Madison International Speedway Picks Up Milwaukee Mid-American Date

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
July 15, 2009

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (July 15, 2009) – Last Wednesday’s news of the Milwaukee Mile being forced to shut the door on its “All Star” Weekend was disappointing news for Mid-American Stock Car Series drivers and fans.

One week later, Madison International Speedway has swooped in and scheduled a make up race. Track officials announced today that the event will be run on Saturday, August 29, the same day Milwaukee was to host the race.

“I hated to see this show go by the wayside,” said MIS General Manager Dave Gruenberg. “So when I had a chance to move it to Madison, it just seemed like the right thing to do.”

Mid-American will join the Madison Late Models, who will headline the show with Matt Kenseth and his son Ross. “The Madison Late Models and Mid-American Stock Cars are two classes of cars that get the best car counts, and you have a great crop of drivers in both of those divisions,” said Gruenberg of the decision to keep the two classes from the original Milwaukee program.

The race day will run similar to last month’s “All-Star Challenge.” According to Gruenberg, the pit gates will open at 10 a.m., practice will begin at noon, qualifying will take place at 4 p.m. and the first green flag will drop at 7 p.m.

John Wells, MIS Media/Public Relations Coordinator, said the event will feature “triple 50s.” There will be two 50-lap feature events for the late models and a 50-lap headliner for Mid-American.

The event will also hold a driver autograph session on the track after qualifying, featuring the Madison Late Models and Mid-American Stock Car Series drivers.

Mid-American originally had one scheduled date at Madison on Saturday, September 26. Gruenberg and MIS were happy to add a second visit by the series.

“We like to bring the Mid-Am drivers down here; they put on a good show,” said Gruenberg. He said the half mile track allows the drivers plenty of room and he admires the respect given by the drivers each and every time they visit MIS.

Mid-American Stock Car Series co-owner Doug Strasburg also felt Madison was a perfect place to add another date. “We’re certainly glad we could fill the date so quickly,” he said.

He credited Gruenberg and staff for mobilizing to organize the event. “They worked really hard to make sure that this show would be run. You have to give them a ton of credit for getting things rolling so fast.”

Although the Milwaukee event was circled on so many drivers’ calendars, the date will still be special for MASCS driver Troy Shear Jr., who was pleased to hear MIS had taken the Mid-American date.

“Obviously I’m still disappointed we’re not going to Milwaukee, but Madison puts on some awesome racing too. I would say it is towards the top of my favorite tracks. The entertainment value there is really high,” Shear said.

Before Shear and the Mid-American drivers will be able to test MIS for the first time in 2009, the series will make two stops.

The next event is scheduled at Dells Raceway Park on Saturday, July 25. The Dells Duel Part Two will feature a 40-lap main event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series.

After the visit to DRP, Mid-American will return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the postponed “Return to Rapids” on Saturday, August 8. The race was rained out on April 25.

Dells Raceway Park is located on Smith Road just outside of Wisconsin Dells, WI. For more information visit www.dellsracewaypark.com

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.