Contact John Wells 608.225.1913
Zack Riddle set a new track record in qualifying and then proceeded to go out and win the 30 lap feature as part of the Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway.
Chuck Garetson and Shane Morrissey brought the ten car field to the green flag for their thirty lap feature. Morrissey would take the lead over Garetson on the backstretch with Wilberg moving up to second before the caution flag would come out on lap 2 for a spin in turn four. The caution sent Morrissey and Casey Johnson to the back.
On the restart Wilberg would inherit the lead and choose the inside lane on the restart while John Baumeister Jr. would line up next to the leader on the outside. When the green flag waved Wilberg would take the top spot followed by Baumeister Jr. and Zack Riddle only to have the yellow come out again for a spin back in the pack.
Wilberg would retain the lead following the restart. Baumeister Jr. would stay a car length behind while Riddle and Johnson would fight it out for third. On lap 11 Nate Oppliger would power by Johnson to take the fourth position but still many car lengths behind the top three.
Out front Wilberg continued his leading ways with Baumeister Jr. and Riddle close behind. On lap 16 Baumeister Jr. looked to the inside of Wilberg for the lead but would lose momentum and surrender second place to Riddle.
On lap 21 Riddle would move to the inside of Wilberg coming down the backstretch and nudge his way to the lead while coming out of turn four. Riddle would increase his lead to two car lengths while Wilberg and Baumeister Jr. would fight it out for second. This would allow Riddle to expand his lead and cruise to victory lane followed by Wilberg, Baumeister Jr., Oppliger, and Kevin Knuese.
“It was a good race. Everyone respected each other out there and it was good racing,” said Riddle in a post race interview with Eric Huenefeld. “I’m really looking forward to this season racing with these guys and some good side by side action with the new tires.”
Bobby Wilberg took home the checkered flag in the ten lap qualifying race. Shane Morrissey and Kevin Knuese started in the front row and the two raced side by side for the first two laps before Morrissey was able to gain a slight advantage. On lap 3, Bobby Wilberg moved inside of Knuese to take second place. Two laps later Morrissey drifted up the track opening the door for Wilberg who would take the lead coming out of turn four. Casey Johnson would also get past Morrissey, but would not have enough laps to catch the leader.
Zack Riddle set a new track record in qualifying with a lap of 18.453 or 97.545 mph. The previous record had been 18.419 set by Rick Nelson.
Racing continues on Sunday, May 27th with the weekly racing season opener featuring Rockweiler Insulation Late Models, Ho Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Sportsman, and Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends. Qualifying begins at 1:00 PM with racing to follow. All fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, and police officers will be admitted free plus there will be fire truck rides for the kids.
For more information about Madison International Speedway checkout the website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com .
Rockweiler Insulation Late Models 5/12/2012
30 Lap Feature:1. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 2. Bobby Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 3. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 4. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 5. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 6. Chuck Garetson (Albany, WI), 7. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 8. Shane Morrissey (Cuba City, WI), 9. Gary Krueger (Edgerton, WI), 10. Casey Johnson (Stoughton, WI), 11. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI)- DNS
10 Lap Qualifying Race:1. Bobby Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 2. Casey Johnson (Stoughton, WI), 3. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 4. Shane Morrissey (Cuba City, WI), 5. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 6. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 7. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 8. Chuck Garetson (Albany, WI), 9. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 10. Gary Krueger (Edgerton, WI), 11. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI)- DNS
Qualifying:1. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 2. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 3. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 4. Casey Johnson (Stoughton, WI), 5. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 6. Bobby Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 7. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 8. Shane Morrissey (Cuba City, WI), 9. Chuck Garetson (Albany, WI), 10. Gary Krueger (Edgerton, WI), 11. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI),
