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Take Two Of Mid-American 141 Go Set For July 15th
By Matt Panure
The only winner on Saturday, June 24th at the 141 Speedway was Mother Nature
as she left fans and competitors soaked with disappointment. On Saturday, July
15th the Mid-American Stock Car Series looks for her blessing so the Super
Cuts Dick Grall Memorial 60 is able to commence.
Mid-American Series drivers will compete against perhaps the toughest local
contingent they will face all year. Local drivers have spoiled the visit for
Series drivers every go around since May 15th 2004 when Jonathan Eilan of
Hampton, Minnesota was the last traveler to steal a checkered flag at the 141
Speedway in Francis Creek, Wisconsin.
A total of 28 Mid-American cars took qualifying laps. Only half secured a
place in the SuperCuts Dick Grall Memorial 60. Monte Strouf of Reedsville,
Wisconsin picked up his fifth consecutive fast time at the tight ¼ mile oval.
No one has out timed Strouf yet in 2006 at 141. Richfield, Wisconsin’s Bill
Prietzel, fresh off his victory the previous night at Madison International
Speedway was the second fastest qualifier. Bobby Gutknecht of Oak Creek,
Wisconsin was the last of fourteen drivers to qualify into the feature
event.
Of the fourteen drivers who qualified for the event, only four were
Mid-American Series travelers. The four were Prietzel, Gutknecht, Lyle Nowak
of Wausau, Wisconsin and Sugar Grove, Illinois’ Jim Thorson. Thorson was
awarded the pole position after the inversion was determined during the
drivers’ meeting.
Perhaps the most interesting story of the Dick Grall Memorial 60 presented by
SuperCuts is the field of drivers who have yet to secure a place in the
feature event. Four of the top 5 drivers in Mid-American points were not fast
enough to time into the field. George Schultz from Bristol, Wisconsin earned a
starting spot in the main via a provisional for being the highest driver in
points who had not qualified into the feature. James Swan of Lake Geneva,
Wisconsin will start on the pole of the last chance race. Swan, who trails
Schultz by only six markers, was tied for the point lead with Schultz going
into the previous night’s race at Madison.
The top four finishers of the last chance race will make their way into the
Dick Grall Memorial 60. The last chance race contains as many heavy hitters as
the feature event. Among the top Mid-American drivers are Swan, Scott Null of
Lake Mills, Wisconsin who sits fifth in Mid-American points and Jake Finney of
Sycamore Illinois, who is the leading rookie contender and currently fourth in
Mid-American points. Among the local drivers in the last chance race is
feature winner Crystal Koenig of Mishicot, Wisconsin. 141 feature winner Jeff
Tisler of Reedsville, Wisconsin will accept a track points provisional
position in the Mid-American series feature.
The Mid-American Series sits idle until the make up date at the 141 Speedway
on Saturday, July 15th. The series will be in action again the following
weekend. On Saturday, July 22nd, the Mid-American Series will compete at
Wisconsin International Raceway for the second time as part of the White Race.
For more information about the Mid-American Series including results, point
standings, schedules and driver info visit www.midamericanracing.com.
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