John Wells | May 6, 2024
(Oregon, WI) Jeff Holtz of Franksville, Wisconsin, wheeled his Chevy Silverado to victory lane in the Joe Shear Classic 36 presented by Club La Mark Midwest Truck Series main event at Madison International Speedway.
Aaron Moyer and Cody Vander Loop brought the field of twenty-seven Midwest Trucks to the green flag. Cody Vander Loop jumped out the early advantage over Moyer. On lap 3 Moyer pulled to the inside to take the lead. Brandon Reichenberger worked his way to the inside of Vander Loop on lap 5 and the two raced side by side for second while Moyer was increasing his lead out front. However, a spin on lap 8 would bring out the first caution flag of the afternoon.
Following the side by side restart, Cody Vander Loop wrestled the lead back from Moyer with Jeff Holtz traveling the high side next to Moyer for second. On lap 12, Moyer pulled inside of Vander Loop and retook the lead one lap later. Holtz pulled to the inside of Vander Loop and took the second position on lap 15. At the half-way point Moyer’s lead over Holtz had grown to three truck lengths.
With 12 laps to go Holtz was closing fast and had cut Moyer’s lead to mere inches. With the crowd rising to their feet Holtz worked to the inside of Moyer and pulled ahead with 9 laps to go with Vander Loop not going away. With seven laps to go, Holtz increased his lead to two lengths just before the caution flag came out for a spin out of turn 4.
The double file restart would find Holtz on the inside with Moyer on the outside followed by Vander Loop and Derek Doerr. On the restart Holtz chose the bottom which was almost a mistake as he was loose on entry after taking the green allowing Aaron Moyer to once again claim the front spot. Moyer would set sail and begin to grow his lead however, Holtz was able to fight back and with four laps to go found his way back to the inside of Moyer. The two traded leads with Moyer gaining a slight advantage with two laps to go.
Just when things were looking good for Moyer, disaster struck with one lap to go when he made contact with the front stretch wall coming out of turn four causing major damage and an eventual flat tire on the final lap. From there all Holtz had to do was get back to the line to claim his 3rd career Midwest Truck series victory and 1st at Madison International Speedway. Derek Doerr finished second with Chester Ace in third, Jacob Nottestad in 4th and Six08 Graphics Fast Time Pole Winner Eugene Gregorich III rounding out the top 5.
“Seemed like I passed Aaron two or three times. He got a little loose coming out of turn four otherwise I might not have caught him,” said Holtz. “I talked to my spotter after the race and we decided we probably should have picked the outside line on that last restart. It worked out though, and we will learn for next time.”
Up next for the Midwest Truck Series is the return to State Park Speedway for what may be the final time Saturday May 18. The Rib Mountain 50 is set to kick off an exciting year at State Park Speedway in Wausau, WI at the famous 1/4 bullring. Qualifying will begin at 5:15, with racing action going green at 6:30. Fans can purchase tickets at the gate day of the event.
John Wells | Midwest Truck Series
