MID-AM CELEBRATES 2013 AT AWARDS BANQUET

Mid American Stock Car Series
January 24, 2014

Wisconsin Dells, WI – Mid-American officially concluded the 2013 season with the awards banquet Saturday, January 18 at the Wintergreen Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. Mid-Am owners Doug and Julie Strasburg brought the banquet to the Wintergreen eight years ago to celebrate the conclusion of the 2005 season and the beginning of the Strasburg reign of the Series. “We brought the banquet to the Dells because it was the best central location for the core of the Mid-American racers”, Doug Strasburg states. “We’ve always been treated very well and the compliments on the meal and accomodations have been seamless since the first banquet.”

2013 point and drawing awards totaled over $14,000 this year. 2013 Champion, Brad Keith of West Bend, WI took home the largest point check, the biggest trophy and the one-of-a-kind Fan’s Arena Champion cap. Keith also drew the Bassett Wheel award taking home a certificate for four new Bassett wheels. Keith was quick to thank his family, crew and sponsors for their help and support to bring home the brass ring. Keith assured his championship with two wins and nine top 5 finishes.

2012 champion, Jeremy Spoonmore of Somonauk, IL, gave chase to Keith all season often coming within striking distance, finished a strong second place in the point race. Even going into Oktoberfest, the final season point race, Spoonmore trailed Keith by 57 points giving him a numerical chance of a second consecutive championship. Unable to secure a win this season, Spoonmore collected eight top 5 finishes.

In his first full season of Mid-American competition, finishing a very respectful third place as well as securing Rookie of the Year with authority this season, was Dan Gilster of West Salem, WI. Gilster began the season stumbling. Gilster’s tenacity gleaned race-by-race improvement. Gilster gained a points position with a season’s end feature win in front of his hometown crowd at Oktoberfest in West Salem. Along with his third place and rookie trophies, Bud Collar from Race-Comm furnished a Motorola radio, Racing Electronics headset, cord, belt for crew member and frequency programming as well as a $900 Five Star certificate towards a new body in the driver draw. Watch Gilster for to improve his 2013 five top 5 and two win record in 2014.

Mark Pluer from Brookfield, WI and Rick Tackman, Jr. from Waukesha, WI rounded out the top five in the point standings. Pluer had three feature wins including back-to-back Milwaukee Mile and Wausau’s State Park Speedway events. Tackman received a pair of lower control arms through the driver’s draw compliments CRS Motorsports and a $50 certificate redeemable at Competition Products.

Former Mid-Am Champ, Lyle Nowak finished sixth after dramatic up and down year. Nowak took home one of two Millermatic 180 welders furnished by Miller Welders in the driver’s draw.

Finishing seventh and logging undoubtedly the most miles of the season to play with Mid-American was Tim Fulford from Solsberry, IN.

Eighth and ninth place went to Jack Stern from Slinger, WI and Dusty Krebs of Hartford, WI, respectfully. Krebs drew the second Miller Welder.

Rounding out the top ten was Oak Creek’s Ryan Gutknecht. Ryan drew a $100 Lowes gift card and took home Mid-Am’s flagman Dave Sankey’s red flag with the Mid-Am 2013 Milwaukee Mile participant’s signatures.

In a special moment, Mid-American Chaplain, Pastor Todd Christopherson, was surprised with a plaque recognizing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, his heart for the racers and his dedication to the Series.

Also recognized with a plaque this year was flagman Dave Sankey who is shooting to beat Doug Strasburg’s “I flagged at 28 different race tracks spanning 7 states” record. With 20 tracks behind him, he’s got a good start.

Mid-am photographers, Mark Melchiori, Doug Hornickel and Chuck Look received plaques recognizing their selfless commitments the sport and Mid-American.

Hoosier Tire and Lynch Superstore in Burlington, WI continue to be the major point fund contributors for Mid-American. Fan’s Arena Racing Apparel from Onalaska, WI furnishes race winner caps throughout the season and the one of a kind Champion’s cap for the banquet. Diamond wheel has been a long time supporter furnishing race winner and banquet certificates.

Veteran announcer/writer Tom Wagner did a great job announcing at the ceremonies Saturday night. Tom has filled in for Mid-American for many years including the Vercauteren era.

Exciting 2014 news was touched on and will be elaborated on in future articles.

Also, what has become tradition, Strasburgs have brought in speakers to inspire, motivate and encourage the Mid-American family. Names of the last eight years include promoters Gregg McKarns from Rockford Speedway and Chuck Deery from LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway; Racing Promotion Monthly (RPM Publication and Promoters Workshops) owner/editor Stewart Doty; regionally and nationally renowned racing writer/photographer/author and Pastor/Principal of St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Princeton WI, Father Dale Grubba; Indy driver, multi Nat’l Midget Champ, author, the one handed racer Mel Kenyon; and PRN (Performance Racing Network) play-by-play reporter Rob Albright .

For the 2013 banquet Pastor Todd arranged for Wisconsin two-time NCAA and two-time Big Ten Wrestling champion Mitch Hull to speak. Hull went on to win two U.S. Nationals freestyle titles (1981-82) and finished second in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 1984. Hull was a Junior National double champion, winning both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He served as the National Teams Director for USA Wrestling since 1992, providing 21 years of leadership to the organization accumulating numerous titles and medals. Hull spoke Saturday afternoon as an open forum and again at the formal banquet. He emphasized the power and peace that Christian faith and values has in a personal way as well as in a team setting. Hull went on to parallel these standards to the world of racing as well as any sport. In thanking Hull, Series owner Doug Strasburg, re-enforced the speech by stating, “My wife, Julie and I, have always worked on the character of the Mid-American family and share in the power of prayer.”

Go to the "Gallery" page to view banquet photos. See you all in April at the Rockford opener