Louze, Bennish, Genett, And Mackesy Win Features On Z104 Season Opener

By: Curt Keene

Tonight marked our 39th season of racing at SPS and the racing was exciting. Two, features came down to the last lap. We had some new and old faces racing with us tonight. Traveling Charlie Spray and James Bell came to race with us in the mini stock classes. Those two gentleman drove over 3 hours to race.

        Bob Schult and Tim Gorecki brought us to the first green flag in the new Mini Stock class. As the flagman, Troy Engman dropped the green flag Gorecki and Schult were ready to battle as they traded red and orange paint. Schult would get out to an early lead. Schult led the race for 9 laps but on lap 10 Dale Louze would take over. Louze who has been racing for 38 years would have no problem winning this race. Louze had his Ford Mustang hooked up tonight. John Lietz would follow in the second position, and third place was Schult. This division is for the stock four cylinder cars. "Ramblin"Charlie Spray our good friend at the speedway did not have the finish he expected but next time he will do better. Nice to see Charlie racing after his incident last year when he had a heart attack racing. This was his first time racing since the incident.

        The 15 lap main event for the Mini Mod class was a good one. From the start to the finish. James Bell our other visitor would lead 5 laps of the contest. Bo Bennish the long time veteran who's about 25 years old took the top position away from Bell.  Later on in the race Bennish would get challenged by Adam "Ralph" Eckes. Bennish and Eckes would race side by side until the finish. With the checkered flag in hand on the last lap  Bennish and Eckes would make contact out of turn 4. Bennish would cross the line first with Eckes following in second. Third place would go to Tucker (The Beast) Miller.

        Phil Prahl with the new number 52 and Duane"Mushy" Myska would make of the front row in the Street Stock Feature. Again like the last race this was also a good one. Prahl would lead a few laps in this main event. But with 7 laps to go Prahl who was battling a tight race car drifted up in corner #4. Kyle Genett who has never raced or even seen SPS until tonight would take over. Just when you thought Genett had it in the bag Nick Erickson Jr. was right on Genett's bumper. Erickson reeled in Genett and made this race come down to the finish line. A little contact was made but Genett put his name in the record book with his first feature win at SPS. Erickson took second and third place went to Jim Anala.

        Mark Mackesy was the winner of the Late Model Feature. Second Went to Wayne Breitenfeldt, and third went to A.J. Kania in the Brevik Schifler machine.

        Next week will be Handrick Towing & Service .  Also don't forget to tell a friend or family member about racing at SPS. Support short track racing before it's to late. Again Todd Handrick owner of SPS thanks everyone for making opening night enjoyable. Until next drive fast and turn left to State Park Speedway.