borchardt, Splittstoesser, Howland, Johnson, Schmidt, Puariea, Korstad, Heintz
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