Kenseth takes Lead: Matt Kenseth goes on the inside of Dean Cornelius to take the lead at Wisconsin All-Star 50 with Matt Kenseth at The Milwaukee Mile. (Ron Erstad photo)
KENSETH CAPTURES WIN AT THE MILWAUKEE MILE
By: Kevin Ramsell
Sunday, August 26, 2007 (West Allis, WI) – Matt Kenseth made his return visit to The Milwaukee Mile a successful one as he held off 36 other competitors to win the Wisconsin All-Star 50 with Matt Kenseth event. It was Kenseth’s first win at America’s Legendary Oval.
Earlier in the day, Kenseth qualified his Pathfinder Chassis prepared Ford Fusion to a new track record of 29.241 seconds (123.114 mph) that was set last year by Nate Haseleu, who set the mark at 29.260 seconds (123.035 mph). A total of 38 cars took qualified for the main event.
The top eight in qualifying were inverted for the start. Chris Weinkauf and Dean Cornelius led the field to Tom Powell’s green flag. At the break, it was Cornelius pacing the field.
Kenseth, who started eighth quickly worked his way to the front and was up to second place by lap 8. Cornelius jumped out to almost a half a straightaway lead over Kenseth.
Kenseth was slowly gaining on Cornelius, but lap traffic allowed Kenseth to catch Cornelius. The two raced side-by-side for the lead as the halfway signal was given at the start finish line. As the two went into turn one, Kenseth took the lead on the inside of Cornelius and began to pull away. A crowd of over 14,000 erupted in cheers as Kenseth cruised down the backstretch.
Kenseth would go on to a near five second victory over Cornelius and take home his first ever win at The Milwaukee Mile. Dan Fredrickson made a late race pass to get around Jesse Saunders for third. Jeremy Lepak rounded out the top five.
Defending champion, Nate Haseleu was sixth with Steve Carlson in seventh. Steve Holzhausen finished eighth and Josh Bauer was ninth. Brian Johnson Jr. rounded out the top-ten.
“It was fun to come here and race with the guys I used to race a lot with like Steve Carlson and Steve Holzhausen,” Kenseth stated in victory lane after the race.
“We know he was coming, we kind of were expecting him to come,” Cornelius stated after the race. “Once he caught me, I knew we were racing for second, we couldn’t hang on to what he had. We will take this home as a win.”
OFFICIAL FINISH
1. Matt Kenseth, Cambridge, WI; 2. Dean Cornelius, Chaska, MN; 3. Dan Fredrickson, Lakeville, MN; 4. Jesse Saunders, New Glarus, WI; 5. Jeremy Lepak, Wausau, WI; 6. Nathan Haseleu, Marshall, WI; 7. Steve Carlson, West Salem, WI; 8. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, WI; 9. Josh Bauer, Random Lake, WI; 10. Brian Johnson Jr., Roscoe, IL
11. Dan Lensing, Rockton, IL; 12. Dennis Prunty; Lomira, WI; 13. Frank Kreyer, Pardeeville, WI; 14. Andy Hanson, Lilo Lakes, MN; 15. Mark Eswein, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; 16. Chris Weinkauf, Merrill, WI; 17. Kyle Calmes, Freedom, WI; 18. Brandon Hill, Lake Geneva, WI; 19. Todd Stapleman, Wautoma, WI; 20. Eugene Gregorich, Jr., Kewaunee, WI.
21. Jacob Humphrey, Lake Geneva, WI; 22. John Meidam, Appleton, WI; 23. Jeff Cannon, Kauts, IN; 24. Brad Keith, West Bend, WI; 25. Gregg Ruffalo, Plainfield, WI; 26. Dillon Kralovetz, Bonduel, WI; 27. Jay VanderGeest, Merrill, WI; 28. Ben Pettis, Eau Claire, WI; 29. Dale Prunty, Allenton, WI; 30. Len Nowasel, Greyslake, IL.
31. Brett Widdis, Manistique, MI; 32. Eddie Hoffman, Wheaton, IL; 33. Don Turner, LaCrosse, WI; 34. Kelly Bires, Mauston, WI; 35. Dexter Bean, Westby, WI; 36. Chris Wimmer, Wausau, WI; 37. Jeff Storm, East Troy, WI
DNS: Brett Piontek, Green Bay, WI
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