Rubeck Tops Super Late Model Thriller
Stevens, Kalbus, Ace, and Arelano Also Win
By: John Wells
OREGON, WI (May 9, 2008) – Five racing divisions
greeted fans on this cool evening that featured the much anticipated
return of the Super Late Models as a weekly division on Wisconsin’s
Fastest Half-Mile. Steve Rubeck would take home top honors in
the Super Lates with Chad Stevens in the Limited Late Models,
Jay Kalbus in the Area Sportsman, Chester Ace in the Bandits,
and Alex Arelano in the Legends also claiming feature victories.
Rubeck Tops Super Lates
“I’ve been waiting seven years for this,” said
a jubilant Steve Rubeck after he won his first-ever feature at
Madison International Speedway as the Super Late Models returned
as a weekly division.
The field of twelve cars was led to the green flag by Shane
Morrissey and Kyle Kinder with the latter taking the early advantage
which he would maintain for the first three circuits before being
passed on the front stretch by Scott Ollerman. The 1997 MIS
Super Late Model champion who hails from Sun Prairie wasted no
time in getting out ahead of the field.
The first caution of the forty lap event came out on lap 7
for a spin. After the restart Andrew Morrissey moved up to second
followed by Rubeck and Nathan Haseleu. Rubeck would pull alongside
Morrissey for second on lap 15 and four laps later moved into
second place before the caution came out on lap 20.
On lap 22 Rubeck was ready to challenge Ollerman for the lead
as he pulled to the inside. Meanwhile Haseleu got by Morrissey
for third and was up to challenge the leaders before the yellow
flag was displayed once again for a spin on lap 23. When the
green flag waved again it would be Haseleu getting by Rubeck
for second place on lap 31 and three laps later Haseleu had pulled
down to the inside to challenge Ollerman for the lead.
Rubeck was not about to be denied as he moved up to challenge
for the lead and the three battle it out before Rubeck vaulted
by on the front stretch to take over the top spot on lap 35.
The caution would come out for the final time one lap later
when Ollerman spun coming out of turn four.
This set up a classic finish between Rubeck and Haseleu with
the Monroe Center, Illinois, driver holding off the defending
WCS and ASAMT champion at the stripe by 0.358 seconds.
“Oh that’s Madison racing,” said Rubeck for
victory lane who hasn’t been racing at Madison full time
for two years. “These guys race really, really hard. It’s
tough racing against these guys and I’m glad it worked out
in the end.” When asked about his pursuit of a track championship
he added, “That’s what we’re going for. We aren’t
going to run any real specials and we’re going to be here
full-time.
Zack Riddle set fast time with Kinder and Ollerman winning
the heat races.
Stevens Wins in Limited Late Models
Chad Stevens of Orfordville was victorious in the 30 lap feature
for the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models.
Former Super Late Model driver Jason Hicks and Kevin Knuese
paced the field of 22 cars to the green flag for the evening’s
final event. After a few attempts at taking the green flag this
group of talented drivers finally got things going with Hicks
taking the early advantage.
It quickly became a three car breakout with Stevens up to
second from his outside second row starting position. On lap
11 Stevens was putting heavy pressure on Hicks for the top spot
and powered by on the inside coming out of turn two. A couple
of laps later the caution flag came out and while the field was
being reset Hicks stalled on the frontstretch thus ending his
night.
Stevens would maintain his lead after the restart with fourteen
year old Ross Kenseth up to third place from his seventh starting
position. On lap 23 Kenseth would pass Knuese for second place
and set his sights on the leader but Stevens proved to be just
too strong tonight as he went on to pick up his second-ever feature
win at MIS. Kenseth would finish second as he would be able
to hold off a hard-charging John Baumeister Jr. Rounding out
the top five were Knuese and defending track champion Bobby Wilberg.
“We’ve got more work to do,” said Stevens in
a post race interview. “We’ve run horrible the past
two weeks and have done a lot of work.”
Fast time was set by Wilberg with heat race wins going to
Brady Liddle, Hicks, and Kenseth.
Kalbus King of the Area Sportsman
Tonight also marked the return of the Bryden Motors Area Sportsman
with twelve cars taking on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile
and when it was all said and done it would be Jay Kalbus of Watertown
taking home the checkered flag.
Brent Gergen and former Bandit track champion Steve Dickson
comprised the front row for the 20 lap feature event. Dickson
would lead the first lap before surrendering the top position
to Darrell Garman following a caution on lap 2.
Garman looked like the car to beat with Doug Bennett moving
up to challenge followed by fast qualifier Mike Heelein, Scott
Lawver and Kalbus. A lap 13 caution would tighten up the field
after the restart and that is exactly what happened. Now it
was Kalbus’ turn to make his move as he dropped to the inside
of Garman coming down the front stretch to go side by side for
the lead with Heelein and Bennett fighting it out for third.
By lap 16 Kalbus would extend his lead and it appeared he was
ready to check away from the field.
A late race caution bunched the field up once again but Kalbus
would be able to hold off the field for the win. Following the
winner were Garman, Heelein, Bennett, and Lawver.
“There was a lot of stuff going on out there. I just
tried to stay out it. It was a lot of fun,” said Kalbus
from victory lane who won the MIS Fall Classic in 2007 and picked
up a season high five features back when the division last raced
on the half-mile.
Heelein set fast time with victories in the heats going to
Garman and Bennett.
Ace Best of the Bandits
Chester Ace won the 15 lap feature for the Roto Rooter Bandits
by topping the eight car field on the quarter mile.
Terry Ciano Jr. and Brandon Skolaski led the field to the
green flag. However, in typical Bandit fashion things heated
up quickly with Jody Schmidt making a dramatic three wide move
for the lead coming out of turn three on the second lap. On
lap 3 Ace was up to second and tried to move to the outside to
surpass Schmidt for the lead. Unable to do so, Ace would have
to wait until lap 6 when he dropped to the inside and moved past
the leader going into turn one.
Ace would have no problem holding off the field with a spirited
battle between Schmidt and Cory Skolaski taking place behind
him. Skolaski would be able to hold off Schmidt at the line
followed in fourth by Stephen Scheel. For Skolaski it would
be his best finish in his three years at MIS.
When asked about his move past Schmidt for the lead, Ace said,
“I just went for it and it paid off. We’ve got a lot
of competitive drivers here and I’m happy to get this win.”
Ace also set fast time with Cory Skolaski winning the heat
race.
Arelano Notches First-Ever MIS Legends Win
Alex Arelano bested a field of seven Pellitteri Waste Systems
Legends car by winning the 15 lap feature.
Rich Miller and Dave Wastak paced the field to the green flag
with Aaron Moyer the leader before one lap was in the book.
By lap 2 Arelano powered his way past Moyer for the lead with
Max McNamara up to second two laps later.
But this race was all about Arelano who cruised to victory
after some maneuvering around lapped traffic on lap 9. McNamara
would finish second followed by Moyer, Tim Narr, and Eric Meyer.
“I’m really happy to get a win here. We were really
struggling last year so this is great,” said Arelano from
victory lane.
Weekly racing continues at MIS on Friday, May 23 with action
in all five weekly divisions plus the first round of the Wayne’s
Custom DIECAST Dash Series. Hot laps begin at 4:45, qualifying
at 6:30 with racing at 7:30. The Badger State Tractor Pullers
will be at MIS on Saturday, May 17th with both tractors and trucks
pulling. For more information contact the track office at 608.835.9700
or checkout our website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
Results
Weaver Auto Parts Super Late Models
Feature (40 Laps)
(1-10) Steve Rubeck-Monroe Center, IL, Nathan Haseleu-Marshall,
Andrew Morrissey-DeForest, Zack Riddle-Cottage Grove, Bobby Wilberg-Beloit,
Shane Morrissey-Cuba City, John Wood-Sun Prairie, Frank Kreyer-Wisconsin
Dells, Zach Reining-Forreston, IL, Scott Ollerman-Sun Prairie
(11-12) Kyle Kinder-McFarland, Dan Lensing-Poplar Grove, IL
Fast Time: Zack Riddle- Cottage Grove 17.729
Heat One: Kyle Kinder- McFarland
Heat Two: Scott Ollerman- Sun Prairie
Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models
Feature (30 Laps)
(1-10) Chad Stevens-Orfordville, Ross Kenseth-Spring Valley,
IL, John Baumeister Jr.-Lake Geneva, Kevin Knuese-Waukesha, Bobby
Wilberg-Beloit, Nathan Oppliger-Oregon, Ryan Goldade-Stoughton,
Brady Liddle-Oregon, Mark Miller-Columbus, Todd Schmitz-Verona
(11-20) Andrew Kulka-Deerfield, Bill Hobson-Roscoe, IL, Cody
Smith-LaVernia, TX, Tyler Kelley-Oregon, Rebecca Kasten-Mequon,
Andy Evraets-Hartland, Ryan Miles-Crystal Lake, IL, Shaun Scheel-Lake
Mills, Vern Fagerberg Jr.-Bloomingdale, IL, Mike Storkson-Brooklyn
(21-22) Jason Hicks-Elkhorn, Paul Treuthardt-Monroe
Fast Time: Bobby Wilberg- Beloit 18.834
Heat One: Brady Liddle- Oregon
Heat Two: Jason Hicks- Elkhorn
Heat Three: Ross Kenseth- Spring Valley, IL
Bryden Motors Area Sportsman
Feature (20 Laps)
(1-10) Jay Kalbus-Watertown, Darrell Garman-Loves Park, IL, Mike
Heelein-Oregon, Doug Bennett-Brodhead, Scott Lawver- Roscoe,
IL, Bob Hansberry-Beloit, TJ Goldade- Stoughton, Russ Nicholson-Stoughton,
RC Van Ransull-Madison, Steve Dickson-Rockton, IL
(11-12) Duane Pernot-Evansville, Brent Gergen-Jefferson
Fast Time: Mike Heelein- Oregon 20.682
Heat One: Darrell Garman- Loves Park, IL
Heat Two: Doug Bennett- Brodhead
Roto Rooter Bandits
Feature (15 Laps)
(1-8) Chester Ace-Oregon, Cory Skolaski-Fitchburg, Jody Schmidt-Belleville,
Stephen Scheel-Lake Mills, Brandon Skolaski-Fitchburg, Ed Klug-Oregon,
Ryan Slater-Brooklyn, Terry Ciano-Janesville
Fast Time: Chester Ace- Oregon 15.560
Heat One: Cory Skolaski- Fitchburg
Pellitteri Legends
Feature (15 Laps)
(1-7) Alex Arelano-Frankfort, IL, Max McNamara-Ingleside, IL,
Aaron Moyer-Eden, Tim Narr-Caledonia, Eric Meyer-West Bend, Rich
Miller-Mayville, Dave Wastak-Milwaukee
Fast Time: Max McNamara- Ingleside, IL 14.295
Heat One: Alex Arelano- Frankfort, IL
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