Category: Results

By: Eric Huenefeld

Over the course of the last two-plus seasons, Michael Bilderback has been the ‘man to beat’ in Big 8 Late Model Series competition.

Whether racing along the Big 8 Series or at the Rockford Speedway on Saturday nights, the South Beloit native has stood in victory lane as frequently as anyone since the beginning of the 2015 racing season.

On Sunday afternoon, Bilderback collected his ninth career Big 8 Late Model Series win and seventeenth Late Model victory since the start of 2015 after being the dominant car during the running of the 40th Anniversary Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway.

Bilderback, who started from the third position, quickly moved on outside pole sitter Mike Lloyd to take first place on lap four of the 88 lap main event. But then, just two laps later, the caution flag flew for fluid on the track, which was spotted dropping from Ryan Kamish’s car. After Kamish was sent to the pits, the field bunched up for the first restart of the day, which resulted in another yellow just three laps later when both Lloyd and Casey Johnson came into contact off the fourth corner, sending Lloyd spinning. Both cars were sent to the tail after the incident. Lloyd later retired from the race on lap 53, while Johnson fought back for a top five finish.

The largest calamity of the day occurred on lap 38, when a suspension breakage sent Tyler Kingery into Dennis Smith Jr’s car as the two drivers entered turn one. Both cars contacted the wall, collecting John Beinlich and Michael Clapper along the way. After the four cars piled up, Smith’s car was engulfed in flames. Smith quickly emerged from his car as safety crews worked to extinguish the inferno. All drivers were ok. While the rest of the field was stopped on track during red flag conditions, Kyle Shear’s car also caught fire. Shear would have to be towed to the pits after the fire exploded his right front tire, but his crew was able to make repairs and return him to the race, where he would finish seventh place, one lap down.

When the remainder of the field took the green flag with 50 laps to go, the race never stopped again as Bilderback put enough cushion between himself and second place Jeremy Miller to maintain a comfy advantage until the checkered flag. When the race concluded, it was Bilderback besting Miller by 1.79 seconds on his way to victory. Tim Sargent started his season off with a sold third place finish, while former Spring Classic champion Alex Papini came home in fourth after holding off a hard charge from Casey Johnson, who settled for fifth following his climb back through the field after the lap 9 incident with Lloyd. Kyle Chwala finished as the last car on the lead lap in sixth.

40th ANNIVERSARY SPRING CLASSIC

OFFICIAL RESULTS

1 Michael Bilderback South Beloit, IL (88 laps)

2 Jeremy Miller Rockford, IL (88 laps)

3 Tim Sargent South Beloit, IL (88 laps)

4 Alex Papini Machesney Park, IL (88 laps)

5 Casey Johnson Edgerton, WI (88 laps)

6 Kyle Chwala Johnson Creek, WI (88 laps)

7 Kyle Shear Roscoe, IL (87 laps)

8 Brody Willett Alburnett, IA (87 laps)

9 Wayne Freimund Elkhorn, WI (87 laps)

10 Jake Zellmer New Berlin, WI (87 laps)

11 Jerry Mueller Richfield, WI (87 laps)

12 Jake Vanoskey Hartford, WI (87 laps)

13 Tyler Brown Carol Stream, IL (85 laps)

14 Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti, MI (83 laps)

15 Jared Duda St Michael, MN (83 laps)

16 Tyler Hromadka Brookfield, WI (82 laps)

17 Jeff Wakeman Streator, IL (80 laps)

18 Mike Lloyd Davis, IL (53 laps)

19 Steve Rubeck Rockford, IL (41 laps)

20 Dennis Smith Jr South Beloit, IL (38 laps)

21 John Beinlich Cary, IL (38 laps)

22 Michael Clapper Dane, WI (38 laps)

23 Tyler Kingery Prior Lake, MN (37 laps)

24 Max Kahler Caledonia, IL (31 laps)

25 Jon Reynolds Jr Loves Park, IL (21 laps)

26 Ryan Kamish Lakeville, MN (6 laps)

Preliminary Race Winners: Vanoskey, Clapper, Reynolds, Lloyd

Fast Time: Bilderback 13.503 (*New Big 8 Track Record)

Entries: 27 Big 8 Late Models

By: Eric Huenefeld

As the twelfth season of Big 8 Late Model Series racing came to an end Saturday night at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, Michael Bilderback once again etched his name in history as a Big 8 Series champion.

Bilderback’s 2016 was one of the more dominant championship seasons in the history of the Big 8 Series, as the 25 year old outdistanced his nearest competitor in the points by 167 markers while winning four of the eight races on the schedule.

Bilderback finished no worse than sixth in any Big 8 race, with an average finish of 2.375. Bilderback’s four wins on the tour tied him for fourth on the All-Time Big 8 Series wins list with Ross Kenseth (7), trailing only Jon Reynolds Jr (11), Jeremy Miller (11) and Casey Johnson (10).

This year’s Big 8 Late Model Series championship was second consecutive for the South Beloit Illinois resident, making him just the third driver in the history of the Series to win multiple championships, joining Jeremy Miller (2007, 08, 10 & 12) and Casey Johnson (2013 & 14). To go along with his success along the Big 8 tour in this year, Bilderback also earned his first Rockford Speedway Track Championship, winning four feature races at the high-banked quarter mile.

Lakeville Minnesota’s Michael Ostdiek had a stellar season on the Big 8 tour too, posting a second place finish in the final series standings. The 19 year old college sophomore racked up five Top Five finishes and his first ever Big 8 Late Model Series win in July at State Park Speedway in Wausau Wisconsin. Ostdiek’s steady efforts were just enough to hold off J Herbst for runner-up honors in the points chase. Herbst, the West Salem Wisconsin native, finished just one point behind Ostdiek in third. Herbst has a memorable season with Big 8 Late Model Series, earning two runner-up finishes and six Top Tens while also setting new Track Records at Hawkeye Downs in June and at State Park Speedway in July.

Four time Big 8 Late Model Series champion Jeremy Miller finished fourth in the 2016 points, with one win on the tour at Madison International Speedway in June. Elkhorn Wisconsin’s Wayne Freimund rounded out the top five in points, ninety points behind Miller. Freimund completed his most solid Big 8 season to date with a top five in points, highlighted by a fourth place finish at Rockford Speedway’s Spring Classic in April.

Fourteen year old Grant Griesbach not only finished the season sixth place in points, but also was the winner of the Loves Park Motorsports ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award. Griesbach, who ended the season just four points behind Freimund for fifth in points, collected three Top Ten finishes in 2016, with a seventh place at Spring Classic his best showing. Alburnett Iowa’s Brody Willett finished second in the Rookie chase, ninety-five points behind Griesbach.

2016 Big 8 Late Model Series “By The Numbers”…

-FIVE different drivers won Big 8 Series features in 2016 (Bilderback, Miller, Ostdiek, Johnson & Ty Majeski)
-FIVE states were represented among the Top Ten in final Big 8 Series points (Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan)
-SIX drivers officially competed at every Series event in 2016 (Bilderback, Ostdiek, Herbst, Griesbach, Willett & Tyler Hromadka)
-SEVEN track records fell in qualifying this year, meaning each track on the series saw their all-time record lowered
-ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN drivers entered a Big 8 Late Model Series race in 2016

Big 8 Late Model Series
2016 Top Ten in Points

1. 2 Michael Bilderback 891
2. 18 Michael Ostdiek 724
3. 82 J Herbst 723
4. 5 Jeremy Miller 585
5. 95 Wayne Freimund 495
6. 17 Grant Griesbach 491
7. 54 Rich Schumann, Jr. 448
8. 3 Tyler Hromadka 399
9. 00 Brody Willett 396
10. 03 Cody Kippenhan 320

By: Eric Huenefeld

Despite losing power to his car and losing the lead late in last Saturday night’s Big 8 Late Model Series marathon at Rockford Speedway, Michael Bilderback still had the kind of night he needed to make his trip to LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway as much of a coronation as a competition.

Bilderback’s sixth place finish and second quickest qualifying time at Rockford was enough to give him a 164 point lead at the end of the night and helped the South Beloit Illinois racer clinch his second straight Big 8 Late Model Series championship.

Through seven races, the 25 year old has turned in one of the most consistent seasons in Big 8 history, winning four races and finishing no worse than sixth place in any Big 8 Late Model Series race. The Big 8 Series championship is Bilderback’s second straight, making him just the third man to win multiple Big 8 championships, joining Jeremy Miller (2007, 08, 10, 12) and Casey Johnson (2013 & 14).

But the action is far from over heading to La Crosse, as Bilderback looks to capture his first ever win at Oktoberfest. And along with Bilderback’s quest for a fifth win of 2016, there are several battles to be decided within the Top 10 in Big 8 Series points.

The battle for second in points is far from over heading to ‘Fest,’ with Minnesota’s Michael Ostdiek holding a 25 point advantage over J Herbst and a 43 point advantage over Jeremy Miller. Ostdiek is looking to end his season in style with a second Big 8 Series win and a seventh win overall in 2016, while Herbst is looking for his breakthrough Big 8 win on his hometrack. Miller, the fast qualifier last week at Rockford, looks to become just the second driver to win multiple features on the Big 8 Series in 2016 while also pursuing his first ever win at Oktoberfest.

The Loves Park Motorsports Rookie of the Year battle is set to be determined at Oktoberfest also, with a pair of 14 year old drivers vying for the honor. Waukesha Wisconsin’s Grant Griesbach leads Alburnett Iowa’s Brody Willett by just 57 points as the two youngsters speed towards this weekend’s finale.

Each and every year, the Big 8 Late Model Series race at Oktoberfest boasts one of the most diverse lineups of “weekly warriors” from across the Midwest and this year promises more of the same. With nearly 50 drivers trying for 24 spots into the 68 lap Championship Feature, sparks are sure to fly this Saturday night.

BIG 8 LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS (Top 10)

1. #2 Michael Bilderback 792
2. #18 Michael Ostdiek 628
3. #82 J. Herbst 603
4. #5 Jeremy Miller 585
5. #95 Wayne Freimund 495
6. #17 Grant Griesbach 428
7. #54 Rich Schumann, Jr. 393
8. #3 Tyler Hromadka 372
9. #00 Brody Willett 371
10. #03 Cody Kippenhan 320

EVENT DETAILS:

What: 47th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend
Where: La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway (N4985 County Road M, West Salem, WI 54669)
When: Saturday October 8

Schedule and Information:
8 AM- Pits Open
9:25 AM- Practice Begins
2:05 PM- Qualifying
5 PM- Racing begins

Divisions Competing:
Big 8 Late Model Series along with ARCA Midwest Tour, Mid American Stock Car Series and Midwest Dash Series

Admission Prices:
Adults (18 +) $25, Students (ages 12-17) $12, Children (ages 6-11) $6, Kids ages 5 and under FREE

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit big8series.com

(Ricky Bassman photo)

By: Eric Huenefeld

Being in the right spot at the right time was the right formula for Michael Bilderback.

The reigning Big 8 Late Model Series champion ran a steady race throughout the 38 lap ‘Dixieland Delight’ Tuesday night at Wisconsin International Raceway, and found himself in the lead following a tangle between the race’s top two runners with five laps to go. The tangle, between race leader Jeremy Miller and second place Jesse Bernhagen, resulted in Miller’s car being towed away and Bernhagen being sent to the back of the field. The incident also resulted in Bilderback finding his way to the front of the line.

But the job wasn’t yet complete, as Bilderback had to sustain the lead throughout three restarts within the race’s final laps. Each and every time the green flag flew, Bilderback was able to outdistance the competition. The South Beloit Illinois native beat Rich Schumann Jr to the finish line by one and a half carlengths. The runner up finish for Schumann was the high point of a “feast or famine” 2016 along the Big 8 Series trail, which has featured a third place run at Rockford in April and a breakage at Hawkeye Downs in June that sent Schumann home before Qualifying.

Lakeville Minnesota’s Michael Ostdiek continued his recent hot streak, with a third place finish in the 38 lap event. Ostdiek, who picked up his first-ever Big 8 Series win last Friday at State Park Speedway along with earning the victory at his hometrack (Elko Speedway) last Saturday, also climbed to second place in the Series standings.

Making his move on late race restarts, J Herbst pocketed another Big 8 Series top five with a fourth place finish on Tuesday night. The fourth place effort for Herbst comes on the heels of a thrilling third place finish last Friday night at State Park Speedway, where the two-time LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway champion came back to third place from from dead last after sustaining a flat tire while leading.

Central Wisconsin racing veteran Jeremy Lepak rounded out the top five at Kaukauna, with a fifth place effort. Lepak, who will return to the Big 8 tour at the season finale at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in October, also came home int he runner up position last Friday at State Park.

Big 8 Late Model Series
‘Dixieland Delight’
Race Results

1. #2 Michael Bilderback South Beloit IL
2. #54 Rich Schumann Jr Portage WI
3. #18 Michael Ostdiek Lakeville MN
4. #82 J Herbst West Salem WI
5. #40 Jeremy Lepak Ringle WI
6. #28 Jesse Bernhagen Markesan WI
7. #18 Mike Ehde Prairie du Chien WI
8. #95 Wayne Freimund Elkhorn WI
9. #7 Joey Pontbriand Norway MI
10. #03 Cody Kippenhan Ypsilanti MI
11. #3 Tyler Hromadka Brookfield WI
12. #20 Zach Less Manchester IA
13. #49 Jerry Mueller Richfield WI
14. #12 Jim Duchow Appleton WI
15. #99 Hunter Drefahl Evansville WI
16. #5 Jeremy Miller Rockford IL
17. #17 Grant Griesbach Waukesha WI
18. #01 Bryan Monday Appleton WI
19. #53 Jared Duda St Michael MN

Did Not Start- Jon Reynolds Jr, Brody Willett

Fast Time- Duchow (20.243 New Track Record)
Car Count- 21 Big 8 Late Models

By: Jana Wimmer

Billed as the main event of Friday night’s Miller Lite Detjens Memorial weekend at State Park Speedway, the Big 8 Late Model Series 58 lapper lived up to its billing and then-some. With three lead changes over the final 25 laps, there’s no question this will go down as an instant classic in the Big 8 Series books.

J. Herbst set fast time earlier in the day and started the 58-lap feature from the seventh position. While Lyle Nowak grabbed the early lead, Herbst quickly worked his way towards the front. The first caution of the night flew on lap three. The leader gets his/her own lane on the restart, while drivers behind get to pick a lane. With the inside lane the preferred lane at State Park Speedway, Herbst took a gamble and jumped to the outside, restarting in the third position.

The move paid off as Herbt quickly battled side by side with Nowak for the lead. Nowak cleared Herbst, but the No. 82 car fought back, this time diving to the inside and taking the lead on lap eight.

Just a few laps later the caution flew again and this time Michael Ostdiek and Michael Bilderback took advantage of choosing the outside lane on the restart. Herbst easily grabbed the lead again and Ostdiek settled into second. Nowak battled with Bilderback for third and Jeremy Lepak rapidly closed in on them from the fifth position.

Herbst’s lead had grown to over 15 car lengths when the yellow flag flew one more time. As the cars rolled under caution and got ready to pick a lane for the restart, Herbt visibly had a tire go flat and the leader was forced to pull into the pits. That handed the reigns over to Ostdiek, who was looking for the first Big 8 Series win of his career.

Ostdiek got a good restart, but now multi-time Big 8 Series Champion Jeremy Miller wanted a taste of the lead. With Miller on the outside, the two battled door to door for nine laps, with Ostdiek reclaiming the lead with 22 laps to go.

Bilderback moved into second with Lepak in tow. Lepak then moved his No. 40 around Bilderback and began to close in on Ostdiek. Lepak jumped to the high side and pulled even with Ostdiek; the two raced side by side for the lead with ten laps to go.

Ostdiek was able to use lap traffic to his advantage, taking the lead once again with seven laps to go and holding on to take the checkered flag.
“It feels wonderful,” said Ostdiek. “Our plan was to win a big one on the road and we finally did it, so it’s just awesome, especially with the Kulwicki driver development program. I was really hoping to get that first win with them. It’s definitely huge for us and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Meanwhile the battles weren’t over. Lepak and Bilderback duked it for second and Herbst, who had driven all the way back through the field, was up to fourth. Lepak grabbed second and on the white flag lap, Herbst got by Bilderback for third.

“I just should have cut down in front of that lap car a little sooner, I hung it out there too long and gave him a chance to get back in there, that was my fault,” said Lepak. “The guys gave me a pretty good car, it was a good long run car we just, gosh damn, it’s gonna be hard to sleep tonight. I wanted to win for these guys so bad. Chad and Dan Devine give me the cars to race in every series, whether it’s a truck or Big 8 or Super Late Model, I’ve always got a car to race if we want to go have some fun, that’s why we do it. It’s fun running with these guys.”

“We definitely had the car to beat,” said Herbst. “Set fast time and just kind of used the heat race as a hot lap. We got the lead right away and the crew just said cruise, save your tires, save your tires, so I think while we lead I never touched the brake once. Then under that yellow I felt the right front go flat and I radioed in. I went in, the guys changed the tire and sent us back out and drove back through the field and finished third. I needed about four or five more laps.”

Larry Detjens Memorial (58 laps)
Race Results
1. 18 Michael Ostdiek
2. 40 Jeremy Lepak
3. 82 J Herbst
4. X Michael Bilderback
5. 54 Rich Schumann Jr
6. 5 Jeremy Miller
7. 49 Jerry Mueller
8. 32 Lyle Nowak
9. 75 Dillon Hammond
10. 17 Grant Greisbach
11. 13 Bryan Wrolstad
12. 53 Jared Duda
13. 99 Hunter Drefahl
14. 03 Cody Kippenhan
15. 99 Jake Zellmer
16. 3 Tyler Hromadka
17. 95 Wayne Freimund
18. 20 Zach Less
19. 79 Jeff Nowak
20. 16 Joel Clossey
21. 00 Brody Willett
22. 49 Tory Adams
23. 9 Jerry Brickner