 | ||
 | | |
|  | ||||||||
 | |||||||||
HOME • NEWS & RESULTS • ASA NEWS • SCHEDULE • STANDINGS • SPONSORS • PHOTOS • RECORDS | |||||||||
| |||||||||
 | |||||||||
Madison International Speedway | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Wilberg, Hoppe, Kelley, and Sparkman Show the Way at MIS By John Wells May 18, 2007 (Oregon, WI) Once again fans of all ages were treated to a great night of racing at Madison International Speedway with action in four divisons. Coming out on top in their respective divisions were Bobby Wilberg in the Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models, Brian Hoppe in the Big 8 Limited Late Models, Tyler Kelley in the Roto Rooter Bandits, and BJ Sparkman in the Short Trackers. Wilberg Back in Victory Lane in Madison Late Models Two-time Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Model track champion Bobby Wilberg was back in victory lane after winning the 50 lap feature on McFarland Scout Night. Eighteen cars took the green flag with New Zealander Michael Pickens and John Wood leading the field to the green flag. Wood showed the most early speed and took the top spot with Zack Riddle up to challenge him on lap 2. In racing things can change very quickly and that was the case in the Madison Late Model feature. Going into turn four the leaders made contact and spun creating a log jam on the track. With nowhere to go several cars were stacked up in the corner while others were fortunate to avoid the mess. When all was said and done seven cars were headed to the pits either under their own power or courtesy of Seitz Towing. Four drivers, Andrew Morrissey, Pickens, Michael Adams Jr., and Tim Petrie saw their night come to an early end. After a lengthy clean up the race resumed with Jeremy Miller on the point followed by Jesse Saunders, Wilberg, Tom Gille, and Brent Brevak. Wilberg wasted no time getting to the front as he quickly moved up to second and while coming out of turn four on lap 4 passed Miller on the inside for the lead. Wilberg quickly built up a two car length advantage over Gille who had taken over the second position. Wilberg continued to build his advantage over Gille as he began working his way through lapped traffic. Gille, who won last week's feature, needed a caution flag. On lap 39 the Winnebago, Illinois, driver got his wish when a spin on the backstretch brought out the yellow flag. On the restart Wilberg continued to lead but Gille was up for the challenge as he quickly put himself in position to challenge for the lead. Another spin and another caution flag one lap later would give Gille another opportunity to get the lead. A good start by Wilberg allowed him to build a slight advantage over Gille. Gille refused to give up and once again was up to challenge Wilberg for the lead in this two car battle. Giving it everything they had the two battled the rest of the way with Wilberg able to hold off Gille for the win. “That was a great race- it was a lot of fun. Tom and I have raced each other a lot. He did what he had to do and I did what I had to do - it's just great racing,” said Wilberg when interviewed from victory lane. Rounding out the top five were Saunders, Nathan Haseleu, and Riddle. Haseleu's finish was particularly impressive as he was one of the cars forced to the pits after the incident on lap 3. Wilberg set fast time with a lap of 18.000 (100 mph). The heat winners were Nathan Oppliger, Morrissey, and Riddle. Hoppe Tops Big 8 Limited Late Model Field Long-time local favorite and former NASCAR Elite Series Midwest Champion Brian Hoppe of Madison returned to MIS in winning style as he captured the win in the 38 lap feature for the Big 8 Limited Late Models. A total of thirty-nine cars were on hand to try to make the twenty-four car starting field. Setting fast time in qualifying was Jeremy Miller with a lap of 18.652 (95.504 mph). Miller, along with thirteen other drivers, would have a starting spot in the feature while the other drivers would have to try their luck in one of the two qualifying races. Taking home victories in the qualifying races would be Rory Melbinger and Ryan Goldade with six other drivers transferring to the feature. Pacing the field to the green flag were Mike Ehde and Michael Bachaus with Bachaus taking charge and the lead. Working his way up from his third row starting position was Ricky Bilderback who by lap 4 was up to second. The caution flag waved on lap eleven for a spin in turn four. Following the restart a great side by side battled ensued between Bachaus and Bilderback with Bilderback getting the lead on lap 14. But it would be Hoppe who showed the most speed as he was able to take second from Bachaus on lap 15 and concentrate his attention on Bilderback. Bilderback, a six-time Rockford Speedway champion, would continue to lead until the caution flag came out on lap 24 when Lyle Messinger spun coming out of turn four and Andy Niles made heavy contact with Messinger's car. The restart would be favorable for Bilderback who continued to lead but with Hoppe breathing down his neck. On lap 31 Hoppe would eventually pull alongside Bilderback and the two would race side by side for the lead with Hoppe getting by on the inside two laps later and leading the rest of the way for the victory. Rounding out the top five behind Hoppe and Bilderback were Scott Broughton, who climbed six spots from his ninth starting postion, Jeremy Miller, who started twelfth, and fifteen year old Michael Bilderback. From victory lane Hoppe expressed his appreciation for having the opportunity to have a great car and spoke of the adjustments made on his car that was out for just the third time in 2007. Earlier in the evening Hoppe was also victorious in the prestigious Wayne's Custom DIECAST Dash. This was the first event in the six race series sponsored by long-time MIS supporter Wayne Forsythe. In addition to the Dash Series, Forsythe also sponsors the Hard Charger program for the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models. Following Hoppe in the six car event were Broughton, Jeremy Miller, Gille, Wilberg, and Byrne. Kelley Back in Victory Lane Going into the 2007 season Tyler Kelley was the only points leader in Roto Rooter Bandit history as he led from start to finish in 2006. After a slow start on opening day, Kelley became the third different feature winner in three races when he bested a nine car field in the twenty lap feature event. Led to the green flag by the Cory and Brandon Skolaski the race would only stay green for one lap when contact out front brought out the caution flag. After the field was resorted it would be Rory Padfield who would inherit the lead followed by Alex Jones and Kelley. Padfield wasted no time after the restart and quickly built his advantage over Jones and Kelley. With Padfield out front some great racing would be taking place in his rear view mirror and Jones and Kelley battled side by side for second with Kelley up to second by lap 12 and Steve Dickson also joining in the fun. On lap fifteen Kelley was up to the outside groove and ready to challenge Padfield for the lead. Two laps later they were side by side and on lap 18 Kelley was able to get by on the outside as the two came across the start-finish line. Kelley would be able to hang on the final two laps for the win followed by Padfield, Chester Ace, Dickson, and Bobby Selsing Jr. “It's great to be back in victory lane,” said Kelley who is ready to put himself back on top of the leader board. Heat races were won by Selsing Jr. and Ace. Sparkman Sprints to Short Tracker Victory BJ Sparkman topped a field of nine Short Trackers when he won the twenty lap feature in the first appearance of the 2007 for this four cylinder division. Mike Bingham and Mark English brought the field to the green flag with Bingham getting out front for the lead. After a spin brought out the caution on lap two, Bingham would continue to lead with Sparkman up to third. Running the outside lane and showing a burst of speed Sparkman would take the lead on lap four and never look back as he quickly put a great deal of real estate between himself and the rest of the field. By lap 9 he had built his lead to nearly half a track. The best race on the track was for second place with Jason Bragg and George Sparkman putting on exciting show for the crowd. In the end it would be Bragg holding off Sparkman for second followed by Zack Rodriquez and Tim Steger. “I had it hooked up on the outside, “ said Sparkman, “and I wasn't going to wait for my brother to catch up.” The Short Tracker heat race was won by George Sparkman. At intermission a coin drop was held on the track with thousands of coins going home with the kids including a very special coin that gave the lucky winner a new bike. Double Header Weekend at MIS Next Week Friday, May 25th The Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models and Roto Rooter Bandits will be in action on Friday night along with our second annual “Faster Pastor” race. There will be a special start time on Friday night with qualifying at 7:30 and racing at 8:00. Adult admission is just $8.00 with your ticket stub good for $5.00 off admission to the Hooters Pro Cup race on Saturday night. Saturday, May 26th The USAR Hooters Pro Cup returns to Madison International Speedway with the running of the Sears Auto Center 200 presented by BF Goodrich Tires. See all the exciting action plus live pit stops. The Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models will also be in action in a points event. This race will feature live pit stops as drivers from across the United States come to take on Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile. Tickets for this event are on sale at MIS. You can call the track office at 608.835.9700. For more information about Madison International Speedway you can check out our website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com. Madison International Speedway is an ASA sanctioned track. Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models Feature (50 Laps) Bobby Wilberg- Orfordville, Tom Gille- Winnebago, IL, Jesse Saunders- Janesville, Nathan Haseleu- Pardeeville, Zack Riddle- Cottage Grove, Jeremy Miller- Rockton, IL, Jason Tyler- Stoughton, Scott McGettigan- Verona, Kevin Knuese- Waukesha, Brent Brevak- Ashland Jaime Dorsey- Stillman Valley, IL, Nathan Oppliger- Oregon, John Wood- Madison, Allen Petrie Jr- Sun Prairie, Andrew Morrissey- DeForest, Michael Pickens- Auckland, New Zealand, Mike Adams - Rockdale, Tim Petrie- Fort Atkinson Fast Qualifier: Bobby Wilberg - Orfordville 18.000 Heat One: Nathan Oppliger- Oregon Heat Two: Andrew Morrissey- DeForest Heat Three: Zack Riddle- Cottage Grove Big Eight Limited Late Models Feature (38 Laps) Brian Hoppe- Madison, Ricky Bilderback- Rockton, IL, Scott Broughton- Stoughton, Jeremy Miller- Rockton, IL, Michael Bilderback- South Beloit, IL, Michael Bachaus- Beloit, Jerry Gille- Rockford, IL, Bobby Wilberg- Orfordville, Ryan Goldade- Stoughton, Jeff Steenbergen- Waupun Dan Jung- Iron Ridge, Kyle Jarlsberg- Cambridge, Mark Miller- Columbus, Brady Liddle- Oregon, Mike Lloyd- Machesney Park, IL, Mike Ehde- Prairie du Chien, John Ovadal Jr.- Watertown, Rory Melbinger- Marshfield, Joel Soenksen- Baraboo, Todd Schmitz- Verona Lyle Messinger- Lone Rock, Andy Niles- Holmen, Matt Berger- Loves Park, IL, Matt Byrne- Burlington Fast Qualifier: Jeremy Miller- Rockton, IL 18.652 Qualifying Race 1: Rory Melbinger- Marshfield Qualifying Race 2: Ryan Goldade- Stoughton Wayne's Custom DIECAST Dash- Hoppe Roto Rooter Bandits Feature (20 Laps) Tyler Kelley- Oregon, Rory Padfield- Stoughton, Chester Ace- Oregon, Steve Dickson- Rockton, IL, Bobby Selsing Jr- Fort Atkinson, Alex Jones- Middleton, Brandon Skolaski- Fitchburg, Ryan Slater- Brooklyn, Cory Skolaski- Fitchburg Heat One: Bobby Selsing Jr- Fort Atkinson Heat Two: Chester Ace- Oregon MIS Short Trackers Feature (20 Laps) BJ Sparkman- Machesney Park, IL, Jason Bragg- Rockford, IL, George Sparkman- Loves Park, IL, Zach Rodriguez- Rockton, IL, Tim Steger- Rockford, IL, Jeff Turnure- Rockford, IL, Mike Bingham- Milton, Pete Seitz- Edgerton, Mark English- Janesville Heat One: George Sparkman- Loves Park, IL
| ||
| | |
| | |
© Copyright 2007-08 Madison International Speedway - All Rights Reserved | ||
| | |
