DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (Oct. 3, 2007) Steve Carlson was pretty sure that he was in good shape. After all, he had been tracking the standings for the past several weeks. But it wasn’t until he got the call Wednesday afternoon from George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations, that it became a reality.

Carlson is the 2007 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion. “It’s a relief,” Carlson said. “This is so big, this is unreal. I’m sure it will be a while until it all sinks in on just how big this really is.”

For starters, Carlson joins an elite class of racers who have won the national championship for NASCAR’s short track program – besting a field of thousands of racers competing at various tracks across the country. He earned his ticket to the New York City, where NASCAR will honor its champions, and to Las Vegas, where he will be in the spotlight for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banquet.

The 50-year-old from Black River Falls, Wisc. native finished with eight wins and 21 top five finishes in 23 starts. He raced primarily at LaCrosse (Wisc.) Speedway. After that season ended in the beginning of September, he ran a handful of events at Elko (Minn.) Speedway in an attempt to pick up a few more valuable points. In the end, Carlson’s 862 points from his top 18 finishes was enough to hold off the challenges of Woody Pitkat and defending champion Philip Morris.

La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway West Salem, WI
Sunday, October 7, 2007

By: Kevin Ramsell
Sunday, October 07, 2007 (West Salem, WI) – Dan Fredrickson ended his Oktoberfest Race Weekend on a high note as he claimed the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment’s Oktoberfest 100 season finale at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. For Fredrickson it was fitting end to a somewhat frustrating weekend.

On Friday night, Fredrickson tied with Steve Holzhausen the “Dick Trickle 99” event, only to lose on a tie-breaker. On Saturday, both also tied in qualifying with a lap of 19.133 seconds (a new ASAMT track record), and again, Holzhausen won on a tie-breaker.

On Sunday, it was Fredrickson blowing away the competition as he dominated the 100-lap event. “I’m glad he fell off,” Fredrickson stated after the race in regards to Holzhausen falling behind him. “I love racing him, but I am tired enough of him,” Fredrickson jokingly said.

OKTOBERFEST 100 FULL RESULTS

It was Dean Cornelius grabbing the early lead in the feature event. Fredrickson started tenth and was easily clipping off spot after spot with Holzhausen right behind him.

By: Matt Panure
Friday October 5, 2007 (Daytona Beach, FL) -- The Oktoberfest 100 will be a battle of epic proportions. This Sunday, October 7th’s finale for the inaugural season of the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment will also determine the 38th Oktoberfest Race Weekend Champion. The entry list is littered with champions from across the Midwest. When all is said and done one driver will emerge victorious and add their name to a list of premier drivers who have conquered the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway’s climactic event.

The list of Oktoberfest champions includes NASCAR stars and local hot shoes who brought the Midwest to the attention of the world of auto racing. Among the local legends who have captured the Oktoberfest crown are Joe Shear, ASA Midwest Touring Star Steve Carlson, Tom Carlson, Scott Hansen and the Reffners. Some NASCAR stars who have captured the event before hitting the big time include Ted Musgrave, Dick Trickle, Mark Martin and 2003 NASCAR Cup Champion Matt Kenseth.

Several drivers who have pre-entered for the Oktoberfest 100 have already felt the glory of a win on the final day of the fall classic.

By: Kevin Ramsell
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 (West Salem, WI) – The 38th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend always brings out the best of the best in Midwest asphalt racing. This year, four racing series will have their championships decided at Oktoberfest, along with many 2007 track and series champions also competing.

The ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment will crown its first champion on Sunday, Oktober 7th after the running of the Oktoberfest 100.

Nate Haseleu, who recently won his third consecutive Wisconsin Challenge Series championship, is looking to become the Tour’s first ever champion. Coming into Oktoberfest, Haseleu holds a 47-point lead over Donny Reuvers and a 55-point lead over Dave Feiler. Feiler has collected past championships at Madison International Speedway and Dells Raceway Park.

By: Kevin Ramsell
(West Salem, WI) – Following the July 20th Echo Chain Saw/Five Star Race Car Bodies No Bull 100 at Madison International Speedway, Nate Haseleu saw himself sitting 31 points behind point leader Donny Reuvers. But, two events later Haseleu found himself ahead of Reuvers by 47 points heading into the season finale at the Oktoberfest Race Weekend on Oktober 4-7 at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

Haseleu went into the next event, Factory Motor Parts 150 at Wisconsin International Raceway, and took home a third place finish where Reuvers was ninth. Five days later, at Shakopee’s (MN) Raceway Park, he would come home with a fifth place finish while Reuvers developed engine problems and finished 22nd.

“It was a real good week for us,” Haseleu recently stated. “We have been gaining on Reuvers and (Dave) Feiler over the second half of the season. We had some good runs and the competition level is so tight that you never know what is going to happen, but it turned out to be a good week for us.”

By: Kevin Ramsell
Thursday, September 06, 2007 (West Salem, WI) – You may have heard about it, may have experienced it in the past, or are a regular participant; no matter what, this year’s Oktoberfest Race Weekend promises to be one to remember. The 38th Annual event will take place on Oktober 4-7th at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.

This year’s four day racing event is packed with a huge event every day. This is one weekend where you should plan on being there for all three nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and Sunday afternoon.

It kicks off on Thursday, Oktober 4th with the racing action starting at 6:00 pm. The highlight of the evening will be a 40-lap feature event for the Big 8 Series. It will also be the Big 8 Series championship night as they will crown their third series champion.

Also competing on Thursday night will be the La Crosse Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Double-O Race, R.A.Y.S., and a 75-lap Enduro followed by and after race party in the Exhibition Building.

LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

Dan Fredrickson of Lakeville, Minnesota won the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Independence Day 100 in dominating fashion Tuesday night at the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

Mark Eswein took the initial lead from the outside of the front row to lead the first three laps of the Independence Day Kwik Trip 100 ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Model race before mayhem befell in turn one, wadding Joey Johnson up into the wall ending the young driver’s night. Eswein held onto the point at the restart and just three laps later, NASCAR Busch East Series driver Tim Schendel spun solo from his second place running spot, bringing out the yellow caution flag for a second time. At the restart, one lap was completed before Trevor Stewart, Andy Niles, and Schendel were thrust into the turn three wall. Ambulance service responded to the scene and all drivers were okay. Racing resumed and on lap twelve 1993 NASCAR Busch Series Champion Steve Grissom took turn one high wide and hansom, slowing the field for the fourth time.

1st Place Dan Fredrickson
$100 Certificate from Avcom/Competition Race Technology
$50 Certificate from Draco Spring Mfg
$143- 1 case of oil from Joe Gibbs Racing Oil
$100- Certificate from Tex Racing Transmissions
$100- Certificate from Penske Racing Shocks