Pluer Prominent in Damp Dells Duel Part Two

Topics:  Mark Pluer, Dells Duel

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
July 25, 2009

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (July 25, 2009) – Mother Nature tried hard to spoil another Mid-American Stock Car Series event, but the resiliency of Dells Raceway Park track officials and competitors proved to be too much. When the checkered flag flew over the 22-car starting field of MASCS competitors, Mark Pluer emerged victorious. It was Pluer’s first win in a Mid-American event in almost nine years.

The first green flag of the evening fell one hour and 40 minutes after the scheduled starting time at DRP. The delay did not deter the action of the Dells Duel Part Two 40-lap feature event. It also did not deter the dreaded outside groove from playing a factor for the second consecutive race at the venue.

Polesitter Bret Widdis beat Bill Prietzel into the first turn after the initial start and held the lead on a lap six restart. Pluer, who restarted on the outside of the second row alongside Prietzel, struggled to find grip and a proper line. However, he was able to secure the lead spot entering turn three on lap 12 after battling side by side with Widdis.

While the bottom line is always preferable, Pluer said he was not afraid to test the high groove. “It’s not as good as the bottom but you have to do what you can do,” said the 1996 MASCS champion. “I took the opportunity when it was there, and it was.”

Once in the lead, Pluer had to defend the bottom lane from current MASCS point leader Bill Prietzel. Prietzel had several opportunities to close in on Pluer, but was unable to mount a charge. While he was willing to test the outside, Prietzel claimed his car was not good enough to mount enough of a charge.

The trip to victory lane brought back memories to Pluer of his last win in 2000. It also reminded him of the way the point standings battle shaped out that year. He recalled being the runner-up to Prietzel, who went on to secure his first MASCS championship. “It’s mine turn for a change,” said Pluer, who made his return to MASCS action last season.

“We’ll take second on just about any day,” said Prietzel. In fact, Prietzel recorded his third second place finish of the season. Through the first five events of 2009 Preitzel has also added a third place finish and a 12th place finish.

The story, however, could have been much different had Prietzel caught a break on one of three cautions. When the first caution came out on lap four, Prietzel had moved to the inside of Widdis and had the advantage. The caution placed him back in second on the restart.

The second caution was perhaps the costliest for Prietzel. He had cleared Widdis and took the lead on lap six when a three car tangle brought out another caution. The line up was reverted back to the last completed lap, placing Widdis back out front. Another caution with eleven laps remaining presented the same situation as the lap four caution as Prietzel had the inside line on Pluer when the yellow was displayed.

While many racers may hang their head in disappointment, the long time veteran held his head high and offered his opinion. “That’s just part of racing,” Prietzel concluded.

In the final ten laps, Pluer pulled away to a five car length lead over Preitzel and the remainder of the field. Tom McClintock was able to reel in Prietzel and make several challenges for the second spot. He was unable to negotiate a way around Prietzel. In a return to Mid-American action, Jeremy Spoonmore finished fourth while Bobby Gutknecht rounded out the top five.

Earlier in the evening, Paul Neisius set a fast time of 14.575 seconds. His time was tied by Brian Back later in qualifying, but Neisius received the honors as he had set the mark first.

Tim Schmitt won the 15-lap last chance race.

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series is the “Return to Rapids” at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, August 8. The event is a rescheduled date from April 25.

Hawkeye Downs Speedway is located at 4400 6th Street SW approximately a half-mile off Highway 151 in Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information please visit www.hawkeyedownsspeedway.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.