JUSTIN MONDEIK

NORWAY – Gleason, Wisconsin’s Justin Mondeik slipped past Dalton Zehr for the lead on lap 26 and skillfully threaded his way through lapped cars to win the 38th annual Stateline Challenge during the Kent Pearson Memorial race at Norway Speedway on Friday.

With his win, Mondeik has now scored seven feature wins in just eight appearances at the third-mile, paved oval since 2020. The victory also proved to be his second straight Stateline Challenge win.

Mondeik started inside row five at the drop of the green of the 75-lap feature. The race was only two laps old when a turn three melee ensued. The wreck sidelined four competitors, among them Mark Mackesy, Greg Haese, Braison Bennett and Tanner Kelly.

When racing resumed, Zehr passed Scott Stanchina for the lead on lap four. Mondeik quickly shot into second with Dan Lindsley running third. Mondeik gave Zehr several looks on the inside line, even bumping him on a couple of occasions. Zehr finally surrendered the lead on lap 26 with Lindsley and Johnny Sauter whisking their way through traffic running second and third, respectively.

The caution flew on lap 39 as Sauter and Lindsley collided on the backstretch. Both drivers were sent to the rear as Lindsley retired to the pits.

Mondeik kept the top spot and threaded his way through lapped traffic to score the win. Sauter put on a show, charging through the field and scored a third place finish behind the second place Zehr.

“Our car struggled a little bit on short runs,” Mondeik said in victory lane. “It would usually take about 10 laps to get warmed up and rolling. We love it here at Norway and have run real well here. We’ll be back again at some point later this year.”

Wisconsin drivers swept the top three spots with Kingsford’s Jason Wells taking fourth followed by fast qualifier Mike D’Angelo Jr. in fifth.

Hometown driver Joey Pontbriand cruised to victory in the super stock feature.

Norway’s John Ostermann executed a last lap, three-wide pass for the lead to capture the caution free, 20-lap stock car feature.

Faithorn’s Elliot Reid survived heavy pressure from Wausau, Wisconsin, visitor Garrett Strachota and Dean Bellmore to win the 4 banger feature.

On Friday, Stenberg Bros. Septic and Excavating Services and Event Rentals sponsors the racing action. Round II of the UTV exhibition races will also take place. Racing gets underway at 7 p.m.

BINK’S COCA COLA SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE – Justin Mondeik, Gleason, WI; Dalton Zehr, Verona, WI; Johnny Sauter, Deforest, WI; Jason Wells, Kingsford; Mike D’Angelo Jr, Gwinn; Scott Stanchina, Kingsford; Mike Reichenberger, Appleton, WI; Joey Pontbriand, Norway; Will Timmers, Kaukauna, WI; Bruce White, Kingsford; Mike Lantange, Vulcan; Cory Cootware, Iron Mountain; Louis Goss, Green Bay, WI; John Beale, Verona, WI; Dan Lindsley, Vulcan; Tanner Kelly, Waucedah; Mark Mackesy, Wausau, WI; Braison Bennett, Neenah, WI; Greg Haese, Manitowoc, WI

SEMI-FEATURE – Timmers; Cootware; White; Wyatt Spade, Norway; Dean Varda, Vulcan; Scott Bolster, Marquette

HEATS 1) Timmers; White 2) Zehr; Pontbriand

DASH – Beale

FAST TIME – D’Angelo Jr, 14.237

BASE COMPANIES HARD CHARGER AWARD – Timmers (gained nine spots)

AUTO VALUE SUPER STOCK FEATURE – Pontbriand; John Komp, Peshtigo; John Mattia Jr, Norway; Anthony Schiefelbein, Pembine, WI; Ryan Wender, Upper Pine Creek; Bob Schiefelbein, Pembine, WI; Chuck Gilbertson Jr, Kaukauna, WI; Tony Wender, Kingsford; Destiny Bullard, Marquette; Matt Charlebois, Wallace; Kelly LaCount, Athelstane, WI; Andy Gerwig, Norway; Jordan Massicotte, Kingsford; Tony Wilz, Menasha, WI

HEAT – Chuck Gilbertson Jr., Kaukauna, WI; Bob Schiefelbein, Pembine, WI

DASH – Pontbriand

FAST TIME – Pontbriand, 15.845

141 AUTO SALES STOCK CAR FEATURE – John Ostermann, Norway; Preston Weddel, Crivitz, WI; Nick Kroehler, Appleton, WI; Trevor Pankratz, Little Suamico, WI; Paul Bourgeois, Iron Mountain

HEATS 1) Jon Menpaw, Kingsford; B.J. Schoneck, Marion, WI 2) Ostermann; Gary Thom, Aurora, WI

FAST TIME – Weddel, 18.023

MC SIGNS & GRAPHICS 4 BANGER FEATURE – Elliot Reid, Faithorn; Garrett Strachota, Wausau, WI; Dean Bellmore, Hermansville; Isaac Bray, De Pere, WI; Cory Grondine, Hermansville

SEMI FEATURE – Kyle Loberger, Marinette, WI; Brent Ayotte, Hermansville

HEATS 1) Ayotte; Mike Loberger, Marinette, WI 2) Bray; Alex Bellmore, Hermansville

FAST TIME – Eric Breitenfeldt, Wausau, WI 17.825