2008 News and Rumors
January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August
Dirt Racing
Top drivers will be honored at the 2008 Luxemburg Speedway awards banquet slated for Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Beverly Gardens in Denmark. A cash bar is scheduled for 5 p.m. with a ribs and chicken dinner at 6 p.m. The awards ceremony will follow. A disc jockey will spin music and karaoke will also be a part of the program. Fans and drivers will be eligible to receive several door prizes donated by sponsors who've generously supported the track. Tickets are $22.00 per person with a deadline of January 17. Tickets will be $28 after Jan. 17. NO tickets will be sold at the door as seating is limited. Press Release (12-24-08)
Joe Verdegan's review of Dust & Thunder DVD (12-24-08)
The fourth annual "Dust & Thunder" DVD produced by award winning motorsports journalist Bill Holland is complete and ready for race fans. The two hour video showcasing drivers and tracks from northeastern Wisconsin’s dirt late model community contains interviews with more than 50 drivers, including legends like Pete Parker, M.J. McBride, Terry Anvelink, Nick Anvelink, A.J. Diemel and Troy Springborn. Others making an appearance include Jimmy Mars, John Kaanta, Brad Mueller, Kerry Hansen and 50 year veteran Tom Nesbitt. DVD's can be ordered at verdeganelite.com. For $20.00 (plus $5.00 shipping and handling) they can be ordered right online through a PayPal account. Press Release (12-24-08)
Former Mid American and Asphalt Late Model driver Ryan Manthei will compete weekly at Luxemburg Speedway. Ryan will be a rookie in the IMCA Modified division. (12-11-08)
Also hearing Wausau's Marcus Yarie will move up from the IMCA northern sportmod class to an IMCA modified in 2009, as will national co-champion Tim Jorgenson. (11-20-08)
Hortonville's Travis Van Straten has purchased Brian Mullen's IMCA modified. He will run it as a sportmod in 2009. Van Straten sold his stock car to Luxemburg IMCA hobby stock champion Dave De Grave, who will also be moving up. (11-20-08)
Chad Blonde made his tow from Michigan to Wisconsin pay off as he captured one of the biggest race's on the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints schedule,
the 12th annual Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic. And while Blonde scored the race win, it was Balog who claimed the IRA season championship, winning the title by a slim 27 point margin over past 2-time IRA Champion Scotty Neitzel. Press Release (10-7-08)
Plymouth Dirt Track hosted the Frank Filskov Memorial race for the IRA sprint car series this past weekend. The WDLMA also ran their last race of the season. Russ Scheffler picked up the feature win and the championship for WDLMA with the race over Billy Rezutek. Rezutek beat Scheffler for the track championship at Plymouth this season. Press Release (10-2-08)
Oconto Falls’ Julie McDermid took home the top prize in the IMCA modified division at the Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway’s Fall Classic special. russels’ Troy Muench continued his recent string of victories in the IMCA stock car division, as he held off 2008 track champion Matt Junio for the feature win. Press Release (09-23-08)
The annual two day fall classic is set to go at the Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway this Friday and Saturday night, September 19 & 20. The special will be sponsored by Forest County Potawatomi and will feature all six weekly divisions, IMCA style modifieds, stock cars, northern sport mods, hobby stocks, street stocks and 4 cylinders. An additional seventh class has been added to the event, which will be the grand nationals. Press Release (09-18-08)
Heavy, persistent rains all morning long and into the afternoon forced Luxemburg Speedway officials to cancel day two of the Augie's Sports Bar and Grill Fall Classic for tonight. The final event at the track for the 2008 campaign will be the Tisler's Salvage, $2,000-to-win enduro. Start time is 4 p.m. For more information call 920 863 8446. Press Release (09-14-08)
The annual Luxemburg Speedway two day fall classic presented by Augie's Sports Bar and Grill is slated for Friday September 12 and Saturday September 13 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds. The raindate, if needed, will be Sunday, September 14. Seven classes will compete during the two day show. IMCA-style modified, stock cars, northern sportmods and hobby stocks will compete. In addition grand national sportsman, street stocks and 4 cylinders will compete. Press Release (09-10-08)
Saturday night brought the 2008 racing season to an end at Charter Raceway Park. Three of the five divisions had already determined their champions but the Modifieds and Grand Nationals champs were yet to be decided. With LeMay finishing sixth, Schraufnagel won the championship for the third time in the last five years. Press Release (09-2-08)
Sturgeon Bay’s Randy LeMieux Jr. captured his second straight IMCA modified feature win at the Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway. With his 3rd place finish, Dart captured his unprecedented 6th track championship in the IMCA modified division at Thunderhill. Press Release (09-2-08)
Luxemburg’s Benji LaCrosse put an exclamation point on his torrid second half of the season, as he picked up his 4th IMCA modified feature win in the final 5 weeks at the Luxemburg Speedway. Brian Mullen walked away with the IMCA modified track championship, his 1st at the track since 2003. Press Release (09-2-08)
As the Forest County Potawatomi Thunderhill Raceway prepares for this year’s championship night, expect a great night of competitive racing as all 6 divisions are crowded at the top of the point standings. Five-time IMCA modified champion “Felix” Todd Dart currently holds the top spot in 2008, but third year driver Shawn Kilgore trails by only 8 points. Jay Mathias and former champion Jeremy Jacobs are also in the hunt, 12 and 14 points back respectively. Press Release (08-27-08)
Defending track champion Jared Siefert of Green Bay ended hometown driver Benji LaCrosse's domination of winning the last four weeks at Luxemburg Speedway. Siefert fought off LaCrosse in the final laps to capture the 50 lap IMCA modified feature Friday night. Forest Junction's Eric Scribner outdueled fellow front row starter Jame Tebon of Algoma into the lead at the drop of the green on the 50 lap contest. Press Release (08-25-08)
Saturday night at Charter Raceway Park there were fireworks on the track and in the sky as all five divisions took to the 1/3 mile oval and Bartolotta fireworks blasted off in the air on fan appreciation night. With just two nights of racing left and several championships still up for grabs, the action was fast and furious as the drivers raced for every point they could get. Press Release (08-25-08)
Post card perfect weather awaited a stout field of 31 winged outlaw sprinters as they converged at the rice lake speedway Saturday night. Drivers from 4 states and 2 countries each took a shot at lowering the track record on an immaculately groomed racing surface. With a mere 1.6 seconds separating the 31 cars, Jerry Richert Jr. established the time to beat at 12.351 seconds late in time trials to pick up his second fast time of the season. Press Release (08-25-08)
It was a great turn out for Kid's Night at Plymouth Dirt Track this past Saturday night. The Vintage Modifieds also made their annual visit. Jim Melis, Glenbuelah, picked up the win in a very fast Sprint feature after starting in the eighth position. He held off a hard charging Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek. Shane Wenninger, Kewaskum, was third. Danny Schlafer, Sussex, finished fourth, and Tim Haddy, Waupun, rounded out the top five. Press Release (08-25-08
Asphalt Racing
January, 2009 Sponsorship tip of the month "sometimes less is more" (12-24-08)
Gerry Gunderman will field a car fulltime at Slinger Super Speedway for Jamie Wallace. Jeremy Lepak who has drove for Gerry Gunderman the last couple of years will be getting married this summer and will be cutting back his racing schedule. LTN Radio Network (12-15-08)
We have put up our 2009 Fox River Racing Club drivers plan page. If you have any information about a race team please email Corey. (12-15-08)
We have learned WIR Limited Late Model regular Eric Hopfensperger has sold his car that he drove the past couple of seasons. Eric will have a brand new Randercar for the 2009 season. (12-11-08)
The Chase'n Monday Motorsports team has been busy since the conclusion of the 2008 racing season. We have sold the hamke chassis we competed with last season and have teamed up with with Joe Nechodom to build a new Racetech Super Late Model for the 2009 season. Racetech chassis is co-owned/operated by David Hoppa & Joe Nechodom. The business is located at David Hoppa Trucking in Berlin, WI. The Chase'n Monday Motorsports car will be chassis #6 of the Racetech team. Andy Monday (12-7-08)
MIS E-News Week of December 1, 2008 (12-2-08)
NASCAR Champions Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart will return to Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wis., for the 2009 Swiss Colony All-Star Challenge on Tuesday, June 30. RACE DAY SCHEDULE: Gates open at noon, Practice 12:00 to 3:30, Qualifying 4:00, Race at 7:00. MattKenseth.com (11-27-08)
JJ Smith announced at the end of the 2008 season that he was hanging up his helment from racing. Over the 2008 season JJ drove a Matt Maynard owned car in the Red, White and Blue Series races at WIR. There has been speculation that JJ Smith could race again this season. (11-27-08)
Team sources tell us Jim Anthony's youngest son Brad will be driving a Limited Late Model at WIR fulltime in 2009. The car will be owned by Jim and Brad Anthony with Justin Anthony being the crew chief. The car is in it's final stages and waiting to hit the track. Justin Anthony races on the dirt and plans to run the Fastrak Late Model Series in 2009 in which Brad is his crew chief. (11-26-08) UPDATE: We are told the car Brad will be driving is the car that JJ Smith drove for years at Anthony Brothers Racing. Michael Anthony will continue to drive the #50 car he drove in 2008. No word if the team will field the car fulltime or part time in 2009. (11-27-08)
Dexter Bean typically lives on the edge during his work day. Bean, you see, is a 22-year-old race car driver who has big-time dreams. Now, he’s hanging on the edge for a different reason. He’s wondering where, or if, he’ll be driving in 2009. His main sponsor in 2008, Glock — a worldwide manufacturer of handguns — has been noncommittal for next season. “Mr. Glock was supposed to come over here, but he has been sick. Sick enough to be in the hospital,” Bean said of 79-year-old Gaston Glock, the owner of Glock handguns, which is headquartered in Austria. “They have told us we might have to put everything on hold. Bean is still holding out hope that Glock will come through with sponsorship in 2009, but in the meantime he’s pursing any — and all — options. That may even include jump-starting the family-owned BlackJack Racing Team. LaCrosse Tribune (11-24-08)
The Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel played host the 2008 Dells Raceway Park Championship Banquet this past Saturday night. Over 350 guests were on hand to honor the champions and competitors from this past season. Joe Graziano, DRP co-owner, took to the stage and thanked everyone for a successful second season that he and co-owner Lance Fielitz had at the well-known racing facility. Graziano stressed that in any business that a success takes anywhere from three to five years and with the pace they are going at, everything is on schedule. He also talked about some of the future plans including a "Welcome Center" where fans can go and check out information about all of the DRP competitors and the history of the Speedway. He also announced that a new section of grandstands will be in place behind turns one and two. They will be the best seats in the house. Graziano also turned down a rumor by stating that Super Late Models will always be the top division at DRP. Press Release (11-21-08)
Michael Bilderback finds himself daydreaming during classes at South Beloit High School in recent weeks. The senior has good reason. Bilderback, 17, finished fifth in a major stock car race Saturday in Memphis, Tenn., and recently was tested by a race team with connections to NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series. Rockford Register Star (11-20-08)
Tyler Bauknecht of Reedsville will run a full Big 8 Series schedule. He and brother Kyle Bauknecht will split time running a Mid Am car at 141 Speedway and possibly WIR if they continue to run them with Red White and Blue. (11-20-08)
Sawyer Effertz Racing was very fortunate to aquire Sponsorship to bring a awesome Late Model to the Team. The car is a LeftHander chassis and a 5 Star Body. We have a few things to do to get the car ready for 2009, but the car was a Championship Feature car in Norway. We look forward to getting some seat time in a several tracks running a limited schedule with the Late Model. There are several things in the works for 2010 that may prove to be a huge jump in Sawyers Racing Career. Sawyer Effertz Racing (11-19-08)
The 2008 Slinger Speedway Awards Banquet will take place Saturday evening January 10th 2009 at The Chandelier Ballroom in Hartford, WI. Cocktails and registration start at 5:30 pm with Dinner served at 7:00 pm. Awards and Entertainment will round out the evening. All Slinger Speedway drivers and crewmembers that purchased Track Memberships will receive RSVP invitations. Members and a guest are admitted at no charge. Additional tickets will be available in advance with a limited number available at the door. For more information call: 262-370-0440 or email slingerspeedway1@aol.com. Press Release (11-19-08)
(Eugune) Gregorich Jr. racing has goals to bring the same success it’s had in the past, plus much more in the 2009 season. With the right company partnership, Eugene would like to run the ASA Midwest Touring Series fulltime. Eugene also has goals to race the Wisconsin International Raceway fulltime, as well as occasional appearances at the Golden Sands Speedway. Gregorich Racing (11-18-2008)
Thrive to Drive Motorsports season-end newsletter (11-10-08)
MIS E-News Week of November 3, 2008 (11-10-08)
Andy Santerre Motorsports announced today that 16-year-old Brett Moffitt has signed with the team to drive the #44 Chevrolet’s in seven NASCAR Camping World Series races throughout the 2009 season. Moffitt, a Grimes, Iowa native, has a resume that includes the ASA Late Model North Series, the ASA Challenge Series, IMCA Sport Modifieds, and the WKA. Speed 51 (11-10-08)
We understand Effertz Racing has purchased a Late Model car. Driver Sawyer Effertz raced this past season in the #2 Super Stock weekly at WIR. Being as the car is a complete late model car it's our understand the team is looking to race in the Late Model division. (10-21-08)
Kyle & the #9 Solidified his Touring Star staus for the 2009 Season of the ASA Midwest tour, which was a major goal going into this season for the Team! The Team has decided to compete at the national level to complete our 2008 season, appearing at the ASA Championship in Nashville, TN on November 2nd! This event is sure to give the team great exposure, and our hopes are high for a solid run at this event! Thrive to Drive (10-21-08)
Nathan Haseleu surprised himself as he was the overall winner in the second annual Dick Trickle "99" at the Oktoberfest Race Weekend. His third place finish in the final segment gave him the win by two points over Jason Weinkauf. "It's a different type of race, and we won it, so I am happy and proud of that. I'm kind of surprised because usually we are not that good here. We weren't the fastest car but we were consistent," a surprised Haseleu stated in victory lane. Press Release (10-7-08)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19th from 12-3pm in the Slinger Super Spedway Spectator Parking Lot RAIN/SNOW OR SHINE!! ALL DIVISIONS WELCOME!!! Registration is the day of the event. Press Release (10-7-08)
A huge crowd was in attendance Thursday for the first night of the 39th Annual Oktoberfest race weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. The opening night action was sponsored by CC 106.3. Paul Paine held off the Neville Brothers, the racers not the singers, to win the inaugural "Futures" Super Late Model event. Press Release (10-7-08)
MIS E-News - Week of September 29, 2008 (10-2-08)
Eddie Hoffman always looks forward to the Oktoberfest Race Weekend. This year he will try to win a championship and also compete in his first Dick Trickle "99" event. The Wheaton, IL driver has had a lot of success La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI. He won the NASCAR Elite Division events in 1998 and 1999 and last year took home the ASA Late Model Series North win. Press Release (10-2-08)
Of the nine championships to be decided at the 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend, the ASA Late Models Series North championship gives the impression of David vs. Goliath. David is being played by sophomore driver Jesse Saunders and Goliath being defending Oktoberfest ASALMS North winner Eddie Hoffman. Coming into the series season finale on Super Saturday, Hoffman holds a 93-point lead over Saunders. But the story is how many are surprised that it's Saunders contending for the title, but Saunders has a simple answer for them. Press Release (10-2-08)
The 322-mile drive from Loves Park, IL to White Bear Lake, MN will be a fun drive for Josh Vadnais as he realized a dream today by winning the 43rd Annual National Guard National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway. Vadnais became the second driver from Minnesota to win the famous event. "My very first ever NASCAR tour race I ever ran was here and I remember coming here and it's the biggest of the big shows and I wanted to be that guy in victory lane so bad," a smiling Vadnais stated in victory lane. "So many great drivers have raced and won here like the late Joe Shear. This is just a dream come true for me. To win here is probably one of the biggest wins you can have in short track racing." Press Release (10-2-08)
The Saturday night action at the Rockford Speedway was at a high at the 43rd Annual Army National Guard National Short Track Championships with Jon Reynolds Jr. having a Hollywood style finish to win the BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet 108-lap feature event. Doug Bennett, Jim Tate Jr. and Pat Ecklund also took home wins. Press Release (10-2-08)
For the second year in a row, a seven-time track champion won the Weekly Warrior Late Model feature win at the 43rd Annual National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway. Bob Hansberry, BJ Sparkman, Jon Logan Jr. and Chester Ace also took home NSTC wins on the opening night of the three day event. It would be an easy drive for Bilderback as he would go on to the win with Wilberg in second. Odegaard would hold off a late challenge from Jon Reynolds Jr. to finish third. Steve Dobbratz rounded out the top five. Press Release (10-2-08)
Two new Super Late Model events will make their debut at the 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI. The addition of the "Futures" and "Stubby 49 ½" are two new Super Late Model events to an exciting 2008 four-day schedule. The "Futures" race is a 25-lap feature event scheduled for Thursday, Oktober 2nd. What makes this event unique is that it is only open to drivers who have never competed in past championship Oktoberfest 100, NASCAR AutoZone 250, ARTGO 100's, etc at Oktoberfest and who has never competed in any of NASCAR's Top Three Series. Press Release (10-2-08)
The Chase'n Monday Motorsports team has decided to go in a new direction for the 2009 season. Saturday's race at Madison Int'l Speedway will be our final race in a Hamke Chassis. We would like to thank Steve Strasburg from RCH for all of his help this season and wish him the best of luck in the future. Andy Monday (09-23-08)
The 2008 racing season came to a close this weekend with the running of the second annual MIS Miller Lite Fall Classic. This year a total of 291 cars and trucks made their way to Madison to compete in what is quickly becoming a fall tradition in Midwest racing. Twenty-six cars took the green flag with Josh Wallace and Tom Gille making up the front row. Gille would get the early lead before surrendering it to Wallace on lap 2. Now it was Morrissey’s turn to take the lead as he raced by Wallace on the inside coming out of turn two. But this race clearly belonged to Morrissey who raced his way to victory lane followed by Haseleu, Wallace, Eswein, and Humphrey. Press Release (09-23-08)
One of the largest crowds of the season turned out to witness the Dynamite Derby of Destruction at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek Saturday night. Highlighting the show was a display from the Monster Truck Godzilla. Sunday afternoon, October 12 the track will host it's first ever Fall Invitational race. The track's weekly divisions will compete. Qualifying begins at 2 p.m. with racing getting underway at 4 p.m. Press Release (09-23-08)
One of the 19 divisions competing at the 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend will be one that will have fans of all ages sharing stories with each other on the final day of the four day race weekend. On Sunday, Oktober 5th Vintage Cars will take on the .545-mile oval in a 20-lap event. "Vintage cars bring back a lot of memories for our seasoned fans along with great stories for our new fans to hear," Gregg McKarns, Fest Vintage Car Organizer stated. "I know some fans will like seeing some of the classics racing again in a 20-lap feature event and heats. Most of the time, you can only see these great cars on display but to watch them compete, that is something worth seeing." Press Release (09-23-08)
MIS E-News Week of September 15, 2008 (09-18-08)
FRRC 2008 Awards Banquet Saturday, October 18th, 2008 5:30pm Social Hour/6:30pm Dinner with awards to follow Music and Entertainment by 'the DJ Guy' at the Darboy Club in Darboy, WI Tickets will be $16 a piece and START to go on sale at the September 22nd general membership meeting. Alternative methods of purchase (mail) will be made available after the meeting on Monday night. (09-18-08)
FRRC's first off-season meeting will be this upcoming Monday night, 9/22/08 at 7pm. (4th Monday of the month...just like usual). The agenda for this meeting will be HEAVILY weighted towards planning for a successful year end awards banquet. We will need volunteers for several things for this year's banquet, as well as sponsors for trophies and bubbly. More banquet details will be announced on Monday. The date for the banquet is Saturday, 10/18/08. Press Release (09-18-08)
With 19 divisions competing over four days and over 15,000 race fans in attendance, an event of this magnitude needs to have its own website. Oktoberfest organizers in conjunction with speedXdesign, Inc has created www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com. The site features everything that fans, competitors, and historians will need to prepare for the 39th Annual event that will take place on Oktober 2-5 at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI. Press Release (09-18-08)
Of the 19 divisions competing at the 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend, seven of those will crown champions. Two are weekly divisions at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway and five are touring divisions competing at this year's four-day event. The two La Crosse Fairgrounds Championships will be decided on Thursday, Oktober 2nd for the North Country Contractors Grand National Sportsmen and United Auto Supply Thunderstox. Press Release (09-18-08)
Dells Raceway Park point standings as of September 10th, 2008 (09-14-08)
The Behling Racing Equipment Season Championships at Slinger Speedway have been cancelled. The National Weather Service is forecasting showers, mixed with cool temps and strong north winds. The 2008 Futures and Spectator Enduro Race will be next Sunday September 21. The Futures is a race that allows area Sportsman, Hobby Stock, 4 Cylinder, and Figure 8 cars an opportunity to shine for a day at Slinger Speedway. The 2008 Slinger Speedway Banquet is scheduled for the Evening of January 10th. Press Release (09-14-08)
Rain has forced Dells Raceway Park officials to cancel the 2nd Annual Small Car Nationals for Saturday, September 13th. There will be no make up date for this event. The next event will be on Saturday, October 18th with the running of the Midwest Enduro Monster Mash starting at noon. Press Release (09-14-08)
Current Slinger Super Speedway Point Standings (09-10-08)
Jeremy Lepak charged to his fourth victory of the season in the Sno-Way Snow Plows Mooses 4 x 4 60-lap late model feature while Collin Bamke shaded Lepak by inches to win the 30-lap late model Race of Champions Sunday night at the Slinger Super Speedway. Press Release (09-10-08)
Travis Groelle raced away to his third Mid-American Sportsman feature win of the season Saturday night at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek. Also taking top honors on the second to last point night of the season were Allen “Gator” Trudell in the Super Stocks, Jason Willadsen in the Mini-Stocks, Bruce Sand in the Sport 4 class, and Mike Wilde in the Hobby Stocks. Press Release (09-10-08)
Another great crowd was on hand to watch the ASA Member Track excitement at Dells Raceway Park as the track crowned its 2008 champions. Jeff Kendall, Mike Ehde, Travis Hancock, Brad Luck, and Wally Boehm took home championships while Steve Holzhausen, Cardell Potter, Corey Jankowski, Luck, and Boehm took home feature wins. Press Release (09-10-08)
Two divisions of tractors and one division of trucks will be coming to Madison International Speedway for the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling National Championships sponsored by the Kunes Automotive Group. Pro Stock and Super Farm Tractors along with 4x4 Modified Trucks will be in action on Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th. Press Release (09-10-08)
Bobby Wilberg successfully defended his track championship in the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models on Tribute to America Night at Madison International Speedway that featured eight division in action. Thanks to a pair of fifth place finishes in both features, Wilberg was able to hold off rookie sensation Ross Kenseth to win yet another track title at MIS. Press Release (09-10-08)
To put an end to the rumors, Terry Baldry is retiring from his day job NOT from racing. Terry will be moving to Las Vegas, but will return in the spring to race. The team is in the process of securing sponsorship right now. (09-2-08)
The Labor Day weekend is always a busy one for the Wisconsin Dells area and it was at Dells Raceway Park as many kids in attendance went home with a new bicycle as part of its annual bike night. The fans also saw some great ASA Member Track racing action as Ken Reiser, Skylar Holzhausen, Jim Bates, Leonard Raupp, and David Treu Sr. took home feature wins. Press Release (09-2-08)
Brad Mueller survived an intense battle with Collin Bamke and then held off Mike Strupp to drive to victory in the Bob Fish 100 Sunday night at the Slinger Super Speedway for his second late model feature triumph of the season. “It’s crazy and to win on Bob Fish night means more to me than you can ever imagine,” an excited Mueller stated from victory lane. “Bamke ran me really, really hard and we got together a couple times but it was more of a racing deal than anything and kudos to him. He ran a great race.” Press Release (09-2-08)
Scott Leisner led over 200 laps en route to his first Tisler Salvage Enduro win Sunday afternoon at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek. Press Release (09-2-08)
Daryl Gerke swept from third to first in the closing laps to win his second MidAmerican Sportsman feature of the season Saturday night at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek. In other action, Nathan Wegner survived a battle royale in the Super Stocks to win for the first time, Allen Dillon raced away to the Mini-Stock trophy, Bruce Sand captured his third in the Sport 4 class and Mark Christensen tightened his grip on the Hobby Stock division with his fourth win. Press Release (09-2-08)
Madison International Speedway crowned four new track champions tonight as part of the Pepsi Season Championships. Nathan Haseleu won his first-ever track championship at MIS in the Weaver Auto Parts while Jay Kalbus (Bryden Motors Area Sportsman), Chester Ace (Roto Rooter Bandits), and Max McNamara (Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends) also won their first titles at MIS. The Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models will finish their season next week with Twin 40’s as part of First Supply Tribute to America Night. Press Release (09-2-08)
The Miller Lite Fall Classic is coming to Madison International Speedway on Friday, September 19th and Satuday, September 20th and will feature twelve different divisions and hundreds of cars and trucks over the two days. A total of eight divisions will be in action on Friday night including Limited Late Models, Area Sportsman, AST / International Four Cylinders, Hobby / Pure Stocks, Bandits, Legends, Bandoleros, and Grand National Vintage cars. The pit gates will open at noon with practice beginning at 1:00, qualifying at 5:00 and racing at 7:00. Press Release (09-2-08)
Touring Racing
Blake Horstman and his Wehr’s Machine team came into the 2008 American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment season with a simple goal, make all of the races. Accomplishing that goal has earned him a Touring Star status for the 2009 season. ASA Midwest Series (12-7-08)
Long time ASA car owner Don Fannetti has been battling cancer for many years and was in remission and has had a reoccurrence of cancer. He has just finished his second round of cemo therapy. LTN Radio Network (12-7-08)
Congrats: Kyle (Calmes) is the proud father of a baby boy. 8' lbs 13oz Mason is great mom is fine Kyle is proud. ASA Midwest Tour (12-7-08)
He always has a smile and enjoys coming to an American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment event. In 2008, Kyle Calmes and his Thrive to Drive Motorsports team accomplished a goal of becoming a Touring Star for the 2009 season. ASA Midwest Tour (12-2-08)
Officials with the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment have released its tentative schedule for the 2009 season. The season will consist of 13 events (with one being a non-points event) at ten different tracks in five different states. Unlike last season, where the series had 14 events at 14 different tracks, two tracks will be hosting two or more ASAMT events in the 2009 season. Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells, WI and Elko Speedway in Elko, MN will each host two point events. ASA Midwest Tour (11-26-08)
A year ago, Nick Murgic was racing his Super Late Model at tracks around central Minnesota. One year later, he competed in the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and became the 2008 Lane Automotive Rookie of the Year. Murgic did also state that his plans are to run in the ASAMT in 2009 with a simple goal of improving in the point standings and having fun. ASA Midwest Tour (11-26-08)
Ross Kenseth will compete full time in the ASA Series (didn't mention which one) in 2009. LTN Radio Network (11-24-08)
Jeff Storm returned to Super Late Model racing in 2008 driving for Scott Dahlberg. The goal was simple, get into the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment Touring Star program for 2009. He accomplished that goal by finishing 13th in the 2008 point standings. ASA Midwest Tour (11-24-08)
Earlier today ASA Midwest Tour officials were notified that 2009 rookie of the year candidate Cameron Dodson was in a severe car accident early Wednesday morning near Greenfield, IN. A hospital spokesperson says he is in critical condition and would not give details of his injuries. ASA Midwest Tour (11-19-08)
In the ASAMT, Carlson admits that this is the series where he has faced his toughest competition so far, “There is a lot of talent in this series and when you can win that is really big,” Carlson stated. And when asked to compare the competition in the ASAMT to what he has faced in his ARTGO/NASCAR Elite days, he had a simple three-word answer, “Just as tough.” At the end of the season, Carlson finished 14th in points making him eligible for the ASAMT Touring Star program in 2009 if he decides to run the full season. ASA Midwest Tour (11-19-08)
When people in local racing circles say "Donny," there's no doubt it is a reference to Donny Reuvers -- driver, champion and mentor to many. Now you can add the title "track owner." Reuvers' company, The Short Track Racing Experience, closed on a deal this week to purchase Raceway Park in Shakopee from John Hellendrung, who has owned the quarter-mile oval for more than 13 years. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Reuvers, a four-time Late Model champion at Raceway and the reigning NASCAR state champion, said discussions about purchasing the track started about two years ago at one of the NASCAR banquets. Star Tribune (11-10-08)
Final 2008 Big 8 Series point standings (10-7-08)
WEST SALEM, WI (Saturday, October 04, 2008) - It was 15 years ago this weekend that a young driver named Matt Kenseth held off Ken Lund to win the Oktoberfest 100 feature. Tonight, his 15-year-old son Ross took home his first Oktoberfest win by capturing the BRP Big 8 Series 48-lap feature event. Also Jeremy Miller defended his Big 8 Series championship as he won it by one point over Michael Bilderback. Press Release (10-7-08)
Buzz Motorsports recently moved up to the American Speed Association Midwest Tour from the ASA Challenge Series. The two brothers made their ASA Midwest Tour debut at WIR in the Dixieland 150. We are told there has been a crew chief change for the #95 of Derek Neville with Dave Stammer becoming the new crew chief. (08-29-08)
Donny Reuvers is a four-time defending track champion at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN. Tonight, he showed why as he collected his third American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment win of the season by winning the Shakopee 100 and gained valuable points on Dan Fredrickson. ASA Midwest Tour (08-18-08)
We have added 46 pictures from the ASA Midwest Tour race at Wisconsin International Raceway. We have numerous pictures of most of the cars that were at the track along with many pictures of Kyle Busch. Check out our Photo Gallery. (08-12-08)
On behalf of Tim Olson and Myself (Steve Einhaus) we would like to thank all of the area fans that made the trip to WIR on Tuesday. There was also a fantastic bus load of fans that came from Norway to the event and we appreciate your support. We are working continuously to build this event back up to where it was in the 90's and we know that it will take time. We also realize a format change is in order so that we can get fans back on the road in 2.5 hours or so. It was a long night and we apologize to all of those that had to drive home late. Press Release (08-8-08)
Current Big 8 Series point leader and defending series champion Jeremy Miller Tuesday night, as he powered through the field and inherited the lead through a late race spin to win the 'Dixieland 38' at Wisconsin International Raceway, in front of a large Tuesday night crowd. Miller would have to work from deep in the field to pick up his 7th career Big 8 Series win though, as he took the green flag from 12th in the 24-car starting field. Press Release (08-8-08)
For the second year in a row RK Race Promotions has teamed up with The Milwaukee Mile to promote the Wisconsin All-Star 100 with Matt Kenseth as part of The Mile's Annual Governor's Cup Weekend. On Sunday, August 24, Matt Kenseth will be joined by NASCAR points leader Kyle Busch and the best super late model racers in the Midwest in the Wisconsin All-Star 100 with Matt Kenseth event. Press Release (08-1-08)