13th Annual Bahama Brackets Underway!
By Kevin Ramsell
October 16, 2004, Loves Park, IL: - The 13th Annual Bahama Bracket Nationals got underway today at the Rockford Speedway. Over 135 cars qualified to compete in three different divisions.
After the normal qualifying session was completed, the competitors were invited to participate in "Happy Half Hour" to try to improve their time. The battle for the fastest time came down between three drivers. Bill Neering, John Senerchia and John Paul Odegaard created the drama by trying to not only out beat each other but they also had to adhere to the rules of the event by not qualifying faster than 14.300 seconds. In the end, it was Neering winning that battle with a time of 14.322 seconds.
Race fans were treated to nine 12-lap heat races and six 15-lap Bash races to determine who will participate the 50-lap main events for the A, AA, and AAA brackets. At the end of the night, 20 of the 24 positions have been filled.
The 13th Annual Bahama Brackets will conclude on Sunday with racing starting at noon. The highlight will be three 50-lap feature events along with last chance races and the Fabulous Foo Foo races.
October 16, 2004 Bahama Brackets Results
"A" Bash Heat 1 -- 1. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 2. Dave Dotter, East Hazel Crest; 3. Larry Fitzsimmons, Northfield, Minn.; 4. Craig Amptmeyer, Lansing; 5. Tom Prim, Thornton; 6. Bill Serviss, Posen; 7. David Cressler, Highland; 8. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis; 9. Billy Bob Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind..
"A" Bash Heat 2 -- 1. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 2. Shaun Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 3. Ken Smart, Oconomowoc, Wis; 4. Jeremy Hartwig, Cottage Grove, Wis; 5. Josh Sand, Mishicot, Wis; 6. Scott Schmitt, Tonica;7. Mark Christensen, Mishicot, Wis; 8. Gary Schmitt, Tonica; 9. Sonny Parker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 10. Brian Franks, Central City, Iowa; 11. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 12. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford.
"AA" Bash Heat 1 -- 1. Josh Nelms, Bartlett; 2. Jeramy Hayton, Watertown, Wis; 3. Jeremy Cole, Crestwood; 4. Cher Bryant, Midlothian; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. Patrick Tourville, Calumet City; 7. Pete Kamp, Oak Lawn; 8. Ed Hast,Grant Park; 9. Brian Rathe, Kewanee, Wis; 10. Anthony Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 11. Steve Whitehead, Merrillville, Ind.; 12. Gilbert Brewer, Belvidere; 13. Scott Grady, Walker, Iowa.
"AA" Bash Heat 2 -- 1. Bob Ahrendsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Don Hileman, Braidwood; 3. Bryan Ellis , Roscoe; 4. Marty Sterkowitz, Oak Forest; 5. Gary Kasperek, Tigerton, Wis; 6. James Blommaert, Mokena; 7. Brian Kucaba, Orland Park; 8. Michael Meyers, Orfordville, Wis; 9. Tim Steger ®, Rockford; 10. Jason Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 11. Paul Lally, Savage, Minn.; 12. Scott Gardner, Blue Island; 13. Greg Hancock;; 14. Fred Mahr, Downers Grove; 15. Steve Prim, Thornton.
"AAA" Bash Heat 1 -- 1. Steve Goar, Champlain, Minn.; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Gary Novitski, Jr, Two Rivers, Wis; 4. Bruce Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 5. Thomas Barclay, Roscoe; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Kendra Cretton, Two Rivers, Wis; 8. Gina Vanek-Davies, Janesville, Wis; 9. Paul Reid, Lombard; 10. Kevin Czubak, Lansing; 11. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park.
"AAA" Bash Heat 2 -- 1. Mike Chadderdon, Faribault, Minn.; 2. Lincoln Keeser, Whitewater, Wis; 3. Walter Podgurski, Posen; 4. Dubs Anderson, Crown Point, Ind.; 5. Josh Carter, Rockford; 6. Bryan Ellis (2), Roscoe; 7. Jerry Jackson, Machesney Park; 8. Jesse Sheffer, Kewaunee, Wis; 9. Scott Bell, Calumet Township, Ind.; 10. Chad Smith, Belvidere; 11. Tim Murray, Alsip.
"A" Heat 01 -- 1. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 2. Ed Williams, Jr., Streamwood; 3. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 4. Chad Willett, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 5. Travis Eldridge, S. Beloit; 6. Larry Fitzsimmons, Northfield, Minn.; 7. Ken Smart, Oconomowoc, Wis; 8. Billy Bob Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 9. Brian Franks, Central City, Iowa; 10. Tom Prim, Thornton; 11. Jeremy Hartwig, Cottage Grove, Wis; 12. Bill Serviss, Posen; 13. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 14. David Cressler, Highland.
"A" Heat 02 -- 1. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 2. Lyle Messinger, Milwaukee, Wis; 3. Pat "Hacksaw" Heaney, West Allis, Wis; 4. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 5. Joe Altenhofen, West Allis, Wis; 6. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 7. Craig Amptmeyer, Lansing; 8. Josh Sand, Mishicot, Wis; 9. Jimmy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 10. Shaun Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 11. Brandon Eash, Rockford; 12. Tony Sancinati, West Allis, Wis; 13. David Erickson, Algonquin; 14. Tim
Ellis, Roscoe.
"A" Heat 03 -- 1. Dean Patterson, Bridgeview; 2. Dave Behnke, Poplar Grove; 3. John Senerchia, Oak Forest; 4. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 5. Tim Prim, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 6. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 7. Gary Schmitt, Tonica; 8. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis; 9. Scott Schmitt, Tonica; 10. Dave Dotter, East Hazel Crest; 11. Mark Christensen, Mishicot, Wis; 12. Sonny Parker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 13. Darrell Garman, Machesney Park; 14. Len Koprowski, Crestwood.
"AA" Heat 01 -- 1. Terrance Robinson, South Beloit; 2. Russell Nicholson, Stoughton, Wis; 3. Ron Fisher, Shellsburg, Iowa; 4. Cory Houdek, Marion, Iowa; 5. Kurt Bohnsack, Iowa City, Iowa; 6. Cher Bryant, Midlothian; 7. Bob Ahrendsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 8. Scott Grady, Walker, Iowa; 9. Marty Sterkowitz, Oak Forest; 10. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 11. Fred Mahr, Downers Grove; 12. Ed Hast, Grant Park; 13. Jason Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 14. Steve Whitehead, Merrillville, Ind.; 15. Tim Steger ®, Rockford.
"AA" Heat 02 -- 1. Kevin Franks, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Barry Cates, Greenfield, Wis; 3. Jim Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 4. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 5. Doug Simon, Marion, Iowa; 6. Steve Prim, Thornton; 7. Jeramy Hayton, Watertown, Wis; 8. Scott Gardner, Blue Island; 9. Billy Robinson, Orfordville, Wis; 10. Gary Kasperek, Tigerton, Wis; 11. Brian Piller, Watertown, Wis; 12. Michael Meyers, Orfordville, Wis; 13. Pete Kamp, Oak Lawn; 14. Bryan Ellis ®, Roscoe; 15. Brian Rathe, Kewanee, Wis.
"AA" Heat 03 -- 1. Daniel Bergstrom, Champlin, Minn.; 2. Eddie Wolf, Villa Park; 3. Rick Wilson, Frankfort; 4. James Dillavou, Rockford; 5. Greg Hentrich, Hiawatha, Iowa; 6. Josh Nelms, Bartlett; 7. Don Hileman, Braidwood; 8. Jeremy Cole, Crestwood; 9. James Blommaert, Mokena; 10. Gilbert Brewer, Belvidere; 11. Brian Kucaba, Orland Park; 12. Patrick
Tourville, Calumet City; 13. Paul Lally, Savage, Minn.; 14. Anthony Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind..
"AAA" Heat 01 -- 1. Duane Corey, Rockford; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Allen Dillon, Two Rivers, Wis; 4. Big Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis; 5. Perry Thomsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 6. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 7. Dubs Anderson, Crown Point, Ind.; 8. Gary Novitski, Jr, Two Rivers, Wis; 9. Bryan Ellis (2), Roscoe; 10. Kevin Czubak, Lansing; 11. Lincoln Keeser, Whitewater, Wis; 12. Joey Thomas, Rockford; 13. Jeff Johnson;; 14. Thomas Barclay, Roscoe.
"AAA" Heat 02 -- 1. Brandon Herb, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Dan Sander, Rockton; 3. Mark McLawhorn, Chicago; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, Beloit, Wis; 5. Jerry Ziemiecki, Crystal, Minn.; 6. Chad Smith, Belvidere; 7. Bruce Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 8. Scott Bell, Calumet Township, Ind.; 9. Steve Goar, Champlain, Minn.; 10. Jesse Sheffer, Kewaunee, Wis; 11. Kendra Cretton, Two Rivers, Wis; 12. Donnie Mead, Dayton, Minn.; 13. Doug Jackson Jr., Rockford; 14. Greg Hancock;.
"AAA" Heat 03 -- 1. Louis Shick, Oak Forest; 2. William Stephenson, Cambridge, Wis; 3. Louis Ansolabehere, Minnetonka, Minn.; 4. Justin Haas, New Berlin, Wis; 5. William Emmons, Jefferson, Wis; 6. Paul Reid, Lombard; 7. Mike Chadderdon, Faribault, Minn.; 8. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 9. Jerry Jackson, Machesney Park; 10. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 11. Josh Carter, Rockford; 12. Gina Vanek-Davies, Janesville, Wis; 13. Tim Murray, Alsip; 14. Walter Podgurski, Posen.
Odegaard, Franks, Keeser Capture Bracket Wins!
By Kevin Ramsell
October 17, 2004, Loves Park, IL: - John Paul Odegaard made his long trip from Brooklyn Center, MN a worthwhile trip as he captured "A" Bracket win at the 13th Annual Bahama Bracket Nationals at the Rockford Speedway.
Dave Dotter and Daryl Gerke led the field of 24 cars to the start of the 50-lap main event. Gerke jumped out to the early lead. But he didn't have an easy drive as Odegaard kept challenging him for the top spot from his second row starting spot.
By lap 21, Odegaard got on the inside of Gerke to challenge for the top spot, but lap traffic prevented him from taking over. Odegaard settled back and waited to make his move with nine laps to go. "We were running out of time, and it was time." Odegaard stated on the winning pass. He went on to win followed by fast qualifier Bill Neering who worked his way up from his tenth row starting spot but ran out of laps to make the pass for the win. Odegaard elected to take the first place money of $2,000 over a trip to the Bahamas.
Kevin Franks made his seventh appearance at the Bahama Brackets and it he made his trip from Cedar Rapids, IA a worthwhile trip as well.
Jeramy Hayton had the early lead in the "AA" Bracket 50-lap feature event. Hayton was leading at lap seven when he made contact with the wall and fell out of the event. This handed the lead over to Bob Ahrendsen. On lap 13, Josh Nelms challenged Ahrendsen and easily took over the top spot.
Nelms continued to lead until lap 37 when Franks, who started in 17th position, finally worked his way to front and took over the top spot from Nelms and went on to win the event. Ahrendsen came back to finish second while Jim Hanson also came through to finish third. Franks elected to take the money over the trip.
Lincoln Keeser, a long time hobby stock veteran at Jefferson Speedway, ended his Bahama Bracket weekend with a smooth drive in the "AAA" Bracket feature.
Mike Chadderdon had the early lead in the 50-lap feature. Keeser, who started fourth, quickly made his way to challenge for the lead. It wasn't until lap 16 that Keeser was able to secure the top spot. Allen Dillon, driving a mini-stock, challenged Keeser for the top spot on lap 32. But Keeser was able to hold him off.
Keeser had to hold Louis Shick to earn his bracket feature win and he elected to take the money as well.
Ken Smart, Marty Sterkowitz, and Dubs Anderson captured last chance race wins. Len Koprowski, Ed Hast, and Nick Newton won the Fabulous Foo Foo Races. The three Foo Foo race winners had a chance to play "Let's Make A Deal" with Tom Deery with all three taking home a bonus prize along with an entry into the 2005 Bahama Bracket event.
The 14th Annual Bahama Bracket Championships will take place on October 14-16, 2005. Make your plans now to attend, and remember, "What happens at the Bahamas, stays at the Bahamas!"
"A" Feature -- 1. John Paul Odegaard, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; 2. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 3. Daryl Gerke, Whitelaw, Wis; 4. Ron Morris, Belvidere; 5. Dave Behnke, Poplar Grove; 6. Shaun Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 7. Larry Fitzsimmons, Northfield, Minn.; 8. John Senerchia, Oak Forest; 9. Pat "Hacksaw" Heaney, West Allis, Wis; 10. Ed Williams, Jr., Streamwood; 11. Bob Kahler, Belvidere; 12. Dean Patterson, Bridgeview; 13. Brock Behnke, Poplar Grove; 14. Scott Schmitt, Tonica; 15. Tim Prim, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 16. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 17. Billy Bob Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 18. Ken Smart, Oconomowoc, Wis; 19. Lyle Messinger, Milwaukee, Wis; 20. Brian Franks, Central City, Iowa; 21. Travis Eldridge, S. Beloit; 22. Joe Altenhofen, West Allis, Wis; 23. Dave Dotter, East Hazel Crest; 24. Chad Willett, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"AA" Feature -- 1. Kevin Franks, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 3. Bob Ahrendsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 4. Josh Nelms, Bartlett; 5. Cory Houdek, Marion, Iowa; 6. Doug Simon, Marion, Iowa; 7. Don Hileman, Braidwood; 8. Rick Wilson, Frankfort; 9. Gary Kasperek, Tigerton, Wis; 10. Barry Cates, Greenfield, Wis; 11. Kurt Bohnsack, Iowa City, Iowa; 12. Ron Fisher, Shellsburg, Iowa; 13. Cher Bryant, Midlothian; 14. Daniel Bergstrom, Champlin, Minn.; 15. Michael Meyers,Orfordville, Wis; 16. James Dillavou, Rockford; 17. Terrance Robinson, South Beloit; 18. Greg Hentrich, Hiawatha, Iowa; 19.Marty Sterkowitz, Oak Forest; 20. Patrick Tourville, Calumet City; 21. Russell Nicholson, Stoughton, Wis; 22. Eddie Wolf, Villa Park; 23. Jeramy Hayton, Watertown, Wis; 24. Jim Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"AAA" Feature -- 1. Lincoln Keeser, Whitewater, Wis; 2. Louis Shick, Oak Forest; 3. Allen Dillon, Two Rivers, Wis; 4. Brandon Herb, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 5. Mike Chadderdon, Faribault, Minn.; 6. Scott Lawver, Roscoe; 7. Dennis Smith, Jr, Beloit, Wis; 8. Steve Goar, Champlain, Minn.; 9. Dan Sander, Rockton; 10. Louis Ansolabehere, Minnetonka, Minn.; 11. Jerry Jackson, Machesney Park; 12. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 13. Gina Vanek-Davies, Janesville, Wis; 14. Dubs Anderson, Crown Point, Ind.; 15. William Stephenson, Cambridge, Wis; 16. Duane Corey, Rockford; 17. Jerry Ziemiecki, Crystal, Minn.; 18. Justin Haas, New Berlin, Wis; 19. Josh Carter, Rockford; 20. Big Al Kuphal, Franklin, Wis; 21. William Emmons, Jefferson, Wis; 22. Chad Smith, Belvidere; 23. Mark McLawhorn, Chicago; 24. Perry Thomsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"A" Last Chance -- 1. Ken Smart, Oconomowoc, Wis; 2. Larry Fitzsimmons, Northfield, Minn.; 3. Billy Bob Wiltjer, Calumet Township, Ind.; 4. Brian Franks, Central City, Iowa; 5. Scott Schmitt, Tonica; 6. Tom Prim, Thornton; 7. Bill Serviss, Posen; 8. Josh Sand, Mishicot, Wis; 9. Jeffery Turnure, Rockford; 10. Scott Grady, Walker, Iowa; 11. Mark Christensen, Mishicot, Wis; 12. David Cressler, Highland; 13. Gary Schmitt, Tonica; 14. Steve Prim, Thornton; 15. Sonny Parker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 16. Doug Bennett, Brodhead, Wis; 17. Tim Ellis, Roscoe; 18. Len Koprowski, Crestwood; 19. Jeremy Hartwig, Cottage Grove, Wis.
"AA" Last Chance -- 1. Marty Sterkowitz, Oak Forest; 2. Gary Kasperek, Tigerton, Wis; 3. Patrick Tourville, Calumet City; 4. Cher Bryant, Midlothian; 5. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 6. Brian Kucaba, Orland Park; 7. James Blommaert, Mokena; 8. Scott Gardner, Blue Island; 9. Michael Meyers, Orfordville, Wis; 10. Anthony Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 11. Paul Lally, Savage, Minn.; 12. Brian Rathe, Kewanee, Wis; 13. Jason Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 14. Brian Piller, Watertown, Wis; 15. Ed Hast, Grant Park; 16. Fred Mahr, Downers Grove; 17. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 18. Tim Steger, Rockford; 19. Steve Whitehead, Merrillville, Ind.; 20. Jeremy Cole, Crestwood; 21. Pete Kamp, Oak Lawn; 22. Bryan Ellis, Roscoe.
"AAA" Last Chance -- 1. Dubs Anderson, Crown Point, Ind.; 2. Chad Smith, Belvidere; 3. Josh Carter, Rockford; 4. Jerry Jackson, Machesney Park; 5. Gina Vanek-Davies, Janesville, Wis; 6. Gary Novitski, Jr, Two Rivers, Wis; 7. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 8. Kendra Cretton, Two Rivers, Wis; 9. Jesse Sheffer, Kewaunee, Wis; 10. Nick Newton, Jefferson, Wis; 11. Bruce Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 12. Paul Reid, Lombard; 13. Scott Bell, Calumet Township, Ind.; 14. Tim Murray, Alsip; 15. Thomas Barclay, Roscoe; 16. Walter Podgurski, Posen.
"A' Foo Foo Race -- 1. Len Koprowski, Crestwood; 2. Bill Serviss, Posen; 3. Tom Prim, Thornton; 4. David Cressler, Highland; 5. Scott Grady, Walker, Iowa; 6. Gary Schmitt, Tonica; 7. David Grenlund, Sharon, Wis; 8. Steve Prim, Thornton; 9. Sonny Parker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 10. Craig Amptmeyer, Lansing.
"AA" Foo Foo Race -- 1. Ed Hast, Grant Park; 2. Scott Gardner, Blue Island; 3. Tim Steger, Rockford; 4. Jeremy Cole, Crestwood;5. Paul Lally, Savage, Minn.; 6. Brian Kucaba, Orland Park; 7. Pete Kamp, Oak Lawn; 8. Anthony Neering, Cedar Lake, Ind.; 9. Fred Mahr, Downers Grove; 10. Dave Edwards, Salem, Wis; 11. Jason Sand, Two Rivers, Wis; 12. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 13. Brian Piller, Watertown, Wis; 14. Brian Rathe, Kewanee, Wis.
"AAA"Foo Foo Race -- 1. Nick Newton, Jefferson, Wis; 2. Walter Podgurski, Posen; 3. Kendra Cretton, Two Rivers, Wis; 4. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 5. Paul Reid, Lombard.
