Full Event Results / Midwest Tour LIVE Recap
Tough Day for Brian Campbell
by Kari Shear-Carlson
May 26, 2014 – “We were running in conservation mode the first 75 and were thinking we were gonna go with about 50 to go. I don’t know what happened to him (Brian Campbell), he just dropped off there.”
“I wish we could’ve raced there until the end. I think it really would’ve been a great finish,” said a very happy Ty Majeski from victory lane.
Brian Campbell and Jason Weinkauf set the front row of the ARCA Midwest Tour presented by Scag Power Equipment Calypso Brands Lemonade Border Wars II 150 lap event at Illiana Motor Speedway this afternoon. This was the second of two combined events with the ARCA/CRA Super Series this year.
Weinkauf took the lead on lap one and the front of field quickly settled in. Battles continued in the back of the field as they race side-by-side for several laps before all settling into position.
ARCA/CRA Super Series point leader, Brian Campbell had no intentions of letting Midwest Touring Star, Jason Weinkauf out of his sights. The top five were nose to tail.
The first move of the race came when Touring Star, James Swan was looking to the inside of Touring Star, Cardell Potter for sixth. He made the pass and was looking pretty strong as he set his sights on the field ahead.
Jason Weinkauf and Brian Campbell started to pull away from the rest of the field as Weinkauf continued to set the pace. However on lap 27, it looked as though Campbell was about to make his move, but before he could make it happen, the first caution came out. Brandon Watson was off the pace on the backstretch.
The double-file restart was set as Jason Weinkauf chose the inside followed by Rookie of the Year contender, Ty Majeski and Touring Star James Swan. Campbell chose the outside lane with the #8 of Eddie Hoffman and fast qualifier, Chris Weinkauf following suit.
Jason Weinkauf led at the line, but Campbell shot to the lead in the middle of the backstretch and started to pull away. Hoffman was on the outside of Majeski and dove to the bottom of J. Weinkauf, but Weinkauf shut the door.
ARCA Midwest Tour point leader, Nathan Haseleu was smoothly moving through the field making the pass for sixth over Swan, as Campbell continued to set the pace putting a clear distance between himself and J Weinkauf.
The #97 of James Swan was smoking from the right rear and headed into the pit area to asses the situation.
On lap 42, Ali Kearn spun coming out of turn two bringing out the second caution of the day. At the restart, Campbell went to the inside followed by Majeski, Haseleu. Jason Weinkauf, Eddie Hoffman and Chris Weinkauf all went to the outside.
As the green flag dropped, Campbell maintained his lead, but it got really exciting as the top seven were three wide all fighting for the next spot. Once it all cleared out, Majeski was second followed by J. Weinkauf.
Campbell once again stretched out his lead. Hoffman was shuffled back to the sixth spot. Travis Braden had made his was up to the top five and was challenging J. Weinkauf for the third spot, but Hoffman came back and was pressuring Braden.
Braden was looking to the outside of Weinkauf, but Weinkauf shut the door so Braden dove to the inside and took over the final podium position. Hoffman then tried the inside of Weinkauf but was unable to seal the deal.
Ross Kenseth was slowly making his way through the field as he and Nathan Haseleu were challenging one another for seventh. Positions fourth through eighth were side-by-side.
As the half-way break approached, Campbell appeared to be on a “Monday” drive.
When the race restarted for the second half, Campbell decided to go to the outside leaving the inside starting spot open for Majeski. The two battled side-by-side for several laps, with Campbell having a slight advantage every time they crossed the line.
Campbell finally secured the lead and once again began to pull away a little bit. Majeski fell into second, followed by Hoffman, and Chris Weinkauf.
Ross Kenseth, Nathan Haseleu and Jonathan Eilen put on a great show all fighting for the fifth position going three wide a few times. In the end, it was Eilen talking the spot followed by Weinkauf and Kenseth for the time being.
While that action was taking place, Ty Majeski took over the lead from Brian Campbell. Campbell fell off the pace and headed to the pits with a flat tire, ending any hope for what seemingly appeared to be his day.
With Campbell out of the picture, it was Majeski and Hoffman leading the way now followed by Haseleu and Eilen.
In the end, Ty Majeski crossed the finish line in his first ever ARCA Midwest Tour and ARCA Midwest Tour and ARCA/CRA Super Series combined event.
Hoffman finished second with Eilen, after a last lap move past Haseleu, rounded out the podium.
The next event for the ARCA Midwest Tour is ARCA Fest at the Milwaukee Mile Friday-Sunday, June 6th-8th. For more information on that event, log on to www.arcafest.com
Be sure to follow the ARCA Midwest Tour on Facebook (midwesttour) and Twitter (@midwesttour).
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of America Midwest Tour, log on to arcamidwesttour.com. For questions call the ARCA Midwest Tour office at (262) 729-4111 or Tim Olson at (612) 327-5831 or Steve Einhaus (630) 212-6022 at or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@arcamidwesttour.comor Steve Einhaus at steve@arcamidwesttour.com.
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.
