WEST SALEM, WI – The popular ‘Big 8-style’ Late Models which compete at eleven different tracks throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa are once again to be featured on the final day of the 47th Oktoberfest Racing Weekend.
The top ‘weekly warriors’ in the region who have notched wins at their home tracks in 2016 will be among those who are eligible to compete for the ‘JMcK 63’, to be held Sunday October 9th at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway on the final day of the four day celebration of short track racing. The Late Model invitational event, honoring the late short track auto racing promoter John McKarns, returns to the final day of Oktoberfest for the seventh consecutive season.
Modeled after the Dick Trickle 99 race format McKarns introduced to ‘Fest in 2007, the JMcK 63 is contested in three 21 lap segments with the first segment being lined up by draw, the second by inversion and third based on the overall point total heading into the final segment. ‘JMcK’ was an abbreviated version of John McKarns’ signature over the years.
This invitational event is open to 2016 weekly late model and Big 8 Series feature winners, former Big 8 Series Oktoberfest Champions, past ARTGO Challenge Series top guns as well as the top six in Big 8 Series points.
The first installment of the JMcK back in 2010 saw local favorite Skylar Holzhausen take the win in dramatic fashion. In 2011, Kyle Shear claimed top honors as he passed an impressive 34 cars throughout the day to capture victory. In 2012, Zach Riddle capped off an unforgettable Oktoberfest Weekend, winning the JMcK one day after finishing first in the Big 8 Series’ championship race on the 5/8 mile oval. In 2013, Minnesota’s Chris Marek nearly became the first driver to sweep all three segments of the event on his road to victory, while Minnesota youngster Michael Beamish put his name in the record books as a winner of the ‘JMcK 63’ in 2014. Roush Fenway Development Driver and NASCAR Next driver Ty Majeski won two out of the three segments to add his name to the record books at last year’s Fest.
For additional information regarding the Oktoberfest Race Weekend including camping, call 608-786-1525 or visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com
JMcK ’63’
Eligible Drivers
(as of 10/4/16)
Adam Peschek- State Park Speedway
Al Stippich- Slinger Speedway
Anthony Brewer- Elko Speedway
Bobby Wilberg- 2012 JMcK Segment Winner
Brad Hetzel- Dells Raceway
Brad Osborn- Hawkeye Downs
Brad Powell- LaCrosse Speedway
Braison Bennett- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
Brent Edmunds- Madison Intl Speedway
Brian Gibson- Hawkeye Downs
Brian Holtz- Slinger Speedway
Brody Willett- Hawkeye Downs
Bryan Wrolstad- Elko Speedway
Casey Johnson- Jefferson Speedway
Chris Marek- 2013 JMcK winner
Cole Anderson- Past JMcK segment winner
Dale Nottestad- Jefferson Speedway
Doug Brown- Elko Speedway
Dudley Fleck- ARTGO Star
Dylan Moore- Elko Speedway
Dylan Schuyler- Jefferson Speedway
Dylan Warner- Elko Speedway
Eddie Muenster- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
EJ Waldron- Slinger Speedway
Evan Call- State Park Speedway
Gary Krueger- ARTGO Star
Gary Natrop- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
Grant Greisbach- Big 8 Series
Griffin McGrath- Hawkeye Downs
J Herbst- 2012 Segment Winner
Jake Gille- Rockford Speedway
Jake Sernett- Elko Speedway
Jason Erickson- Jefferson Speedway
Jason Schuler- 2011 JMcK Segment Winner/ARTGO Star
Jeff Nowak- State Park Speedway
Jeremy Miller- Big 8 Series
Jerry Brickner- State Park Speedway
Jesse Bernhagen- Dells Raceway
Joe Neisius- Elko Speedway
Joey Gase- Hawkeye Downs
John Beale- Madison Intl Speedway
Jon Lemke- Elko Speedway/ARTGO Star
Jon Reynolds Jr- Rockford Speedway
Jordan DeVoy- Slinger Super Speedway
Kevin Knuese- Madison Intl Speedway
Kevin Nuttleman- Over 100 career La Crosse wins
Kody Hubred- Jefferson Speedway
Kyle Bauknecht- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
Kyle Chwala- Slinger Speedway
Kyle Shear- 2011 JMcK Winner
Lyle Nowak- State Park Speedway
Matt Berger- Rockford Speedway
Michael Beamish- 2014 JMcK Winner
Michael Bilderback- Rockford Speedway/Big 8 Series
Michael Gruenberg- Jefferson Speedway
Michael Ostdiek- Elko Speedway/Big 8 Series
Mike Carlson- LaCrosse Speedway
Mike Held- Slinger Speedway
Mike Lloyd- Rockford Speedway
Mike Meyerhofer Jr- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
Nick Beaver- Elko Speedway
Nick Nolden- Dells Raceway
Rich Schumann Jr- Big 8 Series
Ryan Ferrell- Slinger Speedway
Ryan Gutknecht- Slinger Speedway
Ryan Kamish- Elko Speedway
Shane Morrissey- Dells Raceway
Skylar Holzhausen- Past Big 8 ‘Fest Winner/2010 JMcK Winner
Steve Carlson- La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway/ARTGO Star
Steve Dobbratz- Dells Raceway
Steve Rubeck- Past Big 8 ‘Fest Winner
Timmy Springstroh- Wisconsin Int’l Raceway
Todd Handrick- State Park Speedway
Todd Kamish- Elko Speedway
Todd Korish- Past Big 8 ‘Fest Winner
Ty Majeski- Past JMcK winner/LaCrosse Speedway
Wayne Freimund- Rockford Speedway/J McK segment winner
Zach Less- Hawkeye Downs
Zach Riddle- Past Big 8 ‘Fest Winner/2012 JMcK Winner