MIS E-News - Week of August 9, 2010
By John Wells

Here is the latest from Madison International Speedway...

Congratulations to last Friday night's feature winners, Scott Broughton, Bobby Wilberg, Max McNamara, Chester Ace, and Todd Ambrose.  The complete race report is available on our website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com.

ASA Educational Series

A total of $90,000 in scholarships to Ohio Technical College was distributed on Friday night during intermission with Vern Fagerberg Jr. of Bloomingdale, Illinois, taking home $20,000.  "It really makes the trip from Chicago every week worth it.  I really love MIS and want to thank Dave, Ohio Tech, and ASA," said Fagerberg Jr. after winning the Promoter's Award.  Other winners who will be on their way to OTC in Cleveland, Ohio, include Allan Braatz, Andrew Simon, Nathan Ostrowsky, Chris Swayze, Daren Wittman, Andrew Burt, John DeGrazio, Shane Kuntzsch, and Max McNamara.  Stephen Scheel was also recognized for the two years of scholarships he has previously been awarded.

Undergraduate students who will be eligible for scholarships next year were also recognized at intermission and included Travis Boehnen, Cody DeVoy, Mike Hanson, Louis Hardin, Daniel Harried, Brandon Heisler, Gavin Klosterman, Omar  Martinez, Adam Monte, Michael Murphy, Justin Nolte, and Alan Vargas.

Larry Pond, executive director of ASA Educational Series, and Randy Dziadowicz of Ohio Technical College were on hand to address the students and parents during a pre-race meeting.

The program would not be possible without the efforts of the race teams at MIS.  These teams are working together with the young people of the ASA Educational Series sharing their knowledge about racing.  "This is what makes the program so great," said MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg.  "The mentor relationship is what it's all about.  Without teams willing to work with these kids we wouldn't have this program."

We would also like to thank Austin Wells for setting up the sound system for the parents meeting.  Great job Austin.

 Practice This Wednesday

Open practice from 4:00 - 8:00 on Wednesday, August 11th and Wednesday, August 25th.  Cost is $15.00 per person for pit passes.

This Week at MIS

It's a big night for kids at MIS this week with hundreds of prizes including bikes ready to be handed out.  All the kids need to do is sign up at the Kids Club when they arrive at the track...get there early because we will begin handing out prizes early.

It gets even better as during intermission the kids will be going trackside for the annual coin drop.  The big yellow fire truck will also return to the speedway. There's also much more excitement planned for the kids so expect a big night on Friday.

MIS would like to thank all of the race teams and sponsors who have donated bikes and prizes for the Kids' Night.  A big thank you to Chuck West for his help in making all of this possible.

Madison International Speedway

MIS Kids' Night

Friday, August 13, 2010

3:30    Pit Gates Open

4:45    Practice

            Late Models

            Hobby Stocks

            Area Sportsman

            Bandits

            Legends

6:15    Qualifying

            Bandits

            Legends

            Area Sportsman

            Hobby Stocks

            Late Models

7:30    Racing

            Area Sportsman Heats (6 Laps)

            Hobby Stocks Heats (6 Laps)

            Late Model Heats (10 Laps)

            Bandits Heats (8 Laps)

            Legends Heats (8 Laps)

            Last Chance Races (12 Laps)

            Intermission:  Kids Coin Drop

            Area Sportsman Feature (15 Laps)

            Hobby Stocks Feature (12 Laps)

            Late Model Feature (40 Laps)

            Bandits Feature (20 Laps)

            Legends Feature (20 Laps)

Schedule events and order are subject to change

Zack Riddle's Mom Rocks MIS

08/02/2010

By Amanda Voss, Madison International Speedway

Stock car fans and drivers are acquainted with the father involvement in racing. Some drivers might lean on dad for assis­tance on the race car, driving techniques or advice about racing, but how often do we appreciate the mother involvement in racing?

The mothers in racing have supportive, dedicated and important roles on a race team. One mother in particular, on the #14 2010 Urban Force/ABC Supply late model team at Madison International Speedway, serves various roles on the crew.

Brandie Ziegler is mom to Zack Riddle, who is fourth in points in the Rockweiler Insulation late model division at MIS.

Ziegler's family has a rich history in racing. Her dad, John Ziegler, had an impressive career in racing and was considered one of the best drivers in his day. Her parents even met at a race track, so her sister, brother and Ziegler were raised at race tracks all over Wisconsin, which included MIS, Columbus, Jefferson and Dells Raceway Park. She said, "We all grew up understanding that that's what normal families did." She added it was odd to see families who didn't race.

Ziegler's brother followed in his father's footsteps and started racing at MIS and Slinger Super Speedway.

For Riddle, his focus wasn't always on racing. He played hockey four years prior to his racing career. At 10 years old Riddle decided to race go carts. Ziegler said, "It was an awesome moment to hear that your son wants to follow in your family's footsteps."

Ziegler and the family traveled with Riddle while he raced go karts. Riddle raced go karts in Wisconsin, New York and Florida.

Most young drivers move up various divisions before racing late models, but not Riddle. After Riddle succeeded in go karts, he decided to race late models.

Riddle was 14 years old when he raced his first late model at MIS. Riddle bought a chassis from Ziegler's dad. So, Riddle's dad, Riddle and some friends built a late model to race at MIS. Ziegler said the whole journey began with three teenagers, a father and a mother.

Ziegler has no trouble remembering the first time Riddle raced a late model. She recalls that he never used a radio before, and he could barely see over the steering wheel.

She remembers the feeling she felt while watching Riddle race a late model for the first time. Ziegler said she wasn't as worried as watching her brother and dad race as she is watching Riddle race. She said, "When someone you love that much is out there racing your eyes stay focused on that car. I couldn't have told you who won."

Ziegler said it hasn't gotten easier watching Riddle race. She said, "Anybody that knows me knows I am a nervous wreck when he races. I have to pace." She still has the same butterflies she did the first time Riddle took the wheel of a stock car, but said she hides it better now.

Anyone involved in racing understands the sacrifices made during a racing career, and Ziegler has learned about those sacrifices during Riddle's career.

One sacrifice she is aware of is the financial aspect. She said, "Now as a parent I think how the heck am  I going to be able to afford this?" She added a lot of people at MIS don't take vacations or drive new  cars. The people at MIS love to race and that is what is important to them and Zack Riddle Racing.

Ziegler has various roles on the Zack Riddle Racing team. She embroiders the uniform shirts, makes the autograph cards, is in charge of the website, cooks, cleans, makes travel arrangements, and makes sure kids on the crew get to and from MIS. Ziegler could also add promoter to her list of duties. She tries to get as many people involved in racing at MIS as she can. She will talk to parents, and promote the sport whenever she has a chance. She said "I love this place. I've grown up here, my kids have grown up here." She wants to make sure racing flourishes in the family and at MIS. Ziegler loves that Riddle is racing at MIS, and respects the history of the track. She said, "If you just look at this grand place, you know its unbelievable, if you think who's raced here and the successes they have had."

She respects the way all drivers in the five divisions at MIS work hard to race. Ziegler doesn't have a lot of respect for those drivers who don't work on their cars. She credits those at MIS who put their heart and soul into racing their stock cars.

Ziegler believes the true heroes at MIS are those drivers who don't necessarily run up front every weekend, but show up every Friday night determined to work hard. She believes they will be the superstars of the future at MIS.

Along with the various roles on the race team, Ziegler is also the support system for Riddle. A race season is long with a roller coaster of emotions, and a support system is key to any driver's success.

Even though Riddle is even tempered, she has never seen Riddle as low as he was the first two races of the season, which was a time when he had a stretch of bad luck. She felt for him because Riddle and the crew are dedicated to rac­ing. When Riddle has a bad day, Ziegler said, "All you can do is listen, and when they ask for advise give them advise." She added, "Character is shown when you have a bad day."

Some drivers and crews have rituals and good luck charms during a race season. For Ziegler she doesn't have many ritu­als other than going over before every feature and reaching in the window to tell Riddle to do his best and have fun.

The crew on Zack Riddle Racing is turning bad luck charms into good luck charms. Ziegler calls the team the anti-good luck team. Some of those charms is having green on the car, Riddle raced a number 3 car and the team snacks on peanuts. These are all supposedly bad luck charms in racing, but with Riddle fourth in points, he was on the pole for the feature last Friday night at MIS and finishing second in the feature, turning those bad luck charms into good luck charms might be a great strategy for Ziegler and Zack Riddle Racing.

Zack Riddle Racing would not be able to race with out the help of the following sponsors, which are Homburg Incorpo­rated, Morgan's Shoes, ABC Supply Company, Inc., Keystone Farms Natural, Welders Supply Company, Circle Track Magazine, Skills, USA and WALN'S Carquest Gasoline Alley.

For more information on Zack Riddle racing go to http://www.zackriddle.com/6.html. For more information on MIS go to http://www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com.

Madison International Speedway

2010 Results

Rockweiler Insulation Late Models:

Fast Time:  Dave Feiler (5/23), Zack Riddle (6/4, 7/30, 8/6) Jeremy Miller (5/28, 6/11, 7/9), Chad Wood (6/25) Ryan Goldade (7/2 Big 8 DQ) Bobby Wilberg (7/16)

Heat Wins:  Bruce Lee (5/23), Shaun Scheel (5/23, 7/9, 8/6), Jason Hicks (5/23) Kevin Knuese (5/28, 6/25) John Wood (5/28)  Ryan Goldade (5/28, 6/11) Jimmy Ganski (6/4), John Ovadal Jr. (6/4), Brady Liddle (6/4, 8/6) McKenzie Piller (6/11) Scott Broughton (6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16) Cliff Rucks (6/25) Ryan Goldade (7/2 Big 8 DQ), Michael Bachaus (7/2 Big 8) Jeremy Miller (7/9, 7/16) Vern Fagerberg Jr. (7/16, 8/6)

Qualifying Races:  Brady Liddle (7/2 Big 8) Shane Morrissey (7/2 Big 8)

Last Chance:  Brady Liddle (5/23) James Swan (7/2 Big 8)

Feature:  Scott Broughton (5/23, 7/16, 8/6), Jeremy Miller (5/28, 6/25, 7/30) Bobby Wilberg (6/4) Ryan Goldade (7/9) Zack Riddle (6/11) John Baumeister Jr. (7/2 Big 8)

Ho Chunk Gaming Area Sportsman:

Fast Time:  Mike Heelein (5/23) Stephen Scheel (5/28)  Bobby Wilberg (6/4, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/30, 8/6)

Heat Wins: Scott Riedner (5/23) TJ Goldade (5/28, 6/4) Scheel (6/11, 8/6) Robert Hansberry (6/25) Bobby Wilberg (7/9, 7/16)

Feature Wins:  Mike Taylor (5/23), Bobby Wilberg (5/28, 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/30, 8/6) Stephen Scheel (6/4)

ASA Midwest Sportsman:  Bobby Wilberg (5/3, 6/29)

Club LaMark Hobby Stocks:

Fast Time:  Don Fassett (5/23, 5/28, 7/30) Brad Luck (6/4) Todd Ambrose (6/25, 7/9, 8/6) Brad Luck (7/2) Chad Knaus (7/16)

Heat Wins:  Todd Ambrose (5/23)  Terry Ciano Jr. (5/28, 6/11) Chad Knaus (6/4, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16) Scott Luck (8/6)

Feature Wins:  Todd Ambrose (5/23, 6/11, 7/9, 8/6), Chad Knaus (5/28, 7/2) Don Fassett (6/4, 6/25, 7/16) Brad Luck (7/30)

Roto Rooter Bandits:

Fast Time:  Chester Ace (5/23, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 8/6)

Heat Wins:  Chester Ace (5/23, 5/28, 6/11, 6/25, 7/9), Cory Skolaski (5/23), Jovanni DiMaggio (5/23), Ryan Slater (5/28), Jon Coker (5/28, 6/4, 8/6) Lee Haag (5/23, 6/25, 7/16) Darrell Klug (6/4)  Brian Beale (6/4, 6/11) Brandon Angileri (6/11) Jo Rupp (6/25) Jason Coker (7/9, 7/16, 8/6) Bobby Selsing Jr. (7/9)

Semi Feature:  Pat Richgels (5/23) 

Last Chance: Rob Nuti (5/28, 6/11, 7/9)  Kenny Storkson (6/4) Jo Rupp (6/25)

Feature Wins:  Chester Ace (5/23, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/25, 7/30, 8/6) Kyle Padfield (7/9) Lee Haag (7/16)

Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends:

Fast Time:  Andy Jones (5/23) Aaron Moyer (5/28) Max McNamara (6/4, 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 8/6)

Heat Wins:  Tommy Jones (5/23, 6/11), Aaron Moyer (5/23) Tim Narr (5/28)  Andy Jones (5/28,) Rachael Pinkerman (6/4)  Max McNamara (6/4, 7/9, 8/6) Steve Narr (6/11, 6/25) Dave Wastak (7/9, 7/16) Kyle Justis (7/16) Tony Moyer (8/6)

Feature Wins:  Tommy Jones (5/23, 5/28) Andy Jones (6/4, 7/16) Max McNamara (6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/30, 8/6)

International Four Cylinders

Fast Time:  Mike Lambert (7/2)

Heat Wins:  Kyle Smith (7/2), Ashley Smith (7/2)

Feature Wins:  Kyle Smith (7/2)

A Special Message from Todd and MIS...

Our prayer and thoughts go out to Gregg McKarns and his family and those close to the McKarns for the loss of Sue. We pass along our sympathy. We all know this is a loss to racing in the Midwest. The McKarns family has touched everyone involved in racing here in Wisconsin, Illinois, MN and so on. We owe much to the family and the many things they have done. At this time we place the McKarns family in God's hand and care knowing that is where we get strength from. We call out to the Lord to comfort all those feeling the lose.

Psalm 28:1-2

To you I call, O LORD my Rock;

do not turn a deaf ear to me.

For if you remain silent,

I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

2 Hear my cry for mercy

as I call to you for help,

as I lift up my hands

toward your Most Holy Place.

Todd Christopherson

Team Jesus Racing Ministry

www.teamjrm

The Chaplain's Corner

By Todd Christopherson

Priceless

We had a good night of racing and again it was fun to see some other new heat winners. That is always good to have others get to participate in winning. We should be driven to see others win as God is. He wants all to "win" - salvation (2 Peter 3:15).

I was thinking about the ad about "priceless". Remember them? They started with a list of things a prices and then finish with so and so - "priceless". Those were cool commercials and fun too. As I thought about that I thought about the one that is truly priceless. Listen to Psalm 36:7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. So why is God's love priceless? Because we have a debt (sin) that we can't pay Jesus died on the cross and rose so that we can have the price paid. He is the only hope (Titus 3:7) and only way (John14:6).

Here is the other side of priceless. God is priceless! He is so far above anything we can imagine. He is wonderful beyond comprehension. Have you stopped and thought about God's greatness? Think about He is the one that gives us breath and life. He holds the waves in place. He puts the stars in the sky. Look into a baby's face and think that God knit them together in the womb. The list goes on and on. Listen to Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom; 1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. I pray that you look to God and His greatness and think about Him as He truly is. Does it drive you to praise and pray? Hope about encouraging me and praise the LORD together. Pull me aside and we will rejoice together and pray together for He and He alone is worthy.

Have a great day racin' in the SONshine,

Todd

 See you at MIS this Friday night.