THE EXTRA MILE: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S CUP

Topics:  Governor's Cup 40

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
August 27, 2007

(Fort Atkinson, WI), August 27 -- Many drivers of the Mid-American Stock Car Series have referred to the Milwaukee Mile’s Governor’s Cup as the “Daytona” of the season. The event was certainly the most lively thus far in 2007. Here are some of the stories that may have been lost in the shuffle.

How Many?
The Mid-American Stock Car Series brought a season high 49 competitors through the gates at the Milwaukee Mile. Only 48 took qualifying times as Kevin Damrow of Manitowoc, WI had drive train problems during Friday’s practice session. A total of 41 Mid-American Stock Cars were on hand for Friday’s session.

Swan’s Bad Luck Continues
Defending Mid-American Stock Car Series Champion James Swan of Genoa City, WI seemed as though he was headed for a repeat after laying down a solid qualifying lap of 32.048 seconds. Swan became stuck in traffic during the race and ran over the driveshaft of Bell Plaine, MN’s Darren Woelke. The Berge racing entry was then caught up in the lap 37 accident that began when the engine on Reedsville, WI’s Maxwell Schultz retired.

Return of a Champion
Rod Brewe of Menominee jumped back behind the wheel of a Mid-American Stock Car at the Mile. The 2002 Mid-American Stock Car Series champion qualified 39th and was unable to start the semi-feature. Brewe claimed that he will be running several more races with the Series toward the end of 2007.

Newbies
Sixteen drivers made their first appearance with the Mid-American Stock Car Series in 2007. Among those drivers were Elko Speedway Mid-Season champion in 2006 and 2007 Justin Neisius of Eagan, MN, defending Midwest Sportsman champion at the Slinger Super Speedway Mike Graczkowski of Jackson, WI and former Midwest Modified champion at Slinger Jeff Holtz of Muskego, WI. Holtz had the best qualifying effort of the new drivers with his fifth place lap. The highest finisher was Oconomowoc, WI’s Kenny Smart, a long time top runner at the Lake Geneva Raceway.

6,7,8 or 8,7,6?
Three cars were entered by Shear Racing. Along with Roscoe’s Kyle and Troy Shear, Burlington, IL’s Jimmy Becker was part of the contingent. Becker made his return to Mid-American after a two year hiatus from racing. The cars were very equal. The eight of Becker qualified sixth, the seven of K. Shear timed in seventh and Troy Jr. in the six car, put down the eight fastest lap. Only 0.135 seconds separated the three drivers.

Drivers on the Move
Several drivers made monstrous runs to the front after transferring from the semi-feature. Kenny Smart finished eighth after a second place run in the semi-feature and a twentieth place starting spot. Richfield, WI’s Ron Weyer, in his Mid-American return transferred in the ninth spot, started 27th and finished a respectable ninth. Another driver with a tremendous effort to move to the front was Shabbona IL’s Ryan Finley. Finley transferred in the seventh spot from the semi-feature, started 25th and finished in sixth.

Somonauk, IL’s Jeremy Spoonmore was looking to be the hardest charger of the race after accepting a provisional. Spoonmore, who sits fourth in Mid-American Stock Car Series points, started 29th and was challenging for a top five spot until problems sent him to the pit area.

Practice Makes Perfect
Three of the top five finishers took advantage of the test session at the Mile back on June 30th. Those drivers were race winner Bobby Gutknecht of Oak Creek, WI, Sycamore, IL’s Jake Finney who finished third and fourth place finisher Andrew Kulka of Deerfield, WI. Kyle Shear, who also took advantage of the extra practice, ran in the top five for much of the event and ran the fastest lap of the race at 32.602 seconds.

A Busy Day
Two drivers were able to get out of the Mile in time to make it to their home track, the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WI. They both faired well. Andy Casavant of Two Rivers, WI did not have the best run at the Mile finishing 20th in the semi-feature after experiencing problems during qualifying. Things went better at 141 as Casavant won the feature event. It was a good day all around for Maribel’s Don Wood. Wood finished second to Casavant at 141 and finished tenth after accepting a provisional and starting 30th at the Milwaukee Mile.

Videos of the Mid-American Stock Car Series Governor’s Cup 40 can be purchased for $25. More information will be posted on the Series website in the coming weeks or can be found at www.miraclevideojake.com.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see a "teaser" of the Milwaukee video!

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series is the Gary Vercauteren Memorial at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WI this Saturday, September 1st. The Series will then take a three week break and begin the stretch run to the championship with a trip to the Marshfield Super Speedway for the Faith Spa and Billiards Fall Classic 40 on Saturday, September 22nd. For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series including results, standings, the remaining 2007 schedule and driver info visit www.midamericanracing.com.