SPOONMORE TACKLES DELLS DUEL II

Topics:  Jeremy Spoonmore

Bob Blaschke
Mid American Stock Car Series
August 11, 2012

With the Mid-American Stock Car Series returning to the Dells Raceway Park for the second half of the 2012 Dells Duel, the MASCS points standings saw the traveling series’ top three cars separated by just 19 points. Entering Saturday’s stop at Wisconsin Dells, Lyle Nowak sat all alone at the top with 758 points. Rookie Ryan Farrell sat 17 points back in second with Jeremy Spoonmore’s 739 points good enough for third.

After Saturday night’s 40-lap event, the season championship race just got tighter for Spoonmore, who leaped over Farrell and into second place – 16 points behind Nowak. If not for Spoonmore’s pit crew – he would have missed the start of the night’s MASCS feature and remained in the pits unable to fire the engine on his No. 22.

Instead Spoonmore’s crew found the cause of his electrical issues and Spoonmore joined the 24-car feature field just in the nick of time. Lining up in the third row, Spoonmore followed the front row of Jack Stern (Pole) and Bill Prietzel to the green flag.

The yellow would wave five laps in as Jeff Holtz and Bill Prietzel looked like Olympic Gold Medal synchronized swimmers with their perfectly timed side-by-side spin move in turn two. While only Holtz and Prietzel were sent to the rear, Kyle Shear’s No. 36 suffered damage to the right-side nose of his car after the caution flew.

Following the restart Stern still held down the top spot, chased by Spoonmore, Chris Storey, Jake Finney, and Shear. Five laps later Stern led Spoonmore, Finney, Shear, and Lyle Nowak. With the leaders catching the field just 15 laps into the feature, the top five positions quickly changed.

By the race’s midpoint, Spoonmore was out front with Finney, Storey, Shear, and Nowak in tow. On the heels of the top five, was quick qualifier, Brad Keith. Nothing would change with the top six positions over the next 10 laps, but will nine laps to go, Shear would bring out the caution and surrender any chance at a top-five finish.

As the field entered the final six laps, Spoonmore and Finney began to pull away into a two-car battle. Spoonmore was stronger out of turn one and down the backstretch, but Finney continued to reel him in out of turn two.

With three laps remaining, it was Spoonmore still leading Finney, as Nowak battled Stern and Keith for the third spot. When the checkers flew, Spoonmore won – followed by Finney, Nowak, Keith, and Stern.

Travis Rodewald, Tom McClintock, Ryan Gutknecht, Storey, and Frank Slabenak rounded out the top ten.

Asked about his win, Spoonmore replied, “It feels great, especially after the day we had. The car was not good and we worked on it and worked on it and worked on it. Finally by feature time we had it right.”

Talking about nearly missing the start of the feature, Spoonmore added, “The credit has to go to the guys on the crew. We went down and were sitting on lineup and I went to start it and it would not start. We found a shorted wire, got it unplugged and tied off and it fired up. I definitely have to thank the guys for that. My brothers Charlie and Joe Spoonmore, Garland Spoonmore (my spotter and dad), and my crew chief and owner – Randy Aubart.

The first couple of races this season were a struggle for Spoonmore. Having built a brand new car for the 20th season of the MASCS, the team looks like they have now worked out most of the bugs. Until the starting issues just prior to Saturday night’s Dells Feature, the last three races saw the team win at State Fair Park, finished second at Grundy, and picked up the DRP win on Saturday.

Asked about the MASCS point battle, Spoonmore replied, “I try not to get wrapped up in points. I care, but I don’t - come La Crosse – I’ll pay attention, but right now I just want to keep winning.”

As for chasing Lyle Nowak in the points, Spoonmore said this, “It was a good points day, and it will keep things tight. I love racing with Lyle [Nowak]. He has won 16 or 17 championships. I look up to him. He is the best. He is a great mentor. If you can beat the best – that is what you want to do”

In the pits and watching Spoonmore’s team fight to get him into the Dells Duel II feature field, MASCS promoter Doug Strasburg said, ““He [Spoonmore] has always been a good runner with the MASCS, he is consistent and just keeps plugging away. I was at the car as they worked to get it started for the feature. He just made it!”

Replying to questions about the Mid-America Series and their 20th season of racing, Strasburg talked about the special connection that he and his wife Julie have to all the teams involved.

“While this economy has taken a toll on car counts in general, our numbers have remained strong when compared to some of the other series and divisions,” added Strasburg, who went on to credit the makeup of the series with its long-term success.

The Mid-America Stock Car Series features teenagers cutting their teeth in the sport to experienced drivers in their mid-60s and everything in between. Both men and women compete. “Every year on average we have about 10 drivers or so that race in every event. Then as a traveling series at any given race we get racers coming out that have never raced with us before. Tonight we again had two to three new guys come out.”

Many return year after year, like Bill Prietzel - The Franklin Flyer - who made his NASCAR Nationwide rookie debut earlier this season at 60 years of age. “Bill [Prietzel] has raced a little bit of everything and he is good at what he does. NASCAR Nationwide, SCCA, dirt, - his talent runs deep!” said Strasburg.

“I am so proud of these teams and drivers. They are the greatest. They proved it again tonight, putting on another great show for the fans, here at DRP.”

Heat wins went to Carl Benn, Tom McClintock, and Travis Rodewald, while Brad Keith turned the fastest qualifying lap.

Did the drought squelch your need for fireworks? Join the Mid-American Stock Car Series action and the ThunderCat Fireworks Extravaganza Friday, August 31st at Madison International Speedway. For more information contact www.midamericanracing.com and http://www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com/.