Brandon Reichenberger took home the checkered flag in the Midwest Truck Series after winning the Hougan Farms 30 at Madison International Speedway as part of the Howie Lettow Classic night. It was his first-ever win at Madison.
Topping off the evening and completing the oval track season at Madison was an incredible fireworks show performed by Skyline Fireworks.
The twenty-six truck field was brought to the green flag by Jesse Green and Bryce Miller. Miller took the lead coming out of turn two followed by Reichenberger. On the second lap, Colin Reffner moved up to third while Reichenberger took over the lead from Miller. On lap 4 Reffner moved to the inside of Miller to take second with Kevin Knuese up to third ahead of Miller while James Swan moved into the top five.
Reichenberger wasted no time building a solid advantage out front ahead of Reffner, Knuese, and Swan while Grant Griesbach and Miller were battling for fifth. A spin on lap 10 brought out the first caution flag and took away Reichenberger’s multi-truck advantage.
On the restart Reichenberger chose the inside with Reffner choosing the outside followed in the second row by Knuese and Swan. Reichenberger was able to jump back out front followed by Reffner while Swan and Knuese were side by side for third. Reichenberger opened up a five truck length lead over Reffner with Knuese in third and Griesbach up to fourth at the half-way point.
Just when it looked like it was smooth trucking for Reichenberger, two separate incidents on lap 16 brought out the caution and eventually the red flag.
After a short delay, it was Reichenberger and Reffner bringing the field back to the green. Reichenberger was able to continue to lead followed by Reffner who was on his tailgate looking for room to get by on the inside. Several truck lengths behind Knuese who was maintaining the third position with Griesbach and Swan side by side for fourth.
With ten laps to go, Reichenberger had opened up a three truck length lead over Reffner. But time was running out for Refffner as this race belonged to Reichenberger who wheeled his Ford F150 into victory lane. Reffner finished second with Knuese, Griesbach, and Swan rounding out the top five. Eugene Gregorich III, Jacob Nottestad, Aaron Moyer, Cody Vander Loop, and Chester Ace also picked up top ten finishes.
James Swan was fastest in qualifying with a lap of 19.068 (94.399 mph). The eight lap heat races were won by Kasey Vander Loop, Parker Cain, and Danielle Behn. Vander Loop and Cain are both rookies in the series.
Truck racing at Madison began officially in 1997 when Dave Grueneberg won the first race and went on to be crowned the first track champion. Tonight’s event was the 197th truck race at Madison.
Unofficial Results
30 Lap Feature:
(1-10). Brandon Reichenberger, Colin Reffner, Kevin Knuese, Grant Griesbach, James Swan, Eugene Gregorich III, Jacob Nottestad, Aaron Moyer, Cody Vander Loop, Chester Ace
(11-20). Jeff Holtz, Bryce Miller, Kevin Zielezinski, Tom Steinbach, Scott Ciesielski, Brent Kirchner, Jesse Green, Tucker Bodendorfer, Jerry Wood, Colton Morgan
(21-27) Wyatt Kraiss, Robbie Rucks, Derek Meyer, Danielle Behn, Parker Cain, Kasey Vander Loop, Nick Quinnell-DNS
Heat One: (1-9). Kasey Vander Loop, Jerry Wood, Tucker Bodendorfer, Derek Meyer, Brent Kirchner, Scott Ciesielski, Tom Steinbach, Nick Quinnell, Wyatt Kraiss
Heat Two: (1-9). Parker Cain, Robbie Rucks, Jacob Nottestad, Cody Vander Loop, Chester Ace, Colton Morgan, Aaron Moyer, Eugene Gregorich III, Jesse Green
Heat Three: (1-9). Danielle Behn, Jeff Holtz, Colin Reffner, Bryce Miller, Grant Griesbach, James Swan, Kevin Knuese, Kevin Zielezinski, Brandon Reichenberger
Qualifying:
(1-10) James Swan, Grant Griesbach, Aaron Moyer, Eugene Gregorich III, Kevin Knuese, Cody Vander Loop, Colin Reffner, Chester Ace, Brandon Reichenberger, Jacob Nottestad
(11-20). Bryce Miller, Jesse Green, Kevin Zielezinski, Robbie Rucks, Jeff Holtz, Colton Morgan, Danielle Behn, Parker Cain, Derek Meyer, Tom Steinbach
(21-27). Brent Kirchner, Tucker Bodendorfer, Jerrry Wood, Wyatt Kraiss, Nick Quinnell, Kasey Vander Loop, Scott Ciesielski-NT