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MIS E-News
August 16, 2005
by John Wells
Hooters Pro Cup Comes to MIS
by Paul Warner, USAR Pro Cup
Regular-Season Finale Set for MIS
Myrtle Beach, S.C.—Just because Benny Gordon has already clinched the
Northern Division title, doesn’t mean the Miller Lite 250 presented by
Southern Wisconsin Dodge Dealers at Madison International Speedway on
Saturday, August 19 won’t be full of point-battle scenarios.
Woody Howard, driver of the No. 55 Dean Motorsports Chevrolet, is currently
third in the Northern Division standings with 1373 points. But the 2005 Miller
Lite Rookie of the Year can’t afford a bad night, because only 51 points
separates Howard from sixth place in the standings.
Behind Howard, Jack Bailey and A.J. Frank are drivers that could move up with
a good run. But all three are drivers that haven’t visited victory lane this
season. And therein lays the predicament. Do you go for broke or just try to
point race?
“I’m just going for the win,” said Howard, who is third in points and
just 24 points ahead of Shelby Howard and Jack Bailey. “I’m not going to
do anything stupid, but I’m going to win. It’s going to be tough, but
I’d love to get a win for my car owner, Jim Dean.”
After Howard’s breakout, three-win season last year, the former Late Model
ace has yet to return to victory lane in ’06. But a victory in the
regular-season finale would boost his moral for the Championship Series.
“It may sound crazy, but we’ve learned more about the cars this year than
last year,” said Howard. “A lot of the problems we’ve had this season
have been out of our control. I feel like we’re better his year. A win would
be great and give us confidence heading into the Championship Series, but I
feel like we’re ready even if we don’t win.”
Bailey, driver of the No. 93 Ferguson Waterworks Ford, would also like to
bolster his team’s confidence with a victory heading into the Championship
Series, but may be at a little disadvantage.
Both Howard and Frank competed in the inaugural event at MIS last season.
Howard finished third and clinched the Northern Division Rookie of the Year at
the Wisconsin track, while Frank, driver of the No. 11 Schaffer Oil Pontiac,
qualified seventh and ran in the top five before falling from the event with a
mechanical failure.
Benny Gordon, driver of the No. 66 Predator Performance Ford, dominated last
year’s event, leading 201 laps en route to victory and the Northern Division
title. Gordon would be a clear favorite for a repeat, but his team has posted
back-to-back finishes outside the top 10.
“We don’t want to end the regular season like this,” Gordon said after
falling out of the race at South Boston. “We won the [regular-season] title
tonight, but we want to win every race we run. We’ll just have to get things
turned around at Madison.”
The Miller Lite 250 is scheduled to start 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 19. Fans
are encouraged to come out early to watch Advance Auto Parts Pole Qualifying
at 4:45 p.m. The on-track autograph session will start at 5:45 p.m. Following
the Miller Lite 250, MIS Truck regulars will compete in a 40-lap feature.
For more information, call MIS at (608) 835-9700.
Friday Night is $8.00 Night at MIS
Adult grandstand admission is just $8.00 this Friday for CarQuest Night at
Madison International Speedway.
Highlighting the racing program will be a 40 lap feature for the Rockweiler
Insulation Limited Late Models. The Club La Mark Hobby Stocks, Roto Rooter
Bandits, Bryden Motors Area Sportsman, and Pure Stocks will also be in action.
Current points leaders are Jeremy Miller in the Limited Late Models, Scott
Riedner in the Area Sportsman, Mike Storkson in the Hobby Stocks, and Tyler
Kelley in the Bandits.
Midwest Super Truck Series at MIS on Saturday
Preferred Pets of Janesville and Beloit is the proud sponsor of the 40 lap
Midwest Super Truck Series event scheduled as part of the Hooters Pro Cup
night on Saturday.
Preferred Pets is locally owned by Gary and Barb Cerny. They sell quality pets
such as small animals, birds, reptiles, freshwater fish and marine fish and
quality pet supplies. Their website is: www.preferredpets.com.
A full field of trucks is expected for Saturday including many former drivers
from the Midwest Truck Series along with two rising stars, Matt Vaade and Kyle
Taylor. The trucks have always put on a great show and this one will be no
exception...remember the first time they raced with us this year when John
Wood won a thriller!
Singer Wanted
We are looking for a national anthem singer for Saturday night. Contact Steve
Einhaus at miseinhaus@yahoo.com or
call the track at 608.835.9700.
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