2008 News and Rumors - January
Asphalt Racing
Terry Miller tells us he will be back at WIR weekly with his #7 Limited Late Model. In addition to his Limited Late Model ride he will team up with his son Chris to run a Super Stock. Chris and Terry will take turns behind the wheel of the #7 Super Stock. (01-31-08)
Remember Saturday February 2 is Randercar Open hours III. Refreshments (Adult & Non) World Famous hot dogs. 9am-6pm N177c Speedway Lane, Kaukauna, WI 54130. (01-29-08)
Tyler Bauknecht will make the move from Super Stocks to Limited Late Models for the 2008 season. Tyler will pilot the #33 Limited Late Model that made a couple appearances in 2008Tyler will race full time in the Big 8 Series and a limited schedule at WIR. The #60 Super Stock that Tyler drove last season is owned by Allen Trudell and will be driven by Allen for 2008. (01-29-08)
Madison International Speedway General Manager Dave Grueneberg has announced that the Super Late Models will return to the track in 2008 as a weekly racing division. The super late models will join the Limited Late Models, Area Sportsman, Bandits, and Legends as weekly divisions. The Bandits and Legends will race on the quarter mile with the other divisions taking on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile. Who Won (01-24-08)
Kyle Quella tells us he will be back racing full time in the Wisconsin Sport Truck divison. Kyle will also race the Super Late Model that was purchased from Six Crew Racing. The plan is to start practicing the Late Model as soon as the soon melts. The team just picked up a motor for their late model from B & B Racing Engines. If all goes well the team would like to run the Wisconsin Challenge Series opener in April at Dells Raceway Park. There is no set schedule for the car as they are going to play it by ear, but would like to race it once a month. (01-24-08)
The Fox River Racing Club will have 1099's and W-2's available at the next meeting, which is this Monday, 1/28/08 at 7pm at the Darboy Club. Any of them not picked up will be mailed out soon afterwards. (01-24-08)
Wisconsin International Raceway has released their 2008 schedule of events. WIR Motorsports (01-22-08)
Mark your calendars for Saturday May 17th when the USAC National Midgets invade Slinger Speedway. The Kubota Stan Fox Memorial Classic presented by Mid State Equipment is the second leg of the USAC National Midget Maynia Tour presented by STM promotions and Slinger Speedway. Who Won (01-20-08)
It is still 92 days away, but it’s a good bet West Salem, Wis., driver Steve Carlson — the Whelen All-American Series national champ, that is — can’t wait for the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway season opener. The tentative Fairgrounds Speedway has been released, and the season opener is set for April 19. There are a number of special events this season, including a potential May 16 show featuring the USAC National Midgets. La Crosse Tribune (01-20-08)
Slinger Speedway will start at 6pm on Sunday Nights in 2008. Qualifying will take place at 4:30pm. LTN Radio Network (01-6-08) MORE: Slinger Speedway will open April 27, and the track will experiment with an earlier starting time in 2008, racing at 6 rather than 7 on Sunday nights, beginning May 11. The Miller Lite Nationals are set for July 15. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (01-20-08)
Mike Reichenberger tells us that everything appears to be set for 2008. Mike will continue racing weekly at Norway Speedway and everything will be the same as 2007. If sponsorship can be found than Mike would run special events at Wisconsin International Raceway. Mike tells us he is also working on getting his son Brandon in a Late Model at Norway Speedway. (01-10-08)
Randy Van Roy has purchased Ben Scheurer Limited Late Model and will be moving up to the Limited Late Model divison. After selling the car Ben Scheuer is done racing. Randy's #49 Super Stock will sit parked unless someone can be found to drive it. (12-26-07) UPDATE: Randy will carry the #49 on his Limited Late Model ride. (01-10-08)
Midwest Motorsports are preparing for their final auction of the racing off-season with the Michigan Racer’s Auction this Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Hazel Gray Building located on the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds in Kalamazoo, MI. Press Release (01-7-08)
Sad News: Gary Pomeroy the owner of Big Red Machinery Movers and long time supporter of Tony Strupp passed away. For a photo remembrance of Gary's racing life follow us to Strupp Enterprises. (1-5-07) UPDATE 2: Ed Cluka mentioned on the "Lets Talk Nascar" radio show that Gary was a diabetic and passed away as a result of a insulan attack. LTN Radio (01-6-08) UPDATE 3: Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 11 at 11AM, AT THE FUNERAL HOME. Burial to follow at St. Anthony Church Cemetery. Visitation on Thursday, January 10 from 4-7PM AT THE FUNERAL HOME. In leu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the American Diabetes Association or Charity of your choice. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (01-6-08)
Sawyer Effertz who raced go karts and Bandolero's for many years made the move to 4 cylinders last season. Sawyers raced in the 4 cylinder division weekly at WIR and on the dirt in Oshkosh. For the 2008 season the team will be moving up to the Super Stock division. (10-15-07) UPDATE: The team has choice the #2 and check out Clintman.itgo for a picture of the car. (01-2-08)
The Fox River Racing Club has received several quality applicants for the flagman, spotters, tech inspectors and announcer position for the 2008 season. We will be making decisions soon and calling people and inviting them to our yearly employees/contractors meeting, which typically occurs in February each year. So, if you are still interested in putting your hat in the pool of eligibles, now is the time to e-mail your intent to: foxriverracingclub@yahoo.com (01-2-08)
Touring Racing
One of the taglines of the ASA Midwest Tour is “Bringing You the Stars of the Future.” In order to achieve this goal, the ASAMT is asking its drivers and teams that are competing in the 2008 season to help us help you by filling out the driver/race team information sheet found on the track’s website at www.asamidwesttour.com. The online form is asking for information that the ASAMT feels that the fans, media, and sponsors would like to know about each competitor. The idea is to allow the fans to get to know the drivers and their teams prior to coming to or after they saw an ASAMT event. Press Release (01-31-08)
2007 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Champion Nathan Haseleu talked about growing up and racing his bike with his friends. They didn’t imagine that they were NASCAR stars, but ASA stars. They dreamed they were stars like Joe Shear, Dick Trickle, Bob Senneker, and many more. While Haseleu got to live his dream and become a true ASA champion on Saturday night at the championship banquet, three rookies got to see their dreams stay alive as each won a new engine to compete with during the 2008 season. Brandon Hill, Travis Sauter, and Kris Kelly each became recipients of a new racing engine at a drawing during the championship banquet. Press Release (01-30-08)
A large gathering was on hand at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI this past Saturday night, January 26th, to celebrate the inaugural season of the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment. The evening was highlighted with presenting Nathan Haseleu with his championship trophy along with many other awards and prizes. Press Release (01-29-08)
The Mid-American Stock Car Series announced a partnership with Aluminum Racing Products beginning in the 2009 Season. Through the agreement ARP will be the official "New Generation" body manufacturer for Mid-American. All body styles which are currently Mid-American legal will continue to be legal. Racing Wisconsin (01-27-08)
The ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour Presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment’s stars and officials have been nominated in several categories for speed51.com’s (www.speed51.com) 2007 Short Track Awards. It’s the fourth time that the website is asking its readers to vote in 36 categories where the top vote-getter will receive the “51’s.” Press Release (01-27-08)
Toward the end of the 2007 season there was alot of rumors floating around about Charlie Menard. There was speculation that John Menard shut down the Late Model team that Charlie drove for. As of today there is no mention of Charlie Menard on the Menard Racing websites. We have also learned that Charlie no longer works for Menards Store. We understand this all is the result of Charlie inviting some vendors of the company to his wedding. John Menard didn't approve and was asked to leave the reception by Charlie which resulted in the above taking place. (01-24-08)
We (Racing Wisconsin ) had a chance to chat with ASA Late Model Series champion Travis Dassow, who told me their team is no longer searching for another driver due to money restrictions. He enjoyed racing NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck events last season, and the team was happy with his performance as well, but as of now there are no concrete plans for this season. Money is the final limiter in racing now, not brakes. Racing Wisconsin (01-24-08)
Big 8 Series officials along with Golden Sands Speedway have announced that the “Weekly Warriors” will make their first ever visit to the Plover, WI 1/3-mile facility on Friday, July 11th. This announcement fills in the open July date that the Big 8 Series had as “TBA” on their 2008 schedule. Press Release (01-24-08)
The post season accolades continue to come in for 2007 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Champion, Nate Haseleu. He, along with second place finisher Donny Reuvers, was named as State Champions by Late Model Digest. Press Release (01-24-08)
With wind chill temps in the -20 to -25 degree range, it didn’t stop the “Weekly Warriors” of the Big 8 Series to come together and celebrate the 2007 season. The Big 8 Series awards were handed out this past Saturday night at the Forrest Hills Lodge in Loves Park, IL. Press Release (01-22-08)
Final preparations are being made for the 2007 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour Presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Championship Banquet this Saturday night at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Along with honoring the top drivers from the 2007 season, three drivers will be going home with a brand new race engine. Tesar Engineering located in Long Lake, MN, B & B Racing Engines located in Appleton, WI and Pro Power Racing in Sullivan, WI will each be giving away a new engine this Saturday night. This giveaway alone is over $75,000 and only a part of the awards to be handed out this Saturday night. Press Release (01-22-08)Scott Wimmer won't race in the Daytona 500 this year as he had hoped, the Wausau native said Thursday. It was a race that maybe we were going to run but we weren't 100% sure; we didn't have sponsorship," said Wimmer, who placed third in the 500 in 2004. "Kirk ended up coming with some sponsorship dollars. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (01-20-08)
The ASA Midwest Tour will be hosting a 2008 Pre-Season meeting on Sunday, January 27th at 11 a.m. at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center, Room B, in Wisconsin Dells, WI. This meeting will include: discussion of the upcoming 2008 season, rule updates, procedures, ASA membership information, and Introduction of sponsors, along with new and exciting plans for 2008. Press Release (01-20-08)
ASAMT officials are proud to announce that veteran motorsports broadcaster Jim Tretow will be emceeing the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Championship Banquet on Saturday, January 26th at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Press Release (01-16-08)
One of the more legendary names in motorsports will be represented in the 2008 Big 8 Series season. David Naumann has announced that Travis Sauter, grandson of Jim Sauter and son of Tim Sauter, will be driving his Competition Graphics, Falbe Collision Center Chevrolet. Press Release (01-16-08)
Last year, Tim Olson and Steve Einhaus went out on a limb in starting the new ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment. To say they exceeded their expectations would be an understatement, but they are staying humble with their success and are already working overtime in preparation for the 2008 season. Olson, the ASAMT President and co-owner of I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre, MN, is someone who rarely does interviews as he feels his work is better served behind the scenes working in the pits with the drivers and teams and assisting in the tech area. He recently sat down and shared his thoughts of the 2007 season and some of the plans for the 2008 season. Press Release (01-16-08)
ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment officials along with Dells Raceway Park officials have mutually announced that the race date originally scheduled for Saturday, June 28 has been moved to Sunday, June 1. The change in the ASAMT schedule will now allow the race teams a weekend break between the June 22nd Grundy County Speedway event and the July 5th I-94 Speedway event. ASA Midwest Tour (01-12-08)
The fourth full season of the Big 8 Series will begin on Sunday, April 13th at the Rockford Speedway, Big 8 Series officials announced today. The 2008 schedule will feature eight racing dates at five different tracks. The season opener will be the headline event for the annual Spring Classic event at the famous quarter-mile facility just north of downtown Rockford. The “Weekly Warriors” will be competing in a 100-lap feature event. The Mid-American Series will also be competing that afternoon in a 50-lap feature event. Press Release (01-9-08)
Dan Fredrickson stands tall, looks tough, and carefully thinks about what he wants to say. He almost appears to be a gentle giant, that is until you get him behind the wheel and you watch him charge to the front. When he was asked about the ASA Midwest Tour, he had plenty to say. “You know I thought it was going to be a pretty good deal going into it and I had no idea it was going to be as big of a deal,” Fredrickson recalled. “If you asked me to score it on a one to ten scale, I thought it was going to be a seven or eight right off the bat, and it ended up being a ten and a half.” Kevin Ramsell (01-9-08)
A few years ago, Tom Deery, Gregg McKarns, and Greg Folk were sitting in a Bob Evans restaurant in Michigan. It was at that meeting that the idea of the Big 8 Series came about. After finishing its third full season, an idea has turned into one of the most competitive series going in the Midwest. Kevin Ramsell (01-9-08)
ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment officials would like to remind everyone that the January 16th advance registration deadline is quickly approaching for the 2007 Championship Banquet on Saturday, January 26th. Advance banquet tickets are available for $50 a person if your reservation is made by January 16th. Any tickets purchased after the 16th will be $75. Press Release (01-9-08)
The 2008 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment season opener is a little more than four months away. Already, a total of 45 numbers have been registered for 2008 competition. 16 of the top 20 drivers from the 2007 final point standings have already registered their numbers for the 2008 season. This includes 2007 champion Nate Haseleu and runner-up Donny Reuvers. Press Release (01-7-08)