By: Amanda Peschek

After a week off, the Budweiser Late Models returned to the Dells Raceway Park this past Saturday. 17-year-old Davey Pennel was able to roll into victory lane for a second time this season after a caution-marred 40-lap main event.

In the Fire Rescue Supply Bandits Spencer Wilhelm became the youngest winner in a DRP weekly division. Wilhelm topped the feature field securing a win at the tender age of 12 years and nine months.

The first to see the green flag during the 40-lap Budweiser Late Model feature were Davey Pennel, Kelsey Bauer, Derek Childs, Michael Ehde, and Jesse Bernhagen. The two 29's of Pennel and Childs quickly took to the top two positions at the start of the race.

After two full laps in, Bauer spun in the first turn and caused the race to go under caution. Ehde and Bauer were both sent to the rear of the field due to this incident.

A restart was led by Pennel, Childs, Berhagen, Dan Lensing and Corey Jankowski. Without even taking a full lap, Bernhagen spun in turn one and caused another caution. After a gentleman's agreement, only Jankowski was sent to the rear of the field, allowing Bernhagen to return to his original position.

The second restart was once again led by Pennel and then Childs, Bernhagen, Lensing and Rich Schumann following behind. Pennel easily pulled away from his fellow drivers soon after the flag waved.

Just a few laps later Edhe experienced a flat tire and pulled into the high side of turn four, forcing the yellow flag to be waved. The third restart looked very similar to the first two as Pennel, Childs, Lensing, Schumann and John DeAngelis brought the field around.

It wasn't long before another caution was called. Bauer and Shayne Poehnelt made contact in turn two and both drivers were sent to the rear of the field for the restart.

At the eighteen lap restart, the same drivers were seen at the start of the pack: Pennel, Childs, Lensing, Schumann and Bernhagen. It was as though an instance of Groundhog's Day was taking place at the Dells Raceway Park.

Another altercation took place causing another yellow flag to be waved. This time around, it was the contact of DeAngelis and Steve Lichtfeld that caused Lichtfeld to spin in turn two.

It was only halfway through the main event for the Late Models and the field was clearly spread out with determination and aggravation. Time could only tell what was yet to happen.

Pennel and Lensing made their way almost half a lap ahead of the field with five laps to go, creating a battle for the lead. However, in the next position, contact was made and another caution was underway. This time the involvement was between Childs and Bobby Kendall; both drivers were penalized and put to the rear.

A four lap shootout was set to tie up the race. Pennel took the green as he did every restart. With patience and persistence, Pennel was able to take the checkered flag. Following him were Lensing, Schumann, Jankowski and Bernhagen to complete the top five.

THIRD SPORTSMAN WIN FOR SAUEY

For the third time this season, Clifton Sauey was able to win the RacingOnline.com Sportsman feature at the Dells Raceway Park. With an intense and somewhat prolonged race, Sauey was able to use patience and determination to come out victorious.

To start off the 25-lap feature, two female drivers led the field across the line: Becky Grabarski and Sandy Cook.

With only a few laps in, Grabarski was able to take the lead. However, it was not long before Rick Coppernoll made a pass on the inside between turns three and four.

Soon after, there was a stop to the race because a large altercation took place coming out of turn two. Cameron Lee and Alex Lee were unable to survive without major damage to their cars.

With a lap-four restart, Coppernoll led the pack. After a few laps under green, Kelsey Schultz spun out in turn four in an attempt to take the second position, causing another caution.

As the green flag waved once again, Coppernoll led the pack once again. Behind him were Randy Breunig, Clifton Sauey, Cook and Grabarski. With not even a lap in, Sauey took a move to the outside of Coppernoll to create a side by side battle for the lead.

With Breunig in third, the three drivers made their way ahead and created a significant gap between them and their competitors. Sauey made his way into the lead by his lonesome, but it wasn't long before Coppernoll made his way on the inside to create a side by side battle once again.

Sauey was able to take the checkered flag with Coppernoll, Breunig, Grabarski and Scott Luck rounding out the top five positions.

12-YEAR-OLD WILHELM BESTS BANDITS

Another rookie took victory lane by storm once again this season for the Fire Rescue Supply Bandit division at the Dells Raceway Park. At only twelve years old, Spencer Wilhelm showed that he possesses great talent and potential.

As the 18 lap feature began, Ron Morgan, Spencer Wilhelm, Dennis Delaney, Allison Pennel and David Treu were the first five to make their way across the start line. Wilhelm quickly made his way into the lead and then began to create a large gap ahead of his fellow Bandits.

Behind him, the only two female Bandits, Pennel and Kapp were closely battling for the second position. Then halfway through the race, Kapp made her way past Pennel to follow the leader.

Kapp attempted to fight for the lead position, but lap traffic and a very fast Wilhelm was too much to beat this past Saturday. As the checkered flag waved, it was Wilhelm, Kapp, Treu, Steven Rozek and Pennel.

At the end of the race, Kapp, who set the record as the youngest feature winner earlier this season at 14 years old, pulled next to Wilhelm in victory lane to offer her congratulations.

MOYER LEGENDARY AGAIN

The Legends made their return to the Dells Raceway Park this past Saturday. Though they are not regulars at the track, they gave the spectators an exciting finish as Aaron Moyer made victory lane his own.

As the green flag waved, Todd Schmitz led his fellow Legends across the line. Following behind him were Tony Moyer, Kyle Vergata, Tim Narr and Vince Bartalotta. Within the first laps, Schmitz easily glided ahead of the pack, but with little time Moyer made his way into lead from the last position.

Halfway through the race, it was a battle between Aaron Moyer and Cory Talaska for the lead. The two were almost half a lap ahead with Bartalotta, Schmitz and Tony Moyer behind them.

Soon after the white flag waved, Talaska made his way ahead of Aaron Moyer, but as they went into turn three, Aaron Moyer worked his way into the lead once again to take the checkered flag. To round out the rest of the top five were Bartalotta, Schmitz, and Narr.

Up Next at DRP...

Saturday, Aug. 27 at Dells Raceway Park is Final Four(th) Night. Kids will have a chance to win a bike donated by a DRP racer. Spectator one-on-one races will also take place.

Also Rich Bickle will be racing his Outlaw Super Late Model in a 20-lap exhibition against other Outlaws from the area including Dave Klein and Pete Moore.

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.