KAUKAUNA, WI -- Jeff Van Oudenhoven of Kimberly will be the defending champion when the 33rd annual Red, White and Blue State Championship for late model stock cars gets underway Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Qualifying starts at 5:15 p.m. on the half-mile paved track.
Van Oudenhoven, also the defending champion in the Yellow Book USA Midwest AllStar Series, is currently ranked second in the touring division behind Jim Duchow of Appleton after the first two races of 2004.

Among the leading entries is also third place Yellow Book USA driver Blake Bjorlund of Isanti, MN. The 18-year-old rookie is coming off the biggest win of his career when he edged out Van Oudenhoven in a 100-lapper at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre, MN Saturday night. "Kaukauna is a tough place to learn. I'm coming over there trying to gain a little each time I race there," Bjorklund said. Justin Diercks of Davenport, IA is another top challenger. He was second in the Budweiser Spring Classic three weeks ago a WIR. "I've got a lot of confidence at that track right now," Diercks said. "That was a good finish for our team and we're thinking we can win there now."

Other top runners expected are Ryan Hanson of Beloit, Jamie Iverson of Escanaba, MI, Terry Baldry of Omro, D.J. Dondelinger of Brainerd, MN, Rod Wheeler of Hortonville, Lowell Bennett of Neenah, Mike Kelly of Norway, MI, Kirby Kurth of Wisconsin Rapids, and Mark Schroeder of Green Bay.

The progam also includes the Yellow Book USA Mid-American stock cars and FRRC limited late models on the half-mile along with figure 8 and 4 cylinder racing on an inner quarter-mile course.

For more information consult the series website at www.racingmidwest.com or call the track at 920-766-5577.

Series phone -- 920-823-2856