MONTPELIER, IN (April 11, 2026) – Rusty Schlenk survived a back and forth battle in the last five laps with Jason Jameson to win his first career Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels on Saturday night at the Montpelier Speedway.
It was the biggest race in Montpelier Speedway history as Schlenk collected $7,500 for the win plus an additional $500 bonus from the series for being from the State of Michigan where the Jackson, Michigan native moved back to a few months ago after living in McClure, Ohio for several years.
Jameson finished in second as he vaulted from tenth in points to second behind new points leader, Cody Mahoney. Chad Finley in his season debut was third with Devin Shiels, and Dona Marcoullier completing the top five drivers.
Schlenk jumped to the lead at the start of the 40-lap main event and was in control for most of the way holding a straightaway lead and a two second advantage over his competition.
Schlenk caught heavy traffic and that would allow Jameson, who started eighth, to close the gap. Schlenk led the first 35 laps of the race until Jameson was able to pass him on the inside of turn two to lead lap 36. Jameson held the for two laps as Schlenk would make a run on the Lawrenceburg, Indiana racer to retake the point on the 38th circuit. Schlenk would hold off Jameson by just 0.273 seconds at the finish line for his second overall win of 2026.
In Northern Allstars Sunoco Victory Lane for the first time in his career in the series’ first ever visit to Montpelier Schlenk talked about those final five frantic laps of the race.
“I got into traffic, and I thought I had better pick up the pace, and then he (Jameson) got by me and I got up on the wheel, those last five laps were pretty wild, I hope the fans enjoyed that race.”
“Man, I love this place. It was a hard decision, we had a lot of places to go and we usually run for national points with UMP, and we made a decision this year to try to have some fun, race at the tracks, we’re good at, try to chase money. There’s a whole lot of races I gotta give up, but going to yours (James Essex) you put on a hell of a series. It’s gonna feel good to come run some with you,”
The winner’s Domination Chassis is powered by a Mullins Race Engine and sponsored by Buckeye Concrete Coatings, Dominator Race Products, VP Race Fuels, Tri-State Pole Barns, Tom Finch Automotive, Blackwater Truss Systems, and Integra Shocks.
Completing the top ten were Rylee Knoll, Cody Mahoney, Colin Shipley, Kody Evans, and J.R. Gentry.
Race Summary
Montpelier Speedway
Montpelier, Indiana
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Entries: 29
Florence Winwater Fast Qualifier: Cody Mahoney 13.893 seconds
Heat Race Winners: Cody Mahoney, Rusty Schlenk, Devin Shiels
B-Main Winners: David Webb
Series Provisionals: Jake Leitzman and J.R. Gentry
Todd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: J.R. Gentry (started 22nd and finished 10th-advanced 12 positions)
Arizona Sport Shirts Rookie of the Race: Derek Groomer
Lap Leaders: Rusty Schlenk 1-36. Jason Jameson 36-38, Rusty Schlenk 39-40
KamaKazi Chassis Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Shiels 14.267 seconds
Feature Finish:
Position/Driver/Hometown/Winnings
1. Rusty Schlenk – Jackson, Michigan ($8,000)
2. Jason Jameson – Lawrenceburg, Indiana ($5,000)
3. Chad Finley – Saint John’s Michigan ($3,000)
4. Devin Shiels – Britton, Michigan ($2,000)
5. Dona Marcoullier – Owosso, Michigan ($1,000)
6. Rylee Knoll – Lake, Michigan ($900)
7. Cody Mahoney – Madison, Indiana ($900)
8. Colin Shipley – Bowling Green, Ohio – ($1,200)
9. Kody Evans – Camden, Ohio – ($600)
10. J.R. Gentry – Wooster,. Ohio – ($650)
11. Casey Noonan – Sylvania, Ohio – ($500)
12. Trevor Landrum – Florence, Kentucky – ($1,100)
13. Jake Leitzman – Paragon, Indiana – ($600)
14. Tyler Collins – North Vernon, Indiana – ($650)
15. Mike Bores – Bellevue, Ohio ($500)
16. Eric Spangler – lake City, Michigan ($500)
17. Bill Bray – Spring Lake, Michigan ($500)
18. Devin Gilpin – Columbus, Indiana ($700)
19. Dustin Nobbe – Batesville, Indiana ($600)
20. Carter Schlenk – Jackson, Michigan ($500)
21. Derek Groomer – Bloomington, Indiana ($600)
22. David Webb – Nicholasville, Kentucky – ($800)
The Northern Allstars Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels would like to thank the following marketing partners including Allstar Performance, Arizona Sport Shirts, Brad Arthur Heating and Air, C&W Sales, Cain’s Tree Service, Cheap Cars, Coltman Farms Racing, Deatherage Racing Opticians, Delph Communications, Diamond Race Cars, Flag 2 Flag Media, Florence Winwater Company, Generations Custom Auto and Collision, Hellraizer Jacks, Hoosier Racing Tires, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Jason Grimes Construction, Kendall Trucks and Parts, Ky. Clutch, Malvern Bank, Midwest Sheet Metal, PPM Racing Products, Right Auto Parts, Rocket Chassis, Schaefer Trucking, Slicker Graphics, Stakt Products. Sunoco Race Fuels, SuperHeat Solutions, Swift Springs, The Bearded Hobo Brewery and Pub, The Bryan Bowman Family, Todd Steel Buildings, Travis Kern Racing Engines, Wheelman by Dasco, and Yakel Trucking and Hauling.
Those interested in becoming a marketing partner with the 2026 Northern Allstars Late Model and Modified Series can email series owner, director, and announcer James Essex at [email protected] for more information.
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