Youngster Zumbach Scores First Career Mid-Am Victory in Governor's Cup

Topics:  Ross Zumbach, Governor’s Cup 40

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
August 23, 2008

West Allis, Wis., Aug 23—18-year old, Ross Zumbach earned a hard-fought first career Mid-American Stock Car Series victory in the Governor’s Cup 40 in a thrilling finish Saturday afternoon at the Milwaukee Mile.

“I really don’t know what to say,” Zumbach stated from Victory Lane after holding off Jake Finney and James Swan for the win. “We haven’t even had a top ten this year, but we’ve been working really hard to get where we are.”

Zumbach took the lead on lap 23, but a late-race caution flag set up a five lap dash for the finish between Zumbach, Finney, Swan, and Jeremy Spoonmore. Finney made a valiant effort for the lead on the inside and raced door to door with Zumbach for the lead over the final laps, but each time Zumbach was able to get a good enough run in the outer lane off the turns to maintain the top spot. As Zumbach and Finney fought for the lead, Swan and Spoonmore were directly in their tire tracks as each also entertained thoughts of making a run at the lead. At the checkered flag, Zumbach had just enough to hold off Finney for the win while Swan and Spoonmore finished third and fourth respectively with all four cars crossing the finish line nearly nose-to-tail and side-by-side.

“I wasn’t sure what to think with that last caution, “Zumbach continued, “I looked up and saw them (Finney, Swan, and Spoonmore) and was a little bewildered, but I just drove the car like I did all race. The car was working better on the outside, so I was glad they took the inside.”

Mark Pluer paced the opening two laps before Kenny Smart took the lead with an outside pass exiting turn two on lap three. Smart continued to set the pace as Zumbach worked his way to second place, bringing Bill Prietzel with him into third as Pluer battled with Spoonmore and Rod Brewe over fourth. The caution flag waved on lap nine when Louis Goss looped his machine in turn four and as racing resumed, Prietzel was able to pass Zumbach for second while Smart maintained his lead. Zumbach recovered a few laps later and retook the runner-up spot by lap 20 as the drivers on the move at the halfway point were Finney and Swan who advanced into third and fourth respectively while Spoonmore battled Prietzel for fifth.

Using the outside groove, Zumbach tracked down Smart and used the high line to drive around Smart for the lead on lap 23 and one lap later, Finney drove up alongside Smart to battle for second. Smart was able to fend off the challenge and four laps later, Finney tried the inside again, taking the spot momentarily between turns one and two before Smart retook the position on the backstretch. The car of Bret Widdis slowed exiting turn four to produce the caution flag on lap 35, setting up the five-lap charge to the checkered flag. During the caution period, Smart left the speedway with an apparent problem, leaving Zumbach to battle with Finney, Swan, and Spoonmore for the win.

Lyle Nowak took the checkered flag in fifth place to complete a strong run while Rod Brewe and Bill Prietzel were sixth and seventh respectively. Mark Pluer, Brian Back, and Troy Shear rounded out the top ten finishers.

By virtue of his third place finish, Swan unofficially took the point lead from Prietzel. An early stop in the pits to correct an ill-handling machine sent Kyle Shear to a 15th place finish, causing the 2007 Mid-American Rookie of the year to lose ground on the top two.

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series is the Return to Marshfield on Saturday, September 13 at the Marshfield Super Speedway in Marshfield, WI. The Marshfield Super Speedway is located three miles west of Marshfield on County Trunk H. For more information please visit www.marshfieldspeedway.com .

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