Posted by Madison Speedway on 9/6/2005, 10:43 am
Board Administrator

Cornelius and Storlie Best in Show at MIS: Barber Wins Track Championship in Midwest Truck Series It was a big night for drivers from Minnesota as Dean Cornelius and Mark Storlie picked up victories in the MARS and Mid American Super Truck Series respectively. Also taking home honors was Dann Barber who was crowned the track champion in the Rockweiler Insulation Midwest Truck Series. Dean Cornelius of Chaska, Minnesota, took home the checkered flag in the Coyle Carpet 100 for the Midwest All Star Racing Series at Madison International Speedway. The win was Cornelius’ first-ever in the Midwest All Star Racing Series. Twenty-two cars took the green flag in the 100 lap main event for the MARS cars. Starting in the front row were a pair of MIS regulars Brian Johnson Jr. and Jacob Humphrey. The young Lake Geneva driver quickly moved to the front of the field with Adam Shackelford up to second place. On lap 12 Jeff Storm passed Shackelford for second with the caution flag coming out one lap later. Humphrey maintained his lead after the restart followed by Storm, Shackelford, Dave Feiler, and Cornelius. On lap 23 Storm pulled to the inside of Humphrey and the two battled side by side until two laps later when Storm opened up a two car advantage. On lap 29 Cornelius passed Feiler for fourth with Ryan Mathews passing Feiler two laps later for fifth. On lap 39 Cornelius moved up to third with Mathews right behind. On lap 50 Cornelius continued his move to the front when he passed Humphrey and set his sights on the leader, Storm. Mathews was able to get by Humphrey for third with Jeff Van Oundenhoven cracking the top five. On lap 57 Cornelius pulled to the inside of Storm and took over the lead with a pass coming out of turn three. Five laps later Mathews moved up to second with MARS points leader Van Oudenhoven right behind in third. The second caution of the race came out on lap 67 when Storm experienced mechanical problem. Cornelius continued to maintain his lead over the field with a good battle taking place behind him for second between Mathews and Van Oudenhoven. Mathews was able to hold off Van Oudenhoven but neither would be able to catch Cornelius who earned his first-ever feature win at MIS. Following Cornelius to the stripe were Mathews, Van Oudenhoven, Morrissey, and Humphrey. Nathan Haseleu won the last chance race with Kevin Tunks, Tommy Pecaro, and Blake Bjorklund also transferring to the main event. Bobby Wilberg set fast time with a lap of 17.626 (102.12 mph). NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and past super late model track champion Todd Kluever returned to his roots and finished in seventh place. “I wish the truck was as good at all the tracks as it is here,” said a jubilant Mark Storlie of Elko, Minnesota, following his victory in the Coyle Carpet 40. Storlie couldn’t have said it any better as all he hs done this year at MIS is win all three legs of the Mid American Super Truck Triple Crown Series at Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile. Larry Fitzsimmons and Bill Prietzel led the field of sixteen Mid-American Super Trucks to the green flag with Fitzsimmons grabbing the early advantage. Quickly moving up through the field Storlie who on lap seven passed Prietzel on the outside for second. Two laps later Storlie pulled to the outside of Fitzsimmons to challenge for the lead and on lap ten made an outside pass coming out of turn two to take over the top spot. The first caution of the race came out on lap 14 for a backstretch spin and temporarily negated Storlie’s advantage over Fitzsimmons, Prietzel, Donnie Woller, and Charlie Cottam who had checked away from the rest of the field. Following the restart the top five continued to pull away from the field with Storlie increasing his advantage to five truck lengths over his fellow Minnesota driver, Fitzsimmons. A spin on lap 22 brought out the second caution flag. Despite a valiant effort by Fitzsimmons to get by the leader, Storlie continued to hold off the field after the restart. The yellow flag continued to wave for three more cautions with the results the same each time; Storlie increasing his lead on the restarts. The rest of the way it was all Storlie who cruised to the checkered flag followed by Fitzsimmons, Prietzel, Dann Barber, and Cottam. Heat races were won by Bryan Pautsch and Charlie Cottam. Fast time was set by Donnie Woller with a lap of 19.493 (92.34 mph). The truck race also counted as a Midwest Truck Series points race and as a result of his fourth place finish, Dann Barber of Oregon picked up his first ever track championship in the Rockweiler Insulation Midwest Truck Series. “It’s been a great year,” said Barber who publicly thanked all of those who have helped him this year. Cottam finished second in overall points with Gary Cerny of Janesville finishing third. Next week (September 9) at Madison International Speedway is Tribute to America Night and the first-ever visit by the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Northern Series and the running of the Miller Lite 250. Proudly sponsored by the Ford Dealers, the evening’s activities will also include a $500 to win Open Sportsman race along with a spectacular fireworks display. Gates open at noon with practice sessions all afternoon for both the Pro Cup and Open Sportsman cars. Qualifying will take place at 5:00 followed by an on-track autograph session at 6:15 and racing at 7:30. Advance tickets are on sale all week at the track office, the local Hooters restaurants, and Club LaMark. Tickets will be available the night of the race. Midwest All Star Racing Series Super Late Models Feature: 100 Laps 1-10 Dean Cornelius- Chaska, MN, Ryan Mathews- Lake Geneva, Jeff Van Oudenhoven- Kimberly, Andrew Morrissey- DeForest, Jacob Humphrey- Lake Geneva, Adam Shackelford- Belleville, Todd Kluever- Sun Prairie, Steve Rubeck- Cherry Valley, IL, Bobby Wilberg- Orfordville, Andy Hanson- Ramsey, MN 11-20 Kevin Tunks- Indianford, Kyle Kinder- McFarland, Trent Snyder- Ironton, MN, Trevor Stewart- St. Augusta, MN, Blake Bjorklund- Isanti, MN, Ken Wills- Milwaukee, Dave Feiler- Sun Prairie, Jeff Storm- Waterford, Nathan Haseleu- Pardeeville, Tommy Pecaro- Janesville 21-22 Brian Johnson Jr.- S. Beloit, IL, Jared Ziegler- Madison Fast Qualifier: Bobby Wilberg- Orfordville 17.626 (102.12 mph) Last Chance Race: Nathan Haseleu- Pardeeville Mid-Am Super Truck Series Feature: 40 Laps 1-10 Mark Storlie- Elko,MN, Larry Fitzsimmons- Apple Valley, MN, Bill Prietzel- Franklin, Dann Barber- Oregon, Charlie Cottam- Janesville, John Wood- Madison, Donnie Woller- Merrill, Gary Cerny- Janesville, Fred Oswald- Lake Mills, Garrett Goth- Cottage Grove 11-16 Tom Meyers- Machesney Park, IL, Tony Holm- Prior Lake, MN, Bryan Pautsch- Sun Prairie, Vince Wilkinson- Sandwich, IL, Todd Schmitz- Verona, John Froelich- Chippewa Falls Fast Qualifier: Donnie Woller- Merrill 19.493 (92.34 mph) Heat One: Bryan Pautsch- Sun Prairie Heat Two: Charlie Cottam- Janesville