By: Eric Huenefeld
For the fifth consecutive year, the Big 8 Late Model Series returns to State Park Speedway (Wausau WI) as part of the Larry Detjens Memorial Race Weekend, this Friday night July 29. Much like the four season’s prior, the 2016 installment of ‘Late Model Showtime’ appears to be shaping up as another ‘can’t miss’ event!
This year’s Big 8 Series stop in Wausau is set to include a strong field of contenders aiming for victory. Leading the way are Big 8 Late Model Series point leaders Michael Bilderback and Jeremy Miller. Both men have tasted success at State Park Speedway before, with Bilderback winning last year’s 58 lapper as he slid sideways across the finish line, while Miller captured victory in the Series’ first ever stop at Wausau back in 2012. Both Bilderback and Miller are having stellar seasons to date, with Bilderback winning the first two Big 8 Series events of 2016 (at Rockford in April and Hawkeye Downs in June) and Miller winning the last Big 8 Series race at Madison nearly a month ago. Both drivers have been successful outside of the Big 8 Series too, with Bilderback a three-time winner and the current point leader at Rockford Speedway, while Miller picked off a win at Madison last weekend in the Super Late Model Triple Crown Series.
There are also several Big 8 Series contenders eyeing their first series win this Friday night at State Park Speedway, including J Herbst, who is third in the standings as the series marches to Wausau. Herbst, the two-time LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway champion, was within inches of capturing the win last season during the Detjens Memorial Race, trailing only Bilderback’s sliding racer at the finish line. Herbst has also finished in the top five in four of his last seven Big 8 Series starts. Minnesota’s Michael Ostdiek has also been steady force along the Big 8 Series trail as of late. Ostdiek currently sits fourth in series standings and has picked off two wins in 2016, one of which occurred at State Park Speedway back in May. Former Slinger Speedway champion ‘Insane Wayne’ Freimund is having a banner year too, sitting fifth in the point chase. Freimund is also a two-time feature winner at Rockford Speedway this season.
Rookies Grant Griesbach and Brody Willett are both ready to test State Park Speedway this Friday night for the first time. Greisbach, from Waukesha Wisconsin, sits seventh in Big 8 Series points, while also leading the Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year battle. Willett, from Alburnett Iowa, comes into this weekend eighth in series points and second in the Rookie chase. Willett rides some momentum into Wausau after picking up a Late Model feature win at Hawkeye Downs two weeks ago.
Other top notch Big 8 racers making the trip to State Park Speedway this Friday night include former event winner ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr, former Big 8 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Jesse Bernhagen, two-time Dells Raceway Park champion Rich Schumann Jr and up and coming Iowa racer Zach Less.
The ‘home turf’ of State Park Speedway will be defended by the likes of reigning State Park Speedway track champion Jeremy Lepak, central Wisconsin racing veteran Lyle Nowak, current State Park Speedway Limited Late Model point leader Jerry Brickner and 2016 State Park Speedway Limited Late Model feature winner Jeff Nowak.
Of note in 2016, six different drivers have won the six different features this season in the Limited Late Model class at State Park Speedway.
Larry Detjens Memorial
Expected Entries (22)
as of 2 pm 7/27/16
OO- Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
O3- Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti, MI
2- Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
3- Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
5- Jeremy Miller Rockton, IL
9- Jerry Brickner Wausau, WI
X- Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL
13- Bryan Wrolstad Northfield, MN
16- Joel Clossey Beloit, WI
17- Grant Greisbach Waukesha, WI
18- Michael Ostdiek Lakeville, MN
20- Zach Less Manchester, IA
28- Jesse Bernhagen Markesan, WI
32- Lyle Nowak Wausau, WI
40- Jeremy Lepak Ringle, WI
53- Jared Duda St Michael, MN
54- Rich Schumann Jr Portage, WI
75- Dillon Hammond Grand Marsh, WI
79- Jeff Nowak Weston, WI
82- J Herbst West Salem, WI
95- Wayne Freimund Elkhorn, WI
99- Jake Zellmer Waterford, WI
EVENT DETAILS:
What: “Larry Detjens Memorial”
Where: State Park Speedway (located at 5711 North Mountain Road, Wausau WI 54401)
When: Friday July 29
Schedule and Information:
3 PM- Pits Open
4 PM- Practice Begins
4:30 PM- Fan Gates Open
6:10 PM- Big 8 Late Model Series Qualifying
7 PM- Racing Begins
Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (complete show highlighted by a 58 lap feature)
Mini Mods
Mini Stocks
Bandoleros
Admission Prices:
Adults (13 & up) $15
Kids (6-12) $5
5 & under are FREE
REMAINING 2016 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri July 29- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 2- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 24- 8th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Oct 1- 51st Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park, IL)
Sat Oct 8- 47th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com