MIS October E-News
by John Wells
This is the October issue of the Madison International Speedway E-News. During the off season we will be sending out our newsletter at least once per month.
**THE SHORT TRACK IS BACK AT MIS IN 2006**
Promoter Steve Einhaus has announced that Madison International Speedway will not only feature Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile, but will also be home to a new short track.
The short track will be a D-shaped oval utilizing part of the front stretch. "After evaluating the differences in costs between reconstructing the former short track and building the new track, Terry Kunes, Dave Grueneberg, and I decided that this would be the best direction to go as far as adding a new track. This will enhance the appearance of the facility as a whole as we continue to make capital improvements in an effort to assure that MIS continues to be one of the top short track racing facilities in America," stated Einhaus.
Construction is due to begin within a week, and weather pending, will possibly be paved before winter.
"The installation of the short track will allow us to offer so many more varieties of racing," noted Einhaus. "With just the half-mile track we were really limited as to which divisions could race at MIS. The short track means that many drivers will now have an opportunity to race at MIS either as part of our weekly show and at special events. I think the fans will really appreciate the range of divisions in 2006. Fans will now have the best of both worlds with two exciting tracks," added Einhaus.
Fans will have an opportunity to see photos of the track construction on our newly revamped website.
**WEEKLY RACING AT MIS TAKES ON A NEW LOOK IN 2006**
Weekly Divisions: ASALM, Area Sportsman, Bandits Rotating Weekly Divisions: Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks
Highlighting the weekly racing divisions in 2006 will be the ASA Late Model Series. In only its second year at MIS, this division averaged nearly thirty cars each
week. "I am getting calls nearly everyday asking about the series. Drivers have been watching it closely for the past two years and realize that this is a great series. We are expecting car counts to go even higher in 2006," said Einhaus.
Returning to Madison International Speedway in 2006 after a two year absence will be the limited late models who will be racing twice monthly. "I have had
so many requests from drivers to bring this division back in 2006 and we will be doing just that," stated Einhaus who indicated the division will be following the Big Eight Series rulebook. The limited late model division will be racing on the half-mile in 2006.
After a successful debut season in 2005, the Area Sportsman division will also return to MIS in 2006. "These guys put on a great show last year and were very loyal to this track. We want to continue to see this division grow in 2006 as the Area Sportsman will be running on the big track once again," said Einhaus, who indicated that the possibility of the division occasionally running on the small track is something he is considering.
Two new divisions will see action on the short track in 2006. A four cylinder "Bandit" division along with hobby stocks will make their debut at MIS. "Support
divisions help a track survive because they bring in so many new and young racers. These are drivers who will eventually make the move up to the big track,"
commented Einhaus who indicated he expects solid fields in both divisions.
Information on memberships, pit stalls, etc. will be released very shortly via this newsletter. There will not be any driver rule meetings for 2006.
Several exciting special events will take place at MIS in 2006 for the super late models even though the division will no longer be featured weekly at Madison
International Speedway. This was a very difficult decision for Einhaus who stated, "This track has always had the best divisions and competition in the country. Along with that came the expenses of paying a weekly purse that overall was one of the highest in the midwest. With a dwindling super late model car count which was in part due to the popularity of the ASA Late Models and the trend towards drivers running more specials, we have decided to discontinue racing
super late models weekly."
The Midwest Truck Series will not be racing weekly at Madison International Speedway in 2006. "There's no question this was some of the best side by side racing at MIS. However, the truck count never reached the levels we were hoping to see even after all the work was done to even the playing field with the Mid Am Super Trucks," said Einhaus. Einhaus also added that he hopes to be able to have a couple of truck races at MIS during the upcoming season.
**MANY SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2006**
Einhaus was excited to mention some of the special events coming to Madison International Speedway in the '06 season. He did indicate that this schedule is
tentative:
Matt Kenseth will be returning to MIS in an event promoted by RK Race Promotions that has been scheduled for June 27.
The Wisconsin Challenge Series (WCS) will be at MIS to open the season on Sunday, May 7 as part of the season opener. The series will return to MIS for the track's final event of the year on Sunday, September 10.
The USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series will be returning to MIS on Saturday, August 19.
MIS will be hosting a night of open wheel racing on June 16 when the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series and their high flying, record setting 410 winged sprint cars return along with the Ford Focus Midget Series.
The ASALM Series will be at Madison for a nationally televised event on Saturday, May 26. MIS is looking to make this an annual event occurring each Memorial Day weekend. We are also looking at a possible "Small Car" special that weekend as well.
The newly formed ASA Late Model Northern Series will be at MIS on Friday, August 4.
Two "Eve of Destruction" type events are also possible in 2006 along with two spectacular fireworks shows.
Stay tuned for more schedule updates as we move closer to the start of the season.
**WHAT ELSE IS NEW IN 2006???**
MIS will be going to transponder scoring in 2006. This will apply only to the ASALM and LLM at this point in time.
MIS will be debuting a brand new website as of November 1. The website address will be the same (madisoninternationalspeedway.com) but will include many new features. The site will contain video, a photo page, and will include immediate updating after each racing event.
Many new promotions for fans are in the works as well as contests, special event nights, food and drink specials, etc.
We will keep everyone posted as more details are worked out on our schedule, special events, etc.
MIS Announces LLM Rule change
Madison Intl Speedway Promoter Steve Einhaus announced today that the MIS Midwest Truck Wegner Spec engines will be allowed to compete at MIS on Friday nights in the LLM Division.
" I have been thinking about this for awhile since we eliminated the weekly truck division at Madison. These guys are sitting there with all of these spec motors
and generally no place to race. Why not throw the engine into a LLM Chassis and save these guys some money. The basic parts on their trucks are identical or within the rules on a LLM so all they have to do is switch everything over," stated Einhaus.
Einhaus added, "Greg Folk and I spoke at length about the topic and he also agreed that this could add an extra 8 or 10 cars into our local area LLM classes at
area tracks. It's tough to eliminate a division because they have so much invested and I know all of them on a personal level, but it's very tough on the track to keep financially supporting it. We are going to change just one thing and that would be the carburetor rule for that engine. The current carburetor does not have a teching device and that makes officials uncomfortable. We are going to do some dyno testing with the 500 2brl and the 650 4brl next week and see where we need to start. I called a few of the current truck guys and they were ecstatic that they didn't have to buy a new motor next year... it's a tough situation for them so we'll try our best to find a way to make things happen."
The limited late models will return to Madison International Speedway in 2006 following the Big Eight Series rules with aforementioned exception.
**A MESSAGE FROM THE PROMOTER**
"It was a great year at MIS and I couldn't have been happier will of the people that I was able to meet and can now call friends. I was truly amazed at how well
people in racing respect each other. It's been a learning experience for me and I am looking forward to working with this great group of people at MIS again
in 2006. Our fans are great, the drivers are all class acts, and we have some great sponsors who want to see MIS be as successful as possible. I couldn't ask for more."
**MILLER AND GENTILE TAKE HOME ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONORS**
Madison International Speedway would like to recognize our two rookie of the year drivers for 2005: Jeremy Miller in the Bryden Motors Super Late Models and Dave Gentile Jr. in the Weaver Auto Parts ASA Late Models.
"Both of these drivers are rising stars. Race fans from throughout the country should take notice as these are both guys to watch as they move their way up the racing ladder," noted MIS promoter Steve Einhaus.
Miller came to MIS in 2005 with some experience on Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile, but quickly established himself as a driver to watch as he earned his first
super late model feature win at MIS.
Gentile of Elwood, Illinois, made the two hour plus trip to MIS each week in his first season at the speedway.
**PLANS BEING FINALIZED FOR BANQUET**
We expect to have all of the plans worked out for the banquet honoring the 2005 racing season. The date will be Saturday, January 21, 2005. We will email
everyone as soon as all of the plans have been worked out.
**LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS?**
MIS has a wide variety of merchandise available for kids including shirts and hats. These items would make great holiday gifts for your kids or grandchildren.
Contact Diane at mismedia2@yahoo.com for more information.
**MIS ENTERS SCHOOL-BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP**
Promoter Steve Einhaus and Madison International Speedway have joined forces with the McFarland School District as a school-business partner. The program
involves over twenty area businesses who pair up with a class from the McFarland School District.
MIS will be partnering with my fifth grade students at Waubesa Intermediate School and will begin working on a marketing project next month.
**PLAN YOUR GATHERING AT MIS IN 2006**
MIS is a great place to bring your sponsors or your business out for a night of entertainment. Package deals are available that include tickets, food, and beverage. We can work with you to accommodate groups of all sizes. Please contact Steve Einhaus for more information.
**2006 SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE**
Sponsorship packages for the 2006 racing season are available. MIS is a great place to market your business as we offer all types of marketing partnerships include divisional sponsorships, banners and barriers, nightly sponsorships, special events, cooperative sponsorships, and much more. Steve Einhaus will gladly work with you to create the best opportunity for you.
**NEWSLETTER WILL HAVE NEW LOOK**
We are also proud to announce that our newsletter will be taking on a new format in the near future. Sponsorships are available and we will include your business link right on the newsletter that currently goes out to over 700 fans, drivers, sponsors, and media. Contact Steve Einhaus for more information.
**CHAD WOOD PARTY TO BENEFIT ST. JUDES**
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.
Chad Wood and the Wood Brothers Racing Team will be celebrating either a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the ASA Late Model Touring Series Championship. Wood's last race is in Rockford the same day of the party but he'll be in a celebratory mood come 7:30 Saturday night in Verona. Rich Bickle and other MIS drivers will be joining Wood Brothers Racing at the Verona party so it promises to be a great time.
Wood is currently in 3rd place but hopes to finish in 2nd with a strong showing in the final race of the 2005 ASALM season. Asheville, NC driver Stephen Leicht
has wrapped up the ASALM Championship leaving a battle between Madison's Wood and Brian Campbell from Grand Rapids, MI.
It's been quite a season for this local favorite who proudly proclaims Madison International Speedway as his home track. The 2005 ASALM Touring Series began with 116 drivers, throughout the country, registering to compete. After 13 of 14 races, Wood has achieved (11) Top 10's including (8) Top 5's. During this
championship run, Wood won 2 poles by setting track records at Calhoun County Speedway in Springport, MI and Jennerstown, PA. That elusive win was within Wood's reach at Baer Field Speedway in Ft. Wayne, IN. Wood had a sizable lead with the race winding down when an overheating problem forced him to the pits.
In recognition of Wood's great season, MIS would like to invite racing enthusiasts to attend Saturday's concert/party. Tickets are $15 but you can purchase a
ticket for $12 by taking advantage of the MIS special. All $12 will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital courtesy of Trackside Charities Foundation.
To reserve your ticket, e-mail info@tracksidecharities.org. Include your name and number of tickets. You can pay for and pick up your tickets at the MAC Sports Center's Will Call window at the concert. The concert starts at 7:30. Gates open at 6:30 and Will Call opens at 6:00. Plan on celebrating an outstanding season with MIS's very own Chad Wood. The concert will conclude at 11:00 so busy Trick or Treaters can move on to their next party.
For more information go to www.tracksidecharities.org.
**ATTENTION DRIVERS AND TEAMS**
Email me with your plans for the 2006 racing season. Our nearly 1000 newsletter subscribers want to know what's happening especially during the long winter
months of the off season. Contact me at mismedia2@yahoo.com or mcfjdw@yahoo.com or by phone at 608.225.1913.
I would love to include your information both in our newsletter and in the off season press releases we will be sending out.
We are especially interested in rookie of the year candidates for both the ASA Late Model Division and Area Sportsman Division.
**BIG NEWS FROM ASA LATE MODEL SERIES**
The Outdoor Channel to televise 10 ASA Late Model Challenge Series events in 2006! The famed Milwaukee Mile, amongst the first venues to sign on for next
season!
By Matt Prieur-ASA Late Model Series
(West Allis, Wisconsin 10/20/05): The 2006 season for the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts is coming together nicely and the anticipation is building at a tremendous rate. All three 2006 schedules in the three touring series, the ASA Late Model Challenge Division as well as the ASA Late Model Series Northern and Southern Divisions are in the process of being announced to the racing world.
In addition to the three schedules that are about to be released in the coming days, a major announcement came out in a press conference held at the famed Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin earlier today (October 20, 2005). ASA Late Model Series Founder/President, Ron Varney, formally announced the
television package for the 2006 ASA Late Model Challenge Series! 10 of the scheduled events to be held in 2006 for the ASA Late Model Challenge Division
will be nationally televised on a tape delay basis on the cable network, The Outdoor Channel!
"I'm just ecstatic about the television deal, this brings back a tradition the fans of the old ASA tour had grown accustomed too," offered Varney. "With the exposure the series will get on a great network like The Outdoor Channel, the possibilities and the potential for the ASA Late Model Series itself, our fans, and especially are teams are endless!," Continued Varney. "Look at where we were just a few years ago in 2003 with the formation of the USPRO Cup Series and look where we're at today with the current ASA Late Model Series.," Varney added. "We now have three different traveling series'! This is beyond my wildest dreams when I envisioned the direction of the series'," He added.
To learn more about The Outdoor Channel, go to their website at: www.outdoorchannel.com
In addition to the television announcement, Varney and Milwaukee Mile General Manager, Gary Girard also jointly announced the return of call letters, ASA, to
the famed one-mile track located just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin! The ASA Late Model Challenge Series will headline the Saturday portion of the
prestigious Governor's Cup Weekend to be held August 25-27, 2006.
"We welcome the ASA Late Model Challenge Series to The Milwaukee Mile. This 150-mile event will be a highlight on our August 25-27 Governor's Cup Weekend, with a Saturday afternoon shootout we know our fans will enjoy," Girard said after the announcement was made. "With what will be the largest track the ASA Late Model Challenge Series will compete on in 2006, we look forward to working with Ron Varney and his staff in putting on a great race, building on the tradition of stock car racing dating back to 1948 here at America's Legendary Oval," Added Girard.
Since 1903, The Milwaukee Mile has been one of the premier venues in American motorsports. Nearly every major auto racing sanction body has hosted events at The Mile through its century of existence. The roster of past winners at the track includes the greatest names in both open wheel and stock car racing. A listing of ASA drivers that have won at Milwaukee is also stacked with accomplished "name" competitors.
The historical ASA National Tour has had a prominent place in the stock car history at The Milwaukee Mile, holding 35 events there since 1978. Starting with the
first ASA event at the Mile on May 7, 1978, the historical ASA's all-time wins leader, Bob Senneker recorded that first ASA victory at the Milwaukee Mile.
Other winners throughout the years at the Mile include, Wisconsin Legend, Dick Trickle as well as the late Alan Kulwicki. Other winners on that impressive list include, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Jim Sauter, Butch Miller, Seven-time ASA National Champion, Mike Eddy, Johnny Benson Jr., three-time ASA National
Champion, Kevin Cywinski, Mike Garvey, the late Joe Shear and most recently, Wisconsin's own, Bryan Reffner on August 29, 2004.
"This has been a great day for the ASA Late Model Series," Added Varney. "With the television package coming together, plus we get to go back to one of the
most prestigious tracks in the country in the Mile and ASA share a solid history and a solid tradition together. To be able to resume that tradition at the Mile with the ASA Late Model Challenge Series is definitely a huge feather in the Series' cap."
Varney then added; "The whole ASA Late Model Series family; The Drivers, Fans, Crews, Teams, Officials, everybody. Every single one of us should all be very
proud today! Without a shadow of a doubt, Today is the biggest day in the history of the ASA Late Model Series!" He ended.
To learn more about the historical Milwaukee Mile, log on to their website at: www.milwaukeemile.com
The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts will close out the 2005 season on Saturday October 29th for the conclusion of the 40th annual
National Short Track Championships at the Rockford (IL) Speedway in Loves Park, Illinois. Current ASA Late Model Series Points Leader, Stephen Leicht and
Rockford's own hometown favorite, Ryan Carlson will lead the field to the green flag to start the Chicago International Trucks/Season Championships 100 to close out the 2005 season.
Leicht merely needs to take the green flag and the 18-year-old Asheville, North Carolina native, one of the Young Lions of the ASA Late Model Series, will
clinch the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Championship! In addition, Brian Campbell, the current Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year Points Leader, just needs to start the Chicago International Trucks/Season Championships 100 and the Grand Rapids, Michigan pilot will clinch the freshman crown! Mark Hartline has already won the 2005 GM Performance Parts Shootout Points Championship.
For more information about the remaining 2005 season as well as the approaching 2006 season with the ASA Late Model Challenge Division, the ASA Late Model Series Northern and Southern Divisions; check out their websites at: www.asalatemodelsnorth.com and www.asalatemodelssouth.com You can also call the ASA Late Model Series home offices at 1 (800) 385-2503 or log onto the main website at: www.asalatemodels.com
ASA LATE MODEL CHALLENGE 2006 SCHEDULE
PRESENTED BY GM PERFORMANCE PARTS
Tentative - subject to change
April 23rd.......TBA
May 27th.......Madison International Speedway -
Oregon, WI
June 10th......Oswego Speedway - Oswego, NY
June 14th......Berlin Raceway - Marne, MI (tentative)
July 8th.......I-70 Speedway, Odessa, MO
July 21st .......Hawkeye Downs Speedway - Cedar
Rapids, IA (tentative)
July 29th.......Jennerstown Speedway - Jennerstown, PA
August 12thth......TBA
August 26th.......Milwaukee Mile - Milwaukee, WI
September 3rd.....Elko Speedway - Elko, MN
October 14th .. ...Iowa Speedway - Newton, IA
ASA LATE MODEL SOUTH 2006 SCHEDULE
PRESENTED BY GM PERFORMANCE PARTS
Tentative - subject to change
March 4th ........ Bronson Motor Speedway - FL
April 1st ........ Huntsville Speedway - AL
(tentative)
April 29th....... Beech Bend Park - KY
May 13th........ Five Flags Speedway - FL
May 20th ....... Riverview Speedway - TN
(Tentative)
June 3rd......... Southern National Speedway - NC
June 17th....... Hickory Speedway - NC
August 5th....... Radford Motor Mile - VA
September 23rd ..... Florence - SC (tentative)
September 16th ..... I-70 Speedway- MO ( special
event N/S Allstar Champ) - (tentative)
October 21st ...... Beech Bend Park - KY (Last
Southern Points Race)
ASA LATE MODEL NORTH 2006 SCHEDULE
PRESENTED BY GM PERFORMANCE PARTS
Tentative - subject to change
May 6th......I-70 Speedway - Odessa, MO
May 20th........Lake Geneva - Lake Geneva, WI
June 9th.......Lake Erie Speedway - Erie, PA -
June 17th.....Jennerstown Speedway - Jennerstown, PA
June 24th .......Sandusky Speedway - Sandusky, OH
July 1st.......Angola Motor Speedway - Angola, IN
July 14th....... Motordrome Speedway - Smithton, PA
August 4th .....Madison International - Oregon, WI
August 18th......Kalamazoo Speedway - Kalamazoo, MI
August 19th......Berlin Speedway - Marne,
MI(Tentative)
September 1st.....Hawkeye Downs Speedway - Cedar
Rapids, IA (tentative)
September 16th.....I-70 Speedway Championship Race -
MO (N/S Championship)
September 23rd-24th..Rockford Speedway - Rockford, IL
October 6th.....LaCrosse Speedway - West Salem, WI
**GARY VERCAUTEREN: WE WILL MISS YOU**
On behalf of all of us at Madison International Speedway, we would like to extend our sympathies to the family of Gary Vercauteren. Gary, who directed
the Mid American Stock Car Series, Mid American Super Trucks, MARS, and a vintage series, passed away recently at the age of 55.
I really enjoyed meeting Gary and talking racing, football, and life in general. In fact one night this past summer many of you at the track probably listened in on one of our conversations when the mic was accidentally left on.
I was so impressed by his vision...how he could take an idea and see it come to fruition. Gary was able to take his series to venues such as the Milwaukee Mile
and Road America.
Besides racing his other passion was football where he was a coach at Sevastopol High School in Institute, Wisconsin. Gary loved football and was so looking forward to coaching his son, Johnny, when he got to high school.
I met Johnny this summer and know how proud he was of his dad and how proud his dad was of him.
We will miss you Gary.
**CHAPLAIN'S CORNER**
We are very pleased at MIS to have the services of Todd Christopherson and the Team Jesus Race Ministry. If you need to reach Todd you may contact him at
torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com or 608.846.8493.
**THE SUGGESTIONS BOX IS OPEN**
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please send them to mismedia2@yahoo.com. We are especially interested in your comments about our new website, special promotions for 2006, etc.