MIS E-News - Week of August 27, 2007
by John Wells
It's that time of year again! The kids are about ready to go back to school and the racing season is starting to draw to a close. Weather-wise it's been a great year for Friday night racing as we had only lost two events prior to last week's rainout.
Congratulations John and Jenny K on the birth of your daughter on August 20th.
Salute to MIS Employees
Once again it's time to recognize all of the employees who make the racing program at Madison International Speedway possible. From our tech officials, pit workers, tire workers, concessions, on-track officials, safety crew, towing crew, tower workers, etc. thank you for a job well done.
We could not put on a racing program without the cooperative effort of everyone. Your professionalism and dependability makes MIS the special place it is for the drivers and fans.
You guys and gals are the best.
Thanks
Dave Grueneberg
Too Much Rain at MIS
Weren't we all complaining about how dry it was just a couple of weeks ago?
Over ten inches of rain had hit parts of Dane County last week before things began drying out this past weekend. The biggest issue at MIS was water coming up through the track in turn one. This is not a new problem due to the amount of water that will run off the hill during heavy rain. The moisture comes up on its own and is only made worse with the weight of the cars. This becomes a major safety issue and was the reason we made the decision to cancel already on Thursday. This allowed our competitors and fans to know well in advance that they would have the night off.
Hopefully it will be rain free for our final four nights of racing.
Season Championships This Friday Night
The First Supply Season Championship Night is this Friday at Madison International Speedway with track champions crowned in all three of our weekly divisions. In addition to our weekly divisions the RX Automotive Hobby Stocks and USST Super Trucks will also be in action.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Legends and Bandoleros will be racing on September 7th. The USST Super Trucks were added due to the rainout last week.
First Supply Season Championship Night
Friday, August 31, 2007
4:45 Hot Laps
Bandits
Hobby Stocks
Limited Late Models
USST Super Trucks
Madison Late Models
6:30 Qualifying
Bandits
Hobby Stocks (Tentative)
Limited Late Models
USST Super Trucks
Madison Late Models
7:25 Invocation / National Anthem
7:30 Racing
Hobby Stock Heats (8 Laps)
Bandit Heats (8 Laps)
Limited Late Model Heats (10 Laps)
USST Super Truck Heats (10 Laps)
Madison Late Model Heats (10 Laps)
Hobby Stock Feature (20 Laps)
Bandit Feature (20 Laps)
Limited Late Model Feature (30 Laps)
USST Super Truck Feature (30 Laps)
Madison Late Model Feature (50 Laps)
Madison Late Model Point Race Comes Down to Final Night
Exciting Point Races at MIS
None of the point leaders in our three divisions will go into the final points night of the season with a title wrapped up in their respective division. The most points a driver can earn in a single night is 97...75 for a feature win...12 points for fast time...10 points for a heat win. Technically speaking any driver within 97 points of first place has a chance to at least tie for the title...provided the drivers ahead of them earn no points.
The Roto Rooter Bandit point race finds Steve Dickson leading Bobby Selsing Jr. by a 1012-975 margin. With only 37 points separating the two it will come down to the feature to determine the track champion. The more cars in the feature the greater the possibility for a bigger swing in points. A first place finish is worth 75 points...a tenth place finish is worth 37 points.
Bobby Wilberg leads the way in the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models with a 1021-976 advantage over Scott Broughton. A 45 point differential can still be made up in one night.
By far the most intriguing point race is once again in the Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models where only five points separates the leader Bobby Wilberg from Tom Gille. Gille will have to finish at least one place higher than Wilberg if the point difference remains at five going into the feature. A driver can pick up twelve points for setting fast time...10 for second...etc. Heat races are scored 10, 9, 8. 7...
But sitting in third place just 29 points back is Andrew Morrissey who really could have benefitted from racing this past Friday night. Don't count Andrew out since a lot could and has happened in MLM feature races this season.
Who can forget last year when Travis Sauter led the Madison Late Model points race for much of the season going into the final night. While nearly all scenarios favored Sauter disaster struck when his car suffered major problems and he slowly fell back in the pack.
But again, the point race doesn't really come down to the last night when you think about it. Qualifying and heat race points from the entire season add up and one bad night during the year can make all the difference.
To say the least it's going to be very interesting on Friday night.
Perfect Attendance Awards
Several drivers have made every show this season. Of course to be able to collect point fund money, members need to race in a minimum of 75% of the scheduled events.
The following drivers have been at every race in 2007:
MLM: Wilberg, Gille, Morrissey, Riddle, Tyler, Miller, Knuese, Brevak, Oppliger
LLM: Wilberg, Broughton, Liddle, Miller, Goldade
Bandits: Dickson, Selsing Jr., Jones, B. Skolaski, Slater, Ace
Rookie of the Year candidates must race at least 75% of the shows. Interestingly there are no drivers eligible in the MLM while Ryan Goldade and Alex Lee lead the way in the LLM and Bandits respectively.
Stats at a Glance
Here is a summary of the qualifying, heat, and feature wins in 2007 for our three weekly divisions plus the Legends and Bandoleros.
Madison Late Models
Fast Time: Wilberg-3, Haseleu-4, Gille-3, Wood-1
Heat Wins: A Morrissey-5, Riddle-2, Wood-2, S Morrissey-3, Wilberg-3, Adams-1, Miller-2, Oppliger-1, Dorsey-1, Pickens-1, Erickson-1, Beinlich-1, Lepak-1, Tyler-1, Lensing-1
Feature Wins: A Morrissey-4, Miller-3, Wilberg-1, Haseleu-1, Gille-1, Riddle-1
Limited Late Models
Fast Time: Wilberg-7, Broughton-2, Bilderback-1, Miller-1, Goldade-1
Heat Wins: Liddle-5, English-3, C Burns-2,
Broughton-3, Wilberg-2, Goldade-2, Berger-1,
Melbinger-1, Bock-1, A Niles-1, Steenbergen- 1,
Stevens-3, Rucks-1, Bachaus-2, Schmitz- 1
Feature Wins: Goldade-2, Liddle-2, Broughton-2, Hoppe-1, Wilberg-3, Bilderback-1, J. Miller-1 (DQ) Stevens- 1
Bandits
Fast Times: Selsing Jr.-2
Heat Wins: Selsing Jr.-5, Dickson-4, Ace-4, Lee-3, B. Skolaski-2, Jones-2, Kelley-2, Padfield-1, C. Skolaski-1, Cooter-1
Feature Wins: Kelley-4, Dickson-4, Selsing Jr.-4, Ace- 1
Legends
Heat Wins: Wyttenbach-1, Brown-3, LaPier-2, Arelano-2, Greinig-1
Feature Wins: Wytenbach-1, Brown-3, Bilderback-1, McNamara-1
Bandoleros
Heat Wins: B Daul-1, Bernhagen-3, Brown-1, Fagerberg-1
Feature Wins: Fagerberg-1, Duncanson-1, Bernhagen-2, Moyer-2
We do keep point standings in both divisions with Blake Brown leading the Legends and Jesse Bernhagen edging out Caylie Duncanson in the Bandoleros. There's a lot of young talent here with Blake a high school student, Jesse a ninth grader in Markesan while Caylie enters sixth grade in DePere. The drivers also compete for points on a national level...check them out at 600racing.com.
Tribute to America Night and Super Lates on September 7th
Tribute to America Night is scheduled for Friday, September 7th with the Wisconsin Challenge Series returning for their second MIS event of the season. Who can forget all of the drama last year in the WCS race that featured certainly one of the top ten exciting finishes in track history.
Also in action will be the RX Automotive Hobby Stocks, Roto Rooter Bandits, and a trailer race.
This is going to be a great show and you'll definitely want to be there!
Big Boy Toy Show and Classic Cars on September 15-16
Come to MIS on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16th for the Big Boy Toy Show, Classic Car Show, and Swap Meet. Hours are from 10-6 on Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday. See RVs / campers, bring your classic car, or items to sell.
For more information contact Holly Coley at 608.835.9700.
Don't Miss the MIS Fall Classic
Madison International Speedway officials have announced the lineup for the MIS Fall Classic set for Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22. “It has been a long time since Madison hosted a two day event at the end of the season. Fans and drivers have been asking for this and we’re excited that it’s going to happen,” said MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg.
A close look at the lineup finds that fourteen divisions will be competing over the course of the two days. “We’ve put together a great show. The fans are going to be able to see a wide variety of cars and trucks over the course of the two days,” added Grueneberg.
Racing divisions that will be in action on Friday night include the Madison Late Models, Area Sportsman, INEX Bandoleros, INEX Legends, Hobby Stocks, and Bandits. The Madison Late Models and Area Sportsman will be competing on the half-mile while the other divisions take on the quarter mile. A special “Double O’ race is scheduled to round out the evening with any driver who competed earlier in the night eligible.
Seven divisions are also scheduled for Saturday. Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, USST Super Trucks, Modifieds, FIRA, and American Short Tracker / International Four Cylinders will make up the racing program. The FIRA and American Short Trackers will be racing on the quarter mile with all other divisions on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile. A 150 lap four cylinder enduro is also scheduled for the short track.
Entry forms and information will be available at the track website. Drivers are encouraged to download the registration form and send it in as soon as possible with their entry fee. The track website is madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
Pit gates on Friday open at 10:00 AM with hot laps starting at Noon. Qualifying is scheduled for 5:00 PM with racing beginning at 7:00 PM. The racing program will include heat races, last chance races, and features. Fan gates will open at 4:30 PM.
On Saturday the pits will open at 10:00 AM with hot laps commencing at Noon. Qualifying will start at 4:00 PM and racing at 6:00 PM following a similar format to Friday. Fan gates will open at 3:30 PM.
Pit passes for MIS members are $25.00 per day. Pit passes for non-members will be $30.00. Adult grandstand admission is $12.00 for Friday night and $16.00 for Saturday night. A two day pass can be purchased for $25.00.
Schedule of Events
Friday, September 21, 2007
10:00 AM Pit Gates Open
Noon Hot Laps
4:30 PM Grandstands Open
5:00 PM Qualifying
Legends
Bandits
Hobby Stocks
Area Sportsman
Madison Late Models
6:55 PM Invocation / National Anthem
7:00 PM Racing
Bandolero Heats (8 Laps)
Legends Heats (8 Laps)
Bandit Heats (8 Laps)
Hobby Stock Heats (8 Laps)
Area Sportsman Heats (8 Laps)
Madison Late Model Heats (10 Laps)
Last Chance Races (If necessary)
Bandolero Feature (15 Laps)
Legends Feature (20 Laps)
Bandit Feature (25 Laps)
Hobby Stock Feature (25 Laps)
Area Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)
Madison Late Model Feature (50 Laps)
Double O Race (12 Laps 6+6)
Saturday, September 22, 2007
10:00 AM Pit Gates Open
Noon Hot Laps
3:30 PM Grandstands Open
4:00 PM Qualifying
American Short Trackers / International Four Cylinders
FIRA
Modifieds
Limited Late Models
USST Super Trucks
Super Late Models
5:55 PM Invocation / National Anthem
6:00 PM Racing
AST / International Four Cylinder Heats (8 Laps)
FIRA Heats (6 Laps)
Modified Heats (8 Laps)
Limited Late Model Heats (10 Laps)
USST Super Truck Heats (10 Laps)
Super Late Model Heats (10 Laps)
Last Chance Races (If necessary)
AST / International Feature (25 Laps)
FIRA Feature (12 Laps)
Modified Feature (20 Laps)
Limited Late Model Feature (40 Laps)
USST Super Truck Feature (40 Laps…30 if less than 16 trucks)
Super Late Model Feature (75 Laps)
Four Cylinder Enduro (150 Laps or 1 Hour)
Purse (Based on a minimum of 20 cars per division)
Super Late Models ($2000 to win / $300 to start)
Limited Late Models ($1000 to win / $150 to start)
Madison Late Models ($1000 to win / $200 to start)
USST Super Trucks (TBA)
Area Sportsman ($400 to win / $50 to start)
Midwest Modifieds ($300 to win / $50 to start)
AST / International Four Cylinders ($300 to win / $50 to start)
Hobby Stocks ($300 to win / $50 to start)
Bandits ($250 to win / $50 to start)
FIRA (TBA)
Legends (TBA)
Bandoleros (TBA)
Four Cylinder Enduro ($500 to win / $25 to start)
Entry Fee / Rules
Super Late Models (ASAMT Rules) $40 entry fee
Limited Late Models (Big 8 Rules) $30 entry fee
USST Super Trucks (Series Rules) $30 entry fee
Madison Late Models (Series Rules) $30 entry fee
Area Sportsman (See MIS Website) $20 entry fee
Hobby Stocks (Jefferson, Columbus Rules…see MISWebsite) $15 entry fee
Bandits (MIS, Jefferson, Columbus Rules) $15 entry fee
AST / International Four Cylinders (Rockford / Jefferson Rules) $15 entry fee
Modifieds (2bbl carb) $15 entry fee
Legends, Bandoleros, FIRA (Series Rules)
$15 entry fee
Four Cylinder Enduro $15.00 entry fee
Photos and Videos Available
Remember that you can purchase race photos from fastlapphoto.com or purchase a DVD from miraclevideojake.com. These are two examples of professional work.
They work hard to capture the best of the racing action...please support them.
The Chaplain's Corner
by Todd Christopherson
So we lost one to rain and water. We are praying for many that had water damage. We took some and lost some things. As I thought about it I had this thought.
We had a wall give up in the basement and a crack on the floor that was leaking. It was only small leaks compared to others, but by the time we found it there was many gallons on the floor. We scrambled to fix the cracks and get the rain out of the basement and the yard. We worked hard all day, plus the days after.
It is like sin. We think, it is only a little sin or that is not that bad, but the smallest of sin breaks our relationship with God. Instead, we should have the same sense of urgency with sin. We should want to get it out of our hearts and lives right now.
Stay dry and see you at the track Friday
Todd