PORTAGE, Wis. (June 8, 2021) – Central Wisconsin race fans are becoming very familiar with John Beale. After capturing a big pay day in Golden Sands’ Trickle Memorial 99 on Memorial Day, the racer out of Verona is looking to collect another banner event this Saturday with the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series – the Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial at Marshfield Motor Speedway.
The location of the event just so happens to be the place where Beale captured his first track Championship a season ago. It’s also a place where he scored his first feature win of 2021. The wide, sweeping turns and racy nature of the half-mile just seem to suit him. In fact, Beale has had an affinity for Marshfield for over half a decade.
“It all started back in 2014 when I was racing the Midwest Truck Series. They were headed to Marshfield Motor Speedway and I had never seen the place before. I decided to head up there the week before with some crew guys to “watch” the races and try to learn something about the track,” Beale recalled. “I threw my race gear in the back seat because I had a plan. We showed up after qualifying and I went up and down pit road asking guys to let me race their car that night. I received a bunch of solid no’s except for one guy. I jumped in and won the heat race and was leading the feature until I ran out of talent, but it taught me a lot about the track.”
It was an interesting debut to say the least for Beale, who was hooked on the facility. The following week he sought some advice from track promoter Wayne Brevik. In a moment of irony – or perhaps foreshadowing – Brevik directed him the way of Dalton Zehr. Zehr gave Beale a tour of the racing groove prior to the event. Much like the present, the partnership paid dividends. It continues to do so.
“I went on to set fast time and win the feature in the Midwest Truck Series during the Fall Shootout,” Beale recalled. “Fast forward to 2019 when Dalton Zehr became my Crew Chief and we headed back to Marshfield Motor Speedway and swept all the Super Late Model race wins and the All-Star Triple Crown Challenge Championship.”
What’s more, driving for Gildan Racing, Dalton Zehr took a win in the TUNDRA race at Marshfield last season. The magic of the partnership lasted all season as Beale went on to win the track Championship.
Even though the success was measurable, Beale and his team worked furiously throughout last year to set themselves up for an even more successful 2021.
“We learned a lot last year and our goal this past off season was to focus on durability and speed,” Beale said. “All off season the entire team tore our cars apart and rebuilt them to last. Then we did everything capable to find some speed. We’re not even close to where we want to be but we have a long-term plan and are headed in the right direction.”
Despite believing there is still room for improvement, it’s hard to argue with the early success – especially in Central Wisconsin with wins at Marshfield and Plover. Poised to contend this Saturday, Beale knows the stakes are high.
“I learned a long time ago that winning fixes everything. At Gildan Racing we have one goal and that is to win. Winning the Bev Memorial would be a highlight in my career. Out of all the divisions and series I race, TUNDRA is the most competitive. Large car counts and competitive drivers make it very difficult to get to victory lane.”
Although difficult, Beale feels confident, but doesn’t want to count his eggs before they hatch.
“This isn’t a stick and ball sport where you have a 50/50 chance of winning. I will have a 1 in 30 chance of winning,” Beale said. “Anything can happen from flat tires to mechanical issues. My strategy every weekend is plan for the worst and hope for the best. Roll the dice and see what happens.”
Should Beale be able to replicate the success he’ll be happy to celebrate his sponsors and team in Victory Lane with a second straight win in the Bev Aschenbrenner Memorial. Those sponsors include Gildan, First Business Bank, American Apparel, Comfort Colors, Prim + Preux, Sugar River Pizza Company of Verona, AMS Mobile Electronics, TJ Harron Photography and Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.
TUNDRA will be joined by the Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series and the Midwest Dash Series. Qualifying is scheduled for 5:45 pm with racing at 7 pm.
Marshfield Motor Speedway is located at 10853 County Rd H just outside of Marshfield, Wis. For more information visit http://www.marshfieldspeedway.com
