Sweetest Sixteen Moments That Defined 2008

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
November 18, 2008

Fort Atkinson, WI (November 18, 2008) – During any race season, there are several key moments that become wedged in the minds of competitors and fans. The Mid-American Stock Car Series’ “Sweet Sixteen” Season was no different as it provided an array of emotions.

The following are eleven of the sixteen most memorable moments of 2008:

16. Wood Wrecks Hard, Nowak Wins at Rockford

The season began with a wild ride for Don Wood at Rockford. It seemed as though Wood was in command of the April 13th event until his brakes failed on a restart entering turn one. Wood wrecked violently, handing the lead over to Lyle Nowak. Nowak collected his second Spring Opener win in three years.

15. Mid-American Gets Involved

Mid-American drivers and teams participated in the Hunger Task Force “Drive the Mile” at The Milwaukee Mile in early May. Teams and officials also collaborated with the American Cancer Society at Road America in October. Mid-American generated over $1,800 dollars. The Run/Walk generated over $110,000 total.

14. Spoonmore Finally Gets Win at NSTC

Heading into the September 28th event at Rockford Speedway, Jeremy Spoonmore had two fourth place finishes and three second place finishes in 2008. Spoonmore got out front early and stayed out of trouble in a hectic 75 lap feature event for his only win of the season.

13. Kyle Shear Ties, Then Breaks Track Record at DRP

Although it was only the second time Mid-American had been at Dells Raceway Park, Kyle Shear hit the track record right on the mark in Dells Duel 1. The winner of the inaugural Dells race in 2007 smashed the track record in qualifying for the Dells Duel 2 on July 26th.

12. Wolke Weathers Storm at La Crosse

Darren Wolke dominated the Over the Hill 40 at La Crosse until a late caution bunched up the field. Prietzel slipped around Wolke entering turn three as the rain began to fall on the May 16th event. The caution flew, the field was reverted to the last lap, and Wolke picked up his first ever MASCS win.

11. Prietzel Beats Curfew at Dells Duel 1

Prietzel learned his lesson from the event that took place two weeks prior in the May 31st event at Dells Raceway Park. Prietzel frantically raced his way to the front of the field and stayed at the head of the class until the final caution flag was joined by the checkered on lap 18.

10. Joosten Survives to Win DD2

Kenny Joosten faced no challenges in the first 35 lap feature of the Hankscraft Dells Duel 2 at DRP. However, he had to sweat out the second 35 to take the overall crown. As Tim Schmitt cruised to victory in the second stanza, Joosten avoided a wreck that would have put him to the back of the field. If that was not enough, Joosten beat James Swan by a matter of centimeters at the line to forge a tie in the overall standings with Spoonmore. Joosten received the tiebreaker with a win in the first segment.

9. NGB Unveiled

In the offseason before 2008, Mid-American announced a new partnership with Aluminum Racing Products. The culmination of the partnership came at Oktoberfest race weekend with the unveiling of the sleek looking “Next Generation Body.”

8. Prietzel Spins and Wins at Road America

Bill Prietzel had a sense of déjà vu when he spun entering turn one on the first lap at Road America for the second season in a row. This year, however, Prietzel caught the breaks necessary in the non-points event. A full course caution and a local yellow allowed Prietzel to reel in Mike Mulcahy and win the “Fight for the Cure” 40 on October 25th.

7. Finney Gets First Win at WIR

Jake Finney had gone winless in his first two seasons of Mid-American action. He finally broke the streak by fending off Swan and Prietzel in the Tisler Salvage Red Race at Wisconsin International Raceway on June 14th.

6. Zumbach Wins at Milwaukee

Ross Zumbach got his revenge on the bad omens he had in Mid-American competition and at the Milwaukee Mile. Zumbach had a tumultuous first year in MASCS action low lighted by a hard wreck at the end of the 2007 Governor’s Cup 40. However on August 23rd, the 18-year-old driver looked like an 18 year veteran as he smoothly cruised around the Mile for the biggest win of his young career.

Stay tuned to www.midamericanracing.com as the top five moments will be revealed later this week.

Mid-American will host a meeting at the Wisconsin Racers’ Auction and Trade Show at the Brown County Arena on Saturday, December 6th. The time of the meeting is yet to be determined. The Brown County Arena is located across from Lambeau Field on Oneida Street in Green Bay, WI.

For more information about the Mid-American Series including results, the final 2008 standings and driver info please visit www.midamericanracing.com