Wolke Weathers a Late Charge By Prietzel at La Crosse

Topics:  Darren Wolke

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
May 16, 2008

(West Salem , WI ) May 16, 2008 – The rains came just in time for Darren Wolke to pick up his first career Mid-American Stock Car Series feature. Bill Prietzel provided the only challenge to the pole sitter, Wolke, on lap 31 of the 40 scheduled laps. However, the challenge was too late as Mother Nature caused an early end to the Over the Hill 40 at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

The field quickly jumped into single file after the drop of the green flag. The shuffling of the field began on lap five when Jake Finney and Bobby Gutknecht moved around La Crosse Sportsmen champion Dan Gilster into the top five. Rockford winner Lyle Nowak and Rod Brewe moved around Gilster on the next lap as they began to charge to the front.

The first caution of the race came on lap nine for a Kyle Shear spin. Shear made contact with point leader James Swan before spinning in turn two. The contact caused minor damage to Swan’s Taurus. Swan went to the pit area where his crew made repairs just in time to allow Swan to join at the tail of the field before the green flag flew again. The move may have saved Swan the point lead as he cruised back through the field to a seventh place finish. Shear ended in 12th.

Prietzel took advantage of the double-file restart to move into the top five two laps later on lap eleven. Prietzel kept the momentum going as he followed in Jake Finney’s tire tracks into third as Finney disposed of Doug Brown on lap 12. The two had a long way to go to catch Wolke who had checked out after the restart. Prietzel finally worked his way around Finney on lap 16 and began the daunting task of trying to catch Wolke.

A caution on lap 28 gave Prietzel the opportunity he needed to close in on Woelke. Fast qualifier Brian Back was attempting to jump to the inside of Brewe when Back got loose and made contact with Brewe, sending his Monte Carlo into a spin-cycle.

On the restart, Wolke got the jump he needed to keep Prietzel at bay. Prietzel closed in on Wolke with nine laps to go and made a pass going into turn three. The caution flag waved as the heavens opened up and smiled on Wolke. The rain stoppage brought the line up to the last completed lap, causing Prietzel to settle for second. Kenny Smart had a strong run to finish third, Bobby Gutknecht crossed the line fourth and Jake Finney held on to round out the top five.

Wolke was certainly happy that the raced ended the way it did, but felt as though his all Dodge machine was up for Prietzel’s late challenge. “I think we would have had Bill covered any way,” said Wolke. “But I think it would have been a really good race,” he added. “We did a whole lot of research this winter. This is the set up that came out and it's pretty decent.”

Although he made the late pass on a slick track, Prietzel was pleased with a second place run. “The right car won. If it wasn't for the last yellow it would have taken me a hundred laps to catch [Wolke],” he said.

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series is the Dells Duel Part One at the Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells, WI. For more information on the Dells Raceway Park please visit www.dellsracewaypark.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.

Over the Hill 40 Top Ten:
Darren Wolke, Bell Plaine, MN; Bill Prietzel, Richfield, WI; Kenny Smart, Eagle, WI; Bobby Gutknecht, Oak Creek, WI; Jake Finney, Sycamore, IL; James Swan, Genoa City, WI; Dan Gilster, West Salem, WI; Lyle Nowak, Wausau, WI; Johnny Hentges, Jordan, MN; Rod Brewe, Menominee, WI;

Heat Winners:
Wolke; Smart; Justin Neisius, Eagan , MN

Fast Time:
Brian Back, Wisconsin Rapids , WI – 20.833 seconds