by Terry Lehnertz
New Richmond, WI — (September 12, 2015) — Justin Henderson and Jake Kouba won the winged and traditional sprint car series feature victories respectively on Saturday during the Jerry Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake Speedway.
On a chilly evening dedicated to honor and memories, Justin Henderson garnered his third Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) victory in as many tries, adding his name to the list of nearly twenty previous winners of the prestigious Kouba Memorial. UMSS Micro Sprints and Traditional Sprints joined Henderson and his 360-winged mates on the race card, along with two divisions of Northern Vintage Stockcar Racers (NVSR). Prior to the events starting, fans observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the Americans who perished in the 9-11 attacks of 2001.
The first race of the evening was a special event for the NVSR. Thirteen year club member George Shields, of Cameron, Wisconsin, was the honoree of the first ever “Dash-for-Cash” race hosted by the Vintage racers. Shields, a former board member with the vintage club, is still active in racing in spite of his 81st birthday approaching. Unbeknownst to Shields, the six of his club members who raced in the Dash with Shields had conspired to pull off the track, one at a time, during the race – leaving Shields as the lone competitor, and winner, at the end. While Shields parked his Vintage Modified in victory lane, the Dash conspirators rejoined the victor on the front straightaway to share in the special trophy presentation for their friend. True to club tradition, immediately following the presentation, Shields graciously re-gifted his special trophy to his presenters, Tavean and Kody Young-Jacobson. In other Vintage competition, Selah Krech presented Jay Patrick the trophy for the Full-Bodied feature, and Tori Malueg presented John Bethke the winner’s trophy in the Modified division.
The evening wrapped up with the headlining UMSS winged 360 sprints vying for the $5500 top prize, with the Kouba-esque numbers 5 and 55 prevalent throughout the night. One of Earl Kouba’s old #5 sprint cars made a few pace laps prior to the features, and the final race would be contested for a whopping 55 laps. The number five even figured into the mid-race fuel stop, which granted drivers 5 minutes and 55 seconds to add fuel and tear-offs. Due to the extended length of the main event, the customary dual rounds of qualifying were suspended in favor of three 10-lap heat races – won by Russ Hall, previous Kouba Memorial champion Brooke Tatnell, and Scotty Thiel.
For the finale, a three-wide driver salute to the fans featured Anna Hippe (nee Kouba) at the parade’s point. With memorial ceremonies completed, the green waved over seventeen-car 23rd annual Kouba Memorial with Justin Henderson on the pole and Tatnell to his right side. In his two previous races with the UMSS, Henderson scored a pair of feature wins, and the South Dakota hot shoe saw no reason to not continue that trend with a strong start, besting Tatnell and Theil out of the first set of turns. Henderson quickly opened up a several car length advantage, but traffic soon played a factor. The race progressed without a caution up to the lap 28 fuel stop, with Tatnell occasionally creeping close enough to pose a threat in traffic, but Henderson maintaining the top spot. After the fuel stop, Henderson again set the pace, with Tatnell periodically drawing closer in traffic. Theil held onto third, just a heartbeat behind Tatnell – with that duo a straightaway in front of Hall and Chris Graf. The race continued on caution-free until a lap 34 spin by Bob McVitty, but back under green, Henderson went right back to commanding control, leaving Tatnell to contend with Theil for second. Coming to the checkers, Russ Hall looped his #29H sprinter, costing him a top five finish, accounting for the only change in the top five in the race’s second half. Henderson was crowned the Kouba Memorial champion and collected his third series win in as many entries into UMSS events, with Tatnell coming home second in front of Thiel. Ryan Bowers moved up to fourth with the Hall spin, and Chris Graf completed the top five. Graf also collected the $1,000 winner-take-all Midwest Power Series title, courtesy of Midwest Power Equipment. Rounding out the top ten were Jamie Ball, Lee Grosz, Richert, Hall, and Chris Martin. Anna Hippe crossed the stripe in the eleventh spot, ahead of Dean Brown, Jake Lempelius, Reed Allex, McVitty and Todd King.
Co-opting the winged qualifying procedures for the night, the UMSS Traditional Sprint cars ran two rounds of qualifying races – with heat races going to Johnny Parsons III, Brian VanMeveren, and Jon Lewerer. Challenge race wins were scored by James Giossi and two-time Kouba Memorial champion Jimmy Kouba. For the twenty-five lap main event, outside front row starter Jon Lewerer bested pole starter and 2015 series champion Rob Caho Jr. to grab the early lead. A somber Caho, who suffered the loss of his grandfather earlier in the week, settled into second place with Jimmy Kouba, Scott Brandt, Jake Kouba, Chase Viebrock and Parsons all swirling in myriad lines behind him. With five laps in the books, the caution waved for the spinning Giossi ride, which collected the Viebrock racer as well, neither car continued when the green reappeared. At full throttle, Lewerer continued his quest for his first series feature win, but his quest was interrupted by a red flag as Jimmy and Jake Kouba tangled, ending with the #2k of Jimmy Kouba on his lid. The stoppage also involved Joseph Kouba, as there was contact between Joseph and the #23 of Josh Hendrickson as the field tried to safely avoid the father/son flip in the top five. Hendrickson caught enough of Joseph Kouba’s left rear to send him on an end-over-end one-and-a-half roll, leaving him wheels up as well. Both drivers emerged unhurt, but unfortunately for the drivers involved, only the #6 of Jake Kouba was able to continue. With the green flying again, Lewerer resumed his quest with his friend Caho applying steady pressure in the middle groove on the track. Coming to the crossed flags, Lewerer made his only mistake…just a slight bobble, barely perceptible, in the middle of turn four – and that was an opening wide enough for the three-time series champion to power on by on the low side. Once in front, the champion proved his mettle by staying smooth, fast and in the lead for the last half of the race, picking up his seventh TSCS win of the summer. Scott Brandt finished with a career best second place run, holding off Parsons by mere inches at the stripe. The finish was just a close for fourth, with Lewerer an eyelash in front of 2014 series champion Cam Schafer.
The UMSS Micro Sprints finished up their 2015 campaign on Friday crowning their second two-time champion. The series, just four years old, saw Ty Sampair win the first two titles, with the 2014 crown going to young Jack Berger. After securing the track championship two weeks prior at the Open Wheel Nationals, Berger added “two-time series champion” to his racing resume, the sophomore racer equaling his freshman season with another title. After winning the heat race, Berger started outside of the second row, with Bryan Brandt to his inside and Josh Vadnais and Jeremy Kasik occupying the front row. Under green, Kasik resumed his late season tear, immediately blasting to the point. Brandt tucked in behind the leader, with Vadnais and Bryan Patrick giving chase. For the latter portion of the summer, once Kasik’s #25k finds the point, it’s nearly impossible for another racer to steal the top spot away, and that was the case again Friday. Kasik, who missed the first month of the season, finally cracked the winner’s circle on June 26, and he’s been a mainstay since, failing to claim the feature just twice for the rest of the summer. Kasik cruised to his sixth feature win of the summer, handling the eight car field with aplomb. Following Kasik to the stripe were Brandt, Austin Letourneau, Patrick, Vadnais, Berger, Charlie Weber and George Knudsen. Greg Gunderson was unable to start the main event, topping out a season-high nine car field for the Micros.
The Kouba Memorial was the final competitive event on The Valley’s 2015 calendar; just the Test Drive/Swap Meet remains on Saturday, October 3. The event is open to all classes of cars, and includes an informal swap meet, an open track for test and tune, an “arrive and drive” opportunity for the Traditional Sprints – along with plenty of bench racing. The date and venue for the 2015 awards banquet will be announced as soon as it is scheduled. Information can also be found on the track’s website, www.SCVRaceway.com, or on their Facebook page.
Race Results (unofficial) – September 11, 2015
UMSS Sprints | Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series
Midwest Power Equip & GRP Motorsports 23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial Feature (55 Laps): 1. 1-Justin Henderson[1]; 2. 14-Brooke Tatnell[2]; 3. 64-Scotty Thiel[4]; 4. 199-Ryan Bowers[9]; 5. 20G-Chris Graf[10]; 6. 5J-Jamie Ball[8]; 7. 4J-Lee Grosz[5]; 8. 34D-Jerry Richert Jr[12]; 9. 29H-Russ Hall[3]; 10. 44-Chris Martin[7]; 11. 5-Anna Kouba[11]; 12. 1D-Dean Brown[14]; 13. 91A-Reed Allex[15]; 14. 52-Jake Lempelius[16]; 15. 7M-Bob McVitty[13]; 16. (DNF) 73-Todd King[6]; 17. (DNF) 87-Cody Hahn[17]; DNS 03-Jamey Ogston Lap Leader: Henderson 1-55. Cautions: (3) with first one for halfway pit stop, second one with 34 laps in for 7M spin turn 2, and final one on last lap when 29H spun in turn 4 coming to checkers.
Meeks Video Ultimate Sprint Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 29H-Russ Hall[2]; 2. 44-Chris Martin[1]; 3. 5J-Jamie Ball[4]; 4. 34D-Jerry Richert Jr[3]; 5. 7M-Bob McVitty[5]; 6. (DNF) 87-Cody Hahn[6] Lap Leader: Hall 1-10. No cautions.
Mastell Brothers Trailer Service Ultimate Sprint Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 14-Brooke Tatnell[2]; 2. 1-Justin Henderson[6]; 3. 199-Ryan Bowers[3]; 4. 20G-Chris Graf[5]; 5. 91A-Reed Allex [1]; 6. 52-Jake Lempelius[4] Lap Leader: Tatnell 1-10. No cautions.
Hoosier Racing Tire Ultimate Sprint Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 64-Scotty Thiel[1]; 2. 73-Todd King[2]; 3. 4J-Lee Grosz[5]; 4. 5-Anna Kouba[4]; 5. 1D-Dean Brown[3]; DNS 03-Jamey Ogston Lap Leaders: King 1-5, Thiel 6-10. No cautions. Note: 03 Ogston done before night even began with motor issue, loaded up and headed for home.
TSCS Sprints | Traditional Sprint Car Series
Midwest Power Equip & GRP Motorsports 23rd Annual Earl Kouba Memorial Feature (25 Laps): 1. 78-Rob Caho Jr[1]; 2. 7B-Scott Brandt[6]; 3. 12-Johnny Parsons III[9]; 4. 69S-Jon Lewerer[2]; 5. 14-Cam Schafer[14]; 6. 6-Jake Kouba[3]; 7. KA1-Blake Anderson[11]; 8. 24-Brian VanMeveren[13]; 9. 27-Mike Walters[10]; 10. 87-Mike Mueller[12]; 11. 21J-Jori Hughes[19]; 12. 95-Kevin Bradwell[16]; 13. 73-Sid Denzer[17]; 14. 13K-Katrina Sautbine[20]; 15. 90-Tony Klose[21]; 16. (DNF) 31-Doug Taubert[23]; 17. (DNF) 3K-Jeremy Kerzman[8]; 18. (DNF) 55-Joseph Kouba[18]; 19. (DNF) 23-Josh Hendrickson[15]; 20. (DNF) 2K-Jimmy Kouba[4]; 21. (DNF) 50-Chase Viebrock[7]; 22. (DNF) 11-James Giossi[5]; 23. (DNF) 81-Rick Kobs[22]Lap Leaders: Lewerer 1-11, Caho 12-25. Cautions: (2) first yellow for 11 360 spin turn 1, collected 50 on lap 6 (both cars out), second for red flag on restart after contact between 6 & 2k resulted in 2k turning over in turn 3. 23 also turned over in turn 4 after hopping wheel of 55.
Mastell Brothers Trailer Service Challenge Race 1 (11 Laps): 1. 11-James Giossi[2]; 2. 50-Chase Viebrock[4]; 3. 14-Cam Schafer[1]; 4. 7B-Scott Brandt[6]; 5. 69S-Jon Lewerer[8]; 6. KA1-Blake Anderson[3]; 7. 87-Mike Mueller[7]; 8. 95-Kevin Bradwell[10]; 9. 73-Sid Denzer[5]; 10. 21J-Jori Hughes[11]; 11. 13K-Katrina Sautbine[9]Lap Leader: Giossi 1-11. No cautions.
Hoosier Racing Tire Challenge Race 2 (11 Laps): 1. 2K-Jimmy Kouba[3]; 2. 78-Rob Caho Jr[6]; 3. 6-Jake Kouba[5]; 4. 27-Mike Walters[4]; 5. 23-Josh Hendrickson[2]; 6. 3K-Jeremy Kerzman[7]; 7. 12-Johnny Parsons III[9]; 8. 24-Brian VanMeveren[8]; 9. 55-Joseph Kouba[1]; 10. 31-Doug Taubert[10]; 11. 90-Tony Klose[11]; DNS 81-Rick Kobs Lap Leaders: Joseph Kouba 1-3, Hendrickson 4-5, Jimmy Kouba 6-11. Cautions: (1) for 12 sideways in turn 1 lap 9 while running second.
Meeks Video Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 12-Johnny Parsons III[1]; 2. 87-Mike Mueller[2]; 3. 78-Rob Caho Jr[4]; 4. 50-Chase Viebrock[3]; 5. 2K-Jimmy Kouba[6]; 6. 14-Cam Schafer[5]; 7. 95-Kevin Bradwell[8]; 8. 21J-Jori Hughes[7]Lap Leader: Parsons 1-8. Cautions: (1) for 14 spin turn 3 lap 7.
Driverwebsites.com Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 24-Brian VanMeveren[1]; 2. 3K-Jeremy Kerzman[4]; 3. 73-Sid Denzer[2]; 4. 27-Mike Walters[5]; 5. 11-James Giossi[7]; 6. 55-Joseph Kouba[3]; 7. 31-Doug Taubert[6]; 8. 90-Tony Klose[8]Lap Leader: VanMeveren 1-8. No cautions.
Sprintsource.com Heat 3 (7 Laps): 1. 69S-Jon Lewerer[2]; 2. 7B-Scott Brandt[3]; 3. 6-Jake Kouba[5]; 4. KA1-Blake Anderson[7]; 5. 23-Josh Hendrickson[4]; 6. 13K-Katrina Sautbine[1]; 7. (DNF) 81-Rick Kobs[6]Lap Leader: Lewerer 1-7. Cautions; (1) on opening lap turn 1 contact between 13k & 81, 81 out of race.
TSCS Sprints | Micro Sprint Car Series