Posted by Midwest Enduro Series on 7/15/2005, 11:11 am
Board Administrator

Schlick First In Exciting Grundy County Speedway "Fairtime 250" Enduro Morris, IL, July 4 - Matt Schlick scored his first career Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series win during the running of the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage "FAIRTIME 250" enduro held at the Grundy County Speedway. In one of the most entertaining and competitive Series events in recent years, Schlick pulled away in the waning laps to take the win. Schlick was the overall winner and first in the "A" class over Darryl Traber. In the "B" class it was Bob Stubblefield over Brandon Clubb and in the "C" class it was Scott Bodoh over Craig Phillips. Lisa Guess won by nearly a entire lap over runner up Jennifer Arnold during the running of the "Fairtime 15" powder puff event. Erich Iversen set the early pace as he bolted out to a comfortable half lap lead over the field as they adjusted to the rain slickened surface. Nearly two inches of rain fell during the day on the Grundy County Grounds. As Iversen approached lap traffic the Speciale brothers of Art and Phil caught Iversen at lap six with Phil getting the upper hand. The field was slowed on lap seventeen to remove Pat Barney from his stalled vehicle in the infield. By lap 25 the running order was Phil Speciale, Jeff Jeras, Art Speciale, Iversen and Les Wiedenhoeft. The Speciale brothers would swap the lead several times for the next 35 circuits as the track was beginning to dry just before the first refueling pit stop at lap 65. The running order at the break were Art Speciale, Phil Speciale, Jeras, Schlick and Traber. After the break, the race began to take shape as six drivers were in position to take the lead at any point. The Speciales, Jeras, Schlick, Traber and John Waldman were all bumper to bumper exchanging the lead several times amongst each other as they worked heavy traffic. Schlick seemed to have a slight advantage over the group but the leader of the event was too close to call several times. Jeras bowed out of the event at lap 92 with mechanical problems. As the field approached the second pit stop at lap 130 the running order was Schlick, Art Speciale, Phil Speciale, Traber and Waldman. It seemed as though the finish of the event would be determined by Schlick, Speciales and Traber as they lined up on the grid once again. As the track opened up to all lanes of the speedway the pace was lightening fast on the 1/3 mile paved oval. Only three entries were out of the field at this point of the 52 that started. All four drivers took the point during this stage of the event with Schlick once again having the upper hand as the field entered the pit area for the last refueling pit stop on lap 186. As the field was lining up for the final leg of the 250 lap event, the rain began to fall once again. The pace was slowed dramatically as the track surface was slick forcing the field to use the upper grove of the track. Art Speciale took the point but was soon passed by Schlick with Traber in tow. Schlick and Traber seemed to have a better handle on the wet track then the Speciales and soon the two were out in front of the field and beginning to pull away. The field came to a halt on lap 195 for Dustin Arnold as his car erupted in flames. The blaze was soon put out by the Grundy County fire department fireman who were at the track, Arnold was not injured. As the race resumed and closed on the 200 lap marker it was Traber, Art Speciale, Schlick, Phil Speciale and Stubblefield with 50 to go. The field was slowed for the last time on lap 216 for a yellow were Schlick took over the lead and never relinquished to the end. The final top five at the stripe were Schlick, Traber, Art Speciale, Phil Speciale and Stubblefield. The next Series event is slated for Sunday August 14 at the Madison International Speedway (Oregon,WI). The "Buddig / Old Wisconsin Sausage 250" is slated for a 4 pm. start time with a demo derby and rollover contest to follow. For further information call (262) 895-6682 from 5-9 pm. or leave a message. SUMMARY: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage "FAIRTIME 250" "A" class - 1. Matt Schlick, Cortland, 250; 2. Darryl Traber, Waterford, WI, 250; 3. Art Speciale, Bartlett, 249; 4. Phil Speciale, Carol Stream, 249; 5. Chuck Pinkalla, Racine, WI, 248; 6. John Waldman, Madison, WI, 247; 7. Mark Fogel, West Bend, WI, 246; 8. Tom Barnharst, Franksville, WI, 246; 9. Tom Carr, Beloit, WI, 243; 10. Tom Ruh, Elkhart Lake, WI, 234 "B" class - 1. Bob Stubblefield, Sycamore, 248; 2. Brandon Clubb, Coal City, 246; 3. Erich Iversen, Kenosha, WI, 245; 4. Don Lunsford, Oak Creek, WI, 245; 5. Mark Tomasi, West Allis, WI, 244; 6. Tom Arnold, Joliet, 243; 7. Mark Arnold, Ferguson, MO, 238; 8. Pat Kinjerski, Dousman, WI, 237; 9. Donald Paskiewicz, Franklin, WI, 236; 10. David Mons, Homewood, 234 "C" class - 1. Scott Bodoh, Madison, WI, 239; 2. Craig Phillips, Edgerton, WI, 236; 3. Larry Wiedenhoeft, Jackson, WI, 235; 4. Brian Blenker, Junction City, WI, 233; 5. Matt Cooling, Rockdale, 232; 6. Julie DeNood, Aurora, 230; 7. Nick Clubb, Coal City, 228; 8. John Curcio, Racine, WI, 228; 9. Cody Watters, Dwight, 203; 10. Brian Haars, Godley, 191 SUMMARY: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage "FAIRTIME 15" 1. Lisa Guess, South Elgin; 2. Jennifer Arnold, Joliet; 3. Sharry Lunsford, Caledonia, WI; 4. Brenda DeYoung, Lowell, IN; 5. Theresa Cregger, Madison, WI; 6. Kathy Hermann, Racine, WI; 7. Shannon McCarthy, Oak Creek, WI; 8. Kari VeZain, Ottawa; 9. Marjorie Jones, Rockton; 10. Sara Paskiewicz, Franklin, WI