2005 News and Rumors

2005 News and Rumors - October

Dirt Racing

FATTFRO Motorsports took advantage of the recent 360 Short Track Nationals at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock (AR) and did some engine testing with Boyer's Engine Development out of Ames (IA) to develop an ASCS legal 360 sprint engine program in preparation for the 2006 racing season. Press Release (10-31-05)

Welcome to another Mike Kertscher Racing newsletter! The 2005 Racing season is now officially classified as history. Each season, the Frank Filskov Fall Classic marks the traditional end of the season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series and in 2005, the end of the season means a much needed time out to sort through tired equipment and rethink their strategies for 2006. Press Release (10-31-05)

In need of someone to put together Professional Motorsports Marketing Portfolios for you? More Information (10-29-05)

Friday Night November 11^th is the night chosen for the annual Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway Banquet. The Reef Sports Bar will be the destination. The cash bar starts at 6:00. The Family-style dinner will begin at 7 p.m. The Awards and raffles will follow the dinner as in past years. Press Release (10-18-05)

Top 5 of '05! by Paul Pittman (10-18-05)

The Raceway at Powercom Park and The Powercom Speedzone held their 2005 Racing Season Picnic and Awards Presentations on Saturday October 8 at The Raceway at Powercom Park in Beaver Dam, WI. The new format for a more casual event was well received. The top ten in the point standings for the regular weekly divisions were recognized for their accomplishments of the past season. There were also a number of special awards presentations. Press Release (10-18-05)

The Bumper to Bumper/United Trailers IRA Outlaw Sprint Series would like to congratulate Scotty Neitzel and his entire R&H Enterprises team on their 2nd consecutive IRA Championship. Neitzel topped Scott Young in a season long points battle that began when the first green flag waved back in April, and they kept it exciting all season long. Joe Roe, Mike Kertscher, and Steve Meyer completed a hotly contested top 5 in the series point standings. Press Release (10-3-05)

SLS Promotions and thier staff would like to thank the fans, sponsors, and teams who supported the 9th annual Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic, held at the Sheboygan Co. Fair Park in Plymouth WI. Everyone's support and participation made it a tremendous success. The 47 IRA Outlaw Sprint Cars, and 37 WI Dirt Late Models provided some of the best on track action witnessed in a very long time. Press Release (10-3-05)

Who Turned Out The Lights? By Paul Pittman (10-3-05)

Each season, the Frank Filskov Fall Classic marks the traditional end of he season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series and in 2005, the end of the season means a much needed time out to sort through tired equipment and rethink their strategies for 2006. Not everyone was tired though and Mike Kertscher was up for the challenge as he now adds one of the crown jewels of the IRA series' events to his resume'. Press Release (10-2-05)

2005 IMCA modifed Supernationals champion Benji LaCrosse of Luxemburg returned to his hometrack, winning in convincing fashion. LaCrosse took the lead on lap 25 and went on to win the $1,500 top prize during the second annual Luxemburg Fall Classic Saturday night. Press Release (10-2-05)

Green Bay's Jared Siefert took the lead from Brian Joski on lap three and held on to win the 25 lap IMCA style modified feature at Luxemburg Speedway Friday night during the first night of the second annual Luxemburg Fall Classic presented by Pepsi and Budweiser. Press Release (10-2-05)

Asphalt Racing

MIS E-News (10-31-05)

In need of someone to put together Professional Motorsports Marketing Portfolios for you? More Information (10-29-05)

Sources tell us they have been hearing some rumblings that Donovan Morgan maybe considering running some races at Wisconsin International Raceway during the 2006 season. (10-27-05)

Local country music favorite, Madison County followed by national recording artist, Trick Pony? Now that's a year-end party! Chad Wood and Madison International Speedway want you to help celebrate a great ASALM season Saturday, Oct. 29 at the MAC Sports Center in Verona. Press Release (10-26-05)

John Ostermann Column (10-26-05)

If anyone doesn't already know I (Austin Konetski) have moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to continue my pursuit for a career in racing. My dream has always been to be here and drive in a NASCAR series. I am taking a position on a NASCAR team as a shop/race track mechanic. Austin Konetski.com (10-25-05)

We understand that a new Hoosier tire will be tested at WIR this week. This is a Hoosier that doesn't have any numbers on it and it has been run by Jim Duchow at Marshfield. (10-15-05) UPDATE: The Anthony Brothers Racing #50 was out testing the tires today. (10-18-05) UPDATE 2: We understand the new tires were discussed at the Fox River Racing Club meeting last night. These will be the new tires that are suppose to lay more rubber down on the right side which in hopes will make for more outside passing. These tires are suppose to last longer as the tires are harder and the rubber won't grind off like what appears to have been happening the last couple of seasons. (10-25-05)

Jeff Zwiers will be the new Fox River Racing Club President which opens up the vice president position. Jeff Zwiers, Ed Howard, Matt Maynard and Mike Bunnell were all nominated. Nominations and voting will take place in the next 2 meetings for the vice president position. Clint Smith will become the new secertary as he won as a write in. (10-24-05)

Sounds as though the long rumored Matt Maynard Motorsports and Terry Baldry split has happened. We hear that Maynard Motorsports might have already selected a driver for the 2006 season. We will post more information once we have confirmed with the team. No word on who Terry Baldry will be driving for, but what team some of the rumors point to might suprise you. (10-23-05)

Sources tell us that the Meidam Motorsports team and driver John Meidam will be making a big announcement in a couple weeks. (09-30-05) UPDATE: Sources tell us the Meidam Motorsports team has sold everything, but the trailer to Hank Calmes. Have heard that John could possibly end up driving for Hank Calmes. (10-23-05)

Todd Goodwin who has built engines for some teams at Wisconsin International Raceway was involved in a serious accident at a drag strip in Memphis, TN. Reports are Todd was driving a Doge Viper, while coming off the starting line the front of the car became airborne, he lost control, crossed the line and hit the wall of the other lane. Reports are Todd has a broken neck, collapsed lung and bruised ribs. Pictures of the car (10-17-05)

Been told the August 2nd race date at WIR will have a format change and will go back to the normal Dixieland 250 format. (10-15-05)

Racing loses friend, Ex-WIR, FRRC PR director Vercauteren dies by Tom Goff. Full Story in Appleton Post Crescent (10-11-05)

It is with sad news that we report the unfortunate death of Gary Vercauteren who has run the Mid America Series with many different divisions. He died after coaching a varsity football game for Sevastopol High School. The passenger who was one of his fellow coaches was able to grab the wheel and safely manuever the vehicle to the side of the road.(10-8-05) Obituary and visitation information (10-9-05)

Go ahead, Tim Schendel, try to write a script any better than what played out before an estimated 5,000 fans on a chilly Saturday night in the biggest event of the season at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Full Story in LaCrosse Tribune (10-9-05)

Eddie Hoffman kept hearing a question, the same question, more often than he cares to remember. But he does remember. “When are you going to put the kid in the car?” people in the pit area of race tracks around suburban Chicago would ask his father, Ed, when Eddie would be elbow-deep in grease, wrench in hand. Full Story in LaCrosse Tribune (10-9-05)

This race (Rockford) may end the Crew Chief's of both the 10 and 12 cars as Randy Strupp may be calling his last race for the Mike Strupp machine, and Tony Jr. (Tony Strupp Crew Chief) has aspirations of fielding a LLM in '06. Strupp Enterprises (10-7-05)

I could give you a lap-by-lap accounting of his career and his incredible accomplishments, but you have probably already read that say, a thousand times. could tell you where he grew up (Rudolph, Wis.) and how he made it from small-time short-track racing to the biggest of big-time racing, but my guess is that you know that, too. Full Story in LaCrosse Tribune (10-7-05)

Dick Trickle, who is running in the ARTGO Reunion 100 on Sunday, turned some heads Thursday during an ARTGO practice session. Trickle’s unofficial lap times of 19.3 and 19.4 — his fastest laps — trailed only West Salem’s Steve Carlson (19.1) and David Prunty of Brownsville, Wis. (19.2). Full Story in LaCrosse Tribune (10-7-05)

As he barreled into the turn, Dick Trickle probably wore that determined look that struck fear in the hearts of so many who knew he was the best of his era. Full Story in LaCrosse Tribune (10-7-05)

Touring Racing

The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts have completed the 2005 racing season with the Chicago International Trucks/Season Championships 100 at the Rockford (IL) Speedway in Loves Park, Illinois. This event was the conclusion of the 40th annual National Short Track Championships. Speed 51.com (10-31-05)

A two-time NASCAR series champion saluted his racing hero as well as his own team in accepting his series awards during ceremonies Saturday night. Justin Diercks, 25, of Davenport, Iowa, was honored for his second consecutive NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series championship. Speed 51.com (10-31-05)

With four races remaining, Joey Miller officially takes over the #12 Toyota Tundra at Atlanta Motor Speedway and will finish out the Truck Series season for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports. Miller has never raced at Atlanta, but he tested the #12 Toyota Tundra there last week. Miller adapted quickly to Atlanta during the test with speeds competitive to series regulars. The five-time ARCA RE/MAX Series winner recovered from an early race accident to record a 15th-place finish in his Truck Series debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jayski (10-26-05)

As preparation at GTR Motorsports continues on the Josh Bauer driven FYE/AKZO NOBEL/Keith's Marina Monte Carlo, anticipation is running high for this rookie driver and team as they prepare for their first trip to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, Calif. Nascar Touring (10-25-05)

Florida Super Late Model standout and former ASA National Tour driver Travis Kittleson is entered in the #68 R/T Racing Chevrolet fielded by his family-owned team. Speed51.com (10-18-05)

18-year-old Stephen Leicht will be a first time entrant for the race behind the wheel of the #90 Robert Yates Racing Ford that Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett have split time in during the 2005 season. Speed51.com (10-18-05)

The ARTGO/ Wisconsin Late Model feature 100 was a battle for every position down to the end. The winner of the ARTGO/ Wisconsin Late Model feature sunday afternoon was Steve Holzhausen, second went to Brian Hoppe and third went to Jeremy Lepak. More at Speed51.com (10-11-05)

Justin Diercks ended Steve Carlson’s four-year championship streak in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series, by winning the 2004 title for himself. Their rivalry carried over into the 2005 season, as the two short track stars ranked at the top of the Midwest Series point standings for most of the season. More at Speed51.com (10-11-05)

Racing loses friend, Ex-WIR, FRRC PR director Vercauteren dies by Tom Goff. Full Story in Appleton Post Crescent (10-11-05)

Rookie driver Josh Bauer and GTR Motorsports have had an up and down season. When most teams are strapped and just trying to get to the end of the season, the #1 car has received a complete transplant with fresh motor, transmission and rear end. Along with the transplant, GTR Motorsports is proud to add FYE (For Your Entertainment) on their car. FYE came on board for Milwaukee and the final events for 2005. Nascar Touring (10-7-05)

John Senerchia nailed down his first ever win in the Mid-American Stock Car Series Sunday night at the Lake Geneva Raceway. Senerchia took the lead on the 12th lap of the 35-lap rain delayed feature. The event was scheduled as an afternoon program, but a two-hour rain delay resulted in the race being run under the lights. Press Release (10-3-05)

A 200-lap ASL race planned at Southern National Speedway has been cancelled. "That's more than we what to do this year," said track manager Trent Allen. With the announcement the 2005 ASL season has been concluded with Bryan Reffner taking the championship. ASL-Midamracing (10-3-05)

The race times for the rescheduled National Short Track Championships at the Rockford Speedway have been announced. Pits open at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 followed by practice at 10 a.m. and racing at 12:30 p.m. The Mid-American Stock Car Series will be running a 75-lap feature while the Mid-Am Super Trucks have a 30-lapper planned on the high banked quarter-mile paved oval. Press Release (10-3-05)