Category: Featured

By: Eric Huenefeld

The twelfth season of the Big 8 Late Model Series comes to an end this Saturday night at the 48th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend and while this season’s Big 8 Late Model Series championship has already been decided, there are still quite a few things to keep an eye on as the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” trek to western Wisconsin.

First and foremost, Oktoberfest has always welcomed the largest and deepest field of Big 8 racers each and every year. Since 2005, an average of 52 drivers have entered the Big 8 portion of Oktoberfest, with champions and challengers taking to the track from all corners of the Midwest. This year, expect a field of 50 or more Big 8 cars at Oktoberfest with as many as 70 track and series championships between them. Add that solid driver roster with the recently updated Big 8 “Qualifying Race” format and you’ve got a recipe for a sure-fire short track extravaganza!

A second thing to keep an eye on this weekend is Michael Bilderback. The South Beloit Illinois resident locked up his slice of history last Saturday night at Rockford Speedway, thanks to a dominant win the 108 lap Big 8 Late Model Series National Short Track Championship race. The win, coupled with issues for current points runner up Jeremy Miller, locked up the 2017 Big 8 Late Model Series championship for Bilderback and in the process made him the first driver ever to win three consecutive Big 8 Late Model Series titles. The win also tied Bilderback with Miller at the top of the all-time Big 8 Late Model Series wins list.

Bilderback has a chance at even more history this weekend at LaCrosse, a track where he still seeks a Big 8 Late Model Series win. Victory in Saturday’s 68 lap main event would mean a fifth win on the 2017 Big 8 tour for Bilderback, tying him with Ross Kenseth for the most prolific season in Big 8 Series history. Kenseth won five of nine races in 2009, while Bilderback is seeking a fifth conquest in eight tries this season. A win Saturday would be Bilderback’s 25th Late Model win since the beginning of 2015.

Another thing to watch at Oktoberfest will be the battle for sixth place in Big 8 points, important because it insures a driver eligibility in Sunday afternoon’s ‘JMcK 63’ All Star Invite, ran in memory of John McKarns. Coming into Oktoberfest, Jerry Mueller currently sits fifth in Big 8 points, eight markers ahead of Jake Zellmer, who is already locked into the JMcK with two weekly wins at Dells Raceway Park this year. NASCAR Illinois Rookie of the Year Jake Vanoskey currently sits seventh in Big 8 points, just 26 points behind Zellmer. Nearly 80 drivers are eligible for Sunday’s JMcK, including 2017 weekly track feature winners, past JMcK winners and the top six in Big 8 Late Model Series points.

For more information on the 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend, please visit oktoberfestraceweekend.com. For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

By: Eric Huenefeld

As the Big 8 Late Model Series makes its traditional stop at Rockford Speedway on “Short Track Saturday Night,” all eyes will be on Michael Bilderback.

Along with being one of the most dominant Big 8 drivers over the course of the last three racing seasons, Bilderback is on the verge of making history. If the South Beloit resident can hold onto the Big 8 Series point lead and end the season as Big 8 Late Model Series champion, he would become the first driver in series history to win three consecutive championships.

This summer, the 26-year-old became the first driver since 2008-2009 to win back-to-back Rockford Speedway track championships. A four-time winner on Saturday nights in 2017, Bilderback won three features in a span of four weeks to help pad his point lead on his way to the title. Since 2015, Bilderback has captured 22 Big 8 Late Model-style feature wins.

But there will be a mountain of contenders looking to challenge Bilderback and take the win on Saturday night. Two of the leading contenders to challenge the champion are Jeremy Miller and Jon Reynolds Jr. Miller, a four-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion, has collected one Big 8 win in 2017 (Madison in July) and has been the closest pursuer to Bilderback all season long. Miller is not only looking for a 13th career Big 8 Series win, but is also looking for his first Rockford win since September of 2007. On the other hand, Reynolds is trying to add to history, looking for an unprecedented 5th Big 8 Series victory at Rockford during NSTC. A Big 8 win at Rockford would also tie Reynolds with Miller for most Big 8 Series wins all-time.

Seven-time Rockford Speedway track champion Bobby Wilberg returns to NSTC this weekend, looking for his fourth career win at National Short Track Championships. Rockford is the site of Wilberg’s only Big 8 Late Model Series win, back in 2015 at Spring Classic. This summer was another successful year on-track for Wilberg, who pocketed the track championship at Madison International Speedway. Speaking of track champions converging on Rockford Speedway, multi-time Jefferson Speedway champion Dale Nottestad is set to return to NSTC this weekend, looking for his first win in the 108 lap race. Nottestad, like Wilberg, is a former Big 8 winner at Rockford during Spring Classic.

Three-time Rockford Speedway track champion Jerry Gille has entered this Saturday night’s Big 8 Late Model Series race at NSTC, along with his nephew and 2015 Rockford Speedway track champion Jake Gille, who famously saw a solid run in last year’s 108 lap race end with a harrowing wreck in Turn 3. In limited action during 2017, Gille has been consistent as usual, with a pair of top five finishes.

2013 Rockford Speedway track champion Alex Papini, who was a top five finisher at Spring Classic back in April and a feature winner at Rockford in June, also returns this weekend at NSTC. Other contenders Saturday night include two-time National Short Track Champion Steve Rubeck, Iowa’s Brody Willett, Minnesota’s Ryan Kamish, Wisconsin’s Jake Zellmer, former ‘Rockford Rules 200’ winner Tom Gille along with former Rockford Speedway Rookie of the Year Mitch Garfield.

The 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 29, 30 and October 1 at Rockford Speedway. Friday’s “Opening Night” features five divisions and gets going at a NEW start time of 6 PM. “Short Track Saturday Night” takes the green at 5 PM and includes a 108 lap Big 8 Late Model Series race plus Super Late Model preliminaries, Great Northern Sportsman Series and Northern Vintage Racers. “Championship Sunday” goes green at 12:30 PM and is headlined by the 200 lap National Short Track Championship and is accompanied by the Mid American Stock Car Series and American Super Cups.

For more information on the 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships or to order tickets in advance, please call 815-633-1500 or visit rockfordspeedway.com.

The traditional push towards the Big 8 Late Model Series championship begins this weekend.

“Three Races In Three Weeks” are set to be contested at three different tracks in three different states to end the 2017 campaign, with stop number one this weekend at Elko Speedway in Elko New Market Minnesota.

The bullring at Elko, which has become a staple on the Big 8 Series tour, hosts the 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck” this Saturday September 23. Five total divisions are showcased, with the Big 8 Series contesting a 58 lap feature race as part of the jam-packed event.

Coming into Elko, two-time and defending Big 8 Late Model Series champion Michael Bilderback is on a quest to do something that has never been done before; win three consecutive Big 8 Late Model Series titles. The South Beloit Illinois resident currently holds a 51 point advantage on four-time Series champion Jeremy Miller. Both drivers have won along the 2017 Big 8 Series trail. Miller was dominant en route to victory at Madison International Speedway in June, while Bilderback has been dominant recently, winning the last two Series races at State Park Speedway and Wisconsin International Raceway.

Alburnett Iowa’s Brody Willett has been busy racing across the Midwest over the last month or so and looks to parlay that into his first Big 8 Series win. Willett currently sits third in Series points, just 40 points ahead of Ryan Kamish. When looking for a local favorite this weekend, Kamish is definitely a driver to keep in mind. Setting fourth in Big 8 points during his first full season on the the tour, Elko could be the perfect stage for the Farmington native’s first Big 8 Series win. Richfield Wisconsin’s Jerry Mueller has also had a solid season along the Big 8 trail, holding down fifth in Series points, while Hartford Wisconsin’s Jake Vanoskey and Burlington Wisconsin’s Jake Zellmer are separated by just two points for sixth and seventh. Both Vanoskey and Zellmer had solid ends to their regular season, with Vanoskey crowned the NASCAR Illinois Rookie of the Year and Zellmer finding victory lane at Dells Raceway Park during the season. Speaking of young drivers finding success, Carol Stream Illinois native Tyler Brown currently is tenth in Big 8 Series points and is the Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year point leader.

The local contingent of challengers at Elko Speedway is always one of the toughest each season along the Big 8 Late Model Series and this year is no exception. Expect a solid cast of challengers to defend their hometrack, including multi-time Elko Speedway champion Jacob Goede, who is looking to win his first Big 8 race in his first ever attempt. Another driver happy to see the series come to his home track is Rosemount native Joe Neisius, who claimed his first Big 8 Series victory back in June at Hawkeye Downs. Through the years, Minnesota racers have represented their hometrack well, will it happen again this Saturday night?

Following Elko, the Big 8 Late Model Series heads to Rockford (IL) Speedway on Saturday September 30 for their 108 lap race as part of the 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships. Then, on Saturday October 7, the curtain comes down on the 2017 season at the 48th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI, where the 2017 Big 8 Late Model Series champion will be crowned.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

CURRENT BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES TOP 10
(as of August 1, 2017)

1. Michael Bilderback 602
2. Jeremy Miller 551
3. Brody Willett 431
4. Ryan Kamish 391
5. Jerry Mueller 347
6. Jake Vanoskey 313
7. Jake Zellmer 311
8. Tim Sargent 295
9. Tyler Hromadka 279
10. Tyler Brown (R) 236

EVENT DETAILS:

What: 9th Annual Thunderstruck
Where: Elko Speedway(26350 France Ave Elko New Market, MN 55020)
When: Saturday September 23

Schedule and Information:
9 AM- Pit Gates Open
12:30 PM-2:05 PM- Rotating Practice including Big 8 Late Models
2:15 PM- Drivers Meeting inside “Champions”
2:45 PM-4 PM- On-Track Autograph Session
4:15 PM- Qualifying
6 PM- Racing including the 58 lap Big Late Model Series Feature

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (Qualifying, Last Chance Race and a 58 lap feature)
ARCA Midwest Tour
Thunder Cars
Power Stocks
Legends

Admission Prices:
Adults (13 & up) $20
Kids (4-12) $5
3 & under are FREE

REMAINING 2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Sat Sept 23- 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 30- 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park, IL)
Sat Oct 7- 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com

By: Eric Huenefeld

In the span of just four days, the Big 8 Late Model Series points race will go from early season to home stretch, thanks to a couple of big races scheduled just days apart.

This Friday July 28, ‘The Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” make their sixth stop at State Park Speedway in Wausau, Wisconsin as part of the annual Larry Detjens Memorial Race Weekend. Then, on Tuesday August 1, the Big 8’s best run in support of the ARCA Midwest Tour at Wisconsin International Raceway as part of the Dixieland 250.

Both events were candidates for “Race of the Year” in 2016, with Minnesota’s Michael Ostdiek holding off a solid field of contenders en route to his first ever Big 8 Late Model Series win at Wausau. Then just a few days later, it was Bilderback claiming his third win of the 2016 Big 8 slate at Kaukauna in front of a healthy Tuesday night crowd.

The entry list for Wausau boasts a very worthy group of contenders, including both Bilderback and Ostdiek, along with four-time Big 8 Late Model Series champion Jeremy Miller and former Rockford Speedway champion Tim Sargent. Young, talented hard-chargers Brody Willett and Derek Lemke are also entered for Friday night’s show in Wausau, along with a strong Minnesota contingent including Ostdiek and Lemke, Kyle Kirberger, Ryan Kamish, Bryan Wrolstad and Jared Duda. State Park Speedway point leader Adam Peschek looks to hold serve at his Thursday night home track, along with Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year point leader Tyler Brown and Muskego Wisconsins’ Jake Zellmer, who is one week removed from his first feature win of the year at Dells Raceway Park. The Big 8 Series event at Wausau headlines the Opening Night of the two-day “Detjens Fest.”

Many of the same faces are headed to Kaukauna on Tuesday night to participate in the 38 lap ‘Dixieland Delight.’ Both Michael Bilderback and Jeremy Miller are past winners of the event at Wisconsin International Raceway and both look to nab a victory which will be key as the Big 8 Late Model Series championship chase heads into its homestretch starting in September. A typically solid local contingent will defend their home turf this Tuesday night. Other names to watch at Kaukauna include former Big 8 Series Rookie of the Year Jesse Bernhagen (second in Fox River Racing Club LLM points) and Norway Michigan’s Joey Pontbriand. The Big 8 Series race at Kaukauna Tuesday night is the undercard for the ARCA Midwest Tour Dixieland 250, which is set to include over 40 Super Late Models and NASCAR champion Kyle Busch.

For more information on the Big 8 Late Model Series, please visit big8series.com.

Larry Detjens Memorial
Expected Entries
as of 9 am Thursday

OO Brody Willett Alburnett, IA
O3 Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanit, MI
2 Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL
2 Kyle Kirberger Ramsey, MN
3 Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI
5 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL
13 Bryan Wrolstad Northfield, MN
18 Michael Ostdiek Lakeville, MN
20 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
21 Mike Lloyd Davis, IL
26 Tim Sargent South Beloit, IL
40 Jeremy Lepak Wausau, WI
42 Ryan Kamish Lakeville, MN
49 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
53 Jared Duda St Michael, MN
66 Adam Peschek Oconomowoc, WI
71 Derek Lemke Shakopee, MN
79 Jeff Nowak Weston, WI
84 Jake Vanoskey Hartford, WI
99 Jake Zellmer Muskego, WI

**NOTE: Entries for WIR close on Friday. An Entry List for Tuesday Night’s Dixieland Delight should be available by Saturday on the Big 8 Series Facebook page.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: “Larry Detjens Memorial”
Where: State Park Speedway (located at 5711 North Mountain Road, Wausau WI 54401)
When: Friday July 28

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) $8
5 & under are FREE

What: “Dixieland Delight”
Where: Wisconsin International Raceway (located at W1460 County Rd KK, Kaukauna, WI 54130)
When: Tuesday August 1

Schedule and Information:
10 AM- Pits Open
3:05 PM- Practice Begins
4 PM- Fan Gates Open
5 PM- Big 8 Late Model Series Qualifying
7 PM- Racing Begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (38 lap feature)
ARCA Midwest Tour ‘Dixieland 250’

Admission Prices:
Adults: $20

REMAINING 2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri July 28- Miller Lite Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 1- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 23- 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 30- 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway, Loves Park, IL)
Sat Oct 7- 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com

By: Clem Easterly

This Friday night, the Big 8 Late Model Series returns to one of it’s favorite stops through the years.

For the 17th time in Series history, the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” take to ‘Wisconsin’s Fastest Half Mile” for what has become an Independence Week tradition…the “Salute to America” at Madison International Speedway (MIS).

Friday night’s event marks the third of eight races on the 2017 Big 8 Late Model Series schedule, following April’s Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway and the “Clash at the Downs” at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Iowa four weeks ago. Michael Bilderback won the season opener at Rockford in commanding fashion, while Minnesota’s Joe Neisius claimed his first ever Big 8 Series win at Hawkeye Downs one month ago.

Two races into the 2017 slate, Bilderback leads the standings, looking to become the first driver to win three consecutive Big 8 Late Model Series championships. Bilderback’s advantage in the standings is 27 points over 4-time Big 8 Series champion Jeremy Miller, who has been his usual consistent self to start the season. Miller has also been solid at Madison this year, leading the NASCAR Late Model points in pursuit of his sixth track championship at MIS. Miller is also the defending race winner of the “Salute to America,” winning last year’s caution-free 48 lap affair.

Other top Big 8 racers gunning for victory Friday night at MIS include Tim Sargent, the former Rockford Speedway champion, who’s started his season with a pair of top five finishes and currently ranks third in Big 8 Series points, eight points behind Miller for second and 35 points behind Bilderback for the points lead. Iowa’s Brody Willett has begun his Big 8 season strong as well, sitting fourth in points, just 69 points behind Bilderback. Other top Big 8 drivers attending Friday night’s ‘Salute to America’ include Wisconsin racers Jerry Mueller (6th in points) and Jake Zellmer (7th in points) along with Minnesota’s Ryan Kamish (8th in points) and Illinois’ Tyler Brown, the leading Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year candidate who sits tenth in Series points.

Madison International Speedway will be well represented Friday night, with several track championships represented on the entry list. Beloit’s Bobby Wilberg is one of the titans of Madison International Speedway, with a combined 12 track championships through the years at his hometrack. Cottage Grove’s Zach Riddle not only has a distinguished family history at MIS, but is also a former track champion, taking top honors in the NASCAR Late Model division during the 2015 season. Both Wilberg and Riddle are aiming for their first Big 8 wins on their hometrack. Former ‘Salute to America’ winner and Madison ace John Baumeister Jr is also looking to pocket another Big 8 Series win Friday night at MIS.

Drivers from five states are expected for the 2017 edition of ‘Salute to America,’ and once again this season the Big 8 Late Model Series is joined by the Great Northern Sportsman Series and the Midwest Dash Series on the busy Friday night schedule. Race fans are also encouraged to hang around after the races for a HUGE Fireworks Display.

***MADISON CONSTRUCTION UPDATE***

If you’re making your first trip to Madison International Speedway this year, know that Road Construction is taking place on Interstate 90 near Stoughton. With this in mind, the following information has been passed along by the folks at Madison International Speedway…

The Highway 51 exit off I-90/39 is closed at Stoughton, fans/drivers will need to take Hwy 14 north/west out of Janesville towards Evansville (Exit 171, then turn left on 14). Fans/drivers will be able to bring 14 through Evansville and then north to Hwy 138 Oregon, take exit, at roundabout turn right (east), then approx 2 miles down road will be our sign with flags at Sunrise Road. Turn right on Sunrise and then the track will be on the left a mile down.

IMPORTANT: Your GPS will likely try to have you turn on Oak Hill off of Hwy 14 and there are green directional signs saying Madison International Speedway, the large toters and semis WILL NOT fit down Oak Hill, therefor they MUST go to Hwy 138.

Salute To America
Current Entries (as of Noon 6/29)

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
14 Zach Riddle Cottage Grove, WI
15 Michael Clapper Dane, WI
19 John Baumeister Jr Beloit, WI
20 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL
21 Mike Lloyd Davis, IL
26 Tim Sargent South Beloit, IL
28 Bobby Wilberg Beloit, WI
42 Ryan Kamish Lakeville, MN
49 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI
53 Jared Duda St Michael, MN
58 Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN
78 Matt Lundberg Rockton, IL
84 Jake Vanoskey Hartford, WI
87 Brent Edmunds Monticello, WI
99 Jake Zellmer Muskego, WI

EVENT DETAILS:

What: “Salute To America”
Where: Madison International Speedway (1122 Sunrise Road, Oregon, WI 53575)
When: Friday June 30

Schedule and Information:
3:30 PM- Pits Open
5 PM- Big 8 Series Practice Begins
6:15 PM- Big 8 Series Qualifying
7:30 PM- Racing Begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series (complete show highlighted by a 48 lap feature)
Great Northern Sportsman Series
Midwest Dash Series
Plus a HUGE Fireworks Display

Admission Prices:
Adults- $18
“Whelen Heroes” & Seniors- $16
Students (Ages 12-17)- $10.00
Children (Ages 6-11)- $5
Kids (Ages 5 & under)- FREE
Family Pricing (Two adults & up to four students and/or children)- $40

REMAINING 2017 BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri June 30- Salute to America (Madison International Speedway, Oregon WI)
Fri July 28- Larry Detjens Memorial Race (State Park Speedway, Wausau WI)
Tues Aug 1- Dixieland Delight (Wisconsin Int’l Raceway, Kaukauna WI)
Sat Sept 23- 9th Annual ‘Thunderstruck 93’ (Elko Speedway, Elko New Market, MN)
Sat Sept 30- 52nd Annual National Short Track Championships (Rockford Speedway)
Sat Oct 7- 48th Oktoberfest Race Weekend (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.big8series.com