WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (July 27, 2011) - After a week to collect their thoughts and prepare for the second half of 2011, the Budweiser Late Models return to Dells Raceway Park this Saturday, July 30. Awaiting them is a chance to make up some ground in the title chase.

Rich Schumann, Jr., holds a 32-point lead over last year's Late Model runner-up and Rookie of the Year Mike Lichtfeld. When the Late Models were last in action on July 16, it appeared as though Schumann would stretch his lead out over Lichtfeld. However, that was not the case.

Trouble found Mike Lichtfeld early in the evening two Saturdays ago. Lichtfeld was involved in a tangle with Shayne Poehnelt and Jake Zellmer in the fast dash. The wreck caused catastrophic damage to Lichtfeld's machine. He did, however, find some help in the form of Jerry Blystone. Facing an uphill climb, Lichtfeld started in the back of the last chance race, transferred into the feature and started dead last on the field. With a borrowed racer, Lichtfeld fought his way to eighth.

Lichtfeld's troubles set the stage for Schumann to stretch out the advantage he had going into action on July 16. As he raced in the top five, Schumann seemed destined for yet another consistent finish. However, halfway through the race smoke started to pour out of the right side of Schumann's car. What appeared in the first few moments to be a mere tire rub, turned out to be engine troubles on Schumann's racer, which forced him to retire.

With Schumann and Lichtfeld marred in disappointment, two title contenders from a season ago - Corey Jankowski and Davey Pennel - brought their names back into title conversation.

Just one week prior Pennel wrecked hard in the Late Model feature and lost significant ground to Lichtfeld and Schumann. Pennel seized the opportunity to hang on for a top five and close the gap on the lead duo. Entering Saturday Pennel sits 13 points behind Lichtfeld for second.

The night was also a booster for the two-time and defending Late Model Champion Jankowski. Jankowski sealed the lead early and never looked back en route to his second win of the season. Not only did Jankowski take the win, but he also continued his climb up the standings.

Just one month prior (June 18) Jankowski sat 12th in Late Model standings. He jumped to ninth on June 25, tied for seventh on July 2, then secured fifth on July 9. Jankowski currently sits fourth, 66 markers back of Schumann.

Because the Dells Raceway Park point system rewards not only consistency, but those who can work their way through traffic and earn passing points, several drivers in the top ten in standings cannot be left out of the title conversation.

After a slow start to the season - similar to Jankowski - Derek Childs has come on strong at the midway point. Childs won the North American Cup feature on July 2 and finished second to Jankowski on July 16. He sits only three points behind the defending champion with 997 makers in the fifth spot.

Behind him Jesse Bernhagen has reeled off four top fives in his last six starts. Only an 8th place finish and an early DNF on North American Cup weekend have been the exception. Bernhagen's calm and consistent style has placed him sixth in points only four markers behind Childs.

The Late Models have half a dozen races to sort out the 2011 title chase beginning this Saturday, July 30. They will return to action again on Aug 6, but will have off when the Super Late Models return on Aug 13. From there, it's a four-race dash to the Championship and the 2011 crown.

Also this Saturday, the young DRP fans get their third chance to win a brand new bike donated by a DRP racer. Also, the spectator one-on-one races will return. Anyone interested in participating in the spectator one-on-ones can sign up early by calling the track office at 608-253-RACE or by sending an e-mail to info@dellsracewaypark.com.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road, five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2011 schedule and more visit www.dellsracewaypark.com.