By: Kevin Ramsell
WEST SALEM, WI (Thursday, September 10, 2009) – The number four will be a popular number at this year’s Oktoberfest Race Weekend. Fans will enjoy four days of racing while celebrating four decades of the great Midwest asphalt racing event, which happens to be celebrating its 40th anniversary. The 2009 edition of ‘Fest is scheduled to be held October 8-11 at the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.
The action will get underway on Thursday, October 8th presented by CC106 FM. The LaCrosse Late Models, LaCrosse Sportsmen, Thunderstox, R.A.Y.S., Super Late Model “The Futures,” Hornets, Bandits, and the Double-O divisions will be competing. Seven feature races will highlight the opening night activities with the La Crosse Late Models competing in a 40-lap feature event along with the Super Late Futures in a 25-lap feature. Qualifying will get underway at 3:15 p.m. with racing at 6:00 p.m. Miller Lite and CC106 will be hosting the first of three legendary After-Race Parties in the Exhibition Building.
Friday’s racing action, sponsored by Coca-Cola, will be highlighted with the third annual running of the “Dick Trickle 99”. This super late model event will run in three 33-lap segments with one overall winner. Steve Holzhausen won the inaugural event in 2007 and Nathan Haseleu is the defending champion. Also returning will be The Stubby feature, a 30 lap race for those super late models that don’t make the 99. Area Sportsmen and Super Sportsmen will also be in action with qualifying starting at 2:00 p.m., racing at 5:00 p.m., and again a fun After-Race Party at 9:00.
It has become known as Super Saturday, and it will be a busy day of racing again this year as the American Speed Association Midwest Tour, ASA Late Model North Series, Big-8 Series, and the Mid-American Stock Cars will take to the track all brought to you by Kwik Trip. The American Speed Association Midwest Tour will be qualifying and having their preliminary races in preparation for Sunday’s 100-lap season finale. Three touring series will be crowning their champions on Saturday night. The ASA Late Model North Series will be competing in a 100-lap feature along with the Big-8 Series in a 48-lap feature event, plus the Mid-American Stock Car Series in a 30-lap feature event. And don’t forget, the weekend’s final Miller Lite/CC106 After-Race Party in the Exhibition Building at 9:00. Qualifying gets underway at 12:20 p.m. with racing at 4:00 p.m.
The final day of Oktoberfest will take place on Sunday afternoon with the racing action starting at noon. The American Speed Association Midwest Tour will decide their 2009 championship in a 100-lap feature event along with the USST North Truck Series in a 25-lap feature. The Modifieds and R.A.Y.S. IV will also be in action along with the return of the popular Vintage Cars. The four-day race weekend will conclude with a 75-lap Enduro. In addition to the Vintage race is the Retired Racers Champions’ re-union, at the United Auto Supply Hospitality Chalet. All area track champions, former Oktoberfest Champions and regional touring series champions are invited to be on hand to greet the fans.
Along with the racing action, there will be many other events happening on the fairgrounds over the four days. On Friday at 2:15 p.m. it’s the annual Pet Costume Parade. Saturday will have the Memorabilia Show starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Exhibition Hall. In addition to the memorabilia show on Saturday is a 40th Anniversary get-together in the Big Red Barn, featuring a racers’ roundtable, photo op’s, autographs and Dick Trickle will be on hand to exchange stories. Sunday will feature the popular Charity Pancake Breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m., a Church Service at 8:00, and the Pumpkin Coloring Contest at 9:00 a.m. The on track fan/driver photo & autograph session will start at 9:15 a.m.
Competitors and fans are encouraged to visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com, the official website of the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend. The site has all of the information you need for this year’s event including: schedules, ticket prices, competitors Guide, Entry Forms, History, Camper Village Information and area lodging information. You can also contact the track office at (608) 786-1525 or email lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com for more information.
19 Divisions, over 500 cars, 800 laps of feature racing, 1000 campers, 1,300 laps of total racing, Six Late Model Divisions & more over four days will make up the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.
