TUNDRA Invades Jefferson Speedway
JEFFERSON ,WI (Saturday, June 22, 2013) The quick and powerful super late models made their return to Wisconsin’s Action Track on Saturday night as the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series made their first visit to Jefferson Speedway. Nick Panitzke of Lakeville, MN, captured the rain shortened feature event as the super late models roared around the speed plant for the first time since 2008.
Steve Lichtfeld and Panitzke paced the field of 20 drivers to the green with Panitzke taking control early through turns one and two on the opening circuit. Mike Egan moved into second behind Panitzke with Frank Kreyer running third. Kreyer quickly went to work on Egan, moving to the low side and slipping by for second on lap two. Point leader Brandon Selle experienced mechanical problems and was forced to retire from the event just before the caution waved on lap four. Billy Mohn spun in turns three and four, collecting Claire Decker and sending her hard into the turn four wall. Decker was ok, but her ride was too damaged to continue, ending her evening early. Racing resumed with Kreyer and Panitzke side by side battling for the lead. Panitzke regained sole possession of the point with Kreyer dropping back to second and Egan in third. Panitzke and Kreyer began to separate themselves from the rest of the field while quick qualifier Dalton Zehr and Jefferson Speedway regular Casey Johnson entered the top five. On lap 15, Zehr moved into fifth with Johnson right behind. Zehr continued forward under Matt Pyburn, stealing fourth and sliding under Egan for third. Zehr claimed third on lap 16 with Johnson still in tow for fourth and James Swan into fifth. The top five remained single file with Panitzke still showing the way and Kreyer on his rear bumper. The leaders began to encounter heavy lapped traffic around lap 30 allowing Kreyer to close in. But before Kreyer could make a move, the rain drops began to fall. With 37 laps complete, the race was called official with Panitzke the winner. Kreyer finished second with Zehr, Johnson and Swan rounding out the top five.
The Mid-American Stock Car Series returned to action at Jefferson Speedway after competing at last season’s Wisconsin State Championships. West Bend’s Brad Keith charged to the front of the pack and hung on to win the 50 lap feature event. Mark Pluer and Rick Tackman made up row one at the start with Tackman leading early. The first of several cautions waved on lap two when Jeremy Spoonmore and Ryan Gutknecht spun. Tackman and Pluer restarted side by side, this time with Pluer gaining the advantage as Tackman dropped back into a battle for second with Tyler Bauknecht. Bauknecht took over second on lap five with Keith in his tracks for third. Keith motored under Bauknecht to claim second just as the second caution waved on lap seven. Pluer chose the high side for the restart with Keith on the bottom. Keith drove out into the lead as the green waved again. Bauknecht also followed past Pluer into second as Keith began to stretch his advantage. Keith maintained his lead through several cautions over the remainder of the race with Bauknecht filling up his rear view mirror on every restart. As the laps wound down, a close call between Keith and a lapped competitor made things interesting, but Keith stayed strong on the point to see the checkers first and get the win. Bauknecht finished second followed by Pluer, Scott Null and Gutknecht.
The Road Warrior division joined the special program with Bill Sweeney of Edgerton taking honors in the 20 lap feature event. Mike Storkson led early from the pole with Jim Wolf following into second. Wolf drew even with Storkson on lap two, claiming the top spot a lap later. Chad Olds also got around Storkson for second with Sweeney following into third. On lap four, Sweeney slipped past Olds to claim second as he set his sights on Wolf at the front. Sweeney quickly drove under Wolf, clearing for the lead as they exited turn two on lap five. Sweeney immediately pulled away from the pack. Bill Reynolds made his way to second on lap eight, but Sweeney was already well on his way to picking up the checkers and the win. Reynolds finished second with Olds, Wolf and Kenny Storkson completing the top five.
The Hobby Stock feature that was scheduled to run with the program was postponed due to the rain, and will be added to next week’s program. Next Saturday, June 29, is Mid-Season Championship Night sponsored by Piggly Wiggly of Jefferson and Cambridge. Time trials begin at 5pm with racing at 7pm sharp. Jefferson Speedway is located halfway between Jefferson and Cambridge on Hwy 18. Please visit www.jeffersonspeedway.com for more information.
Jefferson Speedway Race Summary
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series-
Feature Results- 1) Nick Panitzke, Lakeville (MN) 2) Frank Kreyer, Wisconsin Dells 3) Dalton Zehr, Daytona Beach (FL) 4) Casey Johnson, Edgerton 5) James Swan, Lake Geneva 6) Eugene Gregorich Jr, Amherst 7) John Zimmerman, Markesan 8) Matt Pyburn, Wisconsin Rapids 9) Mike Egan, Slinger 10) Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids 11) Tom Lindquist, Bark River (MI) 12) Tom Lichtfeld, Portage 13) Steve Lichtfeld, Portage 14) Paige Decker, Eagle River 15) Frank Nitzke, Berlin 16) Brady Bennett, Winchester 17) Dan Lindsley, Norway (MI) 18) Billy Mohn, Lakeville (MN) 19) Claire Decker, Eagle River 20) Brandon Selle, Dale
Fast Qualifier- Dalton Zehr—13.777 seconds
Last Chance- Brady Bennett, Tom Lichtfeld
Gong Show- Jeff Weinfurter, Dan Lindsley
Fast Dash- Casey Johnson
Mid-American Stock Car Series-
Feature Results- 1) Brad Keith, West Bend 2) Tyler Bauknecht, Reedsville 3) Mark Pluer, Brookfield 4) Scott Null, Lake Mills 5) Ryan Gutknecht, Oak Creek 6) Frank Slabenak, Palos Park (IL) 7) Danny Gilster, West Salem 8)Travis Rodewald, Manitowoc 9) Stephen Cox, Indianapolis (IN) 10) Rick Tackman Jr, Waukesha 11) Tim Fulford, Solsbury (IN) 12) Dusty Krebs, Hartford 13) Ben Glascock, Indianola (IN) 14) Jimmie Evans, St Francis 15) Butch Mierendorf, Waterloo 16) Dave McCalla, Cedar Rapids (IA) 17) Brian Holtz, Muskego 18) David Slack, Engadine (MI) 19) Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk (IL) 20) Chris Storey, Burlington
Fast Qualifier- Scott Null—15.136 seconds
Hobby Stock-
Feature Results- postponed by rain
Fast Qualifier- Bobby Selsing Jr
Heat Winners- 1) Mike Manley 2) Cody Buchs
Road Warrior-
Feature Results- 1) Bill Sweeney, Edgerton 2) Bill Reynolds, Watertown 3) Chad Olds, Whitewater 4) Jim Wolf, Watertown 5) Kenny Storkson, Evansville
Fast Qualifier- Bill Sweeney
Heat Winners- 1) Rodger Stephenson 2) Bill Sweeney
