November 2004
Hi Everyone,
Great things are happening at Madison International Speedway!!! Here is a summary
of what's been happening over the past month.
On behalf of all of us at MIS we would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving
and holiday season. We would also like to remind everyone to be safe this hunting
season too!
Flash...Check out this new website. http://www.autoracingtracks.com
***Promoter's Meeting Held in Stoughton
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. There
were three main goals for this meeting: First, the promoters would discuss their
rules and try to reach agreement on a common set of rules that will allow drivers
to more easily compete at more than one track. Second, the discussion would focus
on ways to save the drivers / car owners money. Third, a clearinghouse would be
developed to allow tracks to share information regarding any rules violations,
tech questions, etc.
This meeting was organized by MIS promoter Steve Einhaus. Promoters from eight
tracks, MIS, Lake Geneva, WIR, Norway, Illiana, Fergus Falls, I-94, and the Grundy
County Speedway were in attendance along with the MARS series. According to Einhaus
the meeting was very successful with tracks willing to compromise and work towards
agreeing on a common set of rules. These rules will be shared at upcoming drivers'
meetings at the participating tracks.
A new website, http://www.autoracingtracks.com was established by Tim Olson of
I-94 Speedway in Minnesota. This site will allow participating tracks to share
information. The general public will have access to various forums offered by
this site. I would encourage you to check it out, but please understand that it
is brand new. I would encourage anyone with questions or comments to contact Steve
Einhaus at miseinhaus@yahoo.com
***ASALM and Super Late Model Rules Meetings
Dates for these rules meetings are still being finalized...we are likely looking
at a late-November date. We are currently waiting for the updated ASA Late Model
rules as well as the finalizing of the super late model rules before we can set
the date. We will be notifying everyone of the date, time, and location of these
meetings as soon as plans are finalized.
Attention ASA Late Models Teams: There will be a major announcement released shortly
from Ron Varney, director of the ASA Late Model series. According to MIS promoter
Steve Einhaus, "It is with great pleasure that I can personally say that
some very positive things are going to be happening to this series and they will
also be a huge advancement for the future of this class at MIS. He (Varney) has
done some fabulous work to bring this series to where it is now and the future
looks very bright." Some new procedures have been written into the race rules
and a new flawless seal program is going to be rolled out at our driver's meeting
which will take place in the very near future. Ron Varney will be on hand at this
meeting to answer everyone's questions.
MIS is also happy to announce that we are in the process of certifying a crate
engine re-builder in our area. This will avoid all of you from having to take
a trip to Michigan to have your engine certified by one of the current builders.
Once the meeting date is set we will be posting the information on ROL Forum as
well as via our website. We would also encourage anyone interested in the ASA
Late Model program to join our MIS E-News mailing list. Contact mismedia2@yahoo.com
to sign up today.
In other news from MIS, Steve Einhaus is preparing a technical workshop so that
all tracks in the midwest can together to discuss proper techniques. According
to Einhaus, "Tech is the most important factor in having a successful racing
facility and I am happy to host this meeting. We are looking at having this meeting
shortly after the first of the year and will have tech personnel from all over
the country on hand including from some of the nation's top racing programs."
As soon as the dates for the rules meetings and technical workshop are set we
will have this information out to you immediately. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact Steve Einhaus at miseinhaus@yahoo.com.
***MIS Adds Fourth Weekly Division
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. Support at the informational meeting
held in Stoughton overwhelming favored following the Jefferson rules. Several
drivers have already filled out membership forms and are eagerly looking forward
to taking on the half mile in 2005.
***Midwest / Mid American Trucks Join Forces
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. This greatly increases the visibility of the trucks from both
divisions. Interest in the truck series has really taken off with talk of new
trucks being built and idle trucks from both series coming out of the garages
and to the track for 2005.
***2005 Membership Forms Now Available
MIS memberships for the 2005 racing season are now available for $50.00. Please
contact us via our track email at mismedia2@yahoo.com for more information.
***Wayne's Custom DIECAST to Sponsor Trophy Dash Series
Our good friends at Wayne's Custom DIECAST will once again be working with us
at MIS in 2005. In addition to sponsoring the "Hard Charger" Award for
the ASA Late Models, they will be sponsoring a three event trophy dash for the
ASA Late Models. The top six in qualifying on those three nights will get to run
in a trophy dash and compete for a trophy as well as points for the trophy dash
series only. An overall trophy dash champion will be crowned at the end of the
season.
Wayne has previously offered incentives for drivers at MIS with his "Contingency
for Consistency" program back in 2003 in addition to the Hard Charger program
which debuted in 2004 and was won by Ron Breese Jr. Wayne does outstanding diecast
work and has done several cars for MIS drivers such as Chad Wood, Brady Liddle,
and Mike Beyer. You can contact Wayne at 608-873-8735 or email him at dalejr8@chorus.net.
***Ask the Promoter
Please email me with questions you would like to ask MIS promoter Steve Einhaus.
I will do my best to include questions and the answers in upcoming newsletters.
***Newsletter Suggestions
Please send your suggestions to me at mcfjdw@yahoo.com. Several suggestions from
our last newsletter such as promotions for the drivers will be implemented in
2005.
***MIS Banquet Set
The MIS banquet honoring the 2004 racing season will be held on Saturday, February
5 at the Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison. Information will be sent to all
2004 members very soon...non-members are welcome too.
***Hooters to MIS
The Hooters Pro Cup will be making their first visit to MIS. It is very likely
that this race could be shown before a national television audience if all goes
as planned (tape delayed).
***Triple Crown Events at MIS
A three race series within a series will take place for the Midwest / Mid Am trucks
in 2005. These events will be sponsored by the Mid American series and a bonus
point fund will be presented to the overall top finishers over the course of the
three races. A similar event will also take place for the Mid American Stock Cars
who will visit MIS three times in 2005.
***Winged Sprints to Return
Plans have been tentatively set for the return of the winged sprint cars. In 2004,
the all-time track record at MIS was set when Joe Rebman of Mansfield, Ohio, turned
a lap of 15.048 mph or 119.62 mph. By the way, to calculate the lap speed at MIS
take 1800 and divide it by the lap time.
Quaker Steak & Lube's Grand Opening
***Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - "Public Grand Opening" Guests of every
age are welcome to come celebrate Quaker Steak & Lube's official grand opening.
Kids will have the opportunity to meet "The Lube's" very own mascot
Gizzard Coop.
Madison International Speedway racing star Beau Bavery will also be on hand, showing
off his speedy set of wheels and signing autographs.
From 3 PM until close, Quaker Steak & Lube will serve up their award-winning
wings, featuring 16 different flavors from mild to wild. Guests can get the first
taste of the as-yet-unveiled "Badger BBQ" sauce. And the extremely courageous
can even try an Atomic Wing, the only wing that requires signing a waiver. Survivors
of the full-on flavor explosion will be immortalized on Quaker Steak & Lube's
"Wall of Flames."
We at MIS are very excited to be working with Quaker Steak! It is located in Middleton,
Wisconsin at the intersection of University Avenue and the West Beltline, 2259
Deming Way. Please visit there web site at: www.lubewings.com, or call 608-831-5823.
***Ideas Wanted:
We are looking for ideas for both adult and child promotional activities before
the races and during intermission. If you have some suggestions please let me
know. Some suggestions have been a "Pick Four" game in which four lucky
fans are selected who each get to pick who they think will win the four feature
events for the night. The winner will receive a prize if they can correctly identify
the race winners...before the races obviously. We are looking for new ideas so
let us know.
Special thanks to the Morrisseys and Jody K for their suggestions last month.
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season...we will talk to all of you very soon with
updates. Our MIS E-News now goes to over 250 supporters of Madison International
Speedway.
John Wells
Madison International Speedway