BENNETT CAPTURES WEATHER SHORTENED MILLER LITE TWIN 75’S SPRING OPENER AT SLINGER SUPER SPEEDWAY!!

By Dan Margetta

Slinger, Wis., May 1—Lowell Bennett kicked off the 2005 season at the Slinger Super Speedway by driving to the win in the first 75-lap late model feature Sunday afternoon before inclement weather forced a premature end to the Miller Lite Twin 75’s Spring Opener.

           
Ken Wills and Travis Dassow led the field to the green flag with Dassow using the outside lane to take command of the event. Jamie Wallace, Dave Feiler, Brad Mueller and Bennett also worked the high side to fall in line behind Dassow in the second through fifth positions. Following an early caution period for a spin by Wills on lap ten, Dassow maintained his advantage while Wallace tried to fend off Feiler for second as Mueller and Bennett dueled for fourth place. Feiler was able to get around Wallace for second on lap 20 and began to track down Dassow for the lead, making up considerable time upon the exits of the turns as Dassow’s car began to skate off the corners.

           
While the lead battle began to heat up, Bennett and Mueller both made their way around Wallace and Bennett used the inside to slip by Mueller for third place on lap 27. One lap later, Feiler also used the inside to take advantage of Dassow’s handling issues and took the lead exiting turn two. Mike Egan looped his machine in turn two on lap 30 to bring out the second caution flag and shortly after the restart, Bennett quickly jumped to the outside to grab second place from Dassow while Feiler continued to lead. Bennett’s move left Dassow hung out to dry and he faded back to seventh while Mueller, Wallace, and Rich Loch advanced into the top five.

           
Feiler’s strong run at the head of the field came to an end on lap 51 when he slowed suddenly with mechanical problems allowing Bennett to inherit the lead over Mueller, Wallace, Loch, and David Prunty. Conrad Morgan and Tim Schendel tangled in turn two to produce the yellow flag on lap 56 and following the restart, Bennett continued to lead with Mueller lurking in his tire tracks. The final caution flag of the race flew on lap 61 for a minor tangle between Tony Strupp and Dave Teske in turn three which bunched up the field for a final run to the finish. While Mueller was able to race to Bennett’s back bumper, he was unable to make a charge as Bennett held on for the win by about a car length. Wallace finished third while Loch and David Prunty rounded out the top five. Dennis Prunty finished sixth ahead of Austin Konetski and Al Schill. Nick Schumacher and Fred Winn completed the top ten finishers.

           
Austin Konetski was the fastest qualifier at 11.356 seconds.

           
Scott Ascher scored the win in the Midwest Sportsman feature after snow showers on lap 15 forced an early end to the race and the remainder of the racing program.

          
Dave Obermeyer led in the early-going over Mike Graczkowski, Ascher, and Jimmy Evans. The action heated up quickly at the front of the pack as Graczkowski made a challenge for the lead on lap four. Contact between the leaders carried both cars high on the track and allowed Ascher to charge by to take the lead from third place. Brad Keith also took advantage of the situation to take second place while Pat McIntee, Colin Bamke, and James Swan contested the third position. Bamke was able to take the spot a few laps later, while Ascher and Keith maintained the top two spots. After littering the event with intermittent snow showers all day, the skies eventually opened up with heavier snow, forcing track officials to cancel the remainder of the racing program, including the Midwest Modified feature and late model semi-feature and the second 75-lap late model feature. Ascher was declared the winner over Keith, Bamke, McIntee, and James Swan.

           
In other Midwest Sportsman action, Bamke was the fastest qualifier at 12.445 seconds and Dale Prunty set fast time for the Midwest Modifieds at 12.205 seconds. 

Event: Miller Lite Twin 75’s                                                 Date: May 1, 2005