NOWAK: SPOONMORE DESERVES A CHANCE TOO

Topics:  Lyle Nowak, Jeremy Spoonmore

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
October 4, 2012

Mid-American Stock Car Series Title will be decided this Saturday

ONALASKA, Wis. (October 3, 2012) – Jeremy Spoonmore’s chance at the Mid-American Stock Car Series Championship seemingly went up in flames at Rockford Speedway last Sunday. Literally. With a 45 point gap to make up, and a severely damaged racer, Oktoberfest very much was in doubt for Spoonmore and his team.

However, after taking a second-place finish and increasing his point lead, Lyle Nowak had one thing on his mind. He had to check on Spoonmore.

“I don’t even think he got his race car stopped before he got out and came over to make sure I was ok,” Spoonmore said. “Before I knew it he rolled the motor over and said, ‘take it home.’”

Nowak has carried a spare power plant to most MASCS races this season for his own use, or for the emergency use of a fellow competitor. Why he would give it to someone who is still within striking distance of taking a title away has left some scratching their heads. Not those familiar with the Mid-American Stock Car Series, and definitely not Lyle Nowak.

“I know how hard it is to win one of these Mid-Am Championships and I know how hard Jeremy and his family have worked all year to try to be in a position to win it also,” Nowak said. “I’ve been racing this series with Jeremy a pretty long time and we’ve become friends, and I would like to see him have an opportunity to try to finish it off too.”

Nowak explains that racing closely with Spoonmore has allowed the two title contenders to form a bond throughout the season. He admits that they share speed secrets, set up tips, and even enjoy each other’s company in their motor home after each MASCS event.

“It’s kind of ironic,” Nowak said. “If there are two fierce competitors that want to beat each other, it’s probably Jeremy and myself.”

Through this deal we’ve both found common ground on the race track. It’s been very refreshing to be engaged in a points battle with someone, and to have the respect and the friendships with someone who you’re battling for a championship with.”

Although securing the motor from Nowak allowed Spoonmore to clear a major hurdle as he exited Rockford Sunday, he still needed to find a car. Spoonmore said his original plan was to put together his own car from a year ago, however, he realized there was far too much work to accomplish that in less than a week. Enter Ron Bloomberg, who just happened to have a spare racer to loan to Spoonmore.

“We’ll take it back to the shop, tear it down, take a look at all the crucial stuff, see where it all sits, and put it back together,” said Spoonmore, who admits he had driven this car once last season. “We’ll put together the knowledge we have this year and I think we’ll have a pretty decent car.”

Spoonmore admits that he would not be doing this amount of work if he did not believe that he had a legitimate shot at grabbing his first MASCS crown.

“If it was anything other than the points lead I would probably just be going to watch,” he said. “But, I have nothing to lose really. We’re going to prepare really well and we’re going to give it everything we got.”

If history is any indication, Spoonmore will have his fair shake at being up front by the end of the MASCS Oktoberfest feature. Spoonmore has qualified no worse than third in his last five visits to La Crosse and took home a second place finish in last season’s Oktoberfest. He has not finished outside the top ten in all of his starts since 2006, including four top fives.

“I do have a little bit of confidence. We always seem to qualify well there and race well there,” Spoonmore said. “I really like that place and I can’t really put my finger on why.”

I’d be a lot more confident and comfortable if I was in my own car that I’ve been in all year and I know how it reacts. It’s a small setback, but I think we’re still going to be really good.”

In contrast to Spoonmore, Nowak has had his struggles at La Crosse. His qualifying efforts the past four seasons have seen him time in 17th, 19th and 22nd twice. His best Oktoberfest finish was third in 2007. Aside from a seventh place finish in 2009 and an eight place finish last season, Nowak has found two 12th place finishes and a 20th place effort.

“Hopefully I’m better prepared,” Nowak said of the 2012 edition of Oktoberfest. Nowak turned to a credible source in Steve Holzhausen, who has hit a legendary status at La Crosse and Oktoberfest.

“We went with something totally different in June and we had a competitive car,” Nowak said of his sixth-place finish this season. “We’re adjusting off of that. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a competitive run.”

Spoonmore is familiar with Nowak’s struggles at Oktoberfest, but says he isn’t buying into the hype. “I’ve heard that this might not be Lyle’s strongest race track, but Lyle’s very good. You don’t win 17 championships by not being very good.”

Going into Oktoberfest, both drivers have said they’ve put the blinders on. They both know Fest can lure a racer away from the task at hand with the events that take place before and after the racing.

“That definitely can be a huge distraction,” said Spoonmore, who admits that he won’t be arriving until Saturday morning. “We’re going to come in focused and ready to go. My team has been so good to me this year, and we’re going to give this a last ditch effort to win this thing.”

Nowak agreed, but said he will make sure he takes advantage of the fun that Oktoberfest offers. “We just stay the course. We work on our car and stay focused on what we have to do. We’re not going to be distracted by the things Oktoberfest can bring, but at the same time, we’re going to enjoy the weekend. The sun’s going to come up Sunday morning no matter what.”

There is a slight advantage for Nowak as he has been in this position before. Nowak held a large point lead coming into the 2010 Oktoberfest and needed only to start the feature. He knows that the title is up for grabs, but has welcomed the challenge.

“To just be in the conversation to win a second [MASCS title] is special to us,” he said. “To go into this touring series and go to all the unique venues with different competitors and to come out on top of that is extremely rewarding. I’m just proud to compete with those people.”

The Mid-American Stock Car Series wraps up its 20th season this Saturday, Oct. 6 as part of Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Qualifying is at 12:30 p.m. and racing is slated to begin at 5 p.m. For more information visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com.

Mid-American will also compete in the Tim Schmitt Shootout. The former MASCS racer put up $1,000 in the winner-take-all event that will feature the fast qualifiers and feature winners from this season. The race is slated to take place as one of the final events of Saturday after the MASCS feature is completed.