Jeremy Miller scores last lap win over Mike Skaja in Mid-Am opener

ROCKFORD, IL -- Jeremy Miller pulled off a final lap pass to get around leader Mike Skaja and went on to win the Mid-American Stock Car Series 2005 opener at the Rockford Speedway Sunday afternoon. Skaja, in a rare Mid-American appearance at the Rockford quater-mile paved oval, led the first 49 laps of the race before Miller squeezed inside for the lead as the two cars darted past the finish line. "I have to thank my fellow competitors.  They gave me room on the
track.   Sometimes it really gets tight on the race track," Miller said.  "I got into second and I really didn't know if I could catch the leader," he continued.   "I really have to thank B & B Race Engines. This car really had power here today," Miller told the cheering crowd. "We practiced here Thursday, but we changed some springs and shocks," Miller noted.  "The car was just fast all weekend," he said of his 5 & Drive Auto Sales/Money Mart Fiancial 2005 Monte Carlo. "I was just happy to run up front here," Skaja said.  "I haven't done that well here before so I was real pleased."

Miller had a near perfect weekend.  He was one of three cars to break the Mid-American one-lap qualifying record with quick time of 13.979 Saturday.  Miller then finished a close second in his ten-lap heat race behind rookie Andrew Ruthenbeck. Miller started tenth after a dice roll inverted start.  He quickly advanced to the front when he passed Scott Null for fourth place on lap six.  He got past Jeremy Spoonmore for third place on lap 24.  Chris Cooling held Miller off until lap 36 and Miller then whittled away at Skaja's six-car length lead.  With four laps left Miller was on Skaja's rear bumper and coming off of turn four for the white flag he slipped under Skaja for the lead.    

There were no caution flags in the cleanly contested 50-lapper. Spoonmore finished a strong third with Cooling close behind in fourth.   Two-time series champion Bill Prietzel and Indiana veteran Bill Neering completed the top six.
   
The next Mid-American event is Saturday night, April 30 at the Elko Speedway in Elko, MN.
   
50-Lap Feature: (Top 10) 1. Jeremy Miller, Rockton, IL; 2. Mike Skaja, New Prague, MN; 3. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk, IL; 4. Chris Cooling, Joliet, IL; 5. Bill Prietzel, Franklin, WI; 6. Bill Neering, Cedar Lake, IN; 7. Scott Null, Lake Mills, WI; 8. John Senerchia, Orland Park, IL; 9. Lyle Nowak, Wausau, WI; 10. John Vig, Jr, Shakopee, MN.
   
10-Lap Heats: First: 1. Neering; 2. Dan Powell, Polo, IL; Second: 1. Andrew Ruthenbeck, Virginia, MN; 2. Miller.
Fastest Qualifier: Miller, 13.979 (Record)