2013 MID-AM ROOKIES SQUARE OFF

Julie & Doug
Mid American Stock Car Series
May 4, 2013

Three new members to the Mid-American family have taken the challenge to compete for Rookie of the Year honors. Come Mid-Am awards banquet time, the rookie on top will reap the fruits of their labors including a team radio and headset from Bud Collar and Race Com.

First rookie candidate to roll his mount onto Rockford Speedway for Mid-Am’s 2013 opener on April 14th was Dusty Krebs of Hartford, WI.

While claiming Slinger Super Speedway as his home track Krebs’ racing experience has extended to Columbus 151 Speedway and WIR in Kaukauna, WI. He was introduced to the Mid-American Series in 2012 while crewing for #48 Brad Keith of West Bend, WI. Krebs’ Rockford debut was cut short with a bent valve during practice Saturday.

Another newcomer to Mid-American is a ‘Yooper’. David Slack resides at Engadine, MI. David and his wife Brandi were very excited to join the Mid-American Stock Car Series at the Rockford opener while planning the six hour plus journey. Slacks kept in touch with Mid-Am president, Doug Strasburg throughout the weekend by phone and text staying upbeat and excited although U.P. Michigan weather dumped a foot of snow on their efforts the night before they were scheduled to leave. Then the heat in their shop failed forcing them to push the racecar through the snow to the garage to finish the details before loading. Slipping behind schedule but still undaunted Slacks and crew went to load the car Friday night planning to drive all night only to find the transmission failed.

Plan “B” was to get up early Saturday morning to see if the uncommon Powerglide transmission could be salvaged but to no avail. Fate cut Slack’s debut short just as it did for Krebs.

Slack’s racing experiences come from Onaway Speedway, Onaway, MI. Slack raced pure stocks there from 2002-2005 capturing Most Improved Driver in 2003. 2012 found him in the seat of a sport modified. Strasburg commented, “We are looking forward to meeting them (the Slacks) face to face and welcoming them into the Mid-American family.”

The third Rookie challenger, Dan Gilster, is a five-time Grand National Sportsman champion at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI. Gilster, from West Salem, is also very excited and is looking forward to running the Mid-Am circuit full time. Gilster is no stranger to Mid-Am, competing in a few Mid-Am events and watching Mid-Am competition at the famous Oktoberfest at LAX Fairgrounds Speedway, an event that has decided many Mid-American championships over the last 20 years.

Gilster was able to secure a slight lead over the other two contenders by placing at the Rockford opener. 2013 rookie fate did not pass over Gilster. Though his presence assured a lead in rookie points, his performance was less than stellar as he suffered from a severe case of the flu depending only on adrenaline and determination instead of ability and skill.

All three rookie contenders are expected to be healthy and in full repair for Darrah’s Towing Night and Mid-Am’s First Lady 45 race at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 17th. Join us there and follow the Mid-American competition as drivers and teams do battle for the Championship and Rookie of the year honors.

Learn more about Mid-American and see a complete schedule or contact us on the Mid-American website at www.midamericanracing.com or call 920-723-9831. Check out Hawkeye Downs Speedway news at http://www.hawkeyedownsspeedway.com/racingindex.html.