TUNDRA REGULARS LOOKING FOR HOME COOKING AT STATE PARK SPEEDWAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ZEHR ZAPS THE COMPETITION IN NORWAY THREE-PEAT

Full Results

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAST CHAMPS RETURN TO BATTLE AT NORWAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expected Entries as of 7/27/23

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

MIKE LICHTFELD CAPTURES THE CUP

Full Results

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BATTLE WILL BE ON AT DELLS TO HOIST NORTH AMERICAN CUP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TUNDRA PARTNERS WITH ANTHEM OFF-ROAD AND GENERAL TIRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BEV ASCHENBRENNER MEMORIAL MOVED TO SEPTEMBER 16

GREEN BAY, Wis. (June 21) – Officials from the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series and Marshfield Motor Speedway have moved the Bev Aschenbrenner to September 16. TUNDRA was originally scheduled to make its second visit to the speedway on that date.

The event will now host twin features and crown the 2023 TUNDRA Champion. More details on the twin feature format will be available at a later time.

The next event for TUNDRA will be the North American Cup Dedicated to Carl Wegner at Dells Raceway Park on Saturday, July 1.

BEV ASCHENBRENNER MEMORIAL POSTPONED

MARSHFIELD, Wis. (June 10, 2023) – With forecasts of 50-80% chance of rain all afternoon and into the night time, then temps dipping into the low 50s, officials from TUNDRA and Marshfield Motor Speedway have decided to postpone the Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial.

Make up date scenarios are in the works, and should be announced later this week after they are discussed with the race teams.

The event for TUNDRA will be the North American Cup Dedicated to Carl Wegner at Dells Raceway Park on Saturday, July 1. More information about the event will be available soon.

WIDE OPEN FIELD READIES FOR BEV MEMORIAL AT MARSHFIELD

GREEN BAY, Wis. (June 8, 2023) – Past winners and drivers looking to crack Victory Lane for the first time will clash in Saturday’s Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial presented by IncredibleBank, Solutionz LLC, and A&A Lock Service at Marshfield Motor Speedway.

The past two seasons saw the Bev Memorial winner go on to win the TUNDRA Championship. Last season Justin Mondeik dominated at the sweeping half-mile. He’ll be looking to do the same again – gaining the “Bev boost” in the title race. 

In 2021, it was Riley Stenjem who dominated the Bev race, which helped lead him to the season title. Although Stenjem isn’t chasing the TUNDRA title this year, he’ll be back at Marshfield looking to play spoiler. The Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist will be bringing his Kulwicki tribute #28 car up to central Wisconsin.

There won’t be a shortage of drivers with success at Marshfield to contend with them. Past track Champions in the field include Mark Eswein, John Beale, and Darren Jackson.

Eswein comes off a feature win in the season opener at Marshfield last week.  He finished Third in the event last season.

Beale comes off a win in the Dick Trickle Memorial at Golden Sands Speedway on Memorial Day.  He has seen plenty of TUNDRA success at Marshfield, setting fast time and finishing Second last season.

Jackson will be looking for a breakout TUNDRA performance. He was involved in a lap one incident last season, and hopes for better luck to show his speed this season.

Several other TUNDRA drivers could look to play spoiler and get a leg up in the Championship race.

Chad Butz seeks his first series win, but has continued to show more and more speed at each event. Jordan DeVoy tags in for his teammate Jordan Thiel, and will look to find success at Marshfield. A past winner in TUNDRA action at Golden Sands and Dells Raceway Park, Marshfield is a track where DeVoy is looking to improve.

Along with that duo will be two up-and-coming TUNDRA regulars. Kole Guralski comes off an impressive charge to a Sixth Place finish in the series opener at WIR. Travis Volm tags in for teammate Brock Heinrich, looking to solidify their place as a Championship contending team.

A young gun with plenty of pedigree will be making his series debut, as well. Ty Fredrickson, son of legendary Minnesota racer Dan Fredrickson, is already making his name known. The younger Fredrickson appeared at Golden Sands on Memorial Day at Marshfield last week, scoring Top Fives in both.  He’ll be looking to keep the momentum rolling.

Two veteran racers could look to make some noise as well in Jeremy Lepak and Dillon Hammond. Lepak was toward the top of the speed charts all day in the season opener at WIR and looks to convert that into a strong finish.  Hammond will be driving the Satorius-owned #93. The team could prove to be a powerful combination.

Two drivers from the Milwaukee area will make their first appearances at Marshfield in EPYK Media Rookie contender Mitch Haver and veteran racer Jerry Mueller.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Corey Jankowski will continue to etch his name into the TUNDRA history books on Saturday. Jankowski will continue his streak of competing in an event in every TUNDRA season dating back to the series’ beginning in 2011.

Fan gates at Marshfield open at 4:30 with qualifying at 5:45 and racing at 7pm. TUNDRA will be joined by the Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series, Legends, Xtreme 4s, and Bandits.

Marshfield Motor Speedway is located at 10853 County Rd H just outside of Marshfield, Wisconsin. For more information visit http://www.marshfieldspeedway.com

The Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial
Presented by IncredibleBank, Solutionz LLC and A&A Lock Service
Marshfield Motor Speedway
Saturday, June 10, 2023

Expected Entries (15) as of 6/8/23
# – Driver, Hometown
2 – Darren Jackson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
5B – John Beale, Verona, Wis.
7 – Mitchell Haver, West Bend, Wis. [R]
8 – Chad Butz, Green Bay, Wis.
28 – Riley Stenjem, Utica, Wis.
31 – Corey Jankowski, Tomah, Wis.
36 – Ty Fredrickson, Lakeville, Minn.
38 – Jordan DeVoy, Lake Geneva, Wis.
40 – Jeremy Lepak, Wausau, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
49 – Jerry Mueller, Richfield, Wis.
56 – Kole Guralski, Wausau, Wis.
71 – Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
76 – Travis Volm, Mosinee, Wis.
93 – Dillon Hammond, Stoughton, Wis.

EFFERTZ OUTGUNS INVADERS FOR BEAR 66 WIN

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (May 13, 2023) – For the first time in the ten trips the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series has made to Wisconsin International Raceway, the trophy won’t be traveling far to be displayed in its new home. Sawyer Effertz “protected the house” for the hometown racers, by powering to the front of the field and outlasting the field on a late restart.

The win also snapped a long drought for the racer from nearby Darboy.

“It was a lot of hard work over the winter with help from a lot of great people. It’s nice that after nine years it finally paid off. I’m glad I was able to defend the house today,” Effertz said.

The win did not come without its challenges from the outsiders. Effertz had a lengthy tussle with Brock Heinrich in the middle portion of the race and had to keep an eye on a fast-closing Dalton Zehr, who had set fast time earlier in the day.

Fresh off a win in the Mid-Am Racing Series main just prior to the green flag, Maxwell Schultz seized the top spot from Heinrich from the front row. Just as the field was starting to sort out contact between Jeff VanOudenhoven and Lowell Bennett resulted in the first caution of the day. Both would continue.

Schultz elected to take the outside line for the restart. Although he held the lead for five more laps, Heinrich found a surge and grabbed the lead going down the front stretch. Schultz was not yet in the clear as he was feeling pressure from Effertz – who had already charged into the Top Five from his Tenth Place starting spot – Andy Monday, Grant Griesbach, and Jeff Storm. 

After a save coming out of turn two Schultz surrendered Second with Storm and Griesbach charging past, as well.  The field then began to settle into place until another caution fell for a spin on lap 12.

On the restart Heinrich elected the inside line, which is uncommon at WIR.  Effertz went to the outside.

“I thought I got an early birthday present when Brock went to the bottom on the restart, then he beat me,” Effertz said. “I thought that was going to be a problem.”

After 7 laps of side-by-side battling, Effertz fell back to Second and was able to slide just in front of Griesbach. Meanwhile, Zehr was slicing through the field, having moved up to Seventh. He then moved past Schultz for Sixth on lap 22.

Zehr eventually slipped past Colin Reffner and followed past Jeff Storm at the halfway point. Now in Third and Fourth, the duo had some ground to make up on the leaders.  At the same time, Effertz began to close the gap on Heinrich.  The battles were paused with 27 laps remaining as an oil line let go on VanOudenhoven’s machine. Mitch Haver spun on the same lap, bringing out the yellow.

On the restart Effertz went to the outside of Heinich again, seeing if it would work how it normally does at WIR. This time Effertz was able to outduel Heinrich and secure the lead. Heinrich was then left to deal with Zehr in a scrap for Second. 

Another caution paused the action on lap 45 when a suspension piece broke on Colin Reffner sending him to the outside wall. He hopped out of the car, but it was a disappointing end to a day that looked like it would end with a Top Five finish.

A single-file restart allowed Effertz to jump away while Heinrich was left to fend off Zehr. After three laps, Zehr was able to move his way past Heinrich, but by this point Effertz had build a strong advantage.  Zehr was unable to close in on Effertz. In fact, Heinrich reeled him back in to battle for Second.

With six to go Heinrich tried an all-out blitz to steal Second back. His gamble did not pay off as he got sideways and washed up. He and Storm were somehow able to save their machines, but Schultz slipped past and grabbed Third again. A final caution came out as the field came back to the line for lap 63 due to a tangle between Jeremy Lepak and Justin Mondeik.

A final restart brought Zehr to Effertz for one final show down. As the green fell, Effertz surged away. That left Zehr under pressure from the rest of the field. A host of cars would pass as Zehr battled a right side tire going down.

Effertz cruised to a win, Schultz held Second, Heinrich recovered for Third with Storm in Fourth and Andy Monday making a late charge to Fifth.

The next event for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series is the Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial on Saturday, June 10 at Marshfield Motor Speedway. More information about the event will be available through the TUNDRA web site soon.