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Gregorich Stuns WCS Regulars With Hometrack Win
Haseleu Crowned 2005 WCS Champion
By: Jeff Sachse
MARSHFIELD, WI. (September 10, 2005) - Having worked his way up the racing
ranks from short track dirt ovals and quarter-mile paved tracks in
Northeastern Wisconsin, young Eugene Gregorich Jr., stunned the Wisconsin
Challenge Series regulars as he tenaciously held onto the lead through much of
the 80 lap season championship feature, scoring what could easily be called an
upset victory at Marshfield Super Speedway. Gregorich who has spent the past
several seasons behind the wheel of a Super Late Model had previously been a
title contender at Marshfield Speedway a couple seasons ago, but in his
limited Wisconsin Challenge Series appearances this was by far his best
effort. In a very popular win Gregorich would sprint to the finish line
with a two car length advantage on newly crowned 2005 champion Nathan Haseleu.
Haseleu would chase Gregorich throughout much of the event and though he
closed quickly over the final laps his charge would fall short preventing
Haseleu from earning his third straight WCS victory. The second place
performance was more than enough however to secure the series title by 170
points over two-time series champion Mark Eswein who finished fifth in today's
race.
Earlier in the day 41 cars attempted to make the starting gird for the season
finale feature contest. Thoughout the 2005 season, the Wisconsin
Challenge Series had over 40 participants at every event, making it the most
competitive regional asphalt racing series in the United States.
It would be Frank Kreyer claiming quick time on the day with just
he and Charlie Menard cracking the 18 second barrier. Kreyer would draw the
highest possible invert, putting the 14th fastest qualifier on the pole and
placing himself in the 14th spot.
A field of 23 rolled to the green flag with Kenny Richards and rookie Super
Late Model competitor Brad Wildes making up the front row. Both drivers
are regulars at the Dells Motor Speedway, as was Todd Stapleman who found
himself third on the grid.
As the race began Richards darted out front, but the big move over the opening
laps was made by Gregorich who shot past Stapleman and Wildes to run second as
lap three began. On the very next laps contact between Stapleman and
Wildes resulted in Wildes spinning in turn four. Both drivers were able to
return to the race from the tail of the field.
Wildes stalled machine was missed by much of the field as cars darted every
direction. The most serious contact in the scramble was made between
Adam Royle and Steve Holzhausen. Holzhausen would need to head to the
pit area for quick repairs. Royle would resume the race, but due to his
car sparking in each turn he was sent to the pits for additional repairs.
The remaining 76 laps would be run without an additional caution.
As the green flag waved again Richards held the point with Gregorich giving
chase. Gregorich would work the high line past Richards for the top spot
on lap seven, with Haseleu following into the second position.
Jeremy Miller and Mark Eswein would find themselves in fourth and fifth
respectively by lap ten, and for much of the race the battle between Miller
and Eswein proved to be an entertaining one as both driver sought to improve
their positions.
Further back in the field big moves were being made by Menard and 2004
Marshfield Speedway champion Jeff Weinfurter. Earlier in the day
Weinfurter dominated his 25 lap qualifying race starting back in the 20th
position. He had already worked past ten cars by lap 15 cracking the top
ten. His impressive performance however came to and end with mechanical
difficulties moments later as he dropped from the contest being the first
driver out of the event.
Out front both Miller and Eswein worked their way past Richards to reach third
and fourth respectively and before lap 20 was complete Ryan Mathews, who
finished runner-up in the last WCS contest at Marshfield, would comprise the
top five.
Out front Gregorich has build a ten car length lead on Haseleu, who found
himself in a battle with Miller and Eswein for the second spot. This
allowed Gregorich even more breathing room as the race approached the halfway
point.
The battle for third spot between Miller and Eswein allowed Haseleu some time
to make a charge at Gregorich as the race would down to the final 30
laps. On several occasions Eswein managed to get to Miller's inside but
a combination of lapped traffic and heads up driving by Miller allowed Miller
to retain the third spot.
Closing in on the action however was Menard who had climbed into the top
five. Menard's machine was obviously quick closing in on the
battle between Miller and Eswein as he joined the tussle for the second spot.
Out front Gregorich still commanded a comfortable dozen car length lead with
20 laps to go. Haseleu however began to close the gap slightly with each
passing lap. Haseleu's efforts were helped along when Gregorich
bobbled coming off turn two on the next lap. Though Gregorich regrouped
quickly his lead had diminished to a couple car lengths.
Meanwhile Menard has passed Eswein for fourth and began seeking a way past
Miller.
The top five cars would filter into single file formation with a car length
between them as the final ten laps began. Over the final circuits
Haseleu would close on Gregorich, especially on the final trip around the
half-mile oval. Gregorich however would not falter and would streak to
the finish less than a car length ahead of Haseleu. Miller would
manage to fend off a final lap passing attempt by Menard to claim third.
Menard would settle for fourth and Eswein reach the strip in fifth, as the top
five were separated only by a handful of car lengths at the wire.
Mathews would claim the sixth spot followed by multi-time Dells Motor Speedway
champion Jeff Kendall who earned seventh. Richards, the event's polesitter
completed the contest in eighth followed by Blake Horstman and Kreyer.
20 of the 23 starters were running at the finish.
Earlier in the day the two qualifying races proved to be very competitive.
Unfortunately for defending event winner, Terry Baldry, he would not get a
shot at the main event as his ride was damaged while avoiding a tangle between
two other cars in the first qualifying race. John Zimmerman would lead
much of that contest before being passed by Doug Drost who was debuting a new
race car. Drost took that car to victory lane on it's maiden
voyage. The battle for second would wage between Zimmerman, Frank Nitzke
and Brian Back over the final five laps. Zimmerman was able to hold onto
second with Back edging Nitzke by inches for the final transfer spot.
Nitzke would settle for fourth and Adam Degenhardt would comprise the top five
finishers.
The second qualifier saw Jeff Weinfurter and Jeremy Lepak race side by side
for the top spot throughout much of the race before Weinfurter surged ahead in
the closing laps for the win. Lepak would settle into second with Jamie
Iverson the Norway Speedway champion making his third WCS start of the season
claiming the final transfer spot. Tim Rothe and Elliott Weiler
would complete the top five runners.
The Wisconsin Challenge Series will begin it's sixth season of action in 2006
in April. An exciting season schedule along with other important
announcements will be made throughout the off-season at a pair of
informational meetings and through news releases on the series website at www.wisconsinchallenge.com
The 2005 season awards banquet will be held on Saturday Night November 12th at
the Tornado's Supper Club and Banquet Hall in Appleton,WI. Details on
that event will be announced shortly.
WCS Championship 80 - September 10, 2005
80 Lap Feature: 1.) Eugene Gregorich Jr., Kewaunee; 2.) Nathan Haseleu,
Marshall; 3.) Jeremy Miller, Loves Park, IL; 4.) Charlie Menard, Eau Claire;
5.) Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids; 6.) Ryan Mathews, Lake Geneva; 7.) Jeff
Kendall, Montello; 8.) Kenny Richards, Montello; 9.) Blake Horstman,
Pardeeville; 10.) Frank Kreyer, Pardeeville; 11.) Jason Weinkauf, Merrill;
12.) M.G. Gajewski, Wausau; 13.) Ben Pettis, Eau Claire; 14. ) John Zimmerman,
Markesan; 15.) Todd Stapleman, Wautoma; 16.) Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI; 17.)
Jeremy Lepak, Wausau; 18.) Brad Wildes, Tomah; 19.) Doug Drost, Merrill; 20.)
Adam Royle, Farmington, MN; 21.) Brian Back, Vesper; 22.) Steve Holzhausen,
Bangor; 23.) Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids
First 25 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Drost; 2.) Zimmerman; 3.) Back; 4.) Frank Nitzke,
Berlin; 5.) Adam Degenhardt, Coon Valley; 6.) Andy Monday, Appleton; 7.) Kyle
Davis, Marshfield; 8.) Terry Baldry, Omro; 9.) Pete Kempf, Nekoosa; 10.) Dean
Lapointe, Marshfield
Second 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Weinfurter; 2.) Lepak; 3.) Iverson; 4.) Tim Rothe,
Appleton; 5.) Elliott Weiler, Marshfield; 6.) Ken Reiser, Waukon, IA; 7.) Tim
Hintz, Nekoosa; 8.) Jim Duchow, Appleton; 9.) Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 10.)
Greg Ruffalo, Wautoma
The first three laps of the 4-Cylinder feature were led by Greg Blount.
Don Dunow then grabbed the lead and held on for the win. Kevin Eckes
moved up from his fifth place start to second by lap seven. Point lead
JJ Flick started 11th and worked up to third while fast timer Steve Stewart
came up to finish fourth and Paul Berg fifth.
Wayne Deitz led the three laps of the 14 lap 1-Man Cruiser feature. Dave
Knauf then took the lead for the win. Dietz held out for second, Todd
Hoeper third, point leader Cody Meyer fourth and Chris Anderson fifth.
Next Saturday, September 17th is Season Championship and the give away of the
2005 Ford Mustang Pace Car sponsored by V&H, WDEZ, Abby Gas Service,
Subway, CarQuest, Burt Trophy & Awards, Rainbow Casino & Craft’s
Trading Center. 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,
4-Cylinders 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).
Summary
4-Cylinders
* * * QUALIFYING RESULTS * * *
PlceCar # Driver Home Town Model Fast
1 13S STEWART, STEVE MARSHFIELD SATURN 22.260
* * * HEATS RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 4 79X STRAUSS, JEREMIAH HEAT1 NEILLSVILLE DODGE
2 2 02B BARTHEN, ROB HEAT1 ELK MOUND PINTO
3 7 26K KRZYKOWSKI, ADAM HEAT1 - - - - - -
4 5 72N NAWROCKI, JAKE HEAT1 GLEN FLORA FORD
5 8 17E ELMHORST, DON HEAT1 NEILLSVILLE MUSTANG
1 3 14X MCGIVERON, DAN HEAT2 MARSHFIELD - - -
2 5 9L LOUZE, DALE HEAT2 MOSINEE FORD
3 6 43B BRANDL, RICKY HEAT2 MILLADOREDODGE
4 1 4Z ECKES, ADAM HEAT2 AUBURNDALE SATURN
5 7 21S SCHLOUGH, ERIN HEAT2 GREENWOOD FORD
1 2 01B BERG, PAUL HEAT3 EAU CLAIRE FORD
2 3 19H HAUSER, STEVE HEAT3 GILMAN DODGE
3 5 9H HAUSER, DERKHEAT3 GILMAN DODGE
4 4 0W WIRTZ, KEITH HEAT3 RUDOLPH MUSTANG
5 1 73D DUNOW, DON HEAT3 BOYD FORD
* * * SEMI RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 6 4Z ECKES, ADAM SEMI AUBURNDALE SATURN
2 1 79X STRAUSS, JEREMIAH SEMI NEILLSVILLE DODGE
3 2 72N NAWROCKI, JAKE SEMI GLEN FLORA FORD
4 8 02B BARTHEN, ROB SEMI ELK MOUND PINTO
5 5 17E ELMHORST, DON SEMI NEILLSVILLE MUSTANG
6 3 81M METZLER, CLINTON SEMI GILMAN FORD
7 9 2G GEREAU, BOB SEMI WAUSAU CHEVY
8 7 64L LIETZ, JOHN SEMI MOSINEE PONT
9 0 15L LANGRECK, CHRIS SEMI - - - - - -
* * * FEATURE RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 6 73D DUNOW, DON FEAT BOYD FORD
2 5 5E ECKES, KEVIN SR FEAT AUBURNDALE SATURN
3 11 9F FLICK, JJFEAT WI RAPIDS FORD
4 12 13S STEWART, STEVE FEAT MARSHFIELD SATURN
5 7 01B BERG, PAUL FEAT EAU CLAIRE FORD
6 9 0W WIRTZ, KEITH FEAT RUDOLPH MUSTANG
7 2 9L LOUZE, DALE FEAT MOSINEE FORD
8 10 9H HAUSER, DERKFEAT GILMAN DODGE
9 8 19H HAUSER, STEVE FEAT GILMAN DODGE
10 4 21S SCHLOUGH, ERIN FEAT GREENWOOD FORD
1-Man Cruisers
* * * QUALIFYING RESULTS * * *
PlceCar # Driver Home Town Model Fast
1 31K KNAUF, DAVID MARSHFIELD FORD 23.442
* * * HEATS RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 1 33M MEYER, CODY HEAT1 COLBY OLDS
2 6 55D DIETZ, WAYNE HEAT1 PITTSVILLE OLDS
3 7 31K KNAUF, DAVID HEAT1 MARSHFIELD FORD
4 5 49H HOEPER, TODD HEAT1 MARSHFIELD - - -
5 3 07A ANDERSON, CHRIS HEAT1 GRANTONPONTIAC
* * * FEATURE RESULTS * * *
Place Start Car # Driver Event Home Town Model
1 6 31K KNAUF, DAVID FEAT MARSHFIELD FORD
2 5 55D DIETZ, WAYNE FEAT PITTSVILLE OLDS
3 4 49H HOEPER, TODD FEAT MARSHFIELD - - -
4 8 33M MEYER, CODY FEAT COLBY OLDS
5 2 07A ANDERSON, CHRIS FEAT GRANTONPONTIAC
6 1 04D DICKMAN, TIM FEAT GRANTONDODGE
7 3 053B BALDWIN, MARC FEAT - - - - - -
8 7 25C CARPENTER, SHAWN FEAT - - - - - -
Point Standings As Of September 10, 2005
CWMSA 4-Cylinders
Place Car No Driver's Name Points
1 9F FLICK, JJ525
2 01B BERG, PAUL 513
3 5E ECKES, KEVIN SR 500
4 13S STEWART, STEVE 495
5 9L LOUZE, DALE 475
6 4Z ECKES, ADAM 461
7 14X MCGIVERON, DAN 451
8 9H HAUSER, DERK442
9 19H HAUSER, STEVE 441
10 73D DUNOW, DON 440
1-Man Cruisers
Place Car No Driver's Name Points
1 33M MEYER, CODY 906
2 31K KNAUF, DAVID 786
3 55D DIETZ, WAYNE 667
4 04D DICKMAN, TIM 622
5 07A ANDERSON, CHRIS 250
6 053B BALDWIN, MARC 247
7 49H HOEPER, TODD 235
8 69D DENNY, MIKE 183
9 99E ENGMAN, TROY 169
10 04M MOORE, JUSTIN 143
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