Dells Raceway Park: Kids Night at Dells Raceway Park

Dells Raceway Park welcomed families and children to the track Saturday, August 1st for its annual Kids Night. With an on track autograph session, rides for the kids in the race cars, face painting, air brush tattooing, inflatable games, and exciting racing both adults and children were well entertained.

The Super Late Models returned from a two week break, and they were ready to compete. Jeff Kendall set fast qualifying time with a 13.545. With the lineup inversion, Kendall would start deep in the pack. Jim Carlson would lead the starting field to green from the pole until Don Turner snuck past him on lap five. Meanwhile, Frank Kreyer was working through the competition and by lap fifteen would make his move for the top spot over Turner.

Moving into the top spot would be the easiest part of the night for Kreyer, as he had thirty five laps to go with Kenny Reiser and Jeff Kendall at his bumper. Kendall patiently waited in third for the right opportunity to get past Reiser. On lap 36 Kendall’s fast qualifying rocket was able to move into second. Kendall now put the pressure on Kreyer for the lead. With only four laps remaining, Kendall powered around Kreyer for the win.

Kenny Reiser won the Super Late Model Fast Dash. Jim Carlson won the heat race.

The young guns in the Limited Late Model division had a chance to showcase their abilities Saturday, with 16 year old Jesse Bernhagen setting fast time in the division with a 14.241. 17 year old, Michael Clapper lead the field to the green for the feature. From the start of the race, Michael was pressured by the pack, but held on to the lead throughout the race and defended his number one starting position from challengers including his father Kurt. This was Michael’s first ever feature win in the division.

Heat race winners were Mark Brooner, Aaron Falbe, and 15 year old Davey Pennel .

In the Super Stock division Mike Lichtfeld set fast time with a 14.777. Rick Coppernoll started the feature from the pole position and despite pressure from Steve Severson and Kevin Kulka managed to hold on to the lead until the checkered flag flew. Terry Knupp and Dale Schultz won the heat races.

Becky Grabarski set fast qualifying time in the Pure Stock division with a 16.280. Troy Yahn started the feature on the pole but Adam Johnson made an early move to take over the lead. When the checkered flag flew Johnson was still leading the pack. Heat race winners were Thayran Rezin and Don Fassett.

In the Bandit division Brian Warner had the car that no one was able to beat. With a fast qualifying time of 17.370 Warner would start the feature near the back. Just eight laps in, Warner worked his way to the front and continued to dominate throughout the race. It would be a clean sweep for Warner with quick qualifying, a heat race win, and the checkered flag for the feature. Ben LaViolette won the 2nd heat race of the night.