West Salem, Wisconsin – October 9, 2023 – The fans flocked from across the country to La Crosse Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin to witness racing history Sunday afternoon, as Gabe Sommers triumphantly closed the 2023 season by winning the Oktoberfest 200 and securing the 2023 ASA Midwest Tour championship at the 54th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend.
Then as the field was about to resume racing, Johnny Sauter unexpectedly slowed down and retired into the pits, reportedly due to a broken axle, giving Sommers the lead and ultimately the win.In victory lane, Sommers expressed his joy, stating, “Oh man, it’s awesome! Finally on the other end of it, and was in the perfect position to win it. I have been on the other end quite a few times this year, and it really means a lot to get the win and the points championship; it’s crazy.”
Sommers also acknowledged how narrowly he avoided getting caught up in the Zehr/Majeski incident, remarking, “I was really close to getting into that; I’m just lucky I didn’t get into it.”
At just 20 years old, Sommers concluded the 2023 ASA Midwest Tour as the youngest series champion since Ty Majeski in 2014 and continues to ride a wave of momentum heading into the 39th Annual All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway November, 5th.