Mackesy takes both Features in Stars to Legends Tour at Dells Raceway Park

WISCONSIN DELLS- It was Mark Mackesy of Wausau again showing his veteran racing experience, as he captured both 55-lap CWRA Stars to Legends Tour, as presented by Smiley’s Old Time Diner, Feature races at Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells Saturday, June 16.

The two wins were a first for Mackesy of any kind at Dells Raceway Park, and they came in the running of the prestigious Lyle Nabbefeldt Memorial Race. Nabbefeldt was a fixture here at the track, racing from the 1960s through the early 1970s. He was also one of the most popular drivers racing, and consequently the race in his honor continues.

The first 55-lap main event found Derrick Van Dreel of Wisconsin Rapids and Jesse Pokscyk of Friendship leading the way from the front row.

Pokscyk would secure the top spot and eventually build a large lead over the field. Darek Gress of Neillsville, who was fastest on the evening, was the man on the move, placing himself in the Top 5 by lap 15.

By the halfway point, it was Pokscyk still in front, but Gress was closing fast. The lead became his on lap 30, as Pokscyk faded and eventually pulled off the track with mechanical issues.

Meanwhile, Mackesy from his eighth starting spot was up to second place with 15 laps to go and closing on the leader.

Lapped traffic came into play as the two leaders battled, forcing them to pick a lane and try and get by the lapped cars. Mackesy picked the inside lane, which moved first, allowing him to take the lead.

Gress battled back, getting inside Mackesy, but with a caution-slowing incident involving Jesse Bernhagen of Stevens Point, the field was bunched up for the restart.

Mackesy with five laps remaining was however, able to maintain his lead, edging Gress at the checkered flag after 55 laps of hard-fought racing.

Following the two at the stripe were Jeff Weinfurter of Wisconsin Rapids, Frank Nitzke of Berlin, Rachel Kallas of Winneconne, and Monte Gress of Neillsville.

The second 55-lap Feature had Dave Neitzke of Eureka and newcomer to CWRA competition Tod Stenson of Wisconsin Dells, leading the way.

Stenson took command in his debut, stretching his lead to 10-car lengths, while further back, Kallas, Weinfurter, Gress and Darren Jackson of Wisconsin Rapids were putting on an epic battle for the next several positions. At lap 20 it was Weinfurter catching and passing Stenson for the lead, with Gress quickly to third.

Mackesy was once again fast, and moved into the fourth spot at the halfway point. A caution flag waved, slowing action, with Weinfurter assuming the lead on the restart.

Weinfurter continued to hold off the challenges of Gress, but it was Mackesy moving into second with 20 laps to go, putting pressure on the leading Weinfurter.

The two raced nose-to-tail and side-by-side, with Mackesy finally securing the top spot with 15 laps left.

Mackesy was able to build a slight cushion, eventually crossing under the checkered flag with his second main event win of the night.

Weinfurter and Gress battled the rest of the way for second, with Weinfurter gaining the position by just inches at the finish. Following the leading trio, were Monte Gress, Jackson and Pokscyk, who came from the last starting spot on the grid.

Next action for the CWRA Stars to Legends Tour will take place, Friday, July 6, at the Marshfield Motor Speedway in Marshfield, where again two main events will be held.

SUMMARY

55 lap Feature 1: 1. Mark Mackesy, Wausau, WI., 2. Darek Gress, Neillsville, WI., 3. Jeff Weinfurter, Wis. Rapids, WI., 4. Frank Nitzke, Berlin, WI., 5. Rachel Kallas, Winneconne, WI., 6. Monte Gress, Neillsville, WI., 7. Darren Jackson, Wis. Rapids, WI., 8. Derrick Van Dreel, Wis. Rapids, WI., 9. Brian Henry, Omro, WI., 10. Tod Stenson, Wis. Dells, WI., 11. Dave Neitzke, Eureka, WI., 12. Jesse Bernhagen, Stevens Point, WI., 13. Dakota Blakeslee, Wis. Rapids, WI., 14. Michael Sievers, Wis. Rapids, WI., 15. Kirby Kurth, Wis. Rapids, WI., 16. Jesse Pokscyk, Friendship, WI.

55 lap Feature 2: 1. Mackesy, 2. Weinfurter, 3. D. Gress, 4. M. Gress, 5. Jackson, 6. Pockscyk, 7. Kallas, 8. Stenson, 9. Nitzke, 10. Neitzke, 11. Van Dreel, 12. Kurth, 13. Blakeslee, 14. Sievers, 15. Bernhagen, 16. Henry.

CWRA Stars to Legends point standings as of 6/16/18