Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Sunday, June 15, 2008
Steve Carlson gets first victory
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WEST SALEM, Wis. — If you ask Emily Sue Steck, being able to race every Saturday night at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway is just one reason she counts her blessings every weekend.
But for Steck, the biggest perk of all was in the trailer just a few feet next to her.
“To be able to call Steve Carlson my teammate is way cool in itself,” Steck said.
Steck already admired Carlson long before his victory Saturday in the Kwik Trip Late Model Division feature race.
He was driving competitively before she was even born. He made winning his 2007 track championship look so easy.
But Steck, who is a member of the Dutch Mill Trucking team along with Carlson, simply enjoyed what she saw transpiring a few yards in front of her during the 25-lap feature race.
Carlson stayed glued to Shawn Pfaff’s bumper from the opening lap. He shot past Pfaff on the back straightaway with nine laps to go. And just like that, Carlson was well on his way to recording his first feature victory of 2008.
Yes, Steck, who turned in a season-best third-place finish, has seen Carlson take advantage of his opportunities many times before. But seeing both Carlson and Dutch Mill teammate Kevin Nuttleman, who finished fifth, do it time and again never gets old.
“The whole team is the best team out here. A lot of people say that,” Steck said. “Everyone works their butts off.”
Carlson hasn’t been slacking off at all this season n not in the least. But if someone had told him he wouldn’t be in Victory Lane until the ninth week of the season, he wouldn’t have believed him.
While Carlson has had his share of good weeks — he has five top-10 finishes to his credit this season — he also was waiting for a breakthrough weekend.
“We’re having a pretty good year,” Carlson said. “If you’re using last year as a benchmark, last year was one of those years that you’re just not going to see too often.”
An estimated 2,800 spectators got to see vintage Carlson, who was knocked out of the May 31 feature race due to an accident after one lap. He was driving on two older tires, but still had more than enough to hold off Pfaff.
Pfaff had held the lead for nine laps after leader J. Herbst pulled into the pits.
“The car was good enough to win tonight,” Carlson said. “I had to wear Shawn Pfaff down. Shawn’s car was good at the start of the race.” Pfaff knew Carlson’s car was a little better in the end. “I know the experience Steve has,” Pfaff said. “He’s one of those guys who is going to stay right there with you.”
SPORTSMAN: Rob Curran won the North Country Contractors Sportsmen Division feature race. Randy Humfeld and Nick Clements were second and third, respectively.
THUNDERSTOX: Tim Steinhoff won the United Auto Supply Thunderstox Division feature race. Joey Johnson and Charles Vian Jr. were second and third, respectively.
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