By: Kevin Ramsell and Aspen Andre (West Salem, WI – October 8, 2016)
After setting a new track record earlier, Ty Majeski made a statement on the third day of the 47th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend by capturing the Big 8 Series victory at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin.
Defending Oktoberfest 200 winner Dan Fredrickson also made a statement towards going after his fifth title by setting a new track record in ARCA Midwest Tour qualifying on Saturday.
Dan Gilster took the checkered flag in the Mid-American Series and Kyle Stark was the big winner in the Midwest Dash Series.
In the Big 8 Series 68-lap feature event, Majeski took over the top spot from J. Herbst on lap 15 after spending about 10 laps looking for the best way to make the pass on the track veteran. Once he got the lead, he ran away from the rest of the field for his second victory in the Big 8 Series. Herbst would hold off a challenge from Michael Bilderback for second. Bilderback was third with Michael Ostdiek in fourth. Joe Neisius rounded out the top five.
Bilderback, Jon Reynolds Jr., Bryan Wrolstad, and Kelsey Schultz advanced to the feature events from qualifier races. Shane Morrissey won the odd heat while Jeremy Lepak won the even heat. Rich Schumann Jr, Shayne Poehnelt and Tim Springstroh advanced from the first last chance race to the main event. Jesse Bernhagen, Brian Gibson, and Lawrence Berthiaume advanced from the second last chance.
Bilderback also won the 2016 Big 8 Series Championship.
The ARCA Midwest Tour had their qualifying and preliminary events on Saturday night in preparation for Sunday’s Oktoberfest 200-lap season finale.
The afternoon started with Dan Fredrickson setting a new track record in qualifying with a time of 18.508 seconds. Chris Weinkauf held off Travis Kvapil to win the odd fast heat while Dalton Zehr won the even fast heat.
Derek Kraus and Andy Jones advanced from the odd qualifier heat to Sunday’s feature. Cole Anderson and Nick Barstad advanced from the even qualifier heat.
Kyle Stark not only won the Midwest Dash Series 20-lap feature, but he also collected a $200 bonus from Midwest Motorsports by starting at the rear of the field. It didn’t take long for Stark to move to the front, by lap seven he was up to the third position. On lap 13, he battled with George Sparkman for the lead, and took over the top spot with a move on the outside going into turn three. Stark would pull away to another Oktoberfest feature win with Sparkman in second and Scott Ciesielske in third. Phil Malouf was fourth with Mike Heidmann rounding out the top five.
Stark and Malouf won the Midwest Dash heat races.
Dan Gilster would lead all 30 laps and hold off a late challenge from Nick Clements to win the Mid-American Series 30-lap feature event. Clements would drive his car deep into turn three and try to catch Gilster’s bumper, but Gilster wouldn’t let him get close enough to make an attempt off of turn four. Bill Prietzel was third with Shawn Upthall was fourth. Rick Corso rounded out the top five.
Adam Oxborough, Gilster, and Rick Tackman won the Mid-American Series heat races.
Ryan Gutknecht was crowned the 2016 Mid-American Series Champion.
The final day of the 47th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend gets underway at noon on Sunday afternoon. The ARCA Midwest Tour’s Oktoberfest 200 will highlight the afternoon of racing along with the Big 8 Series JMcK 63 event. The Vintage cars will also be in action.
For more information please call the Speedway office at (608) 786-1525 or visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com.
La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway is a proud NASCAR Home track, part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series – www.hometracks.nascar.com.
LA CROSSE FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY
Big-8 Late Models
Oktoberfest 68 Feature (24 Cars) — 1. Ty Majeski, Seymour 2. J. Herbst, La Crosse 3. Michael Bilderback, South Beloit 4. Michael Ostdiek, Lakeville, MN 5. Joe Neisius, Rosemount, MN 6. Justin Neisius, Eagan, MN 7. Dillon Hammond, Grand Marsh 8. Bobby Wilberg, Beloit 9. Shayne Poehnelt, Spring Green 10. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan 11. Kelsey Schultz, Tomah 12. Ty Reedy, Holmen 13. Tim Springstroh, Kaukauna 14. Grany Griesbach, Waukesha 15. Griffin McGrath, Cedar Rapids, IA 16. Shane Morrissey, Cuba City 17. Lawrence Berthiaume, Albertville, MN 18. Brian Wrolstad, Fairbault, MN 19. Rich Schumann Jr., Portage 20. Jon Reynolds Jr., Loves Park 21. Brian Gibson, Walford, IA 22. Justin Mullikin, Holmen 23. Jeremy Lepak, Ringle 24. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chein
Qualifying — 1. Ty Majeski, 19.676 sec., 99.792 MPH 2. J. Herbst, 19.882 sec., 98.758 MPH 3. Griffin McGrath, 19.894 sec., 98.698 MPH 4. Tim Sargent, 19.895 sec., 98.693 MPH 5. Michael Beamish, 19.993 sec., 98.209 MPH 6. Justin Neisius, 20.029 sec., 98.033 MPH 7. Michael Ostdiek, 20.037 sec., 97.994 MPH 8. Jeremy Lepak, 20.075 sec., 97.808 MPH 9. Ty Reedy, 20.076 sec., 97.803 MPH 10. Joe Neisius, 20.084 sec., 97.764 MPH 11. Dillion Hammond, 20.133 sec., 97.526 MPH 12. Mike Ehde, 20.141 sec., 97.488 MPH 13. Shane Morrissey, 20.152 sec., 97.434 MPH 14. Bobby Wilberg, 20.165 sec., 97.372 MPH 15. Michael Bilderback, 20.176 sec., 97.319 MPH 16. Jesse Bernhagen, 20.179 sec., 97.304 MPH 17. Rich Schumann Jr., 20.210 sec., 97.155 MPG 18. Brian Bigson, 20.235 sec., 97.035 MPH 19. Shayne Poehnelt, 20.264 sec., 96.896 MPH 20. Brody Willett, 20.283 sec., 96.805 MPH 21. Brent Edmunds, 20.294 sec., 96.753 MPH 22. Harley Jankowski, 20.306 sec., 96.696 MPH 23. Timmy Springstock, 20.313 sec., 96.662 MPH 24. Jon Reynolds, 20.351 sec., 96.482 MPH 25. Todd Kamish, 20.365 sec., 96.415 MPH 26. Brett Wenzel, 20.391 sec., 96.292 MPH 27. Jerry Mueller, 20.458 sec., 95.977 MPH 28. Steve Rubeck, 20.476 sec., 95.893 MPH 29. Bryan Wrolstad, 20.493 sec., 95.813 MPH 30. Kelsey Schultz, 20.521 sec., 95.683 MPH 31. Matthew Henderson, 20.526 sec., 95.659 MPH 32. Ryan Kamish, 20.538 sec., 95.603 MPH 33. Craig Phillips, 20.561 sec., 95.496 MPH 34. Nick Nolden, 20.562 sec., 95.492 MPH 35. Todd Oliver, 20.650 sec., 95.085 MPH 36. Grant Griesbach, 20.695 sec., 94.878 MPH 37. Louis Goss, 20.871 sec., 94.078 MPH 38. Joey Pontbriand, 20.961 sec., 93.674 MPH 39. Justin Mullikin, 20.998 sec., 93.509 MPH 40. Andy Niles, 21.021 sec., 93.407 MPH 41. Gary Krueger, 21.330 sec., 92.053 MPH 42. Larry DeVito, 21.528 sec., 91.207 MPH 43. Brad Muller, 21.690 sec., 90.526 MPH 44. Tyler Hromadka, 22.685 sec., 86.555 MPH 45. Zach Braun, 23.336 sec., 84.140 MPH 46. Lawrence Berthiaume
Qualifying Heat 1 — 1. Michael Bilderback 2. Shayne Poehnelt 3. Tim Springstroh 4. Jerry Mueller 5. Todd Oliver
Qualifying Heat 2 — 1. Jon Reynolds Jr., 2. Jesse Bernhagen 3. Ryan Kamish 4. Steve Rubeck 5. Grant Greisbach
Qualifying Heat 3 — 1. Bryan Wrolstad 2. Rich Schumann Jr. 3. Brent Edmunds 4. Louie Goss 5. Craig Philips
Qualifying Heat 4 — 1. Kelsey Schultz 2. Brett Wenzel 3. Brian Gibson 4. Harley Jankowski 5. Lawrence Berthiaume
Odd Dash — 1. Shane Morrissey 2. Ty Majeski 3. Ty Reedy 4. Michael Beamish 5. Mike Ostdiek
Even Dash — 1. Jeremy LePak 2. J. Herbst 3. Justin Neisius 4. Joe Neisius 5. Tim Sargent
Last Chance Race 1 — 1. Rich Schumann Jr. 2. Shayne Poehnelt 3. Tim Springstroh 4. Brent Edmunds 5. Jerry Mueller
Last Chance Race 2 — 1. Jesse Bernhagen 2. Brian Gibson 3. Lawrence Berthiaume 4. Harley Jankowski 5. Joey Pontbriand
Mid-American Stock Cars
Oktoberfest 30 Feature (21 Cars) — 1. Dan Gilster 2. Nick Clements 3. Bill Prietzel 4. Shawn Upthall 5. Rick Corso 6. Scott Dunning 7. Rick Tackman Jr. 8. Kevin Berg 9. Joe Monti 10. Taylor Dawson 11. Jimmy Wilson 12. Brad Warthan 13. Ryan Kutknecht 14. Bobby Gutknecht 15. Brian Holtz 16. Tyler Bauknecht 17. Adam Oxborough 18. Dakota Miller 19. Kenny Joosten 20. Jason Dummer 21. Mark Brooner
Qualifying — 1. Kevin Berg, 20.821 sec., 94.304 MPH 2. Dan Gilster, 20.867 sec., 94.096 MPH 3. Nick Clements, 20.875 sec., 94.060 MPH 4. Tyler Bauknecht, 21.078 sec., 93.154 MPH 5. Bill Prietzel, 21.211 sec., 92.570 MPH 6. Brian Holtz, 21.228 sec., 92.496 MPH 7. Rick Corso, 21.242 sec., 92.435 MPH 8. Scott Dunning, 21.366 sec., 91.898 MPH 9. Bobby Gutknecht, 21.370 sec., 91.881 MPH 10. Ryan Gutknecht, 21.595 sec., 90.924 MPH 11. Brad Warthan, 21.683 sec., 90.555 MPH 12. Shawn Upthall, 21.753 sec., 90.263 MPH 13. Adam Oxborough, 21.786 sec., 90.127 MPH 14. Joe Monti, 21.805 sec., 90.048 MPH 15. Kenny Joosten, 21.821 sec., 89.982 MPH 16. Rick Tackman Jr., 21.939 sec., 89.498 MPH 17. Dakota Miller, 21.977 sec., 89.343 MPH 18. Mark Brooner, 21.980 sec., 89.331 MPH 19. Jason Dummer, 22.160 sec., 88.606 MPH 20. Jimmy Wilson, 22.414 sec., 87.601 MPH 21. Taylor Dawson, 22.436 sec., 87.516 MPH
Heat 1 — 1. Adam Oxborough 2. Bobby Gutknecht 3. Bill Prietzel 4. Rick Corso 5. Nick Clements
Heat 2 — 1. Dan Gilster 2. Shawn Upthall 3. Tyler Bauknecht 4. Ryan Gutknecht 5. Scott Dunning
Heat 3 — 1. Rick Tackman Jr., 2. Mark Brooner 3. Dakota Miller 4. Kenny Joosten 5. Jason Dummer
Midwest Dash Cars
Oktoberfest 20 Feature (21 Cars) — 1. Kyle Stark, Waterloo, IA 2. George Sparkman, Loves Park, IL 3. Scott Ciesielski, Plover 4. Charlie Nickel, Chili 5. Mike Heidemann, Edgar 6. Kevin Eckes, Auburndale 7. Gary Stark, Fort Atkinson 8. Phil Malouf, Manitowish Waters 9. Nick Schmidt, Watertown 10. Dave Auringer, Prior Lake, MN 11. Scott Schlafke, Cleveland 12. Scott Crawford, Cambridge 13. Merek Pankow, Jefferson 14. Brandon DeLacy, Stoughton 15. Lyle Phillips, Edgerton 16. Jordan Young, Melrose 17. Justin Schelitzche, Lester Prairie, MN 18. Todd Snow, Rockford, IL 19. Robert Stanfield, La Crosse 20. Cheyanne Stanfield, Sparta 21. Tim Finstad, Poynette
Qualifying — 1. Kyle Stark, 22.263 sec., 88.196 MPH 2. George Sparkman, 23.434 sec., 83.789 MPH 3. Scott Ciesielske, 23.441 sec., 83.763 MPH 4. Phil Malouf, 23.657 sec., 82.999 MPH 5. Kevin Eckes, 23.684 sec., 82.904 MPH 6. Brandon DeLacy, 23.858 sec., 82.299 MPH 7. Gary Stark, 23.888 sec., 82.196 MPH 8. Dave Auringer, 23.962 sec., 81.942 MPH 9. Nick Schmidt, 24.023 sec., 81.734 MPH 10. Mike Heidmann, 24.072 sec., 81.568 MPH 11. Scott Crawford, 24.478 sec., 80.215 MPH 12. Merek Pankow, 24.489 sec., 80.179 MPH 13. Jordan Young, 24.677 sec., 79.568 MPH 14. Tim Finstad, 24.932 sec., 78.754 MPH 15. Scott Schlafke, 24.977 sec., 78.612 MPH 16. Lyle Phillips, 25.039 sec., 78.418 MPH 17. Justin Schelitzche, 25.164 sec., 78.028 MPH 18. Todd Snow, 25.320 sec., 77.547 MPH 19. Cheyanne Stanfield, 25.949 sec., 75.668 MPH 20. Robert Stanfield, 26.851 sec., 73.126 MPH 21. Kevin Lubach, 27.128 sec., 73.126 MPH 22. Charlie Nickel
Heat 1 — 1. Kyle Stark 2. Gary Stark 3. Scott Ciesielske 4. Nick Schmidt 5. Scott Schlafke
Heat 2 — . Phil Malouf 2. George Sparkman 3. Mike Heidemann 4. Dave Auringer 5. Brandon DeLacy
ARCA Midwest Tour (Preliminaries)
Qualifying — 1. Dan Fredrickson, 18.508 sec., 106.089 MPH 2. Skylar Holzhausen, 18.624 sec., 105.428 MPH 3. Ty Majeski, 18.624 sec., 105.428 MPH 4. Casey Johnson, 18.734 sec., 104.809 MPH 5. Jim Sauter Jr., 18.768 sec., 104.620 MPH 6. Johnny Sauter, 18.770 sec., 104.608 MPH 7. Chris Weinkauf, 18.782 sec., 104.542 MPH 8. Ricky Baker, 18.811 sec., 104.380 MPH 9. Jacob Goede, 18.819 sec., 104.336 MPH 10. Dennis Prunty, 18.829 sec., 104.281 MPH 11. Travis Sauter, 18.832 sec., 104.264 MPH 12. Austin Nason, 18.880 sec., 103.999 MPH 13. Travis Kvapil, 18.880 sec., 103.999 MPH 14. Andrew Morrissey, 18.898 sec., 103.990 MPH 15. Nick Murgic, 18.911 sec., 103.828 MPH 16. Dalton Zehr, 18.913 sec., 103.817 MPH 17. Derek Kraus, 18.924 sec., 103.757 MPH 18. Cole Anderson, 18.925 sec., 103.752 MPH 19. Andy Jones, 18.963 sec., 103.544 MPH 20. Jason Weinkauf, 18.965 sec., 103.533 MPH 21. Jonathan Eilen, 18.987 sec., 103.413 MPH 22. Nick Barstad, 19.012 sec., 103.277 MPH 23. Paul Shafer Jr., 19.017 sec., 103.250 MPH 24. Griffin McGrath, 19.068 sec., 102.974 MPH 25. Matt Kocourek, 19.118 sec., 102.704 MPH 26. Dean LaPointe, 19.142 sec., 102.575 MPH 27. Tim Sauter, 19.181 sec., 102.367 MPH 28. John DeAngelis Jr., 19.183 sec., 102.356 MPH 29. Jeff Storm, 19.189 sec., 102.324 MPH 30. Jeremy Spoonmore, 19.319 sec., 101.636 MPH 31. Bradley Tilton, 19.371 sec., 101.363 MPH 32. Jeff Holtz, 19.378 sec., 101.326 MPH 33. Natalie Decker, 19.521 sec., 100.584 MPH 34. Justin Oertel, 19.575 sec., 100.307 MPH 35. Jerry Brickner, 19.638 sec., 99.985 MPH
Odd Dash — 1. Chris Weinkauf 2. Travis Kvapil 3. Travis Sauter 4. Jim Sauter Jr. 5. Jacob Goede
Even Dash — 1. Dalton Zehr 2. Dennis Prunty 3. Casey Johnson 4. Ricky Baker 5. Johnny Sauter
Qualifying Feature 1 — 1. Derek Kraus 2. Andy Jones 3. Jonathan Eilen 4. Bradley Tilton 5. Paul Shafer Jr.
Qualifying Feature 2 — 1. Cole Anderson 2. Nick Barstad 3. Griffin McGrath 4. Jason Weinkauf 5. Dean LaPointe