Mid-American Drivers Anticipate Another Trip to the Mile

Topics:  Governor’s Cup 40

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
August 20, 2008

(Fort Atkinson, WI) August 20, 2008 – When the Mid-American Stock Car Series releases its schedule every winter, drivers and teams look to a certain date. This year Saturday, August 23rd is the date that is either circled in red or doused in yellow highlighter to mark the running of the Governor’s Cup 40 at the Milwaukee Mile. Whether it is a driver’s first tour of the Mile or the tenth, there is always hype surrounding the premier event of the Mid-American season.

Two specific veterans hold the Mile in high esteem. They do so not only because it is one of the most historic venues in the country, but because they also can claim it as their home facility.

Last year Bobby Gutknecht took the crown in the Governor’s Cup 40. “It was the biggest [win] of my life. To be only ten minutes from home and win at Milwaukee in front of all of my friends and sponsors was just a dream come true,” recalled the 14 year Mid-American veteran from Oak Creek.

Not only did Gutknecht enjoy the atmosphere at the Mile, but the circumstances were also very special. “One of my best friends in racing finished right behind me. You couldn’t write a better script than that,” he said. With only five laps remaining, Gutknecht had to hold off long time Central Wisconsin late model ace Lyle Nowak. Since Nowak joined Mid-American early in the 2000s, he and Gutknecht have become good friends, hosting each other on the road and staying in touch over the winter.

Gutknecht is not the only veteran who relishes a victory at the Mile. Three-time Mid-American champion Bill Prietzel broke through at the Mile in 2006 with a win in the “Dash for Cash.” “That changed my whole thinking of the Mile. [Before that] the Mile was really nothing special to me but after I won, it changed my whole outlook there,” said Prietzel.

Prietzel also was able to enjoy that victory in front of family and friends. It seemed as though it was a long time coming, however. Prietzel was just coming off of his 1977 Hales Corners track championship when, in 1978, he raced at the Mile for the first time in the Young America on Wheels Series. “It was a Saturday at the Mile where there were about a hundred cars in different divisions and they all had ten lap races,” he recalled. In 1980 Prietzel returned with two vehicles. He was unable to finish higher than third in those three attempts.

A return trip to the Mile was finally in order for Prietzel when the Mid-American Stock Cars first graced the facility in 1996. “I remember how competitive it was because of the group of cars that were there,” he recalled. “I wasn’t as competitive as I would have liked. We have gotten better.”

The first experience for Gutknecht, while unforgettable, was not one to mark as a career highlight. While on the parade lap, Gutknecht grabbed his shifter and broke it. “We were all pumped up to race in front of our Milwaukee friends and sponsors, but I had no fourth gear,” he said. The experience was still enjoyable, however, as Gutknecht resumed the race several laps down.

To keep young drivers from having an unpleasant first experience both Prietzel and Gutknecht offered some advice.

“Everything happens so fast there. You have to be aware of the speed more than anything else,” said Prietzel. “The speed is definitely an issue when you first go there, it wakes you up.”

Gutknecht offered some of the same sentiments. “Respect it. You don’t realize how fast you’re going until you have to stop. You have to remember how fast you’re going,” he said.

Milwaukee Mile weekend usually breeds the highest car count of the season for Mid-American. Last year a season high 49 competitors turned laps at the Mile. The Mid-American Stock Car Series will first hold an open practice day at the Milwaukee Mile on Friday, August 22 and the Governor’s Cup 40 will be run on Saturday afternoon.

For more information on Governor’s Cup Weekend please visit www.milwaukeemile.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