John Wood of Sun Prairie Wisconsin captured The United States Super Truck Series – Northern Division feature on Saturday night June 27th at the Lacrosse Speedway. Wood, driving a backup truck, had to overcome adversity and a tough field of USST competitors to post the victory.

Earlier in the day Wood experienced motor issues with his Rockweiler Insulation Pathfinder Chassis truck. After the motor expired, the Woods Brothers/Mac Motorsports team went to work to install their back up power plant. Every member of the crew put their blood and sweat into completing the change. Even a torrential down pour couldn't hold the team from their task as they worked through the elements. Unfortunately the truck would not hold oil pressure. The decision was made to have John, the 2008 USST North Divsion Champion, drive his brother’s (Jerry Wood) Case Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) “For Children” race truck in the feature. The decision went well beyond just a family bond.

Michael and Julie Carmichael, of Janesville Wisconsin, have been long time supporters of Jerry’s late model racing since back in the early 90’s. Having recently retired from General Motors, they have returned to the sport they love and to support their driver and friend Jerry Wood. Their success together included the first Annual October Nationals at the Lake Geneva Speedway in 1992. Although they wanted to see their driver (Jerry) in the truck, The Carmichael’s understood the importance of having John run for the Northern series points that are awarded in the race.

The USST, in support of the Lacrosse Speedway, decided to run a split feature with two equal twenty lap segments to help with the weather set backs from earlier in the day. The decision was a positive one as the fans and drivers alike enjoyed tight racing in both segments.

The first segment provided several challenges for the lead with ARP Products Pole Winner #73 Larry Fitzsimmons setting the early pace. (Fitzsimmons captured the pole in the wildly popular “Tow Mater” themed truck with a time of 21.119 seconds around the lightning quick Lacrosse speedway). Fitzsimmons was joined by #74 Todd Lockington and #1 Curt Barfknecht of Minnesota. The three drivers hooked up for a heated battle for the point that lasted to the closing laps of the break.

In the pack #73 John Wood, current USST Northern Series point leader #12  Butch Mierendorf, #2 Collin Laursen, #74 Gary McDonald and fourteen year old driver #28 Bobby Yonkee Jr. were in a heated dog fight for position. At the halfway mark it was Fitzsimmons, however, who would go to the break as the race leader.

Making his USST debut was twelve year old Camden Murphy. Murphy a champion in NSL,CSR Super Cup racing and legends car racer went on to post a ninth place finish.. Murphy also became the “youngest driver” to debut at the Lacrosse Speedway; besting ASALMS driver Ross Kenseth and son of NASCAR Champion and Daytona 500 Champion Matt Kenseth for the honors.

The field was quickly re-assembled and ready to go as the Lacrosse Late Model Series finished their event. The top five cars were inverted from the first half which put Fitzsimmons back in fifth and #74 Todd Lockington on the pole with another young teenage talent #2 Collin Laursen along side for the restart.

Lockington and Laursen would put on a driving display for the crowd through the first twelve circuits of the second leg of the event. During their heated exchange, #73 Wood was starting to feel pretty comfortable in his new ride. He started to make his charge to the front. In the mean time five trucks were hooked together in a pack as Barfknecht,Fitzsimmons, Meirendorf and Yonkee battled tooth and nail for the final podium position.

Wood pulled from his many years of racing experience to calmly and methodically reel the leaders in. On lap thirty four he noticed some day light and made his move. Wood powered by cleanly to capture the top spot. From there Wood would hold the point and soldier on to a well deserved victory over second place Laursen and a hard charging Fitzsimmons who captured third.  All three drivers were interviewed track side in front of the Lacrosse crowd who applauded their approval for a very entertaining race. During his winner’s interview, Wood noted the outstanding efforts of his crew and the support of his family and the Carmichael’s to give him the opportunity to run for the win.

Next up for the USST Series is the next Northern series event Friday July 10th at Madison International Speedway. Make your plans now to see “The Family Action Attraction…” live and in person in Wisconsin.