2004 News and Rumors - November
Dirt Racing
The Raceway at Powercom Park and The Powercom Speedzone held their 2004 Racing Season Awards Banquet at The Golf Club at Camelot in Lomira on Saturday night November 13. The top ten in the regular weekly divisions were recognized for their accomplishments of the past season. The sponsors, fans, drivers, car owners, employees and all others who supported the two tracks during the season were thanked for helping to make the season a success. Plans are already being made for the season ahead. Press Release (11-16-04)
Officials of Wisconsin Motorsports & Entertainment, LLC, and the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association have come to terms on a 17-race schedule for the 2005 season between the Raceway at Powercom Park and Oshkosh’s Powercom Speed Zone. After a strong showing in 2004 Wisconsin Motorsports General Manager Rex Melius made the move to contact the WDLMA with regards to an increased schedule for the coming year. Melius along with Brian Konopka and Bill Behling, who steers the WDLMA, are very excited about the prospects of the new year. Press Release (11-5-04)
Rex Melius, General Manager of Wisconsin Motorsports & Entertainment LLC, is proud to welcome Marty Stanton to the team as the new Marketing and Promotions Director for The Raceway at Powercom Park of Beaver Dam and Powercom Speed Zone of Oshkosh. Marty has been involved in racing in the Beaver Dam Area for over 15 years and has been part of marketing and promotion teams for other tracks. Press Release (11-1-04)
Asphalt Racing
This information was passed onto me today from a representative of a company who sponsors races. The information seemed like something of interest and thought I would pass it on. This company has spent alot of money on sponsorships for the cup race at Chicago and this year they are going to spend that money on local racing. They tell me they contact WIR (FRRC), Madison and LaCrosse to see about sponsoring a night at each track. When they looked at what each of the three tracks offered for the set amount of money, it appeared that LaCrosse gives the best value for your dollar. LaCrosse has 20 different ways to help you market what you want. For example if you spend $3800 you receive a night sponsored by you, a bilboard that appears at the track all season long, you receive ads in the yearbook and you receive 40-50 radio spots prior to the night your sponsoring. This information is going to be passed on to the officers of the Fox River Racing Club by the rep in hopes of attracting and gaining new sponsorships. (11-19-04)
During the 2004 season we kept hearing that Brad Mueller was looking at getting a weekly ride at Wisconsin International Raceway. We were told that there were talks with Mike Butz Racing and there was "talk" of putting Brad in a third MBR car for the Blue race at WIR. We have heard that Brad could end up driving for a team at WIR in 2005. Any comments to this JJ Mueller? (11-19-04)
I apologize for not writing in such a long time and no I didn't have writer's block. You have to be a writer to get writer's block. The fact is I was running the speedway, running my growing business, coaching the Goodman/ Pembine Girls in our local summer basketball league, and working with the Pembine boys basketball team a couple nights a week as well. I was just a little overwhelmed this summer and let our racing column slip a little. Norway Speedway Column (11-16-04)
This Fox River Racing Club held it's monthly meeting this evening. Nominations were taken for both the vice president and treasurer positions and voting took place. Jeff Zwiers is the new Vice President while Gerald Schnieder is the new treasurer. Both new officers ran alone as there were no other nominations. (11-15-04)
Sources tell us they hear that Sid who has owned cars for drivers over the years and is the safety director of Slinger Super Speedway is looking for a driver for the 2005 season. The name that continues to pop up is Jamie Iverson. (11-14-04)
We understand that things are still being worked on with the #00 Buco Racing team as far as 2004 plans, but expect Terry Baldry to be back behind the wheel. (10-26-04) UPDATE: It still remains to be seen if Terry Baldry will be back driving for the #00 Buco Racing or if he will drive for someone else as seems to be the word. (11-14-04)
In October a meeting was held at Coachman's Inn near Stoughton with the sole purpose of discussing super late model rules. Promoters from all Wisconsin tracks that race super late models and several tracks from adjacent states were invited. We are very excited to announce that the Area Sportsman division will be our fourth weekly racing division in 2005. The Area Sportsman will follow the Jefferson rulebook with the addition of the head and neck device. Rules have been aligned for the Midwest Truck Series and Mid American Super Trucks which will allow the two divisions to race together. Not only will this apply to weekly events at MIS, but Midwest Trucks will be able to attend Mid-American events as well. Press Release (11-10-04)
Another season of racing is under the tires, so to speak, at Norway Speedway of Norway Michigan. The 2004 season wrapped up with a year-end banquet at the American Legion of Norway October 23rd. The banquet was attended by 300 racers, family and friends. Catering was done by Loretta Schultz and music was provided by Music in Motion. Year-end high point titles were announced. Division winners were Kris Kelly in the Late Models, Ryan Windell in the Super Stocks, Travis Reidell in the Slammers, and Gary Dubord Jr. in the Fab 4 division. Press Release (11-10-04)
As teams start to put there 2005 season plans together watch right here as we will have the inside scoop. Some teams are close to finishing their plans and have informed us we will be the first to know about them. (11-3-04)
AJ Miller tells us that he is undecided on his plans for the 2005 season, but he feels he may have to look for a ride for the 2005 season. (11-3-04)
Terry Korth is still looking for a ride for the 2005 season at Wisconsin International Raceway after his owner got out of racing after the 2004 season. We have heard some rumblings of rides being oftered, but at this time nothing is set. (11-1-04)
We are told Matt Maynard will crew chief for Callin Harrell in the Wisconsin Challenge Series races. (11-1-04)
141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WI. held it's Fourth annual Creepy Classic 300 lap enduro race on Saturday with over ninety cars taking the green flag. Kurt Naidl of Denmark held the early lead over Mike Graziano and Dave Beyer who battled in seesaw fashion for the first fifty laps. Press Release (11-1-04)
A rules meeting was held in Stoughton WI to discuss the standardization of Super Late Model rules in the WI,IL,MN,IN, area. With great success we where represented by 9 tracks, 1 series, and 1 racing club. I can't express enough how nice it was to see everyone working together to get our rules standardized across the Midwest. Press Release (11-1-04)
Touring Racing
The ASA Late Model Series is on track and ready to roll into 2005. The series, which was formerly known as the USPRO Racing Series, launched its inaugural season throughout the Midwest. Today we would like to announce a restructuring of the ownership and management of the series. Ron Varney Jr. and Steve Dale, owner of American Speed Association have come to an agreement for the direction of the series and Steve has agreed to sell 100% interest back to Ron Varney Jr. Championship Car Owners Bud and Phyllis Gebben will be joining the ASA Late Model family as a partners in the series. Speed 51 (11-16-04)
Honestly, before the 2004 season, did you ever recognize the name Justin Diercks? Maybe you'd heard it before. But the likeliness is that unless you lived outside of Davenport (IA) or Wisconsin, or unless you were a die-hard Midwest Series follower, the name meant little or nothing to you. Just another racer. Speed 51 (11-11-04)
Along with Krisiloff, SS Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have teamed up again, with driver Chase Austin who is scheduled to drive an SS Racing Chevrolet in the ASA Late Model Series in 2005. ASA Racing (11-11-04)
A total of $112,500 worth of poiunt fund money and contingency awards were present to racing teams at the 12th annual Yellow Book USA Mid-Am Racing banquet Saturday night at the Leathem Smith Lodge in Sturgeon Bay. Champions honored include Peter Hernandez in the Mid-American Stock Car division, jeff Van Oudenhoven in the Midwest AllStar late model division, Jamie Farrell in the Mid-Am Super Truck division, and Gary Stein in the Midwest Stock Car Classics division. Press Release (11-8-04)
With what is going on with the ASA National Tour, little has been talked about the ASA Late Model Series and its future. Well, sources tell Speed51.com that former USPRO Cup Series President Ron Varney has purchased back the ASA Late Model Series from Steve Dale and will continue to run it under the ASA LMS banner. Speed 51 (11-5-04)
Speed 51 is reporting that the #63 team owned by WalTom Racing and driven by Robbie Pyle has suspended operations for the time being. As things unfold Speed 51 will have more information. (11-3-04) UPDATE: The uncertainty surrounding the future of the ASA National Tour has forced one of the tour’s most prominent teams to scale back their racing operations. The WalTom Racing #63 entry, driven by Robbie Pyle, has been parked for now. The team finished off their season on Friday night at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA). Speed 51 (11-5-04)
Young Joey Miller's career has taken off in 2004. The 19-year-old will climb another rung on the racing ladder this week when he makes his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway (AZ) in the Bashas' Supermarkets 200. Miller will pilot the No. 98 Eagle Creek Aviation Services/Country Joe Racing Dodge on Saturday for Hagans Racing of Indianapolis, IN. Hagans Racing via Speed 51 (11-3-04)
Speed 51 is reporting they were told by Steve Dale that a decision on the future of the series will be made within the next 30 days. Some talks have taken place, but Steve would not comment on them at this time. (11-1-04)