Mid-American Prepares for Early Season La Crosse Showdown

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
May 12, 2008

(Fort Atkinson , WI ) May 12, 2008 – Normally when Mid-American drivers are preparing for a trip to the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem , WI they are preparing for the final showdown of the season. This Friday drivers will be preparing to get a jump in the 2008 point standings when the Mid-American Stock Car Series will join the USAC Midgets at the home of Oktoberfest Race Weekend.

Defending Mid-American champion James Swan has carried significant point leads into the La Crosse event the past two years with the strategy of holding on to capture the crown. The mindset of the Genoa City driver and his team will be different this time around. “The past two years I had to be conservative,” said Swan. “This year we’re going intent on winning.”

Although they were conservative in his past two efforts at La Crosse , Swan and Berge racing tried a few set up changes on their machine. “Unfortunately we didn’t learn anything,” said Swan of the experimental runs. “We took the car to test at the Dells [ Raceway Park ] this past Wednesday and got the set up right. Since we take the same set up everywhere we go, we should be on track this Friday,” he added.

One of the competitors that Swan will be attempting to fend off will be long time Mid-American ace Bobby Gutknecht. Although Gutknecht was in a slump to end 2007, he found his groove at La Crosse by capturing the “Faster than a Speeding Bullet” award for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, come feature time, the gremlins that plagued Gutknecht late in the year returned as he was involved in a vicious wreck heading into turn one.

Despite that ending at Oktoberfest, Gutknecht was happy to see a second La Crosse date on the 2008 Mid-American schedule. He is especially happy to be heading to one of his favorite tracks after another unlucky weekend at Rockford in mid-April when engine problems caused Gutknecht to wheel around the ¼ mile off of the pace, resulting in an 11th place finish.

“I need all I can get now. Rockford was a disaster,” said Gutknecht. “I just like [ La Crosse ]. I have a lot of practice time there and it reminds me of a miniature Milwaukee Mile.” A Milwaukee Mile like run would be good news for Gutknecht as he captured the Governor’s Cup 40 last August at this historic circuit.

While Swan and Gutknecht may be the two Mid-American regulars battling up front, a pair of Minnesota drivers paced the field through most of the Oktoberfest feature last fall. Ryan Rose took the lead on the third lap of the 35 lap affair. As he ran comfortably out front, Doug Brown frantically worked his way up to second.

Rose held off Brown late in the race but was not able to pass post-race inspection. The disqualification of Rose gave Brown his second consecutive Oktoberfest feature win. “Doug Brown will be the guy to beat,” said Swan. “He’s really got that place figured out.”

The pit gates open at 3 p.m. this Friday, May 16th for the Over the Hill 40 at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Racing is set to begin at 7:30.

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.

For more information on the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway please visit http://www.lacrossespeedway.com .

The LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway is located on the LaCrosse Interstate Fairgrounds. The Fairground is located at the intersection of Hwy 16 and County Road M, next to the town of West Salem , Wisconsin .