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Point Leader Haseleu Edges Mathews For Marshfield Checkered
By Jeff Sachse
(July 16, 2005) - An exceptionally warm night was what awaited fans and
drivers at Marshfield Super Speedway, but a packed grandstand, full pit area
and an exceptionally exciting finish will be what is remembered when people
recall the Thomas Electric / Earth Inc. Marshfield 80.
For much of the contest it appeared the race would come down to a battle of
champions as 2003 series titlist Erik Darnell of Beach Park, IL who had been
running a comfortable distance ahead of 2004 title holder Mark Eswein a
resident of nearby Wisconsin Rapids. However a late race caution and an
engine going sour in Eswein's machine would change the outcome considerably.
A late race yellow setup a showdown between Darnell, Haseleu and Mathews and
the trio would provide show for the fans to be remembered for some
time. Haseleu would take the top spot with a handful of laps to go
in the contest and then was able to fend off a passing attempt by Mathews with
two laps to go in scoring his second Wisconsin Challenge Series victory of the
2005 season and further strengthening his point lead.
The field of 23 would accept the green flag for the 80 lap main event on the
half-mile semi-baked oval with 2004 Wisconsin International Raceway rookie of
the year Andy Monday of Appleton and former WCS Hard Charger Award winner M.G.
Gajewski of Wausau comprising the front row. The youthful Monday would
surge ahead of Gajewski for the opening lead while Eswein began to move
forward in the outer groove, bringing Darnell with him
Monday would hold the top spot for the first five circuits before Eswein would
power ahead working the high line with Darnell in tow.
Eswein's reign at the front of the pack was short lived however as Darnell
would work into the top spot on lap eight dropping Eswein to the runner-up
spot. Monday continued his pursuit in third while fending off the
challenges of Gajewski who began to reassert himself. Gajewski, also
preferring the high line around the raceway would claim third at Monday's
expense on lap 12, just prior to the event's first slowdown.
Adam Royle and Jason Weinkauf had been contesting the fifth position when the
pair made contact in turn four resulting in a spin by Royle. Both
drivers would be forced to restart the contest from the tail of the
field. Haseleu who had started in the 12th spot had already reached the
5th position and when the green flag returned he began to march forward.
Underway again Darnell and Eswein began to break from the pack as Haseleu
worked into the third spot at the 20 lap mark. Further back in the field
Mathews was patiently working back toward the front of the pack climbing back
into the top ten after falling back in the field at the drop of the green
flag.
Darnell and Eswein would make their home in the first two slots working ahead
to a comfortable margin over Haseleu, while Gajewski and Jeremy Lepak, who had
lead the point standings earlier in the season held down the top five
positions as the first half of the race was reached.
With 30 laps to go subtle changes were beginning to occur as the tone of
Eswein's engine began to change signaling mechanical gremlins beginning to
come into play. Though unhampered at first the sound became more obvious
with each passing lap and Darnell began to stretch his lead as Eswein began to
fall into the clutches of Haseleu.
Over the next ten laps Darnell stretched his lead to nearly a full
straightaway, while Eswein did everything possible to keep Haseleu in his tire
tracks. Further back Gajewski, Charlie Menard and Mathews joined the
line of cars catching Eswein.
While Eswein fought tenaciously to remain among the leaders, an ever
lengthening line began to form behind him with Haseleu now seeking a way to
the runner-up spot. It would be Mathews however who would be first to
make his move. Jumping to the outside line, Mathews quickly shot
by several cars as Eswein held fast to the lower groove. Mathews move to
the outside proved fruitful moving alongside Eswein and on lap 69 he would
take control of second. Haseleu followed suit on the next lap, bringing
Menard with him as Eswein began to fade. Eswein would eventually fall
from the contest with only two laps to go, a disappointing end to a strong
performance.
The race continued with ten laps to go and Darnell's lead would be
insurmountable as long as he could avoid any mechanical ills or caution
flags. Fate however had other plans.
Coming off turn four with nine laps to go Royle spun into the grass which
would setup a nine lap dash to the checkered.
The field came back to the green flag with Darnell in the lead, but Haseleu
and Mathews were able to keep pace and both drivers began to seek a way by
Darnell for the top spot. This time it was Haseleu who would make the
right moves as he worked by both Mathews and Darnell for the lead with seven
laps to go. Darnell's car which now appeared loose in the corners gave
the young Illinois racer all he could handle and Mathews took advantage
reaching second with five laps to go.
With a surprising amount of speed Mathews then began to reel in Haseleu,
reaching his rear bumper as three laps remained. Looking to the outside
Mathews would attempt to make a pass with two laps to go in the contest, but
wiggled coming off of turn two as the pair were almost even. This
allowed Haseleu to surge out front while Mathews gathered up his ride without
losing a spot.
Over the final laps Mathews was unable to reach Haseleu again and Haseleu
streaked past the checkered with a car length advantage on
Mathews. Meanwhile Darnell would engage in a side by side battle
with Menard, who had been the day's fastest qualifier. Both cars wiggled
coming off turn four toward the checkered with Darnell getting to the stripe
in third by a half car length. Menard would settle for fourth and Jeff
Kendall would complete the top five.
Allen Check, who had started the race in the 18th spot, had quietly worked
forward throughout the contest reaching sixth by the checkered.
Gajewski completed his strong run in seventh. Multi-time Marshfield
Speedway champion Rory Melbinger nabbed eighth followed by Lepak and Jason
Weinkauf in the top ten.
18 of the 23 starters were still running at the finish.
Earlier in the day a pair of qualifying races would determine the balance of
the feature’s starting grid. In the first 25 lap contest, Blake
Horstman would out sprint regular Marshfield Speedway runner John Totzke Jr.
for the win. Don Turner would edge Waukon, Iowa native Ken Reiser for
the final transfer spot by taking third.
The race was marred by a multi-car tangle early on which dashed the hopes of
Terry Baldry who had won the most recent WCS race at Marshfield last
fall. The accident also eliminated Pete Kempf and Keith Bohmsach
whose car suffered extensive damage in the shunt.
The second qualifying race was Allen Check working to the front followed by
Dexter Bean who had captured the most recent WCS contest at Dells Motor
Speedway two weeks ago. Jeremy Miller of Roscoe, IL would claim the
final transfer spot ahead of local favorite Dean LaPointe.
The series will now head to Golden Sands Speedway for a Friday evening contest
on July 29th. A solid turnout of cars are expected to be on hand as the
point chase begins to come into focus. The high-banked third mile oval
is located between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover, Wisconsin on Highway 54.
Pit gates will open one hour earlier than normal at 3:00 p.m.
Qualifications will take place at 6:30 p.m. and the first green flag of the
evening will fly at 7:45 p.m.
The snowmobile engine powered Wisconsin Sport Trucks will also be on hand with
a full program, and 1-Man Cruiser racing action will conclude the evening's
show.
Information is also posted on the track website at www.goldensandspeedway.com
or the official Wisconsin Challenge Series website located at www.wisconsinchallenge.com,
additional Wisconsin Challenge Series information can be found by calling
(920) 731-6804.
Thomas Electric / Earth Inc. Marshfield 80 - July 16, 2005
80 Lap Feature: 1.) Nathan Haseleu, Marshall; 2.) Ryan Mathews, Lake Geneva;
3.) Erik Darnell, Beach Park, IL; 4.) Charlie Menard, Eau Claire; 5.) Jeff
Kendall, Montello; 6.) Allen Check, Rosholt; 7.) M.G. Gajewski, Wausau; 8.)
Rory Melbinger, Marshfield; 9.) Jeremy Lepak, Wausau; 10.) Jason Weinkauf,
Merrill; 11.) Andy Monday, Appleton; 12.) Jeremy Miller, Loves Park, IL; 13.)
Adam Royle, Farmington, MIN; 14.) Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 15.) Blake Horstman,
Bangor; 16.) Frank Kreyer, Pardeeville; 17.) Dexter Bean, Westby; 18.) Don
Turner, LaCrosse; 19.) Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids; 20.) John Zimmermann,
Markesan; 21.) Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids; 22.) John Totzke Jr.,
Wisconsin Rapids; 23.) Greg Back, Vesper.
First 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Horstman; 2.) Totzke; 3.) Turner; 4.) Ken Reiser,
Waukon, IA; 5.) Burton Brown, Fremont; 6.) Tim Hintz, Nekoosa; 7.) Terry
Baldry, Omro; 8.) Eric Wisz, Mosinee; 9.) Kurt Guralski, Wausau; 10.) Kevin
Tunks, Edgerton;
Second 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Check; 2.) Bean; 3.) Miller; 4.) Dean Lapointe,
Marshfield; 5.) Brad Wildes, Tomah; 6.) Brandon Selle, Dale; 7.) Elliott
Weiler, Marshfield; 8.) John Zimmerman, Markesan; 9.) Jim Sauter Jr., Tomah;
10.) Cal Harrell, Harrison
A strong showing of 24 CWMSA 4-Cylinders came to compete for the top
honors. Derk Hauser grabbed the fastest qualifying lap, his first
ever. 16 cars started the feature race with Curt Luedtke and Clinton
Metzler earning their starting spots by finishing first and second in the
semi-feature. Just over half of the 15 lap feature was led by Kevin
Eckes. Eckes took the lead from his pole position start. Paul Berg
started outside the third row and steadily passed cars and then took the lead
from Eckes on lap nine. JJ Flick also running very strong, started
mid-pack and moved up to take second from Eckes on lap ten. Keith Wirtz
made his first trip to the speedway, qualified second and raced his way into
the top five by lap ten. Berg continued to lead the field as Wirtz
passed for fourth and then third. Steve Stewart also started to pick up
positions with only a few laps remaining. Berg took home the checkers
with Flick second, Wirtz third, Stewart fourth and Eckes fifth.
Tim Dickman led a couple of 1-Man Cruiser feature laps, then Dave Knauf led a
few. Then it was Dickman again until Troy Engman came through the pack
to take the lead. Engman won, Knauf second, Dickman third, point leader
Cody Meyer fourth and Wayne Dietz fifth.
Next Saturday, July 23rd is The Bill Sherman Memorial sponsored by The Dental
Clinic of Marshfield and WDEZ. Pits open at 3:30, stands 5 p.m.,
qualifying 6 p.m. and racing 7:30. Race divisions include Super Late
Models, Super Stocks, Motorcycles and 1-Man Cruisers. Rain dated for
Sunday, two hours earlier. Marshfield Super Speedway is located 3.5
miles west of Marshfield on County Road H with weekly Saturday night stock car
racing April through September. Adult grandstand admission $10.00,
Students ages 10-15 yrs. $5.00 and under 10 yrs FREE with a parent.
Family Ticket is $25.00 (includes 2 adult tickets + unlimited students &
children).
Everyone 16 yrs and older may sign up FREE every race night to win the 2005
Ford Mustang Pace Car!
Be sure to vote in the Race Fan Contest where each fan will vote for the
driver they came to watch race. The driver that earns the most votes
will get two FREE pit passes for the next week. Plus for every 20 votes
a drivers gets he will receive a coupon for “Buy 1 grandstand ticket Get 1
FREE,” to give out to fans. Come out and support your favorite race
car driver!
Summary
WI Challenge Series Super Late Models
* * * QUALIFYING RESULTS * * *
Plce Car # Driver Home Town Model Fast
1 17M MENARD, CHARLIE EAU CLAIRE CHEVY 17.836
* * * SEMI RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 2 75H HORSTMAN, BLAKE LAST1 BANGOR CHEVY
2 1 8T TOTZKE, JOHN JR LAST1 WISCONSIN RAPIDS MONTE CARL
3 5 7T TURNER, DON LAST1 LACROSSE CHEVY
4 11 2R REISER, KEN LAST1 WAUKON, IA CHEVY
5 9 07B BROWN, BURTON LAST1 FREMONT - - -
6 10 1H HINTZ, TIM (R) LAST1 NEKOOSA FORD
7 6 96B BALDRY, TERRY LAST1 - - - - - -
8 4 17W WISZ, ERIC LAST1 MOSINEE CHEVY
9 8 1G GURALSKI, CURT LAST1 WAUSAU CHEVY
10 12 1T TUNKS, KEVIN LAST1 EDGERTON CHEVY
1 4 20C CHECK, ALLEN LAST2 SHANTYTOWN FORD
2 2 25B BEAN, DEXTER LAST2 WESTBY CHEVY
3 6 5M MILLER, JEREMY LAST2 LOVES PARK, IL CHEVY
4 3 15L LAPOINTE, DEAN LAST2 MARSHFIELD FORD
5 8 3D WILDES, BRAD LAST2 TOMAH CHEVY
6 5 98S SELLE, BRANDON LAST2 - - - - - -
7 9 01W WEILER, ELLIOTT LAST2 MARSHFIELD MONTE CARL
8 1 44Z ZIMMERMAN, JOHN LAST2 MARKESAN CHEVY
9 7 5S SAUTER, JIM JR. LAST2 NECEDAH CHEVY
10 12 73H HARRELL, CAL LAST2 - - - - - -
* * * FEATURE RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 12 87H HASELEU, NATHAN 80LAP MARSHALL FORD
2 7 21M MATHEWS, RYAN 80LAP - - - - - -
3 6 23D DARNELL, ERIK 80LAP BEACH PARK, IL CHEVY
4 14 17M MENARD, CHARLIE 80LAP EAU CLAIRE CHEVY
5 11 00K KENDALL, JEFF 80LAP MONTELLO CHEVY
6 0 20C CHECK, ALLEN 80LAP SHANTYTOWN FORD
7 2 22G GAJEWSKI, M.G. 80LAP WAUSAU - - -
8 10 88M MELBINGER, RORY 80LAP MARSHFIELD MONTE CARL
9 5 40L LEPAK, JEREMY 80LAP WAUSAU DODGE
10 3 76W WEINKAUF, JASON 80LAP MERRILL - - -
4-Cylinders
* * * QUALIFYING RESULTS * * *
Plce Car # Driver Home Town Model Fast
1 9H HAUSER, DERK GILMAN DODGE 22.583
* * * HEATS RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 8 51L LUEDTKE, CURT HEAT1 WAUSAU CHEVY
2 6 4Q BRANDL, GEORGE HEAT1 MILLADORE SATURN
3 7 72N NAWROCKI, JAKE HEAT1 GLEN FLORA FORD
4 4 2L LUECK, BRAD HEAT1 GRANTON DODGE
5 3 64L LIETZ, JOHN HEAT1 MOSINEE PONT
1 8 22B BLOUNT, GREG HEAT2 MARATHON FORD
2 7 9L LOUZE, DALE HEAT2 MOSINEE FORD
3 5 21S SCHLOUGH, ERIN HEAT2 GREENWOOD FORD
4 2 43B BRANDL, RICKY HEAT2 MILLADORE DODGE
5 6 19H HAUSER, STEVE HEAT2 GILMAN DODGE
1 3 13S STEWART, STEVE HEAT3 MARSHFIELD SATURN
2 7 0W WIRTZ, KEITH HEAT3 RUDOLPH MUSTANG
3 5 14X MCGIVERON, DAN HEAT3 MARSHFIELD - - -
4 6 9F FLICK, JJ HEAT3 WI RAPIDS FORD
5 1 01B BERG, PAUL HEAT3 EAU CLAIRE FORD
* * * SEMI RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 4 51L LUEDTKE, CURT SEMI WAUSAU CHEVY
2 5 81M METZLER, CLINTON SEMI GILMAN FORD
3 2 4Q BRANDL, GEORGE SEMI MILLADORE SATURN
4 3 72N NAWROCKI, JAKE SEMI GLEN FLORA FORD
5 9 17E ELMHORST, DON SEMI NEILLSVILLE MUSTANG
6 1 61K KARL, ANDY SEMI SPENCER SATURN
7 8 64L LIETZ, JOHN SEMI MOSINEE PONT
8 7 2L LUECK, BRAD SEMI GRANTON DODGE
9 6 43B BRANDL, RICKY SEMI MILLADORE DODGE
10 10 11A ANDERSON, TIM SEMI MARSHFIELD PONT
* * * FEATURE RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 6 01B BERG, PAUL FEAT EAU CLAIRE FORD
2 10 9F FLICK, JJ FEAT WI RAPIDS FORD
3 11 0W WIRTZ, KEITH FEAT RUDOLPH MUSTANG
4 7 13S STEWART, STEVE FEAT MARSHFIELD SATURN
5 1 5E ECKES, KEVIN SR FEAT AUBURNDALE SATURN
6 3 19H HAUSER, STEVE FEAT GILMAN DODGE
7 5 22B BLOUNT, GREG FEAT MARATHON FORD
8 14 4Z ECKES, ADAM FEAT AUBURNDALE SATURN
9 9 14X MCGIVERON, DAN FEAT MARSHFIELD - - -
10 4 9L LOUZE, DALE FEAT MOSINEE FORD
1-Man Cruisers
* * * QUALIFYING RESULTS * * *
Plce Car # Driver Home Town Model Fast
1 33M MEYER, CODY COLBY OLDS 23.682
* * * HEATS RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 8 33M MEYER, CODY HEAT1 COLBY OLDS
2 7 99E ENGMAN, TROY HEAT1 WAUSAU FORD
3 4 55D DIETZ, WAYNE HEAT1 PITTSVILLE OLDS
4 3 07A ANDERSON, CHRIS HEAT1 - - - - - -
5 2 96C CAROLFI, NICK HEAT1 MARSHFIELD - - -
* * * FEATURE RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 7 99E ENGMAN, TROY FEAT WAUSAU FORD
2 6 31K KNAUF, DAVID FEAT MARSHFIELD FORD
3 5 01D DICKMAN, TIM FEAT GRANTON DODGE
4 8 33M MEYER, CODY FEAT COLBY OLDS
5 4 55D DIETZ, WAYNE FEAT PITTSVILLE OLDS
6 2 96C CAROLFI, NICK FEAT MARSHFIELD - - -
7 3 07A ANDERSON, CHRIS FEAT - - - - - -
8 1 53B BOOKHART, TONEY FEAT MARSHFIELD DODGE
Point Standings As Of July 16, 2005
CWMSA 4-Cylinders
Place Car No Driver's Name Points
1 5E ECKES, KEVIN SR 389
2 9F FLICK, JJ 388
3 01B BERG, PAUL 375
4 9L LOUZE, DALE 360
5 13S STEWART, STEVE 351
6 4Z ECKES, ADAM 347
7 14X MCGIVERON, DAN 329
8 73D DUNOW, DON 310
9 19H HAUSER, STEVE 306
10 21S SCHLOUGH, ERIN 303
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