A THIRD-TIME CHARM, ZEHR IS TUNDRA CHAMPION

Teammate May Wins Wild Rookie of the Year Battle

SLINGER, Wis. (September 8, 2014) – Dalton Zehr has had the distinction of being the winningest driver in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series action since he burst on the scene in 2011.

That season, Zehr won two of the four Alive For Five Super Late Model Series races at Dells Raceway Park he attended. Had he not missed the first event, he may have knocked Frank Kreyer off the top of the standings. It was not to be.

In 2012 Zehr was engaged in the tightest point battle TUNDRA has yet to see. In prime position heading into the feature, Zehr was involved in an early incident that forced him to nurse his machine to the finish. Dennis Prunty won and took the title. Although Zehr again took two wins, it was not to be.

Last season Zehr burst into Victory Lane in the season opener at Golden Sands Speedway. He had strong runs all throughout the season, until he was bit by bad luck at Marshfield Motor Speedway. Zehr finished second again. It was not to be.

In 2014 – it was meant to be.

A complete eight-race body of work left Zehr in cruise control heading into Sunday’s finale at Slinger. Zehr needed only to start the feature event. With his two closest competitors sidelined for the event by engine issues, Zehr appeared loose the entire event. The pressure of three seasons lifted off his shoulders.

“We lost one two years ago on the last night. We had it pretty much wrapped coming into tonight, so it was nice to not have as much pressure and we could just chase the feature win,” Zehr explained.

The afternoon did not go as Zehr planned. Mired in traffic throughout the feature, Zehr eventually succumbed to some front end damage with less than 20 laps remaining in the final feature. It was Zehr’s only DNF of the season. It was the first time he finished outside the top ten.

“I watched the final laps from up top, which is nowhere a driver wants to see it, but we have to be happy with the end result,” Zehr said.

He also recognized the team effort it took to secure his first touring title.

“I couldn’t ask for a better crew. They’re extremely faithful guys and I have to thank them for coming to all of the races.”

Zehr tallied three wins, five top fives and seven top tens in the eight-race season.

MAY TAKES ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

It may have been a frantic day in the Coleman camp, but it ended on a high note. Zehr’s teammate Reagan May survived a wild race which allowed her to hang on to the Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year title.

May was involved in an incident on lap 32 with last year’s Rookie of the Year Paige Decker. The two cars made contact down the front stretch and were hooked in turn one. Once the cars were untangled May went to the pit area where the crew was able to fix her machine.

“Both times I got rookie of the year I had a smashed race car on the last night of the run. I guess it’s going to have to be tradition,” May joked afterward.

She was able to work her way back through the field patiently. May needed to stay within four spots of fellow rookie Mike Lichtfeld late in the race to secure the honors. With 17 laps remaining, bad luck bit Lichtfeld. The leaders came together, sending Brad Mueller spinning. As James Swan checked up to avoid Mueller’s machine, Lichtfeld ran out of room and sustained heavy front-end damage when he came together with Swan.

From there, May cruised to a seventh-place finish and the title. She was also the SuperPro Late Model Rookie of the Year in 2010.

“We started right next to Mike, so I knew it was going to be interesting,” May said. “We had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of downs. My crew did an amazing job of getting me back out. We were able to ride around and stay out of trouble again. I still can’t believe we ended it the way that we did.”

TUNDRA has awarded two Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year titles – both were claimed by 20-year-old female drivers.

The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series would like to thank its 2014 partners: The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Advanced Engine Concepts, Bear Creek Cranberries, Best Western Derby Inn (Eagle River, Wis.), Bonafide Security Solutions, Coleman Racing Products, Country Plumber, Draco Springs, Eagle River Derby Track, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Habelman Brothers Company Cranberries, Howard’s Cams, Leo’s Upper Dells Bar, QA1 Shocks, Radiographic Services, TD Graphics, Tiry’s Race Engines, and Wegner Automotive Research.

TUNDRA would also like to thank the staff and management of its partner tracks for the 2014 season: Wisconsin International Raceway, Golden Sands Speedway, Jefferson Speedway, Norway Speedway, LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, Marshfield Motor Speedway, Dells Raceway Park and Slinger Super Speedway.

The 2014 Championship Banquet will be held this offseason. A date and location are to be determined.

The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA) Super Late Model Series was formed in 2011 as the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park. TUNDRA’s business plan is based on a sustainable program for promoters and race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the 2014 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

2014 Round Eight – Slinger Speedway

Country Plumber 75

Pos#DriverHometown 
12Michael BilderbackSouth Beloit, Ill. 
289FRyan FarrellEast Troy, Wis. 
389MBrad “JJ” MuellerRandom Lake, Wis. 
448Brad KeithWest Bend, Wis. 
572Randy SchulerMecquon, Wis. 
636Tom Gee Jr.Sobieski, Wis. 
733Reagan MayWest De Pere, Wis. 
831JCorey JankowskiTomah, Wis. 
998Brandon SelleDale, Wis. 
1040TCurt TillmanRockford, Ill. 
1178Wyatt BlasheClintonville, Wis. 
1297James SwanLake Geneva, Wis. 
1342Dennis PruntyKnowles, Wis. 
1444Mike LichtfeldPortage, Wis. 
15119Dalton ZehrPort Orange, Fla. 
1632Steven T. LichtfeldPortage, Wis. 
1703Paige DeckerEagle River, Wis. 
1835Travis DassowWest Bend, Wis. 
1999Conrad MorganWales, Wis. 
2007Cory KemkesAppleton, Wis. 
2126Chris BlawatPalmyra, Wis. 
2254Rich Schumann Jr.Portage, Wis. 
2331WJason WellsKingsford, Mich. 
2440LJeremy LepakRingle, WisDNS

10-Lap Heat One

Pos#DriverHometown
136Tom Gee JrSobieski, Wis.
272Randy SchulerMecquon, Wis.
378Wyatt BlasheClintonville, Wis.
4119Dalton ZehrPort Orange, Fla.
599Conrad MorganWales, Wis.
603Paige DeckerEagle River, Wis.
732Steven T. LichtfeldPortage, Wis.
831WJason WellsKingsford, Mich.
944Mike LichtfeldPortage, Wis.
1040Jeremy LepakRingle, Wis.

10-Lap Heat Two

Pos#DriverHometown
126Chris BlawatPalmyra, Wis.
207Cory KemkesAppleton, Wis.
397James SwanLake Geneva, Wis.
498Brandon SelleDale, Wis.
540TCurt TillmanRockford, Ill.
633Reagan MayWest De Pere, Wis.
731JCorey JankowskiTomah, Wis.
889FRyan FarrellEast Troy, Wis.
954Rich Schumann Jr.Portage, Wis.

Fast Five Dash

os#DriverHometown
12Michael BilderbackSouth Beloit, Ill.
235Travis DassowWest Bend, Wis.
342Dennis PruntyKnowles, Wis.
489MBrad MuellerRandom Lake, Wis.
548Brad KeithWest Bend, Wis.

Fast Qualifier: Dennis Prunty – 11.418 seconds

MAJESKI MAJESTIC IN TUNDRA ROUND SEVEN

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (August 24, 2014) – Ty Majeski is having a 2014 season that will be tough to forget. The Seymour, Wis., native, quickly becoming one of the top Super Late Model drivers in the country, made another mark Saturday night when he captured his first TUNDRA Super Late Model Series win.

With his victory in TUNDRA Round Seven Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Dells Raceway Park Majeski became the youngest winner in TUNDRA history at 20 years and 5 days.

The win had some more significance for Majeski as it came at the venue where he jumpstarted his racing career. DRP is where Majeski tasted victory for the first time in a Late Model when he took a six-for-six dash in 2010. Majeski was 15 years of age at the time.

Ty Majeski became the youngest winner in TUNDRA history with his win in Round Seven at Dells Raceway Park (Jeff Blaser Photo)

“I’ve always liked this place. It feels good to come back and get a checkered flag in the Super Late,” he commented in Victory Lane.

Majeski left little doubt in the 60-lapper that was interrupted by only one early caution. Majeski started third row inside and crept into the second spot at the most critical of times. Majeski had just moved past Dennis Prunty into second when the yellow came out for a skirmish involving Dalton Zehr and Billy Mohn on lap four.

Electing the outside lane, Majeski was able to pull away from early-race leader Jerry Blystone. Prunty slid back, but returned to the second spot and pursued Majeski all race long.

“This car had good roll speed,” Majeski said. “I was fortunate enough to get in the lead, get out front and conserve my tires, so I had a little something left at the end.”

After the lap-four restart when Majeski escaped Blystone, the DRP veteran was left to contend with a hungry pack of fast race cars. Although Prunty lost ground to the top two in the opening laps after the restart, he was able to reel in Blystone and took the runner-up spot back on lap 12.

Dennis Prunty (42) closes in before Ty Majeski (91) breaks away in TUNDRA Round Seven at Dells Raceway Park (Jeff Blaser Photo)

From that point, the chase was on. Prunty dashed away from what eventually turned into a battle for third among Blystone, Austin Nason and Mike Lichtfeld. On lap 14 Nason slipped past Blystone and brought the tandem of Lichtfeld and Bobby Kendall into the top five.

Shortly after grabbing third, Nason had his hands full with hearty challenges from Lichtfeld. Lichtfeld, who has won three features this season at DRP, muscled his way past Nason by lap 24. By this point Majeski and Prunty were well ahead of the heated scrap, leaving Lichtfeld a large deficit to erase.

At the halfway point Lichtfeld had stepped away from the battle for fourth. Kendall, Nason, Nick Panitzke and fast qualifier Dan Lensing disputed the spots for the next 10 laps. Kendall’s machine seemed to fade with 20 laps remaining. Nason was able to move past Kendall and soon brought Panitzke and Lensing.

While the battle for fourth was grabbing attention, TUNDRA point leader Dalton Zehr was frantically trying to work his way back through the field. With ten laps remaining Zehr had moved back to tenth. He quickly worked past Kendall, Rich Schumann, Blystone, Nason and Panitzke to fifth with three laps to go.

Meanwhile, Majeski continued to cruise up front. At times lapped traffic seemed to slow him enough to allow Prunty to close. However, any time Prunty closed the gap to get within striking distance, Majeski powered away to build his advantage.

In the final circuits Majeski grew his lead and soared to victory. Prunty remained unchallenged in second. Lichtfeld valiantly closed the gap on the top two, but simply did not have enough time to catch them. He settled for third. Behind him Lensing was just able to fend off Zehr for fourth. Lensing kept high going around the lapped car of Frank Nitzke. Zehr dived to the inside, almost completing a three-wide pass at the line.

Although Majeski cruised to a dominant victory, Zehr was able to maintain in the TUNDRA title chase. Zehr gained six passing points versus Majeski’s two. His lead grew by one point heading into the eighth and final round in two weeks.

The biggest shake up in the standings came in the Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year chase. Lichtfeld’s strong run allowed him to shave 19 points off his deficit. He now trails Reagan May by just four markers.

Earlier in the evening Jeff Weinfurter bested the 25-lap Country Plumber Shootout. Kelsey Bauer was second and Steve Lichtfeld was third.

The Championship Round Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon September 7 at Slinger Speedway. TUNDRA will be joined by the weekly Slinger divisions who will crown champions, as well. More information on that event will be available soon.

Slinger Speedway is located off of Hwy 41 and Highway 144 at 280 Cedar Creek Road, Slinger Wisconsin 53086. For more information visit www.slingersuperspeedway.com.

The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA) Super Late Model Series was formed in 2011 as the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park. TUNDRA’s business plan is based on a sustainable program for promoters and race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the 2014 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

2014 Round Seven – Dells Raceway Park

60-Lap Feature
Pos # Driver Hometown
1 91 Ty Majeski Seymour, Wis.
2 42 Dennis Prunty Knowles, Wis.
3 44 Mike Lichtfeld Portage, Wis.
4 19 Dan Lensing Roscoe, Ill.
5 119 Dalton Zehr Port Orange, Fla.
6 22 Nick Panitzke Lakeville, Minn.
7 14 Austin Nason Roscoe, Ill.
8 95 Jerry Blystone Portage, Wis.
9 54 Rich Schumann Jr. Portage, Wis.
10 11 Bobby Kendall Montello, Wis.
11 31 Corey Jankowski Tomah, Wis.
12 40 Jeremy Lepak Ringle, Wis.
13 18I Jordan Ives Gladstone, Mich.
14 89 Adam Royle Lonsdale, Minn.
15 44E Mike Egan Slinger, Wis.
16 9 Kyle Calmes Freedom, Wis.
17 35 Travis Dassow West Bend, Wis.
18 18N Frank Nitzke Berlin, Wis.
19 33 Reagan May West De Pere, Wis.
20 8 Billy Mohn Lakeville, Minn.

25 Lap Country Plumber Shootout
Pos # Driver Hometown
1 3 Jeff Weinfurter Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2 7 Kelsey Bauer West Bend, Wis.
3 32 Steve Lichtfeld Portage, Wis.
4 78 Wyatt Blashe Clintonville, Wis.
5 82 J. Herbst West Salem, Wis.
6 31W Jason Wells Kingsford, Mich.
7 2 Jesse Pokszyk Friendship, Wis.
8 11G Chris Grimes Pulaski, Wis.

15-Lap Last Chance (Two Transfer)
Pos # Driver Hometown
1 31 Corey Jankowski Tomah, Wis.
2 33 Reagan May West De Pere, Wis.
3 3 Jeff Weinfurter Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
4 82 J. Herbst West Salem, Wis.
5 32 Steven T. Lichtfeld Portage, Wis.
6 78 Wyatt Blashe Clintonville, Wis.
7 2 Jesse Pokszyk Friendship, Wis.
8 7 Kelsey Bauer West Bend, Wis.
9 31W Jason Wells Kingsford, Mich.
10 11G Chris Grimes Pulaski, Wis.

10-Lap Gong Show (Two Transfer)
Pos # Driver Hometown
1 35 Travis Dassow West Bend, Wis.
2 89 Adam Royle Lonsdale, Minn.
3 33 Reagan May West De Pere, Wis.
4 31 Corey Jankowski Tomah, Wis.
5 32 Steven T. Lichtfeld Portage, Wis.

Fast Five Dash
Pos # Driver Hometown
1 44 Mike Lichtfeld Portage, Wis.
2 11 Bobby Kendall Montello, Wis.
3 19 Dan Lensing Roscoe, Ill.
4 54 Rich Schumann Jr. Portage, Wis.
5 22 Nick Panitzke Lakeville, Minn.

Fast Time: Lensing – 13.650 seconds

ZEHR SCORES THIRD TUNDRA WIN OF 2014 AT MARSHFIELD

MARSHFIELD, Wis. (August 2, 2014) – As it has many times in the past, patience and persistence paid off for Dalton Zehr on Saturday at Marshfield Motor Speedway. Zehr waited through several cautions and restarts to strike at the perfect time in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Six Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes.

Zehr overtook Round Five winner Reagan May on a restart with 21 laps remaining and defended a late charge from Nick Panitzke to hold on for his eighth career TUNDRA win. The win helped Zehr stretch his point lead to 35 markers with just two races remaining.

It was at this point last season that Zehr lost ground in the Championship battle to eventual titlist Nick Panitzke and Eugene Gregorich Jr.  This year, it was a relief for Zehr to be able to exit Marshfield with his head held high.

“It’s not like we built a huge gap here today, but we came in with a pretty comfortable gap,” he said.  “We can’t have any wrecks or slip up and we should have a shot at the Championship.  We’ve come so close so many times.”

Calm, cool and collected, it was the type of feature that Zehr had seen before.  The race saw several cautions, a lengthy clean up and plenty of chances for Zehr to pick his way through the field. Marshfield Motor Speedway looked eerily similar to past TUNDRA races at Dells Raceway Park where Zehr took four wins between 2011 and 2012.

The event began just as it did one season ago, with Cardell Potter pacing the initial circuits.  Just as he was about to be challenged by Frank Nitzke, the caution fell for a spin by Zach Preiss.  Nitzke declined the outside line on the lap-four restart, leaving the high side for May.

May was more than happy to remind the rest of the field of her success in the high line at LaCrosse when the green fell.  She rocketed away from Potter to the lead, and left the outside open for Gregorich to challenge Nitzke for second.

Gregorich’s charge on the outside line began to fade, leaving room for Brent Strelka to challenge Potter for the runner up spot.  As Strelka sized up Potter, Zehr had crept into a top-five spot from his ninth-place starting position.  Strelka stole second from Potter on lap 11, and Zehr moved to third one lap later.

Before Strelka and Zehr were able to attempt to reel in May a caution fell on lap 17 when Majeski and Jim Sauter Jr. tangled.  Zehr had moved past Strelka by this time and took the inside line on to following restart with May again electing to stay up high.

Once again May proved to be too strong on the outside.  Nitzke immediately challenged Zehr for second, but was unable to move past him.  Not too far behind that battle Panitzke, who had set fast time earlier in the evening, had moved to fifth at the halfway point of the feature.  He grabbed two more spots in the next four laps.

Lap 29 proved to be adventurous and lengthy.  The initial caution fell when Adam Royle spun in turn two.  The following restart was waived when Zehr jumped in front of May.  A third attempt proved no better and bred a red flag  when Gregorich was clipped in the left rear, sent spinning and made hard contact with the outside wall in turn two.  The caution was then extended when a shock mount broke on Strelka’s machine when the field re-fired, costing him a chance for a top five.

When the field was stopped on the front stretch for a lengthy clean up the top three were interviewed.  Nick Panitzke’s comment seemed the boldest when he said, “I don’t think the racing has even begun yet.”

The words of last year’s Champion proved to be prophetic.  After the restart Zehr was able to grab the lead from May.  Panitzke had to work to fight off Nitzke, but eventually was able to set his sights on May for second.  She said she knew she was in for a battle when she saw the scoreboard during the red flag.

“I could see the 119 and the 22 were behind us.  I knew they were great cars and it was going to be hard to beat those two.  We just used our stuff up a little too early.”

As the top three broke away, some furious racing took place just outside the top five.  Jeff Weinfurter, Billy Mohn and Majeski frantically tried to grab fifth.  Eventually Majeski slipped through.

Another caution fell with 13 to go when J. Herbst spun on the front stretch.  TUNDRA officials warned spotters that this would bring the final double-file restart of the race.  May again took the outside in hopes to challenge Zehr again.  However, Zehr got away, and May eventually lost second to Panitzke.

Panitzke had one final chance when Kelsey Bauer spun with seven laps remaining.  Zehr knew the restart would be key, even though it was to be single file.

“We were really trying to take care of our tires.  This place eats them up,” he said.  “I knew Nick was fast and I don’t know how many laps we could have maintained that kind of speed.  But, it was enough.  I fired plenty early on that [restart].  I knew I had to because Nick was going to be breathing down my neck.”

The restart played out just as Zehr had hoped, and he was able to run away from Panitzke.

“It would have been fun to get up next to him and do battle, but he got a real good restart on the last one,” Panitzke said.  “I tried to stay with him but the car started getting a little free.  I was able to maintain distance, but I just couldn’t gather him back up.”

May and Majeski went unchallenged to hold third and fourth, but behind them the mayhem continued.  Nitzke’s machine was overcome by overheating in the final two laps and he dropped to the infield. Corey Jankowski made a bold move on the final circuit and swung to fifth.  He had started 28th.

With just two races remaining in the 2014 season, Zehr’s lead sits at 35 over the team of Majeski and Mark Mackesy and remained 41 over Panitzke, who moved to third.  Bobby Kendall moved to fourth, but fell to 64 points out of the lead.  Gregorich’s accident dropped him to fifth, 67 points out of the lead.

TUNDRA will take three weeks off and spring back into action on Saturday, August 23.  The series returns to its birth place Dells Raceway Park for Round Seven Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes.

The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA) Super Late Model Series was formed in 2011 as the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park. TUNDRA’s business plan is based on a sustainable program for promoters and race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the 2014 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

2014 Round Six – Marshfield Motor Speedway

Marshfield 50

Pos#NameHometown
1119Dalton ZehrDaytona Beach, FL
222Nick PanitzkeLakeville, MN
333Reagan MayWest De Pere, WI
491Ty MajeskiSeymour, WI
531Corey JankowskiTomah, WI
63Jeff WeinfurterWisconsin Rapids, WI
78Billy MohnLakeville, MN
845Jim Sauter Jr.Tomah, WI
9711Travis VolmMosinee, WI
1044Mike LichtfeldPardeeville, WI
1122Landry PotterLake Geneva, WI
1279Morgan RasmussenTwin Falls, ID
137Kelsey BauerWest Bend, WI
1411Bobby KendallMontello, WI
1548Brad KeithWest Bend, WI
1678Wyatt BlasheClintonville, WI
1732Steve LichtfeldPortage, WI
1811Chris GrimesPulaski, WI
1918NFrank NitzkeBerlin, WI
2004Natalie DeckerEagle River, WI
2140Jeremy LepakRingle, WI
2258Cardell PotterCamp Douglas, WI
2382Jay HerbstWest Salem, WI
2436Tom Gee Jr.Sobieski, WI
2518IJordan IvesGladstone, MI
2652Brent StrelkaFreedom, WI
2714Eugene Gregorich, Jr.Amherst, WI
2899Adam RoyleLonsdale, MN
292Zach PreissWisconsin Dells, WI

8-Lap Heat One

Pos#NameHometown
199Adam RoyleLonsdale MN
218Frank NitzkeBerlin WI
340Jeremy LepakRingle WI
433Reagan MayWest De Pere WI
582J. HerbstWest Salem WI
622Landry PotterLake Geneva WI
711Bobby KendallMontello WI
831Corey JankowskiTomah WI
911Chris GrimesPulaski WI
1078Wyatt BlasheClintonville WI
112Zach PreissWisconsin Dells WI
1248Brad KeithWest Bend WI
1318Jordan IvesGladstone MI

8-Lap Heat Two

Pos#NameHometown
158Cardell PotterCamp Douglas WI
23Jeff WeinfurterWisconsin Rapids WI
314Eugene Gregorich Jr.Amherst WI
404Natalie DeckerEagle River WI
5711Travis VolmMosinee WI
632Steve LichtfeldPortage WI
752Brent StrelkaFreedom WI
836Tom Gee Jr.Sobieski WI
97Kelsey BauerWest Bend WI
1044Mike LichtfeldPardeeville WI
1145Jim Sauter Jr.Tomah WI
122Zach PreissWisconsin Dells WI

Fast Five Dash

Pos#NameHometown
18Billy MohnLakeville MN
2119Dalton Zehr Port Orange FL
379Morgan RasmussenTwin Falls ID
491Ty MajeskiSeymour WI
522Nick PanitzkeLakeville MN

Fast Qualifier: Nick Panitzke – 18.306 seconds

MAY DAY! ANOTHER ROOKIE FINDS VICTORY LANE IN A TUNDRA EVENT

WEST SALEM, Wis. (July 26, 2014) – Saturday Night at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway provided a little bit of history repeating itself. One year and one week after Paige Decker became the first female and rookie to win a TUNDRA feature, the feat was restored.

Dean’s Satellite Rookie contender Reagan May captured the 6’10″ trophy from Johnny’s Hobbies on Saturday night in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Five Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes and Habelman Brothers Company Cranberries.

“I’m kind of still in shock,” May said in Victory Lane.  “I’m not sure if this is a dream or if this is actually happening.”

What may have been most shocking was how the 20-year-old from West De Pere, Wis., captured the win in her first visit to the five-eighths mile.  Not only did she grab the lead at the outset from the top line, May selected the outside groove on two separate restarts, and was able to pull away.

Those familiar with LaCrosse were left with their jaws to drop as the gamble paid off.  Eight-time LaCrosse Champion Kevin Nuttleman stopped by May’s trailer after the race to compliment her on her mastery of the tricky outside line.

“Ever since I raced dirt I loved going on the outside groove.  I carried the momentum and obviously it worked tonight,” she said.  “I hadn’t raced the low line all night, so I figured I would keep taking the high line.”

Earlier in the event May captured a heat race win from the top line.  In the feature she was able to get a jump on pole-sitter Brad Keith to nose ahead to an early lead.  Keith held on to the inside line for the first two laps, but May was able to clear and begin to build her lead by lap three.

Once May took the top spot Keith was left to fight off the advances of Adam Royle and Ty Majeski.  Royle took the second spot on lap six and left the door open for Majeski to slide to third on the same circuit.  By this time May had built a lead of nearly 15 car-lengths.

May, Royle and Majeski continued to break away from the rest of the field as Keith was challenged by Bobby Kendall and, eventually, Eugene Gregorich Jr.  Kendall slipped past Keith on lap ten and Gregorich took fifth just two laps later.  Behind Gregorich, fast-qualifier Brandon Selle began marching toward the top five.  He found his way to sixth by lap 15.  Unfortunately for Gregorich and Selle, both drivers later experienced ailing machines and fell out of the top ten.

The first caution of the race fell on lap 20.  As May was approaching lapped traffic Steve Lichtfeld and Wyatt Blashe came together on the front stretch.  Blashe spun and Lichtfeld made heavy contact with the outside wall.  He was unharmed, but was unable to continue the race.

When the Barricade Flasher Service TUNDRA Barrel was placed May jumped to the outside line.  May’s decision left the inside line open for Royle to take without hesitation.  Majeski, who earlier in the night used the bottom line to win in the LaCrosse Late Models, also ducked to the bottom behind Royle.

When the green fell, Royle kept close with May through the first set of turns.  May continued to use the open space up top to slide up, grab momentum and get a strong run out of the turns.  Two laps after the restart May had put Royle in the rear view mirror.

As May started to rebuild her lead the complexion of the top ten continued to change.  Point leader Dalton Zehr started behind the 10-car invert after qualifying 14th earlier in the night.  On lap 23 he moved past Gregorich into sixth.  Two laps later he moved past Selle into the top five.  Two laps after that, he surpassed Kendall for fourth.  Just as Zehr was preparing to challenge Majeski for third the caution fell on lap 30 for a Frank Nitzke spin in turn one.

Just as she did on the first restart, May selected the outside line, leaving the inside line for Royle.  On this restart Royle was able to hang close with May and even nosed ahead on a couple of occasions.

“[Royle] was coming on fast,” May said.  “I knew he was a good driver, a good car, so I knew it was going to be hard at the end, especially with all of those cautions.”

The action picked up with eight to go as May and Royle continued to scrap for the lead.  Behind them Zehr worked the outside line on Majeski.  The two made contact in turn four and washed up the track.  Donny Reuvers, who quietly had moved to fifth, took advantage with a three-wide pass to the bottom.  The veteran move gave Reuvers a chance to challenge the top pair.

With just four laps remaining Royle again tested the inside line.  Once more May proved too strong on the top line.  May pulled away with three laps to go, leaving Royle to try to fend off Reuvers.  Although Reuvers got to the inside on the final lap, he was unable to take the second spot from Royle.  Majeski finished fourth and Zehr rounded out the top five.

The win put May in the history books as the second female and rookie to win a TUNDRA event.  The timing was ironic enough, being exactly one year and one week later.  Some of the other similarities are eerie.  Decker had also led wire-to-wire starting from the outside pole.  Both drivers captured the win at 20 years of age.

As a bonus, May also jumped to the top of the charts in the Dean’s Satellite Rookie chase.  She now sits eighth in TUNDRA standings and has a 17-point edge on Tommy Gee, who was unable to start the feature due to mechanical failure earlier in the evening.  Mike Lichtfeld is third in the rookie battle, just 19 points behind May.

At the top of the standings another consistent run paid off for Zehr.  His fifth-place finish helped him stretch out his point lead to 27 markers.  Majeski’s fourth-place finish moved him into the runner up spot by two-points over Gregorich.

Defending TUNDRA Champion Nick Panitzke was able to salvage what could have been a disastrous blow to his title defense thanks to the help of Michael Bilderback.  Bilderback gave up his ride so Panitzke could start the feature and attempt to gain points.  Panitzke finished 19th.  He and Kendall now sit tied for fourth 41 points behind Zehr.

TUNDRA will experience the quickest turnaround between races as the series moves to Marshfield Motor Speedway this Saturday, August 2 for Round Six Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes.  TUNDRA will be joined by the Pure Stocks, X-treme 4s and Bandits. Qualifying is scheduled for 6 p.m. with racing to begin at 7:30.

Marshfield Motor Speedway is located at 10853 Cty Road H just outside of Marshfield, Wis. For more information visit www.marshfieldspeedway.com.

The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA) Super Late Model Series was formed in 2011 as the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park. TUNDRA’s business plan is based on a sustainable program for promoters and race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the 2014 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

2014 Round Five – LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway

Johnnie’s Hobbies 40

Pos#NameHometown
133Reagan MayWest De Pere, WI
299Adam RoyleLonsdale, MN
341Donny RueversDundas, MN
491Ty MajeskiSeymour, WI
5119Dalton ZehrDaytona Beach, FL
622Dennis PruntyKnowles, WI
779Morgan RasmussenTwin Falls, ID
811Bobby KendallMontello, WI
98Billy MohnLakeville, MN
1031Corey JankowskiTomah, WI
117Kelsey BauerWest Bend, WI
1298Brandon SelleDale, WI
1344Mike LichtfeldPardeeville, WI
1414Eugene Gregorich, Jr.Amherst, WI
1518NFrank NitzkeBerlin, WI
1618IJordan IvesGladstone, MI
1719John Baumeister, Jr.Lake Geneva, WI
1878Wyatt BlasheClintonville, WI
1922Nick PanitzkeLakeville, MN
2040Jim DuchowAppleton, WI
2143Brad PowellWest Salem, WI
2282Jay HerbstWest Salem, WI
2348Brad KeithWest Bend, WI
2432Steve LichtfeldPortage, WI

8-Lap Heat One

Pos#DriverHometown
1119Zehr 
222Prunty 
311Kendall 
479Rasmussen 
544M. Lichtfeld 
67Bauer 
782Herbst 
818NNitzke 
978Blashe 
1048Keith 
1136Tom Gee Jr.Sobieski, WI

8-Lap Heat Two

Pos#DriverHometown
133May 
299Royle 
38Mohn 
42Michael BilderbackSouth Beloit, IL
540Duchow 
619Baumeister 
731Jankowski 
818IIves 
932S. Lichtfeld 
103Tom MuhrExira, IA  

Fast Five Dash

Pos#DriverHometown
143Powell 
214Gregorich 
341Reuvers 
491Majeski 
598Selle 

Fast Qualifier: Brandon Selle – 19.469 seconds

ZEHR HOLDS THE LINE IN ROUND FOUR AT NORWAY

NORWAY, Mich. (July 6, 2014) – Expectations aren’t always easy to live up to – just ask defending Norway Speedway Champion Dalton Zehr.

Viewed as a favorite for Saturday’s Island Resort and Casino Stateline Challenge at Norway, Zehr was able to meet and exceed those expectations by capturing his second TUNDRA Super Late Model Series feature win of the season.

In an event that has featured winners from Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, Zehr put the state of Florida on the prestigious list. Although he calls Florida home, Zehr spends the summer months in Menominee, Mich.

“I’ve been racing with these TUNDRA guys for a long time and I’ve had pretty good success here at Norway, so they all kind of expected it out of me. It was a lot of pressure,” he commented in victory lane of TUNDRA Round Four Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes.

After setting fast time earlier in the evening, Zehr charged to the front and stole the lead from Dan Lindsley with 17 laps remaining in the feature.

“It was a tough field. On the initial start we kind of moved backwards, but we had a really fast car,” Zehr said. “Nick Panitzke and Dan Lindsley were strong all night. It’s just really cool to be here in Victory Lane at Norway Speedway.”

Before getting his chance to work through the field, Zehr and his fellow fast qualifiers were forced to exercise some patience. The initial start was waved off when Jeff Weinfurter spun in the middle of the field. Travis Dassow took advantage of a clean start the next time around as he jumped away from pole-sitter Brandon Selle to pace the early circuits.

The outside line moved quickly at the start. Michael Bilderback followed Dassow into second and brought Panitzke and Lindsley to third and fourth. Before the leaders could start battling for position the yellow flew for a spin involving several cars at the tail of the field.

Again, the outside line was the stronger on the restart, but this time it was Bilderback who was able to jump away after choosing the top line when the Barricade Flasher Service TUNDRA Barrel was placed. His opportunity to get away from the pack was short-lived as another caution fell on lap five when Mike Lichtfeld and Bobby Kendall tangled.

Bilderback swung to the outside for the restart and again was able to get away from Dassow. This time, however, Panitzke followed into second. Two laps after the restart Panitzke made the move past Bilderback to the top spot. The night then came to an unfortunate end for Bilderback as water spewed out of his machine on lap 13. He dropped out, surrendering the second spot to Lindsley.

As Panitzke built up his advantage over the field the tandem of Claire Decker and Dalton Zehr began to work through the top five. By lap 16 Decker and Zehr had worked past Dassow to third and fourth. Slowly the duo began to reel in Lindsley, who, in turn, was closing the gap on the leader.

The field tightened up after a caution on lap 23 when Jordan Ives and Frank Nitzke came together. As the field rolled under the caution flag Claire Decker’s machine appeared to lose power. Decker pulled into the infield and was pushed back to the pit area, bringing an end to her bid for the win.

With weather approaching the field was set free on a single-file restart. The trio of Panitzke, Lindsley and Zehr quickly dashed away from fourth-place Eugene Greogorich Jr. Although Panitzke held the lead, he was anything but comfortable. Lindsley challenged Panitzke, while Zehr tried to swipe second. Another yellow flew on lap 28 when a physical battle between Dassow and Reagan May reached a breaking point, sending May spinning.

The top three again broke away on the restart to settle the lead amongst themselves. Panitzke showed the way until lap 32 when Lindsley moved to the inside and took the lead. Zehr was also able to move past Panitzke into second. Once clear of Panitzke, Zehr prepared to challenge Lindsley.

A few attempts to the inside came up shy for Zehr until a yellow came out with 23 laps remaining for debris falling off May’s machine. At this point a new face had moved into the top five an appeared ready to challenge for the lead – Mark Mackesy.

Lindsley led the charge back to the green flag with Zehr right on his bumper. As they prepared to battle, Mackesy started to survey lines around Panitzke, who was nursing a machine with braking problems.

With 17 laps remaining Zehr found his opening and ducked to the inside of Lindsley to grab the top spot. Lindsley was left to try to hold off Panitzke and Mackesy until another yellow fell with just ten laps remaining.

Zehr and Lindsley stepped away for the next six laps. Lindsley stayed close, but not close enough to attack. He would get one final shot on another restart with four laps to go, but again Zehr eluded Lindsley. He would cruise to the checkered flag by three car lengths over the field. Mackesy made a late pass to grab third from Panitzke and Frank Nitzke completed a strong late run to round out the top five.

A fast time and a feature win marked the second time Zehr managed to accomplish both. He set fast time and won at Dells Raceway Park on July 1, 2011. It was the second race in a row the top qualifier also grabbed the checkered. This season fast qualifiers have finished no worse than second.

By grabbing the win Zehr built up a 16 point cushion over Gregorich. The pair had shared the point lead entering the event. Panitzke’s strong run propelled him to third in the standings, Mackesy and his teammate Ty Majeski now sit fourth and Kendall rounds out the top five.

TUNDRA will take a three-week break before springing into action for two consecutive weeks. Round Five is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wis. The following week, Saturday, August 2, TUNDRA will travel to Marshfield Motor Speedway for Round Six.

The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA) Super Late Model Series was formed in 2011 as the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series at Dells Raceway Park. TUNDRA’s business plan is based on a sustainable program for promoters and race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the 2014 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

2014 Round Four – Norway Speedway

Island Resort & Casino Stateline Challenge 60

Pos#NameHometown
1119Dalton ZehrDaytona Beach, FL
279Dan LindsleyVulcan, MI
312Mark MackesyWausau, AL
422Nick PanitzkeLakeville, MN
518NFrank NitzkeBerlin, WI
640Jeremy LepakRingle, WI
714Eugene Gregorich, Jr.Amherst, WI
818IJordan IvesGladstone, MI
944Mike LichtfeldPardeeville, WI
102KDillon KralovetzBonduel, WI
1131Corey JankowskiTomah, WI
1236Tom Gee Jr.Sobieski, WI
1352Tom LindquistBark River, MI
1498Brandon SelleDale, WI
1511Bobby KendallMontello, WI
168Billy MohnLakeville, MN
1733Reagan MayWest De Pere, WI
1835Travis DassowWest Bend, WI
1952Brent StrelkaFreedom, WI
2001Claire DeckerEagle River, AL
213Jeff WeinfurterWisconsin Rapids, WI
222Michael BilderbackSouth Beloit, IL
2341Scott StanchinaKingsford, MI
247Kelsey BauerWest Bend, WI
2532Steve LichtfeldPortage, WI
2633Mike D’AngeloGwinn, MI
2779Morgan RasmussenTwin Falls, ID

Country Plumber Shootout 30

Pos#DriverHometown
133Tyler BauknechtReedsville, WI
25Brian StanchinaQuinnesec, MI
313Cory CootwareKingsford, MI
421Jason BlohmDagget, MI
526Kim KlitzkeMenominee, MI
631Jason WellsKingsford, MI
744Craig ScheiMenominee, MI
811Chris GrimesPulaski, WI
913Paul RadovichEl Dorado, WI

12-Lap Qualifying Heat One

1Gee (Transfer)
2Lichtfeld
3Schei
4B. Stanchina
5Cootware
6Grimes
7Blohm
8Klitzke

12-Lap Qualifying Heat Two

1Lindquist (Transfer)
2Radovich
3Wells
4Bauknecht
5Bauer
6D’Angelo
7Blashe

9-Lap Gong Show

1Lepak (Transfer)
2Kralovetz (Transfer)
3Gee
4S. Lichtfeld
5Blashe
6Wells

Fast Five Dash

1Panitzke
2Gregorich
3Zehr
4Lindsley
5Kendall

Fast Qualifier: Dalton Zehr – 14.464 seconds