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Fox Ridge Speedway Prepares for 'Mid-Season Championships'
by Dan Bailey
(Arcadia, WI) - In stock car racing, the flag man lets the drivers know when
they are half way through an event by creating an 'X' with two flags. The
'Crossed Flags' allows the drivers to evaluate their strategy and determine if
any changes are necessary for the second half of the event.
This Friday evening the 'Crossed Flags' will fly over FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY with
the running of the 'Mid-Season Championships'. It may seem difficult to
believe, but we've already reached the half-way point of the 2005 season!
It's been a typically wild first half of the 2005 schedule with tumbles and
triumphs aplenty. As a matter of fact, we need look no further than just last
week to see yet another first-time winner!
As mentioned in last Sunday's results article, Ryan Olson, the young 20
year-old College Student from Strum, WI, pulled his #21 WISSOTA Midwest
Modified into the FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY Victory Lane for the first time ever
following a feature event. It's triumphs like that which stay with a driver
for their entire career.
"Man, I know I'm really still just getting started," commented the
over-joyed Olson after last week's win, "but I've been looking forward to
my first feature win for what seems like forever."
Olson will now get to take this momentum building victory into tomorrow
night's 'Mid-Season Championships'.
And Olson's not the only first time winner this season has produced; two weeks
ago Pine Island racer Jesse Frericks twisted every ounce of power out of his
#52 en route to his first ever USRA Modified feature win.
Step one additional week into the past and we come upon another first-time
feature winner. Tom Brink has been growing as a driver ever since he first got
behind the wheel of a WISSOTA Street Stock several seasons ago. On May 27th
though, he brought home his first feature event checkered to add an
exclamation mark to his 2005 season.
And, of course, if we look all the way back to mid-April (the second night of
this season) former WISSOTA Street Stock stand out Dan Gullikson collected his
first WISSOTA Super Stock feature win in only his second night behind the
wheel! Needless to say, his car owner was very pleased and well impressed,
"You know, we actually only made this long drive just to give Dan some
extra seat time," explained car owner Jim Muller, "we figured this
was such a great, wide track with lots of racing room. I mean, we were hoping
to run well, but we were honestly not planning on taking home a feature
win!"
And due to sheer numbers, the entertaining 4-Cylinder Hornet division produces
a first time winner almost every week it seems! Along with the triumphs,
though, have come the tumbles. Two ferocious roll-overs highlighted Opening
Night when Chris Crapser and 'Bud' Pehler both destroyed their cars after
climbing the back straight wall.
Just last week, Troy Langowski's WISSOTA Super Stock was hit so hard that he
bent the head-rest in his racing seat.
And a reflection on the first half of the 2005 season wouldn't be complete
with a mention of the 'photo finish' between Terry Timmerman and Travis Krause
at the conclusion of the May 5th WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature event. A
battle to the checkered flag that was so close that speedway officials had to
review video from a camera positioned for just such a scenario THREE SEPARATE
TIMES before declaring an official winner!
But, alas, here we find ourselves - half way through the season, great racing
behind us and more to come through the second half of the year for sure.
"'Mid-Season Championships' have always held a special place in the minds
and hearts of racers and fans alike." commented speedway owners Dave and
Judy Hesch, "They always seem to turn up the intensity and find just a
little more speed in hopes of being crowned 'Mid-Season Champion'."
During the special night at the track, drivers are rewarded for their strong
showing in the point standings with starting positions which reflect their
success - the point leader of each division is awarded the 'Pole Position' for
the evening's races, with the driver second in the points on the outside of
the front row. Third starting spot goes to the driver third in the standings
and so on through the field!
Every driver is racing just a little harder for the trophies and added acclaim
that comes with 'Mid-Season Championships'!
To find out if your favorite driver can either stay up front or work from the
back and de-thrown a 'Hot Shoe' visit FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY in Arcadia this
Friday night, June 17th, for 'Mid-Season Championships'! Hot laps get underway
at 7 pm with the first green flag waving at 7:30!
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