WEST SALEM, WI – The finale of the CWRA Cedar Creek Rustic Village, as presented by Bentley Trucking, Stars to Legends Tour racing season was held here, Sunday October 11th, 2020 as part of the Oktoberfest Racing Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI., with Colin Reffner, Wis. Rapids, WI., taking the 25 lap Feature win, and John Beale, Verona, WI., being crowned the 2020 Champion. Beale and Defending CWRA Champion, Jeff Weinfurter, Wis. Rapids, WI., were separated by just 10 points going into the final race, but Beale’s 4th place finish on the day compared to Weinfurter in 7th, gave the title to Beale by 16 points.
The Don’s Auto & Truck Center, 25 lap Feature, with support from, John J. Mayer Insurance, in front of a crowd of over 4,000 fans, started with pole position driver, Derek Doerr, Watertown, WI., leading the 17 car field into turn one of the big 5/8 mile oval. Doerr secured the spot over fellow front row starter, Carter Christenson, La Crosse, WI., but Weinfurter immediately moved up to challenge for the lead. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, WI., and Greg Back, Ringle, WI., meanwhile, moved by Christenson into the 3rd and 4th positions. Weinfurter’s chances dimmed, in terms of garnering another Championship on lap 6, as Bernhagen got into the back of the red #3 car, sending it spinning into the backstretch grass. Due to the contact, both drivers were forced to the rear of the field for the restart. Doerr continued in the lead, with Back now on his outside heading to the green flag to resume racing. A slip in turn 4 by Doerr, allowed Back to claim the lead on lap 7. Christenson was in 2nd but both Bentley Trucking, fast timer Reffner, and Bangor Wisconsin driver Tony Leis, soon motored by in pursuit of leader Back. It didn’t take long for Reffner to get up to Back’s bumper, but passing him was another matter as the two ran nose to tail for the next 12 laps. Leis, in the meantime, was right behind both racers trying to maneuver by on the inside. Back, with a slight slip in turn one allowed both Reffner and Leis to get by with just 5 laps left in the race. Leis gave chase, but Reffner was up to the challenge, leading the rest of the way to take the Checkered flag first. Leis held on to 2nd and was followed by Back, Beale, Darren Jackson, Nekoosa, WI., Bernhagen, Weinfurter, Christenson, Allen Borntreger,Hillsboro, WI., and Doerr, the top 10.
With the event, the 2020 CWRA Stars to Legends Tour has concluded. Plans are already underway for the 2021 season with commitments from four tracks for events, and negotiations on going with several others.
SUMMARY
Don’s Auto & Truck Center 25 Lap Feature 1. Colin Reffner, Wis. Rapids, WI., 2. Tony Leis, Bangor, WI., 3. Greg Back, Ringle, WI., 4. John Beale, Verona, WI., 5. Darren Jackson, Nekoosa, WI., 6. Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, WI., 7. Jeff Weinfurter, Wis. Rapids, WI., 8. Carter Christenson, La Crosse, WI., 9. Allen Bontreger, Hillsboro, WI., 10. Derek Doerr, Watertown, WI., 11. Gary Krueger, Edgerton, WI., 12. Monte Gress, Neillsville, WI., 13. Putch Bentley, Iron River, WI., 14. Mike Sievers, Wis. Rapids, WI., 15. Greg Matthews, Wis. Rapids, WI., 16. Paul Paine, Mound, MN., 17. Nick Roehl, Fon Du Lac, WI.
Fast Qualifier Reffner
AR Bodies
10% off product certificate 5th place Feature Darren Jackson
Bentley Trucking
$100.00 cash Fast Qualifier Colin Reffner
Coleman Racing Products Brake of race Nick Roehl DNS
$50.00 Product certificate
Diamond Racing Wheel 1st Feature Colin Reffner
$50.00 Product certificate
Don's Auto & Truck Center 1st Feature Colin Reffner
Checkers $25 cash
Wreckers $25 cash Paul Paine DNS
Howe Racing Ent. Feature 10th-1st Colin Reffner
$50.00 Hard Charger certificate
Tiry's Race Engines Feature 12th Monte Gress
$100 off certificates
Wehrs Racing & Machine Feature 8th Carter Christenson
$50.00 Product certificate
