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 14^th 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 19^th.  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).

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).

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).