Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, June 30, 2008
Oliver breaks through in feature race
 Todd Oliver |
WEST SALEM, Wis. — He contemplated doing one of Carl Edwards' signature backflips, but one of his senses — common sense, that is — convinced him otherwise. Instead, he wormed his way out of his stock car’s seat, then climbed up on the edge of the driver's door and thrust both arms into the air.
A crowd estimated at 2,000 at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway roared. Finally, after more than a decade as a competitor in the Kwik Trip Late Model Division, Todd Oliver was a feature winner.
This was his moment, his time. The Big O was in Victory Lane, a spot he only dreamed about before Saturday night’s breakthrough race.
“It’s awesome, just awesome. We’ve been chasing this for 22 or 23 years,” said Oliver as Todd Korish, who finished second, came up and dumped and sprayed water over the Bangor, Wis., man as if he was in victory lane at a Sprint Cup race. “This has been the goal, to win a feature. And to run with and finally win a race with Steve Carlson, Kevin Nuttleman, Todd Korish, it’s awesome.”
Oliver was greeted by a seemingly endless line of congratulatory handshakes, hugs and slaps on the back as he waited in the post-race technical inspection line. He was quick to thank all of the people who helped him get to where he was, including his brother Tim, who works on the car, and his brother Greg, who is the flagman at the track. He knows Greg has a job to do and certainly can’t play favorites, but one look into his eyes and you could see the happiness.
The same could be said of Todd’s wife, JoLynn, who has been in the pits through every step of his career.
“In the early years it was just him and I,” said JoLynn, her eyes filled with tears as she took calls and texted messages on her cellular phone. “I was the only woman down here (in the pits) for a long time. I know people would look at me like I was a little strange, especially when I was pregnant. I would carry tires around and rest them right here (pointing to her stomach) when I was pregnant. It worked out pretty well.“
Todd and JoLynn’s son, 12-year-old Zach, was right beside his parents in the pit area Saturday night, while their daughter, 15-year-old Shelby was camping with some friends. It was one of the few nights she missed the races, and when she received a call, she was thrilled.
Maybe even as much as Todd himself.
“I’ve been close to not wanting to do this, but the kids always tell me at the end of the year, ’Dad, you’re not quitting,’” Todd said. “JoLynn, all of my family, my sponsors, they have been so supportive.“
Todd needed everything his car had Saturday night as the 25-lap feature had two cautions, including one on Lap 24 when Tony Bagstad appeared to tag the outside wall in Turn 3. That bunched the cars up one more time, and made Todd — who started on the pole — sweat out one more lap.
“I got a little bit sideways coming out of (turn) four but there was no way I was going to let off the gas,” Todd said of the final turn on the final lap. “It was going to be wreckers or checkers right there. I knew Todd (Korish) was coming up on me. I wasn’t going to give up that bottom (groove) for anything.“
He didn’t, but the cagey Korish made it a frantic finish by making it appear he was going to take the high groove, but instead dove down to the bottom in the middle of the front stretch and nearly pulled it off. He finished second by a half-car length, but was able to hold off Mike Carlson (third place) and Steve Carlson (fourth).
“I was hoping I had a little bit for him at the end. It wasn’t for show; I was going for the win,” Korish said. “I had a good car but Todd’s was just a little better. He ran a great race and deserved to win.“
RACE RECAP
BIG MOVE: Todd Oliver stared on the pole, and led every lap but one. Stoddard’s Paul Proksch led the first lap, but Oliver took it back on Lap 2, then held off a hard-charging Todd Korish to earn the first Late Model feature win of his career.
ATTENDANCE: Estimated at 2,000.
BOTTOM LINE: By being the fast qualifier, and finishing third in the feature race, West Salem’s Mike Carlson took over the Late Model points lead.
Jeff Brown can be reached at (608) 791-8403, or at jbrown@lacrossetribune.com
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