MID-AM CLOSES A SEASON, OPENS A NEW DECADE

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
December 25, 2012

The twelve race 20th Anniversary Mid-American Stock Car season and point race was filled with excitement and drama. As the season reached the mid-way point, it looked like once again five time champion, James Swan, may be the one to chase. Swan stood atop the standings as he had become accustomed to in the seasons past.

Soon, the tide would change. The diverse Swan was competing in multiple classes. In order to broaden his resume he chose to pursue a point championship in another series missing a couple Mid-Am events due to schedule conflicts. This set the stage for two wily veterans and a hard charging rookie to vie for King of the hill bragging rights.

Chasing Swan was 2010 Mid-Am champ, Lyle Nowak, veteran Jeremy Spoonmore and rookie Ryan Farrell. The trio shared a 42-point spread among them going into the Morris Mid-Summer Melt Down at Grundy County Speedway. Missing Morris and the next race at Dells Raceway Park, Swan dropped to seventh position. Nowak, Spoonmore and Farrell (in that order) took advantage with six races down and six to go pulling away from the pack while closing their collective point spread to only 19 among them.

The next two races saw the two veteran’s experience pull them away from rookie Farrell and begin a see-saw battle between them for top spot. With four events to go Spoonmore held a 12-point lead over Nowak then with two races to go Nowak is back putting Spoonmore down by 17.

Rockford’s NSTC fall race looked to be Spoonmore’s demise as he grenaded an engine in the middle of the back shoot resulting in a spectacular fire and ultimate wreck. The fire damaged his window net, seat and even his helmet. Though shaken, Spoonmore pulled up his bootstraps and jumped in his late model to compete in the NSTC LM feature. You know the old saying, “If you fall of the horse, get back on and ride.”

Spoonmore’s car owners, Randy and Claire Aubart, weren’t sure how they would be able to get anything together in one week for the final race at Oktoberfest to challenge Nowak’s increasing point lead. In true Mid-American character, offers of help began rolling in, not the least of, Spoonmore’s man to beat for the championship. No sooner did Nowak finish the Mid-Am feature and get out of his car than he literally rolled his spare engine over to Spoonmore’s trailer as incentive to not give up, but to face off on the track next week.

The “Fest” found Spoonmore in a borrowed car and Nowak leading Spoonmore by 45 points. Though fierce rivals in the racing arena, both respected each other and were looking forward to challenging each other as well as 22 others on the track. Excitement and emotions ran deep in both camps while waiting for fate to play its hand.

It’s time to qualify at one of the coldest Oktoberfest weekends in its 43-year history. On Nowak’s first qualifying lap fate deals its hand on the cold track and Nowak snaps loose coming out of turn four slapping the front stretch wall. Limping into the pits he is met by an entourage of Mid-American drivers and pit crew members. Once again the Mid-Am spirit sprung into action as they did their best to get Nowak back on the track in time to qualify. The injured mount returned but was only healthy enough to give Nowak the 19th qualifying position. Then as life goes, Spoonmore clicks off quick time for the event.

Feature time would be show time with only 27 points separating the two warriors. Nowak could most surely clinch the championship with a fifth place or better finish. Spoonmore needed a win with Nowak finishing no better than sixth. With ample time before the feature to repair his mount Nowak was up to the challenge. He looked solid as the feature began. Then fate shows who is in control again. While on his march to the front Nowak suffers with a tire going down sending him on a reverse march. Meanwhile, a focused Spoonmore methodically worked his way forward. At the end of the night Spoonmore was able to claim his first Mid-American championship finishing second to Swan in the feature and a scant 17 points ahead of Nowak in the point race.

ENTER MID-AMERICAN’S THIRD DECADE

To kick off the 2013 season, Mid-American will man its traditional booth at the Mid-West Motorsports Racer’s Expo at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin on January 4th and 5th. Champion Spoonmore and car owners, the Aubarts, have decided to rebuild the Rockford car and will proudly have it on display in the Mid-American booth.

On Saturday, January 5th at 10:00 a.m. Mid-American will hold an open informational meeting. Rules, procedures, and an exciting new schedule will highlight the meeting. Questions will be fielded and the 2013 Mid-Am train will begin its 21st annual journey. So hop aboard and enjoy the ride.

On Saturday, January 19th, the Wintergreen Resort and Convention Center will host Mid-American’s Annual awards banquet. A good time will be had by all as the top twelve will receive trophies, awards and praise for their achievements. The Rookie and Most Improved as well as Mid-American owners coveted Sportsmanship and others will receive awards. Thousands of dollars worth of drawings will be awarded including B&B Race Engines fourth annual intake to pan engine giveaway and two Millermatic 180 Autoset welders compliments Miller Welders and many other prizes. Everyone will leave with something as door prizes abound.

Everyone is welcome to the Banquet to enjoy the wonderful food, festive atmosphere, and stories from the past and thoughts and dreams of the future. Make your reservations at the Wintergreen under the Mid-American block at http://wintergreen-resort.com/ or 1-800-648-4765. You may download the banquet form from the top of our website at www.midamericanracing.com or see us in Madison at the Mid-West Racer’s Expo http://www.midwestracersauction.com/.

Have a Blessed Holiday Season with a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!