MIS E-News
Week of September 15, 2008
By John Wells

Here is the latest news from Madison International Speedway�

Drivers�make sure that I have your current email address so that you can be kept in the loop during the off season as plans start being made for the 2009 season.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Slater family from Brooklyn.

It is hard to believe but this is the final weekend of racing at Madison International Speedway for the 2008 season. It seems like the season just began. But what an exciting way to close out the season�

Come out to MIS this weekend and bring your family and friends. You might want to come out early on Saturday and participate in the JDRF Walkathon and put in some laps on Wisconsin�s Fastest Half-Mile.

It�s Wednesday night and things are hopping at MIS where the track is being cleaned in preparation for Friday�s racing.

This is the Big Show: The MIS Miller Lite Fall Classic

This is the Big Show! It�s time for the second annual Miller Lite Fall Classic at Madison International Speedway this weekend with thirteen racing divisions in action over the course of two nights. Qualifying is slated for 5:00 and racing at 7:00 on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Here is a synopsis of what fans and teams can expect to see at MIS this weekend:

What divisions are racing this weekend? On Friday night (Fire Rescue Supply Night) it will be the Limited Late Models, Area Sportsman, Hobby / Pure Stocks, American Short Trackers, International Four Cylinders, and Grand National Vintage cars on the half-mile with Bandits, Bandoleros, and Legends on the quarter mile. On Saturday night it will be the Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Mid American Stock Cars, USST Super Trucks, and Grand National Vintage cars on the half-mile with Central States Super Cups and Legends on the quarter-mile. Closing out the Saturday racing program will be Dave�s Famous Trailer Race.

What if I have rules questions? Rules are posted on our website, but if you have any questions please contact Dave Oswald at 608.839.5507.

Two adjustments to the typical race night at MIS will be made for the Super Late Models and Limited Late Models. 1. All Super Late Models with 9 to 1 motors will be allowed to run at 2750 lbs. 2. LLM on Friday and SLM and LLM on Saturday will be staged on 1/4 mile track after qualifying. After qualifying is completed for that division, all cars will be sent to tech. Cars failing post qualifying tech will have their times disallowed, and will start at rear of qualifying race.

What about entry forms? A one page entry form is available at our website and must be completed before practicing.

How many cars / trucks will be at MIS? Last year�s show was condensed to one night due to rain and featured a total of 153 cars. A couple of the divisions that had small car counts last year have been dropped and with the addition of the Mid American Stock Cars and a national qualifier for the INEX Legends we are expecting the car count to top 200.

What�s different this year? The Hobby / Pure Stocks, American Short Trackers, and International Four Cylinders will move from the quarter mile to Wisconsin�s Fastest Half-Mile this year. The Limited Late Models will race both nights with additional money awarded to the top three overall finishers while the Super Late Models will race Twin 50s on Saturday with bonus money to the top three overall finishers. We�ve also added the Central States Super Cups, Grand National Vintage cars, and Mid American Stock Cars.

Divisional Previews: (Winners will be featured on banners on our website)

Super Late Models: We are expecting a great turnout of super late models to come to the Fall Classic for the Twin 50s on Saturday night that each pay $1000 to win. In addition to MIS regulars such as 2008 track champion Nathan Haseleu, Steve Rubeck, Andrew Morrissey, Bobby Wilberg and others we are expecting drivers from at least four states to be here. SLM racing at MIS has been great this year and we�re looking forward to another pair of great races. Defending champion is Dave Feiler.

Limited Late Models: The Limited Late Model division at MIS was incredibly competitive in 2008 and we expect most of our weekly stars to be here along with LLM drivers from many area tracks in addition to those traveling stars with the Big 8 Series. The 2008 track champion Bobby Wilberg, Ross Kenseth, and Ryan Goldade lead a top notch class of drivers. These races (Friday and Saturday night) will be wide open with many of the drivers racing both nights. We have started over thirty cars in a feature so expect excitement. Defending champion is Brian Hoppe.

USST Super Trucks: This will mark the second appearance of 2008 for the trucks after losing back to back shows to rain earlier in the season. John Wood won the Kevin Fillner Memorial back in August. Defending champion is Brett Widdis who will be here to defend his title.

Mid American Stock Cars: Great looking cars�very competitive racing�talented drivers�what more can I say. Expect a super car count and a race that goes down to the wire.

Area Sportsman: The 2008 track champion and defending Classic champion Jay Kalbus has been tough all year as this division has put on a good show this year. It will be interesting to see who comes in from the outside to take on the half-mile in preparation for running weekly with us in 2009.

Grand National Vintage: They come from great distances to race with us and will be running both nights.

American Short Trackers: Randy Nottestad and Zach Rodriguez have won the two events with us in 2008 on the half-mile. A good car count was on hand on September 5th so we�re hoping to see solid numbers in this division. The two four cylinder divisions raced separately back on the 5th. Brent Nottestad won in 2007 on the quarter-mile.

International Four Cylinders: Rodney Mundt has won both times in 2008 in this division. They put on an awesome show on the half-mile on September 5th and a great show is certain on Friday night. Kyle Riedner is the defending champion in the International Four Cylinders.

Hobby / Pure Stocks: This division made its debut on the half-mile on September 5th with sixteen cars starting the feature which was won by Don Fassett. The response to the move to the big track was very positive and we are looking forward to seeing some big numbers in this division with a combination of Pure and Hobby Stocks. Defending champion is Willy Schreiber who won last year�s race on the quarter mile.

Legends: Only two drivers, track champion Max McNamara and Alex Arelano, won features here in 2008. However, this division will be racing both nights with Saturday�s event a national qualifier with a huge purse. We are not really sure how many new cars we will see but it should be interesting to see a big field on the �Ring of Fire.� The Legends were rained out in 2007.

Bandits: Chester Ace has been pretty dominant at MIS in 2008 but with many cars from area tracks coming to Madison on Friday night anything can happen. We are expecting cars from at least three area tracks to be here to go for the win. Defending champion is Kyle Stark.

Bandoleros: Caylie Duncanson has won three in a row this year at MIS and will be tough to beat on the quarter mile. With some new drivers expected it could be up for grabs on Friday night. The Bandoleros were rained out in 2007.

Central States Super Cups: A large group of Super Cups is expected at Madison on Saturday night.

Trailer Race: Caterpillar Miller has been the man to beat in Dave�s Famous Trailer Race. A large collection of trailers is accumulating in the pits ranging from boat trailers to mobile homes. It will be the final event of the season for good reason!

What time do the pit gates open on each day? Pit gates open at noon on Friday and 9:00 AM on Saturday. Practice sessions on Friday begin at 1:00 and at 3:00 on Saturday. Divisions will rotate through practice sessions leading up to qualifying.

What does the racing format look like? Qualifying, heats and/or qualifying races, last chance races and features are all on the racing schedule. Car counts will determine which divisions will have last chance races. A complete schedule is available at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.

What is going on during the day on Saturday? The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be conducting their annual Walkathon at MIS this year beginning with registration at 10:00 AM. The walk on Wisconsin�s Fastest Half-Mile will begin at 10:30 AM. We�ve asked any of the cars that are in the pits on Saturday morning to bring their cars out on the track for a car show since between 1,000-2,000 walkers are expected.

Any special events for kids? Huge giveaways at the Turn Four Kids Club are planned for this weekend including motorized scooters, bikes, pedal cars, gift certificates, t-shirts, and much, much more. We will also have rides in the cars and trucks for the kids on Saturday night.

What are ticket prices? Adult ticket prices are $12.00 on Friday and $18.00 on Saturday or a two-day pass for just $25.00. Students (12-16) are $8.00 on Friday and $14.00 on Saturday or a two-day pass for $20.00. Children eleven and under are admitted free both nights.

Madison International Speedway is located on Sunrise Road just south of Highway 138 between Oregon and Stoughton. For more information check out the track website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com or call the track office at 608.835.9700.

This is truly �The Big Show.�

Push, Pull, or Drag It�Still Too Wet for Tractor / Truck Pull

Everything was in place for an outstanding Lucas Oil Pro Puller National Championship last weekend�the pulling surface was in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of many people�sixty-six tractors and trucks were in the pits ready to pull�and the television crew was here ready to tape for an ESPN broadcast.

Twenty-three Super Farm tractors had made their way to the staging area on the quarter mile to begin their pulls. Sixteen tractors had completed their pulls before the mist turned to a steady rain and forced the program into a rain delay. After the rain persisted and despite the track being covered with a tarp, Lucas Oil officials had no choice but to cancel the program and wait for Saturday night.

With nearly all of the competitors staying the night, the rain never did let up and by mid-morning on Saturday the decision was made to send everyone home. Some of those had long trips as pullers from as far away as Texas and Georgia had made their way to MIS. It marked the second time in 2008 that an event was cancelled due to rain after it had begun; ironically the last one was the tractor pull in May!

Hats off to all of those who put in many, many hours preparing the track and hauling the dirt from the pits. Hopefully in 2009 Mother Nature will cooperate and the tractor pulls can be completed.

MIS 2008 Stats at a Glance

Super Late Models
Fast Time: Riddle, Wilberg-3, Haseleu-6
Heat Wins: Kinder-2, Ollerman-2, Kreyer, Wilberg
Feature Wins: Rubeck-4, A. Morrissey, Haseleu-4, Neville, Wilberg

Limited Late Models
Fast Time: Wilberg-7, Stevens, Baumeister, Goldade
Wayne�s Dash: Baumeister, Wilberg, Kulka, Hicks, Liddle, Evraets
Heat Wins: Liddle-2, Kenseth, Hicks-2, Hobson-2, Knuese-2, Beyer, Scheel, Thompson
Qualifying Race: Liddle, Miles, M.Miller, Treuthardt, Storkson
Semi Feature: Beyer, Schuette
Feature Wins: Stevens, Goldade, Liddle-2, Broughton-2, Wilberg, Kenseth-2, Kasten, Baumeister-2

Area Sportsman:
Fast Times: Heelein=6 Dickson, Schmidt-4, Kalbus
Heat Wins: Bennett, Garman-2, Heelein, Goldade, Kalbus-2, Dickson-2, Bagley, Lawver-2
Features: Kalbus-4(5), Lawver, Garman, Schmidt-4, Bagley, Heelein

Bandits
Fast Times Ace-8 C. Skolaski-2, Schmidt, Scheel
Heat Wins: C. Skolaski-2, Padfield-4, Schmidt-2, Lee, B. Skolaski-2, Padfield, Ace-2
Feature Wins: Ace-7, Schmidt-3, Selsing Jr., Scheel

Legends
Fast Times: McNamara-7, Arelano-4
Heat Wins: Arelano-2, McNamara-5, Greinig, Brown, Cooter, Moyer
Feature Wins: Arelano-3(4), McNamara-7

Bandoleros
Fast Times: C. Daul, Duncanson-2
Heat Wins: B. Daul, Duncanson
Feature Wins: Bernhagen, Duncanson-3

The Chaplain�s Corner
By Todd Christopherson

As we get to the end of the season I think about the great paint jobs on so many of the cars. Each week a lot of work is put in to get them to shine. Often times I see someone shine the cars or windshield. This week as I thought about the cars and how they look I was thinking about this verse in Hebrews. It is a great one. Heb 1: 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (from NIV) We know from other verses that Jesus shines His glory and we also know no one shares in that. Here we are told Jesus is the EXACT representation of God. He is God. He is deity. We also see in this verse that Jesus provide purification for sin. Now we have to come to Him on His terms not ours. I hope when you look at the cars this weekend and the great racing we are going to have that you ponder on the greatness of God and His glory. And I hope you have come to Jesus on His terms and know salvation.
I am looking forward to the big weekend and see you. Have a great day racin� in the SONshine,

Hope to see everyone at MIS on Friday and Saturday night for the �Classic.� Come early and stay late�it is going to be a great show.