MARSHFIELD, Wis. (July 30, 2022) – Justin Mondeik overwhelmed a stout field of TUNDRA Super Late Model Series competitors in Saturday’s Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial Presented by IncredibleBank and A&A Lock Service at Marshfield Motor Speedway. It was Mondeik’s third career series win, and one that helped him pad his point lead at the halfway point of the season.

Beyond the pure racing implications, the race was one that Mondeik has wanted to capture for years as it honors a fan and family that watched him mature through his career.

Full Results

“When we started four cylinders, we weren’t any good. Bev and the whole Aschenbrenner family would come over after every race and were so genuine and friendly with us. This is a really big win for us,” Mondeik commented.

Mondeik slipped past Andy Monday on lap 15 and survived a late restart alongside defending race winner and series Champion Riley Stenjem. He then outlasted a late run by fast qualifier John Beale, who would finish Second.

“I definitely didn’t want to see that caution at the end, but I felt like we were able to save a little bit while we were out front,” Mondeik said. “Riley’s always tough for sure, but I knew we had a really good piece tonight.”

Before a lap was put into the record books, the starting field experienced a major shake up when Darren Jackson and Jesse Oudenhoven tangled entering turn three.  Both Oudenhoven and Terry Schoppenhorst would have their race end. Jackson and others involved were able to make repairs and rejoin the field before the green fell.

On the second attempt, EPYK Media Rookie Kole Guralski seized the top spot from fellow front-row starter Curt Tillman.  Andy Monday followed into Second shortly after while Tillman was left to deal with Stenjem in a battle for Third.

Monday slipped to the bottom line and stole the lead from Guralski coming to lap four.  Meanwhile Stenjem was still looking for a line around Tillman as Mondeik raced side-by-side with Brock Heinrich in their rear-view mirror.

Mondeik was able to make some head way on the outside line, pushing past Stenjem on lap six. Two laps later Mondeik was able to open the inside line on Tillman to take Third. That opened the door for Stenjem, as well.  Behind them Travis Volm, Mark Eswein and Ken’s Sports Fast Qualifier John Beale were closing in on the Top Five.

At the lap 10 mark Mondeik was able to work his way around Guralski for Second and set his sights on Monday.  Four laps later Mondeik was at Monday’s doorstep.  He charged to the inside line to steal the lead on the backstretch, officially taking the lead on lap 15.

As Mondeik started to build a lead, the racing behind him in the Top Five was furious.  Eswein and Beale sliced their way into the Top Five by lap 20.  Soon they found themselves locked in battle with Eswein turning away several of Beale’s challenges.  The two remained locked in battle for much of the race as they closed in on Andy Monday, who had surrendered Second to Stenjem.

On lap 36 Beale surged past Monday and brought Eswein along.  The duo started to close the gap on Stenjem for Second while Mondeik had set sail, opening up a large advantage.  That advantage was erased, however, with 13 laps remaining for a spin by Tyler Radavich.

The restart would bring Stenjem to the outside of Mondeik with Beale and Monday in the second row.  Stenjem appeared to slip as he was sideways coming back to green. The bobble was all Mondeik needed to capitalize and run away from the pack after the drop of the green.

Stenjem was left to deal with Beale and Eswein over the final ten laps.  Both would move past and try to set their sights on Mondeik.  Although Beale was able to shrink the advantage Mondeik had built, he simply did not have enough time to issue a challenge.  Eswein rounded out the podium behind Mondeik and Beale, Stenjem held on for Fourth, and Andy Monday rounded out the Top Five.

The win helped Mondeik build his point lead over defending Champion Riley Stenjem. The team of Beale and Dalton Zehr were able to move to Third in the standings, setting up what should be an intriguing second half of the 2022 TUNDRA season.

Due to the rescheduled race at Marhsfield, TUNDRA will race on back-to-back Saturday’s for the first time in series history.  TUNDRA heads to State Park Speedway this Saturday, August 6. Qualifying is set for 5:45pm with racing at 7pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the Wisconsin Sport Trucks, Dairyland Vintage Series, and Bandits.

State Park Speedway is located at 147711 North Mountain Rd in Wausau, Wis. For more information visit http://www.stateparkspeedway.com.