Gosek spins, then comes from tail to win MSA Non Wing Challenge
Recap and Photos by Todd Ridgeway
MSA PR
Veteran driver Joe Gosek shares the winners circle with this MSA young fan at Sandusky (OH) Speedway after he captured the
MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race. This was Joe's second triumph at this event, he won in 2009
Veteran Supermodified shoe Joe Gosek made the 400 mile tow and seven hour drive pay off as he
sailed to the front of the MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race at Sandusky (OH)
Speedway, after spinning at the mid point of the event, and hung on winning in convincing style.
This was the second time Gosek has won the MSA annual event as he also took the checkers in
2009. Gosek was one of three drivers that broke the Sandusky track record in qualifying for non
wing supermodifieds and started seventh in the 50 lap main event. With just 15 laps to go Gosek
made the late race pass on the outside going into turn one of then leader Tim Ice to secure the
victory.
Brandon Fisher and, the most recent winner on the MSA trail, Trent Stephens would bring the field
to the drop of the green to get the marathon going. A restart would be ordered as the cars fell out of
position well before the starting point. The second attempt was the charm as Stephens got a big
start and rocketed into turn one sweeping down to the inside and easily coming off turn two with
the lead as Fisher dropped in second and the rest of the field scattered in battles for position.
However, Stephens lead was short lived as at the ten lap point Oswego invader Michael Barnes
wrestled his way to the inside and got by Stephens to take over the lead. Meanwhile the May
Motorsports teammates of Tim Ice and Charlie Schultz moved into third and fourth as fast qualifier
D J Shullick Jr. rounded out the top five. The first caution would fly when Shullick Jr.’s mount came
to a stop on track. A quick push back to the pit area and the field was realigned going back under
the green flag. Just a short time later Gosek would loop his car in a spin in turn two while racing
Schultz for the fourth position and was relegated to the tail for the insuring restart. As the action at
mid pack was heating up the front two had checked out but was battling as well. With just 18 laps
to go they would make contact as Stephens would bounce off the wall and Barnes would sail off
turn three. This brought out a red flag as the track crew had work to do, both front runner Barnes
and Stephens where done for the night and on the hook. Now with 18 laps to go suddenly last
years winner Ice found himself in the top position with his teammate breathing down his headers.
Moe Lilje was now scored in third and Gosek had recovered to move back into the fourth slot,
clearly the fastest car on the track. Once the race went green it took just one lap for Gosek to
dispose of Lilje, and the very next he went right on by Schultz. Ice was not as easy but once he
caught up to the leader it did not take long. The only thing that prolonged the lead change was an
untimely yellow flag just after Gosek took the point. Putting the field back to the way they where
running at the last completed lap before the yellow the green would fly. And just like that Gosek
went to the top and bingo, right to the front sweeping past Ice and laying down a fire trail to the
checkers as he was clearly the class of the field. Ice, Schultz, Lilje, and Fisher rounded out the top
five.
Recap and Photos by Todd Ridgeway
MSA PR
Veteran driver Joe Gosek shares the winners circle with this MSA young fan at Sandusky (OH) Speedway after he captured the
MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race. This was Joe's second triumph at this event, he won in 2009
Veteran Supermodified shoe Joe Gosek made the 400 mile tow and seven hour drive pay off as he
sailed to the front of the MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race at Sandusky (OH)
Speedway, after spinning at the mid point of the event, and hung on winning in convincing style.
This was the second time Gosek has won the MSA annual event as he also took the checkers in
2009. Gosek was one of three drivers that broke the Sandusky track record in qualifying for non
wing supermodifieds and started seventh in the 50 lap main event. With just 15 laps to go Gosek
made the late race pass on the outside going into turn one of then leader Tim Ice to secure the
victory.
Brandon Fisher and, the most recent winner on the MSA trail, Trent Stephens would bring the field
to the drop of the green to get the marathon going. A restart would be ordered as the cars fell out of
position well before the starting point. The second attempt was the charm as Stephens got a big
start and rocketed into turn one sweeping down to the inside and easily coming off turn two with
the lead as Fisher dropped in second and the rest of the field scattered in battles for position.
However, Stephens lead was short lived as at the ten lap point Oswego invader Michael Barnes
wrestled his way to the inside and got by Stephens to take over the lead. Meanwhile the May
Motorsports teammates of Tim Ice and Charlie Schultz moved into third and fourth as fast qualifier
D J Shullick Jr. rounded out the top five. The first caution would fly when Shullick Jr.’s mount came
to a stop on track. A quick push back to the pit area and the field was realigned going back under
the green flag. Just a short time later Gosek would loop his car in a spin in turn two while racing
Schultz for the fourth position and was relegated to the tail for the insuring restart. As the action at
mid pack was heating up the front two had checked out but was battling as well. With just 18 laps
to go they would make contact as Stephens would bounce off the wall and Barnes would sail off
turn three. This brought out a red flag as the track crew had work to do, both front runner Barnes
and Stephens where done for the night and on the hook. Now with 18 laps to go suddenly last
years winner Ice found himself in the top position with his teammate breathing down his headers.
Moe Lilje was now scored in third and Gosek had recovered to move back into the fourth slot,
clearly the fastest car on the track. Once the race went green it took just one lap for Gosek to
dispose of Lilje, and the very next he went right on by Schultz. Ice was not as easy but once he
caught up to the leader it did not take long. The only thing that prolonged the lead change was an
untimely yellow flag just after Gosek took the point. Putting the field back to the way they where
running at the last completed lap before the yellow the green would fly. And just like that Gosek
went to the top and bingo, right to the front sweeping past Ice and laying down a fire trail to the
checkers as he was clearly the class of the field. Ice, Schultz, Lilje, and Fisher rounded out the top
five.
9/19/11
Joe Gosek (00) got a head of steam and sailed around defending race winner Tim Ice (71) at Sandusky (OH) Speedway in the
MSA/Oswego non wing challenge race late in the going and hung on to secure the win.
“We had a better car at the end then we did in the beginning,” stated Gosek. “We really fell
behind; the car was really slipping and sliding. I don’t know, then I spun it out because it was so
free and lose. Then we had the red flag and I was hoping something would change with the stager
because the tires shrink and cool. I was just thinking maybe it will do something different. And then
after the red it was a whole new car, unbelievable. Then it would run the outside, which I like to do
here. But, we got it done; I didn’t think I really had a chance. I just stuck the car up there in turns
one and two on the restart and by the time we got to three I was clear. From there I just tried to be
smooth and consistent,” finished the happy winner.
Runner up Ice noted, “I was getting tight. Then when Joe went by I saw his line and moved up
there and the car freed up. Early I could run with those guys up front, but I backed off they where
being pretty dicey. I don’t know, Joe was just good,” finished Ice.
During post race inspection Lilje was moved into the third position after a disqualification. “I did
not get a real good start, I got drug to the back a little bit,” started Lilje. “I just stayed clean and had
some things fall my way as I moved into fourth. I won my heat race but I never pushed the car for all
it was worth. I wanted to save the tires for the 50 laps. But, I brought it home with all four wheels on
the ground and we will go onto next week. The future looks great in this car; we actually plan to
build a new one for next year. Everything is working out great, The Reed Team is really good with
me, I appreciate all the guys, they work hard,” finished Lilje.
Brandon Fisher (12) and Moe Lilje (2) brought the field to the green flag for the start of the 50 lap non wing
MSA feature race at Sandusky.
The heat winners included Lilje and Barnes. Shullick Jr. set fast time with a 15.938 and new track
record for non wing supermodified cars. The race itself was slowed by just four caution flags.
September 24 at Sandusky Speedway will be the final race of the 2011 MSA campaign and the
series Champion will be crowned. Due to a post race inspection infraction the No. 7 car of Schultz
was disqualified and Lilje moved up to third with Fisher fourth and Bobby Dawson moved into the
fifth slot.
Moe Lilje in his office and off to work at Sandusky (OH) Speedway in MSA action
Drivers Trent Stephens (L) and D J Shullick Jr. (R) talk Supermodifieds in the Sandusky (OH) pit area
prior to the start of the non wing MSA race.