Mathematically, the top eight drivers in TUNDRA Super Late Model Series standings still have a shot at winning the series Championship. Realistically, three drivers are in position to walk away from Round Six Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes at Dells Raceway Park on Sunday with the title.
Here is the breakdown of how it all may happen.
As a side note: the TUNDRA Championship has been claimed with a race win the last two seasons. Zehr took it with a win at Jefferson in 2015. Casey Johnson wrapped the title with a win at Jefferson last season.
How Dalton Zehr Wins His Third TUNDRA Championship With a 39-point advantage over John Beale and 46-ponint advantage over Cole Anderson, Dalton Zehr’s road to the title isn’t overly complicated. If his past success in TUNDRA action at Dells Raceway Park is any indication, Sunday could be yet another banner day.
Disregarding the points from qualifying and the heat race, if Zehr is to enter the feature with a 39-point advantage, he will need to finish 12th or better in the Country Plumber 75. The split to first from first to 13th is exactly 39. However, there are an additional two bonus points for a lap led, which would mean that Zehr would need to finish 12th in order to make up the 37 points.
Should Zehr set fast time and gain the 15 bonus points from qualifying, he would then only need to finish inside the Top 20 of the feature, depending on where Beale and Anderson qualify. Any points gained in qualifying or the heat will allow Zehr more breathing room from that 12th Place position needed to lock in the title. Any points lost may cause him to need to move further up.
How John Beale Becomes the First Rookie to Win the TUNDRA Championship If John Beale can find a way to keep Dalton Zehr far enough in the rear view mirror, he may be on the way to making some TUNDRA history. He’ll need to have a solid day at DRP to do so.
As mentioned above, with all other things equal and Beale trailing by 39 points heading into the feature, he would need to have Zehr finish 12th or worse (depending on bonus points for led laps and most cars passed). If Beale falls to Second, Zehr would then only need to finish 15th to hold a 39-point gap.
In a scenario where Beale sets fast time (15 points) and Zehr wins his heat race (10 points), the gap falls to 34 points. That would force Zehr to finish Ninth or better if Beale were to win the race. Any points lost in the heat by Zehr, would then force him to improve his finish in the feature.
How Cole Anderson Becomes the Youngest TUNDRA Champion Cole Anderson won’t have to be perfect at Dells Raceway Park on Sunday, but he’ll have to be close. Anderson must make up 46 points to Zehr and seven points on Beale to take the crown.
With all other things being equal heading into the feature, Anderson could leap into the top of the standings with an 18th Place finish by Zehr and a Third Place finish by Beale. This would require that neither driver gains bonus points for leading a lap or passing cars in the invert.
If Anderson experiences a perfect day (worth 120 points plus 10 show up points) and Zehr and Beale both fail to make the dash, he will need to see a 14th Place finish by Zehr and a Third Place finish by Beale.
Rookie Wild Card Beale is in solid position to grab the Dean’s Satellite and Security Rookie of the Year title. He sits 39 points ahead of the next closest rookie – Colin Reffner. Ironically enough, for Beale the scenarios to hold off Reffner are the same as those for Zehr to hold onto the Championship.
Sportsman Title Without bonus points for heats and qualifying, the Sportsman title is a bit more straightforward. Dave Trute’s lead over Gregg Back is 14 which means he secures the title with a finish of Fourth or better at his home track. Jason Stark remains in the conversation, as well, just 18 points back of Trute. If Stark were to win, he would need Back to finish no better than Third and Trute no better than Fifth.
TUNDRA will be joined by the Midwest Truck Series and Sportsman division. Fan gates open at Noon on Sunday, qualifying is scheduled for 1 P.M., and racing begins at 2 P.M.
Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells of highway 16. For more information visit www.dellsracewaypark.com
