American Speed Association: Marshfield 100 wrap-up notes

(Sunday, August 22, 2010) The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and grandstay.net spent last Saturday in the heart of Central Wisconsin at Marshfield Motor Speedway for the ninth event of eleven for the 2010 season.

CHRIS WIMMER TAKES IT TO VICTORY LANE

Wausau, WI native, Chris Wimmer found himself in victory lane, leading from the drop of the green to the drop of the checkered flag on Saturday night at Marshfield Speedway. After qualifying 11th out of 31 Super Late Models, Wimmer made the invert putting him on the pole for the 100-lap event.

POINTS CHASE UP FOR GRABS WITH TWO EVENTS REMAINING

Wimmer’s victory places him only two points ahead of Steve Carlson in the current point standings with two events left in the 2010 season. The top five are separated by a mere 134 points as Rookie of the Year contender, Ross Kenseth remains in third followed by Nathan Haseleu and Jacob Goede.

SAUTER CHARGES TO THE LEAD IN THE HEDMAN HUSLER OF THE RACE AWARD

After qualifying 21st and finishing second in the last chance race, Travis Sauter had his work cut out for him starting 20th in the main event. However he wasted no time charging to front. By lap 35, Travis had already made it to the ninth spot passing Steve Carlson for the position. The Necedah, WI driver made it all the way up to sixth spot before surrendering the position to fast qualifier, Nathan Haseleu. Advancing 13 positions and finishing in seventh, Sauter currently leads the Hedman Husler of the Race points standings with 49 points, six over Nathan Haseleu.

LOCAL DRIVERS GAVE IT THEIR ALL

Several regular Marshfield competitors took on the challenge of the ASAMT drivers. Chris Weinkauf, Mark Eswein, Eugene Gregorich Jr., Jason Weinkauf, Jim Sauter Jr., and Ronnie Rihn all finished the 100-lap event. Eswein started on the outside of the front row and was able to hold on to fifth while Chris Weinkauf showed the ASAMT regulars what he had on his home turf finishing in the runner-up position behind Chris Wimmer. Eugene Gregorich, Jr. has two track championships at Marshfield Motor Speedway and is a regular ASAMT competitor. Gregorich fought hard the entire night and ended up finishing 11th. Jim Sauter, Jr., one of the many Sauters from the Central Wisconsin area has captured a couple victories already this year at Marshfield. Sauter’s goal was to make the show, have a good run and bring it home in one piece. He qualified 18th making him the final driver to make it into the event on qualifying time. After making a few in and out pit stops throughout the night, Jim Jr. came home 20th and in one piece.

CARLSON HAS AN UNCHARACTERISTIC NIGHT

2009 ASA Midwest Tour Champion, Steve Carlson qualified and started in 14th for the 100-lapper. Carlson is not known for his great qualifying runs, so starting mid-pack has never been a factor in whether or not he could bring it to the front. However on Saturday night, Carlson appeared to be using his usual patience during the first half of the event. Unfortunately Carlson spun on the backstretch with five laps remaining in the event. He finished an uncharacteristic 17th slipping him into second in the point standings behind Chris Wimmer.

WOOD BROTHERS KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

Ten ASA OREGON Midwest Truck Tour drivers made the trek to Marshfield Speedway. John Wood had fast time followed by brother Jerry, Rick Corso and Tom McClintock. Todd Lockington and Dustin Karl led them to the green flag and Lockington took the early lead. Yet, once again it was the Wood Brothers who were “trucking” through the field. Jerry took home another victory with John Wood and Rick Corso rounding out the top three.

THOMA TOPS SPORTSMAN

Jason Thoma started sixth in the 25-lap feature event for the ASA Midwest Sportsman Tour. By lap 20, Thoma had taken the top spot and held on for the win. Chris Marek and Jay Kalbus are one-two in the points and battled side-by-side battle lap-after-lap finishing eighth and ninth in the ten car field.

UPCOMING EVENT

The next event for the ASA Midwest Tour is September 5th at Norway Speedway in Norway, MI.

To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites, log on to http://www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT series sponsors, please visit their websites: Kwik Trip, Inc. (http://www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment (http://www.echo-usa.com), and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (http://www.grandstay.net).

To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour log on to http://www.asamidwestsportsman.com.

To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour log on to http://www.asamidwesttrucks.com.

To learn more about the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association® Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association®, visit http://www.asaracing.com.

ASA®, ASA Racing®, and American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to or affiliated with the ASA Late Model Series.