Piontek Heads Tough 141 Contingent for Saturday’s Francis Creek Frenzy

Topics:  Brett Piontek

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
June 23, 2008

(Fort Atkinson, WI) June 23, 2008 – One word is taboo among Mid-American Stock Car Series drivers. Actually, it’s a number, 141. The 141 Speedway has been stirring anxious feelings in Mid-American drivers every year since the track reopened in 1998. Ten years later, Mid-American is still visiting the tight quarter mile oval in Francis Creek, WI and frustrating some of the country’s best sportsmen drivers.

Perhaps the reason why competitors cringe when thinking of 141 is due to the strong contingent that races at the track weekly. The 141 Speedway has spawned some top late model drivers in the area such as former 141 Mid-Am champ Gregg Haese and Brett Piontek. Haese will be attending a super late model race but will loan his car to Errol Berry, who currently leads super stock points at the track. Piontek, however, is poised to greet the traveling Mid-American drivers and show them why he is atop the point standings at 141.

Piontek has enjoyed some early success at the venue. In four feature events, he has not finished outside of the top six. Those finishes include two feature wins in back to back events. “[141 has] been excellent so far. The car has just been outstanding there this year,” said Piontek.

“We were just going to run part time like we did last year, but since things took off we're going to stick with it,” said Piontek of his summer schedule. Just like Haese, Piontek competes in a super late model at Wisconsin International Raceway on Thursday nights. The differences between Piontek’s Thursdays and Saturdays are apparent. “The racing at [141] is a lot tighter than Kaukauna. It's a lot of fun to run out there.”

Since Piontek enjoys a challenge, this Saturday should prove to be tons of fun for him at 141 when he will be joined by the top runners of Mid-American. “It's always a good time when those guys show up,” commented Piontek. “It bumps up the competition. You take ten good cars and make it 20 really quick.”

Some added competition will not be the only change for Piontek. Both Hoosier tires and Goodyear tires are used by the Mid-Americans at 141. Piontek is one of several drivers who use Goodyears on a weekly basis.

Mid-American, however, only allows Hoosier tires. Piontek still has tires that he used when racing with the series at Rockford that are somewhat new as he wrecked during qualifying and did not take a competitive lap. He feels confident that switching the shoes on his machine will not cause much of a stir. “As long as you have new Hoosiers, you'll be ok.”

There will be some other strong competitors joining Piontek and the Mid-American regulars. Among them will be last week’s feature winner at 141 Dennis Rabas, defending 141 champion Monte Strouf, and last year’s race winner at 141 Kevin Damrow.

The pit area at 141 opens at 2 p.m. with practice at approximately 3 p.m. Qualifying at 141 will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Francis Creek Frenzy will be a part of the regular Saturday night race program at 141. A firework display will round out the evening.

The 141 Speedway is located on Highway R just outside of Maribel. For more information on the 141 Speedway visit their new website www.141speedway.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.