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Midwest Series Headed To Milwaukee Mile After Four-Year Absence
* Southeastern and Southwestern drivers to challenge
Midwest Series stars
* NASCARregionalracing.com
“Emerging Stars Series” includes Milwaukee musical performance
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2005) – When the NASCAR AutoZone Elite
Division, Midwest Series takes on The Milwaukee Mile Aug. 27-28, the usual
host of Midwest Series stars will be joined by other top drivers from
throughout the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division.
The division features Late Model race cars under the same set of rules, for
four different series in four corners of the country – Midwest, Northwest,
Southeast and Southwest. The chance to race on the famous Milwaukee Mile track
has attracted drivers from the other series to challenge the Midwest stars,
such as Steve Carlson (No. 66 Lubricants/Gordon Epping CPA Chevrolet), Justin
Diercks (No. 29 Iowa-Illinois Taylor Insulation Chevrolet) and Eddie Hoffman
(No. 8 Lisa Thomas Salon/MR Lee Building Chevrolet), on their home turf.
J.R. Norris (No. 5 Victor Ford Ford), the current Southeast Series points
leader from Mulga, Ala., is scheduled to compete in the Milwaukee 200, driving
for car owner Richie Wauters. The team’s primary sponsor, Victor Ford, is
located in Wauconda, Ill., just over an hour’s drive from Milwaukee. Eddy
McKean (No. 19 Magic Valley Pipe & Steel/Twin Stop Pontiac), the 2002
Southwest Series champion from Jerome, Idaho, is also scheduled to race in the
Milwaukee 200. McKean is ranked fifth in the Southwest Series standings.
The Milwaukee 200 marks the Midwest Series’ first visit to the track since
Aug. 2001, when Scott Hansen drove to the win over Hoffman, Brian Hoppe, Ryan
Hemphill and Carlson in fifth place.
The upcoming event will feature a two-day format, with Midwest Series practice
and Bud Pole qualifying on Sat., Aug. 27. The Milwaukee 200 will take the
green flag at approximately 3:00 p.m. (CT) on Sun., Aug. 28.
MIDWEST SERIES NEWS & NOTES
· The Milwaukee 200 race weekend will also feature a performance by rock
artist J-Henry, as part of the NASCARregionalracing.com
“Emerging Artists Series.” Henry is scheduled to perform a selection of
songs off his new album on Friday evening at the track, during a driver
autograph session with Dick Trickle and other drivers beginning at 6 p.m.
(CT). Admission is free. Henry has also performed at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
race weekend. J-Henry’s debut album, Another Long Day, was released
nationwide Aug. 9.
· Justin Diercks, the defending Midwest Series champion from Davenport, Iowa,
has led 396 of a possible 900 laps this season. Other drivers who have led
laps include Steve Carlson (145 laps led), Erik Darnell (No. 7 Simply WOW
Cleaner Degreaser Chevrolet) (77 laps led), David Finney (No. 26 Fiberglass
Wicker/Lovett's Towing Chevrolet) (29 laps led), Brent Kirchner (No. 88 City
Auto Sales / Hometown Furniture Chevrolet) (22 laps led), Tim Schendel (No. 21
Mathews Archery/TexPar Energy Chevrolet) (20 laps led) and Sunoco Rookie of
the Year candidate Dexter Bean (No. 25 5 Star Telecom /Badger Environmental
Chevrolet) (5 laps led).
· Speaking of Sunoco rookie candidates, Andrew Morrissey (Perry Dahl Soil
Test/RU21/Sellars Chevrolet), of DeForest, Wis., continues to lead the contest
with 59 rookie points earned the first six races. The Sunoco Rookie of the
Year Award is contested by a points system, with the highest-finishing
eligible rookie receiving 10 points, the second-highest finishing rookie
receiving 9 points and so on. Dexter Bean is ranked second with 52 rookie
points, followed by Josh Bauer (No. 1 Azko Nobel Chevrolet) with 51 points and
Nick Schumacher (No. 16 Sonya's Rose/Custom Fleet Maintenance Chevrolet) with
14 rookie points. The 2005 Sunoco Rookie of the Year will collect a $1,500
bonus from Sunoco, the Official Fuel of NASCAR.
· Midwest Series Top 10 Driver Points (after 6 of 8 races):
1. Justin Diercks 1,004,
2. Steve Carlson 1,001
3. Andrew Morrissey 897
4. Tim Schendel 869
5. Brent Kirchner 863
6. Eddie Hoffman 810
7. Dexter Bean 805
8. Josh Bauer 793
9. Russ Blakeley 779
10. Greg Fowler 763.
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