From Tyler Altmeyer | Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1
ROSSBURG, Ohio (September 23, 2023) - The 2023 Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 championship chase came down to the wire, literally, but when the dust settled Saturday night at the “World’s Greatest Dirt Track,” Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, it was Rudeen Racing’s Zeb Wise who came out on top, not only earning a 4-Crown Nationals title, but ultimately, an All Star team championship for Rudeen Racing. In addition, the Eldora Speedway win was a first-ever for the Angola, Indiana, native, chased to the line by championship rival and fellow Hoosier, Tyler Courtney.
The final championship margin of victory was just eight markers over Clauson Marshall Racing and Tyler Courtney; the closest battle in All Star history.
“Eldora Speedway is awesome…I love coming here,” Zeb Wise, ace of the Rudeen Racing/Sundollar Restoration/Rayce Rudeen Foundation/No. 26 sprint car, said. “I really, really can’t say enough about the four guys standing behind me. I’m just so proud of this team. Kevin and Monika Rudeen have wanted an All Star championship for the last few years. I’m glad we were able to earn it for them. They pour their heart and soul into this race team.”
Although he was there at the end, it was not until lap six when Wise first battled into a podium spot, working by Kokomo, Indiana’s Parker Price-Miller and Apollo, Pennsylvania’s Sye Lynch to drive ahead from fifth in the running order. Early race leader, “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney, was next on Wise’s hit list, battling side-by-side with the Clauson Marshall Racing entry on laps 15 and 16 before solidifying the runner-up spot the following circuit.
A dramatic finish, at that, Wise led only the last four laps at Eldora Speedway, inheriting command after mid-race leader, Rico Abreu, made contact with the turn four retaining wall. The St. Helena, California, native and Befour the Crowns Showdown champion suffered too much damage and was unable to continue.
Once the lone restart finally commenced, the final four circuits were a breeze for Wise, racing off to a $10,000 4-Crown Nationals payday, and an $80,000 team championship for Rudeen Racing.
“I’ve had to work really hard to get better at this place,” Wise continued. “I’m now really comfortable with racing up near the top..right up against the wall. I’ve watched a lot of videos of Tyler [Courtney] and Rico [Abreu]. Just trying to do whatever it took to get better. Thank you so much, Ford Performance for making such an incredible engine. I’m not sure I’d be standing here without it.”
ON DECK:
The Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 will continue, and conclude, their 2023 campaign with the rescheduled Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, October 5. The one-night showstopper will award a $60,000 top prize; the richest payday on the All Star trail.
Tezos A Feature (30 Laps):
1. 26-Zeb Wise[5]; 2. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[2]; 3. 42-Sye Lynch[9]; 4. 9P-Parker Price Miller[1]; 5. 23-Cale Thomas[3]; 6. 13-Justin Peck[10]; 7. 88-Austin McCarl[11]; 8. 11-Cory Eliason[7]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson[20]; 10. 5T-Ryan Timms[6]; 11. 21-Brian Brown[12]; 12. 9R-Chase Randall[8]; 13. 8-Aaron Reutzel[21]; 14. 9-Kasey Kahne[14]; 15. 45-Kyle Reinhardt[23]; 16. 50YR-JJ Hickle[13]; 17. 70-Kraig Kinser[19]; 18. 4-Chris Windom[15]; 19. 16THH-Kevin Thomas Jr[18]; 20. 19-Ayrton Gennetten[24]; 21. 6G-Garet Williamson[16]; 22. (DNF) 29-Carl Bowser; 23. (DNF) 24-Rico Abreu[4]; 24. (DNF) 21H-Brady Bacon[17] LAP LEADERS: Tyler Courtney (1-8), Rico Abreu (9-26), Zeb Wise (27-30)
2023 All Star Circuit of Champions OWNER Standings | FINAL
Rudeen Racing - 5500
Clauson Marshall Racing - 5492
Vermeer Motorsports - 5320
Lane Racing - 5170
Bryan Grove Racing - 5052
Seeling Motorsports - 4658
Bill McCandless Ford - 4646
D3 Motorsports Group - 4270
Premier Motorsports - 3172
2023 All Star Circuit of Champions DRIVER Standings | FINAL
Zeb Wise - 5390
Chris Windom - 5170
Tyler Courtney - 4689
Sye Lynch - 4474
Conner Morrell - 4270
J.J. Hickle - 4182
Tim Shaffer - 4030
Parker Price-Miller - 2986
Kerry Madsen - 2934
Zeth Sabo - 2564
See the latest from the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1:
Photo's: All Star Circuit of Champions | Paul Arch
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