MIS E-News
Week of February 11, 2008
By John Wells
The MIS E-News is back for 2008 with some major announcements. Here is a preview of what you will read in this edition of the MIS E-News:
- Super Lates Return to MIS
- MIS Banquet Honors 2007 Champions
- $400,000 in Scholarships for High School Students at MIS
- 2008 Schedule Released
General Manager Dave Grueneberg 608.513.2278
Marketing Manager Holly Coley 608.332.9445
Media / PR John Wells 608.225.1913
MIS E-News mismedia2@yahoo.com
Notes from John Wells
It's been awhile since our last MIS E-News, but you can look forward to them coming to you more often. In 2008 I really want to see more driver features not only in the E-News but on our website as well. You can really make this happen by getting your info to me at mismedia2@yahoo.com or by calling me at 608.225.1913.
We've sure had our share of snow and cold this winter , but the good thing is the racing season is just around the corner. It will be great to see all of our old friends at the track after a long off-season.
It was great getting to see everyone at the banquet last weekend. I really enjoy being the banquet emcee and have done it for nearly ten years now. I'd like to thank all of the teams and sponsors for their support of racing at MIS. Special thanks to Wayne Forsythe for his support of racing by sponsoring the Wayne's Custom DIECAST Dash Series and Hard Charger Program.
Additional thanks to Jim Steinke who was presented with the 2007 Friend of MIS award . Jim did a super job filling in for Scotty and myself at times during the season.
Thanks to all of our raffle prize and door prize donors including Lefthander Chassis and Five Star who presented a chassis and bodies.
There�s a lot of work to be done at MIS during the off-season. Both Dave and Holly have been very busy setting the schedule and working with sponsors. With new divisions in 2008 there will be a lot of new faces at the track in 2008 and we want to be ready to serve you�the drivers, teams, and fans.
The ASA Educational Series program is going to be a wonderful opportunity for young people in racing. ASA Educational Series members at MIS will have the opportunity to win a variety of scholarships, some as high as $25,000, to Ohio Technical College to pursue a career in automotive technology. We need to encourage young people to get involved in racing and what a way to do it.
Check Out Our Website
Hats off to Bob Blaschke for putting together our new website. We are still at the same location but with a very user-friendly look. Check out our website and let us know what you think at madisoninternationalspeedway.com
Sponsorship and Marketing Opportunities
Contact Holly Coley at mishollycoley@yahoo.com to be part of our racing program at MIS in 2008. Billboards, nightly sponsorships, season sponsorships, and point sheet sponsorships are just some of the ways you can be a marketing partner with MIS.
If you would like to bring your company outing to MIS, Holly is the person to talk to. This has become very popular and we look forward to working with you.
MIS Announces Weekly Divisions for 2008
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.
Grueneberg indicated a desire to put together a strong weekly racing program as one of his goals for 2008. �Madison has been known as a Super Late Model track dating all the way back to 1969 when the half-mile was built. We want our rules to match other tracks in the area to allow drivers to race at more than one track during the summer without having to travel too far,� said Grueneberg. He also indicated that plans were being made to provide opportunities for the Madison Late Models to run with either the Super Late Models or Limited Late Models in 2008. �I�ve talked to a lot of these guys (MLM drivers) and they will have the choice of racing in one division or the other. The MLM cars proved they can be competitive with the Supers after our Fall Classic last year.�
Two new divisions will be in action at MIS in 2008 as the Legends race weekly after making seven appearances in 2007. �These guys are excited about racing weekly this year and they will definitely put on a great show,� added Grueneberg. The Area Sportsman also return following a one year hiatus but this time on the half-mile. �After racing on the quarter mile in 2006 the guys indicated they want to run the big track.�
Returning to the 2008 racing program will be the Limited Late Models and the Bandits.
�The four cylinder Bandits give guys an opportunity to get into racing without spending a lot of money. The Limited Late Models have been very competitive at MIS and we�re expecting a strong field in 2008.�
The 2008 racing season at MIS is set to begin on Sunday, May 4th when the ASA Midwest Tour comes to the track along with the Big Eight Series. The Friday night opener is set for May 9th.
To find out more information about Madison International Speedway please check out their website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
Madison International Speedway is proud to be an ASA Member Track.
Drivers Honored at MIS Banquet
Drivers in five divisions were recognized tonight at The Heights in Stoughton as part of the Madison International Speedway annual racing banquet. Over 300 guests braved the sub-zero temperatures outside to make the trip to Stoughton to honor the drivers and teams that put on an outstanding show in 2007. In addition to the point fund checks and trophies, several major announcements were also made by track officials.
Track owner Terry Kunes greeted drivers and crews by reviewing the 2007 season and discussing plans for the 2008 season. Drivers and crews were very interested to learn about a new sponsorship program MIS will be offering member teams in 2008. Drivers are encouraged to monitor the MIS website for more information.
Dave Grueneberg, MIS General Manager, announced his plans for the 2008 season. The biggest news was the return of the Super Late Models as a weekly division in 2008. The Super Late Models will join the Limited Late Models, Bandits, Area Sportsman, and Legends. Grueneberg outlined options for the Madison Late Models who may race with either the Super Late Models or Limited Late Models. He also discussed some of the special events the speedway will be hosting including two major tractor pulling events.
Race teams also heard from Pete Raskovic and Dr. Susan Holtz about a unique scholarship program available to high school students who work on race teams or drive at MIS in 2008. Nearly $400,000 worth of scholarships will be available in 2008 for high school students interested in pursuing a career in automotive technology. More information will be released at a later date.
Jesse Bernhagen of Markesan, Wisconsin, made the most of his trips to MIS by winning the championship in the Bandoleros. Enroute to his title, the fifteen year old high school student won three heat races and picked up three feature wins and finished with 387 points. I really enjoyed coming down to Madison to race. It was a lot of fun,� said Bernhagen. Finishing a close second place was twelve year old Caylie Duncanson of DePere, Wisconsin. Duncanson totaled 370 points and one feature win in 2007. Eden, Wisconsin, driver Aaron Moyer took home third place honors with 365 points and two feature wins. A total of fifteen drivers earned points in 2007. The Bandolero division will be back in 2007 with several events in the works.
Putting on a great show all year was the norm for the Legends division as twenty-eight different drivers came to MIS during the season to battle it out on the quarter mile. When it was all said and done, Blake Brown of Franksville, Wisconsin, would power his way to the track championship. Brown earned three heat wins and three feature wins and a total of 487 points on his way to his first track championship at Madison. Thanks to his efforts at Madison and other tracks in the Midwest, the fifteen year old Brown was also crowned national champion in the INEX Legends Young Lions Series. Brown, who was in North Carolina receiving his national award, submitted a letter that was read by MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg. This is a great honor. At the beginning of the year my goal was to finish in the top five and just run consistently throughout the season. Never would I have ever imagined we would win twenty-two features, two track championships, and a national championship, said Brown. Runner up hono went to Matt Booker of Wonder Lake, Illinois who finished with 325 points despite not running at full season. Third place went to Max McNamara of Ingleside, Illinois, who had one feature win and 296 points. It was announced earlier in the evening that the Legends division will return to MIS in 2008 as one of the five weekly divisions.
The wait was well worth it for 2007 Roto Rooter Bandits track champion Steve Dickson of Rockton, Illinois, who won his first-ever track championship. It's hard to believe at age 48 I am winning my very first track championship in an entry level division, said Dickson who displayed a keen sense of humor. Dickson led the points race wire to wire and finished in the top five all fourteen nights in a point race that went down to the final event. Dickson finished with 1100 points and also notched five heat wins and four feature wins on his way to the title. Finishing runner-up was Bobby Selsing Jr. of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, who put together an incredible run down the stretch by finishing first or second the final eight nights. He finished with 1069 points including two fast times, five heat wins, and division high five feature wins. Rounding out the top five were Chester Ace of Oregon, Wisconsin, Alex Jones of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Brandon Skolaski of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Also claiming top ten pitions were Tyler Kelley of Oregon, Wisconsin, Alex Lee of Madison, Wisconsin, Rory Padfield of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Cory Skolaski of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and Ryan Slater of Brooklyn, Wisconsin. Lee was honored as Rookie of the Year and Ace was selected as Fan Favorite. A total of twenty-five drivers earned points in the Roto Rooter Bandit division which will return as a weekly division in 2008.
Bobby Wilberg of Beloit, Wisconsin, won his first-ever Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Model championship at Madison International Speedway. This title was the fourth different divisional title for Wilberg at MIS. I want to thank my crew. It was mainly Rockford guys and we had some engine problems early on. They could�ve given up but they didn't give up on me and I didn't give up on them and at the end it all showed, said Wilberg. We'll be back to do this next year (2008), added Wilberg. Wilberg finished with 1108 points by setting fast time a division-high eight times, winning three heats and three features, and picking up eleven top five finishes. Running a strong season in his first full season in a limited late model at MIS, Stoughton, Wisconsin, driver Scott Broughton finished as runner-up and led the points race for several weeks. Broughton totaled 1069 points with two fast times, two heat wins, three feature wins, and twelve top five finishes. Completing the top five were Ryan Goldadef Stoughton, Wisconsin, with 971 points, Brady Liddle of Oregon, Wisconsin, with 857 points, and Mark Miller of Columbus, Wisconsin with 766 points. Drivers rounding out the top ten were Chad Stevens of Orfordville, Wisconsin, John Baumeister of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Cliff Rucks of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, Verona, Wisconsin's Todd Schmitz, and Michael Bilderback of South Beloit, Illinois. Bilderback became the youngest driver in MIS to win a feature on the half-mile at the age of fifteen. Goldade was recognized as both the Rookie of the Year and Fan Favorite. In addition to those honors, his car was all selected by the fans as Best Appearing Car of 2007. The Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models will be back in 2008 as a weekly division.
For the second time in three years, Bobby Wilberg took home championships in two different divisions by also winning the Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Model title. All in all, Wilberg now has nine track championships at Madison.
In what was likely one of the most exciting point races in the United States, the track championship not only went down to the final night but literally the final lap. Three drivers, Wilberg, Tom Gille, and Andrew Morrissey all had a mathematical shot at winning the crown. In fact, all three drivers led the points race at one point or another during their fifty lap feature on Season Championship Night in August. Morrissey did everything he could do by winning the feature. All he needed was for Wilberg and Gille to finish further back in the pack. But all eyes would be on Wilberg and Gille who battle lap after lap including the caution filled final eight laps of the event. In the end it would be Wilberg finishing fourth, one spot ahead of Gille, and winning his third track championship in the division.
Wilberg�s final totals in the division found him with 894 points, three fast times, three heat wins, and one feature win. Wilberg also added nine top five finishes. I have to say that last night was one exciting night. Tom and I know each other well and have raced along time together. That was a great race, added Wilberg. Finishing a strong second place was Tom Gille of Winnebago, Illinois. Gille finished with 889 points, three fast times, one feature win, and eight top five finishes. I really want to thank my car owner, Dave Beighley, for really setting up the car and making sure we had a car there every Friday night that was capable of winning. I also have to thank Bobby Wilberg for that race the last Friday night. We've raced a lot together and that was the funnest said Gille. Morrissey of DeForest, Wisconsin, finished in third place with 885 points, six heat wins, five feature wins and nine top five finishes. Rounding out the top five were Zack Riddle of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, with 769 pnts and one feature win and Rockton, Illinois, driver Jeremy Miller with 756 points and three feature victories. Earning top ten finishes were Nathan Haseleu of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, Jason Tyler of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Jason Erickson of Cambridge, Wisconsin, Brent Brevak of Ashland, Wisconsin, and Waukesha, Wisconsin's Kevin Knuese. Zach Reining of Forreston, Illinois, won Rookie of the Year honors with Haseleu selected as Fan Favorite.
Wayne Forsythe of Wayne's Custom DIECAST was on hand to present both the Hard Charger and Wayne's Dash Series award to Scott Broughton. In a very close race, Broughton edged out Brady Liddle for the title in the six race dash series for the limited late models. Broughton was presented with a beautiful diecast replica of his #97 car. Wayne is really a great ambassador of racing, said Broughton. Forsythe indicated that his program will return in 2008 with both the Hard Charger and Dash Series program along with the Wayne's Custom DIECAST 40 for the limited late models.
Dave Grueneberg presented the 2007 Friend of MIS Award to Jim Steinke, a long-time supporter of the speedway who filled in for announcers Scotty Ernst and John Wells during the season.
Hundreds of door prizes were also taken home by those in attendance including a Lefthander chassis won by Scott McGettigan and Five Star Stock Car bodies won by Jeremy Miller and Bobby Wilberg.
The 2008 season opener is set for Sunday, May 4th when the ASA Midwest Tour and Big Eight Series come to MIS. Friday night racing is set to begin on May 9th.
For more information about Madison International Speedway please checkout our website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com. Madison International Speedway is proud to be an ASA Member Track.
ASA Educational Series Scholarship Program Comes to MIS
Madison International Speedway has teamed up with the American Speed Association Educational Series to bring an outstanding opportunity to the track for area youth. High school aged drivers and crew members at MIS can become eligible to win college scholarships to Ohio Technical College worth as much as $25,000.
In 2008, students who are enrolled in high school and are racing or working as a crew member at Madison International Speedway can be eligible to win one of many scholarships. There will be six-$25,000 scholarships, 6- $12,000 scholarships, and 6- $6,000 scholarships available in 2008. In addition, every student that participates in the program will receive a $1500 scholarship for every year that they are involved in the series. To become eligible, all participants will be required to become an American Speed Association Educational Series member in 2008. MIS is the only track in the United States where drivers / crew members can be eligible for this program.
Dave Grueneberg, MIS General Manager, is very excited about this program coming exclusively to his track. We feel this program will introduce racing to a lot of young people who otherwise would not have an opportunity to experience this great sport. Young people need early involvement if a sport is to survive in these busy times. This coupled with the fact that these kids may be awarded one of six - $25,000 scholarships made available through this program is a great opportunity for them. These young people will be exposed to racing by working with one of our five weekly divisions racing at MIS this year: Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Area Sportsman, Bandits, and Legends. We hope that this program is so successful that it can be continued for a long, long time.
Dr. Sue Holtz of Beloit, Wisconsin, has been named the Director of School Relations for the American Speed Association Educational Series. Dr. Holtz will work with high schools to promote and explain the program to districts involved. She will also serve as the series coordinator for scholarship awards and work with technical colleges to secure, direct and manage scholarships from those institutions.
Pete Raskovic, co-founder of the series stated, Dr. Holtz's thorough knowledge of vocational and technical education coupled with her love of motorsports made the decision an easy one. Sue has been working with Ohio Technical College and has secured over $350,000 in scholarships that the series will award in 2008 at the ASA member track, Madison International Speedway. We are extremely proud to be associated with Ohio Technical College as they are one of the industry�s premier training institutions.�
The American Speed Association Educational Series was developed to help bring youth into short-track racing and to provide students with a path to the motorsports or automotive repair industry. The Ohio Technical College scholarships may be applied towards tuition for study in the areas of Automotive, Diesel, and Powersport and Auto Body Technology.
A point system will be established for all participating teams in each of the five divisions. Students on the winning team in their respective division will be eligible for the $25,000 scholarship with additional scholarships also available.
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio Technical College (OTC) offers more than 25 technician training programs with facilities encompassing more than 500,000 square feet. The school dates back to 1969 when it began as the Ohio Diesel Mechanics School. For more information about OTC checkout their website at ohiotechnicalcollege.com.
MIS Announces 2008 Racing Schedule
Five Weekly Divisions Highlight Racing Program
By John Wells
Madison International Speedway has released its 2008 racing schedule that will feature five weekly divisions along with some major special events. Highlighting the special event portion of the schedule will be the return of Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart.
The weekly Friday night racing program is slated to begin on May 9th and will include the return of the Super Late Models along with Limited Late Models, Area Sportsman, Bandits, and Legends. The Bandits and Legends will race on the quarter mile with the other divisions taking on Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile. For the Super Late Models it marks a return after a two year absence. We are excited to have the super lates back on a weekly basis, said MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg. We are working on the rules so that our former Madison Late Model teams will have the option of running with the super lates or the limited lates. We also want the rules to allow drivers from tracks such as DRP and Slinger to be able to come to Madison and race without having to make major changes.
The highly competitive Limited Late Models will be back in action in 2008. There are some great drivers in this division and we are expecting a very competitive field to join us weekly in 2008, added Grueneberg.
The Area Sportsman will also return after a one year absence, but this year they will be on the half-mile. This is what the guys wanted after we met with them in November said Grueneberg.
After running a limited schedule in 2007 the Legends will be a weekly division in 2008 along with the four cylinder Bandits. The quarter mile will be slightly reconfigured this season. The front stretch will come out closer to the flagstand similar to what we did at the Fall Classic, said Grueneberg.
Champions in all five weekly divisions will be crowned on Season Championship Night on August 29th.
The Wayne's Custom DIECAST Dash Series returns with events scheduled on May 23, June 13, June 27, July 18, August 15, and August 29. This years events will be for the top eight qualifiers and will be eight laps. This program along with the Hard Charger Program will be for the Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models. The Wayne�s Custom DIECAST 40 will be held on May 30th.
All five weekly divisions will qualify in 2008. This is a change we definitely wanted to make based on driver feedback, noted Grueneberg. The Friday night racing program will once again begin at 4:45 with hot laps, qualifying at 6:30 with racing at 7:30. There will be two open nights in 2008 on May 16th and July 4th. A special event is in the works for July 4th, added Grueneberg.
The USST Super Trucks will be at Madison on four nights in 2008. The trucks are scheduled for May 30th, June 6th, August 8th, and during the Fall Classic. American Short Trackers, International Four Cylinders, Bandoleros and Hobby Stocks will also make appearances during the season.
Highlighting the special events will be the RK Race Promotions The Swiss Colony All Star Challenge on Tuesday, June 24th featuring Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart. This will be a super late model event that will also include an appearance from the Big Eight Series. Everyone is really excited to have the All Star Challenge back at MIS. This will be one of the biggest short track racing nights anywhere in the country in 2008, commented Grueneberg. Rain date for this event will be June 25th.
The racing season will get a high-speed start when the ASA Midwest Tour and Big Eight Series come to town on Sunday, May 4th. The series that has taken the Midwest by storm in just one year will feature the top drivers from several states coming to take on the half-mile. This series will bring a solid car count and the top drivers from the midwest to Madison, added Grueneberg.
Other special events include the ASA Late Model Northern Series at Madison on Friday, July 25th, Open Wheel Extravaganza returns for 2008 with action scheduled for Saturday, August 2nd, and theTribute to America Night featuring the Wisconsin Challenge Series super late models that is scheduled for Friday, September 5th and will include a fireworks program. A fireworks program is also scheduled for June 27th.
The second annual MIS Fall Classic returns with twelve racing divisions taking to the track on September 19th-20th. Despite the rain forcing the entire program to be run on one night in 2007, the response from drivers, teams, and fans was overwhelmingly positive. We're really looking forward to making the Classic an annual event. Last year was our first try at it and things went pretty well. This year will be even bigger and better, said Grueneberg.
Two never before seen events at Madison include the Badger State Tractor Pull on Saturday, May 17th and the Lucas Oil Pro Pullers on September 12th and 13th. These are major tractor pulling events in the Midwest. We'll need to haul in some dirt and will be using the pit lane area going from turn four towards victory lane, said Grueneberg. The Lucas Oil event in September will be that series national championship pull.
Novelty events such as the train race, trailer race, and celebrity challenges will also return in 2008. A two-day car show is scheduled for July 5th and 6th.
It's going to be a big year. We believe that we have put together an outstanding weekly racing program along with some top notch special events. Fans are going to get their moneys worth again in 2008, said Grueneberg.
Madison International Speedway is located on Sunrise Road just south of Highway 138 between Oregon and Stoughton. For more information about the speedway check out their website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.
Sponsorship Program in 2008
Track owner Terry Kunes announced at the banquet that MIS will be working with drivers and teams on sponsorship programs for 2008. More information will be detailed at a later date, but once again this reinforces that MIS is committed to making your racing experience with us a positive one.
Details are being finalized and will be included in an upcoming newsletter and on our website. I believe this is going to be a great opportunity for the race teams.
The Chaplain's Corner
By Todd Christopherson
It was great to see many of you at the banquet. We are getting closer to the race season and I am looking forward to it getting going.
So I got my wife a GPS for Christmas. It helps me to remember several things.
1) If we put the wrong answer in we go to the wrong place.
2) If we follow the instruction we can get to places we want to go.
Lets think about that a little.
With the GPS the first thing we have to do is put in the right address. If we do not get that right we are not going to get where we are trying to get to. We can do the same with reaching out to God. We can try it on are own or try something that is not God�s way. God gives us clear direction in His Word, the Bible. For years I tried to get peace from God using my own or man�s way. Then I open the Bible and found the truth on how to get to God and heaven.
So lets say that we plug in the right address. We still have to follow the instructions. It would be silly to plug in going to Chicago (from Madison, WI) and go North instead of South and East. Same with God�s instruction. We can turn to the Bible and then not follow the instruction. He says there is only one way (John 14:6). He says we have to agree Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). We have to agree the Jesus paid the price for my, our sin (Romans 6:23). He tells we have no excuse (Romans 1:20). He tells us we have to flee from sin (1 Timothy 6:11).
So it would be my prayer that you are following God�s GPS, the Bible and we will meet and rejoice together in Heaven at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a great day in SONshine,
Todd
I have a new cell if you are trying to get a hold of me
608-630-7301
Also you can contact me at torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com
Or 512 Chippewa Court
DeForest, WI
That�s all for now�more information next week.