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Oswald Upset Midam Winner At 141
September, 4, 2005 - Francis Creek, WI - Mike "Ozzie" Oswald
surprised the field Saturday night by winning the 50 lap Port-A-John
Mid-American Series headliner at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WI.
Oswald drew the pole for the 50 lap main, and immediately grabbed the lead
from Ron Weyer. A quick second place battle developed between Dennis
Rabas and Gary Tisler, with Rabas using the low lane to forge into the
runner-up spot on lap six.
The bottom groove was the place to be, as Rabas led the challengers glued to
Oswald's backbumper. Monte Strouf, Jesse Fuller, Kevin Damrow and Bill
Prietzel lined up in formation behind the lead duo.
At the mid-point, two drivers tested the outside waters and began to make a
surge toward the point. Jeff Tisler, followed a short time later by Bob
Schultz, was the first to move outside, and methodically began to pick up
spots one at a time. On the 32nd lap he edged past Prietzel for sixth,
taking Damrow four laps later for fifth. A caution with 11 to go for
Jimmy Wilson's slide into the third turn rail set the stage for the final dash
to the checker.
On the restart, Rabas again turned up the heat on Oswald, as Jeff Tisler
continued his ascent from the outside. Tisler passed Strouf and Fuller
to move into third in the closing laps. Rabas chose to stay low, looking
for a mistake from Oswald to gain the inside edge. The mistake never
came, as Oswald survived the race-long pressue to capture his first career
Mid-Am Series win. Rabas, a two-time Series winner in 2004, trailed the
winner at the line by just 2/10ths of a second.
The win for Oswald was not only his first in the Series, but his first career
feature win period. A regular in the Speedway's Saturday night Mid-Am
division, the second year racer's only triumph prior to Saturday had been a
heat win earlier this year.
Jeff Tisler's drive to the top ended up just short as he placed third. Schultz
edged Strouf for fourth in a wild, sliding, side-by-side finish.
After a visit to Elko, Minnesota on Sunday September 4th, the Series will be
part of the 40th annual Rockford Speedway Short Track Championships Saturday
and Sunday September 24th and 25th.
For more information, visit the Series website at www.asl-midamracing.com.
141 Speedway Results 9/4/2005
1-10) Mike Oswald, Manitowoc, WI: Dennis Rabas, Maribel, WI:
Jeff Tisler, Reedsville, WI: Bob Schultz, Reedsville, WI: Monte
Strouf, Menchalville, WI: Jesse Fuller, Manitowoc, WI: Kevin
Damrow, Manitowoc, WI: Bill Prietzel, Franklin, WI: Scott Null,
Lake Mills, WI: Ron Weyer, Richfield, WI
11-17) Todd Mott, Mishicot, WI: Gary Tisler, Cato, WI: Jason
Taghikhani, Franklin, WI: Elliot Marquardt, Merril, WI: Andrew
Ruthenbeck, Virginia, MN: Jimmy Wilson, Appleton, WI: Dave
Verhagen, Green Bay, WI
Heat 1: Rabas, Gary Tisler, Strouf, Damrow
Heat 2: Jeff Tisler, Schultz, Null, Mott
Fast Qualifier: Mott (12.369)
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