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Gnatzig, Johnson And Bilderback Win LGR Crowns
By Dale R. Erdmann
Lake Geneva, WI. October 8th. After an all day rain at 4:55 pm. the skies
parted and the 8th. annual Small Car World Championships took place at Lake
Geneva Raceway, Friday night on Bilderback Auto Parts of South Beloit night.
”Doctor tooth” Ken Johnson out of Park Ridge, Illinois won his fifth title
in the Luisa’s pizzeria mini modifieds. Johnson had fast time and won the 15
lap feature race. Curt Gnatzig of Hartford had a excellent night by taking a
clean sweep in the INEX legends class and won his second championship in three
seasons. Gnatzig took fast time, won his heat and the non stop 20 lap
feature. Michael Bilderback of South Beloit, IL. the defending champion
in the bandolero cars had a perfect night, by taking a clean sweep with fast
time, winning his heat and the 10 lap feature, which gave the Beloit Junior
high school driver the 2004 championship. First nighter Chris Hibbard a rookie
from nearby Fontana showed everyone he would be a threat to this division next
season as he took fast time, won the heat and the 10 lap feature. Fast
qualifier Jeff LeSage won his first 20 lap Rascal outlaws feature of the
year. Vincent Merry of Wadsworth, IL. took another clean
sweep, this time in the 4 cylinder class and in the Burris touring karts,
features went to Cody Lipstreuer for the kids karts, Brad Becker for the champ
karts and Aaron Kitzenberg nipped Tyler Peterson a third generation racer with
just one lap to go for the win of the senior karts.
The non stop mini modified feature brought Hermie Schultz into the lead with
rookies Scott McCarthy and Gerardo Giuliano next. Lap three Glen Vernezze was
on the move running third on lap one, second on lap two and in the lead on lap
four. The next two laps Schultz and Ken Johnson fought for second with
Mike VanHouten looking for an opening. Johnson moved in on the leader and just
as the midway signal was shown it was a new show, as the lead changed for the
final time. Vernezze had big problems on lap fourteen dropping out with engine
problems. At the checkered Johnson was clearly the winner, with VanHouten
second, Andy Krueger third, as Curt Thomzazin, Phil Schultz and Hermie Schultz
all within inches of each other.
Michael Bilderback led lap number one of the legends feature with Robb Duffek
and Curt Gnatzig in hot pursuit. Duffek got under Bilderback on lap two, with
Gnatzig quickly following. Four laps later there would be another new leader
and there be no looking back, as Gnatzig won the race ahead of Duffek, Steve
Licht, Bilderback and Ernie Schaal.
The bandolero feature brought out the only Yellow Book USA caution, with
Michael Cooter back after the first time since that incident that left his
race car damaged, out front, before Kyle Jusits spun and was nearly collected
on the wall, but some slick driving stopped that from happening, but the race
came to a halt. On the restart Cooter and Michael Bilderback raced into the
first corner with a new leader before the lap ended. Until the finish and the
win, Cooter stayed right on Bilderback’s bumper for second, with rookie Kyle
Palma fourth, Jusits fifth and Dwight Dunlap fifth.
The open wheel Rascal outlaws feature was close as Mark Findley darted out
front Lee Halverson, Dave Shine and Rob Pollak remained in a cluster.
Halverson slipped In front on lap nine, then fast timer Jeff LeSage crept in
front three laps later going on To win just inches ahead of rookie Keith
Christophersen. Following next was Kip Novothy, Butch Torkelson, John LeSage
and John Benkert, in another close race.
The final two oval track events come on Saturday October 23rd. for the
Midwest Enduro series stock car event at 2:30pm. Then on Saturday October
30th. the Great Lakes enduro group puts on a show at 4pm. in the memory of
Mark ”tiny” Amborn.
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