TUNDRA RETURNS TO JEFFERSON WITH FAMILIAR FACES, NEW CHALLENGERS
PORTAGE, Wis. (June 16, 2015) – The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes will make its third appearance at Jefferson Speedway this Saturday, June 20. Fans of Wisconsin’s Action Track are beginning to become accustomed to the top runners of the series. This season there will be some new names for them to monitor, as well.
Fans of Jefferson Speedway know Casey Johnson very well. The two-time track Champion and defending race winner is currently second in weekly standings at the facility. However, Johnson will not have his familiar black number 5. He will be behind the wheel of the Chase Motorsports 47. Johnson said he is confident he and his new Super Late Model team will be able to adapt quickly.
Other top contenders from years past include top five finishers from last year Ty Majeski and Dalton Zehr. Majeski is arguably the hottest driver in Super Late Model racing in the country. He has won five of 12 starts this season, including TUNDRA Round One at Wisconsin International Raceway. Zehr has been bit by the bad-luck bug a few times this season, but posted a strong fourth-place finish at WIR on May 9. The defending TUNDRA champ has finishes of third and fourth in his two Jefferson appearances.
Several drivers making a return could prove as dark-horse contenders for the win. Mike Lichtfeld made his presence known last year. He led the race early until he was passed by Johnson. Lichtfeld finished fifth. Also, Jordan Ives, nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Crew Chief Greg Ives, had one of his best TUNDRA finishes at Jefferson last season. He finished seventh, but looked vastly improved from his first try two season ago. More improvement could push Ives to the front of the leaderboard.
Leading the charge for the new TUNDRA competitors at Jefferson is Dan Lensing. Lensing is no stranger to Jefferson, and has even run in Super Late Model events in the past. In 2007, with the Midwest Tour, Lensing set the track record. Since that time Lensing has made several appearances in his Late Model and has been a threat each time. He comes in after a strong sixth-place finish at WIR in Round One.
Three other newcomers to the tricky quarter-mile carry Championships with them. Last season Maxwell Schultz captured the co-Red, White and Blue State Championship at WIR. Jim Sauter Jr. holds Championship trophies from Marshfield Speedway and Golden Sands Speedway. Both will test Jefferson for the first time in a Super Late Model. Jeremy Lepak, who was the 2012 Slinger Champion, will hope for his first race action in the SLM at Jefferson. He was on hand last year, but experienced mechanical failure during practice.
A crop of rookies will also be on display. Gregg Pawelski is the top Dean’s Satellite and Security rookie so far this season. Pawelski has Late Model experience at Jefferson. His top spot in rookie standings may be in jeopardy though. Ryan Farrell, who is currently third among rookies, ran in the top five at Jefferson in last year’s TUNDRA event before dropping out. He could be a threat this season.
Minnesota rookie Bryan Keske sits just five points behind Pawelski in the rookie race. He along with Wyatt Brooks and Kyle Hansen will be making their Jefferson debuts.
Other drivers making their Jefferson debuts in the Super Late Models will be third-generation racer Braison Bennett (son of Lowell) and Natalie Decker. Decker, a participant in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, will be on of three ladies in the field along with Kelsey Dassow and 2014 TUNDRA Rookie of the Year Reagan May.
Bruce Lee and Craig Phillips are two Jefferson local Late Models who will be testing themselves against the TUNDRA invaders. Last season Trent Erdmann proved the Jefferson locals could keep pace when he recorded an eighth-place finish.
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Round Two Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Jefferson on June 20 will also include the Mid-American Stock Car Series, Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series, Legend cars and Bandeleros. Gates open at 3 P.M., Qualifying is at 5, and racing starts at 7.
Jefferson Speedway is located on Highway 18 just outside of Jefferson, Wis. For more information 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 race teams alike, while still providing high-quality Super Late Model entertainment to fans.
For more information on TUNDRA including news, results and the point standings, archived results and standings, and more visit www.tundrasuperlates.com. Also, interact with us on Facebook (facebook.com/TundraSuperLateModels) or Twitter (@TUNDRAslms).