JEFFERSON, Wis. (June 21) – On a day when all teams had to weather the early rain storms, Casey Johnson had to ride out a storm of his own to claim his first TUNDRA Super Late Model Series feature win. Johnson kept poised through several botched starts and melees to set himself up for a quick run to the front in Saturday’s Round Three at Jefferson Speedway.

The two-time Jefferson Champion eventually restarted in sixth on a lap two, carefully picked his way through the top three and worked his way past early-race leader Mike Lichtfeld on lap 14.

“I’ve been coming here all my life. When the Super Lates come it’s awesome, so to win this is something special,” Johnson explained to a large and enthusiastic crowd. “We couldn’t ask for much more. All of my family and everyone I know are out here, so it’s pretty awesome.”

Originally 13th on the starting grid, Johnson became the fourth fast qualifier to win the feature in a TUNDRA event. Frank Kreyer, Dalton Zehr and Corey Jankowski all accomplished the feat in the series’ first season at Dells Raceway Park in 2011.

For the drivers who would find themselves in the front of the feature, patience was key at the start. Two incidents marred the beginning of the feature event. First Billy Mohn and Steve Rubeck made contact while going for the same plot of real estate in turn one. After another start was called off, one lap was completed before Bobby Kendall and Brent Strelka were victims of the same circumstance.

Eventually the field began to log laps when Brandon Selle and Lichtfeld led the field to green. Just behind Lichtfeld and Ryan Farrell, Johnson jumped to third on lap three. By lap five Johnson was to second and setting his sights on the early-race leader Lichtfeld.

Quick advances were also being made by TUNDRA point leader Eugene Gregorich Jr., defending Champion Nick Panitzke and Dalton Zehr. Panitzke and Zehr struggled during qualifying earlier in the day, and started in the two spots behind Johnson – 15th and 17th.

Sensing Johnson was about to break away, Gregorich weaved his way to fourth by lap seven. As he began to put pressure on Farrell for third, Johnson caught Lichtfeld and began to survey his opportunities. As he had done so many times before at Wisconsin’s Action Track Johnson waited for the right moment to claim the inside line. After two laps of dispute Johnson took the lead and started to build his advantage.

“Mike raced me awesome,” Johnson said of his battle for the lead. “Sometimes it’s tough to tell with the newcomers coming in here if they’ll know how to race you.”

Six laps after Johnson took the lead the yellow came down again for a spin by Steve Lichtfeld. Johnson had no trouble getting away from Mike Lichtfeld, leaving battles for positions in the top five in his rear view mirror. Farrell began to test Lichtfeld for second while Panitzke went to work on Gregorich for fifth behind Majeski.

On lap 22 Gregorich snapped loose heading into turn one below Panitzke. He washed up, made contact with Panitzke, who went spinning. Gregorich eventually gave the gentlemen’s agreement, giving Panitzke his position back, while the TUNDRA point leader would go to the tail for the restart.

Before the green fell again Farrell surrendered his second spot with a mechanical issue. Through all of the shake up, Majeski moved to second, and was on the inside line of Johnson when the field was set free from caution again. Just as he did with Lichtfeld, Johnson was able to turn back the challenge of Majeski.

The top two broke away from the pack over the next green flag run leaving Lichtfeld to deal with Panitzke and Dalton Zehr. That run lasted until the midway point of the feature when Corey Jankowski went spinning in turn three.

Once again Johnson proved strong on the restart. Although Majeski held even going into turns three and four, Johnson eventually got away. Panitzke took advantage of the restart to grab third from Lichtfeld and Dalton Zehr eventually grabbed fourth.

The final shred of adversity came for Johnson when he caught lapped traffic with 15 laps to go. Majeski made up some ground, but would eventually lose it once Johnson was clear. The lapped traffic helped Panitzke catch up, but he could not mount a challenge.

Just after Johnson and the top five took the white flag, the yellow came out for a spin in turn two involving Ty James, Reagan May and Kendall. The race was deemed official and Johnson finally could lay claim to a Super Late Model win at his home track.

Majeski held on for second, Nick Panitzke third, Dalton Zehr fourth and Mike Lichtfeld rounded out the top five.

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is Round Four Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Norway Speedway. It will be the first time in the series’ four-year history that it will travel across state lines.

Norway Speedway is located on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds on Highway 8 just outside of Norway, Michigan. For more information visit http://www.norwayspeedway.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).

PLOVER, Wis. (May 27, 2014) – Every lap, every turn, every one-thousandth of a second. It all mattered for Michael Bilderback on Monday afternoon in TUNDRA Round Two Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Golden Sands Speedway.

With no room for error on the final lap, the 22 year old from South Beloit, Illinois held off fast-timer and home-track-favorite Eugene Gregorich Jr. in a photo finish that left a near-capacity crowd holding their breath, awaiting the result.

In the end Gregorich’s charge from his 14th-place starting spot came up just shy in the 60-lap main event. Testing the outside line several times over the final five laps, Gregorich got his best run on the final circuit. He was able to pull even with Bilderback exiting turn two and stayed nose-to-nose through turns three and four. Bilderback found just enough to win by the nose of his racer.

“I saw him coming and I knew we had to step it up and we did,” Bilderback said. “I had a feeling he was going to try it on the outside but we found something in the old gas tank to stay out front.”

Gregorich, who dropped out of last year’s Memorial Day TUNDRA feature at Golden Sands could only shake off coming up short. “I feel like I’m just destined to be the bridesmaid in this race,” he said in a post-race interview.

Ironically enough, it was Gregorich who may have sealed his fate earlier in the afternoon. During opening ceremonies Gregorich rolled an six, which created the 14-car invert and placed Bilderback on the pole for the feature. Bilderback wasted no time jumping away from fellow front-row starter Jordan Ives. He then built up a five-car advantage as Ives tried to fend off Bobby Kendall, who entered the event with the TUNDRA point lead.

As Kendall worked over and eventually slipped past Ives the fastest qualifiers were mired in traffic. Gregorich was forced to exercise patience as he trailed fellow fast-dash competitors Dalton Zehr and Claire Decker. Behind them Gregorich found his way to the top ten by lap 21.

As that grouping worked its way into the top ten, the driver on the move was Jeremy Lepak. Lepak patiently picked his way through the top five and up to the third spot by the halfway point. Behind him Dean’s Satellite Rookie Reagan May, Matt Pyburn and Brandon Selle were jockeying for position. Eventually Pyburn broke away from that grouping and made a pass on Lepak for third.

The lone caution of the race fell on lap 35 when Brad Keith looped his machine exiting turn two. When the Barricade Flasher Service TUNDRA Barrel was placed for lane choice, Kendall decided to stay on the bottom line in the tire tracks of Bilderback. Pyburn jumped to the top and joined the leader in the front row for the restart.

When the green was dropped Pyburn held strong on the outside. However, his challenges were turned away by Bilderback. Further back in the field Zehr and Decker made contact sending last year’s TUNDRA Champion and the rest of the field scrambling to avoid danger. Everyone was able to keep pointed in the right direction and carry forward. However, the group in front of those drivers – now including Gregorich – were able to jump away to settle the top five spots.

With time and space to operate Gregorich made his first appearance as he swung past May on lap 42. One lap later Gregorich muscled the fourth spot away from Lepak. Just two laps later Pyburn fell victim to the fast-surging Gregorich.

Once in the third spot Gregorich needed only five laps to chew up the real estate to catch Kendall. With ten laps remaining Gregorich worked past Kendall and set his sights on Bilderback.

As the laps clicked away Bilderback’s lead shrunk. With seven laps to go it dropped to three car lengths. Gregorich then caught Bilderback with five to go and took several chances on the high side before coming up just short at the line as the checkered flew.

In a sense TUNDRA Round Two looked very much like Round One. Fast qualifier Bobby Kendall charged from deep in the field to challenge pole-sitter and eventual winner Dalton Zehr. This time it was Gregorich who provided nervous moments for the driver who paced all 60 circuits. Each lap wasn’t without a challenge, however.

“I figured [Kendall] would be strong, and he was. Then Pyburn came up to the outside; I thought that was going to be a good run and it was,” Bilderback explained. “Then I had Gregorich. Yeah I started on the pole, but a ‘W’ is a ‘W.’”

The win holds extra significance for Bilderback as it was his first in TUNDRA, first podium finish in a TUNDRA race and his first appearance in a Super Late Model at Golden Sands. He had competed in a Big 8 Late Model earlier in his career at the third-mile

“We struggled a lot in practice. Every practice session we were changing the kitchen sink. We got it back by race time, and I think I like this place now.”

Following Bilderback and Gregorich to the stripe were Kendall, who enjoyed yet another strong run, Lepak, who surged early in the event and May, who found the top five in just her second TUNDRA start.

With his drive to the front Gregorich took the point lead from Kendall, due to passing points. His advantage sits at six points over the Montello driver. Zehr, Lepak and Panitzke round out the top five in early season standings. Tommy Gee continues to pace the field of rookies with a 17-point advantage over Travis Rodewald.

The next event for TUNDRA is Round Three Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Jefferson Speedway. Nick Panitzke was victorious in the rain-shortened event last season. The tight quarter-mile featured frantic three-wide racing and incredible battles for position. It will be the first time in 2014 TUNDRA will compete under the lights.

Jefferson Speedway is located on Highway 18 just outside of Jefferson, Wis. For more information visit http://www.jeffersonspeedway.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).

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (May 10, 2014) – The first 42 laps of Round One Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes were smooth sailing for Dalton Zehr Saturday afternoon at Wisconsin International Raceway. However, a caution with eight laps remaining brought some instability, and some hearty challenges.

Zehr was able to escape on three separate restarts and hold on for victory in the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series opener for the second season in a row. The win was Zehr’s sixth career TUNDRA victory in 16 starts.

Although the inside line is the preferred groove during green flag conditions, Zehr selected the outside line each time the Barricade Flasher Service TUNDRA barrel was placed. Zehr was able to jump away from Tommy Gee Jr. on the first two restarts with eight laps to go. The third restart brought a tough test in fast-qualifier Bobby Kendall.

“That was a lot like work right there,” Zehr commented of the restart with seven laps remaining. “He definitely gave me a hard run. I’m glad it wasn’t any longer.”

As the duo dashed into turn one on lap 43, Zehr charged the outside and washed up, hoping for a momentum run off turn two. Kendall was able to stay side-by-side with Zehr until they exited the second turn, where Zehr found his run and pulled ahead of Kendall.

“He had a really good run and I was able to get him off the corner,” Zehr said. “He was good to me. I know that.”

Kendall, who has two years of experience racing weekly at WIR, battled from the 13th-starting spot. He felt as though he gave everything he had left on the final display of the green flag.

“I thought I needed to get him on the restart,” Kendall said. “[Our car] was fast all day. We just didn’t have enough tires at the end. We had some good runs off of two, but he was strong on the outside.”

A fortunate inversion placed Zehr on the pole after a 14th-place qualifying effort. He and TUNDRA Dean’s Satellite Rookie Travis Rodewald paced the 28-car feature field to the first green of 2014. A quick move by Zehr allowed him to slip past Rodewald and grab the point position by the time the field hit the back stretch.

As Zehr paced the field through the first ten laps of the main, the top five began to see a change in complexion. Gee made a move on Rodewald and grabbed second on lap 11. Six laps later defending WIR Champion Jeff VanOudenhoven made the move past Rodewald to third.

By the halfway point of the feature a trio of hard-charging contenders worked their way into the top ten. Michael Bilderback, Kendall and Eugene Gregorich Jr. lined up behind defending TUNDRA Champ Nick Panitzke and readied themselves to run toward the top five.

With a lot of track space to make up, it was clear that the hard chargers needed some help to have the opportunity to challenge for the win. That help came on lap 42 when Morgan Rasmussen spun exiting turn four.

The field realigned with Gee and Zehr in the front row. VanOudenhoven and Ty Majeski set up in the second row. Behind them were the duos of Bilderback and Rodewald and Kendall and Gregorich.

Zehr broke away from Gee at the drop of the green, but the restart was short-lived. Majeski and Bilderback came together, sending Majeski into a spin. The field was able to avoid Majeski as only he and Bilderback were deemed involved. Unfortunately for Bilderback, some damage was sustained to the rack and he was unable to continue.

The ensuing restart saw the same front row, but aligned VanOudenhoven with Kendall in the second row. As Zehr jumped away again, Kendall followed in his tire tracks and stole second from Gee. An axle on the race track brought out the final caution which set up the Zehr versus Kendall restart.

Driving for WIR-based Chase Motorsports, a win for Zehr was doubly sweet to start the season. It set the tone not only for another run at a TUNDRA title, but potentially for a weekly title at the facility, as well.

“It was a team effort. We put in a lot of effort here and it paid off,” he said. “[Winning both titles] can be done, but that’s a tall order. We started off on the right foot here and for [the TUNDRA] season.”

Chase Motorsports also utilize power plants from B&B Race Engines. Sadly, B&B owner Bruce Mueller passed away Saturday morning. The win was a fitting tribute to a local racing icon.

Another B&B powered machine, that of Tom Gee, completed the podium. It was a strong showing for the WIR local who will be chasing the Rookie of the Year title.

“We’ll go home with a third place and a clean car. That’s what it’s all about,” Gee said. “Overall the car was great.”

The best showing by a WIR local who will not be chasing the TUNDRA title this season was Kyle Calmes, who made a late charge to finish fourth. Travis Dassow rounded out the top five.

Austin Nason outlasted Dan Lindsley in a dazzling side-by-side display to claim the 25-lap Country Plumber Shootout.

Due to passing points, and bonus points from qualifying, Kendall secured the TUNDRA point lead after Round One. His 125 point output is the largest by a TUNDRA driver under the current point format. Calmes’ passing points propelled him into second in standings, and a charge from Joey Garjoni from 22nd to 10th placed him tied for third in standings with Gregorich, who finished seventh after starting 18th. Zehr is fifth in standings.

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is Round Two Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Golden Sands Speedway on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Zehr is the defending winner of that event. Paige Decker picked up a win in the last TUNDRA appearance at GSS last July.

Golden Sands Speedway is located on Highway 54 just outside of Plover, Wis. For more information visit http://www.gssraces.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).

SLINGER, Wis. (September 12, 2013) – Plenty of buzz surrounded the Slinger regulars prior to TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Six last Sunday, and for good reason. Drivers with Slinger ties swept the top six spots in the 75-lap feature.

However, the next six spots were taken by TUNDRA Travelers. Among those next six were TUNDRA Champion Nick Panitkze, a hard-charging Dalton Zehr and Eugene Gregorich Jr.

“We needed a little bit more to be competitive, especially at the beginning,” said Panitzke, who sealed the title by starting the main. “The car came around for the end; we just didn’t have enough laps. We had a couple circumstances that kept us out of the front pack, but we’re happy with it. It gave us something to work with if we come here next year.”

Panitzke started in the sixth spot and fell out of the top ten early in the race. After about the midway point the Lakeville, Minn., driver found his way back into the top ten. He continued to challenge the likes of Mike Egan, Frank Kreyer and Travis Dassow in the second half of the race, but could not catch the front six.

Having the title sealed gave Panitzke an opportunity to feel comfortable becoming reacquainted with Slinger. His strong runs in Rounds Two through Five, coupled with Cardell Potter’s podium finish at Golden Sands were enough to give him that breathing room.

“Obviously we got a great start with what Cardell did at Golden Sands,” Panitzke said. “We started off winning at Jefferson, and that was a great start for us. We had everything go right for us right from the get-go. We couldn’t have asked for a better year and we look forward to next year.”

If not for a few bad luck runs by Zehr in the middle rounds of the season, Panitzke may have been sweating a little more behind the wheel of his machine Sunday.

After failing to time in, and missing the cut in the Gong Show by one spot, Zehr was a man on a mission from the drop of the green in the 15-lap Bonafide “Locked In” Last Chance Race. Zehr easily captured the win and began the feature in 23rd.

Zehr’s machine remained on point through the 75-lap feature. By the midway point he had moved from the final row up into a top ten spot. On the final restart Zehr chose the outside at the TUNDRA Barrel and restarted sixth. Unfortunately for Zehr the extra laps and hard charging resulted in weary tires. He recorded a seventh-place finish.

Of the top three in TUNDRA standings coming in, Zehr and Panitzke had tested Slinger Speedway in the past. Eugene Gregorich Jr. had not. Coming off a feature win and a title at Marshfield on Saturday, Gregorich qualified 22nd. He received a provisional into the feature. Gregorich hung in and spent most of the race contesting seven-time Slinger Champion Lowell Bennett. He finished 12th, but dipped to third in standings because of Zehr’s strong run.

Paige Decker – 2013 Dean’s Satellite TUNDRA Rookie of the Year (Dave Olson speedgraphicscompany.com photo)

Several other TUNDRA spots in the top ten swapped hands at Slinger. The most significant swap was the difference in the Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year battle between Paige Decker and Matt Pyburn. Pyburn had a four-point lead over Decker heading into Sunday. Both drivers qualified for the main, but Pyburn was left with an uphill climb.

Decker qualified in the 12th spot which granted her a third-place start in the feature. Pyburn, although admittedly thrilled to make the show on time, needed to climb from 16th to content. However, Pyburn would have the opportunity to accumulate passing points while Decker needed to hold at the front of the field.

As some of the Slinger regulars ascended through the field Decker patiently held in the top ten. With Decker continuing to ride, Pyburn was in need of a charge through the field. Unfortunately for Pyburn, it was a charge that did not come. Just past the midway point Pyburn spun in turns one and two and made contact with the outside retaining wall. Pyburn retired, finishing 23rd while Decker carried on to finish 16th. She grabbed the Rookie of the Year title by just three points over Pyburn.

The TUNDRA Travelers, most making their first trip to Slinger, fared much better against the Slinger regulars than anticipated. The feature was evenly split with 12 TUNDRA drivers (including Mike Egan and Travis Dassow) and 12 Slinger Standouts. Both last chance races were won by TUNDRA drivers who had to wrestle spots away from Slinger regulars.

Perhaps Round Six winner Brad Mueller put the best wrap on the TUNDRA Travelers’ day at Slinger. “For the most part, the people that had never seen the track before that were all pretty green, they did a really, really good job. They have a lot to be proud of because this isn’t the easiest place in the world to race at.”

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 final 2013 standings, archived results and standings, and more visit http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

By Dan Margetta
Slinger, Wis., Sept. 8—Brad Mueller charged to the lead following a lap 51 restart and held off a closing Dennis Prunty to win the Tundra Super Late Model Series 75-lap season finale Sunday afternoon at the Slinger Super Speedway.

“This car was awesome today, “Mueller said from victory lane, “I have to thank my crew as they worked really hard this week.”

“This has been a dream come true, “Mueller continued, “I won my dirt race last night (at Plymouth) and then to win to win at Slinger Speedway on Sunday, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Billy Mohn and Dale Prunty brought the field to the green flag and the two swapped paint and the lead as they battled through the opening laps before Prunty was able to edge ahead from the outside. Behind the lead duo, James Swan, Travis Dassow, Paige Decker, and Jeff Holtz raced hard for position. The inside lane was the place to be early and Mohn and Decker found that out as they began to fade from the outside as Swan, Dassow, and Holtz all raced by. Brad Mueller, Dennis Prunty, Steve Apel, and Austin Luedtke also used the inside to advance forward as Dale Prunty continued to lead over Swan. Swan caught up to Prunty’s rear bumper and began to pressure him for the lead, peeking to the inside off the corners on numerous occasions. Eventually Swan was able to duck to the inside of Prunty off turn four to draw even with him as they raced through turns one and two and then use lapped traffic as a pick entering turn three to take the command of the race. While the leaders battled, Holtz, Mueller, Apel, and Dennis Prunty all were able to close the gap and lined up directly behind the top two. The first caution flag waved on lap 45 when Frank Kreyer spun in turn three while racing with Travis Dassow. Swan maintained the lead on the restart while Holtz used the lane cone to line up alongside as the field completed two laps before the yellow flag appeared again when Matt Pyburn spun into the turn one wall. This time the outside lane wasn’t as kind to Holtz and when racing resumed, Mueller, Apel, and Dennis Prunty all charged by in the lower groove as Swan continued to lead. Holtz continued to fall back in the upper groove as Austin Luedtke and Conrad Morgan went by and when Dale Prunty attempted to find a way around, both he and Holtz spun against the turn three wall, drawing the third caution flag on lap 51. Mueller also chose the outside lane for the restart and he used a strong run off turn four to challenge Swan for the lead, pulling even as they entered turn one. Mueller maintained the momentum through the turn and upon exiting turn two, was able to edge ahead and drop down in front of Swan before they entered turn three to take the lead. Dennis Prunty followed Mueller in the outside lane and as he battled Swan for second, Mueller began to gradually ease away out front. Prunty and Swan raced side by side for several laps with Apel racing directly behind them as Mueller continued to pull away. Prunty was able to finally wrestle second away from Swan and began to close slightly on Mueller for the lead as the laps wound down. However, Mueller’s lead was too much to overcome and he drove under the checkered flag for the victory ahead of Prunty who finished a strong second. Swan crossed the finish line in third while Apel and Luedtke rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

Braison Bennett won the super late model Waterfurnace non-qualifiers race over Steve Lichtfeld and Claire Decker while super late model qualifying race wins were recorded by Dalton Zehr and Davey Pennel. Randy Schuler won the super late model Gong Show race over Curt Tillman as they transferred to the main event while Brad Mueller was the winner of the fast dash. Steve Apel was the fastest qualifier with a lap of 11.479 seconds.

MARSHFIELD, Wis. (August 10, 2013) – Throughout the TUNDRA Super Late Model season Eugene Gregorich Jr. had been foreshadowing a good chance of success in Round Five at Marshfield Motor Speedway.  On Saturday night, even though he didn’t sleep much the night before, the two-time Marshfield Champ turned that dream into a reality.

“I knew this was going to be our time to show the [other TUNRDA Travelers] that we’ve got something for them and things worked out,” Gregorich, of Amherst, Wis., said.  “Right from the drop of the green I knew that it was going to be a good car all night.”

VIDEO: Post-race interview with Winner Eugene Gregorich Jr.

VIDEO: Interview with second-place Mark Eswein

VIDEO: Interview with third-place Nick Panitzke

Full Results from TUNDRA Round Five at Marshfield Motor Speedway

Updated TUNDRA Points after Round Five

Gregorich and several team members pulled a near all-nighter to prepare his machine for the 50-lap main event.  After sustaining damage in a race at Golden Sands two weeks ago Gregorich finally found some good luck on the track where he claims he has turned the most laps.  Several early cautions allowed Gregorich to move to the front, take the lead on lap eight and turn aside several challenges on restarts.

“Everything kind of opened up for us,” he said.  “We had a fairly clear shot.  It was one of those deals where we were at the right place at the right time.”

Starting ninth in the 26-car main event, Gregorich caught a break right at the start of the feature.  Outside pole-sitter Davey Pennel sagged back and the inside line made a quick jump through the first two circuits.  By the time lap three clicked off Gregorich was up to third behind pole-sitter Cardell Potter and Billy Mohn.

The first caution of the race came on lap six when Jeremy Lepak spun in turn one. With the TUNDRA Barrel placed, Potter and Mohn squared off in the front row. Gregorich selected the inside of the second row and was flanked to the high side by Mark Eswein.

A jousting match ensued after the green flag between Mohn and Potter.  Mohn initially got the jump, but Potter dashed back to the lead on the inside line of turn three.  Unable to tuck back in line, Mohn was forced to watch Gregorich slide to the runner up spot and begin challenging for the lead.  Gregorich surveyed quickly and stole the lead from Potter exiting turn four on lap eight.

Before Gregorich had the chance to build on his advantage, a second caution flag flew when Frank Nitzke’s machine went up in smoke at the pit entrance.  By this point on lap ten fast qualifier Brandon Selle and dash winner Dalton Zehr were on the heels of Colin Reffner for the final spot in the top five.  After the caution those three continued their battle with unfortunate circumstances.

Two laps after the restart Selle and Reffner were racing in close quarters.  Selle was sent spinning off the backstretch, and with nowhere to go Dalton Zehr went off track as well.  Selle’s car was too badly damaged to continue.  Zehr, who entered just 11 points behind Nick Panitzke in the TUNDRA title chase also saw his day come to an end as he spun and nearly launched off the berm.

With two top contenders out of the event, Gregorich continued to capitalize on his chance to dominate in front of his family, friends and sponsors.  The strongest challenges came from Billy Mohn on several restarts, but Gregorich was able to keep him at bay.

“With that many restarts he starts learning what you’re doing so it’s easier for him to get a jump,” Gregorich said.  “You try to mix it up and maybe he catches you once, but the next time hopefully you get him.”

Mohn’s final restart chance came on lap 22 as a result of a skirmish between the top two Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year contenders.  Just outside the top ten Matt Pyburn and Paige Decker were racing for the same plot of real estate entering turn three.  The end result was Pyburn’s machine jumping on the hood of Decker’s as the two slid off the track and came to a rest just before riding the berm.  Both drivers were ok.

After a red flag for the cleanup, Gregorich and Mohn once again stared each other down to the green flag.  The end result was the same as Gregorich pulled away and went uncontested over the final 18 circuits.

Behind Gregorich, Mohn, Potter, Eswein and Panitzke scrambled for spots in the top five.  Potter returned to the runner up spot on lap 25, only to be overtaken by Eswein five laps later.  Potter later relinquished a spot to Mohn and eventually to his TUNDRA co-point leader Nick Panitzke.  With just four laps to go Panitzke took the opportunity to steal one more spot from Mohn and round out the podium.

“That’s all we were hoping for.  We figured this was our last shot,” Gregorich said of sealing the win at Marshfield.  “Slinger is one of those tracks where not a lot of [TUNDRA Travelers] race.  It’s going to open it up to whoever stays clean and brings the best car.  I feel we have a really good car for every track.”

A late run through the field, coupled with Zehr’s DNF allowed Panitzke to stretch his point lead to 39 markers and put a virtual stranglehold on the TUNDRA title heading to Slinger’s Round Six in September.

“It’s in the back of our minds really.  We really want to go to Slinger and do well more than focus on points,” Panitzke said.  “It’s really not playing too big of a role.  That’s why we’re doing things the way we are.  We’re still racing hard.”

The late run was all a part of the plan after coming to compete at the facility a week before, Panizke said.

“If we learned one thing from last week when we came here and tested it’s just conserve,” Panitzke said. “I guess I should have picked a little earlier time to get going.  I don’t know if I would have had anything for the two locals that are obviously pretty quick here.”

Eswein’s second-place finish met his goals.  Although he didn’t get his chance to contend with Gregorich, he was content with a car that was far better on the short runs that it was during the early cautions.

“I knew I could probably at least get to second seeing the tendencies of the cars ahead of me were and how good this one was getting on the long run,” Eswein said.

To contend among the 37 entries and come out with a podium at one of his home tracks left the long-time Central Wisconsin ace with a good impression.  “It’s a fairly inexpensive way to travel and it was nice for me to come here because it’s close to home.  We’ll see what kind of mood we’re in by the time TUNDRA goes to Slinger.”

When TUNDRA does head to Slinger for the sixth and final round it will be Gregorich in the runner up spot.  To gain 39 points would require fast time and a max invert of 14 for Gregorich to make up 39 points in the feature on Panitzke.  If Panitzke makes the dash, the invert is less than 14 or someone else sets fast time, he will seal the title.

Behind Panitzke, however, plenty of battles will be left to decide.  The separation from Gregorich to Pyburn in seventh is a mere 20 points.  Pyburn and Decker will also have a Rookie of the Year battle to settle as he leads her by four points.  Should they falter again, Claire Decker sits just 19 points back.

More details of TUNDRA Round Six at Slinger Speedway on Sunday afternoon, September 8 will be available as the event nears.  All weekly Slinger divisions except the Super Late Models will crown Champions on that afternoon.

Most weekly Slinger Super Late Models have expressed interest in joining what could be TUNDRA’s strongest car count in the three-year history of the series.

Slinger Speedway is located off of Hwy 41 and Highway 144 at 280 Cedar Creek Road, Slinger Wisconsin 53086.  For more information visitwww.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 standings, archived results and standings, the 2013 schedule and more visit www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).