MIS E-News
Week of March 9, 2009
By John Wells
Here is the latest news from Madison International Speedway. It won't be long before the ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Models and Big 8 Series come to MIS for the season opener on May 3rd. You can't ask for a better opening event!
Attention Drivers...
We want to help you promote your racing team. Be featured on our website and be part of our MIS E-News. It's a fantastic, free opportunity for you. I am always looking for driver features to send out to the fans and post on our website. Both Jason Hicks and Mike Storkson have been featured in Hawkeye Racing News and Aaron Moyer and Chester Ace recently appeared in WSN Illustrated.
All you need to do is email me, answer some questions, and you're all set. mismedia2@yahoo.com.
Tires, Tires, Tires
Goodyear Tires are in stock at MIS. Call Dave Grueneberg at 608.513.2278 to set up an appointment to pick up your tires.
Membership Forms Available
Driver and crew membership forms are available on our website. Here's what's new in 2009:
Driver membership is $100 for late models and $75 for all other divisions. This makes you eligible for the point fund provided you race 75% of the events in your division. You will also receive a $5 discount on pit passes (Members pay $25 and non-members are $30)
A crew member will be pay $50 and receive the member rate when paying for a pit pass.
Reserved pit stalls are $150. If you want your stall from last year you will need to contact Dave Grueneberg at 608.513.2278 as soon as possible.
Treat Your Sponsors Well in 2009
How about treating your sponsors to a night of luxury at MIS? How about making MIS their destination for a company picnic or outing? Contact Holly Coley at mishollycoley@yahoo.com or 608.332.9445 to find out just how easy this can be for you and your sponsors.
How about a bus trip from the location of one of your sponsors to MIS? Wayne Ace has a deal for you!
If you want Holly to work with your team then you need to contact her today. She will work for you!
MIS Holds Preseason Meeting
On a clear and cold Saturday afternoon, drivers and management from Madison International Speedway took time to get together in Stoughton to discuss the upcoming season.
MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg made it very clear at Saturday's preseason meeting when he said, "It's all about working together."
With economic challenges facing nearly everyone in America it has become more and more important for local racers and their local tracks to work together. "We need to come together and help each other keep this sport alive and well," added Grueneberg. MIS owner Terry Kunes previously announced the speedway's commitment to families in these tough economic times. Adult admission for regular racing events will be just $9.00 in 2009. This is a decrease of $3.00 from the 2008 admission price. MIS will also continue its policy that children eleven and under are admitted free. "We want this to be a place where families come because it's both fun and affordable. There is a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar and we want MIS to be a first class destination for families," said Kunes.
Grueneberg also outlined the track's plans for the "New Fan Initiative", a program in which the track will help its drivers reach out to their sponsors, both old and new. "We have a very loyal fan base. However, we need to do whatever it takes to reach out to new fans. We want to help our drivers make even stronger connections with their sponsors and their employees. We have some great incentives for our teams to get their sponsors and employees out to the track for a night of fun."
MIS Marketing Manager Holly Coley also updated teams on ways to recognize their sponsors on race night. "The VIP suites are a very affordable way to thank your sponsors. You can treat them at the track in indoor comfort with food and drink. Something else to consider is encouraging your sponsors to hold corporate outings at the speedway. This has gone over extremely well in the past and those who have participated have been very happy. All of you should take advantage of these two first-class opportunities."
Drivers and teams were also invited to take advantage of promotional opportunities via the MIS E-News and madisoninternationalspeedway.com. The track's goal is to work with drivers and teams to help promote them through newsletters, website updates, and press releases. If teams have something they want to share with the fans, MIS has the electronic vehicles to make it happen.
During a rules discussion led by Grueneberg and Technical Director Dave Oswald the drivers in attendance were asked for their feedback on several issues including a tire rule for the Late Model division. "This is all about you. We value your feedback and are asking for it. We need to work together on these questions," commented Grueneberg. The tire rule for the Late Model divison will be updated on the track website.
The ASA Educational Series will be returning to the track in 2009 with high school age crew members and drivers have an opportunity to win scholarships to Ohio Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio. "This is first and foremost a great way to get young people involved in our sport. I would encourage every team that races at MIS to get a young person on their team. It was a successful program last year and will be even bigger this year," added Grueneberg. Last year over $200,000 in scholarship money was awarded as part of the program.
Teams were also asked to help get the word out about the Friday night excitement. "We have a great track with the best racing in the Midwest. You guys know that and so do our loyal fans. We have to do everything we can to help promote the speedway. We have some incentives for you, but we need your help too. Get your car out to your sponsor, put it on display, and help us get fans out to the track. You have my phone number so call me with any suggestions or questions. None of us can do this alone; we have to work together," said Grueneberg.
All forms for the 2009 are available on the download section of the website:
Driver information and car owner payout forms should be completed and either mailed to the track or brought to the track during the opening practice day.
Membership forms should be completed and sent in as soon as possible. Driver memberships cost $100 for the Late Models and $75 for the other four divisions while a crew membership is $50. All members receive a $5 discount off the weekly regular event pit pass. Pit passes cost $25 for members and $30 for non-members. To be eligible for the point fund a driver must be a member and run 75% of the shows in their division.
Tire Rule Update for Late Model Teams
Here is the updated tire rule for the Late Model division per our discussion at the February 28th meeting:
Each team will be allowed to purchase eight tires for the first two weeks. They will use four tires the first night and the other four the second night. The following week we will start impounding two tires per night that will need to be used the following week. These tires will be marked during the week and must be run for time trials and the feature. If a driver does not race the first night they will only be able to purchase four tires for the second night and two of them will be impounded for the next week or the next time they race. Each team will be allowed to purchase two tires per night but are not required to do so. If a team comes to race after the second night of racing, their four tires (new or used) will be marked and they will have to run them for all hot laps and qualifying. Furthermore, the car will start at the back of the heat race and / or qualifying race and must finish in one of the transfer spots to get their spot in the feature.
Something New in 2009: Two-Driver Teams
Here is something new in 2009. Drivers may register as a two-driver team and be eligible for the point fund and track championship provided they race at least 75% of the shows in their division. Two-driver teams must be declared by May 22nd. Drivers must race the same car and each driver must race a minimum of four events.
This means that if two drivers want to share driving duties with a car in 2009 they can do it. So how does this work and why would someone want to do it?
Let's say Driver A knows he's going to miss four or five events during the season but still wants to run for points and point fund money. The co-driver can race the events he/she will miss with points going to the two-driver team. Now it is possible provided the above criteria is met. This applies to all five weekly divisions.
Late Model Payout Adjusted for 2009
The starting pay for the Late Model feature is now $200.
ASA Educational Series Update
Many teams along with interested students have inquired about the ASA Educational Series at MIS for 2009. We are very excited that the series will be back at MIS for many years to come. If you would like an application please send inquiries to Shannon@asa-racing.com.
Students can be either a driver or crew member in any of our weekly divisions. Let's see every team with an Educational Series member in 2009.
Introducing Phast Photos
MIS is pleased to announce that Chuck West (The Guy at the Turn Four Kids Club) will be handling photography at MIS in 2009 and does he have some big plans for the teams.
Welcome your fans to the 2009 season by handing them an autographed "Hero Card". Fans love to collect them! All you need to do is give him your current stats and he will start on your personal, custom design. When your car is ready to roll out in the spring, all he needs is a photo of the car and you will have your new cards by the first race of the season...guaranteed. It doesn't get any easier than that!
You supply the copyright free photos and your career stats and sponsors for the back of the card. Give him the quantity you need and they will be delivered to you at the track the next week. A one-time design charge is $25.00 for a basic card with 5 x 7 cards at $50 per 100, 4 x 6 cards at $40 per 100, or 3 x 5 cards for $35 per 100.
Call Chuck today at 608.225.1966 or email him at cphastphotos@gmail.com.
Drivers can order 2009 Fan Cards now and save on your first order with a ½ down payment.
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 Super Lates / Big 8 Series Qualifying 2:00 / Racing 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 / Big 8 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
The Chaplain's Corner
By Todd Christopherson
Well it is here. It is Daytona and it was great to see one of our own win and then follow it up with a second win already. Congratulations to Matt! It was a great plan and team work. I am sure many of you have a plan for the season. When you come to the track you have a plan. We plan are day, our work, our week. As I thought about plans I thought we have to have a plan with God. If we do not we just hope things turn out ok but that is not going to work. One we have to follow God's plan for salvation then we have to have a plan to lead our families. We do not want to leave either one to chance. I see way too many people that do that. Please do not be casual about this! In the next two corners I will share what I think the plan needs to look like in these vital areas.
So the other side of this is team work. I am sure if you talk to Matt and his team they would say that the came together with one objective. They had a goal. They were and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. When we council God He tells us we have to be humble to get a job done and that includes some sacrificing. In salvation that sacrifice was coming from Heaven and humbling Himself even onto death, even death on the cross. But now you and I can have hope. I will talk more about that next time.
As I end I just want to remind you to have a plan and be ready to work as a team at the track but even more importantly as you think about the spiritual life. Eternity hangs in the balance, your eternity!
See you soon and have a great day racin' in the SONshine,
Todd
ps. I know times are hard. Give me a call or e mail if you need some guidance. I do not have many answers but I know the Master, the Lord, that knows all the answers. Maybe we can find them together. It really is about teamwork
That's all for this week. Be sure to check out our future editions when we begin profiling drivers for the 2009 season.
As always your suggestions are always welcome at mismedia2@yahoo.com