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).

PLOVER, Wis. (July 19, 2013) – By the time the final chapter is written for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series 2013 season Paige Decker’s name will be all over the history books.

On Friday night in Round Four at Golden Sands Speedway Decker recorded two feats which will never be washed from history becoming the first female and first rookie to win a TUNDRA event.

“I knew I was the first female, but then when they said I was the first rookie, that just topped it off. It feels awesome. I’m speechless,” the 20 year old from Eagle River said.

The elder Decker sister was the first female to record a top ten finish (Round One), the highest qualified female (second in Round One) and the best finishing female (seventh in Round Three at LaCrosse) prior to besting a field of 30 Friday night.

Decker said the win may have looked dominating in nature, but there were still nervous moments, even after seizing the lead from outside-pole-sitter Amanda Ferguson at the drop of the green.

“I was really nervous the whole time. I was nervous even with two to go,” she said. “Toby [Nuttleman, Paige’s crew chief] was really just trying to calm me down. I knew the car was good, and it wasn’t falling off at all.”

The feature event got off to an unfortunate start for Decker Racing as a team, however. After setting the second fastest time of the evening, Claire Decker made it no further than the start/finish line at the outset of the 60-lap feature. With cars checking up and scurrying to avoid one another, Claire’s machine darted off the track into the outside retaining wall and protective barrels. Jeff Weinfurter was also collected and sustained heavy damage to his machine. Both drivers were unharmed.

After red flag conditions and a cleanup on the front straight, the field was shown the green flag without incident. Paige Decker pushed ahead on the inside line of Ferguson on the first lap. Ferguson was left to deal with Tim Hintz, Matt Pyburn and Eugene Gregorich Jr. in the top five.

As Ferguson and Hintz scrapped for second, Decker began to stretch out her lead. Ferguson fought off the advances of Hintz by lap five and slipped away from the third-place battle. Hintz slowly regressed after the battle with Ferguson and watched Pyburn, Frank Nitzke, Mike Egan and Brandon Selle move past by lap 10.

Behind those battles TUNDRA point leaders Dalton Zehr and Nick Panitzke moved toward the top five. By lap 20 Zehr had begun to slide back and fell into a battle with Tom Lindquist for tenth. Panitzke, who earlier in the evening set fast time, quickly closed the gap on Selle. Before he had the chance to challenge the caution fell as fluid was spewing from Jordan Ives’ machine.

The TUNDRA barrel was placed and Ferguson decided to rejoin Decker in the front row for the restart. Once again Decker held the advantage through turns one and two over Ferguson. This time Decker’s rookie counterpart Matt Pyburn kept pace and stole second from Ferguson.

While Decker and Pyburn separated themselves from the rest of the pack, Ferguson fell back on the high line. In the five laps following the restart Egan, Selle and Panitzke all took advantage of the inside line to swoop past Ferguson and round out the top five.

Just past the halfway point Decker continued to grow her lead over Pyburn. By lap 37 Pyburn had company in the runner up spot. Egan surveyed his options for several laps before sliding to the outside of Pyburn and taking the second spot on lap 40. Just two laps later Selle made the same move and grabbed third.

Egan seemed to have a machine that could contend with Decker, but it became clear he would need the help of a caution to make up the track position Decker had gained while Egan was scrapping for second with Pyburn.

“If we would have got a caution I would have taken the high side and we would have had a gloves-off competition,” Egan said. “It would have been a lot of fun.”

However, the opportunity never came for Egan, Selle and Panitzke to battle Decker and she cruised to a win that sent a charge through the crowd. When she emerged from her machine in victory lane a large cheer roared through the grandstands.

“This feels good because it’s a TUNDRA race, bigger than a local show, and it was a good feeling when I heard the crowd going wild. All smiles the rest of the night,” Decker said.

The win erased Decker’s one-point deficit to Pyburn in the Dean’s Satellite Rookie of the Year battle. She now has a three-point advantage over Pyburn and sits in a tie with Gregroich for sixth in TUNDRA standings.

When asked how much more history she expects to make this season Decker commented, “We need to win one more. That’s what we need to do.”

For Egan, one of only two drivers to compete in every TUNDRA event, the second place finish was a best for him in TUNDRA action.

“I was ecstatic. We qualified third. I’m not the world’s greatest qualifier so that’s a big feat in itself,” said the veteran from Slinger, Wis. “To run second to Decker, it was awesome. She had a good car.”

Egan’s strong effort pushed him into a tie for third with the team of Frank Kreyer and Ferguson. They sit 30 back of Panitzke in TUNDRA standings.

After sour luck in TUNDRA Rounds Two and Three, Selle was happy to get the chance to come home and secure a podium finish.

“It was really good to actually finish a race,” Selle said. “We always come here to win, but the way our year has been going, just to finish is pretty good.”

Behind Selle, Panitzke cruised to a fourth-place finish in his first ever trip to Golden Sands. His main opponent in the TUNDRA points battle, Dalton Zehr, struggled with a tight race car. Zehr pitted under caution on lap 25 to make some adjustments. He came back from 17th to recover for a seventh place finish. The advantage was enough for Panitzke to turn a one-point deficit to Zehr into an 11-point lead.

Pyburn was able to hold off Eugene Gregorich Jr. to round out the top five after a dazzling side-by-side display between the de facto teammates over the final five laps.

After three races in less than a month TUNDRA teams will have three weeks to prepare for TUNDRA Round Five at Marshfield Motor Speedway. Nearly another month will pass after Round Five before the Championship Round at Slinger Speedway on Sunday, September 8.

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 http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

WEST SALEM, Wis. (July 3, 2013) – Fast and Furious. A simple movie title was the best way to describe Frank Kreyer’s mindset Wednesday night at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Kreyer vaulted to the lead on lap two and dashed away from the pack on two restarts to claim victory in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Three.

The win was Kreyer’s first in TUNDRA/Alive For Five action since May 28, 2011 – the first ever event of what has now become the blossoming Super Late Model series. Since then he has claimed five second-place finishes.

After being the bridesmaid in so many events Kreyer said he needed to stay on the wheel and kept his urgency level high throughout the 40-lap feature.

“I wasn’t holding back,” Kreyer said afterward. “Those young kids are hungry behind me and I’ve got to go.”

Wasting no time from his inside-second-row starting spot, Kreyer threatened a three-wide pass for the lead not once, but twice on the opening circuit. Ultimately he waited for front row starters Adam Degenhardt and Maxwell Schultz to sort out the top spot. Degenhardt crossed the line as the leader on lap one, but Kreyer slid to his inside entering turn one to wrestle the lead away.

As Kreyer began to stretch out his advantage, the quick qualifiers were on the move. The trio of Eugene Gregorich Jr., Dalton Zehr and Nick Panitzke closed in on the top five by lap four. Gregorich was overtaken as the leader of the pack by Zehr and Panitzke followed shortly afterward.

Already in a tussle for the TUNDRA point lead, Panitzke and Zehr engaged in battle on lap five. Panitzke challenged to the inside entering turns one and two on the following circuit. He and Zehr were both going for the same plot of race track and came together. Although he made a valiant effort, Zehr could not save his racer from snapping around. The caution was thrown and both racers were sent to the tail of the field.

On the restart Kreyer quickly broke away from Schultz who was left to deal with Billy Mohn and Degenhardt with Gregorich in tow.

With the run of green flag laps progressing, Gregorich began to find his groove. Gregorich moved around Degenhardt on lap 17 and closed in to challenge Mohn at the halfway point. Gregorich would not get his chance to challenge for third before the second yellow flew. On lap 21 Degenhardt and Brandon Selle came together in an incident similar to that of Zehr and Panitzke.

The second round of Kreyer versus Schultz saw the young driver hang with Kreyer for a short while, only to see Kreyer break away again. Behind them Gregorich challenged Mohn for third and took it on lap 23. He set his sights on Schultz and grabbed second with 11 circuits remaining.

A little deeper in the pack, Panitzke was putting on a display of strength of his own. Panitzke restarted 11th and quickly started to slice his way through the top ten. With nine laps to go Panitzke cracked the top five for the first time since early in the race, he then tracked down Mohn and Maxwell Schultz with powerful moves to the inside to secure third with two laps to go.

“I’m not going to lie it was a lot of fun coming through the field, but the whole time I’m pretty upset obviously, but it was good,” Panitzke reflected. “From what we were handed, we couldn’t ask for more.”

Unfortunately for Panitzke and Gregorich, Kreyer’s lead was too stout to overcome in just two laps and he cruised to the checkered flag. Schultz held on to forth and Mohn completed the top five.

“If I could lie to you I would say yes we did,” Gregorich commented when asked if he had anything for Kreyer. “But I’m pretty sure he had us covered.”

With plenty of evidence to support his stance, Panitzke thought he might have played a factor. “I don’t know how good Frank was, but it would have been fun to get up there and do battle with him.”

As for Kreyer, he felt very comfortable in the clean air and kept focus on his machine over the final circuits to ensure that he would have something left in case the challengers did come calling.

“After a while I just had to calm it down,” Kreyer said. “I couldn’t keep running those laps like I was running. I heard a couple of 18 second laps and I thought if I keep this up I won’t have much of a car left at the end even if it’s a 40-lap feature.”

Kreyer’s win, Panitzke’s charge and Zehr’s tenth place finish gave the TUNDRA title chase a drastic facelift as the series heads into Round Four at Golden Sands. Zehr leads by one marker over Panitzke with Kreyer just 13 back of Zehr. Bryan Roach sits fourth only 20 out, and Gregorich jumped from 11th to fifth sitting just 21 points back of Zehr.

Gregorich was especially pleased with his points effort in Round Three, especially with two very familiar tracks coming up on the TUNDRA schedule.

“We just need those guys to have one more bad run to get us in there,” Gregoric said. “[We’ll] come back to Plover and Marshfield, our neck of the woods and we’ll hopefully get back in the points race here.”

Panitzke also knew the significance of his run back through the field.

“Everything is tight and that’s the way it should be. It’ll make for some good racing,” Panitzke said. “It’s a little different racing for wins versus racing for a championship. We’ve got to make sure all of our ‘I’s are dotted and our ‘t’s are crossed during the week and hopefully we’ll get it as good as it was tonight.”

As he stated on his way to a title in 2011, Kreyer likes to focus on trying to win races versus doing the points racing. However, he relishes the chance to continue to mix it up with some of the up-and-coming drivers of TUNDRA.

“It’s funny, they’re all my buddies…but at the same time they’re my arch enemy,” Kreyer said. These young kids, I’m proud of what they’re doing, but I’ve got to show them every once in a while these old guys can still do it.”

The next race for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is Round Four scheduled for Friday, July 19 at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis. Dalton Zehr was victorious in TUNDRA’s first visit on Memorial Day over a stout field of 40 entries.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 10992 Hwy. 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 standings, archived results and standings, the 2013 schedule and more visit http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

JEFFERSON, Wis. (June 22, 2013) – Mother Nature may have been a fan of Nick Panitzke on this Saturday night at Jefferson Speedway. A persistent sprinkle developed into a heavy rain on lap 37 of TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Two, forcing officials to shorten the main event.

The rain couldn’t have come at a better time for Panitzke, as the healthy lead he built early in the race was in grave danger due to lapped traffic and some fast company closing the gap.

“It would have got interesting if Dalton (Zehr) and Casey Johnson would have got up there,” Panitzke said. “I know they were fast all day. My car was definitely faster in the feature than it was all day.”

The 22-year-old Lakeville, Minn., driver seized the lead from pole-sitter Steve Lichtfeld as he stormed to a two-car-length lead by the time the field had exited turn two. Panitzke’s jump allowed Mike Egan and Frank Kreyer to follow into second and third and begin a battle for the runner-up spot.

As Kreyer dashed to the inside and took the spot from Egan, Brandon Selle swung to the outside of Lichtfeld for fourth on lap two. Selle, who entered the event with the TUNDRA point lead, had a short run of luck up front. On lap three Selle slid up the track and subsequently dropped out with mechanical issues. Earlier in the day, Selle and crew were forced to scramble to fix a broken rear end.

Selle was able to get his machine out of harm’s way and into the infield, but the caution flew just one lap later for a major melee in turn four. Billy Mohn was sent spinning just outside of the top five. With congestion in turn four Claire Decker attempted to check up, but had nowhere to go except into the outside retaining wall. Decker’s hit was thunderous, but she was unharmed.

After a red flag to check on Decker and a quick cleanup, the cone was placed for the restart. Panitzke elected to hold the outside line as he did at the start, leaving the bottom open for Kreyer. When the green was dropped Panitzke got away and built a large margin over Kreyer. Kreyer had the same stout advantage over third place where the action was frantic.

Spots in the top five were being hotly contested on lap six among Eugene Gregoric Jr., Johnson and Zehr. Zehr hugged the bottom and found his way past Johnson on lap seven. Just two laps later Zehr used the same line to surpass Gregorich; then James Swan two laps after that. As Zehr clicked off spots on the bottom, Johnson followed in his tire tracks.

By lap 16 Zehr had caught third place John Zimmerman and made the pass. One lap later Johnson moved to fourth. Unfortunately for the duo of Zehr and Johnson, Kreyer and Panitzke were over a straightaway ahead. As they tried to close the gap, Zehr and Johnson reengaged in battle for third.

“With the two car [Casey Johnson] right on my bumper there it probably would have taken five to ten laps, but we were catching the leaders,” Zehr said. “I was using lapped cars as picks, I can tell you that much. I knew he was quick. I knew if I would have given him the outside he would have been gone.”

Indeed ten laps later things started to take shape for Zehr and Johnson to catch the top two. Panitzke closed in on lapped traffic that was getting thicker and thicker as the field neared the midway point. Right at lap 30 Panitzke’s lead had shrunk drastically and Kreyer had moved in to challenge. Zehr and Johnson had closed the gap, as well.

“I’ll bet you the crowd was kind of flipping out there,” Kreyer said. “My wife Michelle was spotting for me and told me the rain was coming and it was time to go. The lapped traffic definitely helped, but we were tight off.”

Panitzke was in a very auspicious position on lap 35 when two lapped cars were racing for position in front of him and did not fall into line. Kreyer not only closed the gap, but also had an inside look for the lead on Panitzke.

“Kreyer and I were both on the back bumpers of two lapped cars,” Panitzke recalled. “It was getting pretty dicey, if it would have come down to another lap or two it would have come down to who was being harder nosed than the other guy.”

Zehr agreed, and was hoping that he and Johnson would have had the chance to turn the two-car battle into a four-car frenzy for the lead in lapped traffic.

“If we would have caught them I know that it probably would have gotten real hectic, real quick because everyone was ready to go somewhere,” Zehr said.

Unfortunately the rain started to pick up on lap 36, and on lap 37 officials decided to throw the yellow flag in hopes of restarting. Cars cycled for several laps as the rain continued to come down. Officials also learned of severe weather in the area and decided it was in the best interest of safety to throw the checkered flag on the event.

Panitzke was awarded the win in his first TUNDRA start, Kreyer picked up his fifth second-place finish in 11 TUNDRA starts and Zehr again found the podium in third. Johnson was fourth and James Swan rounded out the top five.

The trip to Jefferson was a completely new experience for Panitzke who had done some traveling in the past, but had never visited Jefferson. In Victory Lane, as he was awarded the Kim Parsons Memorial Trophy, he called Jefferson his new favorite track and said he hopes to return.

It was also Panitzke’s first time in a TUNDRA event. He said he plans to run the remaining four races of 2013, and feels as though he may have found a home.

“I had a ton of fun racing TUNDRA,” he said. “I can’t say enough about all of the people that are involved and all of the competitors. It’s a real good deal for the average joe racer to come out here and compete in these types of Super Late Model events.”

Nicknamed “Picker,” Panitzke certainly picked a solid partner to team with in the TUNDRA points battle as he and Cardell Potter will form a union toward the title. The win sent the team to second in standings, but they still sit in Zehr’s rear-view mirror, with a 16-point spread to try to catch TUNDRA’s winningest driver.

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3 at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wis. TUNDRA’s stop marks a rare mid-summer Super Late Model event at the home of the famous Oktoberfest Race Weekend. The first green flag is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m. TUNDRA will be joined by the LaCrosse Sportsman and Thunderstox. A huge fireworks display will round out the night.

LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway is located at N4985 County Road M in West Salem, Wis. For more information visit http://www.lacrossespeedway.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 http://www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).

Zehr picks up fifth TUNDRA win in ten starts in Round One at Golden Sands

PLOVER, Wis. (May 27, 2013) –  The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series began a new era in a familiar way Monday afternoon at Golden Sands Speedway – with Dalton Zehr in Victory Lane.

Zehr navigated the outside line from his ninth-place starting spot, taking the lead on lap 44 of the Element Mobile 60.  He then had to hold off a late challenge from defending race winner Cardell Potter on a restart with five laps remaining.

“I said it wasn’t my strongest track,” Zehr remarked after the race.  “Normally we’re thrashing on the car.  Today it was a light work day on the car which is uncommon for us.  We got the results we should get, because if we didn’t work on it, and didn’t win it, that means we didn’t work hard enough.”

It took some time for things to open up for Zehr and the quicker cars in the middle of the pack during the opening circuits of the 60-lap main event.  Pole-sitter Rene Scheinoha broke away from fellow front-row starter Mike Egan at the drop of the green.  Egan was left to contend with Brady Baldry for the second spot.   The tussle allowed Scheinoha to stretch out her advantage and left the rest of the field waiting for space to open. http://www.youtube.com/embed/OiZt-JciUPQ

Lanes finally began to clear on lap five when Baldry snapped sideways and Egan captured second.  Potter was quick to capitalize once the outside was free.

“It was a little (congested).  I just tried to be patient and work my way through traffic,” Potter explained.  “The outside was really hooked up early in the race and that was important to get clear right away and take off.”

Once he had secured the second spot, Potter closed the gap on Scheinoha.  By lap 10 Potter saw his opportunity to attack and tested the top side on the early-race leader. One lap later Potter nosed ahead at the line.

Potter began to pull away with traffic still heavy from second on back.  That advantage was erased, however, for a spin on lap 14 by Leo’s Upper Dells Bar Gong Show winner Austin Luedtke. http://www.youtube.com/embed/rMMVneDijnM

With the decision cone placed, Potter jumped to the outside for the restart, with Scheinoha choosing the bottom lane.  After the green Potter was able to fend off Scheinoha and regain the top spot.

Heavy traffic behind Potter again allowed him to break away from the pack.  Behind him things began to get frantic.  Just two laps after the restart a scrap for fourth saw Billy Mohn and Eugene Gregorich Jr. jump past Mike Egan in a jolting three-wide display.  That shake up in the top five allowed some lanes to begin to open in the middle of the field for Zehr and fast-qualifier Brandon Selle.

As the field neared the 20-lap marker, Jeff Weinfurter slid to the second spot past Scheinoha.  Weinfurter was followed in the next five laps by Gregorich into third, Selle into fourth.  Selle continued his mission past Gregorich into third on lap 28.  One lap later Gregorich experienced mechanical issues and slowed.  He was unable to coax his machine back to the pit area, bringing out the second yellow of the main. http://www.youtube.com/embed/aXdU_IjWc2I

The field was set to take the green at the halfway point behind Potter (again on the outside) and Weinfurter.  The second row consisted of Selle and Zehr.

Weinfurter briefly took the lead from Potter after the restart, but could not show the way for more than one circuit.  Potter reclaimed the lead on lap 32 and soon jumped away from Weinfurter.  Once Potter was clear Zehr slipped past Weinfurter and set his sights on the lead.

“It was a little bit of side-by-side up front there that just couldn’t get settled.  When we went to pick-a-lane it opened up some opportunities on the outside,” Zehr explained.  “I actually chose the outside and fell back a position.  It cleared up again and I got to the outside.  I passed a couple cars on the outside.  It was just a fast race car.”

Zehr chewed up the disadvantage and began to challenge by lap 39.  After a few peeks to the inside, Zehr sprung to the top on lap 42.  After two laps of disputing the top spot, Zehr inched ahead on lap 44.  He began to pull away from Potter until the caution flew again on lap 55.

Coming back to the green in single file formation, Potter found one more chance as Zehr spun his tires and broke sideways.

“We picked up a slight vibration under the caution, but I lit the tires up, got off the gas and got back to it and had great forward bite from there,” Zehr said.  “The vibration went away I think I had a bunch of junk on the the right rear or something like that.”

Potter had a brief look inside, but could not find the grip to make the pass.

“I stuck a nose in there but I was just about as loose coming out of the corner as he was and coming out of two I did the same thing,” Potter explained.

Over the final five circuits Zehr built his lead.  Potter was challenged by Frank Nitzke who quietly, but quickly slipped into the top five over the final 20 laps.

“I needed a little more room to work,” said the defending GSS Champ Nitzke.  “I think if I would have gotten through traffic a little better the first 20 laps it would have been real interesting there.”

Nitzke was unable to make the pass on Potter and settled for third.  Selle held on for fourth and Mohn rounded out the top five.

Winning his fifth TUNDRA feature in 10 starts, Zehr kept the bigger picture in mind. After coming up just shy of a title last season in TUNDRA’s five-race set at Dells Raceway Park, Zehr seems focused early on in the title hunt.

“This is about as good as you can get for the points to start.  We picked up right where we left off last year,” he said.  “Hopefully we build up a little bit of a cushion so that if the driver has a little foul up we can still contend for the Championship at the end of the year.”

If history is any indication, Zehr may be in good standing for Round Two.  Wins have come in pairs for Zehr – capturing Rounds Two and Three in 2011 and Rounds Three and Four in 2012.

However, due to passing points Zehr trails Brandon Selle in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series points.  Selle has yet to decide if he will chase the full TUNDRA season while both Zehr and Nitzke are committed to the six-race schedule and the title hunt.

Round Two for the 2013 TUNDRA Super Late Model Series season is scheduled for Saturday, June 22 at Jefferson Speedway just outside Jefferson, Wis.  A visit to Wisconsin’s Action Track will be the first time TUNDRA has competed on a quarter-mile.  TUNDRA will be joined by the Mid-American Stock Car Series and other support divisions to be named soon

For more information on Jefferson Speedway visit 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 drivers alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.

For more information on TUNDRA including news, past results and standings, the 2013 schedule and more visit www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms)

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (September 9, 2012) – When Dennis Prunty started the Advanced Engine Concepts 80-lap feature event Saturday Night for TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Five he knew there was only so much he could control. Prunty took care of his business; fate took care of the rest.

The veteran from Knowles, Wis. claimed his first ever Super Late Model title at DRP by seizing control of the feature on lap 21 and holding off a hungry Steve Rubeck in heavy lapped traffic for the win.

Prunty entered the night three points back of Dalton Zehr. After Zehr gained four more points in qualifying, the deficit was seven heading into the main. However, with an invert of 13, Prunty was given a favorable starting spot inside row three.

“After qualifying I figured I didn’t have much of a chance unless (Rich Bickle) and (Zehr) had a bad night,” Prunty said. “I knew all I could do was just win the race, and the rest was out of my hands. It happened to work out for me.”

Both Zehr and Bickle suffered off nights leaving Prunty with a five point advantage over Zehr in the final TUNDRA standings.

Working his way through the field early, Prunty showed every indication of a man on a mission. Prunty started alongside Dan Lensing, who later in the evening went on to claim the DRP Late Model title. Lensing and Prunty waited for front row starters Josh Wallace and Steve Rubeck to sort out before they both attacked the outside line.

On lap four Lensing jumped to the top to take second from Wallace and carried on past Rubeck to the top spot one lap later. Mimicking the move Prunty jumped to the outside of Wallace on lap four and cruised past Rubeck on the next circuit.

Lensing’s healthy advantage began to wither as Prunty caught him within three laps of taking second. Just as he was prepared to challenge Lensing, Prunty’s advances were cut off by a caution when Ross Zumbach spun in turn two on lap eleven.

The restart was short-lived as Mike Egan was sent spinning through the grass right at the outset. When the line up sorted out Michael Bilderback had made a strong move. On the cone Bilderback hopped to the outside line and claimed a spot in the top five.

The field quickly sorted back into single file and drivers started to plot their moves. With Prunty running in the second spot, all eyes were on Dalton Zehr. Needing only a top ten finish, Zehr had exercised patience in the past. He was in familiar territory deep in traffic in the early going.

However, the DRP outside wall claimed Zehr’s title chances victim on lap fifteen when he tagged the front stretch wall. Zehr started to fall back through the field with obvious damage to his right front. He nursed his machine to a 12th place finish.

Zehr’s hard luck was not the only bad-for-him-good-for-me situation Prunty would encounter on this fateful evening. Trailing Lensing closely for ten laps after the restart Prunty had again closed the gap and was ready to strike for the lead. Just as he closed in Lensing lost control and spun out exiting turn four. Lensing spun to the infield, kept his machine fired, and kept rolling which allowed the green flag to stay out.

The situation was a near-miss in many ways for Prunty.

“I was about a car length behind him and I’m not sure what happened. I saw him start to get sideways and I thought, ‘should I go inside or outside,’” I’m glad I went to the outside,” he said of the potential contact.

However, he wasn’t sure if he was out of the woods. “I was thinking to myself, ‘I hope they don’t think I did that,’ because I was nowhere near him. It was cool that it stayed green. I feel bad for him, but it was good for me.”

With Prunty in the lead, and Zehr starting to fade, attention then turned to Bickle who had the opportunity to close in on Prunty with passing points. Bickle started his move on lap 29 as he started to work the outside and creep toward the top ten. The run was disrupted when Bickle started to fade backward in what looked to be a means to conserve equipment.

Falling just back outside of the top ten Bickle was caught by Corey Jankowski. With a little bad blood still spilling over from a previous TUNDRA event, Jankowski and Bickle connected out of turn four, resulting in Jankowski going airborne over the left rear of Bickle. Jankowski retired with damage to his machine and Bickle was forced to change a flat left rear.

On the lap 36 restart Prunty broke away from Rubeck and Bilderback. Stretching out his lead, spots in the top five seemed secure until the final ten circuits.

As Rubeck started to reel in Prunty slightly for the top spot, James Swan closed the gap on Bilderback for third. Coming off a second-place finish in TUNDRA Round Four, Swan jousted with Bilderback over the final ten circuits for the final podium spot. Behind them, Terry Schoppenhorst and fast qualifier Bobby Kendall closed the gap.

While the stunning side-by-side display between Swan and Bilderback raged on, Rubeck crept in on Prunty. With just seven laps remaining, Prunty had some difficulty with lapped traffic and Rubeck had closed to a car length.

“The first car I caught up to stayed high,” Prunty said of the lapped traffic. “The next car didn’t want to go a lap down. It was a fight and Rubeck was behind me, but when I cleared thankfully there were only three laps to go.”

Over the final three trips, Prunty stretched out his advantage. With both Zehr and Bickle outside the top ten, Prunty cruised to putting an exclamation point on his first title. Rubeck, who had struggled mightily, was pleased to have luck on his side with a second-place finish. Swan beat Bilderback to the line by a nose to claim third and Schoppenhorst rounded out the top five.

In victory lane Prunty took the microphone to begin thanking all of those involved in his first ever title run. To claim his second Super Late Title, Prunty needed less than 24 hours. On Sunday afternoon Prunty claimed a 10-point victory for his first title at Slinger Speedway.

“This Championship means a lot to me,” Prunty said of his TUNDRA title Saturday. “I can’t wait to see what we (TUNDRA) do next year. I’d like to see if we get some other tracks involved, or if we just do this again. It was awesome.”

The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series would like to thank its supporters for the 2012 season including: Dells Raceway Park, Advanced Engine Concepts, Waterfurnace, Super Star Motorsports, Barricade Flasher Service, Bonafide Security Solutions, Coleman Racing Products, The Country Plumber, Tiry’s Race Engines, Five Star Race Car Bodies, TD Graphics, Wegner Automotive Research, Leo’s Upper Dells Bar and all the sponsors who made it possible for their teams/drivers to compete.

This offseason brings a lot of excitement as TUNDRA hopes to grow on its success of 2012 and parlay it into an even bigger 2013 season. Expect to see announcements through the DRP web site and facebook.com/tundrasuperlatemodels. TUNDRA hopes to launch its own web site within the coming months.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road, five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2012 schedule and more visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com.

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis (August 25, 2012) – When the going gets tough, Dalton Zehr gets going. Zehr and pole-sitter John Zimmerman were the only two drivers not involved in a caution in TUNDRA Round Four Saturday at Dells Raceway Park. In the end they were the only two to lead laps in the Advanced Engine Concepts 80.

After the fifth caution on lap 26 claimed drivers from second on back, Zehr emerged for a single file restart in the second spot. Although he challenged at the drop of the green Zehr had to bide his time until he was able to take the lead on lap 50 and pocket his second straight TUNDRA win.

“Zimmerman was tough to pass,” Zehr explained. “Originally I thought it was going to be a breeze because he was giving such a wide lane out there, but when I got out there, it tightened up.”

Grabbing the lead from Mike Egan, the former track champion enjoyed one of his strongest runs since returning to DRP last season. Zimmerman broke away slightly to leave the field to battle until the first caution fell for Steve Lichtfeld on lap four.

From his third-place spot on lap four, Bobby Kendall picked the outside line for the restart and immediately challenged Zimmerman. Kendall found out early what Zehr would learn later – Zimmerman was ready to repel those who tested the top line. Kendall held the outside line for nearly ten laps until another caution fell on lap 14 for a Terry Schoppenhorst spin.

Although he looked strong on the outside before the caution, the temptation of selecting the bottom line was too much for Kendall to pass up. Leaving the outside lane vacated allowed Dennis Prunty to slide to the top line for a restart in the third position. Behind Prunty was Rich Bickle, who was developing a history with the TUNDRA Round Two winner.

The field sorted out at the drop of the green allowing Kendall to keep the second spot behind Zimmerman. As he closed in to challenge, attention turned toward Bickle and Prunty who started jousting back and fourth for the third spot.

Just as Kendall approached Zimmerman for another challenge, James Swan made contact with Mike Egan while racing for fifth. Swan gave Egan his spot back, but had not made his final appearance near the front of the field.

The caution also claimed Landry Potter and Dan Lensing. As Lensing tried to avoid, he caught the hood of Potter’s machine and went airborne. Lensing continued but brought out another caution just three laps later on lap 25 when his right rear tire failed and he hit the front stretch wall.

Behind Zimmerman frustration was poised to boil over. After racing in close vicinity through the first 25 laps Bickle and Prunty scrapped for second in a furious manner. Prunty worked the outside with very little room for error. After making contact on several occasions over the lap, Prunty came out with second. However, Bickle tapped the back bumper of Prunty enterting turn three. Unable to save his machine Prunty spun in front of the field out of four, brining the remaining drivers to a screeching halt.

The wreck was worst for Terry Schoppenhorst who was right behind the battle. He sustained major damage and could not continue. Although Zehr wasn’t damaged, he wasn’t immune to the melee in front of him.

“It was a big pileup in turn four there,” Zehr said. “We were lucky to be one of the ones who got hit in the back not in the front and didn’t have the radiator taken out.”

Only eight cars paced around DRP during the caution laps while others made repairs or were done for the remainder of the event. Even Bickle and Prunty, who were both able to continue, were able to restart in the top ten.

After the restart Zehr challenged, but was turned back by Zimmerman by lap 32. While the top two broke away, the line of Swan, Bickle and Prunty moved back toward the top five. After moving around Kenny Reiser for third, Swan, making his Super Late Model debut at DRP, closed the gap on Zehr.

Seeing his rear view mirror fill with a baby blue nose, Zehr decided it was time to roll the dice.

“Eventually (Swan) caught up to us and it was go time,” Zehr said. “I jumped to the outside and if I wouldn’t have made that pass, I probably would have ended up tenth. It worked out though, we were able to make the pass and build up a lead.”

Swan followed to the second spot just two laps later and seemed as though he might have had something for Zehr. Although Zehr proved to have the superior machine, Swan again forced Zehr to alter his plans.

“Swan broke free and it was time to put the hammer down,” Zehr said. He also discussed some handling conditions with Swan after the race completed. “He started losing the front end of his car before I started losing the back end on mine. If I lost mine five laps earlier, it might have been different.”

Without incident over the final 25 circuits, Bickle followed Swan to third and Prunty rounded out the top four. Ken Reiser passed Zimmerman in the final laps to complete the top five.

In similar position to his wins in the Alive For Five Super Late Model Series last season, Zehr had seen these scenarios before – just as he referred to in an article leading up to TUNDRA Round Four. He said the roughest race in the Midwest is like every race in Florida. With rain looming Zehr might have felt like he was in the Sunshine State again.

“We kept taking the outside on the restarts with all the cautions,” Zehr said. “Every time we picked the outside we would go forward a position, but we would go to back and it wouldn’t stay green long enough for us to move back up. It all panned out in the very end.”

Most importantly for Zehr, however, was his ability to capture the point lead. Zehr embraced starting behind the invert in Round Four and said he looks forward to it again in the fifth and final round as he tries to lock up his first career championship

“We were really chasing points tonight and early in the race it didn’t look so good,” Zehr said. “We did everything we could do to put ourselves in contention.”

The fireworks between Bickle and Prunty crept into Victory Lane. Bickle explained why he and Prunty got so physical early in the race even though both seemed to put it behind them over the second half of the race. Bickle’s confession was met by a boisterous mixed-reaction, inciting the crowd of Prunty faithful to serenade him with boos as others cheered.

With a point battle that features Zehr holding a three point lead over Prunty and eight point lead over Bickle, the fireworks and emotions have seemingly only just begun and will most certainly boil up over the next two weeks.

TUNDRA Rounds out the 2012 season Saturday, Sept. 8 at Dells Raceway Park. Champions will be crowned in all five divisions.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road, five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2012 schedule and more visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com.