Steve Rubeck Tops Super Late Model Thriller
May 10, 2008
Five racing divisions greeted fans on this cool evening that featured the much anticipated return of the Super Late Models as a weekly division on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile. Steve Rubeck would take home top honors in the Super Lates with Chad Stevens in the Limited Late Models, Jay Kalbus in the Area Sportsman, Chester Ace in the Bandits, and Alex Arelano in the Legends also claiming feature victories.
Rubeck Tops Super Lates
“I’ve been waiting seven years for this,” said a jubilant Steve Rubeck after he won his first-ever feature at Madison International Speedway as the Super Late Models returned as a weekly division.
The field of twelve cars was led to the green flag by Shane Morrissey and Kyle Kinder with the latter taking the early advantage which he would maintain for the first three circuits before being passed on the front stretch by Scott Ollerman. The 1997 MIS Super Late Model champion who hails from Sun Prairie wasted no time in getting out ahead of the field.
The first caution of the forty lap event came out on lap 7 for a spin. After the restart Andrew Morrissey moved up to second followed by Rubeck and Nathan Haseleu. Rubeck would pull alongside Morrissey for second on lap 15 and four laps later moved into second place before the caution came out on lap 20.
On lap 22 Rubeck was ready to challenge Ollerman for the lead as he pulled to the inside. Meanwhile Haseleu got by Morrissey for third and was up to challenge the leaders before the yellow flag was displayed once again for a spin on lap 23. When the green flag waved again it would be Haseleu getting by Rubeck for second place on lap 31 and three laps later Haseleu had pulled down to the inside to challenge Ollerman for the lead.
Rubeck was not about to be denied as he moved up to challenge for the lead and the three battle it out before Rubeck vaulted by on the front stretch to take over the top spot on lap 35. The caution would come out for the final time one lap later when Ollerman spun coming out of turn four.
This set up a classic finish between Rubeck and Haseleu with the Monroe Center, Illinois, driver holding off the defending WCS and ASAMT champion at the stripe by 0.358 seconds.
“Oh that’s Madison racing,” said Rubeck for victory lane who hasn’t been racing at Madison full time for two years. “These guys race really, really hard. It’s tough racing against these guys and I’m glad it worked out in the end.” When asked about his pursuit of a track championship he added, “That’s what we’re going for. We aren’t going to run any real specials and we’re going to be here full-time.
Zack Riddle set fast time with Kinder and Ollerman winning the heat races.
Stevens Wins in Limited Late Models
Chad Stevens of Orfordville was victorious in the 30 lap feature for the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models.
Former Super Late Model driver Jason Hicks and Kevin Knuese paced the field of 22 cars to the green flag for the evening’s final event. After a few attempts at taking the green flag this group of talented drivers finally got things going with Hicks taking the early advantage.
It quickly became a three car breakout with Stevens up to second from his outside second row starting position. On lap 11 Stevens was putting heavy pressure on Hicks for the top spot and powered by on the inside coming out of turn two. A couple of laps later the caution flag came out and while the field was being reset Hicks stalled on the frontstretch thus ending his night.
