WEINFURTER BREAKS NO REPEAT STREAK WITH MEMORIAL 100 VICTORY! PLOVER, WI. (May 26, 2003) -- When Jeff Weinfurter of nearby Wisconsin Rapids, streaked across the finish line, just four car lengths ahead of Jason Weinkauf, it brought to an end, a string of non-repeat Wisconsin Challenge Series event winners, that dated back some 12 events. Weinfurter became just the second driver in WCS history to have won more than a single race, and he did so in front of a partisan home track crowd by capturing the Memorial 100 at Golden Sands Speedway. On a day of remberance, it would seem fitting that Weinfurter would capture the victory. A win which would seem to honor his father Merle Weinfurter. A veteran racer who lost a battle with cancer last fall.
Earning that victory was no easy fete, as a record field of 47 Late Models checked in for competition and just making the main event would prove to be a challenge for many competitors. The day started out with current Wisconsin Challenge Series point leader Erik Darnell proving how well he adapts to new tracks. Darnell would turn in quick time with a lap of 12.161 seconds on the high banked third mile oval. The mark just edged out Chris Weinkauf, who finished second in the May WCS race at Golden Sands a year ago. Weinkauf's effort was a lap of 12.218 seconds. Frank Kreyer, who turned quick time honors at the most recent event held at Columbus 151 Speedway three weeks ago turned in third quick for this event, with an orbit of 12.236 seconds around the track. In all the feature field was separated by just over three tenths of a second, while the entire qualified field registering times within three-quarters of a second from fastest to slowest. The large sun soaked crowd on hand saw former Dells Motor Speedway champion Jeff Kendall do battle with Slinger Super Speedway title contender Brad Mueller at the drop of the green flag as 22 cars burst into action. It was Mueller, using the high line charging into the opening lead, with Kendall slipping into the runner-up spot. Weinfurter, who started in the second row was quick on the attack diving under Kendall to challenge for second on lap three. The pair touched briefly, allowing Ken Reiser, the all-time WCS point earner to scoot past both drivers into second. The first caution of the day appeared on lap ten, when Jim Sauter Jr. looped his machine in turn two. Under the green Mueller again took control of the pace, with Weinfuter moving up to challenge Reiser for the second position. Weinfurter, working the low groove managed to work past Reiser for the position on lap 21, but by now Mueller had moved out to a healthy advantage. Meanwhile, Darnell, who had started ninth had worked his way forward and began to work on Reiser for the third spot, taking the position on lap 22. While the lead trio ran nose to tail, further back, the Weinkauf brothers, Jason and Chris were steadily moving forward, with both reaching the top six by lap 25. Out front Mueller now found his margin on Weinfurter whittled away as the pair began encountering lapped traffic on lap 28. Weinfuter applied the pressure to Mueller and was quick to make a move when Mueller slipped up the track on lap 32. Weinfurter was able to shoot past and secure the top spot. Darnell meanwhile found his car getting loose and he would soon lose several positions as the Weinkauf brothers were still on the move. Jason would find himself in third and Chris was up to fourth before the events second caution appeared for a Clint Sillars spin on lap 41. Sillars would make a second loop ten laps later and retire to the pits. This third caution would wipe out Weinfurter's lead, and his chief rival had changed just prior to the caution as Jason Weinkauf had worked past Mueller for second. On lap 56, the third caution flag appeared as a wheel broke on Frank Nitzke's machine, causing the tire to come off the car. Nitzke ground to a halt in turn four, but he would rejoin the race after changing the tire. When action resumed 17 cars remained in action with Weinfuter, Jason Weinkauf, Mueller, Chris Weinkauf and Reiser sitting atop the leader board. Chris Weinkauf and Mueller would engage in a door to door duel which lasted several laps before Weinkauf would secure the position. Mueller, who was now stuck in the outer groove lost several more positions in the next few laps. The final caution of the day appeared with 26 laps remaining when Kendall and defending Golden Sands Speedway champ Mark Eswein made contact. As a result, Kendall went spinning in turn two, while Eswein took a wild ride off the track and into the pit area, hitting a tow truck staged on pit lane. While Kendall was able to continue the event from the rear of the field. Eswein's efforts were through for the day. Underway for the final quarter of the race, Weinfurter, now had the Weinkauf brothers, Jason and Chris on his tail. Behind this group, Steve Holzhausen, the current point leader at the Lacrosse Fairgrounds Speedway was busy working traffic and moving forward. He caught Reiser for the fourth spot with 18 laps remaining and he began to close the gap on the leaders. With just under ten laps to go Jason Weinkauf had closed up on the rear bumper if Weinfurter, but he was unable to mount a serious challenge. In the closing laps Weinfurter, received a breather as the Weinakuf brothers became engaged in a heated duel of their own for the runner-up spot, allowing him to slip away. At the checkered Weinfurter had a four car length advantage on Jason Weinkauf, while Chris would settle for third. Holzhausen completed a solid run with a fourth place finish and Reiser would cross the line in fifth. Mueller ended his day in sixth with Frank Kreyer seventh. Kendall rebounded from his earlier incident to take eighth ahead of Joe Krzykowski and Darnell who rounded out the top ten finishers. In earlier action, twin 30 lap qualifying races took place to set the 22 car starting grid for the main event. The top three finishers in each race were transferred into the big show. In the first qualifying race it was Nitzke taking a comfortable win over Mark Mackesy and Jim Sauter Jr., who had started deep in the field. Nitzke was also honored prior to the start of the days event as one of three drivers who have competed in every events of the Wisconsin Challenge Series since it's inception. 2001 track champion Burton Brown, who was suffering the effects of a flu managed a fourth place run but he just missed the main event. Three time track Super Stock champion Keith Bohmsach, who was fielding a car owned by Eswein would complete the top five finishers. The second qualifying event would have fans on their feet as M.G. Gajewski and Allen Check reached the checkered in a near photo finish. Gajewski was awarded the win with Check second and both moving to the main event along with third place finisher Benjamin Brinkman. Fourth in the event went to Selle, another driver who had competed in every WCS race ever contested. Jim Carlson completed the top five finishers. As a result of the days activities, Darnell was able to maintain his point lead as he now sits atop the standings by a 369 to 321 point margin over Chris Weinkauf who advanced into the runner-up spot. Kendall, who entered the event in third, remained in the position with 307 markers. All-time series point leader, Reiser, moved up the standings to fourth with 273 points. Kyle Kinder, who was second in the standings heading into the program, did not make the main event after an accident which also involved fellow top ten point driver John Zimmerman. Kinder fell to fifth in the standings with 263 points, while Zimmerman tumbled out of the top ten. The next event on the Wisconsin Challenge Series will be held on Saturday night, June 7th at the Marshfield Super Speedway. The track, which was freshly repaved last week, is the largest on the Wisconsin Challenge Series 2003 schedule, checking in at one half mile in length. The featured attraction will be a 75 lap contest for the Wisconsin Challenge Series Late Models At each contest, the pit gates will open at 3:00 p.m., the Grandstands will open at 5:00 p.m., with the all important qualifying which will set the first 16 cars of the 22 car starting grid taking place at 6:00 p.m. A pair of qualifying races will set the balance of the field. Racing events themselves will take place at 7:30 p.m. 4 Cylinders and Cruiser will act as support divisions for the Super Late Models., while, the Legend cars will join the Cruisers in support of the WCS Late Models for the August 9th event. The adult admission for the show is a fan friendly $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 Memorial 100 - Results 100 Lap Feature: 1.) Jeff Weinfurter, Wisconsin Rapids; 2.) Jason Weinkauf, Merrill; 3.) Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 4.) Steve Holzhausen, Bangor; 5.) Ken Reiser, Waukon, IA; 6.) Brad Mueller, Random Lake; 7.) Frank Kreyer, Cottage Grove; 8.) Jeff Kendall, Montello; 9.) Joe Krzykowski, Junction City; 10.) Erik Darnell, Beach Park, IL; 11.) Mike Langsdorf, Rio; 12.) M.G. Gajewski, Wausau; 13.) Allen Check, Shantytown; 14.) Kevin Brescia, Baraboo; 15.) Benjamin Brinkman, Oshkosh; 16.) Jim Sauter Jr., Necedah; 17.) Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids; 18.) Frank Nitzke, Berlin; 19.) Clint Sillars, Wausau; 20.) Jeff Watters, Mineral Point; 21.) Rory Melbinger, Marshfield; 22.) Mark Mackesy, Wausau. First 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Nitzke; 2.) Mackesy; 3.) Sauter Jr.; 4.) Burton Brown, Neenah; 5.) Keith Bohmsach, Wisconsin Rapids; 6.) Dean LaPointe, Marshfield; 7.) Kurt Gurlaski, Wausau; 8.) Judd Brandl, Arpin; 9.) Rocky Breezer, Portage; 10.) Chad Holm, Portage. Second 30 Lap Qualifier: 1.) Gajewski; 2.) Check; 3.) Brinkman; 4.) Brandon Selle, Dale; 5.) Jim Carlson, LaCrosse; 6.) Terry Van Roy, Appleton; 7.) Greg Back, Vesper; 8.) Scott Broughton, Stoughton; 9.) John Zimmerman, Markesan; 10.) Kyle Kinder McFarland |
|||||||
