MID-AM RETURNS TO JEFFERSON

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
June 19, 2013

Also see the previous story about racing Grundy County Faigrounds this weekend.

(June 19th, 2013) For only the third time in it’s 21 years of existence, the Mid-American Stock Car Series will roll onto Jefferson Speedway Saturday, June 22nd. Mid-Am cars have thrilled race fans at over twenty race venues in seven upper mid-west states. They compete on asphalt tracks ranging from ¼ mile oval to 4 mile road courses.

Over 20 teams from Wisconsin as well as Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and even Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will bring their A-game to the challenging speedway. Drivers are very diverse in age and experience from the wily veterans bringing some impressive racing resumes and championships to the rookies and newcomers doing their best to learn car and track setups.

The Mid-American cars are 450 horsepower, top class Sportsman racecars built on ’78 to ’88 metric, factory frames. Cars feature after market bodies resembling modern day automobiles. Hoosier Racing Tires provide the 8” built for racing tires. The 3000 lb race cars and their drivers are equipped with the modern safety features minimizing the chances of injury.

Series owner states, “We are really excited to be able to bring the Mid-American teams to Jefferson Speedway.” Doug Strasburg and his wife Julie own and operate the popular Series from their home in Fort Atkinson, WI. Strasburg continues, “Jefferson Speedway is likely the most challenging short track on our schedule. Each end of the track is designed differently presenting a challenge setting up the chassis.”

The Strasburgs are hoping to be able to schedule more events in the future at Jefferson Speedway. Strasburg says, “Logistically it makes sense. Jefferson is somewhat centrally located for the core of our teams. Mid-American being primarily a blue-collar series, the Saturday program makes it easier to participate without jeopardizing jobs with time off because of travel time.”

Sopwith Motorsports will film seven of the Series races this year, including the June 22nd Jefferson race. The tape-delayed telecasts will be 30-minutes in length, allowing for multiple network airings and broad sampling by new viewers. Rob Klepper (CBS, ESPN2, NBC Sports) will host the show with Olivia Pritchett (TUFF TV, Untamed Sports TV) handling pit interviews. The program will air in a traditional sportscast format that stock car fans will find familiar and easy to watch.

Doug Strasburg tells of growing up in the early 60s in Lake Mills, opening an upstairs window to listen to the racing at Jefferson Speedway. Strasburg states, “The Speedway was built in 1952 and has been in the Tucker family since 1968. Each year they make improvements to the facility. It is one of the better maintained race tracks that we race.” Strasburg actually began his ten year Late Model career at Jefferson Speedway in the early to mid 70s. His claim to fame at the Speedway was bringing home season top honors as the 1974 track champion.

Mid-American will team with the growing TUNDRA Super Late Model Series for the first time this Saturday at Jefferson. Road Warriors and Hobby Stocks will complete the card for an action-packed night of racing. Fan gates open at 3 p.m. with qualifying at 5 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Jefferson Speedway is located at W8135 US Hwy 18 just outside Jefferson, Wis.

Visit www.midamericanracing.com and www.jeffersonspeedway.com for more info.