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Swan Captures Governor's Cup At The Milwaukee Mile
by Keith Vercauteren
(West Allis, WI) August 26, 2006 -- Former series champion and current
point leader James Swan of Lake Geneva, WI scored the biggest win of his
career as he sped to victory in the 40-lap Mid American Stock Car Series
feature during the Governor's Cup Weekend at the historic Milwaukee Mile on
Saturday afternoon. Quickly becoming the driver to beat, Swan now has
three straight and four total wins in the Mid-American Stock Car Series this
year.
The feature began with veteran driver Lyle Nowak of Wausau, WI leaping in
front of the field from his outside front row starting position.
Polesitter Andrew Kulka of Deerfield, WI got shuffled back to fourth on the
opening lap as Ron Weyer from Richfield, WI and Scott Ascher from Sussex, WI
moved up to second and third respectively. By lap 4, Nowak had built a
substantial lead over the rest of the field. Meanwhile, the action began
to heat up mid-pack as Swan, George Schultz of Bristol, WI, Jeremy Spoonmore
of Somonauk, IL and Bobby Gutknecht of Oak Creek, WI all tried to find
the quickest way to the front.
On lap 8, Ascher found a way past Weyer to take over the second
position. The following lap saw three-time and defending series champion
Bill Prietzel of Richfield, WI move up to fifth while Swan escaped the
mid-pack cluster to find himself in the seventh position by lap 11.
The first caution of the race occurred on lap 12 when Andy Haver of West Bend,
WI looped his mount in turn four and was narrowly avoided by John Fischer of
Burlington, WI. On the restart, Nowak continued to set the pace as
Ascher followed in close pursuit, with Prietzel sneaking into third.
Ascher went to the high side of Nowak on lap 14 and took over first as
they headed through the second turn. On the very same lap, Swan put the
pedal to the etal to streak past Prietzel, then nosed past Nowak into second
on the following lap. By lap 20, Ascher began to feel pressure from Swan, with
Prietzel, Schultz, and Nowak running behind them.
The battle for the lead see-sawed back and forth, as Ascher appeared to have
more power on the straights, while Swan gained back some time in the
turns. The battle was put on hold, however, when Fischer blew his engine
and spun into the third turn wall, bringing out the yellow flag on lap 24.
Prietzel attempted to take the high side around both Swan and Ascher on the
restart, but couldn't make it stick which allowed Schultz to squeeze into
third. Schultz, currently second in the series point standings, then
applied the pressure to Swan, inching into second on lap 26. Swan
battled back, with the two frontrunners in the points chase engaged in a
spirited battle, allowing Ascher some breathing room up front.
The battle between Swan and Schultz continued to intensify as the race reached
the 30-lap mark, and the two hard-chargers began to gain on Ascher. On
lap 33, Ascher slowed slightly in turn two, allowing Swan to shoot to the
outside and escape the tough battle with Schultz. As the leaders
rocketed along the backstretch, Swan took over the lead while Schultz scooted
into second.
In the final laps, Swan and Schultz pulled away from the rest of the field to
continue their battle. On lap 38, Schultz pulled his racer right up to
the rear bumper of Swan's, but Swan was able to fend off the challenge.
As they headed into turn one on the last lap, Shultz dived to the inside, but
Swan was able to stay out front as they went through turn two. Swan then
protected the inside lane for the rest of the lap and fended off Schultz to
claim the victory. Ascher came across the line third, with Prietzel and
Spoonmore rounding out the top five. Ascher failed the post-race
technical inspection, subsequently putting him in last place.
"I'm speechless. I can't believe I did that," said a jubilant
Swan after the win. "This is excellent! I've been wanting to
win here for years. This is definitely my biggest win!"
Earlier in the day, Swan gave a preview of what was to come as he toured the
mile oval in 32.100 seconds to set fast time during qualifications.
With the visit to the largest track on the schedule completed, the
Mid-American Stock Car Series travels next to the smallest track on the
schedule; the tight, exciting ¼ mile oval known as the 141 Speedway in
Francis Creek, WI. The action will take place on Saturday night,
September 2nd. For more information visit the series website at www.midamericanracing.com
Results
1. James Swan, Lake Geneva, WI 2. George Schultz, Bristol, WI 3.
Bill Prietzel, Richfield, WI 4. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk, IL 5.
Johnny Senerchia, New Lenox, IL 6. Bobby Gutknecht, Oak Creek, WI
7. Cliff Adee, Gilberts, IL 8. Kevin Lee, Cedar Rapids, IA 9. Jake
Finney, Sycamore, IL 10. Rick Tackman Jr., Waukesha, WI 11.
Ron Weyer, Richfield, WI 12. Ryan Finley, Shabbona, IL 13. Kevin
Moenck, Elwood, IL 14. Ken Smart, Oconomowoc, WI 15. Travis
Rodewald, Manitowoc, WI 16. Kenny Joosten, Wonder Lake, IL 17.
Lyle Nowak, Wausau, WI 18. Andrew Kulka, Deerfield, WI 19. Pat
McIntee, West Bend, WI 20. Jeff Tisler, Reedsville, WI 21. Jeff
Holtz, Muskego, WI 22. J.J. Meyer, Cedar Rapids, IA 23. Scott
Null, Lake Mills, WI 24. Jim Thorson, Sugar Grove, IL 25. Butch
Mierendorf, Waterloo, WI 26. David Verhagen, Green Bay, WI 27.
Adam Mass, Woodstock, IL 28. Tim Schmitt, Muskego, WI 29. Dennis
Vinohradsky, West Bend, WI 30. Hank Tews, Batavia, IL 31. Andy
Haver, West Bend, WI 32. Tony Habeck, Black Creek, WI 33. Wally
Morgan, East Troy, WI 34. Danny Powell, Polo, IL 35. John Fischer,
Burlington, WI 36. Mike Smart 37. Andy Casavant, Two Rivers,
WI 38. Scott Ascher, Sussex, WI
Fast qualifier: Swan (32.100 seconds)
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