by TUNDRA PR and State Park Speedway PR (Adam Glatczak)

WAUSAU, Wis. (August 13) – Justin Mondeik admits he hasn’t had the season he’d expected after capturing last year’s TUNDRA Super Late Model Series title. But as he showed Sunday afternoon at State Park Speedway, the season is far from over.

“It feels really good to get it done here at home,” Mondeik said of returning to Victory Lane. “It feels like it’s been a long year. It’s been hard to swallow, but we’ve been working really hard, and it feels really good to get a traveling series win.”

Mondeik captured the lead in the first third of the 75-lap Rib Mountain Rumble Presented by Mr. Brews Taphouse and surged away on a couple of restarts to score his second TUNDRA win at his home track and his fourth overall.

The defending TUNDRA Champion won under overcast skies that included brief sprinkles affecting practice laps earlier in the day, but eventually subsided to allow the completion of the SPS TUNDRA show for the first time in three years.

Mondeik also led a trio of SPS regulars who protected their home turf and swept the top three spots in the feature. Brock Heinrich of Wausau finished second and Wausau’s Travis Volm finished third, making up a top three that included this year’s SPS points leader and has combined for seven feature wins at the track in 2023.

Mondeik started seventh in a 16-car field for the feature and used the inside to quickly move into the top five. He got by Mitchell Haver of West Bend for fifth on lap 6, and then completed the pass of TUNDRA traveler Riley Stenjem of Utica on lap 12 after four laps racing side-by-side.

Mondeik then swooped past Jordan Thiel of Darboy on lap 14, and he was pressuring the leaders when Haase slipped inside early leader Braison Bennett of Neenah for the top spot on lap 19.

Mondeik also got inside Bennett for second a lap later, and three laps later he made the pass for the lead on the inside out of turn 4, with Haase drifting high on the track out of the corner to open the door.

The race’s first caution flag would come out three laps later when Wausau’s Kole Guralski spun between turns 3 and 4 after contact from fast qualifier John Beale of Verona. Mark Mackesy of Wausau also spun, and the two-time past TUNDRA winner at State Park would go to the pits and not return.

Mondeik quickly got away from Bennett on the restart, and he would face a total of four restarts in all, quickly taking the lead on all of them. He held a comfortable lead when the last came with 16 laps left, when Haver and Colin Reffner of Wisconsin Rapids tangled in turns 1 and 2, right in front of Mondeik.

Heinrich was running second to Mondeik at the caution, having gotten by Haase for the runner-up spot on lap 30 and staying there. The hottest car at SPS this year with four feature wins, including three in weekly racing plus the ASA Midwest Tour Larry Detjens Memorial last month, Heinrich stayed solidly in second but had little for the leader, including on the final restart, when he quickly fell in behind Mondeik.

Volm would finish third after a number of side-by-side battles, including holding off Beale while running the outside for six laps before the lap 60 caution, and then by getting around Stenjem on the outside for third on lap 66 after a six-lap fight. Beale would recover from the early incident to finish fourth with Thiel edging Stenjem for fifth. Bennett would finish seventh after leading the first 18 laps, making the outside groove work early in the race to take the lead from polesitter Thiel.

Full Event Recap from State Park Speedway Website

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is The Cleaver Classic on Monday, September 4 at Golden Sands Speedway outside Plover, Wis. The event honors David Kronberger (aka Cleaver), a standout fan/sponsor and friend of the series. Racing will begin at 2pm. More details on the event will be available soon.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (August 11, 2023) – It’s as close to a home track for the TUNDRA Travelers as it gets with several of the top TUNDRA Super Late Model Series teams very much familiar with State Park Speedway. Those regulars will be hoping for some home cooking when the series heads to the quarter-mile this Sunday for the Rib Mountain Rumble Presented by Mr. Brews Taphouse.

Perhaps the driver with the most momentum will be State Park Speedway point leader and current TUNDRA runner-up Brock Heinrich. Heinrich won the Detjens Memorial at the end of July and won Thursday night’s feature as well.

Behind Heinrich were two other home-area drivers looking to pick up the win. Kole Guralski finished Second to Heinrich, and has shown good speed throughout the TUNDRA season. A chance to race in front of the home crowd could be just what he needs for a potential first series win.

Justin Mondeik finished Third at State Park on Thursday, and will be looking to back up his dominating performance from 2020 – the last time TUNDRA visited Wausau for an event. Mondeik capture fast time and ran away with the feature win. It was during a time-frame where Mondeik won three straight SPS Championships.

For the non-SPS regulars, many eyes will be on John Beale. Beale led a large portion of the Detjens Memorial in July and is no stranger to Victory Lane at Wausau. He tags in for teammate Dalton Zehr for the first time this season. The Gildan Team currently leads the TUNDRA points standings.

A host of other central Wisconsin standouts will look to make some noise including former TUNDRA SPS winner Mark Mackesy, now 11-time Golden Sands Champion Mark Eswein, local favorite Rayce Haase, past feature winner at SPS Travis Volm, and a returning Colin Reffner.

Some traveling spoilers are potentially in the field as well. Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist Riley Stenjem has shown plenty of promise at State Park in the past. Jordan Thiel has also found the podium in past races. Braison Bennett could also prove to be dangerous on Sunday.

TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR ¼-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and Dairyland Vintage Series. Qualifying is scheduled for 1:30pm with racing at 3pm.

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

Rib Mountain Rumble Presented by Mr. Brews Taphouse
State Park Speedway
Sunday, August 13
Expected Entries as of 8/11/23

# – Driver, Hometown
02 – Rayce Haase, Wausau, Wis.
2 – Jordan Thiel, Darboy, Wis.
5B – John Beale, Verona, Wis.
7 – Mitchell Haver, West Bend, Wis. [R]
9 – Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
12 – Mark Mackesy, Wausau, Wis.
27 – Travis Rodewald, Manitowoc, Wis.
28 – Riley Stenjem, Utica, Wis.
32 – Steve Lichtfeld, Portage, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
52 – Brock Heinrich, Wausau, Wis.
56 – Kole Guralski, Wausau, Wis.
71 – Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
76 – Travis Volm, Mosinee, Wis.
87 – Colin Reffner, Stevens Point, Wis.
91 – Mickey Schallie, Darboy, Wis.
99 – Dan Thomson, Neenah, Wis.

Full Results

NORWAY, Mich. (July 29, 2023) – Dalton Zehr remained perfect in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series features at Norway Speedway as he captured the 75-lap Eh Main on Saturday night. The win backed up Zehr’s TUNDRA victories at Norway from 2014 and last season.

Zehr slipped to the lead past Braison Bennett on lap 20 and outgunned Brock Heinrich on a couple of restarts to score the win.

For Zehr and the team, preparation for the feature was key. Despite having a strong setup, the team was diligent during the afternoon’s practice session, striving for improvements even while they were at the top of the charts.

“We worked hard in practice. We were good, but we made it strong for the long runs,” Zehr said “We made 12 changes in practices and I would say ten of them were improvements.”

The invert of seven placed Zehr on the outside of row two with Ken’s Sports Fast Qualifier Riley Stenjem in the row behind.  The outside line shuffled into place early with Braison Bennett taking the lead from Gregg Haese on lap one. Chad Butz settled into Third in front of Heinrich with Zehr right behind in Fifth.

Heinrich and Zehr got around Butz into Third and Fourth just before the caution fell on lap eight when Stenjem and Kole Guralski got together in turn one. Mickey Schallie was shuffled out of line and collided with Guralski. Guralski continued at the tail with Stenjem while Schallie was forced to retire due to damage.

On the restart Bennett took the lead from Heinrich who chose the outside for the restart. Zehr quickly wrestled Third from Haese.

As the top three set sail ahead, Zehr waited for the right opportunity to move past Heinrich. He did so on lap 15. At the same time Justin Mondeik moved into the top four by slipping past Haese. Andy Monday and Chad Butz soon slipped by as Haese nursed an ill-handling machine.

Just five laps later Zehr was on the bumper of Bennett.  Again he waited for the right opportunity and found it on the exit of turn four coming back to lap 20. Zehr slipped past and left Bennett to try to deal with Heinrich in a battle for Second.

Zehr began to reel in the tail end of the field just as the caution fell on lap 28 for a spin involving Justin Woller.  The field reset for the restart with Zehr on the inside of Henrich in the front row and Bennett alongside Mondeik in row two.

A perfect restart allowed Zehr to jump away from Heinrich who settled into Second. Bennett secured Third and left the door open for Andy Monday to grab Fourth.

While the top two got away again, Monday went to work on Bennett. On lap 35 Monday slid to the inside of Bennett to take Third and brought Chad Butz along into Fourth. Just behind, Stenjem had moved to Sixth and was looking for a spot in the Top Five. He secured the spot at halfway.

As Zehr and Henrich once again closed in on lapped traffic, Butz started to put heat on Monday in the battle for Third. He closed in repeatedly as the race closed in on lap 50.

At lap 58, lapped traffic began to get thick in front of Zehr, allowing Heinrich to close the gap.  Although Zehr had to tip toe through traffic, once he was clear, he was able to build another healthy advantage.

Zehr’s lead was erased on lap 72 for a spin involving Jerry Mueller.  With less than five laps remaining it set up a single-file restart.

The restart was short-lived, however, as Chad Butz lost brakes going into turn one on the next lap and spun wildly into the grass. He was ok, but the car was sidelined with heavy damage. This set up a final restart with Zehr, Heinrich, Monday, Stenjem and Mondeik in the Top Five.

One final restart brought an opportunity for Heinrich, but again Zehr was just too strong and was able to jump away to the checkered flag.

Despite the late restarts, Zehr felt plenty of confidence on his way to the three-peat.

“Brock kept me honest, that’s for sure. But as the race progressed, it seemed like we could build the gap,” Zehr said.

Heinrich was Second, Andy Monday was Third, Riley Stenjem Fourth, and Justin Mondeik rounded out the Top Five.

The win helped Zehr build a bigger gap for his team over the tandem of Heinrich and Travis Volm in the TUNDRA standings. The gap sits at 19, but plenty of intrigue will surround the next event as Heinrich will look for some home cooking in Wausau and John Beale tags in for team Gildan.

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is The Rib Mountain Rumble at State Park Speedway in Wausau on Sunday, August 13. TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR ¼-Mile Late Models and the Wisconsin Sport Trucks. More details, including start times, will be available shortly.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (July 27, 2023) – The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series returns to Norway Speedway Saturday night in what promises to be a dog fight for the trophy in the 75-lap Eh Main feature.

Among the entrants are three former Norway Speedway Champions in Dalton Zehr, Justin Mondeik, and Chad Butz.

Zehr, also a three-time TUNDRA Champion, has set fast time and won both features in TUNDRA’s two stops at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. Mondeik, the most recent TUNDRA Champion, dominated in claiming the title at Norway last year. Chad Butz, who won the title two seasons ago, won the Stateline Challenge earlier this year.

Riley Stenjem, the 2021 TUNDRA Champion, will also be returning to Norway. He finished Second to Zehr in last year’s race.

Among other contenders are drivers with plenty of success at Norway including past feature winners Braison Bennett, Andy Monday, Joey Pontbriand, and Gregg Haese.

Brock Heinrich will enter with a ton of momentum after claiming the Larry Detjens Memorial last week at State Park Speedway. Second-year racer Kole Guralski is also coming off two strong TUNDRA Top Tens.

TUNDRA will be joined by the Super Stocks, Sportsman and Four Bangers. Qualifying is at 5:30pm with racing at 7.

Norway Speedway is located on US Highway 8 just outside of Norway, Mich. For More information visit http://www.norwayspeedway.com

Expected Entries as of 7/27/23

# – Driver, Hometown
2– Jordan Thiel, Darboy, Wis
7 – Mitchell Haver, West Bend, Wis. [R]
7 – Joey Pontbriand, Norway, Mich.
8 – Chad Butz, Green Bay, Wis.
9 – Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
10 – Andy Monday, Appleton, Wis.
19 – Ty Fietzer, Appleton, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
44 – Justin Woller, Kimberly, Wis.
49 – Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis.
52 – Brock Heinrich, Wausau, Wis.
56 – Kole Guralski, Wausau, Wis.
67 – Gregg Haese, Two Rivers, Wis.
77 – Riley Stenjem, Utica, Wis.
91 – Mickey Schallie, Darboy, Wis.
99 – Dan Thomson, Neenah, Wis.
119 – Dalton Zehr, Verona, Wis.

Full Results

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (July 1, 2023) – There are some races that are incredibly meaningful to racers.  When it comes to Mike Lichtfeld, the North American Cup Dedicated to Carl Wegner at Dells Raceway Park is one of those races.

Lichtfeld took the lead from Justin Mondeik on lap 58 and didn’t look back on his way to the win in Saturday night’s main event.

It was the perfect blend of remembering a friend, being at home, racing in a series the family helped build, and exorcising some old demons.

“As much as this means to me, it means a hell of a lot to my dad.  I’m just so happy,” Mike Lichtfeld said, recalling his dad Tom’s close relationship with Carl Wegner.

The win was Lichtfeld’s second TUNDRA victory at Dells Raceway Park, as he captured one of two 55-lap twin features in 2018.  It also helped him pull the monkey off his back, having seen a couple more potential wins fall by the wayside.

“I feel like we’re so snakebitten in these. I’ve been leading and had a shock mount break.  I’ve been leading and had the car shut off here. It just feels so good,” he finished.

Steve Lichtfeld paced the field early after the green flag fell. He and Braden Berge began to break away from the field in the early laps, with Berge holding close to the tail of Lichtfeld.  On several occasions Berge closed the gap, but waited patiently for the right opportunity to make a move.

The chance came just past halfway when Berge snuck to the inside of Steve Lichtfeld exiting turn two.  He then started to stretch out a lead as Steve Lichtfeld settled into Second. Behind them Justin Mondeik was battling in the Top Five with Dalton Zehr, Mike Lichtfeld, and Kole Guralski.

A yellow flag fell for a spin by Ken’s Sports Fast Qualifier Barrett Polhemus on lap 44.  During the caution laps Steve Lichtfeld dropped out due to brake issues. That handed the second spot to Mondeik, who would join Berge on the front row for the restart.

After one lap of side-by-side battling for the lead, the lead duo were involved in an incident that sent Berge spinning. Race control ruled Mondeik maintained his line and would keep his spot for the restart.

The following restart on lap 35 then saw Mondeik and Mike Lichtfeld on the front row. After a botched restart that saw Luke Westenberg and Jesse Bernhagen involved in a chain reaction, Licthfeld and Mondeik battled again at the restart.

Mondeik initially got away to the lead with Lichtfeld looking to get back in line before Zehr could take Second. Lichtfeld was able to do so, then began to track down Mondeik.  He caught him with under 20 laps remaining, then made the pass on lap 58.

As Lichtfeld started to build his advantage, Mondeik was left to deal with Zehr and Jordan DeVoy, whose machine had come alive in the second half of the race.  Zehr and DeVoy would both slip by late in the race, but would not have enough to close in on Lichtfeld.

Mike Lichtfeld when on to grab the win, then went into celebration mode on the front stretch and in turn one. Zehr was Second, DeVoy was Third, Mondeik maintained Fourth, and Kole Guralski rounded out the Top Five.

With his Second Place finish Zehr (and teammate John Beale) placed himself into the TUNDRA point lead over Brock Heinrich (and teammate Travis Volm). Kole Guralski settled into Third.

The next stop for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is at Norway Speedway on Saturday, July 29. More information on the event will be available soon.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (June 29, 2023) – The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will hold its 20^th event at Dells Raceway Park this Saturday when it visits for the North American Cup Dedicated to Carl Wegner.  Drivers will be jousting with each other for a chance to lift the North American Cup.

The event honors Carl Wegner – an innovator in the racing industry. The legendary engine builder provided powerplants for racing divisions across the nation all the way to the NASCAR level. His son Casey has carried on his legacy.

Dalton Zehr has littered the TUNDRA history books at Dells Raceway Park. This Saturday, July 1 will mark 12 years since Zehr made his series debut and won the second Alive For Five (now TUNDRA) event.  In fact, six of Zehr’s 15 TUNDRA wins came at DRP – most recently the North American Cup in 2020 and the season-ending event of 2022.

Challenging him will be last year’s TUNDRA Champion Justin Mondeik. Mondeik had struggled at DRP in the past, until last season’s event where he made a stunning late-race pass to take Second and secure the TUNDRA Championship.

Other past TUNDRA DRP winners in the field include Jordan DeVoy, who has been a force at DRP over the last three seasons, and Mike Lichtfeld, who has set up camp in DRP’s victory lane over the last two years.

Plenty of other tough contenders could take their first TUNDRA win after strong starts to the season including Brock Heinrich, Kole Guralski, and Mark Eswein.  Falloween winner Max Kahler will also be one to keep an eye on.

Some other drivers to watch will be EPYK Media Rookie Mitchell Haver, WIR standout Braison Bennett, DRP weekly competitor Braden Berge, former DRP Champion Jesse Bernhagen, and Texan Barrett Polhemus, coming off a Top Five finish in the Trickle 99 last week at DRP.

Some history will also be made on Saturday when Corey Jankowski and Steve Lichtfeld enter the event.  They will both keep their streak alive of competing in at least one TUNDRA event each season since the series began in 2011 as the Alive For Five Series at DRP.

The North American Cup  Dedicated to Carl Wegner
Saturday, July 1, 2023

Expected Entries (19) as of 6/29/23
# – Driver, Hometown
00 – Chris Pulera, Burlington, Wis.
7 – Mitchell Haver, West Bend, Wis. [R]
9 – Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
13 – Nick Egan, Slinger, Wis.
16 – Luke Westenberg, Jefferson, Wis.
17 – Max Kahler, Caledonia, Ill.
28 – Braden Berge, Elkhorn, Wis.
31 – Corey Jankowski, Tomah, Wis.
32 – Jesse Bernhagen, Markesan, Wis.
32 – Steve Lichtfeld, Portage, Wis.
38 – Jordan DeVoy, Lake Geneva, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
44 – Mike Lichtfeld, Pardeeville, Wis.
49 – Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis.
52 – Brock Heinrich, Wausau, Wis.
56 – Kole Guralski, Wausau, Wis.
71 – Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
79 – Barrett Polhemus, Wimberly, Tex.
119 – Dalton Zehr, Verona, Wis.

Drivers and Fans will have a chance to win a new wheel/tire setup for their vehicle

GREEN BAY, Wis. (June 21, 2023) – The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will be partnering with Anthem Off-Road Wheels and General Tire for two big ticket giveaways during the remainder of the 2023 season.  One driver and one fan will each win a new wheel and tire setup for their street vehicle.

“These are two brands that are very close to my heart, and I’m very excited to be working with them to benefit TUNDRA racers and fans,” said series director Matt Panure. “Two vehicles out there will be getting a serious upgrade.”

Drivers will be eligible to win the wheel/tire combo by strong performances in fast dashes. The fan giveaway will take place during the Cleaver Classic on Labor Day at Golden Sands Speedway.

The drivers’ chances to win their Anthem Off-Road Wheels with General Tires will begin during the July 1 event at Dells Raceway Park. Drivers will be awarded 10 points for qualifying into the Fast Five Dash. They will then be awarded points based off their finishing position – an additional 10 points for a win, 7 for Second, 5 For Third, 3 for Fourth, and 1 for Fifth. 

The driver who accumulates the most points by the end of the 2023 season will claim the prize. Dash points will count only toward the prize, not toward Championship standings.

Fans in attendance will have a chance to win the wheels at the Cleaver Classic on Monday, September 4 at Golden Sands Speedway. More details on the giveaway process will be available leading up to the event.

Anthem Off-Road Wheels was founded in 2013 by a few friends from Midwest America. They were fed up with what they saw in the wheel industry and how companies treated customers. They knew there had to be a better way to do it and made it a point to break as many industry standards as possible in the process.

A small team was assembled and the crew worked with real wheel customers to design unique wheels that looked amazing. Looking good wasn’t enough, the wheels needed to perform on and off-road, in the dirt, towing, and survive the abuse many owners put their vehicles through getting to a campsite, hunting spot, or favorite fishing hole.  More information is available at anthemwheels.com

General Tire offers SUV and 4×4 drivers robust and durable tires for every application. With its American heritage, this is traditionally one of General Tire‘s core competences.

With more than 100 years of experience in the tire industry and as part of Continental – a leading tire manufacturer based in Germany – General Tire delivers products drivers can rely on – no matter how challenging the terrain may be. For more information visit http://www.generaltire.com