Twice As ‘Neisius’

Topics:  Paul Neisius

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
September 12, 2009

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (September 12, 2009) – There is a myth that the outside line at Dells Raceway Park is non-existent. Just call the Neisius cousins a pair of “mythbusters.”

Paul Neisius stepped out of line, swung to the outside and cruised past three cars in two laps, while towing his cousin Justin to second, en route to his second Mid-American Stock Car Series feature win of the 2009 season in Saturday’s running of the September Showdown.

The 40-lap feature event got off to a rocky start with three cautions in the first six trips around “Wisconsin’s Showcase Short Track.”

While a single-file train tailed pole-sitter Scott Null, Paul Neisius took his leap of faith to the high groove and blasted into the lead on lap 15. “I told my crew, if we’re going to win this points battle we have to go to the outside,” said the Hastings, Minn., veteran in reference to his ongoing battle with Bill Prietzel. “We worked on it all day and it really ran on the outside.”

In a very similar twist to Mid-American’s first visit, Mid-American leading rookie contender Justin Neisius hesitated to move to the outside and watched his cousin make several successful passes before jaunting to the high groove, as well.

“It’s a tough deal to take the outside like that,” said Justin Neisius. “You’re sacrificing your spot if it doesn’t work. [Paul] went out there and made it work, so I did too.”

As Paul began to check away from the field, and Justin raced side-by-side with Scott Null for second, trouble brewed for Prietzel for the second consecutive event. Shortly after Neisius took the lead, Lyle Nowak cut a tire and, as the field took evasive action, Prietzel and several others made contact. No caution was necessary as all drivers continued, but the damage to Prietzel’s machine caused overheating and forced him to exit on lap 17.

Neisius said he remained unfazed by Prietzel’s early retirement from the feature and chose not to think about the looming point battle in the waning laps. “The only thing I was aware of was a black race track and driving away.”

One final test remained for the Neisius cousins on a restart with 14 laps remaining after Tim Schmitt had a mechanical fire on his machine. Paul Neisius pulled away as Justin re-engaged in battle with Null for second.

“I knew he would run me pretty clean. He had better anyway,” joked Paul in victory lane.

With the win, and Prietzel’s misfortune, Paul Neisius unofficially jumped back to the top of the MASCS standings. Trailing by 28 markers coming into the event, Neisius will lead the charge into the final three events with a 30 point advantage over Prietzel and the rest of the MASCS contingent.

What is Neisius’ plan for the stretch run? “Go out and win some more races.”

Earlier in the evening Brian Back was victorious in the eight-car, ten-lap Hankscraft, Inc. “Dash for the Duel” presented by Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center. The dash pitted the top eight drivers according to overall finish from the Dells Duels. Troy Shear was awarded the Wild Card after winning the fan vote and Mike Lichtfeld was also added to the field after Tom McClintock was unable to make the call.

For his efforts, Back was awarded extra money from Hankscraft, Inc. , a complimentary room for the Mid-American banquet at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center and two free meals for the event, as well. Third place and seventh place were chosen at random for a room also. Bill Prietzel and Mike Beyer finished in those positions respectively.

Back also set fast time early in the evening for the second time in three trips to DRP and the third time in 2009 with a time of 14.499 seconds. Bret Widdis had two ignition meltdowns over the course of the weekend, including early in the 40-lap feature. For his misfortune, Widdis was proclaimed the Wehrs Machine Hard Luck Award Winner.

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series is a return trip to Madison International Speedway for the Capitol Classic on Saturday, September 26.

Madison International Speedway is located a half mile off of WI Hwy 138 on Sunrise Rd in Oregon, WI. For more information visit www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com

For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series, including results, the current 2009 standings, the 2009 schedule and driver information please visit www.midamericanracing.com