1988 – Kosiski Secures Third Gopher 50 Title

 

Steve Kosiski enjoys the fruits of his labor in victory lane after winning his record third Gopher 50 at the Steele County Fairgrounds. – Phil Dullinger Photo

Owatonna, Minn. (July 12, 1988) – Steve Kosiski scored a narrow victory over Willy Kraft in the Gopher 50 Tuesday night at the Steele County Fairgrounds to become the first three-time winner of the late model event.

Chuck Doyle and Todd Anderson collided before the first lap was completed forcing a restart. Pete Parker gained the early lead when the green returned followed by Kosiski and Kraft.

The second caution flew on lap 8 when Charlie Swartz stalled in turn four. On the restart, Kosiski slipped around Parker to take command.

The action was slowed again on lap 18 when Todd Steuber stalled in turn four. When the race resumed, Kosiski retained the lead with Kraft applying heavy pressure to Parker for the second spot. Four laps later, Kraft got by Parker but a yellow flew before the lap was completed as Swartz slammed into the wall.

Because of the number of cautions, a fuel stop was called at this point in the race. When the green returned, Kosiski again retained the lead while Kraft powered by Parker to take over second.

Kraft began to cut into Kosiski’s lead and within three laps, was right on the leader’s bumper. The race was delayed on lap 32 when Kris Patterson hit the wall in turn one.

When the race resumed, Kosiski continued to lead Kraft but another yellow flew on lap 40 when Joe Kosiski tagged the wall, setting up a 10-lap dash to the wire.

Kosiski held off Kraft for the lead when the race resumed with Rick Aukland taking third from Rick Egersdorf one lap later. Kosiski, Kraft, and Aukland raced in a tight pack for the remainder of the race with Kosiski taking the checkers by two-car-lengths. Kraft edged Aukland for runner-up honors while Egersdorf and Larry Phillips rounded out the top-five.

Fifty-one late models were on hand for the program which was promoted by the Blooming Prairie Jaycees with major sponsorship from NAPA Auto Parts and Stroh’s Beer.


Results –


1. Steve Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
2. Willy Kraft, Lakefield
3. Rick Aukland, Fargo, N.D.
4. Rick Egersdorf, St. Paul
5. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
6. Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
7. Tom Steuding, Altoona, Wis.
8. John Kaanta, Elk Mound, Wis.
9. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
10.Larry Prochnow, Menomonie, Wis.
11.John Provenzano, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
12.Ron Schreiner, Eleva, Wis.
13.Karl Fenske, Winona
14.Curly Williams, Rice
15.Lance Matthees, Winona