Mid-American Prepares for 'Southern Swing'

by Matt Panure

Fort Atkinson, WI (July 13, 2011) – With a majority of traveling racers from the state of Wisconsin, the Mid-American Stock Car Series will flock south for two races this weekend. MASCS heads to Grundy County Speedway on Friday and makes its first ever stop at Lucas Oil Raceway Park on Saturday.

One year after a successful return to Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Ill., all of the Mid-American racers will chase 7 MASCS championships into Illinois’ Finest Third Mile. Through three events, four-time Champion James Swan and three-time ChampionBill Prietzel have finished one-two. Prietzel bested Swan at Rockford with Swan reversing the order at Dells Raceway Park and Madison.

A total of 26 racers made the call at last season’s MASCS event at Grundy with local and former Gundy Co. Champion Jeremy Bloomberg holding off Brian Back. Back, in his first ever trip to Grundy set fast time and tore through the field to come up just short of a win.

With more locals expected this year than last, the field will be even tougher for the traveling MASCS contingent. Current Grundy Co. points leader Frank Slabeneck worked his way from a 20th starting spot to 14th in last season’s race. Billy Knipenberg and Kevin Gentile will also join Bloomberg in trying to send the travelers packing without a trophy.

Should the locals reign supreme again MASCS racers will have another chance to grab a trophy 200 miles to the south and west on Saturday. Mid-American will co-sanction the not-for-points Iron Brigade 100 with the Advanced Racing Association (ARA) at Lucas Oil Raceway Park. It will be the first time Mid-American has traveled to the historic .686-mile track in Clermont, Ind.

“ Each year Mid-American has one race that jumps off the schedule,” MASCS co-owner Doug Strasburg said. “In the past we have either had the Milwaukee Mile or Road America. Unfortunately, those were not an option this season, so we jumped at the chance to head to LORP.

“ The event was the brainchild of Russ Willingham,” Strasburg explained. “He has gone to great lengths to bring this event to fruition. This inaugural race will be the test bed to build an annual event that will bring the best of the best in the upper mid-west together to thrill fans for years to come.”

Despite the lengthy trip, 13 MASCS racers have committed to the Iron Brigade 100. Among those are Swan, Prietzel, 2010 Champion Lyle Nowak, and current leading MASCS rookie contender Danny Church. The long-haul award will be tough to beat as Bret Widdis and team are prepared to make the trip first to Grundy then to LORP from Manistique, Mich.

Racing begins at Grundy County Speedway at 8 p.m. on Friday night. Qualifying for the Iron Brigade 100 takes place at 6:55 on Saturday with racing scheduled to start at 7:10.

Grundy County Faigrounds Speedway is located on the Grundy County Fairgrounds just off Highway 47 just 1-mile north of I-80 in Morris, IL. For more information visit www.grundycountyspeedwayonline.com

Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is located at 10267 E US Highway 136 just north of Clermont, Ind. For more information visit www.lucasoilraceway.com.

To find out more about the Advanced Racing Association visit www.advancedracingassociation.com

For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series, including the full 2011 schedule, results, standings and driver information visit www.midamericanracing.com.