(Oregon, WI) Eugene Gregorich III picked up his first ever win in the Midwest Truck Series by taking home the checkered flag in the Bullseye Games 36 at Madison International Speedway.
Aaron Moyer and Brandon Reichenberger brought the field of twenty-eight trucks to the green flag. The duo raced side by side before Moyer took the advantage on lap 6 with Eugene Gregorich III powering by Reichenberger for second with Chester Ace and Jeff Holtz moving into third and fourth one lap later. Reichenberger retook the fourth spot on lap 8 when Holtz got loose coming out of turn one.
Moyer built up a five truck length lead over Gregorich III on lap 11 with Ace fighting Gregorich III for second as the top three checked away from the field at the half-way mark. It appeared to be smooth sailing for Moyer until the caution flag came out on lap 24 for a spin in turn one.
For the double file restart, Moyer and Gregorich III comprised the front row with Ace and Reichenberger in row two with Grant Griesbach and Holtz in the third row. The first attempt at a restart was waived off due to spin deep in the field. Moyer was able to regain the lead but Gregorich III wrestled it away from him going by on the outside two laps later. Gregorich III sprinted forward to a four length lead over Moyer before the caution flag waved on lap 28 for a truck in the wall on turn one.
The side by side restart saw Gregorich III retaking the lead from the outside. Behind Gregorich III and Moyer the battle for third was side by side between Ace and Griesbach with Clay Curts up to fifth. Gregorich III continued to lead all the way to victory lane followed by Moyer, Ace, Griesbach, and Curts.
“The outside was rolling and I was able to keep up the momentum on the outside and it worked for us. I love this track and it’s good to be able to get this first one. To try to get a win in this series is so tough because it’s so close with trucks separated by thousandths of seconds,” said Gregorich III.
Derek Meyer of Michigamme, Michigan, set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 18.901 (95.233 mph). Following Meyer in the top were Eugene Gregorich III, Brandon Reichenberger, Aaron Moyer, and Chester Ace. In an on-track interview, the fifteen-year old Meyer said, “We’re lucky to be in this spot. This is a stacked field. I’ve learned so much from the time I started this series until now.”
The twelve lap qualifying race was won by Brent Strelka who edged Scott Ciesielski. The two eight lap even / odd dashes were won by Robbie Rucks and James Swan.
Bullseye Games 36
(1-10) Eugene Gregorich III, Aaron Moyer, Chester Ace, Grant Griesbach, Clay Curts, Brandon Reichenberger, Colin Reffner, Robbie Rucks, Derek Meyer, Tyler Noble
(11-20) Kevin Knuese, James Lynch, Cody Vander Loop, Scott Ciesielski, Tom Steinbach, Danielle Behn, Wyatt Kraiss, Parker Cain, Brent Kirchner, Nick Quinnell
(21-28) Jeff Holtz, James Swan, Nicholas Van, Brent Strelka, Nick Roehl, Jerry Wood, Eric Wisz, Jason Schuler
12 Lap Last Chance Race (1-12) Brent Strelka, Scott Ciesielski, Kevin Knuese, Danielle Behn, Cody Vander Loop, Parker Cain, Brent Kirchner, Nick Roehl, Jerry Wood, Wyatt Kraiss, Nick Quinnell, Eric Wisz
8 Lap Odd Heat (1-8). James Swan, Chester Ace, Colin Reffner, Clay Curts, Tyler Noble, Derek Meyer, Tom Steinbach, Brandon Reichenberger
8 Lap Even Heat (1-9) Robbie Rucks, Nicholas Van, Jeff Holtz, Jason Schuler, Grant Griesbach, Aaron Moyer, Eugene Gregorich III, James Lynch, Brent Strelka
Qualifying: (1-10) Derek Meyer, Eugene Gregorich III, Brandon Reichenberger, Aaron Moyer, Chester Ace, Grant Griesbach, Tyler Noble, Jeff Holtz, Colin Reffner, Jason Schuler
(11-20). Clay Curts, James Lynch, James Swan, Nicholas Van, Tom Steinbach, Robbie Rucks, Scott Ciesielski, Brent Strelka, Danielle Behn, Kevin Knuese
(21-28). Cody Vander Loop, Nick Roehl, Parker Cain, Brent Kirchner, Jerry Wood, Nick Quinnell, Eric Wisz, Wyatt Kraiss