Wilberg Works His Way to Late Model Checkered Flag Schmidt, Selsing, Ace, and McNamara Also Victorious
By John Wells

Friday, May 27, 2009 (Oregon, WI) -

It was a perfect night for racing at Madison International Speedway with all five weekly divisions in action.

Bob Wilberg calmly worked his way through traffic to take the checkered flag in the Rockweiler Insulation Late Models tonight as part of Weaver Auto Parts / Scout Night at Madison International Speedway. Bret Schmidt took top honors in the Brown Heating and Air Conditioning Area Sportsman with Bobby Selsing Jr. winning a thriller in the Weaver Auto Parts Hobby Stocks, Chester Ace topping the field in the Roto Rooter Bandits, and Max McNamara back in victory lane for the Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends.

Wilberg Back in Victory Lane

Defending track champion Bob Wilberg returned to victory lane tonight by topping a field of twenty-six Rockweiler Insulation Late Models.

It was Kevin Knuese and Andy Evraets who paced this large field to the green flag with Knuese speeding his way to the early advantage. Shaun Scheel would move up to second ahead of Evraets with Ryan Goldade, John Baumeister Jr., and Wilberg into the top five by lap 3.

Following a caution flag on lap 4, Knuese would continue his leading ways with Baumeister Jr. and Wilberg up to second and third respectively by lap 11. By lap 17 lapped traffic would play a role in this race as Wilberg was able to move by the Urban Force machine of Baumeister. On lap 18 Wilberg was up to challenge Knuese for the lead and on lap 19 both he and Baumeister would make their way to the front.

Wilberg would continue to outpace Baumeister Jr. before the caution would come out on lap 20 for a spin. Zack Riddle, Jeremy Miller, and Nathan Haseleu were also ready to join the mix as they had now moved into the top five.

The top five would remain in the same order, but it was clearly evident to everyone that lapped traffic would be the biggest challenge for the leaders. Wilberg proved that patience has its rewards as he calmly worked his way around traffic to maintain his lead.

The final caution flag of the race came out on lap 45 for a stalled car setting up a shootout between Wilberg and Baumeister Jr. On lap 47 Baumeister thought he might be able to get to the inside of Wilberg going into turn three but the opportunity quickly disappeared and Wilberg would would cruise to victory lane by a 0.303 second advantage. Rounding out the top five would be Riddle, Miller, and Haseleu.

“It was a pretty interesting night,” said Wilberg from victory lane. “Lapped traffic was a challenge but they let us race through and it was fun trying to work around everyone. This is what it’s all about.”

When asked about the competitiveness of the Late Model field in 2009 Wilberg said, “It’s been a handful every year. You’ve got guys that have raced here for many years who are always tough plus some of the super late model guys who have come to race with us. There’s a lot of good guys out there so you really have to earn it.”

Following the races it was announced that the Urban Force Racing Team and driver John Baumeister Jr. donated their winnings to the Green County DARE program.


Miller set fast time for the second week in a row with a lap of 18.746 (96.020 mph)with Dann Barber, Dave Feiler, and Wilberg winning the heat races.


Rockweiler Insulation Late Models

50 Lap Feature:1. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 2. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 3. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 4. Jeremy Miller (Rockton, IL), 5. Nathan Haseleu (Pardeeville, WI), 6. Dave Feiler (Sun Prairie, WI), 7. Chad Stevens (Orfordville, WI), 8. Ryan Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 9. Scott Broughton (Stoughton, WI), 10. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 11. Dann Barber (Oregon, WI), 12. Todd Schmitz (Verona, WI), 13. Jason Hicks (Elkhorn, WI), 14. Brady Liddle (Oregon, WI), 15. John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown, WI), 16. Shaun Scheel (Lake Mills, WI), 17. Steve Litchfeld (Pardeeville, WI), 18. Mike Storkson (Evansville, WI), 19. Vern Fagerberg Jr. (Bloomingdale, IL), 20. Brad Becker (Elkhorn, WI), 21. Andy Evraets (Hartland, WI), 22. Alex Jones (Middleton, WI), 23. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 24. JD Leonard (Brodhead, WI), 25. Rich Schumann Jr. (Portage, WI), 26. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 27. Cardell Potter (Camp Douglas, WI), DNS

10 Lap Heat 1:1. Dann Barber (Oregon, WI), 2. Vern Fagerberg Jr. (Bloomingdale, IL), 3. Alex Jones (Middleton, WI), 4. Cardell Potter (Camp Douglas, WI), 5. JD Leonard (Brodhead, WI), 6. Todd Schmitz (Verona, WI), 7. Brad Becker (Elkhorn, WI), 8. Mike Storkson (Evansville, WI), 9. Rich Schumann Jr. (Portage, WI),

10 Lap Heat 2:1. Dave Feiler (Sun Prairie, WI), 2. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 3. John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown, WI), 4. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 5. Nathan Haseleu (Pardeeville, WI), 6. Scott Broughton (Stoughton, WI), 7. Ryan Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 8. Brady Liddle (Oregon, WI), 9. Shaun Scheel (Lake Mills, WI),

10 Lap Heat 3:1. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 2. Chad Stevens (Orfordville, WI), 3. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 4. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 5. Jeremy Miller (Rockton, IL), 6. Jason Hicks (Elkhorn, WI), 7. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 8. Steve Litchfeld (Pardeeville, WI), 9. Andy Evraets (Hartland, WI),

Qualifying:1. Jeremy Miller (Rockton, IL), 2. Nathan Haseleu (Pardeeville, WI), 3. Zack Riddle (Brooklyn, WI), 4. Dave Feiler (Sun Prairie, WI), 5. John Baumeister Jr. (Lake Geneva, WI), 6. Scott Broughton (Stoughton, WI), 7. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 8. Ryan Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 9. Chad Stevens (Orfordville, WI), 10. Shaun Scheel (Lake Mills, WI), 11. Andy Evraets (Hartland, WI), 12. Kevin Knuese (Waukesha, WI), 13. Jason Hicks (Elkhorn, WI), 14. John Ovadal Jr. (Watertown, WI), 15. Tyler Kelley (Oregon, WI), 16. Nathan Oppliger (Oregon, WI), 17. Steve Litchfeld (Pardeeville, WI), 18. Brady Liddle (Oregon, WI), 19. Cardell Potter (Camp Douglas, WI), 20. Dann Barber (Oregon, WI), 21. Mike Storkson (Evansville, WI), 22. Vern Fagerberg Jr. (Bloomingdale, IL), 23. Brad Becker (Elkhorn, WI), 24. Alex Jones (Middleton, WI), 25. Rich Schumann Jr. (Portage, WI), 26. JD Leonard (Brodhead, WI), 27. Todd Schmitz (Verona, WI),


Schmidt Races to Area Sportsman Victory

“I really don’t have any secrets. These guys are fast and I’m happy to win,” said Bret Schmidt after winning the 20 lap feature for the Brown Heating and Air Conditioning Area Sportsman.

Thirteen Sportsman cars came to the green flag with John Handeland and Don Wickstrum taking the honors of leading the field. Handeland would jump out to the lead from the start followed by Stephen Scheel and TJ Goldade. On lap 3 Goldade would move to second with Schmidt up to third. Schmidt would get by Goldade two laps later with Handeland still cruising in the lead.

On lap 7 Handeland would relinquish the lead to Schmidt as they came out of turn one with Goldade up to second and Bob Wilberg in third by lap 9.

The caution flag was brought out on lap 11 for a spin in turn two. Schmidt would lead following the restart followed by Wilberg, Goldade, Jay Kalbus, and Kurt Kleven. Wilberg would move into second place on lap 12 with Kalbus right behind him. On lap 16, Kalbus, the defending champion, passed Wilberg for second place and began to hunt down the leader.

Despite the pressure from Kalbus, this race belonged to Schmidt who took his car to victory lane. “I can’t be here all the time, but I’ll do my best when I’m here,” said Schmidt. Schmidt donated his trophy to the MIS Kids Club.

Kalbus would finish second followed by Wilberg, Goldade, and Kleven.

Wilberg set fast time with a lap of 20.124 while Scheel and Kleven winning the heat races.

Brown Heating and Air Conditioning Area Sportsman

20 Lap Feature:1. Bret Schmidt (Watertown, WI), 2. Jay Kalbus (Watertown, WI), 3. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 4. TJ Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 5. Kurt Kleven (Utica, WI), 6. John Handeland (Belleville, WI), 7. Robert Hansberry (Beloit, WI), 8. Steve Dickson (Rockton, IL), 9. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 10. Don Wickstrum (Monroe, WI), 11. Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills, WI), 12. Dan Lerdahl (Oregon, WI), 13. Mike Taylor (Stoughton, WI),

8 Lap Heat 1:1. Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills, WI), 2. John Handeland (Belleville, WI), 3. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 4. Don Wickstrum (Monroe, WI), 5. Robert Hansberry (Beloit, WI), 6. Dan Lerdahl (Oregon, WI), 7. Mike Taylor (Stoughton, WI),

8 Lap Heat 2:1. Kurt Kleven (Utica, WI), 2. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 3. TJ Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 4. Jay Kalbus (Watertown, WI), 5. Bret Schmidt (Watertown, WI), 6. Steve Dickson (Rockton, IL),

Qualifying:1. Bob Wilberg (Beloit, WI), 2. Jay Kalbus (Watertown, WI), 3. Kurt Kleven (Utica, WI), 4. Bret Schmidt (Watertown, WI), 5. TJ Goldade (Stoughton, WI), 6. Steve Dickson (Rockton, IL), 7. Stephen Scheel (Lake Mills, WI), 8. Don Wickstrum (Monroe, WI), 9. John Handeland (Belleville, WI), 10. Robert Hansberry (Beloit, WI), 11. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 12. Mike Taylor (Stoughton, WI), 13. Dan Lerdahl (Oregon, WI),


Selsing Shows the Way to Victory Lane

“Wow, what a race,” were the words from Bobby Selsing Jr. immediately following his thrilling victory in the 15 lap feature for the Weaver Auto Parts Hobby Stocks.

The front row of Rodger Stephenson and Don Fassett paced the field of eight cars to the green flag and proceeded to race side by side for the early lead. Stephenson was able to take a slight advantage with Selsing Jr. up to second on lap 2 and ready to battle it out with Stephenson.

Coming out of turn two on lap 4 Selsing Jr, nicknamed “Batboy,” dropped to the inside and raced past Stephenson and quickly put some distance between himself and the field. On lap 7 both Fassett and Todd Ambrose were starting to close the gap but Selsing Jr. remained in command.

The only thing the leader didn’t want to see was a caution flag. Unfortunately, the caution would come out two laps later on lap 9 for a spin in turn two.

Following the restart Selsing Jr. would continue to lead but it was going to be a battle as Fassett and Ambrose along with Ken Au were their to challenge. On lap 12 Fassett would pull alongside Selsing Jr. on the outside and the two would race side by side with Ambrose close behind.

At this point it looked like it could by anyone’s race, but Selsing Jr. proved to be supreme tonight as he held off the field for the victory.

Ambrose set fast time with a lap of 21.882 while Fassett won the heat race.


Weaver Auto Parts Hobby Stocks

15 Lap Feature:1. Bobby Selsing Jr. (Fort Atkinson, WI), 2. Don Fassett (Wisconsin Dells, WI), 3. Todd Ambrose (Sauk City, WI), 4. Ken Au (Sullivan, WI), 5. Chad Knaus (Sun Prairie, WI), 6. Rodger Stephenson (Cambridge, WI), 7. Terry Ciano Jr. (Janesville, WI), 8. Joey Thomas (Rockford, IL),

8 Lap Heat:1. Don Fassett (Wisconsin Dells, WI), 2. Todd Ambrose (Sauk City, WI), 3. Terry Ciano Jr. (Janesville, WI), 4. Bobby Selsing Jr. (Fort Atkinson, WI), 5. Ken Au (Sullivan, WI), 6. Rodger Stephenson (Cambridge, WI), 7. Joey Thomas (Rockford, IL), 8. Chad Knaus (Sun Prairie, WI),

Qualifying:1. Todd Ambrose (Sauk City, WI), 2. Ken Au (Sullivan, WI), 3. Chad Knaus (Sun Prairie, WI), 4. Bobby Selsing Jr. (Fort Atkinson, WI), 5. Don Fassett (Wisconsin Dells, WI), 6. Rodger Stephenson (Cambridge, WI), 7. Terry Ciano Jr. (Janesville, WI), 8. Joey Thomas (Rockford, IL),

Ace Best in Bandits

Chester Ace returned to victory lane after winning a caution-filled 20 lap feature on the “Ring of Fire” for the Roto Rooter Bandits.

Fourteen cars came to the line for the start of the feature led by rookie Teresa Verburgt and Ryan Slater. The action turned crazy and wild from the start as a pile up occurred as the cars entered turn one. The melee ended the night for Slater and last week’s feature winner Kyle Padfield and sent Jody Schmidt and Pat Richgels to the pits.

On the second attempt to get the race started Verburgt would take the lead and hold the point until lap 3 when the caution flag waved again when Cory Skolaski and Jovanni DiMaggio made contact in turn one. The collision resulted in damage to Skolaski’s car and prematurely ended his night.
This moved Ace up to second behind Verburgt followed by Schmidt, Lee Haag, and Richgels. Wasting no time, Ace passed Verburgt on the restart to take over the top spot. Schmidt was quickly up to second behind Ace.

Lapped traffic would figure into the mix on lap 9 as Ace did a superb job of maneuvering his car inside and outside of traffic with Schmidt and Richgels trying to do the same. Despite a couple more caution flags, Ace would maintain his advantage over Schmidt and take his car to the Rick’s Lawn and Garden Victory Lane. Following Ace and Schmidt were Richgels, DiMaggio, and rookie Jon Coker.

Ace set fast time with a lap of 15.489 while Brandon Skolaski and Schmidt taking the honors in the heat races.

Roto Rooter Bandits

20 Lap Feature:1. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 2. Jody Schmidt (Belleville, WI), 3. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI), 4. Jovanni DiMaggio (Oregon, WI), 5. Jonathan Coker (Oregon, WI), 6. Teresa Verburgt (Madison, WI), 7. Jon Kriigel (Avalon, WI), 8. Jason Coker (Oregon, WI), 9. Lee Haag (Belleville, WI), 10. Dave Lembke (Milwaukee, WI), 11. Cory Skolaski (Fitchburg, WI), 12. Brandon Skolaski (Fitchburg, WI), 13. Ryan Slater (Brooklyn, WI), 14. Kyle Padfield (Janesville, WI),

8 Lap Heat 1:1. Brandon Skolaski (Fitchburg, WI), 2. Lee Haag (Belleville, WI), 3. Teresa Verburgt (Madison, WI), 4. Ryan Slater (Brooklyn, WI), 5. Jovanni DiMaggio (Oregon, WI), 6. Jason Coker (Oregon, WI), 7. Dave Lembke (Milwaukee, WI),

8 Lap Heat 2:1. Jody Schmidt (Belleville, WI), 2. Kyle Padfield (Janesville, WI), 3. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 4. Cory Skolaski (, WI), 5. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI), 6. Jonathan Coker (Oregon, WI), 7. Jon Kriigel (Avalon, WI),

Qualifying:1. Chester Ace (Oregon, WI), 2. Pat Richgels (Middleton, WI), 3. Kyle Padfield (Janesville, WI), 4. Lee Haag (Belleville, WI), 5. Jody Schmidt (Belleville, WI), 6. Cory Skolaski (, WI), 7. Jonathan Coker (Oregon, WI), 8. Brandon Skolaski (Fitchburg, WI), 9. Jovanni DiMaggio (Oregon, WI), 10. Ryan Slater (Brooklyn, WI), 11. Teresa Verburgt (Madison, WI), 12. Jason Coker (Oregon, WI), 13. Jon Kriigel (Avalon, WI), 14. Dave Lembke (Milwaukee, WI),

McNamara Wins in Legends

Defending track champion Max McNamara won the 15 lap feature for the Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends.

Brandon Heisler and Tim Narr brought the eight car field to the green flag on the “Ring of Fire” with Heisler taking the early lead. Heisler’s lead would be short-lived as Andy Jones would motor by him on lap 2 with McNamara in tow. On lap 3 the two would be side by side before McNamara powered by for the lead with Aaron Moyer closely following.

McNamara quickly put some distance between himself and Moyer. Moyer wasn’t about to give up as he closed the gap with each lap and appeared to have a shot at catching the leader. Was this going to be a replay of last week’s thrilling finish? McNamara, known as Mad Max, had the answer to that question as he held off Moyer to pick up his first win of the season. Following McNamara and Moyer were Tommy Jones, Andy Jones, and Tim Narr.

Moyer set fast time with a lap of 14.108 and also won the heat race.

Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends

15 Lap Feature:1. Max McNamara (Ingleside, IL), 2. Aaron Moyer (Eden, WI), 3. Tommy Jones (Gurnee, IL), 4. Andy Jones (Gurnee, IL), 5. Tim Narr (Raymond, WI), 6. Brandon Heisler, (Aurora, IL) 7. Kyle Vergata (New Berlin, WI), 8. Dave Wastak (Milwaukee, WI),

8 Lap Heat:1. Max McNamara (Ingleside, IL), 2. Aaron Moyer (Eden, WI), 3. Tim Narr (Raymond, WI), 4. Brandon Heisler, (Aurora, IL) 5. Tommy Jones (Gurnee, IL), 6. Dave Wastak (Milwaukee, WI), 7. Kyle Vergata (New Berlin, WI), 8. Andy Jones (Gurnee, IL),

Qualifying:1. Aaron Moyer (Eden, WI), 2. Max McNamara (Ingleside, IL), 3. Tommy Jones (Gurnee, IL), 4. Andy Jones (Gurnee, IL), 5. Tim Narr (Raymond, WI), 6. Brandon Heisler, (Aurora, IL) 7. Kyle Vergata (New Berlin, WI), 8. Dave Wastak (Milwaukee, WI),

During intermission Scouts from the area were invited to victory lane for pictures along with the McFarland School-Business Partnership fifth grade class that is working together with MIS in 2009.

Madison International Speedway would like to thank Wayne Ace of Wayne Ace Bus Service for donating tonight’s trophies.

Racing continues next Friday night, June 5 with action in all five weekly divisions. Pit gates open at 3:30 with practice at 4:45, qualifying at 6:20 and racing at 7:30.