Paine Wins Inaugural Futures Race on Opening Night of Oktoberfest
By: Ashley Iwanski & Kevin Ramsell
(West Salem, WI - October 2, 2008)
 
A huge crowd was in attendance Thursday for the first night of the 39th Annual Oktoberfest race weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. The opening night action was sponsored by CC 106.3.
Paul Paine held off the Neville Brothers, the racers not the singers, to win the inaugural "Futures" Super Late Model event. Derek Neville jumped to the lead of 25-lap feature event with Paul Paine moving to second. A big multi-car wreck occurred on lap 3 with nine cars being involved. Brian Back took a wild ride as his car almost went over the turn three wall but did come to a rest on the track. All drivers were alright but six were done for the night. After a lengthy clean up period, Derek & Nick Neville led the field back to the green flag on lap 3. The brothers raced side-by-side for a lap until Derek took the top spot away from Nick on lap 4. Derek pulled away while Nick was in a side-by-side battle with Paul Paine on lap 5. Paine would take over the second spot on lap 6. The caution flew on lap 10 for some light precipitation. The field did stay on the track in an effort to keep the track dry.
After a rain delay, Derek Neville and Paine led the field back to the green with 16 laps remaining. Neville got the jump on Paine to hold on to the top spot.
After a quick caution, Paine took advantage of the re-start and got on the inside of Paine going into turn one to take over the top spot.  Marshall Beck would spin in turn three to bring out a caution with six laps to go. Paine would pull away from Derek Neville on the re-start to a five-car length lead with five laps to go while Nick Neville got past Derek Neville for second with three laps to go. Nick Neville would chase down Paine in the closing laps, but would run out of laps as Paine would take the "Futures" win. Derek Neville finished third with Andy Hanson coming home fourth.  Thor Anderson would beat out Brett Moffitt by half a car-length to take the fifth place finish.
Tim Nelson was declared the official winner of the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model feature after only 14 laps. Rain had drifted into the area, cutting what would have been a fifty lap feature short. Yet, before the rain moved in Steve Carlson looked like he was well on his way to getting another win under his belt. The race started with the drivers going three wide through the corners which resulting in a crash on the first lap. On the restart Tim Nelson was in the lead and Carlson was creeping up slowly. But, before they had a chance to fight it out the rain started. Carlson finished in third behind Brad Powell.
Larry Bolster Jr. walked away Thursday night with the 2008 North Country Contractors Sportsmen division Championship, while Randy Humfeld finished his season on top with his only feature win all year. When the green flag waved Jimmy Gilster and Rob Mason were in a tight battle for the lead. Six laps into the race they were side by side with Humfeld lurking behind them. Meanwhile Bolster Jr. broke into the top five setting himself up to win the championship. A caution came out with one to go when Andy Moore spun in turn four nearly collecting seven other cars. The first restart was a no go when the drivers came around to get the green flag four wide. When the one lap race to the finish got going Jerrod Loging went spinning down the backstretch as Humfeld took the lead and the win.
Matthew Moore jumped to the lead in the 15-lap La Crosse Thunderstox Oktoberfest Feature event.  Moore along with Chris Weber broke away from the rest of the field in a two-car battle. Adam Moore and Jamie Dummer were tied for the Thunderstox championship coming into the feature event.  But, that all changed on lap 12 when Moore was involved in a three car incident coming off of turn four.  Jason Stark and Ben Allen were also involved. Matthew Moore led the field back to the green flag but only got one lap completed for another spin in turn four. Moore continued to lead with two laps to go, but on the last lap Scott Geier got on the inside of Moore going into turn one.  As they went down the backstretch, Geier would take over the top spot.  Charles Vian would also take advantage inside lane to take over second.  Moore fell back to third at the checkered flag. Jason Bolster was fourth and Jamie Dunner was fifth.  Dunner's fifth place finish secured the 2008 championship for the La Crosse Thunderstox division.
Jim Schermerhorn went wire-to-wire to take home the Hornet vs. Bandit 15-lap Oktoberfest feature. Schermerhorn grabbed the lead at the start of the event as he got the jump from his outside front row starting spot. Steve Bornitz started 12th in the feature event and worked his way up to second by lap 8.  But, Schermerhorn had too big of a lead for Bornitz to catch him as the checkered flag flew.
Brent Wenzel held off Daniel Linnehan to win the R.A.Y.S. feature. Three laps into the race Linnehan spun bringing out a caution and restarting in the back of the field. As the laps went by Linnehan was able to weave through traffic and by lap six was back in the top five. With one lap to go a second caution came out bring Linnehan to the tail of leader Wenzel. When the green flag waved for the one lap shootout Linnehan tried high and then low to pass Wenzel, but couldn't make it. Linnehan crossed the finish line on the bumper of Wenzel.
Adam Moore jumped to the lead in the unique 12-lap Double-O race where it is raced on the quarter-mile and .545-mile track alternating between the two tracks. Jason Stark would get on the outside of Moore on lap 5 to challenge for the top-five.  Moore would use the lap traffic to his advantage and hold on to the top spot. Stark would get back on the outside as they took the battle to the big track at the halfway mark.  But, as they went to the small track, Moore would be able to hold on to the lead. As the white flag flew, Stark had the inside line on Moore, but lap traffic would ruin Stark chances.  As the final lap was raced on the big track, Stark would get on the outside.  But at the line, it was Moore by half a car length to take the win.
Oktoberfest racing continues Friday, October 3rd with the "Dick Trickle 99" Super Late Models, Super Sportsmen, and Area Sportsmen presented by Coca-Cola. On Saturday, October 4th Miller Genuine Draft presents the ASA North Series, ASA Midwest Tour (preliminaries), Big-8 Late Models, and the Mid-American Stock Cars. Sunday, October 5th concludes the weekend with the ASA Midwest Tour Oktoberfest 100, USST North Trucks and more. For more information about La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway please visit www.lacrossespeedway.com or contact the office at (608) 786-1525 or lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com. Also visit the official Oktoberfest website at www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com.
 
           
           
 
LA CROSSE FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY
Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models
CC 106.3 50 Feature ( Cars) - 1, Tim Nelson, La Crescent, Minn.; 2, Bradley Powell, La Crosse; 3, Steve Carlson, West Salem; 4, Brent Kirchner, La Crosse; 5, Mike Carlson, West Salem.
Qualifying -  1, Todd Oliver, 20.246 secs, 96.982 MPH; 2, Steve Carlson, 20.389 secs, 96.302 MPH; 3, Kevin Nuttleman, 20.395 secs, 96.274 MPH; 4,      Brent Kirchner, 20.397 secs, 96.264 MPH; 5, Todd Korish, 20.591 secs, 95.357 MPH; 6, Bradley Powell; 7, Paul Proksch; 8, Mike Carlson; 9, Emily Sue Steck; 10, Shawn Pfaff; 11, Tim Nelson; 12, Tom Thill; 13, Matthew Henderson; 14, Tony Bagstad; 15, Jeff Baker; 16, Tim Hagen; 17, Chris Skrede; 18, Kevin Eddy; 19, John Towner; 20, Scott L Rand; 21, Albert Locy.
Qualifying Heat 1 - 1, Tony Bagstad; 2, Mike Carlson; 3, Shawn Pfaff; 4, John Towner; 5, Tom Thill.
Qualifying Heat 2 - 1, Paul Proksch; 2, Matthew Henderson; 3, Jeff Baker; 4, Chris Skrede; 5, tim Nelson.
6 for 6 - 1, Brad Powell; 2, Emily Sue Steck; 3, Steve Carlson; 4, Todd Korish; 5, Todd Oliver. 
Odd Bud Dash - 1.
Even Bud Dash - 1.
 
Futures Super Late Models
CC 106.3 25 Feature ( Cars) - 1, Paul Paine, Mound, Minn.; 2,
B-Feature - 1,  
Qualifying -  1, Brent Moffitt, 19.195 secs, 102.292 MPH; 2, Mike Carlson, 19.249 secs, 102.005 MPH; 3, Skylar Holzhausen, 19.313 secs, 101.667 MPH; 4, Andy Hanson, 19.321 secs, 101.625 MPH; 5, Terry Shoppenhorst, 19.327 secs, 101.594 MPH.
 
North Country Contractors Sportsmen
CC 106.3 20 Feature ( 24 Cars) - 1, Randy Humfeld, Chaseburg; 2, Chad Rosendahl, Houston, Minn.; 3, Jake Arneson, Taylor; 4, Jerimy Wagner, Melrose; 5, Larry Bolster Jr., Sparta; 6, Ken Lewis, Black River Falls; 7, Greg Scheck, La Crosse; 8, Jes Tenner, Melrose; 9, Rob Curran, Rockland; 10, Branden Berg, Melrose; 11, Dan Gilster, West Salem; 12, Jason Dummer, Holmen; 13, Justin Berg, Bangor; 14, Tony Leis, Onalaska; 15, Andy Moore, Sparta; 16, Rob Mason, Preston, Minn.; 17, Jimmy Gilster, West Salem; 18, Joe Rinartz, La Crosse; 19, Jerrod Loging, West Salem; 20, Adam Eckes, Auburndale; 21, Mark Challet, Bangor; 22, Rick Johnson, La Crosse; 23, Nick Clements, Holmen; 24, Adam Galllagher, Melrose.
B-Feature - 1, Joe Rinartz; 2, Rick Johnson; 3, Justin Berg; 4, Jerry Aylsworth, La Crosse; 5, Adam Gallagher.  
Qualifying -  1, Larry Bolster Jr., 22.118 secs, 88.774 MPH; 2, Jake Arneson, 22.188 secs, 88.494 MPH; 3,         Chad Rosendahl, 22.200 secs, 88.446 MPH; 4, Randy Humfeld, 22.266 secs, 88.184 MPH; 5,   Branden Berg, 22.286 secs, 88.105 MPH.
Qualifying Heat 1 - 1, Tony Leis; 2, Mark Challet; 3, Mark Kalata; 4, Adam Gallagher; 5, David Treu Sr.
Qualifying Heat 2 - 1, Jerimy Wagner; 2, Andy Moore; 3, Justin Berg; 4, Joe Rinartz; 5, Jerry Aylsworth.
Odd Bud Dash - 1, Jes Tenner; 2, Branden Berg; 3, Larry Bolster Jr.; 4, Chad Rosendahl; 5, Jason Dummer.
Even Bud Dash - 1, Greg Scheck; 2, Ken Lewis; 3, Jake Arneson; 4, Rob Mason; 5, Jimmy Gilster.
 
United Auto Supply Thunderstox
CC 106.3 15 Feature (24 cars) - 1, Scott Geier, La Crosse; 2, Charles Vian, Sparta; 3, Matthew Moore, Tomah; 4, Jason Bolster, Sparta; 5, Jamie Dummer, Galesville; 6, Charles Vian Jr., 7, Jason Schaller, La Crosse; 8, Bill Inglett, La Crosse; 9, Josh Inglett, La Crosse; 10, Harley Jankowski, Sparta; 11, Wayne Smith, Onalaska; 12, Nathan White, Camp Douglas; 13, Keith Larson, La Crosse; 14, Ed Senn, La Crosse; 15, Ben Allen, Bangor; 16, Chris Weber, Cashton; 17, Andy Moore, Sparta; 18, Adam Moore, Sparta; 19, Brad Warthan, Sparta; 20, Danielle Neary, La Crosse; 21, Jason Stark, Sparta; 22, Steve Owen, West Salem; 23, Mike Olson, Sparta; 24, Kayla Steinhoff, Rockland.   
B-Feature - 1, Harley Jankowski; 2, Bill Inglett; 3, Keith Larson; 4, Jason Schaller; 5, Dakota Miller, Sparta.
Heat 1 - 1, Matthew Moore; 2, Nathan White; 3, Ben Allen; 4, Wayne Smith; 5, Ed Senn.   
Heat 2 - 1, Charles Vian; 2, Brad Warthan; 3, Jason Stark; 4, Mike Olson; 5, Danielle Neary.
Heat 3 - 1, Steve Owen; 2, Andy Moore; 3, Josh Inglett; 4, Charles Vian Jr.; 5, Kayla Steinhoff.
Heat 4 - 1, Chris Weber; 2, Jason Bolster; 3, Adam Moore; 4, Jamie Dummer; 5, Scott Geier.
 
Features Sports Bar Hornets
CC 106.3 15 Feature 1 (12 cars) - 1, Jim Shermerhorn, Middle Ridge; 2, ; 3, ; 4, Nate Towner, Trempealeau; 5, Ron Amann, West Salem; 6, ; 7, Matthew Carpenter, Galesville; 8, ; 9, Jack Litsheim, La Crosse; 10, Pete Muenkel, Caledonia, Minn.; 11, ; 12, Matthew Moore, Tomah.
Heat 1 - 1, Jack Litsheim; 2, Ron Amann; 3, Matthew Moore; 4, Mark Bornitz; 5, Kyle Swenson.
Heat 2 - 1, Steve Bornitz; 2, Nate Towner; 3, ; 4, ; 5, Pete Muenkel.
 
R.A.Y.S.
CC 106.3 15 Feature (10 Cars) - 1, Brent Wenzel, Two Rivers; 2, Daniel Linnehan, Leon; 3, Greg Lindvig, Burr Oak; 4, Tony Leis, Onalaska; 5, Raymond Hardy, Sparta.
Qualifying -  1, Daniel Linnehan, 14.770 secs, 60.934 MPH; 2, Greg Lindvig, 14.973 secs, 60.108 MPH; 3,          Tony Leis, 15.003 secs, 59.988 MPH; 4,      Jason Lindvig, 15.357 secs, 58.605 MPH; 5, Brett Wenzel.
Heat 1 - 1, Steve Scholze; 2, Tony Leis; 3, Daniel Linnehan; 4, Greg Lindvig; 5, Raymond Hardy.
 
Bandits
CC 106.3 15 Feature 1 (11 cars) - 1, Steve D, La Crosse; 2, Scotty Kronn, Holmen; 3, Jason Lindvig, DeSoto; 4, Ryan Happal, Holmen; 5, ; 6, Don Henderson, Holmen; 7, Adam Johnson, Grand Marsh; 8, ; 9, Chad Rinehart, Freindship; 10, ; 11, Corey Jankowski, Tomah; 12, Larry Holets, Rochester, Minn.
Heat 1 - 1, Steve D.; 2, Larry Holets; 3, ; 4, ; 5, .
 
Double-O
CC 106.3 12 Feature 1 (# cars) - 1. 
 
 
The 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend will take place on Oktober 2-5, 2008 at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.  For more information, please visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com.