Davey Pennel of Sparta, Wisconsin, won the 300 lap Impact Survival Series (ISS) Enduro race at Madison International Speedway after taking the lead on lap 138 and never looking back on his way to the checkered flag.
It’s a unique event. Fifty-seven cars from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan took the green flag for the ISS four cylinder enduro. Josh Finn, Austin Schueler, and Dan Von Ruden paced the field of nineteen rows of three to the green flag. It would be Finn jumping out to the early lead followed by Troy Tuma and Greg Germentz. Tuma would take the lead on lap 6 and waste no time working his way in and out and around traffic. Todd Tacheny moved up to second on lap 25 but still had a lot of ground to close on Tuma. But Tuma started to slow by lap 40 which allowed Isaac Bray to take the lead two laps later. On lap 52 the red flag came out with Bray leading followed by Pennel, Jake Wickesberg, and Justin Schlietsche.
Bray, last year’s winner at Madison, continued his leading ways before a red flag for debris and fluids came out on lap 103. Davey Pennel, Justin Schelitzche, Jake Wickesberg, and Todd Tacheny following the leader. They were the only cars on the lead lap at the time of the red flag.
When the green waved after cleanup was completed, Bray wasted no time getting back out in front. Things were looking good until lap 137 when mechanical issues sent him to the pits which eventually allowed Pennel to capture the lead. The top five saw some changes but nobody was able to catch the leader in the #429 car.
Pennel was able to keep the top spot all the way up until the mandatory caution flag waved on lap 200 for a ten minute break. Pennel and Jake Wickesberg were the only two cars on the lead lap with Dan Juszczyk in third followed by Tuma, the early leader, and Mike Heidmann. During the break many drivers took advantage of the time to change tires as the track was tough on the racing rubber tonight for many of the competitors.
One hundred laps to go and anything could happen. Pennel continued to show the way followed by Wickesberg who was trying to work his way through the field to get back on the lead lap. On lap 262 Wickesberg was able to work by Pennel to get back on the lead lap just before the red flag came out for a loose wheel.
When the race restarted, Pennel needed to stay out of trouble but that’s easier said than done with thirty plus cars still on track. But that’s exactly what Pennel was able to do as he held off the hard charging Wickesberg who was a little more than half a lap behind and raced his way to victory lane. Wickesberg finished second on the lead lap followed by Juszcyk, Heidmann, and Tuma who were all two laps down. Completing the top ten were Dave Beyer (-3), Jack Barta (-4), Josh Germentz (-6), Jake Balk (-7), and Isaac Bray. (-7)
“We just had to hang on and finish and know where everyone else is at. This car has been through heck. I can’t slow down and I had to keep him (Wickesberg) in my sights,” said Pennel.
Jake Wickesberg added, “I wasn’t here last year. We made some changes and the car was a lot better after the break.”
“I had to work for it,” said the third place finisher Dan Juszczyk describing his battle with Heidmann for third. This was his first visit to Madison.
All in all, the competitors of the ISS put on a great show with exciting three, four and five wide racing at times. In essence, they were all winners when everything was said and done.
Results (Unofficial)
(1-10) Davey Pennel, Jake Wickesberg, Dan Juszczyk, Mike Heidmann, Troy Tuma, Dave Beyer, Jack Barta, Josh Germentz, Jake Balk, Isaac Bray
(11-20) Dan Von Ruden, Dean Pennel, Dale Chitek, Autumn Gill, Jason Berke, Nick Steffen, John Wickesberg, Greg Germentz, Luke Geisler, Dean DeKeyser
(21-30) Ricky Ruck, Josh Bolden, Matt Brehmer, Mike Krueger, Zach Furbur, Jeremy Czarapata, Charles Vian Jr.,Kaitlyn Pingel, Terry Biddick, Mike Hennessey
(31-40) Cody Bierman, Justin Schelitzche, Frank Calabrese, Sherry Czarapata, Kyle Ansolabehere, Matt Moore, Elliott Reid, Scott Barlass, Todd Tacheny, Shawn Morris
(41-50) Tanner Chadderdon, Dave Clausen, Tim Schmitz, Josh Klopotek, Rob Dubnecay, Craig Kreuser, Dan Thomson, Josh Roehl, Phil Lehl, Jason Witte
(51-57) Craig Fraunfelder, Chico Riedner, Austin Schueler, Adam Hayden, Brianna Schulz, Mike Chadderdon, Josh Finn
Racing at Madison continues next Friday night (August 2nd) when Liuna! Local 464 presents Kids’ Night with racing action in the Big 8 Late Models, Mid Am, and High School Racing Association. All kids 11 and under will be admitted free with Bicycle, Big Wheel, and Power Wheel (competitors must bring their own transportation) races at intermission and prize drawings for the kids throughout the night. Pit gates open at 2:30 with practice at 5:00, qualifying at 6:15, opening ceremonies at 7:25 with racing at 7:30.