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Rubeck Repeats At Rockford Spring Classic
By: Kevin Ramsell
Sunday, April 15, 2007 (Loves Park, IL) – Steve Rubeck’s weekend was off
to a rough start. After he and his crew spent most of the night
replacing his whole brake system, he returned to capture his second straight
Wisconsin Challenge Series Spring Classic feature at the Rockford Speedway.
Andy Monday and Mark Eswein led the field to the start of the 150-lap main
event. Monday jumped out to the early lead.
Monday led all the way through the first 75-laps, but there was plenty of
action behind him.
Tony Strupp started seventh and was challenging Dillon Kralovetz for the
fourth position on lap 45. Earlier, Strupp got into the back of
Kralovetz and loosened up his front end. As Strupp got past Kralovetz,
Strupp’s hood flew up onto his windshield to bring out a caution.
Dexter Bean, who is currently 6th in the ARCA Re/Max Series point standing,
was racing in the sixth position on lap 54 when he spun out coming out of turn
two. He would return to the rear of the field and work himself back into
the top ten.
Defending WCS champion, Nate Haseleu, was working his way to the front.
On lap 66, Haseleu got into the back of Kralovetz going into turn three
causing Kralovetz to spin to bring out a caution. Both were sent to the
rear.
At the halfway mark, it was Monday still in the lead with Eswein in
second. Andrew Morrissey in third, Matt Koucerek was in fourth and Steve
Rubeck rounding out the top five.
After a 10 minute break, Monday continued to lead the field in the second half
of the 150-lap main event.
The big wreck of the day came on lap 87 when Koucerek was battling Morrissey
for the third spot. The two made contact going into turn three sending
Morrissey spinning. Behind Morrissey, it was a train wreck as Rubeck,
John Zimmerman, Jeff Way and Haseleu were all involved. Rubeck and
Zimmerman got their spots back as they were not involved in the initial
caution.
On the re-start, Eswein got a good bite coming off of turn four to get on the
inside of Monday to take over the top spot going into turn one. Rubeck
followed Eswein to take over the second spot.
The caution flew again on lap 92 when Dexter Bean was caught in an accordion
coming off of turn two and the damage was enough for him to call it a day.
On lap 92, Rubeck went to the outside of Eswein coming out of turn two to
challenge for the top spot. Eswein couldn’t do anything as Rubeck
sailed around him for the lead.
After Rubeck took over the top spot, he ran away from the rest of the field
and was uncontested all the way to the checkered flag.
Rubeck picks up his second straight WCS Spring Classic feature with Eswein
holding on to second. Kenny Richards came home third. Zimmerman
came home fourth with Morrissey rounding out the top five.
“The car was sliding around early, and when we got to the halfway point, we
made some adjustments and it was great in the second 75 laps,” Rubeck stated
in victory lane.
The Wisconsin Challenge Series next event will be on Sunday, May 6th at
Madison International Speedway.
The 60th annual season opener will take place next Saturday at the Rockford
Speedway. Bring an empty 20 oz. Coca-Cola bottle and receive $2 off
admission. The racing action will get underway at 7:07 p.m.
For more information, please call the track office at (815) 633-1500 or visit
the track’s website at www.rockfordspeedway.com.
Wisconsin Challenge Series
A-Main 01 -- 1. Steve Rubeck, Cherry Valley; 2. Mark Eswein, Wisconsin
Rapds, Wis; 3. Kenny Richards, Montello, Wis; 4. John Zimmerman, Markesan, Wis;
5. Andrew Morrissey, DeForest, Wis; 6. Nathan Haseleu, Marshall, Wis; 7.
Dillon Kralovetz, LaCrosse, Wis; 8. Andy Monday, Appleton, Wis; 9. Eddie May,
Crystal Lake; 10. Tim Rothe, Appleton, Wis; 11. Jeff Way, Burlington, Wis; 12.
Matt Kocourek, Franklin, Wis; 13. Dexter Bean, Westby, Wis; 14. Tony Strupp,
West Bend, Wis; 15. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 16. Jason Weinkauf, Merrill,
Wis; 17. Brandon Selle, Dale, Wis; 18. Nick Hammer, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Heat 01 -- 1. Nathan Haseleu, Marshall, Wis; 2. Matt Kocourek, Franklin,
Wis; 3. Dexter Bean, Westby, Wis; 4. Adam Degenhardt, LaCrosse, Wis; 5. Mark
Eswein, Wisconsin Rapds, Wis; 6. Jason Weinkauf, Merrill, Wis; 7. Jeff Way,
Burlington, Wis; 8. Brandon Selle, Dale, Wis; 9. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton.
Heat 02 -- 1. Andrew Morrissey, DeForest, Wis; 2. Tony Strupp, West
Bend, Wis; 3. Steve Rubeck, Cherry Valley; 4. Andy Monday, Appleton, Wis; 5.
Dillon Kralovetz, LaCrosse, Wis; 6. John Zimmerman, Markesan, Wis; 7. Nick
Hammer, Sun Prairie, Wis; 8. Kenny Richards, Montello, Wis.
Time Trial -- 1. Ricky Bilderback, Rockton; 2. Kenny Richards, Montello,
Wis; 3. Nathan Haseleu, Marshall, Wis; 4. Tony Strupp, West Bend, Wis; 5.
Jason Weinkauf, Merrill, Wis; 6. Dillon Kralovetz, LaCrosse, Wis; 7. Adam
Degenhardt, LaCrosse, Wis; 8. Andrew Morrissey, DeForest, Wis; 9. Mark Eswein,
Wisconsin Rapds, Wis; 10. Andy Monday, Appleton, Wis; 11. Matt Kocourek,
Franklin, Wis; 12. Steve Rubeck, Cherry Valley; 13. Dexter Bean, Westby, Wis;
14. John Zimmerman, Markesan, Wis; 15. Brandon Selle, Dale, Wis; 16. Nick
Hammer, Sun Prairie, Wis; 17. Jeff Way, Burlington, Wis.
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