Gregorich, Defending Track Champ Two In A Row!

May 5, 2007; Marshfield, WI: - Mother Nature sent a cool and windy race day for the first May race night, but the racing was close and competitive. Tim Hintz topped qualifying in the CarQuest super late models. Brian Back was again the fastest CarQuest super stock taking both fast time and the feature win. Jeremiah Strauss in the 4-Cylinders took the fast time honors, winning the Bill Dunow Memorial fast time award, and had a run for the feature win, but was bested by track champion Kyle Opelt at the checkers. 2006 track champion Kyle Rasmussen was fast timer in the premier of the Junkyard Warriors this season.

Photo Highlights

Eugene Gregorich Jr. (#14) the defending Marshfield Super Speedway Super Late Model champion is now two for two in 2007 racing season feature victories. Brian Back (#71) topped the Super Stock main event this week at Marshfield Super Speedway. Kyle Opelt (#23) made it to the finish line first in 4 cylinder feature competition. Marc Baldwin (#02) came home the winner in the Junkyard Warrior class.  Taking the feature event.

Marshfield native Elliott Weiler took charge of the CarQuest super late model lead at the start. Jay VanDerGeest and Jeff Weinfurter were both hot on his heals. Meanwhile Eugene Gregorich Jr. and Ben Pettis were on a mission to the front picking up several spots per lap. The first caution flew on lap four for a spin in turn two, involving Joe Scholze and Cale Laessig. While under caution, VanDerGeest pitted and was unable to return due to mechanical difficulties. When the field double up behind the leader, Weiler, was Tim Hintz on the inside and Weinfurter on the outside. Weiler held them at bay, but Hintz couldn’t hold off Gregorich or Chris Weinkauf as they pick up spots within the top five. The caution was out again on lap six as Weinfurter cut down a tire and had to pit. Hintz also needed to pit under that caution. At the re-start Gregorich started second behind Weiler and took the lead on lap eight. The final caution waved on lap nine, as Weinkauf’s car spun in turns three and four. Behind him, Monte Gress and Wes Coon were collected and unable to complete the race. Gregorich lead the field for the last re-start of the feature. Pettis racing a strong second, Weiler third. Weinkauf and Laessig returned to the front to challenge for the top five spots. Pettis had cut a tire on the last caution and began to lose positions, but was able to maintain a solid fourth finish. Gregorich led the field for the final circuits as Weinkauf and Laessig battled over the second spot. Gregorich, defending 2006 track champion won his second feature in two weeks, and winning the Krings Motorsports feature award. Laessig was able to secure the second position with only five to go and take it at the finish. Weinkauf followed up in third, Pettis fourth and Weiler fifth. The top ten feature finisher also picked up some bonus pay sponsored by Jay VanDerGeest.

Mike Gwidt led the first three laps of the CarQuest super stock feature, in his first super stock appearance at Marshfield Super Speedway. Travis Zvolena then took the lead for the next ten laps. It was an exciting ten laps, as Brian Back challenged Zvolena for that lead, trying to take it on the outside. Randy Emmerich, Rick Grunden and Brian Weinfurter all battled for the fourth and fifth positions during the first half. The sole caution of the event flew on lap 14 for the leaders in turn two. Zvolena had spun, and used the gentleman’s rule, took the blame for the caution, allowing Back to maintain the lead. Back continued in the lead with Grunden and the rest of the field racing to take it away. Back led the final seven laps to the checkered for the win. Grunden second, Weinfurter third, Gwidt fourth and Zvolena with a strong comeback finished fifth. Back picked up bonus pay as the winner, compliments of RZ Builders LLC, and the Beway Race Products feature win award. Then drew a number for the remaining RZ Builders LLC bonus pay, which was awarded to second place finisher Rick Grunden.

The first RZ Builders LLC Triple Challenge race night is approaching fast, on June 9th.

The first lap of the 4-Cylinder feature was led by Kevin Eckes. The next nine laps were led by Derk Hauser. Derk’s dad, Steve Hauser, raced in a strong second for several laps, until Kyle Opelt took the position and began to pressure Derk Hauser for the lead. Fast timer Jeremiah Strauss was right there, on the heels of Opelt looking for his chance to challenge for the lead. Another driver, that started mid-field was Don Dunow, he began to move up several of positions right away. After a battle, Opelt took the lead from Derk Hauser on lap ten. Strauss then battled with Hauser for two laps over second, before Strauss could challenge Opelt for the lead. Strauss moved to the inside lane, and pulled up along side Opelt’s door, but lapped traffic became a factor on the final lap. Opelt stayed ahead on the outside for the win, claiming the Westside Service of Auburndale feature win award. Strauss second, Derk Hauser third, Steve Hauser fourth and Dunow fifth.

The first Junkyard Warrior race night, the first lap of the feature was led by Jonathan Zuelke. Marc Baldwin then took the lead for remainder of the feature. Zuelke held on strong in second. Andy Dean quickly raced up into the third spot and held onto to it for the finish. Tim Dickman finished fourth and Matt Phelps fifth.

Next Saturday, May 5th is sponsored by Stratford Sign Company. It’s the Limited Late Model 35 Lap Special Event. Plus, CarQuest Super Stocks, Motorcycles, and Pure Stocks. Pit gates open at 3:30, grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., Miller Lite time trials at 5:30, racing starts at 7 p.m. 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 is $10.00, Students ages 10-15 yrs. $5.00 and under 10 yrs FREE with a parent. Rain date for Sunday two hours earlier.

Everyone 16 yrs and older may sign up FREE every race night to win the PT Cruiser Convertible Pace Car.