MIS E-News Week of February 12, 2009
By John Wells

Here is the latest from Madison International Speedway.
 
Everyone at the track is getting prepared for the 2009 season.  In the last edition of the MIS E-News we announced that regular admission for adults will be $9.00 in 2009.  We have received very favorable feedback from our fans on this decision.
 
We will be working hard to put together a great weekly racing program and encourage all of you to bring out new fans whenever possible.  Get close to the excitement...close to home.
 
In this edition you will read about the ASA Member insurance program along with the many changes and updates we are putting in place for 2009.
 
 
Drivers...We Need Your Email Address
 
In order to better serve our drivers it is important that we have your current email address.  I am still using addresses from last year but obviously some have changed.  Since it is my goal to be able to send updates to you directly it is important to have your email address.
 
Send me an email at mismedia2@yahoo.com.
 
Opportunities for Race Teams
Attention Race Teams:  Treat your sponsors to a first class night at the races by signing up for one of our VIP suites.  Featuring a great view of the track, air conditioning, and much more.  Pick out the night you want now by calling Holly Coley at 608.332.9445.
 
 
 
MIS Announces Revised Schedule
 
Dates for the MIS Fall Classic have been finalized along with some adjustments in starting times.  Here is the updated version of our 2009 racing schedule.
 
Madison International Speedway
2009 Racing Schedule
Subject to Change
 
Friday Night Racing:  Hot Laps 4:45; Qualifying 6:20; Racing at 7:30
 
SLM = Super Late Models, LM = Late Models, AS = Area Sportsman,
HS = Hobby Stocks, USST = Super Trucks, AST = Short Trackers,
INT = Internationals, B = Bandits, L = Legends, SS= Super Stocks, Mid Am
 
Saturday        April 25th        Open Practice                       Noon - 5:00 PM
Saturday        May 2nd          Open Practice                       Noon - 5:00 PM
Sunday          May 3rd           ASA Midwest Tour / Big Eight Series  Qualifying 2:00 / Racing at 3:30
Friday             May 8th           LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             May 15th         LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             May 22nd        LM / AS / HS / B / L / USST
Friday             May 29th         LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             June 5th         LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             June 12th       LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             June 19th       LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             June 26th       LM / AS / HS / B / L
Monday          June 29th       Practice for All Star Challenge  3:00 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday         June 30th       All Star Challenge (SLM / LM)   Qualifying 4:00 PM / Racing 7:00 PM
Wednesday   July 1st           All Star Challenge Raindate
Friday             July 3rd           LM Twin 40s / AS 25 / HS 25 / INT 25 / AST 25                                   Fireworks
Friday             July 10th         LM / AS / HS / B / L / USST 
Friday             July 17th         LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             July 24th         ASA North / USST         Qualifying 4:00 PM / Racing 7:00 PM
Sunday          July 26th         ASA North Raindate
Friday             July 31st         LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             Aug 7th           LM Twin 50s / AS / HS / B
Friday             Aug 14th         SLM / LM / AS / HS / B / L
Friday             Aug 21st         LM / AS / HS / B / L  
Friday             Aug 28th         Season Championships
                                            LM Twin 40s / AS Twin 25s / HS Twin 25s / B / L / USST
Friday             Sep 4th           Season Championships Raindate
Friday             Sep 25th        MIS Fall Classic  Qualifying 5:00 PM / Racing 7:00 PM
                                                LM, AS, HS, AST, INT, SS, B
Saturday        Sep 26th        MIS Fall Classic  Qualifying 4:00 PM / Racing 6:00 PM
                                                SLM Twin 50s, LM, MidAm, USST, L, Trailer Race
Sunday          Sep 27th        Raindate for Sep 26th Events       
 
 
 MIS Announces Fall Classic Dates
 
The third annual MIS Fall Classic will be held on September 25th and 26th.  The later dates will help us align with other special events throughout the area.
 
Seven divisions will take to the track on Friday night with Late Models, Area Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks, Short Trackers, International Four Cylinders, and Bandits all in action.  Qualifying is set to begin at 5:00 with racing at 7:30.
 
A big night of racing is set for Saturday with qualifying set for 4:00 and racing at 6:00.  Highlighting the racing program will be Twin 50's for the Super Late Models with Late Models, Mid American Stock Cars, USST Super Trucks, and Legends also on the racing program.  Dave's Famous Trailer Race will complete the evening's activities.
 
Sunday will be a rain date for the Saturday night events. 
 
It is possible that other divisions may be added so stay tuned.
 
Super Late Models Will Have A Track Champion in 2009
 
Five races will be held for Super Late Models in 2009 and a point system will be established to determine an overall track champion.  A point system will be in place that will include the ASA Midwest Tour event, All Star Challenge, August Super Late Model Spectacular, and the Twin 50s at the MIS Fall Classic.  The point system will be a modified version of our weekly point system that is included in this newsletter.  More information will be coming soon.
 
 
What's the Point?  Here's How Drivers Earn Points at MIS
 
Here is the point system we use at Madison International Speedway.
 
More will be discussed at the meeting on February 28th as we discuss the possibility of including passing points in the point system.
 
 
Madison International Speedway
2009 Point System
 
Feature:
 
1st- 75 points, 2nd- 70 points, 3rd- 65 points, 4th-60 points, 5th- 55 points, 6th- 51 points, 7th- 47 points, 8th- 43 points, 9th- 40 points, 10th- 37 points, 11th- 34 points, 12th- 31 points, 13th- 29 points, 14th- 27 points, 15th- 25 points, 16th- 24 points, 17th- 23 points, 18th- 22 points, 19th- 21 points, 20th thru last place- 20 points
 
Heat Races:
 
1st- 10 points, 2nd- 9 points, 3rd- 8 points, 4th- 7 points, 5th- 6 points, 6th- 5 points, 7th- 4 points, 8th- 3 points, 9th- 2 points, 10th and beyond- 1 point
 
Qualifying:
 
1st- 12 points, 2nd- 10 points, 3rd- 8 points, 4th- 6 points, 5th- 5 points, 6th- 4 points, 7th- 3 points, 8th thru 10th- 2 points, 11th and beyond- 1 point
 
All Star Challenge Hospitality Package
Courtesy of RK Race Promotions
 
THE SWISS COLONY
ANNUAL ALL-STAR CHALLENGE
TUESDAY JUNE 30TH 2009 MADISON INT'L SPEEDWAY
HOSPITALITY TICKET $125.00 (ALL AGES)
 
****PLEASE NOTE: NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES****
 
AT THIS DATE MATT KENSETH AND TONY STEWART HAVE COMMITED TO RACING IN THE 5TH ANNUAL ALL-STAR CHALLENGE. I AM CURENTLY WORKING ON GETTING ANOTHER NASCAR STAR TO APPEAR.
 
TICKET INCLUDES:

ACCESS TO THE HOSPITALITY TENT FROM NOON TIL 7:00 PM.
COMPLIMENTARY HOT FOOD AND BEVERAGES.
PIT PASS, RESERVED PARKING AND RESERVED GRANDSTAND SEATING.
ONE AUTOGRAPHED ITEM FROM MATT KENSETH AND TONY STEWART.
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH MATT KENSETH AND TONY STEWART, TIME APPROXIMATELY 4:30 TO 6:00.
DRAWING FOR PRIZES.
 
CHILDREN OF ALL AGES MUST HAVE A TICKET
*****CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT*****
 
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER        CALL 608-423-7829 WITH VISA OR MC ORDER
RK RACE PROMOTIONS
618 DRUMLIN TRAIL                                  EMAIL  mattsdad@mattkenseth.com
CAMBRIDGE, WI  53523
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ALL ADULT ADVANCE GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ARE $20.00
STUDENTS 8 THRU 17  $10.00
CHILDREN 7 AND UNDER FREE
SPECTATOR PIT PASS $60.00 Includes Grandstand seating
 
RAIN DATE WEDNESDAY JULY 1st
 
 
 
ASA REMAINS UNMATCHED IN MEMBERSHIP INSURANCE COVERAGE
  Article courtesy of ASA
 
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 6, 2009) - Opening the newspaper or turning on the television today seems to bring nothing but bad news, especially when it comes to the cost of things we need. And if you think that the price of essentials like gas, food and housing are going through the roof, just wait until you see what it costs for something that we don't want - like a hospital stay. Fortunately, the American Speed Association is here to help the racers in that aspect.
  
Last season they introduced a revolutionary insurance program for members in good standing which covered them from the moment they left their driveway until the time they pulled back in again. This means that an ASA Racing member is covered not only on the racetrack itself, but also while on the highways and streets to-and-from a Level 1 ASA Member Track or ASA Regional Racing series sanctioned event. Needless to say, this type of coverage is unprecedented, and unmatched, in the weekly racing arena.
  
"I think that we pretty much took the industry by surprise when we announced the ASA insurance program last year," said Dennis Huth, president of the American Speed Association. "We have always offered some of the best insurance in the short track industry to our membership, but then to extend that protection to the commute to-and-from the racetrack was unheard of. I'm proud to say that the American Speed Association has been, and always will be, at the forefront with new and innovative ideas that benefit our members and racetracks." 
  
ASA Racing members in good standing will be eligible for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member assumes the basic guidelines are followed and no exclusions, such as drinking and driving, are violated. Complete details on the program, including all the listed exclusions, can be found online at http://www.asa-racing.com/story.asp?StoryID=7552.
  
Insurance has been at the forefront of short track discussions lately, and in many cases some racetracks only offer between $5,000 and $25,000 of coverage. This amount would barely cover an overnight hospital stay so it is up to the racer to look for the best possible coverage to supplement any medical, life, or disability policies they already have.
  
"There are a lot of insurance companies out there, but you simply cannot go to any agent for information about your additional motorsports needs. Most of the time those who work with regular life, medical and disability policies won't be as familiar with the companies that have racing exclusions or surcharges. It is important that you find an agent familiar with racing for the best rates and policies, and I feel that with WSIB Motorsports Insurance the ASA family has partnered with the best in the business. Laura (Hauenstein) and her staff are constantly looking out for better ways to protect the ASA members and come up with ideas that have not been implemented in the motorsports community," Huth explained.
  
"Insurance is something that we all need to have but hope that we never need to use," said Laura Hauenstein, president of WSIB Motorsports Insurance. "But a policy like that offered by the ASA is a huge step forward in providing additional protection to any insurance policies that a member may already own. I don't know that anyone else in the industry offers as much coverage to their members, and certainly does not cover them off the racetrack on the way to and from the event."
  
"We are really proud to be associated with the American Speed Association and bring such a unique program to the membership. I have been able to work with Dennis and really see how he thinks (lobbies) outside of the box when it comes to taking care of the ASA membership. We are extremely fortunate to have our partner carrier, Federal Insurance Company a member company of Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, work so closely with WSIB to arrange this unique motorsports program," she added.
  
ASA Member Track operators also have the ability to purchase general and excess liability, automobile, an expanded ASA-exclusive $500,000 participant accident medical, workers compensation and health insurance.
  
The ASA insurance is available to those involved in the ASA Member Tracks, Regional and National Racing programs.
  
The ASA Member Track program is comprised of more than 30 short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
 
 
 
 
The ASA Educational Series is back again in 2009. 
 
If you are a high school student and are interested please let me know.  If you know of someone interested or would like a student member on your team please notify Dave at misdaveg@yahoo.com.  Last year we had over $400,000 worth of scholarships to Ohio Technical College to award to participating members.  This is a great program so please get involved.
 
 Congratulations Dave and Dennis
 
Two Wisconsin media members received awards at the recent National Motorsports Press Association convention in Concord, NC.
 
Dave Kallmann of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel received a first-place award for his race coverage story of the 2008 Daytona 500. 
 
Dennis Krause of the Motorsports Minute/PIT PASS Radio Network received a third-place award for his race coverage story of the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.  The Motorsports Minute is heard daily on 13-Wisconsin radio stations, including The Big 1070, WTSO-AM, Madison.  Dennis has also been on the air covering the All Star Challenge the past few years.
 
Both Dave and Dennis are great supporters of local racing and all of us at MIS want to send our congratulations.
 
Banquet Follow Up
 
In my recently published article on the MIS banquet I mentioned two special awards that were presented by Dave Grueneberg.  One of those awards was to Gary Schmelzer for his years of service to the racing community.  Gary was recognized as the "MIS Track Historian" which is a very deserving honor for him.  Dave also recognized Oregon Fire and EMS for all they do for the track including their efforts to assist us on the last night when a pump went out.
 
Each year we try to recognize a few of our great supporters.  But at the same time that does not mean to say that we don't appreciate everyone's efforts in making our race program a positive experience.  The guys from Seitz Towing, Racetrack Safety, track employees, sponsors and others are all vitally important to MIS and we appreciate everyone who calls MIS home.
 
That's all for this edition of the MIS E-News.  We always welcome your feedback at mismedia2@yahoo.com.