First Leg of Yellow River Racing Series to Mark Kraus! Gwidt, Hauser, Gomes, Capture Season Opener Wins!

Posted under News by Wayne Brevik on May 17th, 2010

May 15, 2010; Fairchild, WI – On what was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid 70′s, fans across the Midwest filed into Marshfield Motor Speedway to view the running of the first ever Yellow River Racing Series special event.  Super Late Models highlighted the evening’s events with 25 cars vying for the series’ first feature win.

Defending track champion Jason Weinkauf and Chili, Wisconsin’s Chad Selk led the field to the green flag. Weinkauf took the early lead with Selk right on his heels. Up until lap six, the field held it’s own; things changed though, Stratford, WI ace Mark Kraus decided it was time to go as the field started to settle in. Kraus nosed by second place driver Chad Selk to take over the runnerup position. As Weinkauf, Kraus, and Selk ran one, two, three, respectfully, things were heating up elsewhere. Marshfield’s Rory Melbinger was looking to put his high powered machine into fourth position. Merrill’s Jay VanDerGeest wasn’t about to let that happen. VanDerGeest and Melbinger battled bumper to bumper and door to door for nearly 24 laps. At the halfway point of the race, Melbinger decided it was time to press VanDerGeest, the two drivers made contact with each other allowing Melbinger to gain the advantage and securing the fourth spot. As VanDerGeest approached mid-turn of 3 & 4, he and Skylar Holzhausen made contact with each other, sending VanDerGeest spinning into the infield. VanDerGeest’s car was not damaged and was able to continue. On the restart, it was Weinkauf and Kraus battling for the top spot. Kraus continually looked to the inside of Weinkauf. Finally, Kraus moved up far enough on the inside of Weinkauf, earning him the lead and a shot at the victory. Another driver moving up threw the field was Merrill’s Chris Weinkauf. Weinkauf, who battled by Andy Monday and Skylar Holzhausen early in the race, was in a position to steal fourth away from Melbinger. On lap 27, Weinkauf did exactly what he wanted to do, move forward. He got by both Melbinger and Selk to gain third place. Also moving by Selk was Mark Eswein; Eswein, in his famous blue and white colors, was now looking to move past a fast Melbinger. Melbinger, however, continued to slam the door on Eswein, keeping the running order the same. As the race neared its end, it was evident that Mark Kraus was the man to beat. The real battle was between brothers Weinkauf! The two gents battled side by side for five laps, neither wanting to settle for third. In the end though, it was all Mark Kraus. He drove a consistant race to win the first ever Yellow River Racing Series feature event. Finishing a strong second was Jason Weinkauf. Chris Weinkauf, Rory Melbinger, and Mark Eswein rounded out the top five. Finishing sixth through tenth was Steve Holzhausen, Chad Selk, MG Gajewski, Andy Monday, and Jim Sauter, Jr.

1. Mark Kraus, Stratford, 2. Jason Weinkauf, Merrill, 3. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill, 4. Rory Melbinger, Marshfield, 5. Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, 6. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, 7. Chad Selk, Chili, 8. MG Gajewski, Wausau, 9. Andy Monday, 10. Jim Sauter, Jr., Tomah, 11. Doug Mahlik, 12. Andrew Morrissey, Deforest, 13. Eugene Gregorich, 14. Brent Piontek, Green Bay, 15. Ronnie Rihn, Bloomer, 16. Frank Nitzke, Berlin, 17. Jay VanDerGeest, Merrill, 18. Dean LaPointe, Marshfield, 19. Don Turner, LaCrosse, 20. Brian Goodwin, Tomah, 21. Colin Reffner, Wisconsin Rapids, 22. Adam White, Suamico, 23. Skylar Holzhausen, Burns, 24. Robb Vanderloop, Kaukauna, 25. Jack Greenwood, Phillips.

Marv Flick led the way in the 20-lap D & D Amusement Games Super Stock feature event. Quickly taking the lead from Flick however, was Greg Back. By lap 4, Back stretched his lead to 4 car lengths on the rest of the field. Looking to cut Back’s lead down was that of Greenwood’s Erin Schlough. Schlough held second until Michael Gwidt moved to his outside, taking over the runnerup spot. Gwidt, who is fast wherever he goes, was cutting into Back’s lead. The Wausau standout driver picked up a car length every corner. On lap 15, Gwidt completed the pass, shuffling Greg Back to the second position. The battle was heating up for the final podium position, Brian Weinfurter was looking to steal the spot away from Schlough. Weinfurter, another Wisconsin Rapids hotshoe, muscled his machine past Schlough on the white flag lap. Up front however, it was all Michael Gwidt as he cruised to another feature win. Greg Back, an always fast competitor, winded up in the runnerup spot. Weinfurter, Schlough, and Randall Wilhorn balanced out the top five finishing order.

Back at Marshfield Motor Speedway was the always competitive 4-Cylinders. The 13-car field was led to the green flag by Mike Frankwick. Rick Brandl stole the show early putting his number 43 car in the top spot. Brandl’s lead was brief, star driver Derk Hauser nudged past Brandl early on and built a sizable lead. On lap 5, Austin Stump moved to the runnerup spot shuffling Brandl to third. Moving up 7 positions in the first 6 laps was Boyd’s Don Dunow. Dunow did it with inside and outside moves, blasting his way past his fellow competitors. Following Dunow’s lead, was that of Gilman driver, Steve Hauser. Hauser slipped past Dunow on lap 13 and was setting his sites on a very fast Austin Stump. With Derk Hauser cruising to another feature win, the battled heated up for second with Steve Hauser edging out Stump. Dunow and Paul Berg rounded out the top five.

Closing the night off on a good note was that of the famous Junkyard Warriors.  These ladies and gentlemen always put on an exciting show! From her front row postion, Colletta Gomes looked like the car to beat as earlier in the month, Gomes captured the feature win. With Gomes in command, Sam Sudduth and Charlie Nickel battled for the runnerup spot. By lap five, Sudduth power past Nickel nailing down that postion. Starting last and moving his way through the field, was Kyle Rasmussen. Rasmussen, whom of which made the long trek back from the Milwaukee Mile’s Enduro race, slid past Sudduth after Sudduth and Nickel made contact with each other. Not looking back and capturing another feature win, was Colletta Gomes. Rasmussen, Sudduth, Nickel, Gary Haarklau, Buddy Barrow, Christine Schmude, and Harry Bell balanced the rest of the field.

With a coupon that can be picked up at area businesses, or, printed off our website, you will be admitted free to next weekend’s race event. Qualifying will begin at 5pm with racing beginning at 6:30pm.  Marshfield Motor Speedway is located 3 miles West of Marshfield on County Road H. Please visit us online at www.marshfieldspeedway.com.  If you would like to join our email list, please send an email to marshfieldmotorspeedway@yahoo.com.