HASELEU HAULS IN CHECKERED IN WCS ICE BREAKER 75 AT GOLDEN SANDS! PLOVER, WI. (May 19, 2002) -- A former regular on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit, Arlington, Wisconsin native Nathan Haseleu, came out on top of a thrilling last lap duel with Chris Weinkauf of nearby Merrill, Wisconsin to top the Ice Breaker 75 at Golden Sands Speedway in his first ever start in the Wisconsin Challenge Series. The battle waged to the checkered which flew with Haseleu some six inches ahead of Weinkauf who was fighting for control of his ride as he crossed the finish line. The wild finish capped off an exciting day which saw the pair exchange the lead a couple times in the closing laps. Bringing the chilled crowd to their feet as afternoon temperatures struggled into the 40 degree range.
Twice delayed by bad weather, the Ice Breaker 75 was to have been the season opening event of the 2002 Wisconsin Challenge Series. Instead it was contested as the second show of the season, with a solid 40 cars checking into the pit area. Mechanical problems thinned the field to 38 official qualifiers. A field of 23 cars took the green flag with outside front row starter Jeremy Lepak getting the jump on polesitter Troy Nelson to take the initial lead. Lepak, who won the feature contest at Golden Sands Speedway two nights earlier set a quick early pace, while Nelson fell back in the clutches of the pack behind. Rich Schuman Jr., was among the first of the challengers to Lepak's lead, moving to second on lap three, with Allen Check last year's WCS hard charge award winner advancing to third one lap later. Meanwhile Weinkauf and Haseleu were slicing though the field. Weinkauf who was the third fast qualifier on the day, had climbed from his eighth place start to third at Check's expense on lap 13. The first caution of the day appeared as Jeff Kendall and Dave Gawronski locked horns in turn four. Kendall was able to continue on from the tail of the field and Gawronski would take his car to the pits for repairs returning for a few laps later in the event. By now Haseleu, who had started 12th on the grid, was already into the sixth position. Green returned with Lepak again leading the way with Schuman Jr., Check, Weinkauf and Todd Stapleman holding the top five spots. Lepak set sail out front, while further back in the pack Weinkauf moved to the outside line and picked off both Check and Schuman Jr., to run second at the end of lap 16. Haseleu was also on the charge, rim riding the high banked third-mile track hitting fourth at lap 18 and then motoring past Check for third on lap 23. Lepak meanwhile still had a comfortable three car length advantage on Weinkauf which he was able to maintain. Weinkauf didn't have time to close the gap before he came under pressure from Haseleu who latched onto his rear bumper as the race moved past one third complete. Haseleu switched strategies moving from the high line, to the inner groove and ducked under Weinkauf for second with 28 laps in the books. Defending Golden Sands Speedway champion and winner of the season opening event at Columbus 151 Speedway, Burton Brown, tangled with Rich Schuman Jr. on the following lap drawing the second caution of the day. Both drivers were able to continue. The caution also erased what little lead Lepak had on Haseleu setting up a battle which would wage for much of the mid-portion of the event. The top positions remained the same when the third caution flew when Pete Kempf and Brandon Selle did a twin spin on lap 37. When action resumed Lepak had to fend off the challenges of Haseleu who was looking to the outside in an attempt to take over the top spot. Lepak was equal to the challenge and the pair pulled ahead of Weinkauf who rode in third. Another driver becoming a factor as the race went into the final 30 laps was Jeff Weinfurter who patiently had been picking off cars. He reached fourth after a thrilling wheel to wheel battle with Check, which lasted for several laps before Weinfurter got the upper hand on lap 50. Out front Lepak was able to maintain the pace, slowing only slightly as the leader started reaching lapped traffic with 15 laps remaining in the race. This allowed Haseleu to close in on Lepak's rear bumper. One lap 66, with nine remaining in the race, Haseleu and Lepak brushed while doing battle for the top spot in turn one. Lepak slipped up the track allowing Haseleu to drive by and take the lead. Lepak, struggled to gain momentum after sliding out of the groove. Before he regained his pace Weinkauf had motored past for second and Weinfurter attained third. The final five laps would be spiced with a pair of cautions and a torrid battle for the top spot. On lap 70 was Stapleman and Kendall tangled in turn four causing a slowdown. When the green flag returned Weinkauf got a good run at Haseleu and was able to wedge himself into the low groove. He edged ahead of Haseleu at the stripe on lap 72 when the final yellow flew for debris found in the racing groove. The stage was then set for a shoot-out for the checkered and that's just what the fans got. Weinkauf took the green but Haseleu was immediately on his rear bumper with Weinfurter waiting in the wings in third should something happen to the lead pair. As the pair charged to the white flag, Haseleu was able to secure the inside lane and the pair raced dead even into the final pair of turns. It has a dead heat out of turn four and it appeared briefly that Weinkauf would have the momentum in the outside groove. However a few feet before the finish line he dropped his wheels into the sand and began to spin allowing Haseleu to move ahead for the win. Weinkauf kept his foot in the gas and spun off the track harmlessly, but he managed to hold second over a hard charging Weinfurter. Lepak recovered to finish fourth after moving back ahead of fast qualifier Gary Back on the final lap as Back took fifth. Defending Wisconsin Challenge Series champion Mark Eswein took sixth, Check came home seventh. Ken Reiser, who advanced into the main event through a qualifier started 19th and rallied to eighth. Jim Carlson was ninth and Jason Weinkauf completed the top ten. In preliminary action, Justin Hirt held off Reiser to capture the first qualifying race. Reiser who had started the race in third moved into position to challenge Hirt in the final laps of the contest but settled for second as both positions had already made the show. Brandon Selle captured the final transfer spot ahead of Frank Nitzke. Nitzke however was the winner of the Lifeline Entry Lottery drawn among pre-registered cars making him the final starter in the main event. In the second qualifying race Judd Brandl charged to the lead taking a comfortable win over Rocky Breezer. Eugene Gregorich Jr., shaded Donnie Woller for the final spot into the main event by taking third. By virtue of his two consecutive fourth place finishes Lepak hold the point lead heading into the next event the Memorial 75 at Marshfield Super Speedway. Lepak had 258 markers, while the current point runner-up Gary Back has 247 markers based upon his two fifth place finishes and his fast qualifying effort here in the Ice Breaker 75. Third in the standings is Ken Reiser with 223 points, fourth is the winner of the Spring Fling 75, Burton Brown who has 217 markers and fifth is a tie between Allen Check and defending Wisconsin Challenge Series champion Mark Eswein as they each have 208 points. The next race, The Memorial 75 will take place on Sunday Evening, May 26th. The race will mark the first ever appearance of the Wisconsin Challenge Series at the track which is considered Central Wisconsin's Fastest paved oval. The race will be a 2-tire show, meaning drivers interested in participating in the event will need two marked and branded used tires. The race will feature a top prize of $1,800 to win. Nearly 40 of Wisconsin's finest short track racers are expected to appear for the race. The highlight will again be a 75 lap feature event which will be made of of the fastest 16 qualifiers and the top three in each of the twin 30 lap qualifying races. A potential 23 starter can be added if the driver had his name drawn from among the pre-entries. Also scheduled to participate in the program are a full schedule of Speedway Motorcycle events. These two wheeled daredevils will thrill fans with speeds approaching those of the Super Late Models. Both heats and features will be held. The Central Wisconsin Mini-Stock Association (CWMSA) 4 Cylinder cars will also be on hand with a full point show including qualifying, heats and feature races. The day will conclude with the second event of the Wisconsin 2-Man Cruiser State Championship Series. Pit Gates will open at 2:00 p.m. Time Trials are set for 5:00 p.m., and racing is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The adult admission for this event is just $12. Marshfield Super Speedway is located three miles west of Marshfield, Wisconsin on County Highway H. Additional information about this event can be had by calling (715) 387-2717 or (715) 384-8325. Information is also posted on the track website at www.marshfieldspeedway.com or the official Wisconsin Challenge Series website located at www.wisconsinchallenge.com For complete RACESTAT Computer Results Click Here
Ice
Breaker 75 - Results 75 Lap Feature: 1.) Nathan Haseleu, Arlington; 2.) Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 3.) Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids; 4.) Jeremy Lepak, Wausau; 5.) Gary Back, Vesper; 6.) Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids; 7.) Allen Check, Shantytown; 8.) Ken Reiser, Waukon, IA; 9.) Jim Carlson, LaCrosse; 10.) Jason Weinkauf, Merrill; 11.) Rocky Breezer, Portage; 12.) Judd Brandl, Arpin; 13.) Frank Nitzke, Berlin; 14.) Eugene Gregorich Jr., Kewaunee; 15.) Burton Brown, Neenah; 16.) Justin Hirt, Tigerton; 17.) Pete Kempf, Nekoosa; 18.) Troy Nelson, Antigo; 19.) Brandon Selle, Dale; 20.) Jeff Kendall, Montello; 21.) Todd Stapleman, Wautoma; 22.) Rich Schuman Jr., Portage; 23.) Dave Gawronski, Reedsburg First 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Hirt; 2.) Reiser; 3.) Selle; 4.) Nitzke; 5.) Kirby Kurth, Nekoosa; 6.) Frank Kreyer, Cottage Grove; 7.) Scott Patrick, Dousman; 8.) John Hornby, Sun Prairie; 9.) Bernie Fritz Jr., Coloma; 10.) Bruce Havel, Deerfield Second 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Brandl; 2.) Breezer; 3.) Gregorich Jr.; 4.) Donnie Woller, Marathon; 5.) Mark Van, Wautoma; 6.) Alan Sankey, Stevens Point; 7.) Wayne Mackesy, Wausau; 8.) Scott Volm, Mosinee; 9.) Chris Bires, Mauston; 10.) Jeff Way, Burlington For additional information check out the series website at www.wisconsinchallenge.com |
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