PORTAGE, Wis. (May 10, 2021) – There is something to be said about home track advantage.  But when it comes to the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series events at Wisconsin International Raceway, no one seems to have a leg up, except Dennis Prunty, of course.

The top runners of WIR are looking to change the course of history this Saturday, May 15 when TUNDRA heads to their home track for Great Lakes Testing Round One.  With the likes of 2020 Thursday Night Fox River Racing Club Champion Bobby Kendall, 2020 Red, White and Blue State Champion Jesse Oudenhoven, 2017 track Champion Andy Monday and others in the mix, there should be plenty of local flavor up front.

“We want to keep the trophy here, first and foremost,” Monday said. “We feel we should be able to beat all of those guys because we’re here 15 nights a year and they only come once or twice. That should give us the upper hand, but it is nice racing with some different guys who have a lot of experience around the Midwest, that have won multiple Championships and features.”

Monday fared the best of any regular in TUNDRA’s visit to WIR last September.  He qualified Second behind Riley Stenjem and rounded out the podium behind Dennis Prunty and Justin Mondeik.  Although he was carrying the torch for the locals, he was surrounded by outsiders in qualifying and the dash.

The last WIR regular to score a win in the race was the Chase Motorsports machine in 2014, piloted by TUNDRA regular Dalton Zehr.  Ty Majeski, Steve Apel, and Dennis Prunty have visited victory lane since.  Having seen the trophy leave town, the WIR regulars are more focused on the prize and are closer to a win, says Monday.

We’re coming out here to win. We’ve had a Top Five car the last few times,” Monday said. “Now it’s time to get the monkey off our back and get the win.  It’s going to be a stout field of cars, and with it being the season opener everyone is going to have fresh stuff.”

Perhaps one of the two WIR Champions from a season ago will be the ones to finish the task. Neither Kendall nor Oudenhoven were able to compete in the event last season, but they’re ready to be up front come Saturday.

“We like to run this TUNDRA race every year. The TUNDRA series puts on a really great show, and the competition gets better and better every single year,” Oudenhoven said.  “You’ve got guys like Casey (Johnson), (Colin) Reffner, Jordan Thiel, and all these guys that are knocking on the door.  We have the speed now and have no reason to believe that we’re not going to be the favorite coming into the race.”

Oudenhoven has shown tremendous improvement and speed the last two seasons.  He claimed his first Red, White and Blue title in impressive fashion last year and was a threat every Thursday night.

“We had a part-time year a couple years ago. We maybe needed to take that step back and try some different things,” Oudenhoven said. “As far as the Red, White and Blue Series last year, it was just mostly consistency. The car was really fast those nights and for whatever reason the longer races, the car stays very consistent. We eat up a lot of guys late in the race, and that’s exactly what you’ve got to do to be fast and Championship caliber.”

Oudenhoven said he’s hoping to find success at his home track and carry it into Marshfield, which is also cemented into his schedule.  Success at those races may turn him into both a WIR and TUNDRA regular.

“I love running Kaukauna with the high speeds; you have a high braking, high acceleration,” Oudenhoven said. “When it comes to Marhsfield, it’s totally different where you have long, sweeping flat turns, three-wide racing all over the place, so it’s two different animals. They’re nice big tracks.  If we do well at both of them, you’ll probably see us at the rest of the TUNDRA races.”

Kendall, who tows to WIR each week from Montello, is no stranger to success in the Red, White and Blue series and longer races himself. He dominated the White Race last season and is a two-time RWB Champion himself.  Last year he and his team put together a memorable season on their way to the title.

“I think our biggest improvements came in the off seasons, the team and myself put a lot of work into the car to get the results we wanted during the season,” Kendall said. “We also got up here to test a little more and I was able get more involved in the suspension part of it and figure out exactly what I wanted.”

Kendall may be the most familiar with TUNDRA action having run a total of 26 series events since it began in 2011.  He set fast time and cruised to a Second Place finish the first time TUNDRA visited WIR in 2014.

“It’s going to be a little tougher competition than a weekly field, although we have a very tough field of super late models here on a Thursday night,” Kendall said “But I feel like we did what we had to do to improve on last year. We had a really good test up there this last weekend and I feel good about the car, so I expect us to be up there competing for the top spot.”

Although the TUNDRA regulars are a threat themselves, many eyes of the locals are on Dennis Prunty.  Prunty competed in just one TUNDRA event last year, which was his third straight win in the event.

“It’s always a fun race and good battle, and we’ve got to get that 42 car out of Victory Lane,” Moday said.  “What is it, three in a row for that guy? Chuck Norris, we’re taking the trophy from you.

Monday, Oudenhoven, Kendall and their fellow WIR regulars welcome TUNDRA into town this Saturday, May 15.  Qualifying takes place at 12:30 pm with racing to follow at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR ¼-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and Midwest Dash Series.

Wisconsin International Raceway is located past the intersection of Highways 55 and KK just outside of Kaukauna, Wis. For more information visit http://www.wirmotorsports.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (May 9, 2021) – Imagine seeing a racer celebrate a solid Top Five at his home track by busting a move with the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series lane choice barrel.  Fans won’t see many racers with a personality that shines as brightly at the TUNDRA barrel…and they won’t find many like Brock Heinrich.

The 2020 EPYK Media Rookie of the Year is hoping to post some results this season that will get him in a dancing mood.  He’s confident that with some more experience and a solid team effort there will be plenty to celebrate in 2021.

“I want to get some Ws this season. I think our team is strong enough,” Heinrich said. “We have a lot of good equipment, a good crew, and they’re really working hard. We’ve been busting butt all winter to make sure the car was set up optimally.”

There is plenty of success already to build upon for Heinrich.  He finished Sixth in the standings last year, just three points out of the final spot in the Top Five.  In his six starts he recorded three Top Fives and five Top Tens.  His best finish came at Wisconsin International Raceway where he recovered after a rocky start to the day for a Fourth Place Finish.

“I think last year the reason we did so decent was that we were just frustrated,” Heinrich said.  “We changed the clutch four times, we didn’t get any practice laps, and we just went out there and ran. Everything turned out okay.  Now we have more of a game plan, and I think this upcoming weekend is going to be a lot better for us because we’re more prepared.”

Wisconsin International Raceway can prove to be a tough place to conquer, especially for a young racer in his first visit to the track… without any practice laps.  To record a Fourth Place finish given the situation was nothing short of remarkable.  Because of the success, Heinrich can’t wait to test the half-mile again.

“I just like big, fast, weird race tracks I guess,” Heinrich said. “It’s just the speed here. It’s so wild.  You’re shaking down the straightaway, it’s bumpy, it’s an older surface – it’s just screaming.  I like that.”

With plenty of confidence heading into Saturday’s opener at WIR, Heinrich believes it’s possible he’ll get his first career TUNDRA ‘W’ out of the way early

“I think we have a TUNDRA win right around the corner.  That’s our main goal,” Henrich said.  “Obviously everyone wants to win the Championship, but we have to start clicking off some Ws first.”

If not at WIR, the early-race schedule seems to line up well for Heinrich to contend for his first visit to Victory Lane.

“We ran really well at Marshfield last year until we wrecked out,” he commented. “State Park is definitely another place we think we can win.  It’s probably going to be at one of those two tracks, but you don’t know. I think we just have to put our selves in position for a win and make sure that it happens.  If I’m in the position, I’ve got to seal the deal.”

Heinrich will try to seal the deal in Great Lakes Testing Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway this Saturday, May 15. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 pm with racing to begin at 2 pm.  The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will be joined by the WIR Quarter-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and Midwest Dash Series.

Wisconsin International Raceway is located past the intersection of Highways 55 and KK just outside of Kaukauna, Wis. For more information visit http://www.wirmotorsports.com

PLOVER, Wis. (May 6, 2021) – TUNDRA Super Late Model Series racers will once again be looking to chop down their fellow competitors in qualifying this season. Section 715 Throwing Co. of Plover, Wis., will return with the “Axing the Competition” Fast Qualifier Award for 2021.

Each fast qualifier will win a $100 bonus and a custom-etched axe trophy. Not only will the driver claim a prize, but their team will be rewarded as well with 20% off vouchers for all members.

“We’re super Axecited to be a part of TUNDRA again,” said Sarah Jahn of Section 715.

Last season six different drivers claimed the bonus money and axe trophy – Mike Lichtfeld (Dells Raceway Park), Jordan DeVoy (Jefferson Speedway), Justin Mondeik (State Park Speedway), Colin Reffner (Marshfield Speedway), Jake Zellmer (Golden Sands Speedway), and Riley Stenjem (Wisconsin International Raceway).

Section 715 Throwing Co. is a unique, fun, safe, and fast-growing entertainment experience that offers axe throwing opportunities for adults and children 12 and over. They are located at 3248 Mecca Drive in Plover, Wis.

The first axe will be awarded on Saturday, May 15 at Wisconsin International Raceway. Qualifying begins at 12:30 with racing to begin at 2 pm.

Wisconsin International Raceway is located past the intersection of Highways 55 and KK just outside of Kaukauna, Wis. For more information visit www.wirmotorsports.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (April 27, 2021) – TUNDRA Super Late Model Series racers will be chasing some bonus bucks in this season’s Fast Five Dashes courtesy of Mad City Windows and Baths of Neenah, Wis.

Thanks to Mad City, TUNDRA will provide a cash bonus to the overall Fast Five Dash Champion and Runner Up at the end of the season with the winner grabbing a $750 bonus and the runner-up scoring an additional $350.

“We’re excited to welcome Mad City Windows and Baths as a partner for the 2021 season,” said series representative Matt Panure. “A dash bonus is something we’ve wanted to do for a few years in order to add some extra excitement and to further reward our drivers for solid qualifying efforts.”

Drivers will accumulate dash points throughout the six-race schedule by qualifying into the top five and additional points based off their finishing position in the five-lap shootout.  The points will not count toward the Championship standings.

By qualifying into the Mad City Windows and Baths Fast Five Dash a driver will be awarded ten (10) points toward the dash bonus.  They will accumulate additional points toward the dash title by finishing position – five (5) for winning the dash, four (4) for second, three (3) for third, two (2) for fourth, and  one (1) for finishing fifth.

Had the system been in place last season, Jake Zellmer would have topped the standings with 62 points to Casey Johnson’s 52 and Justin Mondeik’s 42.

Mad City Windows and Baths, a top name in local contractors, has provided award-winning remodeling services since 1998.  Now serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, Mad City specializes in making homes look and function at their best in the extreme Midwestern climate. They feature industry-leading products, exceptional services, and personalized care. 

For more information visit www.madcitywindows.com

The first chance for drivers to score dash points will come during Great Lakes Testing Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway on Saturday, May 15.  The TUNDRA Super Lat Model Series will be joined by the Midwest Dash Series, WIR ¼-Mile Late Models, and Wisconsin Sport Trucks.  Qualifying begins at 12:30 pm and racing is scheduled for 2 pm.

Wisconsin International Raceway is located past the intersection of Highways 55 and KK just outside of Kaukauna, Wis. For more information visit www.wirmotorsports.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (April 5, 2021) – Registration is now open for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series 2021 season. All information regarding registration for the season is available on the drivers page: https://tundrasuperlates.com/drivers/

Drivers are also encouraged to fill out this announcers form with driver information: https://forms.gle/i2QcRoSp4smt6vHKA

The 2021 season begins with Great Lakes Testing Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway on Saturday, May 15. The pit area opens at 9 am with practice at 10:45, qualifying at 12:30, and racing to begin at 2 pm.

Remaining events for the season are:
-The Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial at Marshfield Motor Speedway on June 12
-Round Three at Jefferson Speedway on July 17
-Round Four at State Park Speedway on August 7
-Round Five at Golden Sands Speedway on September 6
-Round Six at Dells Raceway Park on September 26

PORTAGE, Wis. (April 1, 2021) – Great Lakes testing of Green Bay, Wis., will be the presenting sponsor when the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series visits Wisconsin International Raceway for Round One of the 2021 season on Saturday, May 15.

“Great Lakes Testing has been a great supporter of racing in Northeast Wisconsin, especially at WIR for quite some time,” said series representative Matt Panure. “We’re very excited to welcome them as a partner for this event.”

As part of their support for short track racing the area, Great Lakes Testing sponsors Brian Henry, who races in the Late Model division at WIR, and Tim Bauman, who will be competing as part of the event in the ¼-Mile Late Model division.

Great Lakes Testing, Inc., is a locally owned and operated small business in northeast Wisconsin founded in 1993. They provide nondestructive testing services throughout the state of Wisconsin and the surrounding Great Lakes region. These services include radiographic, visual, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, fire truck ladder and hose testing, and ultrasonic inspection. Their market is primarily manufacturing and steel fabrication.

Great Lakes Testing serves a wide variety of customers, including: manufacturers, fabricators, government agencies, and machining facilities. They sell their services with an emphasis on quality.

For more information on Great Lakes Testing visit www.greatlakestesting.com

A full schedule of events will be available shortly for Great Lakes Testing Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway on Saturday, May 15.  Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30, with racing to begin at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the Midwest Dash Series, ¼-Mile Late Models, and Wisconsin Sport Trucks.

Wisconsin International Raceway is located past the intersection of Highways 55 and KK just outside of Kaukauna, Wis. For more information visit http://www.wirmotorsports.com

The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is changing its look beginning in 2021 to honor it’s new era of old school racers.

TUNDRA Racers hit the track with passion and determination, chasing every checkered flag. They are the new era of old school racers. And to them… winning is all that matters.

The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series has set its schedule for the 2021 season, again featuring six dates at six exciting venues.

The season-opening event will take place at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wis., on Saturday, May 15 with a 2 pm start time. An afternoon start has proven to be most-preferred by teams and fans.

Last season Dennis Prunty outlasted Justin Mondeik to win his third straight TUNDRA event at the half-mile. Prunty has stated his intention to seek a fourth straight this season.

Marshfield Motor Speedway will host the second stop of the 2021 season with the annual Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial on Saturday, June 12. The Bev has become one of the most coveted checkered flags to grab on the TUNDRA calendar.

Last season Dalton Zehr scored his second TUNDRA series win at Marshfield in front of a large, energetic crowd. It was his first Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial win.

Saturday, July 17 will see the series making it’s annual stop at Jefferson Speedway. Wisconsin’s Action Track has become a favorite for TUNDRA regulars, as well as outsiders looking to test the tricky quarter-mile.

Last year’s race saw some history as 28 entrants made their way through the gates to do battle on the bull ring. Jordan Devoy snagged a new track record, and Gabe Sommers held off Casey Johnson for the win.

TUNDRA will begin the second half of the season at State Park Speedway in Wausau, Wis on Saturday, August 8. The tight quarter-mile has made for plenty of exciting events.

Justin Mondeik reigned supreme in 2020, grabbing fast time and his first ever TUNDRA win at his home track. He then went on to win the track Championship.

From Wausau, the Labor Day tradition continues at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis., on Monday, September 6. The race has traditionally featured large car counts and plenty of action around the sweeping third-mile.

After a rain delay postponed the feature to October, Justin Mondeik captured the win at Golden Sands, rounding out a very strong TUNDRA season. Like Wausau, Mondeik also captured the track Championship at GSS.

The 2021 season will round out at the birthplace of TUNDRA – Dells Raceway Park – on Sunday afternoon, September 26. This race will be part of a large Showdown weekend at DRP.

Last season DRP hosted the opener of the TUNDRA campaign after the start was delayed until July 4. Dalton Zehr grabbed the win in the North American Cup Dedicated to Carl Wegner.

Support classes for each event will be named soon.

2021 TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Schedule

Round One – Saturday, May 15 – Wisconsin International Raceway (2 pm start)
Round Two – Saturday, June 12 – Marshfield Motor Speedway
Round Three – Saturday, July 17 – Jefferson Speedway
Round Four – Saturday, August 8 – State Park Speedway
Round Five – Monday, September 6 – Golden Sands Speedway
Round Six – Sunday, September 26 – Dells Raceway Park

PLOVER, Wis. (October 2, 2020) – In an event that was put on hold when the rains fell on Labor Day, Justin Mondeik was sure to make good on the 2020 season finale for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series at Golden Sands Speedway Friday night.

Mondeik maneuvered past Casey Johnson just past the halfway point of the 75-lap main event and carefully picked his way through lapped traffic to cruise to his second win of the season. Johnson went on to finish Fifth, wrapping up his third straight series Championship, and fourth overall.

The event marked the latest TUNDRA had ever raced into a calendar year.  It was also coldest with the temperatures dipping below 40 degrees.  This, along with little practice and no preliminaries made for an intriguing back drop for the 75-lap main event.

Polesitter Josh Wallace jumped into the top spot and paced the field for the first six laps of the race.  Casey Johnson followed him closely, and swiped the lead on lap six.  The race was slowed only once for a spin by Jake Zellmer, who went on to recover for a Ninth Place finish.

Trailing Johnson when the yellow fell, Mondeik elected to stay on the inside line.  The move would pay off as he and Johnson escaped, leaving the likes of Brock Heinrich (who had tried the outside for the restart), Jordan Thiel and Jordan Devoy to mix things up at the back end of the Top Five.

Although Johnson looked to be strong on the day, Mondeik reeled him in at the halfway point of the race.  With a great amount of pressure on the leader, Mondeik was able to slip past and begin to build his lead.  He slowly picked his way through lapped traffic and maintained a strong advantage.

As Mondeik built his lead, Johnson was left to try to fend off Thiel and Devoy.  Both would slip past and try to chase down Mondeik in the final 20 laps of the race.

Thiel and Devoy gained ground on several occasions, but could not get close enough to mount a challenge.  In the final laps, Devoy pressured Thiel, but ultimately could not make the pass.

Mondeik cruised to his second win of the 2020 TUNDRA season and completed a campaign that will see him as the runner up to Johnson. 

Johnson secured the title with the picture-perfect amount of consistency, recording finishes of Fourth, Second, Third, Second, Seventh, and Fourth.  He also appeared in four of six dashes, accumulating precious qualifying points along the way.

Thiel rounded out a solid 2020 with his second Second Place finish of the year, placing him Third in the final TUNDRA standings. Jordan Devoy capped off a breakout campaign with a Third Place finish, vaulting him and his teammate James Swan to a Fourth Place points finish.

Behind Johnson in Fifth was Brock Heinrich, who sealed up the EPYK Media Rookie of the Year title with and Sixth Place in the standings behind Mike Lichtfeld.

The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series hopes to hold a banquet this offseason and will make an announcement shortly, provided accommodations can be made throughout the continued public health situation.  Stay tuned to the TUNDRA site for more information.

The series is also looking forward to 2021 with several preliminary agreements in place for race dates.  Dates will be announced on the TUNDRA site and social media pages.

Full Results

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (September 21, 2020) – Dennis Prunty continued his TUNDRA Super Late Model Series dominance at Wisconsin International Raceway by capturing his third straight series feature event at the half-mile Sunday afternoon in the Transport Services LLC 75.

Much like the last two wins, Prunty stormed to the lead early in the main event then was forced to turn away strong competition. This year’s challenger was Justin Mondeik, who gave Prunty several hearty challenges throughout the second half of the race.

The match up between Prunty and Mondeik was something to behold.  The two aligned on several restarts in the second half of the race.  Each time Mondeik looked to be close, Prunty was able to turn him away.  Mondeik then remained right on Prunty’s bumper looking for an opportunity to pass.

“Mondeik really gave me a workout,” Prunty said in Victory Lane. “He kept making me nervous that whole race being so close.  In the end we had enough to hold him off.”

The best opportunities for Mondeik came after the lap 50 break where teams were allowed to refuel and make adjustments.  Mondeik had backed away from Prunty three laps prior to the scheduled stop in hopes of saving something.

“I really felt like we had the car to beat,” Mondeik commented afterward. “But hats off to Dennis, we had a heck of a battle for the win.”

Prunty stormed to the lead using the outside line from his Eighth Place starting spot.  He jumped to Fifth by lap three, then swung past Dalton Zehr to take Second on lap six.  Four laps later he shot around early-race leader RJ Braun and started to cruise.

As Prunty settled in up front, Mondeik’s ascent to the front was a little more deliberate.  He had been hanging around his Sixth Place starting spot until the first caution on lap 27.  After the restart he quickly picked his way through to grab Second.  That is when he and Prunty began to joust.

Meanwhile, the battle was on for Third among Braun, Dalton Zehr, Casey Johnson, and Andy Monday.  Just before the break it was Monday who would get the edge, although he was unable to shake RJ Braun until just before the lap 50 break.

After the break, Prunty and Mondeik quickly separated themselves from the pack again.  Monday solidified his spot in Third when Braun and Zehr came together, causing damage to both machines.  Both were able to maintain a safe pace and the caution did not fly.  This brought a hard-charging Wyatt Brooks from 16^th into the Top Five, as well as leading EPYK Media Rookie contender Brock Heinrich.

A final caution pitted Prunty and Mondeik against one another again with 14 laps remaining.  Prunty slid up the hill in turns one and two, giving Mondeik a slight edge.  However, Prunty was able to maintain on the outside line and hold the lead. 

Over the final five circuits Mondeik held within a car length of Prunty, hoping for a mistake to pounce upon.  Although Prunty suffered a couple of slides, it was nothing the veteran racer couldn’t handle.  He was able to keep Mondeik at bay despite the heavy pressure.

Mondeik went on to finish Second, Monday was Third, leading Heinrich made a late-race move to finish Fourth, and Wyatt Brooks rounded out the Top Five.

Current point leader Casey Johnson admitted during the break that his car was not as cooperative on the day as they had hoped.  He went on to finish Seventh, maintaining a 51-point lead over Mondeik. 

A clutch problem and unfortunate early retirement for Mike Lichtfeld dropped him from Second to Fourth in the standings while a Sixth Place finish by Jordan Thiel moved him into the Third Place points spot.

TUNDRA will conclude its season on Friday, October 2 at Golden Sands Speedway with the 75-lap feature from the postponed Labor Day event.  TUNDRA will be joined by several other support divisions that will run full programs on the night.  Racing is scheduled to begin at 7:45 pm.

Full Results