by Andrew Schaller
COLUMBUS, WI (Friday, August 14th)Horicon's Dean Schultz captured the 50 lap Late Model main event at Columbus 151 Speedway on Friday night. Rob Retallick and Russ Grossen paced the field to the green. Retallick drove out to the point as they entered turn one on the opening lap. Roger Behlke followed into second with Al Weishoff moving into third. Weishoff charged to the outside of Behlke and stole away the second spot, setting his sights on Retallick for the lead. Meanwhile, Don Gaserude was making his way around the outside and into a battle for third with Behlke. Gaserude cleared for third on lap eight and made his way up to join the battle for the lead between Retallick and Weishoff. Schultz made it a four way fight as he joined the party on lap ten. Retallick maintained his advantage as the caution waved on lap 13. As the green returned, Schultz fired around the outside and pulled even with Retallick for the lead. Schultz cleared down the backstretch on lap 14 with Andy Wendt in tow for second. Schultz began to pull away a bit as Wendt cleared for second and tried to close in on the new leader. The big lead was erased as the second caution appeared on lap 22. After another quick caution on lap 25, Schultz returned to a healthy lead with Wendt remaining in second. Wendt pulled up to the rear bumper of Schultz and began to shadow the leader. Wendt continued to fill up the rear view mirror of Schultz as the laps ticked away. But Schultz remained strong out front and crossed the stripe first for the win. Wendt, Weishoff, Gaserude and Pete Moore rounded out the top five.

Phil Denikas of Columbus took honors in the 40 lap Sportsman feature. Andy Raley and Denikas led the field to green with Denikas leading lap one. Kyle Watters shadowed Denikas on the outside of Raley for second. Raley stayed to the inside of Denikas, pulling back up to race for the lead on lap seven. Denikas claimed sole possession of the point on lap nine as Raley pulled in behind for second and Alex Lee moved up to third. Denikas opened up a healthy advantage as the field approached the halfway point of the race. Denikas continued to open up a huge lead as the laps ticked away, eventually crossing under the checkers for the win with a half-track advantage. Completing the top five were Raley, Lee, Mike Winters and Brandon Riedner.

In Hobby Stock action Kyle Riedner of Waunakee captured the 30 lap feature event. Jim Tate and Jason Deppe made up row one at the start. After a good side by side battle, Tate took control on lap ten. Dustin Ward remained in Tate's tire tracks as Deppe slid back alongside him in a fight for second. On lap 12, Deppe tried to mount a charge back alongside the leader, pulling even a lap later. Deppe stuck his nose out front on lap 15 with Tate riding just to his inside. The duo swapped the lead back and forth as the laps wound down. On lap 20, Ward tried to make it a three wide battle as they entered turn three. The trio made contact, sending Tate and Deppe spinning and bringing out the caution. Ward claimed responsibility allowing Deppe and Tate to restart in their original spots at the front. Tate returned to the inside of Deppe as the green waved once again, stealing the lead for himself on lap 22. Deppe experienced mechanical difficulties on lap 23, handing second to Riedner. Riedner charged to the outside of Tate, looking to take the top spot. Riedner fired into the lead with only two laps remaining and charged to the checkers for the win. Rounding out the top five were Tate, Ben Monday, Ward and Steven Sauer.

Jeff Burroughs charged to the front of the field to take the win in the 30 lap Thunder Stock feature event. DL Hatton grabbed the early lead on lap one with Chris Weber sliding into second. Kale Peterman motored up to the front of the pack and began to challenge Hatton on lap seven. Peterman claimed the point a lap later just to have Burroughs move up to challenge the new leader. Burroughs grabbed the spot on lap 12 as he tried to hold off Peterman and Billy Robinson. The caution waved on lap 20 setting up a ten lap shootout to the finish. As the green returned, Burroughs drove away from the pack to take the win. Billy Robinson was second followed by Tony Chase, Peterman and Dale Warthan.

Dan Birkett of Lodi claimed the 25 lap Bandit feature. Andrew Kreklow and Jameson Kohn paced the field to the drop of the green. The pair of drivers battled side by side until Kreklow took control on lap two with Ed Klug shadowing him from second. Caution waved on lap three for debris. As the green returned Klug shot to the outside of Kreklow, looking to lead. Meanwhile, Birkett was slicing his way towards the front into third on lap four. Birkett joined the fight for the lead, driving alongside Klug for second. Birkett made the pass a lap later and set his sights on Kreklow. Birkett pulled even with the leader on lap seven, using the high groove. Birkett took the spot for himself on lap nine as he began to stretch his advantage. Birkett cruised to the checkers to get the win followed by Jeff LeFave, Kreklow, Art Blakely and Jeremy Monday.

In wild and crazy Back up action, Andy Ward of Madison came out on top to take the win in the 8 lap feature event. John Remsik grabbed the initial lead with Dustin Von Allmen in second. On lap two, Remsik and Von Allmen got together and spun, handing the lead to Ward. Ward continued to lead with Matt Wachuta watching from second. On the final lap Wachuta took one last shot at the leader, but Ward stayed out front to take the win. Wachuta was second with Ryan Oetzel third.

Next Friday, August 21, is Dick Moore Memorial night including a full program in all divisions. Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8pm. Please visit www.columbus151.com for more information.