Madison, WI (July 16, 2008) – Keith Steele was looking to continue his winning ways as the #229 Monster Energy Goodyear Tires Chevy Silverado headed to Bark River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Super Truck division is extremely competitive as seasoned veterans like Dan Baudoux, Ben Wandahsega, and Ross Hoek always bring their “A” game when it comes time to race.

In an effort to put on a competitive show for the fans at the track and the SPEED television cameras, race officials decided to create a “Challenge Race” between PRO-4x4 and the Super Truck divisions. The Super Trucks would get head start, determined by average lap times from practice, for the ten lap event. There was bonus money for the overall winner of the race and the winners of each division as well. This format was used Saturday and Sunday and was a big hit with the Bark River fans.

 

Round V

Keith Steele got an uncharacteristically slow start off the line. He gradually worked his way to third place by lap four, behind Baudoux, and leader Wandahsega. On lap six, the Monster Energy Chevy got around Baudoux coming out of cemetery turn for the second spot. On lap eight, Keith made a bonsai move heading into the same cemetery turn, momentarily, getting ahead of Wandahsega. Unfortunately he had too much speed, and could not make the pass stick, and Ben regained the top spot.

 

Meanwhile, PRO-4x4 racers Daughtery and Brascho were closing in on the top three Super Trucks. With three turns to go Brascho got around Keith for second over all. Then in the next turn, while looking to get around Wandasega, Brascho spins, somewhat collecting Keith with him. This allowed Baudoux to grab second place. Keith quickly recovered and finished third in the Super Truck division and fourth overall. The Brascho spin allowed Daughtery to take the PRO-4WD win.

 

Round VI

The land rush start saw the #229 Monster Energy Goodyear Tire Chevrolet come out of the first turn in fourth place. By the end of the first lap, Keith made the pass into the third spot. By lap eight, of the ten lap event, Keith had a solid lead over second place #210 Hoek. Now the only questions now on the minds of the fans was, could the PRO-4x4 trucks catch Keith and take the overall win. On Saturday, the Super Truck winner Ben Wandahsega prevailed; hopefully Keith could do the same.

 

Keith Steele did cross the line first, and was awarded all the bonus money, as Kent Brascho came home a distant second overall in his PRO 4x4.

 

At the halfway point of the season, Keith Steele now leads the WSORR Super Truck Championship by eleven points over Dan Baudoux.

 

Before packing up and heading home for Madison, Wisconsin, Keith reflected on his weekend. “The starts were tough on us this weekend, but we really had a great chassis setup for the track. Saturday we came up just short of our goal, but today we were really hooked up. The wind off the hill jump didn’t upset the Monster Energy Chevy like it did some others. The Goodyear tires work great for us and for all the competitors that race with them. The Wolverine power and J & H transmission worked flawlessly. We really weren’t concerned about the overall win and bonus money, because our goal is to win the Super Truck Championship. The extra money today will help keep our hauler well equipped for whatever happens in the final six rounds.”

 

Halfway through the WSORR race season, Keith Steele is leading the Super Truck standings by eleven points over veteran Dan Baudoux.

 

Next race for Keith Steele and his Monster Energy Chevy is July 25-26, at the Oshkosh Speedzone in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

 

Keith Steele would like to thank all its supporters, including:

Monster Energy

Goodyear Tires             Autoforms Racing Panels                      USG Sheetrock

Cash Coatings              Precision Gear                                      Wolverine Performance

J & H Transmission       Yank Torque Converters             K & N Filters

KC Hilities                     Howe Performance

 

For more information about Keith Steele visit: www.steeleoffroad.com or email: info@steeleoffroad.com

 

-Mike Reusche, marketing, MTG mike@mt-graphics.com