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Win #2 for Mellenberndt! 05/24/2010 Mellenberndt is off to a great start with the Heartland Racing Association traditional non-winged sprint cars putting the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 to victory lane for the second time of the year this past Friday at Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Starting out the evening, Bret took the lead coming out of turn two of the first lap of the heat race and never looked back. He kept the car up front with no one contesting, winning his third heat race of the year. “Our car was just about perfect for the heat,” explains Bret. “We had to adjust our fueling after our hot lap session, but we made the right changes and the car was great.” Bret had to start near the rear of the field at 12th for the start of the 15 lap main event, but following a red flag restart, Bret quickly began moving through the field. Mellenberndt moved into fourth pretty quickly running the high line of the speedway, which gave just enough time for the top three to get about a straightaway ahead of the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97. As Bret put his elbows up and began to reel in the top three to about a 5-6 car length gap, the caution flag flew bunching up the pack. After that it was all Mellenberndt, and with about 4 or 5 laps to go, Bret took the lead and kept the car up front, nailing down his second feature win of the year. “The car was very close,” says Bret. “We were a little looser than anticipated due to the track slicking off a little more than we thought, but we just kept putting the car where the others weren’t and moved forward. We are very happy with how the night went; it is always good to make it to victory lane!” Be sure to follow Mellenberndt through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com and also be sure to sign the guestbook to let him know that you stopped by! Special Thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, RE Technologies, Dri-Bar, Schroeder Racing Components and Driver Websites.
Mellenberndt Wins at Rocky! First Win of 2010… 05/17/2010 It was all Mellenberndt at Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa this past Friday in the Heartland Racing Association traditional non-winged sprint series. The speedway had nearly 100 cars in the infield as they were holding their first 410 Outlaw Sprint show, but Sioux Falls native, Bret Mellenberndt was the one to watch from the stands. He started on the pole of the heat race in which he was able to keep his Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 at the front of the pack, taking the Rapid Speedway season opener heat race. “The car was a little tight,” says the veteran non-wing driver. “But, we were still pretty quick and we gained a lot this past week working on the fueling system. The car was fast…I can’t complain about that at all!” He started in the middle of the 19 car field on the inside of the sixth row for the beginning of the main event and quickly moved to the front of the field, taking the lead around lap five. After a long caution flag and restart, Bret kept the lead and capped off the Rapid Speedway season opener with his first win of the year. “The long yellow was a little frustrating,” explains Bret. “But we were able to keep the lead and put the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels back in victory lane once again. We have won at this place quite often and we were very confident going into tonight’s show. Then having this car working perfectly and the motor running the best it ever has, I knew right after the heat race that we were going to have a great night!” Keep in tune with Bret throughout the 2010 season via his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com. Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, RE Technologies, Dri-Bar, Schroeder Racing Components and Driver Websites.
Bret Mellenberndt Sits Second with HRA Season Open 05/10/2010 Non-wing Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota traveled the short distance to I-90 Speedway in Hartford this past Saturday for the Heartland Racing Association season opener. The HRA season opener was scheduled for this past Friday, but due to the rain and cold weather, the race was canceled and moved to I-90. Mellenberndt started on the pole for the heat race to start out the evening and lead the race from flag to flag, holding off the #25 of Dylan Peterson. “The car felt pretty good,” says Bret. “We were just a touch tight, but we were still fast enough to hold off the second place driver. The track was very fast, and it was a lot of fun to get out there and be up front to start out the season!” Starting on the inside of the third row for the 15 lap main event, Bret quickly made it to third behind Dylan Peterson. The track was fairly heavy, so it was all about momentum. Bret kept on the tail of the Peterson machine and it wasn’t until the very last corner in which Mellenberndt was able to overcome the second spot. “Everyone was really fast tonight,” explains Mellenberndt. “It is good to see all of the cars show up here tonight and with the 17 cars that did, all of them were quick, and that’s fun to see! We will do our homework and be ready for next week at Rock Rapids’ we have been very successful at that place, so we feel pretty confident going into that event.” Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, and Driver Websites.
Mellenberndt Travels to Eldora, Race is Cancelled 04/05/2010 Sioux Falls, South Dakota native Bret Mellenberndt was all geared up to race the USAC National Sprint Car event that was to be held this past Friday and Saturday at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, but once he and the team arrived, the track was not ready to be raced on. He was able to have one hot lap session, but the track was just not ready for action; it was dry slick to a point in which you couldn’t see. The officials attempted to work the track in after the first session of hot laps, but after another hot lap session it just wasn’t going to work. Despite extensive and lengthy track preparation effort’s the Friday’s “Coca-Cola Spring Classic” USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car race was cancelled. Saturday’s scheduled event was also cancelled due to weather. “We love this racetrack,” explains Mellenberndt, “But it just wasn’t safe to race on and I am very glad the officials made the decision they did to cancel the Friday night show. We drove a long ways to race with the USAC cars, but I guess we’ll have to hit them up in a couple weeks in Gas City!” If Bret makes the 13 hour travel to Indiana in 2 weeks you will see the Sioux City Truck & Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 at Gas City on the 16th followed by a Lawrenceburg event on Saturday finishing with Kokomo on Sunday. Keep in tune with Bret this year through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for that latest news and schedule updates will be updated regularly. Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.
Bret Mellenberndt is BACK! Starting with, Tucson… 03/05/2010 Everybody remembers the black number 97 out of Sioux Falls, SD who traveled back and forth from the near non-existing non-wing sprint car world of South Dakota to the heart of wingless sprints in Indiana every weekend for the better of 2008. Then throughout 2009 the pilot of the Sioux City Truck & Trailer #97, Bret Mellenberndt, didn’t travel as much, staying around home and racing with the Heartland Racing Association in Rock Rapids, IA in a wingless 360 sprint class. “We took some time off of traveling last year,” explains Bret, “We had some great help around home and it was hard finding people to go with us each and every weekend to Indiana. So we simply decided to race around home.” This year will be different for Mellenberndt Racing as Bret and the gang all ready traveled to USA Raceway in Tucson, AR for a USAC National Sprint Car show. February 19th’s Tucson opener was the first time Bret sat in the seat of a 410 non-winged sprint car for over a year, but that lack of time in the car didn’t slow him down any. Bret qualified 9th quick out of the 40 cars that entered. Starting fourth in the heat race, right after the officials just worked the race track, Mellenberndt dropped back to sixth just missing the transfer into the anticipated Main Event. Bret started inside the second row in the Semi and dropped just one spot to transfer into the Main Event that was held on the 21st. “We felt really good going into the main,” explains the Sioux Falls native, “We knew the car was close and all I needed to do was drive.” Bret started ninth in the main and was racing inside the top ten for the first nine laps of the 40 lap event. Then coming out of the fourth turn going into the 10th lap, the right front shock broke putting a dreadful end to the first night of the year. Bret stayed on the bottom of the track with his broken car and fell back to 16th by the time the checkered flag flew. “All in all I am happy with the night,” says Mellenberndt. “We had a strong qualifying run and everything was lining up to be a great weekend. But, we all have those nights when it just wasn’t meant to be. Once my shock broke, it was pretty much over. But, we’ll take the momentum we gained and force it on to the next show in Vegas!” Vegas was another story for Mellenberndt Racing. In the last set of the group qualifying that USAC displays, Bret put a 28th quick time on the board which lined him on the outside of the eight row for the heat. “The times were slowing down since the first qualifying run,” says Bret, “So I knew we weren’t going to be there. The track was very dry and we were just doing what we could.” Mellenberndt found a grove in the middle of the Vegas half-mile that worked for the Sioux City Truck & Trailer #97 and muscled from last to fourth in the heat guaranteeing a spot in the main. He started in the back of the Main and raced up to 19th on the slippery dry slick racetrack. “We tried some new things on the car since we were starting so far back,” explains Bret. “Some things worked and some didn’t. But we learned what does and doesn’t with our car on this type of track, so overall the night was a success!” Keep in tune with Bret this year through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for that latest news and schedule updates will be updated regularly. Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.
Western World Championship and '08 Season Review 11/10/2008 USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD finishes out the season this past weekend at Manzanita Speedway with the Western World Championship. It was a two-day show for Mellenberndt at the famed Manzanita Speedway and Bret went there with great expectations as for last February he set quick time. With Sprint Car veteran Rick Ferkel and long time sprint racer Doug Martens on his side, Bret qualified in the top half of the field at 27th out of the 65 others and started the first heat race on the second row. Bret fell back at the start, but raced his way up to the number 6 spot just two spots outside the transfer position. Mellenberndt then had to run the Semi in which the sixth row was where he was to start. Passing 5 cars throughout the Semi, Bret finished 7th and unfortunately missed the transfer into the Preliminary Main Event for the two-day show at Manzanita. The Mellenberndt Team utilized the first night of the weekend as a trial to get the team set up for the final show on Saturday. Taking the points earned from Friday’s event, set Bret to start on the second row of the “C” Main. An unfortunate yellow flag was thrown with only two laps to go and Bret realized the rear tire was going down on the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis. He decided to swing into the work area and change the tire and come back out for the restart at the tail of the field. But, with only two laps to go, Bret ran out of time and did not make the transfer. “Overall the weekend went well, explains Bret, we had a new team going into Manzanita and the car was good pretty much all weekend, but just wasn’t quite good enough.” “We had a very respectful season this year, mentions Bret, we were more consistent than any other year I’ve raced and we had all the right equipment to win races, but we just weren’t consistent with the team. We struggled finding the right help and putting forth the time needed to conduct a ‘race winning’ program. I can’t wait for next year, I learned a lot this year and we just have to find the right help and stick with each other for the entire season. If we can do that, you will see the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis in victory lane!” Bret would like to thank all of the fans and supporters that stuck with him in 2008 and would also like to give a special thanks to Doug Martens, Rick Ferkel, Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.
Mellenberndt Heads to Phoenix! 11/03/2008 USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD is on his way to Phoenix, AZ to cap off the 2008 Season for Mellenberndt Racing. Bret will be racing this Friday and Saturday night on the Historical ½ mile of Manzanita Speedway along side the rest of the USAC National Drivers. Mellenberndt is going into the weekend feeling very confident; last February of this year Bret set quick time on the second night and finished in the top ten at eighth. Bret will also be accompanied by Rick Ferkel to help out on the team along with long time racer Doug Martens. Be sure to keep up with Bret on his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all the results from the Manzanita Speedway Double Header. Special Thanks to Doug Martens, Rick Ferkel, Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.
Mellenberndt Gets Ready for the West Coast Run 10/13/2008 USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD stayed home this past weekend to get another car ready to rock for the upcoming races in Phoenix, AZ. The racing at Manzanita Speedway begins with a USAC sanctioned two-day event on the 7th and 8th of November. The plans are uncertain in the Mellenberndt Shop on whether or not they will be racing with the ASCS Canyon Series on the 1/3 mile track the same weekend or if they will be heading out to Perris, CA for two USAC/CRA events on the 15th and 29th of November. The Mellenberndt Team would like to give a special thanks to all the fans and supporters of Mellenberndt Racing including: Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites. Be sure to follow Bret through the team website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all the latest news and results that will be coming up here in just a couple weeks.
Gas City & Lawrenceburg Re-cap for Mellenberndt 10/06/2008 USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD starts last weekend out in Gas City, Indiana. Mellenberndt started the heat race in the number three spot and fell back a few positions early in the race, but throughout the contest, Bret was able to muscle back up to third and makes the transfer into the Main Event. Bret started way back in the 18th position for Gas City’s 30 Lap Main Event. He raced his way through the field and into the top ten when with only two laps to go, another competitor jumped the right rear tire of the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis tipping himself over and causing Bret’s tire to go flat. Over the red the Mellenberndt Team was able to change the tire and restart at the tail end of the lineup. Bret then raced back up to the 18th spot to finish out the evening. Following Gas City, it was time for the high banks of Lawrenceburg. Bret started eighth in the Heat Race and made his way up to sixth just outside of the transfer spot for the Main Event. Mellenberndt then had to run the Semi and starting 10th, Bret raced up to sixth on the heavy, non-passing racetrack, but it was not quite enough to transfer into the Main. Bret and the gang will be heading back to Sioux Falls for the week to get everything ready to rock for the West Coast swing coming up here at the end of October. Be sure to keep a tight eye on Bret through his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all of his latest press releases and results. Special Thanks to Mike Dutcher, Andy Anderson, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.
Mellenberndt Races Illinois Followed by Haubstadt 09/29/2008 USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD takes the team out to Jacksonville, Illinois this past Friday for a non-sanctioned event. Bret’s qualifying skills shine once again as he was able to put the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis 4th quick out of a field of 40 plus. Racing towards the front in the heat race, Bret’s left rear tire went flat and Bret was sent to the ‘B’ Main. The rules were changed throughout the evening as Bret was suppose to line up in the ‘B’ Main based of his qualifying efforts, but with the inconsistency of the officiating, Bret had to line up at the rear of the field. Unfortunately, Mellenberndt was unable to make the transfer to the Main Event. After Jacksonville, it was time to roll out to Haubstadt, Indiana for a MSCS sanctioned event. Bret started the Heat Race in the third position and raced in that final transfer spot throughout most of the race until Bret spun with just two laps to go while racing hard against another competitor. Lining back up for the restart at the tail end, Mellenberndt attempted to charge up to that precious third spot, but fell short and had to run the ‘C’ Main. Bret led the ‘C’ until his throttle stuck and even with the throttle issues, Bret still managed to finish second and transfer into the ‘B’ Main. Mellenberndt started at the tail end of the field in the ‘B’ and had to make it to the number 5 spot to guarantee him a starting position in the Main. Bret raced all the way up to the 6th position and fell just one spot short of the transfer. The Mellenberndt Team will be staying out in Indiana this week to prepare themselves for the upcoming show in Gas City this coming Friday followed by a $10,000 to win MSCS event held in Lawrenceburg, Indiana the following evening. Be sure to follow Bret through his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all of his latest results and press releases. Special Thanks to Mike Dutcher, Andy Anderson, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

Win #2 for Mellenberndt!

05/24/2010

Mellenberndt is off to a great start with the Heartland Racing Association traditional non-winged sprint cars putting the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 to victory lane for the second time of the year this past Friday at Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Starting out the evening, Bret took the lead coming out of turn two of the first lap of the heat race and never looked back. He kept the car up front with no one contesting, winning his third heat race of the year.
“Our car was just about perfect for the heat,” explains Bret. “We had to adjust our fueling after our hot lap session, but we made the right changes and the car was great.”

Bret had to start near the rear of the field at 12th for the start of the 15 lap main event, but following a red flag restart, Bret quickly began moving through the field. Mellenberndt moved into fourth pretty quickly running the high line of the speedway, which gave just enough time for the top three to get about a straightaway ahead of the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97.

As Bret put his elbows up and began to reel in the top three to about a 5-6 car length gap, the caution flag flew bunching up the pack. After that it was all Mellenberndt, and with about 4 or 5 laps to go, Bret took the lead and kept the car up front, nailing down his second feature win of the year.

“The car was very close,” says Bret. “We were a little looser than anticipated due to the track slicking off a little more than we thought, but we just kept putting the car where the others weren’t and moved forward. We are very happy with how the night went; it is always good to make it to victory lane!”

Be sure to follow Mellenberndt through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com and also be sure to sign the guestbook to let him know that you stopped by!

Special Thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, RE Technologies, Dri-Bar, Schroeder Racing Components and Driver Websites.

Mellenberndt Wins at Rocky! First Win of 2010…

05/17/2010

It was all Mellenberndt at Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa this past Friday in the Heartland Racing Association traditional non-winged sprint series. The speedway had nearly 100 cars in the infield as they were holding their first 410 Outlaw Sprint show, but Sioux Falls native, Bret Mellenberndt was the one to watch from the stands.

He started on the pole of the heat race in which he was able to keep his Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 at the front of the pack, taking the Rapid Speedway season opener heat race.

“The car was a little tight,” says the veteran non-wing driver. “But, we were still pretty quick and we gained a lot this past week working on the fueling system. The car was fast…I can’t complain about that at all!”

He started in the middle of the 19 car field on the inside of the sixth row for the beginning of the main event and quickly moved to the front of the field, taking the lead around lap five. After a long caution flag and restart, Bret kept the lead and capped off the Rapid Speedway season opener with his first win of the year.

“The long yellow was a little frustrating,” explains Bret. “But we were able to keep the lead and put the Sioux City Truck and Trailer Keizer Wheels back in victory lane once again. We have won at this place quite often and we were very confident going into tonight’s show. Then having this car working perfectly and the motor running the best it ever has, I knew right after the heat race that we were going to have a great night!”

Keep in tune with Bret throughout the 2010 season via his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com.

Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, RE Technologies, Dri-Bar, Schroeder Racing Components and Driver Websites.

Bret Mellenberndt Sits Second with HRA Season Open

05/10/2010

Non-wing Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota traveled the short distance to I-90 Speedway in Hartford this past Saturday for the Heartland Racing Association season opener.

The HRA season opener was scheduled for this past Friday, but due to the rain and cold weather, the race was canceled and moved to I-90.

Mellenberndt started on the pole for the heat race to start out the evening and lead the race from flag to flag, holding off the #25 of Dylan Peterson.

“The car felt pretty good,” says Bret. “We were just a touch tight, but we were still fast enough to hold off the second place driver. The track was very fast, and it was a lot of fun to get out there and be up front to start out the season!”
Starting on the inside of the third row for the 15 lap main event, Bret quickly made it to third behind Dylan Peterson. The track was fairly heavy, so it was all about momentum. Bret kept on the tail of the Peterson machine and it wasn’t until the very last corner in which Mellenberndt was able to overcome the second spot.

“Everyone was really fast tonight,” explains Mellenberndt. “It is good to see all of the cars show up here tonight and with the 17 cars that did, all of them were quick, and that’s fun to see! We will do our homework and be ready for next week at Rock Rapids’ we have been very successful at that place, so we feel pretty confident going into that event.”

Mellenberndt Travels to Eldora, Race is Cancelled

04/05/2010

Sioux Falls, South Dakota native Bret Mellenberndt was all geared up to race the USAC National Sprint Car event that was to be held this past Friday and Saturday at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, but once he and the team arrived, the track was not ready to be raced on.

He was able to have one hot lap session, but the track was just not ready for action; it was dry slick to a point in which you couldn’t see. The officials attempted to work the track in after the first session of hot laps, but after another hot lap session it just wasn’t going to work.

Despite extensive and lengthy track preparation effort’s the Friday’s “Coca-Cola Spring Classic” USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car race was cancelled.
Saturday’s scheduled event was also cancelled due to weather.

“We love this racetrack,” explains Mellenberndt, “But it just wasn’t safe to race on and I am very glad the officials made the decision they did to cancel the Friday night show. We drove a long ways to race with the USAC cars, but I guess we’ll have to hit them up in a couple weeks in Gas City!”

If Bret makes the 13 hour travel to Indiana in 2 weeks you will see the Sioux City Truck & Trailer Keizer Wheels #97 at Gas City on the 16th followed by a Lawrenceburg event on Saturday finishing with Kokomo on Sunday.

Keep in tune with Bret this year through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for that latest news and schedule updates will be updated regularly.

Special thanks to: Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

Bret Mellenberndt is BACK! Starting with, Tucson…

03/05/2010

Everybody remembers the black number 97 out of Sioux Falls, SD who traveled back and forth from the near non-existing non-wing sprint car world of South Dakota to the heart of wingless sprints in Indiana every weekend for the better of 2008. Then throughout 2009 the pilot of the Sioux City Truck & Trailer #97, Bret Mellenberndt, didn’t travel as much, staying around home and racing with the Heartland Racing Association in Rock Rapids, IA in a wingless 360 sprint class.

“We took some time off of traveling last year,” explains Bret, “We had some great help around home and it was hard finding people to go with us each and every weekend to Indiana. So we simply decided to race around home.”

This year will be different for Mellenberndt Racing as Bret and the gang all ready traveled to USA Raceway in Tucson, AR for a USAC National Sprint Car show. February 19th’s Tucson opener was the first time Bret sat in the seat of a 410 non-winged sprint car for over a year, but that lack of time in the car didn’t slow him down any. Bret qualified 9th quick out of the 40 cars that entered. Starting fourth in the heat race, right after the officials just worked the race track, Mellenberndt dropped back to sixth just missing the transfer into the anticipated Main Event.

Bret started inside the second row in the Semi and dropped just one spot to transfer into the Main Event that was held on the 21st.

“We felt really good going into the main,” explains the Sioux Falls native, “We knew the car was close and all I needed to do was drive.” Bret started ninth in the main and was racing inside the top ten for the first nine laps of the 40 lap event. Then coming out of the fourth turn going into the 10th lap, the right front shock broke putting a dreadful end to the first night of the year. Bret stayed on the bottom of the track with his broken car and fell back to 16th by the time the checkered flag flew.

“All in all I am happy with the night,” says Mellenberndt. “We had a strong qualifying run and everything was lining up to be a great weekend. But, we all have those nights when it just wasn’t meant to be. Once my shock broke, it was pretty much over. But, we’ll take the momentum we gained and force it on to the next show in Vegas!”

Vegas was another story for Mellenberndt Racing. In the last set of the group qualifying that USAC displays, Bret put a 28th quick time on the board which lined him on the outside of the eight row for the heat. “The times were slowing down since the first qualifying run,” says Bret, “So I knew we weren’t going to be there. The track was very dry and we were just doing what we could.”

Mellenberndt found a grove in the middle of the Vegas half-mile that worked for the Sioux City Truck & Trailer #97 and muscled from last to fourth in the heat guaranteeing a spot in the main. He started in the back of the Main and raced up to 19th on the slippery dry slick racetrack.

“We tried some new things on the car since we were starting so far back,” explains Bret. “Some things worked and some didn’t. But we learned what does and doesn’t with our car on this type of track, so overall the night was a success!”

Keep in tune with Bret this year through his website, www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for that latest news and schedule updates will be updated regularly.

Western World Championship and '08 Season Review

11/10/2008

USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD finishes out the season this past weekend at Manzanita Speedway with the Western World Championship. It was a two-day show for Mellenberndt at the famed Manzanita Speedway and Bret went there with great expectations as for last February he set quick time. With Sprint Car veteran Rick Ferkel and long time sprint racer Doug Martens on his side, Bret qualified in the top half of the field at 27th out of the 65 others and started the first heat race on the second row. Bret fell back at the start, but raced his way up to the number 6 spot just two spots outside the transfer position. Mellenberndt then had to run the Semi in which the sixth row was where he was to start. Passing 5 cars throughout the Semi, Bret finished 7th and unfortunately missed the transfer into the Preliminary Main Event for the two-day show at Manzanita. The Mellenberndt Team utilized the first night of the weekend as a trial to get the team set up for the final show on Saturday. Taking the points earned from Friday’s event, set Bret to start on the second row of the “C” Main. An unfortunate yellow flag was thrown with only two laps to go and Bret realized the rear tire was going down on the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis. He decided to swing into the work area and change the tire and come back out for the restart at the tail of the field. But, with only two laps to go, Bret ran out of time and did not make the transfer. “Overall the weekend went well, explains Bret, we had a new team going into Manzanita and the car was good pretty much all weekend, but just wasn’t quite good enough.”
“We had a very respectful season this year, mentions Bret, we were more consistent than any other year I’ve raced and we had all the right equipment to win races, but we just weren’t consistent with the team. We struggled finding the right help and putting forth the time needed to conduct a ‘race winning’ program. I can’t wait for next year, I learned a lot this year and we just have to find the right help and stick with each other for the entire season. If we can do that, you will see the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis in victory lane!”
Bret would like to thank all of the fans and supporters that stuck with him in 2008 and would also like to give a special thanks to Doug Martens, Rick Ferkel, Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

Mellenberndt Heads to Phoenix!

11/03/2008

USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD is on his way to Phoenix, AZ to cap off the 2008 Season for Mellenberndt Racing. Bret will be racing this Friday and Saturday night on the Historical ½ mile of Manzanita Speedway along side the rest of the USAC National Drivers. Mellenberndt is going into the weekend feeling very confident; last February of this year Bret set quick time on the second night and finished in the top ten at eighth. Bret will also be accompanied by Rick Ferkel to help out on the team along with long time racer Doug Martens. Be sure to keep up with Bret on his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all the results from the Manzanita Speedway Double Header. Special Thanks to Doug Martens, Rick Ferkel, Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

Mellenberndt Gets Ready for the West Coast Run

10/13/2008

USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD stayed home this past weekend to get another car ready to rock for the upcoming races in Phoenix, AZ. The racing at Manzanita Speedway begins with a USAC sanctioned two-day event on the 7th and 8th of November. The plans are uncertain in the Mellenberndt Shop on whether or not they will be racing with the ASCS Canyon Series on the 1/3 mile track the same weekend or if they will be heading out to Perris, CA for two USAC/CRA events on the 15th and 29th of November. The Mellenberndt Team would like to give a special thanks to all the fans and supporters of Mellenberndt Racing including: Sioux City Truck and Trailer, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites. Be sure to follow Bret through the team website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all the latest news and results that will be coming up here in just a couple weeks.

Gas City & Lawrenceburg Re-cap for Mellenberndt

10/06/2008

USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD starts last weekend out in Gas City, Indiana. Mellenberndt started the heat race in the number three spot and fell back a few positions early in the race, but throughout the contest, Bret was able to muscle back up to third and makes the transfer into the Main Event. Bret started way back in the 18th position for Gas City’s 30 Lap Main Event. He raced his way through the field and into the top ten when with only two laps to go, another competitor jumped the right rear tire of the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis tipping himself over and causing Bret’s tire to go flat. Over the red the Mellenberndt Team was able to change the tire and restart at the tail end of the lineup. Bret then raced back up to the 18th spot to finish out the evening.
Following Gas City, it was time for the high banks of Lawrenceburg. Bret started eighth in the Heat Race and made his way up to sixth just outside of the transfer spot for the Main Event. Mellenberndt then had to run the Semi and starting 10th, Bret raced up to sixth on the heavy, non-passing racetrack, but it was not quite enough to transfer into the Main. Bret and the gang will be heading back to Sioux Falls for the week to get everything ready to rock for the West Coast swing coming up here at the end of October. Be sure to keep a tight eye on Bret through his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all of his latest press releases and results. Special Thanks to Mike Dutcher, Andy Anderson, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

Mellenberndt Races Illinois Followed by Haubstadt

09/29/2008

USAC Sprint Car driver Bret Mellenberndt out of Sioux Falls, SD takes the team out to Jacksonville, Illinois this past Friday for a non-sanctioned event. Bret’s qualifying skills shine once again as he was able to put the Sioux City Truck & Trailer WolfWeld Chassis 4th quick out of a field of 40 plus. Racing towards the front in the heat race, Bret’s left rear tire went flat and Bret was sent to the ‘B’ Main. The rules were changed throughout the evening as Bret was suppose to line up in the ‘B’ Main based of his qualifying efforts, but with the inconsistency of the officiating, Bret had to line up at the rear of the field. Unfortunately, Mellenberndt was unable to make the transfer to the Main Event. After Jacksonville, it was time to roll out to Haubstadt, Indiana for a MSCS sanctioned event. Bret started the Heat Race in the third position and raced in that final transfer spot throughout most of the race until Bret spun with just two laps to go while racing hard against another competitor. Lining back up for the restart at the tail end, Mellenberndt attempted to charge up to that precious third spot, but fell short and had to run the ‘C’ Main. Bret led the ‘C’ until his throttle stuck and even with the throttle issues, Bret still managed to finish second and transfer into the ‘B’ Main. Mellenberndt started at the tail end of the field in the ‘B’ and had to make it to the number 5 spot to guarantee him a starting position in the Main. Bret raced all the way up to the 6th position and fell just one spot short of the transfer.
The Mellenberndt Team will be staying out in Indiana this week to prepare themselves for the upcoming show in Gas City this coming Friday followed by a $10,000 to win MSCS event held in Lawrenceburg, Indiana the following evening. Be sure to follow Bret through his website www.bretmellenberndtracing.com for all of his latest results and press releases. Special Thanks to Mike Dutcher, Andy Anderson, Petersen Motors, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keizer Wheels, Bell Racing, Sioux City Truck and Trailer, DMI, ATL Fuel Cells, Ultra-Shield, WolfWeld Chassis, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Howe Racing and Driver Websites.

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