PORTAGE, Wis. (September 21, 2021) – It has been a year of learning for Brady Bill. However, this Sunday he’s hoping some home cooking will help him end his TUNDRA Super Late Model Series EPYK Media rookie season on a high note.

“Excited is an understatement,” Bill said of Sunday’s Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner. “I love DRP. It’s where I turned my first laps in a race car and I’ve had some pretty good results there, so I’m hoping to have a good run Sunday”

Bill made waves last season competing in both the Late Model and UMA 602 Late Model division. He won the Championship in the 602 class and scored a feature win and three Top Fives in the Late Model division. 

Making the move to Super Late Models has come with its hurdles. After showing good speed in the Icebreaker to begin the year at Dells Raceway Park, Bill has been learning new facilities and picking up lessons along the way.

“Stepping up to the Super Lates has been a challenge,” he said. “It feels like my first year racing again. I feel like I’ve been making progress little by little and I like the challenges just makes you better at the end of the day.”

“My TUNDRA season hasn’t been the best, but hasn’t been the worst,” Bill said. “We are getting better and making progress. It’s tough showing up to new tracks I’ve never been to, but I’ve definitely been having a blast out there.”

Bill has shown good speed and is hoping that will translate into some results this Sunday.  With plenty of laps at Dells Raceway Park, he’ll be one of the more experienced drivers at the third-mile. Being just 20 minutes from his hometown of Reedsburg also helps him amp up for the event.

“Other than being home, I just love DRP,” Bill said. “It’s always good, hard racing. You can pass on the bottom or the top. I’ve just always loved watching races there growing up, and now to be out there, it’s like a dream come true.”

With some success this weekend, Bill will be able to carry some momentum into the post-season portion of 2021 and have a good notebook for future travel. He’s ready to give his many hometown fans and friends something to cheer about.

“Expectations for Sunday are to qualify into the show and hopefully run up front,” Bill said. “I’d like to finish Top Five. That’s my goal and I think we can do it with the series coming to our home track.”

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner takes place next Sunday, September 26 at Dells Raceway Park. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and American Super Cup Series.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells.  For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 21, 2021) – The 2021 TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will be going out with a bang on Sunday at Dells Raceway Park with the highest car count of the season expected.  The field is full of challengers looking to visit Victory Lane as the series honors short track racing industry legend Carl Wegner.

Sunday’s race features one of the tightest Championship battles in series history.  Young standout Riley Stenjem leads four-time series Champion Casey Johnson by just four points.  Although Stenjem has limited Super Late Model experience at Dells, he has proven to be a quick learner all season long.  Johnson has plenty of success at DRP, including an overall win when the series ran twin features in 2018.  The overall win helped him seal the season Championship that year.

The logjam from Third Place on back is just as intriguing. Just six points separates Third Place Jordan Thiel from Sixth Place (and leading EPYK Media Rookie contender) Grant Thompson.  Last year’s Rookie of the Year Brock Henrich sits Fourth while Justin Mondeik sits Fifth.

Similar battles take place from Seventh to Tenth with Mike Lichtfeld looking to hold the spot at his home track (or possibly advance into the Top Five). He’ll have to fend off James Swan and John Beale, who is coming off a sweep in the $5,000-to-win Dream at Marshfield.  Swan will be carrying the momentum from teammate Jordan DeVoy who won the most recent TUNDRA race at Golden Sands. DeVoy will also be in the field, but will not be racing for points.

Several other contenders will look to emerge from outside the point battle including former TUNDRA Champion Dennis Prunty, former TUNDRA winner and five-time Slinger Champion Steve Apel, former WIR Champion Andy Monday, ten-time Golden Sands Champion Mark Eswein, KDDP Finalist Max Kahler, former UMA 602 Late Model Champion Brady Bill, and Golden Sands fast qualifier Jake Zellmer.

Several drivers will be making their first or second appearance with TUNDRA this season including Jeff Holmgren, Tim Lampman, and Brandon Hill.

There will be a good amount of drivers making their series debuts as well. Those include Chris Pulera, Gregory Borchardt, Brandon Reichenberger, Kevin Retzlaff, Shawn Grace, Mike Held, and Nathan Matz.

Sunday’s event will feature a 105-lap main that will pay a minimum $2,000 to the winner and $1,000 to Second Place.  Several other bonuses and incentives will be offered to the 22-car starting field.  For those who do not make the main, there will be a $500-to-win B Feature that will also offer incentives for those who compete in the 40-lap race.

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner takes place next Sunday, September 26 at Dells Raceway Park. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and American Super Cup Series.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells.  For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner
Dells Raceway Park
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Expected Entries (44) as of 9/22/21

# – Driver, Hometown
00 – Chris Pulera, Burlington, Wis.
2 – Jordan Thiel, Darboy, Wis.
2 – Darren Jackson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2 – Gregory Borchardt, Prior Lake, Minn.
4 – Luke Fenhaus, Wausau, Wis.
5 – Casey Johnson, Edgerton, Wis.
5B – John Beale, Verona, Wis.
5 – Jeff Holmgren, East Troy, Wis.
5 – Brandon Reichenberger, Appleton, Wis.
9 – Tim Lampman, Oak Creek, Wis.
9 – Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
10 – Andy Monday, Appleton, Wis.
16 – Luke Westenberg, Jefferson, Wis.
17 – Max Kahler, Caledonia, Ill.
20 – Kevin Retzlaff, Berlin, Wis.
20 – Larry Epright, East Troy, Wis.
31 – Corey Jankowsi, Tomah, Wis.
32 – Steve Lichtfeld, Portage, Wis.
32 – Jesse Bernhagen, Neillsville, Wis.
33 – Kevin Kneuse, Waukesha, Wis.
34 – Brandon Hill, Lake Geneva, Wis.
38 – Jordan DeVoy, Lake Geneva, Wis.
40 – Curt Tillman, Rockford, Ill.
42 – Dennis Prunty, Knowles, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
44 – Mike Lichtfeld, Pardeeville, Wis.
50 – Hunter Stenson, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
51 – Steve Apel, Slinger, Wis.
52 – Brock Heinrich, Wausau, Wis.
52 – Shawn Grace, Elkhart, Ind.
54 – Grant Thompson, Mobile, Ala.
64 – Mike Olson, Wausau, Wis.
70 – Brady Bill, Reedsburg, Wis.
71 – Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
72 – Mike Held, Hartford, Wis.
76 – Travis Volm, Mosinee, Wis.
77 – Riley Stenjem, Utica, Wis.
80 – Ryan Farrell, East Troy, Wis.
82 – Nathan Matz, Burlington, Wis.
89 – Mike Egan, Slinger, Wis.
97 – James Swan, Lake Geneva, Wis.
99 – Jake Zellmer, Muskego, Wis.
107.5 – Darek Gress, Neillsville, Wis.
232 – Myles Marshall, LaValle, Wis.

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 20, 2021) – Jake Zellmer has been very speedy in qualifying efforts over the past two seasons. However, up until the second half of this season, race results had been elusive for the driver from Muskego, Wis. He’s hoping that the upward trend he’s begun in 2021 brings some success in Sunday’s TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner this Sunday.

“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs, but with our strong runs at Jefferson and Plover, I’m looking forward to Sunday at the Dells,” Zellmer said.

Zellmer was the Section 715 Axing the Competition Fast Qualifier in the last event at Golden Sands Speedway where he set a new series track record.  He was able to back that up with a Sixth Place finish in the main event.  Couple that with a Seventh Place finish in the previous race at Jefferson, and there is a clear upward trajectory for Zellmer at the tail end of the season.

It seems each TUNDRA race event begins with Zellmer at or near the top of the charts in qualifying.  He says the hard work and focus of his team prior to race day helps them get off to strong starts.

“I would say setting the tone early on gives our small team great confidence for the rest of the night,” Zellmer said. “It’s also a weight lifted off our shoulders when we qualify into the show because we are able to focus on making the correct changes for the longer runs in the feature.”

Zellmer’s best result at Dells came last season when he raced to a Sixth Place finish. The year prior he scored his first Super Late Model fast time when TUNDRA came to town. DRP is the place where Zellmer began his career in weekly Late Models and will always be a special place for him. He also loves it’s racy nature.

“The Dells produces two lanes of racing, which you can’t find other places. And that’s what I like about it,” he said. “The Dells is home. I started racing a limited a bunch of years ago. It’s where I made my super late debut, it’s where I captured my first limited win, it’s where I set fast time in a super for the first time. The atmosphere, the people, the racing, it’s home.”

What will be different this time when TUNDRA comes to town is the race format. TUNDRA is extending the feature to 105 laps for the finale in honor of racing industry legend Carl Wegner. It changes the strategy for all involved.

 “I’d say for a longer race like this, you want to go into with the mindset of being on your toes early, keeping your nose clean, staying out of trouble, and just ride for a little bit,” he said. “You’ll have to let things sort themselves out before moving forward.”

Finding himself up front and in contention would be a major boost for Zellmer and his family-run team. It would also back up the major statements he’s been making in his qualifying efforts.

“We have shown the speed to compete up front, we just need a little luck on our side on Sunday,” Zellmer said. “Winning for this small team would mean the world. It would show everyone that we can win and be competitive, not just lay down a fast lap in qualifying.”

Despite wanting to score his first TUNDRA Top Five, podium, or perhaps win, Zellmer is remaining focused on putting himself in good position.  He said he’s ready for whatever might come his way.

“Honestly, I don’t have any expectations for Sunday. The team and I will roll in and focus on making the car right and the speed will come,” Zellmer said. “We are always pretty good at the Dells; we just need to capitalize and be there at the end.”

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner takes place next Sunday, September 26 at Dells Raceway Park. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and American Super Cup Series.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells.  For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 20, 2021) – It feels like these two have met a time or two.

Former Slinger Champions Steve Apel and Dennis Prunty will cross paths again in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner this Sunday at Dells Raceway Park.

Prunty has a decorated history with TUNDRA.  He claimed the first series Championship when the series was rebranded as TUNDRA and raced exclusively at DRP in 2012.  More recently he ripped off a string of three straight wins in series action at Wisconsin International Raceway before his streak was snapped in this year’s season opener.

Apel has had some success with the series, as well. He set fast time in 2013 when the series first visited Slinger. He also picked up a win in the 2017 series opener at WIR.  Apel holds five track titles at the World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile and will hope to find success at DRP after limited appearances.

Aside from coming out on top of the rivalry, both drivers will have some extra incentive to visit Victory Lane in the 105 lap main Sunday.  Both drivers have strong ties to Carl Wegner as much of their success was powered by engines from Wegner Automotive.

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner takes place next Sunday, September 26 at Dells Raceway Park. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and American Super Cup Series.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells.  For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 18, 2021) – Success breeds success. Although most of Mike Lichtfeld’s success at Dells Raceway Park has come in a Late Model this season, he’s ready to roll that momentum into next Sunday’s TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner.

“The success at the Dells does quite a bit in terms of confidence for my team and myself when we race there,” Lichtfeld said. “It has also helped is focus on Dells specific set ups and what both cars need, what they like and don’t like. With it being an afternoon race, some of that might be out the window, but we should be in the ballpark come Sunday.”

Lichtfeld won seven out of ten weekly Late Model features at DRP this season.  His success in the Alive for Five Super Late Model races have been sporadic though. He’s been able to find speed in qualifying – including a fast time in the Badgerland 125 – but has had several issues plague him in the race events.  He’s hoping those are out the window for this event.

“Point blank, I want a Super Late Model feature badly,” Lichtfeld said. “It’s been a few years since we’ve gotten one. We’ve been close a few times, had good cars but haven’t been able to seal the deal. A feature win in the Carl Wegner Memorial would be the icing on the cake to a remarkable year for us.”

TUNDRA races have seen Lichtfeld play a major factor since his rookie season in 2014.  He recorded his first series podium that year.  He then backed it up in 2015 with a Fourth Place finish before two seasons of leading the race, but then suffering DNFs.  Lichtfeld finally broke through with a win in one of the twin 55 lap features in 2018.  He has since notched finishes of Third (2019) and Second last year.  Having the home-track bump has certainly helped.

“Dells is home. It’s 25-30 minutes up the road,” Lichtfeld said. “I grew up at that place watching my dad race there. It’s without a doubt my favorite track. I like that it’s a mix of handling and power. If your car is handling right, you can really get after it.”

This year’s stop will bring a new twist for TUNDRA. The race will be extended from the typical 75 laps to 105. It will also pay $2,000 to the winner, meaning that there is a lot of extra time and incentive to get to the front.

“The extra laps will be a nice addition for Sunday,” Lichtfeld said. “Usually, TUNDRA races are known as quicker paced races because the number of laps we have aren’t high. Now we can be tad more patient and make sure we are saving something because a hot afternoon there could equal a greasy track.”

Aside from the extra laps and cash, Lichtfeld is eyeing up the extra importance of this race.  He and his family had a strong bond with Carl Wegner.

“This race has a lot of meaning to me, because ever since I could remember, Carl was the man when it came to race motors,” Lichtfeld said. “He’s helped us out just as he’s helped out anyone else who has run a Wegner motor over the years. But who a win would really mean a lot to is my dad. My dad would work nights at Wegner Automotive when he was starting out racing to afford his race engines. Carl was in my parents wedding. There’s a lot of history there”

With all of the extra incentive and meaning around this race, Lichtfeld knows he’s not the only driver looking to score a big win next Sunday.  He’s ready to take on a tough field of Super Late Model standouts.

“In my eyes, this is a very prestigious event,” he said. “A lot of racers are going to be gunning for the win in Carl’s honor, and I think Carl would be proud of the fact so many cars are turning out for his race. I expect it to be a heck of a race and I hope I’m a part of the battle at the end.”

Round Six Dedicated to Carl Wegner takes place next Sunday, September 26 at Dells Raceway Park. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and American Super Cup Series.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells.  For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

Full Results

PLOVER, Wis. (September 7, 2021) – In September of 2016 Jordan DeVoy, his family, and crew decided to try their hand at converting their weekly Late Model to run with the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series for the season finale at Jefferson.  The results surprised them, sparking them to eventually make the change and join the series the following season. 

Fast forward five years later to where DeVoy and that very same team are now a constant threat to visit Victory Lane at TUNDRA events.  In Monday’s Round Five Presented by Fox City’s Towing and A&A Lock Service, they made good on the threat with DeVoy capturing his first TUNDRA win at Golden Sands Speedway.

DeVoy was in full celebration mode after out-dueling two heavy hitters. “Did I just beat Justin Mondeik and Mike Lichtfeld?” DeVoy stated in Victory Lane.  In fact, he did.  DeVoy powered past defending race winner at reigning GSS Champ Mondeik on a lap-45 restart then outgunned Lichtfeld – a past TUNDRA winner at the facility – on two late-race restarts.

The field rolled to green in the 75-lap feature behind Jordan Thiel and Mondeik.  With the preferred inside line, Thiel jumped to an early lead and tried to build an advantage over Mondeik.  The field froze two laps into the race when Brock Heinrich and Wyatt Blashe were involved in an incident in turns three and four.

On the following restart Thiel was joined by defending TUNDRA Champion Casey Johnson on the outside line.  Mondeik slid to the inside, regaining the Second spot and set his sights on Thiel.  After hounding Thiel for a few laps, Mondeik was able to slip to the inside line.  Thiel held strong on the high line for as long as he could, but surrendered the lead to Mondeik on lap 18.

The yellow flew shortly after Mondeik took the lead when Corey Jankowski’s machine faced issues and spewed water on the race track.  Mondeik elected to take the inside line with Thiel on the outside. It was this restart where DeVoy made his first big move, electing to go to the outside line in the second row with Johnson.

After three laps of working on the outside, DeVoy was able to grab the Third spot from Johnson.  Four laps later he tracked down Thiel and slid past him on the inside line.  By this time Mondeik had built nearly a straightaway lead.  DeVoy began the task of trying to track down Mondeik as the laps clicked off and appeared to be reeling him in steadily.

Eventually Mondeik caught lapped traffic. As he tried to dip past the lapped car of Kevin Kneuse the two made contact, sending Mondeik spinning into the grass.  Kneuse invoked the gentleman’s agreement taking accountability for the caution. Mondeik would retain the lead, but was now joined by DeVoy on the front row for the lap-45 restart.

DeVoy was able to make a strong move on the outside when the green flag dropped.  He held even with Mondeik and eventually powered away as it appeared Mondeik’s car was not quite the same after the incident. 

As the laps clicked away Lichtfeld was working his way toward the front.  He eventually found his way past Jordan Thiel and into the Third spot before another caution fell with 16 laps to go, this time for an incident involving Blashe and Grant Thompson on the front stretch.

Lichtfeld would have a chance to battle DeVoy on the outside for two restarts.  Both times DeVoy proved to be too strong on the inside line.  Once the green flag stayed out, DeVoy started to build his advantage over Lichtfeld.

Behind them Riley Stenjem made a late-race move to climb into the Top Five and took advantage of the outside line himself.  Stenjem joined Mondeik in the second row for the final restart and was able to dash past him into the final podium spot.

DeVoy cruised over the final circuits, picking up where he left off in last year’s Harvest race where he was victorious for the first time in a Super Late Model.  Lichtfeld held a comfortable advantage to finish Second, and Stenjem did the same in Third.  Mondeik was able to nurse his machine to a Fourth Place finish and Thiel rounded out the Top Five.

The race proved to be a microcosm of how competitive TUNDRA has been this season with a first-time winner, a new driver on the podium and some point standings implications.  By virtue of his Third Place finish, Stenjem grabbed a four-point lead over Johnson with one final race remaining at Dells Raceway Park.

TUNDRA heads to its birthplace, Dells Raceway Park, on Sunday, September 26 as part of the Midwest Championships weekend.  TUNDRA will be joined by the DRP Sportsman and a division to be named soon.  Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 with racing at 2 pm.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just outside of downtown Wisconsin Dells. For more information visit http://www.dellsracewaypark.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 4, 2021) –Mike Olson has expanded his horizons in the 2021 season traveling with the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series.  After visiting some new facilities hours away from his hometown of Dorchester, Olson is excited to get closer to his back yard this Monday when the series visits Golden Sands Speedway.

“We been having a blast running with the TUNDRA series,” Olson said. “It’s been fun to race with cars that we normally wouldn’t have and race at a couple tracks that I’d never seen before.”

The learning curve has been a bit tough for Olson with his first visits to Wisconsin International Raceway and Jefferson.  But in some familiar territory at Marshfield for the Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial, Olson was able to secure a Tenth Place finish. He’s hoping that returning to some familiar territory at Golden Sands – where he made his TUNDRA debut in 2016 – will bring similar or even better results.

“I’m really excited to get back to Golden Sands,” Olson said. “We raced there weekly for several years and usually ran pretty well. It’s been a few years since we last raced there, but I’m hopeful we can get back into a rhythm and have good speed right away.”

Olson made some noise amongst the TUNDRA travelers in 2016 when he made his debut.  Olson qualified into the dash and ran inside the Top Ten for much of the race before settling for a 12^th Place finish.  Golden Sands is a very unique track where experience can pay major dividends.  Olson has been on the right side of having that experience before.  Despite being away from the third-mile, he’s confident that his knowledge can translate to success on Monday.

“My favorite part about Golden Sands is the banking. Prior to racing at Golden Sands we were used to the much flatter State Park Speedway, so it was always fun to go to Sands and feel like you could drive the car a lot harder,” Olson said.  “What Stands out to me most me is the people, we made a lot of friends racing at sands over the years  and I’m excited to get back there The Smileys have a great facility and run a good show.”

Among the TUNDRA drivers and racers across the Midwest, Golden Sands is known as a finesse track.  It’s a track that doesn’t have a ton of grip and requires a skilled set up and some technicality behind the wheel.  Olson is ready to put both on display.

“To have a good run on Monday I think you really have to have a car that gets off the corner well,
 Olson said. “There isn’t a lot of grip there, so I think that for the 75-lapper on Monday not abusing the rear tires and saving some for the end is going to be important.”

In all Olson is looking forward to the chance to get over the learning hurdle and joust with his fellow travelers within the Top Ten, or Top Five, or at the very front of the field.  He hopes a solid run Monday can give him a boost of momentum for the series finale, as well.

“We knew that coming into this season with the TUNDRA series it was going to be tough, especially going to a few tracks that we’d never raced on, so our goal is to keep learning and building notes on what we need to improve on,” Olson said. “But thanks to the guys at Pathfinder Chassis, we’ve had a good car to work with when we unload and I can focus on how to drive the track.  I try to keep realistic expectations and get better every time the car rolls onto the track.”

TUNDRA Round Five takes place this Monday, September 6 at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis.  TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR Quarter-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and 4 Cylinder Stocks. Fan gates open at noon, qualifying is at 12:15, and racing begins at 2 pm.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 11000 Hwy. 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover.  For more information visit http://www.gssraces.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 3, 2021) – Some events give racers an extra bit of jump in their step.  For TUNDRA Super Late Model Series veteran Jordan Thiel, that event is the series’ annual Labor Day stop at Golden Sands Speedway.

Thiel is hoping to score his second ever series win this Monday at what has become his home track.  With strong runs in the last four series stops at the third-mile, he should be considered one to watch.

“Of course, getting any win is important for any racer, however, getting the TUNDRA win at GSS would be huge,” Thiel said.  “I’ve only been able to get one TUNDRA feature win and been hungry for more ever since.  To do it at a place I considered my home track for a few years and in front of that “home-town” crowd would be awesome.  It would also be our first victory for the season so it would hold even more importance to me.”

Since 2016 Thiel has scored nothing but Top Ten finishes in TUNDRA races at Golden Sands. Perhaps the most memorable event was in 2017 when Thiel engaged in a breathtaking battle with Mike Lichtfeld.  Lichtfeld hung on for the victory, but momentum clearly fell to Thiel’s side as he went on to win the season finale that year at Dells Raceway Park.  In the years since Thiel has recorded finishes of 6^th in 2019 and Second last year.

Golden Sands holds a special place in the heart of Thiel.  Although he began racing at Super Late Models at Wisconsin International Raceway, GSS become his home.

“I made the venture over to Plover in 2008/2009.  I couldn’t believe how welcoming everyone was to a new kid trying to learn,” Thiel recalled. “It was a nice feeling compared to other places I had visited early in my career.  I was fortunate to capture Rookie of the Year also.”

Since that time Thiel has become a threat to win whenever he arrives.  He’s made plenty of memories as his career progressed at the track.

“I have a few extremely fond memories of GSS – number one is of course scoring my first ever feature win in a Super Late,” Thiel said.  “To go along with that we were able to win back-to-back races, we had to start in the back of the feature the following week.  Lastly, winning the Wisconsin Challenge Series race at GSS a few years ago was a huge accomplishment given the quality of competition at that race.”

For Thiel, part of the fun of finding success at Golden Sands is knowing how hard it can be to get a handle on the place.  Many drivers are left scratching their heads and looking for answers when they visit.

“I like how challenging the track can be’ it’s not all about horsepower and muscling your way around,” Thiel said. “It’s more about car control and being smooth, not spinning the tires down the straightaway.  You’re much better off keeping up your momentum and being as gentle as possible.”

A win would go a long way to helping the steady rise of confidence Thiel and his team are looking to capture late in the year.

“[This season] hasn’t been the greatest season so far, but also not the worst,” he said. “I still have a hard time qualifying well and every year it seems like the already stout competition gets stronger.  You really need to stay on top of your game week in and week out to stay competitive.  We are still holding onto our Top Five spot in points, which has seemed to be the benchmark for us to at least get to each year.  Solid finishes and no DNF’s are important to even make it into the top 10 of TUNDRA competitors.”

While Thiel is a perennial Top Five point finisher in TUNDRA, he’s hoping that there is still something more brewing. He knows Monday could help change the complexion of the title race.

“If we can manage a podium finish on Monday and a strong qualifying effort it will help put us in position to strike for the championship at DRP,” Thiel said. “We have run a handful of races at DRP this year, so we have a little more in the notebook for that race.”

“I hope we can qualify in the top 10 and have a strong run throughout the day to help boost our points situation and keep the positive momentum going into the last TUNDRA race at DRP.  I expect the competition to be as strong as ever and know we will need to bring our A-game to compete with the top dogs of TUNDRA.”

Ultimately, however, not much would be sweeter for Thiel than celebrating a win at his home track and getting back to Victory Lane once again.

TUNDRA Round Five takes place this Monday, September 6 at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis.  TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR Quarter-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and 4 Cylinder Stocks. Fan gates open at noon, qualifying is at 12:15, and racing begins at 2 pm.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 11000 Hwy. 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover.  For more information visit http://www.gssraces.com

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 3, 2021) – A field full of contenders will convene at Central Wisconsin’s Power Playground this Monday when the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series makes its traditional Labor Day stop at Golden Sands Speedway.

The race will be the second-to-last stop of the 2021 season and could prove to be critical in a tight Championship battle.  Four-time series titlist Casey Johnson currently leads second-year racer Riley Stenjem by 14 points. The lead duo have the next five competitors looking to make up ground at the third-mile.

Wisconsin’s winningest driver Justin Mondeik may be tagged as a favorite for Monday’s event, but his road to a second straight series victory at GSS won’t be an easy one.  The defending track Champion and current point leader has score double digits in the win column this season and knows what it takes to get around the sweeping circuit in a swift fashion.  Some of his nearest competitors have found ways to be fast as well.

Hot on his heels will be two-time Trickle Memorial 99 winner John Beale.  Beale has proven to find success at Golden Sands this season.  The last time the series visited Central Wisconsin in June at Marshfield Motor Speedway, Beale recorded a season-best Third Place finish. He’ll be looking for more Central Wisconsin magic come Monday.

Also in the title hunt are top EPYK Media rookie Grant Thompson and Jordan Thiel.  Those drivers are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to experience at Golden Sands.  Thompson, the teenage sensation from Alabama will be making his first visit to Plover.  Thiel has raced multiple seasons at the track and has recorded many victories along the way.  A win for either would go a long way toward making up ground in the point standings.

Sitting behind the leaders is a driver looking to break through for his first TUNDRA win, and a visit back to his home area might bring it.  Last year’s EPYK Media Rookie of the Year Brock Heinrich is creeping closer and closer toward his first visit to Victory Lane.  Coming off a successful Third Place run at Jefferson in July, he and his team continue to make strides that are making other competitors take notice.

The leaders of the pack shouldn’t be overshadowed, however. Johnson, now considered one of the top racers in the country, always seems to find ways to improve down the stretch run. While Golden Sands has been a challenge for him in the past, he can look back to last year’s Fourth Place finish to build upon.  Stenjem, much like Johson’s understudy Thompson, has no Supe Late Model experience at Plover.  Lack of experience hasn’t proven to been much of a hurdle for Stenjem in the past, and fans can expect to see the 77 in contention.

Aside from the title contenders, the field will be littered with point standing spoilers looking to grab the trophy.  Among those drivers are the Lichtfeld brothers.  Mike is a past TUNDRA winner at Golden Sands, outdueling Thiel to grab his first series win in 2017.  Steve has shown excellent speed and performance in weekly racing at Golden Sands.  His program is gaining momentum too, coming off a win in last week’s CWRA race at Dells Raceway Park.

The EPYK Media rookies may be ones to watch.  Kulwicki Driver Development finalist Max Kahler has been chasing bad luck in his TUNDRA program this season, but has found success racing at Rockford.  With some wins under his belt, Kahler could find some swagger come Monday.  Luke Westenberg is coming off a Rookie of the Race performance with TUNDRA at Jefferson, and also grabbed a weekly Late Model win in a stout field at Jefferson last week.

In addition, Brady Bill will certainly be one who could be heard from.  Bill ran the Late Model triple crown at Golden Sands this season and hopes to put those laps to use.  Dorchester’s Mike Olson hasn’t visited Golden Sands in a few years, but experienced success last time he joined TUNDRA at the facility. He made the dash and recorded a Top Ten finish.

Other drivers to watch will be Marshfield Speedway point leader Darren Jackson, WIR invaders Braison Bennett and Brian Henry, former GSS Champion Wyatt Brooks, and a trio of TUNDRA Travelers who have found success at Golden Sands in Jeremy Lepak, Jordan DeVoy, and Jake Zellmer.

TUNDRA Round Five takes place this Monday, September 6 at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis.  TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR Quarter-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and 4 Cylinder Stocks. Fan gates open at noon, qualifying is at 12:15, and racing begins at 2 pm.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 11000 Hwy. 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover.  For more information visit http://www.gssraces.com

Round Five
Golden Sands Speedway
Monday, September 6, 2021
Expected Entries (29) as of 9/3/21

# – Driver, Hometown
1W – Wyatt Blashe, Pella, Wis.
2 – Jordan Thiel, Darboy, Wis.
2 – Darren Jackson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2 – Lowell Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
5 – Casey Johnson, Edgerton, Wis.
5B – John Beale, Verona, Wis.
7 – Brian Henry, Omro, Wis.
9 – Braison Bennett, Neenah, Wis.
16 – Luke Westenberg, Jefferson, Wis.
17 – Max Kahler, Caledonia, Ill.
31 – Corey Jankowsi, Tomah, Wis.
32 – Steve Lichtfeld, Portage, Wis.
33 – Kevin Kneuse, Waukesha, Wis.
38 – Jordan DeVoy, Lake Geneva, Wis.
40 – Curt Tillman, Rockford, Ill.
40 – Jeremy Lepak, Wausau, Wis.
44 – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, Wis.
44 – Mike Lichtfeld, Pardeeville, Wis.
52 – Brock Heinrich, Wausau, Wis.
54 – Grant Thompson, Mobile, Ala.
58 – Joe Scholze, Holmen, Wis.
64 – Mike Olson, Dorchester, Wis.
70 – Brady Bill, Reedsburg, Wis.
71 – Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
77 – Riley Stenjem, Utica, Wis.
89 – Mike Egan, Slinger, Wis.
99 – Jake Zellmer, Muskego, Wis.
107.5 – Darek Gress, Neillsville, Wis.
711 – Driver TBA, Rangeline, Wis.

PORTAGE, Wis. (September 1, 2021) – The road to the 2021 TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Championship seems to be getting close to a traffic jam situation with only two races remaining in the season. Seven drivers sit within striking distance of the title with a possible chance to hoist the trophy at the end of the year.

Monday’s Round Five at Golden Sands Speedway will help make the picture a bit clearer about  who will be in and who will be out when the series then heads to Dells Raceway Park for the Championship round on September 26.

Point Leader, Casey Johnson – By no stretch of the imagination has Casey Johnson had any sort of learning curve in teaming up with Aaron Larson for 2021. The new team came out screaming with a fast time and win in Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway. That win was backed up with a Fourth Place finish at Marshfield, and, after an early incident, a Sixth Place finish at Jefferson.  With his nearest contender only 12 points back, Johnson will be hoping for a strong run Monday to give himself breathing room at the Dells. If need be, however, Johnson has shown to be a strong favorite to win at DRP, and could cap off title #5 with a victory.

Runner Up, Riley Stenjem – There has been no such thing as a sophomore slump for Riley Stenjem.  After a solid Fifth Place finish in Round One at WIR, Stenjem put himself on the map with a dominant win at Marshfield.  Showing that he was ready to contend for the title, he put himself at the top of the charts in qualifying at Marshfield, then contended for the win before finishing Fifth. Due to college obligations, Stenjem was not able to attend the make-up date at Golden Sands last season. He’s hoping to find some first-time magic, then see where a strong showing at DRP can take his title hopes.

Third Place, Brock Heinrich – The Brockstar vaulted himself into the title picture with a strong run at Jefferson in July.  After a DNF at WIR in Round One, Heinrich enjoyed his first fast time at Marshfield and capped off the day with a Fifth Place finish.  His day at Jefferson was nothing short of incredible after using an unfamiliar car, losing power steering, and wheeling the machine to a Third Place run.  Should he put forth two more strong showings and keep pace with those ahead of him, the Brockstar could find himself in the title mix. He currently sits 44 points back of Johnson.

Fourth Place, Grant Thompson – The top EPYK Media rookie contender has been on a fast-track learning plan this year in TUNDRA.  With Casey Johnson and Travis Dassow in his corner, the youngster from Alabama has proven to be a top student, sitting only 57 points out of the top spot.  Thompson wowed the crowd at Wisconsin International Raceway in his debut with a Second Place finish to Johnson.  He then put forth a respectable Eighth Place finish at Marshfield before getting bit by the learning curve at Jefferson. Thompson and his team will be back and focused at Golden Sands, hoping to replicate the magic they found in Round One.

Fifth Place, Jordan Thiel – It seems like the second half of the season is always the best for Jordan Thiel to work his way into title contention.  Quietly, Thiel has put himself in position to make another run.  With finishes of Eighth (WIR), Seventh (Marshfield), and Ninth (Jefferson), Thiel remains in the hunt. He’ll hope to find better results in qualifying, however, as time trials have not been favorable.  While 72 points could be tough to make up, the remaining two tracks have treated Thiel well in the past. He has many laps and multiple feature wins at Golden Sands and recorded his first TUNDRA victory at Dells Raceway Park in 2017.

Sixth Place, Justin Mondeik – Despite having five competitors ahead of him in the standings, Monday could be the day Mondeik jumps back into the title chase.  He has been nothing short of dominant at Golden Sands Speedway, and will be looking to put the clamps on his second straight track Championship next week.  Mondeik swept to the feature win last season in TUNDRA action at Golden Sands.  Despite some bad luck throughout the season, a similar performance could help him chop away at that 81-point margin before the season closer at DRP.

Seventh Place, John Beale – While Mondeik has been tough to beat at Plover, Beale has found a way to do it in the last two Trickle 99 races. He can be expected to be a favorite once again this Monday.  Beale proved very strong at Marshfield in Round Two with his best finish (Third Place) of the season.  Much like Mondeik, Beale has quite a bit of ground to make up with 85 points separating him from the leader.  However, a visit to Victory Lane could help bring him back into the picture.

TUNDRA Round Five takes place this Monday, September 6 at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, Wis.  TUNDRA will be joined by the WIR Quarter-Mile Late Models, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, and 4 Cylinder Stocks. Fan gates open at noon, qualifying is at 12:15, and racing begins at 2 pm.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 11000 Hwy. 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover.  For more information visit http://www.gssraces.com