BAUKNECHT CAPS OFF ROOKIE SEASON WITH STATEMENT AT FEST

Topics:  Tyler Bauknecht

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
October 9, 2010

Nowak Claims First MASCS Title

WEST SALEM, Wis. (October 9, 2010) – Two wins, five top fives, nine tops tens and a second place finish in Mid-American Stock Car Series standings. Add an Oktoberfest championship to boot. To say Tyler Bauknecht had a year to remember is an understatement.

The 2010 MASCS Rookie of the Year said the season was more than he expected, as was his success at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday night.

“It feels great. I’ve been coming here a long time and have always dreamed of winning here,” Bauknecht said. “Now the dream has finally come true.”

The dream also came true for Lyle Nowak, who claimed his first MASCS crown by virtue of his 12th-place finish. It was the 17th career championship Nowak has claimed, but first in any sort of traveling series.

“Racing with these guys all year, I think they’re the best group of racers in any series,” Nowak said. “They’re all my friends; we all race each other hard. To be able to come out on top of a season of racing with these guys is really special to me.”

Starting in the front row with Max Schultz, Bauknecht grabbed the lead from the drop of the green and never looked back. A battle between Schultz and Bret Widdis allowed Bauknecht to begin to walk away from the field.

Once the pack sorted into single file, Mike Lichtfeld moved into third and started pressuring Schultz for the second spot. On lap nine Lichtfeld moved to second and began the daunting task of trying to reel in Bauknecht, who had built his lead to a straightaway.

Bauknecht’s lead remained strong over the next ten caution-free circuits. On lap 19 the lead was erased as Tom McClintock slowed to a stop in turn two, bringing out the first caution of the 40-lap feature.

The restart pitted Lichtfeld behind Bauknecht. When the field was set back into motion, Bauknecht quickly stretched his lead out over Lichtfeld. As the top two sorted out, the remainder of the field scrambled for position.

Five laps after the restart James Swan made his dash into the top three by swinging around the outside of Schultz. Widdis soon followed with Adam Bendzick and Bobby Gutknecht also sliding into the top six. The duo behind Widdis moved past Schultz on lap 34.

One final scare for Bauknecht came when Matt Pyburn spun with two laps to go. Set up for a single-file restart, Bauknecht had Lichtfeld and Swan on his rear bumper. But once again when the green fell, Bauknecht motored away and cruised to victory over the final two trips around the 5/8th-mile.

“When I came into this race today I didn’t worry about the points,” said Bauknecht who surpassed Brian Back by five points for the runner-up spot. “I’m just happy that we came out of here with the rookie of the year.”

Lichtfeld finished second in the event for the second straight year with Swan in third, Bendzick fourth and Gutknecht fifth.

The event was the final of Bobby Gutknecht’s 16-year career. “I couldn’t be happier with a top five,” he said. Gutknecht ended his career with a ninth-place finish in points. Through 16 seasons, he did not finish outside of the top ten in standings. He was also awarded Sunday with the Larry Wehrs Dedication Award.

While the series may not see Bobby G back behind the wheel, Gutknecht has pledged to stay active with the series. Nowak and Bauknecht plan to stay active too, behind the wheel.

“We’re going to come back with a better car to see if we can get three or maybe win them all,” Bauknecht said. “We’ll come into the year with high expectations and see how it goes.”

Nowak was less prepared to foreshadow to 2011. He was, however, prepared to enjoy the successes of 2010. “We’re planning to come back. We’re going to take a couple weeks off and let this soak in and celebrate, and then we’ll put a program together for next year”