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Ken Johnson Wins the 2003 Championship at LGR!
October 4, 2003; Lake
Geneva, WI. -
Ken Johnson never knew that the temperature were in the fifties,
as he took fast time just alittle slower than his track qualifying record and breezed to a impressive victory for the five
time champion from Paddock Lake.
The non stop mini modified feature was a tight clean
race as Bill Trusky slipping in front with Chris Marinello,Andy Krueger and Glen Vernezze all over the leader. It took Vernezze
five laps to make his way to the front with Mike VanHouten inching past Krueger three laps later. Like he was shot from the
sky Ken Johnson flew past all three and into the lead on lap eleven.
The next nine laps Johnson stayed out of trouble
to win the twenty lap event over Vernezze, VanHouten, Phil Schultz, Hermie Schultz and Trusky, all in close formation.
Click Here to See the Race Results
Ken Johnson Wins the Little Car Nationals at Rockford!
September 28, 2003; Rockford,
IL. -
Big competition came in little packages when the little cars battled for the Instant
Jungle Little Car National Short Track crown in six different divisions Saturday night at the Rockford Speedway.
Hermie
Schultz grabbed the early lead of the Modifieds feature event, but it took only two laps for fast qualifier Dr. Ken Johnson
to slide by Schultz and take command of the twenty-five lap event. Johnson cruised to victory over Glen Vernezze who
could never close on Johnson's lead. Johnson had to hold on through a near miss on the final lap when a slower
car spun in the middle of turns three and four right in front of Johnson.
"I love this track. It's always been great
to me. Every year we have a great
time here," said the dental doctor in victory lane. Johnson also commented on his last
lap excitement. "I saw the white flag and said 'one more lap to go. I hope nothing happens' and then 20 feet from the end
something happens. Wow."
7th Annual Bud Light Small Car World Championships Rained
Out
September 27, 2003; Lake
Geneva, WI. -
Its only rained two Fridays since early June and one of them was tonight as Lake Geneva Raceway sat idle and in the dark as
the 7th. annual Bud Light small car world championships was rained out.
Because of the support for this show and the three championship races included in the program this show will be part of the annual run what ya brung program
on Saturday night October 4th. for the what could be the season finale.
This is a great opportunity for both the race
fans and driversstated Kevin Dawson Promoter of the raceway.This puts this great show in front of a larger crowd that have
grown to enjoy the season finale program. The only change will be the American Short trackers/International cars
and the sport trucks will run under the run what ya brung rules.The Bandoleros, legends and mini modifieds will still have
their championship races.The super mini cups,formula indy, outlaw rascals,Great Lakes Allison legacy series cars and Burris
Pro circle karts will be part of the small car show.
Ken Johnson Takes a Clean Sweep!!
August
29, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - Ken Johnson of Paddock Lake was up to the call
as the four time defending Herbs mini modified champion took fast time,won the dash and in a photo finish won the 15 lap feature
race.
Phil Schultz jumped out front of the mini modified feature
with rookie Jesse Johnson at his side,after a brief battle with Andy Krueger.By lap five Mike VanHouten had moved into second
and two laps later into the lead.Jesse Johnson followed the new leader as Schultz faded to third.
Ken Johnson was right
with the front two within three laps and things were tight at the top. Fourth place Curt Thomazin dropped out on lap eleven
with unknown problems. Then on lap twelve Ken Johnson got his break as VanHouten had a six car lead, Jesse Johnson lost a
wheel causing the first caution.
VanHouten's lead was gone and Johnson was right on the leader as the green reappeared
for those final three laps. Then Rick Lambert spun causing one more caution. As the green came out, VanHouten
walked Johnson into turn one, then Johnson inched ahead in two. It was a dead heat through four when Johnson crept ahead.
But VanHouten wasn't going down easy, coming back in front before the end of turn two. Coming off four, Johnson was ahead
but at the wire VanHouten gave it one more try but fell short by six inches in a race that had the crowd on their feet. Hermie
Schultz was third,with Chris Marinello, Phil Schultz and Bill Trusky rounded out the ten six.
Mike VanHouten of Cary,IL. won
the dash and was back up on top of the Herbs mini modified division by winning the 15 lap feature!
August
29, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - The mini modified feature got off to a rocky start
as the group exited turn two someone got out of control and Chris Marinello went head on into the wall in the melee for a
complete restart. Marinello escaped injury, but his race car was out for the remainder of the contest. Last Saturdays
feature winner Jesse Johnson got caught up in the incident and damaged a left rear axle, retiring to the pits for the evening.
Glen Vernezze charged out front with Bill Trusky,Ken Johnson the fast qualifier and Mike VanHouten next.
By lap seven
Johnson was along side Vernezze,then in front for the lead. Somehow third place VanHouten pulled off a slick move and shot
inside Johnson and Vernezze coming off turn two.The two fought for the lead until turn four when VanHouten secured the top
spot for good going on to win the race.Johnson was three lengths back in second, Vernezze was just ahead of Curt Thomazin,Phil
Schultz and Trusky.
Rookie Jesse Johnson Wins His First
Feature Race!!
August
23, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. -
Jesse Johnson a 21
year old rookie driver from Elkhorn won his first career 15 lap feature in a non points race for the Herbs mini modifieds.
Chris Marinello Wins His First Feature
Race!!
August
15, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. -
It was a hot and
humid Friday night at Lake Geneva Raceway as 2002 co rookie of the year Chris Marinello of Bristol won his first feature race
in the Herbs mini modifieds,leading wire to wire for his victory. Chris Marinello shot out front of the mini modified
feature but after one lap was completed, the caution came out with everyone maintaining their position. Somehow Curt
Thomazin stopped in turn three as Mike VanHouten the fast qualifier had no where to go and smashed into the dead mount. VanHoutens
night was over.
Finally underway for the next fourteen laps going non stop Marinello won the race even with the lapped
cars getting in his way. Ken Johnson the point leader was second, with Thomazin third, Phil Schultz fourth, Bill Trusky fifth
and Andy Krueger sixth.
VanHouten Scores ANOTHER Clean Sweep at LGR!
August 8, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - August 8, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI.
- It was a perfect night for racing and the weekly family fun night Friday events were close and exciting. In the Herb's
mini modified division a few weeks ago the group went to a new tire. It was a mixed bag for many drivers, but for Mike VanHouten
of Cary, Illinois it was a dream come true. VanHouten took a clean sweep for the second week in a row, by taking fast time,
winning the dash and the 15 lap feature.
Glen
Vernezze shot out front of the mini modified feature with Bill
Trusky, Curt Thomazin and Tim Hansen all over the front
runner. There was a lot of shuffling in the field as Mike VanHouten climbed through the pack and at the half way point there
was a new leader.
Wilmot announcer and Let's go racing radio show host Mike Babicz in his first race in this division
got lapped on the tenth go round as VanHouten cruised to a eventual win. Thomazin
was second, with Vernezze hot on his heels in third. Phil Schultz was fourth with Ken Johnson nipping Trusky for fifth in
the non stop contest.
Van Houten and Reitz Score Clean Sweeps at LGR!
August 2, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - With 70% chance of rain and without a cloud in the sky race fans were treated to a great
night of racing action Friday night at Lake Geneva Raceway. Mike VanHouten of Cary,Illinois who started racing back in 1997
was a driver on a mission tonight as the Herb's mini modified driver took fast time, won the dash and survived some close
calls with lapped cars, to win the 15 lap feature, which marks a clean sweep of the action.
Andy Krueger in
his first appearance of the season led lap one of the mini modified before Glen Vernezze charged in front as Hermie Schultz
while running fourth spun but the race continued without a caution. Phil Schultz quickly moved in on the leader but by lap
six Mike VanHouten had moved into third and one lap later there was a new leader. One would think that VanHouten
would run away with the win, but lapped cars nearly took the leader out of the race on laps nine, eleven, thirteen and fourteen.
But at the wire it was VanHouten who drove a brilliant race coming home the winner, Phil Schultz was just behind him in second.
Chris
Marinello was third, with Vernezze, rookie Curt Thomazin and Ken
Johnson completing the top six.
Mike VanHouten Takes His First Feature Win of the Year!
July 18, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - Mike VanHouten of Cary,IL. won his first 15 lap non stop feature of the year in the
Herbs mini modifieds. The non stop mini modified feature brought Glen Vernezze in front for the first three laps before
Mike VanHouten took over building up a large lead quickly. By lap five Ken Johnson who set fast time and is the current point
leader moved into second. VanHouten had his own way until the first car was lapped with five laps to go.sing this to
his advantage the win came with Johnson second, rookie Curt Thomazin was third, with Phil Schultz, Vernezze and Chris Marinello
rounding out the top six.
Click Here to See the Race Results
Rain Cancels the Feature!
July 11, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - Rain washed out the feature portion of the family fun night weekly Friday race program at Lake Geneva Raceway.
Phil Schultz of Silver Lake,a former champion in the growing Herbs mini
modifieds took fast time, won the dash and was looking for a clean sweep before the show was completed without feature
races. Their heat went to another former king pin, Glen Vernezze of Salem.
Phil
Schultz wins a Close 15 Lap Feature!
JULY 4, 2003, Lake Geneva Raceway
- Phil Schultz of Silver Lake may have started off a sub driver in his brother Jeffs
Herbs mini modified car,but the former champion took second in time, won the dash and took a last lap run to win the exciting
15 lap feature to serve notice he was looking at the top of the division this season. Glen Vernezze held the lead just one lap of the mini modified feature before 2002
co rookie of the year Chris Marinello charged in front of the tight field. Curt Thomazin was all over Vernezze, with Mike
VanHouten and Rick Lambert close behind. By lap five Phil Schultz joined the top four with the leader putting some pavement
between himself and the next car.
With five laps to go Schultz broke into second with Marinello about a quarter lap
ahead. The first car was lapped one lap later which gave the leader alittle time to gain an advantage. It looked like
it would finish that way, until the white flag came out and the final car was lapped. This gave Schultz the force he needed
and as they crossed the line he was first. Marinello was along side and his first win of his career would have to wait for
another night.VanHouten grabbed third, with Vernezze, Hermie Schultz and Lee Morrison in point leader Ken Johnsons mount for
sixth in this thrilling event.
The
Feature Event Goes To Hermie Schultz!
JUNE 20, 2003, Lake Geneva
Raceway - For
the third week in a row the mini modified first lap was rough on the competition as Chris Marinello and Phil Schultz both
never saw another lap of the main event. Mike VanHouten got caught in the melee but came back to run the race that was cut
due to problems. Lap two Chris Tomazin spun stopping the action,with another caution coming on lap four. On that restart it
looked like Hermie Schultz jumped the gun just before starter Dave Rex Jr.threw the green flag. Each restart rookie Jesse
Johnson grabbed the lead.
On lap six Tomazin retired to the pits,with fast qualifier and point leader Ken Johnson doing
the same after moving up to sixth. Now Glen Vernezze was the leader with Schultz hot on his tail.The final stop was lap ten
when rookie Tim Hansen spun and couldnt restart.
With the final green Vernezze and Schultz were in a dead heat for
the lead.With the white flag out Schultz inched ahead, coming home the winner over Vernezze, Curt Tomazin, Bill Trusky, a
recovered Mike VanHouten and Jesse Johnson completing the top six.
Phil
Schultz wins his 2nd Consecutive 15 Lap Feature
JUNE 13, 2003, Lake Geneva
Raceway - The mini modified feature got off to a four deep racing start
and looked like it was going to be very exciting first lap.That was until Chris Marinello lost power.As every one tried to
miss him, things got ugly. When it was all over Jesse Johnson, Hermie Schultz, Bill Trusky and Rick Lambert was not going
to see lap two. No one was injured but there was some heavily damaged race cars. Marinello was the lucky one as he restarted
at the rear after going to the pit area on his own.
Mike VanHouten led just
one lap before Phil Schultz sped in front with Curt Thomazin all over VanHouten. By lap eight Ken Johnson had worked
his way into third, then second one lap later. By then Schultz had built up a quarter lap lead.With just a few laps to go
the lapped cars were going to be a factor as Johnson inched in on the leader.
Schultz took the high side and Johnson
the low, then coming down to the wire a car that would have been lapped if there was another lap to go, got in Johnsons way
as Schultz pulled off another close win. Johnson took second but ended up flying off the track in turn one trying to miss
the slower car that never moved out of the way. Thomazin was third, with Marinello fourth, Glen Vernezze was fifth and Van
Houten sixth.
Phil
Schultz won the Herbs mini modified 15 lap feature in his Brother Jeff's race car
MAY 23, 2003, Lake Geneva Raceway - Glen
Vernezze slipped in front of the mini modified feature with Mike VanHouten right at his side. Van Houten gained the top spot
one lap later as Phil Schultz was on a mission jolting from sixth to second in two laps. Rookie Jesse Johnson was a close
fourth with fast timer Ken Johnson next by lap six just as Schultz grabbed the lead. Once in front the new leader moved away
from the field just like he did in the dash.
With five laps to go Johnson secured second as the lapped cars became
a factor. Schultz would win the event using those lapped cars to his advantage.Johnson was three lengths back for second.Van
Houten, Jesse Johnson, Hermie Schultz and Chris Marinello were next.
Johnson Clean Sweep's Herb's Mini-Mods
MAY 16, 2003 - Lake Geneva Raceway - Four
time champion Ken Johnson of Paddock Lake showed every in the house why he is number one in the Herbs mini modified division.
As Johnson broke the track qualifying record for a one lap mark with a time of 17.422 seconds on the one third mile, also
winning the dash and won the 15 lap feature .The last time Johnson was able to pull off this feat was August 23rd. of 2002.
The mini modified feature started with rookie Curt Thomazin
out front. Another rookie Josh Warner spun but the race continued without a caution. Two laps later Mike VanHouten crept in
front after a brief battle with the former leader. Quickly Ken Johnson moved into second with Hermie Schultz right on his
tail. Action behind the front runner was even closer at the middle as a lapped car would fall into play before the end of
lap six. Bill Trusky grabbed fourth and closed in on the cluster in front of him.Rookie Jesse Johnson joined the fray up front
just as Ken Johnson moved along side VanHouten.
Trusky retired to the pits with problems on lap ten just as Ken Johnson
secured the top spot before the caution came out. On the restart Chris Marinello ended up on the infield with problems but
now Schultz was knocking on Ken Johnsons door. Johnson held on for the win with Schultz along side. VanHouten was third, with
Jesse Johnson fourth, 1993 champion Glen Vernezze was fifth and Thomazin hung onto sixth in this close event.
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