The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series started in 2011 as the Alive for Five Series at Dells Raceway Park to bring Super Late Model Racing back to the third-mile racetrack. The series was quickly renamed The Unified Northern Drivers Racing Association (TUNDRA). By 2013, it became a six-race traveling Super Late Model Series bringing drivers from all around Wisconsin to compete in front of packed grandstands.
The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series saw six different winners in their six races one year ago. However, none of those six racers would go on to win the championship. Stoughton, WI’s Casey Johnson won his second series championship in three years by just nineteen markers over car owner/crew chief John Beale. While he did not visit victory lane during the season, he finished in the top five in all but one race.
The ninth season for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will begin on Saturday at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna as the series regulars go head-to-head with the top talent the local Fox River Racing Club has to offer. Former series champion Dennis Prunty took the win last year at Wisconsin International to begin the 2018 season.
Round Two takes the series to Marshfield Motor Speedway on June 8th for the Bev Ashenbrenner Memorial. Last year’s edition saw a first-time winner and a familiar last name go to victory lane in Colin Reffner, grandson of Wisconsin legend “The Blue Knight” Tom Reffner.
The series will then go to their home track of Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells on July 6th for Round Three of the TUNDRA Super Late Model championship. Dells hosted the final two races of last year’s TUNDRA championship, which saw Mike Litchfield and rising star Carson Kvapil pick up wins, while Casey Johnson picked up the championship.
A quick turnaround will have the series going to Jefferson Speedway in Cambridge for Round Four on July 20th. Last year’s race at Jefferson was shortened at halfway by Mother Nature, which gave the win to points runner-up John Beale.
The penultimate round of the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series will be at State Park Speedway in Wausau on August 3rd. Track regular Mark Mackesy would go to victory lane in his only series start of 2018.
The TUNDRA Super Late Model Series season finale will see the series return to Golden Sands Speedway in Plover on Labor Day. Mike Litchfield won the last TUNDRA race held at the third-mile in 2017.
A strong field of close to forty cars are expected for Saturday’s season opener at Wisconsin International Raceway, including former series champions Dennis Prunty and Casey Johnson. Racing will begin at 6:45CT with the Fast Car Dash for the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series. Their program will be capped off with a 50-lap Feature. TUNDRA will be joined by the Wisconsin Sport Trucks and the Midwest Compact Series.
