2001 News and Results

...from Rockford Homepage

Using his Saturday night experience on the tightly banked Rockford Speedway, Steve Rubeck of Cherry Valley, IL., shocked the McLeodUSA MARS late model veterans Sunday afternoon before 4,880 fans at the Rockford Speedway as
he drove his brand new 2001 Dodge Intrepid to victory in the MELTDOWN 100 to capture the biggest win of his career.

The smooth driving Rubeck held back a determined bid from veteran Tony Strupp, in another Dodge Intrepid, to win by three car lengths before a standing and cheering crowd.

"I've got to thank Rich Lofy and his Performance Specialties chassis for this win.  The car was just perfect," Rubeck said.   "K & V Hardwood Moldings owns and sponsors this car and I must thank them.  I'm thrilled.  I guess just about anything is possible. This makes up for what happened during short track weekend, man I love this," added an exuberant Rubeck. "This is great!"

Strupp also had a good run in his Roberts Roofing sponsored car.   His second place finish was his best effort ever on the high banked Rockford Speedway quarter-mile in many appearances in the past 30 years.(Webmasters note:Strupp won the ARTGO opener at Rockford in 1994)The race was slowed with 11 cautions with the last coming on lap 86. "I really didn't want to see that last caution, but it cooled down the tires and the car was better over the last 14 laps," added Rubeck.

Two other series rookies took hom third and fourth places. Todd Kluever brought the Badger Music and Equipment Ford Taurus home third and Rich Loch was equally impressive in his first McLeodUSA Series run with a fourth behind the wheel of the Ricardo's Pizza Monte Carlo.

Kluever led the first eight laps after starting on the outside of the front row.  His car lost power down the front stretch on the eighth circuit.   He pulled the the inside, lost a numer of spots, but the car refired and he rejoined the race midway through the 24-car pack. Two-time Red, White & Blue Wisconsin State Champion Rod wheel assumed the point in the Lecher Plumbing
Monte Carlo.   

The biggest wreck of the race occured on lap 19 with Wheeler leading.   Further back in the field the motor in Don Leach's Monte Carlo blew and errupted in flames going into turn one.  All the car immediately behind him were pulled into a missive seven-car crash with cars driven by Danny Heinritz, Troy Greenberg and fast qualifier Jeff Storm were heavily damaged.  
Receiving less severe damage were cars driven by Eddie May, Eugene Gregorich Jr. and Bob Hansberry. Only May was able to return to the race.

Rubeck moved into second place on the 22nd lap and then slipped inside Wheeler on lap 24 when Wheeler and Strupp made contact coming off turn two. Strupp followed Rubeck to the inside of Wheeler to take over the number two
position.

On lap 62 fourth and fifth place runners John Knaus, a seven-time Rockford Speedway champion, and former ARTGO Series champion Eddie Hoffman tangled in turn two.   Both cars headed to the pit area with flat tires.   A final caution flag flew on lap 76 when Wheeler and Chris Weinkauf collided while battling for the third position. Rubeck held off Strupp for the
remaining laps to complete an amazing afternoon for a sharp group of McLeodUSA Series rookie drivers.

Rockford Speedway returns to their regularly Saturday night NASCAR racing schedule with Machesney Park Mall Night at the Races, April 14, 2001with the FOX39 NASCAR Late Models, MCI American Short Trackers, Aaron's RoadRunners
and RoadRunner Challenge Novelty race on tap. Qualifying begins at 6:05 with the first race slated for 7:30 p.m.

Point standings
(Through April 8)

1. Steve Rubeck, 139
2. Tony Strupp, 133
3. Todd Kleuver, 122
4. Rich Loch, 119
5. Eddie May, 108
6. Chris Weinkauf, 107
7. Rod Wheeler, 106
8. Eric Fransen, 105
__Dan Mills, 105
10. Troy Nelson, 103

Marshfield,WI 4-28-01

Tony started 16th at the sweeping 1/2 mile Marshfield Raceway....quickly moving up...got caught in a tangle.

The 12 car crew was busy all night...suffering a broken wheel...body damage and some contact that resulted in an 11th

MARS Point standings
(Through April 29)

1. Todd Kluever, 260
2. Eric Fransen, 250
3. Tony Strupp, 233
4. Dan Mills, 209
5. Chris Weinkauf, 203
6. Rich Loch, 196
7. Troy Nelson, 195
8. Jason Weinkauf, 192
9. Eddie May, 189
10. Rod Wheeler, 183

place finish.

The hard working crew worked all night to get the car back in shape for the Slinger twin 75's,only to have bad luck once again.

Madison,WI May 25th,2001

The night started out badly..the engine expired in the Roberts Roofing Intrepid..but thanks to Jesse'Jigger" Cullen,we drove in the 02 car to a solid 6th place showing.

Preparations are in the works for the 141 race,after running there last season for the first time..alot of knowledge was gained by driver and crew...see you there!

Point Standings

    McLeodUSA MARS Late Model Points:
   

      McLeodUSA MARS Series Point Standings

      1.   Todd Kluever Marshall, WI  374
      2.   Eric Fransen Slinger, WI 372
      3.   Tony Strupp West Bend, WI 348
      4.   Chris Weinkauf Merrill, WI 321
      5.   Troy Nelson Antigo, WI 304
      6.   Eddie May Crystal Lake, IL 301
      7.   Dan Mills Menomonee Falls, WI 292
      8.   Rich Loch Muskego, WI 287
      9.   Jason Weinkauf Merrill, WI 263
      10. Randy Rasmussen Gillett, WI 248
  

Red race of the RED WHITE and BLUE Series opener....Strupp assumes point lead after 10th and 2nd place runs!!

MARS Late Models:
First 50: 1. Terry Baldry, Omro; 2. Lowell Bennett, Neenah; 3. J.J. Smith, Appleton; 4. Jeff VanOudenhoven, Kimberly; 5. Jim Duchow, Kaukauna; 6. Mike Gardner, Gladstone, MI; 7. Mark Schroeder, Green Bay; 8. Eric Fransen, West Bend; 9. Todd Kluever, Marshall; 10. Tony Strupp, West Bend; 11. Dan Mills, Menomonee Falls; 12. Todd Zick, Briggesville; 13. Pete Vandermolen, Oshkosh; 14. Allen Check, Rosholt; 15. Mike Reichenberger, Appleton; 16. Bobby Weiss, Montello; 17. Rod Wheeler, Appleton; 18. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill; 19. Brad Mueller, Random Lake; 20. Jerry Gille, Loves Park, IL; 21. Scott Broughton, Stoughton; 22. Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids

Second 50: 1. Baldry; 2. Strupp; 3. VanOudenhoven; 4. Gardner; 5. Schroeder; 6. Bennett; 7. Duchow; 8. Fransen; 9. Mills; 10. Checl; 11. Don Dix, Kaukauna; 12. Smith; 13. Vandermolen; 14. Gille; 15. Randy Rasmussen, Gillett; 16. Weiss; 17. Zick; 18. Reichenberger; 19. Wheeler; 20. George Urban III, Merrimac; 21. Broughton; 22. Kluever.

40-Lap B Main: 1. Urban; 2. Dix; 3. Rasmussen; 4. Jason Weinkauf, Merrill; 5. Wayne Breitenfeldt, Wausau; 6. Eddie May, Crystal Lake, Il; 7. Kris Kelly, Norway, MI; 8. Clint Sillars, Schofield; 9. Gary Back, Vesper; 10. Charlier Thon Jr, Germantown; 11. Dean LaPointe, Marshfield; 12. Greg Ives, Escanaba, MI

10-Lap Consolation: 1. Gary Natrop, Kaukauna; 2. Matt Maynard, Kimberly; 3. Mike Pascavis, Sheboygan; 4. Brad Dahmer, Sheboygan; 5. Mike Strupp, Slinger; 6. Pat Kelly, Rockdale, IL

15-Lap Last Chance Races: First: 1. Chris Weinkauf; 2. Broughton; 3. Mills; 4. RobbVanderloop, Dundas; 5. Adam Schackelford, Belleville; 6. Gordie Sannes, De Pere;

Second: 1. Gille; 2. Reichenberger; 3. Check; 4. Breitenfeldt; 5. Jason Weinkauf; 6. Sillars.

June 23, 2001, Norway, MI. - Terry Baldry held off Tony Strupp in a classic battle between two veteran drivers Saturday night at the Norway Speedway before a capacity crowd in the McLeodUSA MARS late model series Thirsty Whale 100.

It was a record setting night at the track as a Norway Speedway standard was set when 137 cars raced in four division, the highest ever turnout at the track.    Some 47 late models were on hand for the series event, also the highest number for a McLeodUSA MARS race at the track.

Bobby Weiss outraced Rich Holmstrom off the front row to take the early
lead in the 100-lap feature.   Weiss, who earlier this year won a McLeodUSA MARS race at Madison International Speedway, held the lead for the opening four rounds before Dale Peterson used the high groove to get around.

Baldry moved past Weiss for second place on lap seven and then went outside of Peterson for the top position on lap nine.  Strupp slipped around Peterson for second place on the 10 round.

Strupp spent the remaining 90 laps on Baldry's rear bumper, trying to pass the leader both on the high and low sides.  Strupp drew even on several occassions, but never was able to get past.    Rookie point leader Todd Kluever took over third place on the l4th lap and remained until the only caution flag of the race flew on lap 73 when Weiss spun in turn four.  There was no contact and Weiss was able to continue.

Former Norway Speedway champion Mark Schroeder and McLeodUSA MARS Series point leader Eric Fransen were able to slip inside of Kluever for the third and fourth positions on lap 76.  Strupp inched ahead of Baldry on the backstretch on lap 83, but by the time the two leaders crossed the finish line Baldry was back in the lead.

Strupp and Schroeder then had a dog fight for second place as Schroeder got inside Strupp in the final laps.  Strupp remained in the outer lane, but was a half of a car length behind Baldry at the finish line with Schroeder glued to Baldry's rear bumper in third place.   Fransen and Kluever were right behind in fourth and fifth places while Wayne Breitenfeldt came from the last row in the 20-car field to finish in sixth place.

Summary:

100-lap Feature: 1. Terry Baldry, Omro, WI; 2. Tony Strupp, West Bend, WI; 3. Mark Schroeder, Green Bay, WI; 4. Eric Fransen, West Bend, WI; 5. Todd Kluever, Marshall, WI; 6. Wayne Breitenfeldt, Wausau, WI; 7. Jamie Iverson, Escanaba, MI; 8. Allen Check, Rosholt, WI; 9. Bobby Weiss, Montello, WI; 10. Rod Wheeler, Appleton, WI; 11. Jim Duchow, Kaukauna, WI; 12. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill, WI; 13. Rich Holmstrom, Calumet, MI; 14. Eddie May, Crystal Lake, IL; 15. Dale Peterson, Escanaba, MI; 16. Dan Mills, Menomonee Falls, WI; 17. Craig Schei, Menomonee, MI; 18. Randy Rasmussen, Gillett, WI;
19. Jerry Gille, Loves Park, IL; 20. John Knaus, Rockford, IL

MARS Race at 141 in Francis Creek....we took out the old Avenger and battled a pushy race car and struggled to a 13th place finish.

Milwaukee June29th:12th

Marshfield July 3rd.

Timed in 3rd..passed a few cars in the heat race to finish 5th.

The main started fast as the 12 car moved up 4 places in 4 laps...but contact between the 12 and 16's negated the moves and we had to start in the rear.

The Marshfield result was 6th with a bad RF tire..Tony felt it was going flat...turns out it was blistered...would of could have..

Thanks to the crew and to the Team 16 gang for borrowing us their welder to repair the car for the main.

Strupp Enterprises welcomes The Raceway at Powercom Park aboard as a supporter to the 12 car..and Sports Flaps has returned.

Links to their sites are available on the main page!!

White Race...7th in both 50's

Dells August 4th..Leo's night.Victory in 3rd heat,second in Semi and 7th in Feature

Plover August 5th-3rd in qualifier and 10th in Feature

Dells WCS race...DNF

Plover WCS finale rained out

WIR Blue race/Jim Pagel memorial final. Bad day for the 12 team....Bolt broke in the crank hot lapping, oil pump belt came off,causing the rear wheels to lock up and a wild spin into 1....12 car was parked. Bob and Jesse Cullen to the rescue once again,and Tony drove the 02 Monte carlo...just missing the main in the last chance race. Good luck has to come once across the state line this upcoming weekend. Thanks again to the Cullen's for the ride!

Rockford finally ran Oct 27th and the 12 car crossed the line 10th...finalizing an up and down season which saw a 3rd in the final MARS points,13th in the Wisconsin challenge series,plus a few checkereds at Slinger and Wisconsin Dells. 2002 plans are in the works and will release plans after the holidays. Happy Holidays everyone!