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What's New At MIS? Fans Will Notice Many Changes In 2006
by John Wells
Monday, March 27, 2006 (Oregon, WI) To say that there were some changes
initiated at Madison International Speedway during the off-season would be an
understatement. "We've made a lot of changes that we feel are best for
everyone involved," said general manager Dave Grueneberg. The
season opener for the track is set for Sunday, May 7 with the Friday night
opener slated for May 12.
The most noticeable change is the installation of a new quarter mile oval
inside Wisconsin's Fastest Half-Mile. The progressively banked track is
centered inside the half-mile and will incorporate parts of the existing front
stretch. Construction of the new track began in the fall of 2005 and
will be paved in early April. According to MIS promoter Steve Einhaus,
"This track will be very fast and the drivers are going to love it."
With the addition of the new track, Madison International Speedway will also
be adding new divisions to its 2006 racing lineup. Highlighting the
program will be the Madison ASA Late Model division who will continue to race
on the half-mile. Returning to the speedway after a two year hiatus and
also taking to the half mile will be the limited late models. Three
divisions will be calling the quarter mile their home in 2006 led by the
highly competitive Area Sportsman division that will be making the switch from
the half mile to the smaller track. New in 2006 will be the hobby stocks
and "Bandit" divisions that feature eight and four cylinder pure
stock type cars respectively.
"The new track will provide many new drivers with an opportunity to race
at MIS. The interest we have received from guys wanting to come to MIS
and race has been incredible," said Grueneberg.
Other cosmetic changes will be made around the speedway including replacement
of part of the front stretch wall and improvements in the pit area.
The weekly racing format will also take on a distinctively new look in
2006. MIS will be switching to a transponder scoring system for the
Madison ASA Late Models and Limited Late Models. This will allow the
speedway to qualify several cars at once as opposed to the single car
qualifying format.
Friday night racing will also find a new start time in 2006 with qualifying
set for 6:45 and racing at 7:30. "This is a family oriented track and we
want to get the show started on time and completed by 10:30. Fans will
truly get their money's worth and we want them to be able to head home at a
reasonable time," added Grueneberg.
There is something for everyone when it comes to special racing events at MIS
in 2006. The biggest show of the year comes on Tuesday, June 27 when RK
Race Promotions presents a Madison Late Model show featuring Matt Kenseth and
Tony Stewart.
The USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series returns to MIS in 2006 on August 19. The
ASA Late Model Challenge Series comes to town on May 27 and the ASA Late Model
Northern Series will be at MIS on August 4.
Two major super late model events are planned when the Wisconsin Challenge
Series invades the speedway on May 7 for the opener and will return on
September 8.
The Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series returns again in 2006 on June 16 and will be
joined by the first-ever visit to the speedway by the Ford Focus Midget
Series. In 2005, sprint car driver Tim Cox set the all-time speed record
at MIS with a lap of 121.87 mph.
Two "Night of Destruction" events wil be held at MIS in 2006 on May
13 and July 22. Fans will see action on the track never seen before at
MIS with crashes, explosions, and many more surprises.
Other changes at MIS include a completely revamped website madisoninternationalspeedway.com
and a weekly newsletter sent to over 2,000 racing enthusiasts. A pair of
very talented announcers will make their debut at MIS in 2006 as well.
"Change is difficult, but we are convinced that fans are truly going to
like what they see at MIS," said Einhaus.
It's very clear that change is in the air at MIS for 2006 and it's the drivers
and fans who will be getting the checkered flag as a result.
For more information about Madison International Speedway please check out our
website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com,
email us at mismedia2@yahoo.com, or
call the track at 608.835.9700.
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