Marshfield’s Rory Melbinger Wins Limited Late Model Special Event!

May 12, 2007; Marshfield, WI: - Stratford Sign Night at the races hosted a special event, one of two, Limited Late Model races this season. Plus CarQuest Super Stocks, the first appearance of the Motorcycles this season, and Pure Stocks.

Rocky Breezer of Poynette claimed the limited late model fast time honors. Brian Back would earn the super stock quickest lap. The motorcycles, which don’t time trial, had exciting races with a different winner in each of their races. The youngster from Rangeline, Kyle Genett, would take another clean sweep of the pure stock events.

Photo Highlights

The Limited Late Models took to the track as the headline division this evening and hometown racer Rory Melbinger (#9) would captured the feature event. Travis Zvolena (#04) made his way to the winner's circle after winning the Super Stock main event. Steve Kasten (#59) is no stranger to victory lane when it comes to winning features in the Motorcycle class. Kyle Genett (#16) dominated Pure Stock racing this evening at Marshfield Speedway.

A very close battle ensued of the limited late model 35 lap feature race. Driver raced side-by-side, door to door, lap after lap in a green to checkered feature. Front row starters Derek Dombeck and Travis Stebane battled back and forth over the lead. Tom McClintock battled in the third spot with heat winner Eric Klawitter. Klawitter took the third position on lap three. Dombeck eventually pulled ahead with Klawitter moving up into the second spot and began pressuring Dombeck for the lead. Meanwhile, Bret Widdis and Rory Melbinger worked their way through the field to the front. Klawitter took the lead from Dombeck on lap 12, but had to keep a close eye in his mirror on the hard charging Rory Melbinger, who had his sites set on the lead. Fast timer Rocky Breezer, had gotten held up in traffic, but was also making his way to the front. Melbinger passed Klawitter on the outside for the lead on lap 19. As the laps wound down, Breezer worked the inside lane to pass Widdis, in turn four. He then began to chase down Klawitter and Melbinger, as they had been able to stretch out a strong lead. With only five laps remaining, Breezer caught Klawitter, taking to the outside this time. The white flag lap, on the front stretch, racing to the line, Breezer overtook Klawitter for second. Breezer was out of laps to chase down leader, Melbinger. Melbinger took home his first limited late model checkers from Marshfield. Breezer second, Klawitter third, Widdis fourth and McClintock fifth.

Brian Weinfurter jumped to the lead of the CarQuest super stock feature. Rick Grunden wasted no time getting up into the second position and challenging for that lead. Rookie driver, Mike Gwidt, held strong in his third position. Travis Zvolena began to work on Gwidt for that third spot. Heat winner, Mark Langreck, raced in the fifth position, until fast timer Brian Back claimed the spot. Several laps later, Back was forced to retire his machine to the pits, with mechanical difficulties. Randy Emmerich then moved up into the top five, claiming fifth. Grunden, still working to take lead from Weinfuter on the outside, made contact with the back of Weinfurter’s car in turn four. Turning Weinfurter sideways, but he hung onto to it, and came back to go for the lead from Grunden. Again the two made contact, bringing out the caution. Grunden continued, but had to re-start at the rear. The damage to Weinfurter’s car forced him to pit. Zvolena then assumed the lead for the re-start. Zvolena had to hold off Emmerich and Gwidt for the lead. Bo Bennish had raced up into the fourth position with Langreck fifth. Grunden began to work his way back up to the front. With only three to go he was pressuring Gwidt for the second spot. Zvolena won, Grunden took second at the checkers, Gwidt third, Bennish fourth and Langreck fifth. Zvolena’s win earned him the Kring’s Motorsports feature win award and bonus money from RZ Builders. Bennish also won bonus money, compliments of RZ Builders. See details for RZ Builders bonus pay below.

Motorcycle action started out with a heat long battle between Hatley’s Steve Kasten and Marshfield’s Cliff Eckes Jr. Kasten held the upper hand for the first four laps while Eckes snuck by on the backstretch to lead the field to the checkered flag.

Rib Lake’s Brad Seavers dominated the second heat with a flag to flag victory over Lake Nebagamon fast guy Randy Ruffi to set the stage for the final 10 laps.

Cycle story by Woody Eckes

Looking for a performance advantage, first heat winner Cliff Eckes Jr. mounted a new rear tire, but it did not give him the traction he was looking for and he paid the price with a mid pack finish; not his normal results. Up front in the feature Steve Kasten put in a flawless performance on his SK Service Yamaha to reach the checkered flag first. Brad Seavers shadowed him the last five laps looking for an opportunity to pass which never came. Marshfield’s Shawn Purkis brought his Honda through for an impressive third place finish. The rest of the pack battled hard and fierce for the whole race giving the fans a great show of speed and skill. Look for another thrilling motorcycle event out here June 9th.

Results: 1.Steve Kasten YAM 2. Brad Seavers HON 3.Shawn Purkis HON 4.Danny Vrana HON 5. Randy Ruffi YAM 6.Troy Johnson ROT 7.Cliff Eckes Jr. YAM 8.Woody Eckes YAM 9. Craig Lewis YAM 10. Ted Strebe YAM 11.Lee Johnson YAM

Kyle Genett dominated the pure stock feature, taking the lead from Gary Haarklau on lap two. Genett picked up his clean sweep, Haarklau second, Ryan Mork third and Coletta Gomes fourth.

Next Saturday, May 19th is sponsored by Sternweis & Sons Conrete, Ready Mix & Block Division. Red hot racing includes the return of the CarQuest Super Late Models, CarQuest Super Stocks, 4-Cylinders and Junkyard Warriors. 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.

May 19th Hometown Night At The Races for WI Rapids, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Babcock, Necedah, Tomah and Sparta, brought to you by Cellcom. Any race fan from any town listed for May 19th, will be able to show their picture ID that states they live in one of those towns, and receive FREE admission to that night’s races.



$250.00 Additional prize money will be added to each of three super stock race nights during the 2007 Marshfield Super Speedway race season compliments of RZ Builders LLC of Loyal.

June 9th, July 21st, August 11th Payout:
The top three eligible feature finishers will receive $50.00 in addition to the payout. The race winner will then draw a number and that position plus the three following will receive $25.00 in addition to the payout (these drivers must also be eligible).

Eligibility:
Prior to the first Challenge night the driver must at least race one night at Marshfield Super Speedway with the super stocks during the 2007 season. Prior to the second Challenge night the driver must at least race two nights at Marshfield Super Speedway with the super stocks during the 2007 season (previous Challenge night does not count towards eligibility). Prior to the third Challenge night the driver must at least race three nights at Marshfield Super Speedway with the super stocks during the 2007 season.

Points:
All races will be CWSSA Sanctioned points races.

Point Fund:
There will be a point fund payout for the points accumulated for eligible drivers on those nights. After the final Challenge night, the point fund will payout: 1st - $200.00, 2nd $150.00, 3rd $100.00

In addition to the Triple Challenge, RZ Builders LLC is adding $50.00 to the weekly payout. First place in the feature $25.00, then the winner will draw a number and that position will receive the other $25.00.