Kaukauna, Wisconsin (August 5, 2003)—Steve Carlson, of West Salem, Wisconsin, won the NASCAR Elite Division, International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series Oneida Bingo and Casino 300, Tuesday night at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. The win was Carlson’s second consecutive win on the tour and propelled him into the series point lead with just two races remaining.
Carlson took the lead with 22 laps to go from Eddie Hoffman, of Wheaton, Illinois, when he ran out of fuel. Caution flew on the speedway for debris with just a handful of laps left and necessitated a two-lap shootout. Carlson was able to hold off Nathan Haseleu, of Arlington, Wisconsin by .152-seconds. Sparta, Wisconsin’s Tim Schendel notched his best 2003 Midwest Series effort with a third place run. Madison, Wisconsin’s Brian Hoppe and DeKalb, Illinois driver Ron Breese, Jr rounded out the top five.
“We had a real good car, but Hoffman and Hoppe were pretty darn quick,” said Carlson. “When we pitted the first time on lap 88, Hoffman pitted as well. We knew we had to pit again, so we did. Afterwards, my spotter and crew chief were doing the math and they both said there’s no way he (Hoffman) can make it on fuel.”
The International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series next travels to Wisconsin Dells Motor Speedway in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sunday, September 14.
Kaukauna, Wis - Unofficial race results for the NASCAR Elite Division, Int'l Truck and Engine Midwest Series, Tuesday evening, August 5, at Wisconsin International Raceway with start position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car make, laps completed, money won and status:
Pl St Driver Hometown Make Laps Earnings Status
1 8 Steve Carlson West Salem, WI Chevrolet 300 $8,075 running
2 10 Nathan Haseleu Marshall, WI Ford 300 $3,700 running
3 9 Tim Schendel Sparta, WI Chevrolet 300 $2,750 running
4 4 Brian Hoppe Madison, WI Chevrolet 300 $2,700 running
5 16 Ron Breese, Jr Dekalb, IL Chevrolet 300 $2,550 running
6 22 Jeff Way Burlington, WI Chevrolet 300 $2,900 running
7 11 Ryan Hanson Beloit, WI Ford 300 $2,150 running
8 5 Eric Fransen* West Bend, WI Chevrolet 300 $2,100 running
9 2 Eddie Hoffman Wheaton, IL Chevrolet 298 $2,350 running
10 15 Jason Hogan Cleveland, GA Ford 298 $1,650 running
11 17 Clint Bowyer* Emporia, KS Chevrolet 298 $1,825 running
12 18 Pete Moore McFarland, WI Chevrolet 297 $1,775 running
13 7 Jon Lemke Greenfield, MN Chevrolet 296 $1,825 running
14 23 A.J. Rhoads* Hastings, MN Chevrolet 296 $1,675 running
15 24 Mark Voigt* Marine, IL Chevrolet 295 $1,650 running
16 1 Kirby Kurth Wisconsin Rapids, WI Chevrolet 295 $1,425 running
17 20 Bryan Roach Becker, MN Chevrolet 295 $1,400 running
18 25 Dave Finney Sycamore, IL Chevrolet 270 $1,575 handling
19 26 Dave Bean* Westby, WI Chevrolet 243 $1,325 running
20 3 Tim Rothe Appleton, WI Chevrolet 194 $1,300 accident
21 14 Tim Sauter Necedah, WI Ford 184 $1,275 radiator
22 12 Josh Vadnais White Bear Lake, MN Chevrolet 182 $1,225 transmission
23 13 Jeremy Lepak* Wausau, WI Chevrolet 177 $1,450 suspension
24 19 Dan Bedard* Prior Lake, MN Chevrolet 157 $1,375 rear end
25 21 Les Ferris Northfield, MN Chevrolet 115 $1,350 rear end
26 6 Justin Diercks Davenport, IA Chevrolet 112 $1,400 valve
27 29 Brent Kirchner LaCrosse, WI Chevrolet 88 $1,150 steering
28 28 Dave Tomczak Oak Creek, WI Pontiac 45 $1,150 handling
29 27 Russ Blakely Palmyra, WI Chevrolet 0 $1,150 belt
*Denotes Victory Circle Chassis Rookie of the Year Contender
Failed to Qualify: (0)
Cautions for Laps:
()
5 Lead Changes Among 5 Drivers:
(Eddie Hoffman 1-89, Tim Sauter 90-114, Brian Hoppe 115-123, Jeremy Lepak 124-136, Hoffman 137-278, Steve Carlson 279-300)
Time of Race: 2 hour 29 minutes 56 seconds
Average Speed: 60.027 mph.
Margin of Victory: .152 seconds
Bud Pole Winner: Steve Carlson, Wilson Oil Company Chevrolet, 19.725 sec. (91.255 mph)
POWERade Power Move of the Race Award: Jeff Way, Wauwatosa Savings Chevrolet
Victory Circle Chassis Rookie of the Race: Eric Fransen, Sonya's Rose Chevrolet
20-Lap Last Chance Qualifier Race: 1) Clint Bowyer; 2) Pete Moore; 3) Dan Bedard; 4) Bryan Roach
Next Race: Wisconsin Dells Motor Speedway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sunday, September 14, 2003
