Slinger, WI- The ‘Stars and Cars’ of the ARCA Midwest Tour will make their first ever visit to ‘World’s Fastest ¼ Mile Oval’ to battle Slinger Super Speedway’s finest Super Late Model drivers this Sunday afternoon April 24. The Keen Parts ‘Miracle on the High Banks’ 75th Miller Lite Season Opener will be highlighted by a pair of 30-lap Showdown features which will set the stage for the Tour versus Slinger 75-lap, $5,000 to Win Finale. Slinger Champions Luke Fenhaus, Lowell Bennett, Alex Prunty, Conrad Morgan and Dennis Prunty will go head to head against ARCA Midwest Tour Champions Ty Majeski, Casey Johnson, Dalton Zehr and Jonathan Eilen. Chicagoland Champion Eddie Hoffman and Tundra Champion Riley Stenjem have also entered. Let’s take a look at the expected entries for Sunday’s showdown at Slinger.
Expected Entries for Sunday April 24, 2022 (34)
0 Ryan DeStefano Colgate WI Converted Products/Wabam/Kasten Marine/Zeller Transport/Stickyboyz Chevrolet -Looking to make just his second career Midwest Tour start, DeStefano, the 2013 Slinger LM Champion will be representing the Slinger contingent during Sunday’s Miracle on the High Banks. DeStafano is a former weekly Super Late Model winner at Slinger.
2 Lowell Bennett Neenah WI Stockbridge Eng./PMF Landscape/Ken’s Sports/John J Mayer Toyota -Bennett will be making a rare Midwest Tour start. The seven time Slinger Super Speedway Track Champion has five Slinger Nationals wins to his credit. Additionally the Super Late Model standout counts five Fox River Racing Club Championships and five Red, White and Blue State Championships amongst his racing accomplishments along with two Midwest AllStar Racing Series Titles.
4 Luke Fenhaus Wausau WI Soda Sense/Dun-Rite Exteriors/Zilisch Asphalt/Pioneer/Central WI Vending Chevrolet -2021 was a breakout season for Fenhaus, who garnered the 2021 Slinger Super Speedway Track Championship along with a runner-up finish in the Midwest Tour points on his way to Rookie of the Year honors. He finished second to Marco Andretti in SRX action a season ago at Slinger, a race he earned a start in by winning the Slinger Nationals. Additional accolades a season ago for the 2018 State Park Speedway Champion included the Kulwicki Driver Development Championship as well as the Alive for 5 Series title.
5 Casey Johnson Edgerton WI Montgomery Ward/Hougan Farms/UAW Region 4 Chevrolet -No driver may have carried more speed than Johnson to end the 2021 Midwest Tour season. The two-time Tour Champion charged late in the race to claim August’s Howie Lettow Classic at Madison and then recorded his first Oktoberfest 200 win at LaCrosse. Last season he won his second Red, White and Blue State Championship by winning the White and Blue races at WIR. Johnson has amassed two championships at Wisconsin International, three at Jefferson, two in Big 8, two Tundra titles, six Wisconsin State Championships and two National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway. He has finished second and third in the last two Slinger Nationals.
7 John DeAngelis, Jr Hubertus WI DeAngelis Construction/JD7 Trucking Ford -DeAngelis has been racing his fair share in the Southern United States but has made his home region starts count including a win in last year’s Falloween at Dells Raceway Park. He put the competition on notice as he dominated the first half of the Gandrud Auto Group 250 last August, setting a blistering pace. His last two Midwest Tour starts have netted a third at the Howie Lettow and a runner-up effort in the Jim Sauter Classic. DeAngelis finished third in the final 2019 Tour point standings and has multiple Super Late Model wins at his hometrack, Slinger.
8 Eddie Hoffman Wheaton IL Feece Oil/Advanced Generator Chevrolet -The eight time Chicagoland Champion (7 Grundy and 1 at Illiana), Hoffman has two career Midwest feature wins to his credit, both coming at Grundy County Speedway where he is the winningest driver in track history. Looking to join the Midwest Tour full time in 2022, Hoffman, the 1997 ARTGO Challenge Series Champion will be making his first career start at ‘The World’s Fastest Quarter Mile’. Having done little touring racing since being a favorite in the late 90’s and early 2000’s when he captured three Oktoberfest titles, Hoffman has remained a favorite each time his familiar number 8 is unloaded in the pit area.
9 Derek Kraus Stratford WI B&K Trucking/Fanetti, Inc Chevrolet -The youngest winner in Midwest Tour history returns to his Midwest roots this weekend, his last Super Late Model start netting him a top five. Currently in the mix of contenders each week in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the former K&N West Series Champion is quickly making a name for himself in the NASCAR Garage. A solid top ten performance at Bristol last week was thwarted by a late race incident, not of his own doing. Kraus is currently twelfth in the Truck standings, less than 75 markers out of the top five. Kraus nearly found victory lane during last July’s Slinger Nationals, leading late only to come up one position short of victory.
11 Alex Prunty Lomira WI Paul Reilly Co/Moraine Park Technical College/GSI Tow Truck Insurance Toyota -Last Labor Day Weekend at the Dells, Prunty made his first Midwest Tour appearance. Now the Tour comes to his turf and the 2018 Slinger Super Late Model Champion is amongst the favorites to claim top honors for the home team. With a 2015 Pro Late Model Championship to go along with countless wins at Slinger, the 2016 Kulwicki Cup Champion is one of the most well known Slinger drivers. In addition to his Slinger successes, Prunty is also a two-time National Short Track Championship winner at Rockford Speedway.
14 Austin Nason Roscoe IL Montgomery Ward/Haase Builders/JRS Shocks/Kar Korner Ford -He has had a resurgence as of late, placing third at South Alabama Speedway’s Rattler 250 in March and posting a fourth place effort earlier this month at the Dells. Nason is a two-time Tour point runner-up and has big wins including the Joe Shear Classic at Madison, the 2019 Father’s Day 100 at The Milwaukee Mile and Rockford’s All-Star 100 to go along with a 2018 Madison Triple Crown Championship and 2015 Tour Rookie of the Year title. Nason nabbed a fifth place finish at last year’s Slinger Nationals.
15 Gabe Sommers Plover WI WI Potato & Veg Growers Assoc/DeKalb/Kwik Trip/Rowdy Energy Toyota – Sommers recorded his breakthrough win at the Larry Detjens Memorial at State Park Speedway in 2019. He went on to become the 2019 Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year and backed up that effort with a runner-up points finish in 2020 and fifth a season ago. A winner last June at California’s Irwindale Speedway, the young driver placed second at Milwaukee on Father’s Day in 2021. Sommers found himself in a battle with NASCAR Cup Series winner William Byron during the 2022 World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway in February, eventually finishing second.
17 Grant Griesbach Pewaukee WI Schaefer Power Systems/Cobblestone Hotels/Racersites Ford -What a season for Grant Griesbach last year. The former Slinger Bee racer has shown continued improvement in his Super Late Model progression. The 20 year old UW-Whitewater student became a force on Thursday night’s at Wisconsin International Raceway. On the strength of two wins, Griesbach narrowly missed winning the 2021 Fox River Racing Club Championship by a mere three points. All indications are that he will be a force for years to come on Wisconsin’s Short Tracks.
23 Levon VanDerGeest Merrill WI Central Sawdust of WI/Breber Music/Culver’s Chevrolet -Levon VanDerGeest became the youngest winner in Milwaukee Mile history when he rolled to the Midwest Truck Series victory on Father’s Day 2019. Levon went on to become the 2019 Truck Champion and finished second in the 2021 ARCA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year standings. Levon had strong showing on multiple occasions including a top ten at Milwaukee last Father’s Day.
25 Jeff Storm East Troy WI Great Lakes Components/3D Ranch/Oak Creek Automotive/River City Lanes Chevrolet -Jeff Storm had the hearts of the Short Track World by the strings as the Midwest veteran clung onto the final qualifying spot for last year’s Snowball Derby at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway. Storm indeed hung on to the final qualifying spot and the two time Mid-American Stock Car Series Champion wore his emotion on his sleeve. That effort has continued into the new season as Storm whom finished fifth in Alive for 5 Series points last year at the Dells roared to a second place showing at the Dells two weeks ago.
26 Mark Lamoreaux Bloomington MN Capsule Technologies/Refinishers Supply Ford -Some drivers are referred to as veteran drivers, and they are, but few in the field can say they won a Track Championship in the 70’s and the 90’s, Lamoreaux can. Having won the title at Elko Speedway in 1976 and then becoming the final CWRA Champion at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in 1991, Lamoreaux has numerous wins at those two tracks as well as Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN. The Minnesota native intends to run the full Midwest Tour schedule in 2022 and will kick off that effort this Sunday at Slinger Super Speedway.
38 Nick Wagner Hartford WI Grand Ave Dental/Craft Coating/Mussa Machine/B&S Liquors/Motor Masters Chevrolet -Another Slinger Super Late Model entry comes from Wagner who has 30 years of Racing experience. The former Slinger Bee Champion is a five time National Kart Champ and looks to make his first Midwest Tour start at his hometrack.
42 Dennis Prunty Allenton WI Port-A-John/Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup/Zeller Transportation Chevrolet -This longtime Midwest Tour supporter will take part in the first Tour race ever at his hometrack Slinger on Sunday afternoon. Prunty is the 2012 Slinger Super Speedway Champion and collected the big check following the 2015 Slinger Nationals, a popular win for the driver of the #42 Chevrolet. Prunty has amassed over 35 career Midwest Tour starts with his lone win coming during the 2016 Dixieland 250 at WIR.
44 Justin Mondeik Gleason WI Powerhouse Lawn & Leisure/Metsa Machines/Merrill Manufacturing/Agra Chevrolet -Justin Mondeik took his talents to Florida once again during Speedweeks for the World Series of Asphalt. With four top fives and seven top tens in seven features at New Smyrna Speedway, Mondeik finished fourth in the World Series points. Having won the track Championships at both State Park Speedway and Golden Sands Speedway the past two seasons, he has also been highly successful in the UP of Michigan, posting back to back wins in the Stateline Challenge at Norway Speedway. Mondeik has one Tour win to his credit, the 2020 Detjens Memorial.
47 Braison Bennett Neenah WI Valley Gasket/PMF Landscape Supply/John J Mayer Ins/Fox Cities Towing Chevrolet -This third generation driver is no stranger to Slinger Super Speedway. Having grown up at the track and starting his racing career as a teenager in the track’s Slinger Bee division, Braison now finds himself behind the wheel of the Chase Motorsports entry which helped Casey Johnson in his 2019 Tour Championship season. As a last minute decision, the three time Fox River Racing Club Weekly Late Model Champion was given the nod to pilot the #47 in the Midwest Tour Oktoberfest 200 last fall at LaCrosse. He did not disappoint, wheeling to a ninth place finish. Bennett has one career Big 8 Series win, coming at WIR in 2019.
48 Brad Keith Allenton WI Interstate Sawing/Gordie Boucher Ford/Keiths Marina/Sylvan Pontoons Ford -Brad Keith is the 2013 Mid-American Stock Car Series Champion who has many fast time and feature wins throughout his career. Keith is a Slinger hot shoe in a Vandoorn Racing prepared ride and will be tough for the Tour regulars to top on Sunday.
55 Rich Loch Muskego WI Ricardo’s Pizza/Direct Promotions/Thermoset/JBT Corp/Cool Kustoms Ford -Loch is a former ARCA Midwest Touring Star that now calls Slinger Super Speedway home. A former regular on the Midwest AllStar Racing Series as well as on the ASA National Tour, he has posted multiple feature wins and fast times throughout his career. Many will remember that Loch was the 1992 IMCA Point Champion in the Modifieds at Madison International Speedway.
66 Dave McCardle Menomonee Falls WI Verette Const/Fireplace Ltd/Nelson Bros. Power Center/Berry Signs Chevrolet -McCardle was the first Slinger regular to send his entry for the Miracle on the High Banks. He is ready for the Stars and Cars of the ARCA Midwest Tour this weekend.
75 Dillon Hammond Grand Marsh WI Hammond Auto Mauston, WI Chevrolet -After returning to run a full Midwest Tour season in 2021, Hammond found himself right in the mix on the speed charts at nearly every event, often qualifying in the top ten. Some unfortunate luck did not produce the results indicative of his on track speed. Finishing ninth in the final 2021 point standings with a top finish of sixth at Hawkeye Downs, Hammond and his family race team looks to build upon those efforts heading into 2022. He has two career top five Tour finishes and has finished in the top ten five times.
77 Jonathan Eilen Hampton MN Eilen & Sons Trucking & Landscape/Graber Auto Body Ford -He won the first ever Midwest Tour event which was held in 2007 at Elko Speedway, his hometrack. Now Eilen, the 2012 ARCA Midwest Tour Champion will be part of another first, the first ever Tour event at Slinger. Eilen has a total of five career feature victories in Tour competition and is fast yet again with a season best third place finish coming at Hawkeye Downs in August of last year. Eilen, who is seventh on the all-time wins list will make his 143rd Tour start on Sunday.
77 Riley Stenjem Utica WI Sreamin’ Norwegian/Hausz Contractors/Hougan Farms/Direct Networks Chevrolet -Stenjem has adopted quickly to Late Models, the three-time Legend State Champion won the Jefferson Speedway Late Model Rookie of the Year Award along with winning two out of the three Wisconsin State Championship feature events in 2019. With limited Tour starts, he has posted two top ten finishes, coming during last year’s Howie Lettow Classic and Oktoberfest 200. Stenjem, the 2021 Tundra Series Champion is part of the 2022 Kulwicki Driver Development Program.
80 Ryan Farrell Big Bend WI Tiry’s Race Engines/Adams Heavy Duty Tow/Jacoby Waterproof Chevrolet – He started his season with a fast time at the Dells Ice Breaker. Now he returns to familiar territory. With a 2018 Wisconsin Challenge Series Championship to his credit and various Super Late Model wins throughout the state including at Dells Raceway Park, Farrell is still in search of his first Midwest Tour victory.
91 Ty Majeski Seymour WI iRacing.com/Ken’s Sports/Lucas Oil/CRC Industries/PFC Brakes Ford -Recording his fifth ARCA Midwest Tour Championship in 2021, the all-time Tour win leader will run a partial schedule in 2022 when his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule allows. He was the fast qualifier for the Trucks at Daytona and has a season best finish of third at Atlanta. Majeski, recorded his record fifth Rattler 250 victory in March at South Alabama Speedway and continues to be amongst the elite in Super Late Models. Majeski has 29 Tour wins and is a two-time Slinger Nationals winner and won the 2020 Snowball Derby as well.
92 Conrad Morgan Waukesha WI Certa-Pro Painters/ProSeal Asphalt Paving/AJ’s Small Engine Repair Chevrolet -Conrad Morgan is a member of the Hall of Fames at both Slinger Super Speedway and Madison International Speedway. Morgan captured the 1999 Slinger Nationals to go along with his six career Slinger Track Championships. Three Championships at Capital Super Speedway/Madison International Speedway also adorn his trophy case. The Super Late Model veteran will attempt his first career Midwest Tour start on Sunday.
92 RJ Braun Wales WI Morris Midwest/Okuma/Tsugami/PD Peterka & Associates Ford -Braun has proven to be a contender since moving into Super Late Models. The former Slinger and Big 8 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year has recorded weekly Super Late Model wins at both WIR and Slinger and nearly won last year’s Slinger Nationals. Look for Braun to use his home track advantage on Sunday against the visiting ‘Stars and Cars’ of the ARCA Midwest Tour.
95 Harley Jankowski Sparta WI Hableman Brothers Cranberrys/Kurts Shop/Modern Disposal Sys Chevrolet -The former LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway competitor has made the move to Super Late Models and has found victory during Central Wisconsin Racing Association action. Having recently acquired the former Skylar Holzhausen mount, Jankowski plans on running for the ARCA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year in 2022.
97 Jacob Nottestad Cambridge WI Kearns Motor Car Co/Hougan Farms/Wagner Const/Quality Harvesting Chevrolet -Also representing Wisconsin in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program this season is Jacob Nottestad. Having won the 2019 and 2020 Slinger Pro Late Model Championships, Nottestad wheeled a John DeAngelis prepared car to Futures victory lane at Oktoberfest in 2020, his first Super Late Model start. He quickly backed up that performance by winning in his first career Tundra Series start, checking out on the field at Jefferson in July of 2021.
97 James Swan Lake Geneva WI Lingford Construction/PMF Landscape/JK Tools/Obermeyer’s 141 Chevrolet -To say he is excited about the Midwest Tour coming to Slinger Super Speedway may be an understatement. The former Slinger Sportsman Champion has defended his hometrack well in the past, having scored his lone Big 8 Series victory against the outsiders at Slinger in 2011. Now the former Big 8 and Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year looks to be in the hunt during Sunday’s Miracle on the High Banks. Swan is a four time Midwest Truck Series and five time Mid-American Stock Car Series Champion, recording over 40 wins in those support divisions.
98 Rob Braun Wales WI PD Peterka & Associates/Wisconsin Automation/Halter CNC Robotics Dodge -Braun will represent the Slinger faithful on Sunday afternoon. He has become a staple at the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile’ and will be part of the Miracle on the High Banks field on Sunday afternoon. Braun is no stranger to defending his home turf, having rubbed fenders with the Big 8 Series invaders in seasons past.
100 Tristian Swanson New Market MN Marthaler.com/Country Joe Homes/Gumm Farms/Hamke Toyota -A second generation driver, Tristian looks to make his first Midwest Tour start on Sunday and has his sights set on the Tour Rookie of the Year Award. Last season, a win at Madison’s Joe Shear Classic put him on everyone’s radar in the Midwest Trucks. Swanson went on to win four features and was crowned Midwest Truck Champion and Rookie of the Year at season’s end. Tristian is a former Legends Track Champion at Dells Raceway Park and started his Super Late Model season by competing in the Chilly Willy at Tucson Speedway in AZ.
119 Dalton Zehr Verona WI Gildan/First Business Bank/American Apparel/Comfort Colors/Make-A-Wish Chevrolet -The 2018 ARCA Midwest Tour Champion has a long list of accolades when it comes to racing. Zehr was the 2013 ASA Member Track National Champion, having won the track title at Michigan’s Norway Speedway that season. In 2007 he finished second in his Pro Late Model during the World Series at New Smyrna, recording one win. A year earlier, he nearly won the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division Championship, finishing second even though he missed one race. He was part of the Battle at the Beach held on the backstretch of Daytona International Speedway. Zehr has done a lot in his racing career, the three time Tundra Series Champion also won the 2019 Alive for 5 Series title at Dells Raceway Park. His three Midwest Tour wins have come at Elko, Grundy and Golden Sands.
Schedule of Events for Keen Parts ‘Miracle on the High Banks’ 75th Miller Lite Season Opener
7am Pit Gate Opens
10am Spectator Gates Open
10am Practice Begins
12:05pm Qualifying Begins
2pm Racing Begins
Advance Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $25
Senior (62+): $22
Students (10-17): $10
Children ages 9 and under Free
Day of Event Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $30
Senior (62+): $25
Students (10-17): $12
Children ages 9 and under Free
Divisions: The ARCA Midwest Tour will be joined by the Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Slinger Bees and American Super Cups.
Location: Slinger Super Speedway is located at 280 Cedar Creek Road in Slinger, WI. For additional information visit www.slingersuperspeedway.comor call 262-644-5921
-ARCA Midwest Tour Press Release