Justin Mondeik Scores Elusive Gandrud Auto Group 250 Victory

Justin Mondeik outlasted the competition in a true battle of man and machine, capturing the checkered flag in a grueling, attrition-filled Gandrud Auto Group 250 at Wisconsin International Raceway on Tuesday night.

Mondeik took the lead from Ty Fredrickson on the final restart of the event, leading the final 10 circuits of the race. Mondeik had stayed among the front runners throughout the 250-lap contest, leading from lap 53 until lap 109.

Fredrickson dominated the second half of the race, moving into the top spot on the 153rd lap. While many competitors fell by the wayside with mechanical issues, including the likes of five-time race winner Ty Majeski and defending Gandrud Auto Group 250 winner Luke Fenhaus, Fredrickson maintained his grip on the top spot.

However, Paul Shafer, Jr. hit the outside wall exiting turn four with 19 laps to go after an issue on his No. 7 car, bringing out the yellow flag and erasing Fredrickson's advantage over Mondeik and the rest of the field. The caution flag flew again on the ensuing restart for a Cody VanderLoop spin.

On the final restart, Mondeik muscled past Fredrickson to claim the win and a spot on the list of historic winners in the Gandrud Auto Group 250.

"We had a really good car all day," said Mondeik in victory lane. "I can't thank my crew enough. I knew we were good on the longer run. I knew we had a little bit of a tire advantage on the 36 there. Not much. I knew I had to get really good restarts.

"It's amazing. To be a two-time winner of the Detjens [Memorial] winner at State Park and to have those marquee wins. We definitely circle on some of these. I'm really happy to bring this home. I'm speechless."

Fredrickson left Tuesday night frustrated with contact with Mondeik's approach to the final two restarts and contact between the two drivers after settling for a second-place finish.

"The race was kind of over with 20 to go in my mind," Fredrickson mused. "Not really, but I was kind of just managing the gap. I knew we were a little bit better than the 44. Last two restarts, he jumped it and the last one, he stuffed me in teh fence. If that's how he wants to race, that's alright. I'll be back doing more races and I'll keep winning.

"We're really good. Should have been in victory lane tonight, but I wasn't. Next time, I'll try to be a little bit better."

Penn Sauter was in position to join grandfather Jim Sauter and father Johnny Sauter on the list of Gandrud Auto Group 250 winners. However, a missed shift on a restart hurt his chances, and the Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist rounded out the podium.

"I missed a shift," said Sauter. "We had a really good car. We saved our tires until about, I'd say, 80 to go. We just managed the race really well, I thought. Just a couple of my mistakes, really, is what screwed us. Overall, a really good night for points and everything else.

"We had a really fast car at the Nationals. We had a really fast car at the Shear, didn't come away with that one. Keep chipping away at it, and we'll get a win one of these times."

Riley Stenjem finished fourth, with Gabe Sommers rounding out the top five.

Gandrud Auto Group 250 Unofficial Results