WEST SALEM, Wis. -- Fans were lined up at the gates in order to get the best seats possible for La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway’s 2009 Smash-O-Rama.

The first of many events was the Steel Wall crash. Ben Allen started in turn four and drove along the front stretch to slam into a car that was propped up on its nose. The first time around Allen decided to tease the crowd by narrowly missing the car, but the second time around he sent the car flying into the air and slamming down to the ground as a twisted heap of metal.

The motorcycle stuntmen who amazed the crowd at last years Eve of Destruction were crowd pleasers once again. Stuntmen Joe Beavers and Ryan Suchanak returned with wheelies, burnouts, standing and balancing on the seat of their motorcycles and a multitude of other gravity defying stunts. And just in case the crowd didn’t see enough the first time around they performed a second time later on in the night. After a fan vote Ryan Suchanak was voted Fan Favorite of 2009.

The Skidders were also in attendance to do a little racing of their own. The cars, which have metal plates welded onto the back tire rims, drive around the track with their emergency brake on. When the green flag waved cars immediately began to start spinning and crashing into each other. For every lap that went by a new leader was present. In the end Kyle Swenson was able to maneuver himself into the lead to take the checkered flag.

The Gauntlet of Doom is another fan favorite and one of the most daring events for a driver. Dakota Miller accepted the challenge this year for the first time. Miller had a little bit of trouble getting his car started. It didn’t take him long to get it started. He soon came flying down the front stretch. He ran straight into a pile of cars sending the car on top smashing to the ground. Miller also participated in the roll over contest, launching his own car into the air and flipping his car over almost two full times for an impressive 8 points. Miller rolled his car once more and gained 5 more points making him the undisputed winner for a second year in a row.

One of the most anticipated events of the night was the Monster Truck Crush. High Maintenance didn’t waste any time getting started. She came out and pounced on the cars lined up on the front stretch. The Felon followed suited and completely smashed what was left of the cars. They later went head to head in a monster truck contest where fans chose the winner. High Maintenance was voted fan favorite over last year’s winner The Felon.

The Firecracker 75 Enduro race ended the night with a bang. It didn’t take long for cars to get three wide in corners while others were spinning through the grass. The red flag came out when a car was flipped over onto its top in turn two. Safety officials flipped the car back over and the race got started again. By the half way point cars where spread out across the track beating and banging on each other trying to gain positions. With one to go the leaders were side by side. As they came around to the checkered flag Andy Moore got his nose out in front to take the win; unofficially. It was later determined, after scoring, that Ryan Manke was the official race winner.

Saturday, July 4th La Crosse Speedways Late Models, Sportsmen, and Thunderstox divisions will be racing along with a Lights-Out Race and Fireworks Extravaganza! Another exciting Friday Night Street Drags will take place July 10th, brought to you by Unique Edge Customizing, Monster Energy Drink and the U.S. Army. For more information about La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway please visit www.lacrossespeedway.com or contact the office at (608) 786-1525 or lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com.

RESULTS

LA CROSSE FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY

Enduro

Coca-Cola 75 Feature 1 (31 cars) — 1, Ryan Manke, West Salem; 2, Andy Moore, Sparta; 3, Mike Carlson, West Salem; 4, Jerry Lamke, Rochester, Minn.; 5, Wade Elliot, Galesville; 6, Jeff Martin; 7, Harley Jankowski, Sparta; 8, Can Ruzek, Tomah; 9, Andrew Meyer; 10, ; 11, Ron Genske, Sparta; 12, David Fruenchte, Winona, Minn.; 13, Joe Hubbard; 14, Jason Pyka, Independence; 15, Jeff Ranzenberger, Caledonia, Minn.; 16, Tom Dienger, St. Peter, Minn.; 17, Justin Dienger, Winona, Minn.; 18, Amanda Griffin; 19, Dave Clements, Holmen; 20, John Broner, Janesville; 21, Ryan Pelowski, Winona, Minn.; 22, Cody Bollman; 23, Elvin Smothers, Winona, Minn.; 24, Steve Ruzek, Tomah; 25, Kaleb Miller, Sparta; 26, Fletcher Milene, Winona, Minn.; 27, Chase Scholze, Sparta; 28, Jared Vike, La Crosse; 29, Matt Moore, Kendall; 30, Chris Weber, Cashton; 31, Cole Abnet, Winona, Minn.

Skidders

Coca-Cola 8 Feature 1 (7 cars) — 1, Kyle Swenson; 2, Chris Larson; 3, ; 4, ; 5, Jeff Ranzenberger; 6, Matt Carpenter; 7, Steven Rusch.

Heat 1 — 1, Jeff Ranzenberger; 2, Chris Larson; 3, Steven Rusch; 4, Kyle Swenson; 5, Adam Moore.