August 22, 2008; Columbus, WI. - Johnson Creek's Jerry Eckhart controlled the top spot from start to finish of the 35 lap Late Model feature last Friday on his way to victory lane with the win.  Eckhart grabbed the lead from the inside
of the front row with Jerry Auby sliding into second.  The only caution of the race flew on lap six, setting up the restart with Don Gaserude to the outside of Auby for second. 

When the green flew again, Eckhart remained out front with Gaserude fighting to stay to the outside of Auby.  Gaserude began to slip before mounting another charge and finally taking second away on lap 16.  Ron Bishofberger tried to follow Gaserude's lead, eventually doing so on lap 18. Gaserude started to run down Eckhart for the lead, catching him on lap 20.  Gaserude tried looking to the high side of the leader to take the spot away, but he could never quite get the momentum needed to get past.  Eckhart held off the charge as he motored under the checkers
first for the win.  Gaserude was second followed by Ron Bishofberger, Andy Wendt and Dean Schultz.  Gaserude also set quick time on the evening with a lap of 13.431.  Bishofberger and Eckhart also claimed heat race wins.

Phil Denikas of Columbus dominated the 30 lap Sportsman feature to take his first career feature win in the division.  Starting from the front row, Denikas took the lead down the backstretch of the opening lap.  Denikas began to stretch his advantage while Dan Gosda and Brad Luck battled for second.  On lap ten, Scott Riedner went to the outside of Luck for third and pulled even with Gosda looking for second.  Riedner cleared on lap 13 and set his sights on the leader. Riedner spent the remaining laps trying to catch Denikas, but the lead was too large to overcome as Denikas saw the checkers first with Scott Riedner, Brandon Riedner, Gosda and Ed Jackson rounding out the top five.  Dennis Schwark was fastest in qualifying with a lap of 14.134 seconds while heat winners included Gerry Junget and Mike Winters.

Watertown's Jim Tate charged to the front of the 25 lap Hobby Stock feature to take the win in the event.  After a caution on the opening lap, Kale Peterman took the early lead with Lincoln Keeser riding in second.  Keeser went to the outside of Peterman on lap two, looking to lead.  On lap six, Keeser tried to close the door on Peterman, but made contact instead and spun to the infield bringing out the caution.  Andy Raley lined up behind Peterman for the restart and blew by the
leader on the outside for the top spot.  Tate followed by Raley around Peterman for second and began to pressure Raley on the outside.  The final caution waved on lap 19, and as the green returned, Tate again went to work in the high groove.  Tate pulled with three laps remaining, taking over the lead a lap later and charging off to the win.  Raley was second followed by Dustin Ward, Keeser and Reiny Scherbarth.  Tate also set the pace in qualifying with a lap of 15.246
while Scherbarth and Kyle Riedner took heat race wins.  Jimmie Pankow survived racing his International with the Hobby Stocks to triumph over Joe Cross for the feature win in their division.

Brandon Johnson of Cambridge grabbed another feature win by taking the 18 lap Bandit feature event.  Daniel Ellis took the initial lead from the front row with Richie Henson dropping into second.  Johnson shot into third on lap five and moved to the outside of Henson for second.  Johnson cleared on lap seven and began to close up to the leader.  With three laps to go, Johnson caught Ellis looking to lead. On lap 16, Johnson and Henson went to the low side when Ellis drifted high out of turn two.  A three wide battle for the lead ended when Johnson took over the top spot into turn three.  Johnson held off the
challengers on the final lap to take the win with Henson, Ellis, Alex Lee and Jimmy Junget rounding out the top five.  Ed Klug took honors in qualifying with a lap of 16.097 while heat winners included Ellis and Johnson.

In wild and crazy backup action, Andy Ward of Madison claimed the 8 lap feature event.  Ward shot into the lead at the drop of the green with George Wachuta tracking him from second.  On the final lap, Ward slid into turn three, threatening to spin.  But he gathered his mount up and sped to the stripe for the win with Wachuta second and Jug her third.

Next Friday, August 29, is a full program in all divisions.  With only two weeks remaining in the championship, the points battle in the Late Model division is getting even tighter.  Only five points separate the top two competitors, Don Gaserude and Ron Bishofberger. Come see the battles settled as the weeks wind down.  Time trials begin at 6:30 with racing at 8pm.  For more information, please visit www.racingonline.com/columbus151.

For complete results from the RACESTAT computer click here