McNamara, Moyer, Beinlich and Zeilinga Wrap Up 2007 Summer Shootout
by John Wiedemann, racingwisconsin.com

MILWAUKEE (October 13, 2007) – A better October day could not have been picked to wrap up the 2007 Summer Shootout Series at the Milwaukee Mile. Saturday was the day for drivers to get position in the final standings, as well as try for that last win of the racing season. Joining the normal classes of the Shootout was the Formula Indy Racing Association.

John Beinlich and Dwight Dunlap took to the track in the Allison Legacy division tied at the top of the point standings. Through the two heat races Beinlich seemed to have the measure of Dunlap, winning both contests. Starting on the outside of the front row in the feature, Dunlap fell in behind Beinlich’s rear bumper where he remained for the first half of the race. Trying to make a move through turns one and two, Dunlap lost control and spun. He gathered it back but had fallen too far back with too few laps to go. Beinlich cruised home to the checkers and the points championship Dunlap recovered to cross the line in the second position. Newcomer Dylan Barbosa, running in his Allison Legacy ride for the first time ever, turned some educational laps on the mini Mile and finished in third.

Aaron Moyer came into the event at the top of the Bandolero point standings. A finish of fifth place or better would ensure the championship. Letting up and cruising is not Moyer’s style as he charged through the first heat race into the lead and the win in a race that was slowed by two caution periods. The second heat race would end with the same result with Moyer starting on the front and capturing the win. Jesse Bernhagen needed to win the feature to have any chance at the championship but Moyer proved to be too strong on this day. A spin in the early part of the fifteen lap feature sealed the deal for Bernhagen as Moyer ran away with the race and the Bandolero season title. Vern Fagerberg challenged all the day and took home second place in the feature followed by Bernhagen. The Bando that was blasting through the field was Adam Rawski. Starting at the back of the pack due to missing the first heat race, Adam showed that he wasn’t ready for the season to end by charging up to the fourth position when the checkered flag flew. Brandon Heisler rounded out the top five.

Making their first full appearance in the Summer Shootout, the Formula Indy Racing Association had a lot to learn about the track. The division had run a few practice laps at the last Shootout event only to get rained out. It was clear that the drivers with the setup to get these hotrods through the turns would be the ones challenging for the win. John Zeilinga seemed to be able to cruise through the corners well and won both heat races after starting at the front of the first and the back of the second. Grant Greenfield was the closest to challenging Zeilinga led in the closing laps of the second heat race. A slightly understeering ride and numerous caution flags proved to be Greenfield’s undoing as Zeilinga was able to catch and overtake him in the closing laps. Starting on the front row of the feature Zeilinga and Greenfield took off and were clearly the class of the field on this day. Zeilinga was able to pull away and take the feature win. Greenfield followed in second and Vern Brown claimed third in a borrowed car from Gary Cooper.

With current point standings leader, Blake Brown, off and running the Asphalt Legend Nationals in Las Vegas, the championship was set to go to either Dave or Cody Townsend. By race time, it was clear that Dave just needed to run a heat race to take the title. After taking home the seventeenth place trophy in 2006, Dave couldn’t wait to light his victory cigar but, there were still races to be run.

Matt Booker returned to the series and took home the win in the first Legends heat race. The second heat would go to Max McNamara. The heat race results put Booker and McNamara on the front row. When the green flag flew, the two friends battled for the top spot. McNamara made a move on the outside of Booker and took over the lead on the third lap of the race. Booker followed a few car lengths behind McNamara as the leaders worked their way through lapped traffic. At the wave of the double checkered flags, McNamara ended the season just as he began it, in victory lane. Booker crossed the line in second followed by 2007 points champion Dave Townsend. Cody Townsend and Tim Narr.

Stay in touch with the Summer Shootout Series by visiting the official website at www.racingwisconsin.com/summershootout. All involved with the series wish to thank all of the fans that came out to the Milwaukee Mile for the races and hope to have you back to enjoy the series in 2008.

RESULTS
ALLISON LEGACY
Feature: John Beinlich, Dwight Dunlap, Dylan Barbosa
Heat 1: John Beinlich, Dwight Dunlap, Dylan Barbosa
Heat 2: John Beinlich, Dwight Dunlap, Dylan Barbosa

BANDOLEROS
Feature: Aaron Moyer, Vern Fagerberg, Jesse Bernhagen, Adam Rawski, Brandon Heisler, Kyle Vergata, Hope Bidlack

Heat 1: Aaron Moyer, Vern Fagerberg, Jesse Bernhagen, Hope Bidlack, Brandon Heisler, Kyle Vergata

Heat 2: Aaron Moyer, Vern Fagerberg, Jesse Bernhagen, Brandon Heisler, Hope Bidlack, Kyle Vergata, Adam Rawski

LEGENDS
Feature: Max McNamara, Matt Booker, Dave Townsend, Cody Townsend, Tim Narr, Steve Kimmell, Vern Fagerberg, Tommy Jones, Kyle Jusits, Mikie Breiner, Rich Miller

Heat 1: Matt Booker, Max McNamara, Tim Narr, Dave Townsend, Mikie Breiner, Rich Miller, Kyle Jusits, Cody Townsend, Tommy Jones, Vern Fagerberg, Steve Kimmell

Heat 2: Max McNamara, Matt Booker, Dave Townsend, Kyle Jusits, Mikie Breiner, Tim Narr, Vern Fagerberg, Steve Kimmell, Rich Miller, Cody Townsend, Tommy Jones

FIRA
Feature: John Zeilinga, Grant Greenfield, Vern Brown, Lyle Phillips, Richard Kossak, Kurt Williams, Tim Roach, Dale Aikman, Gary Cooper

Heat 1: John Zeilinga, Grant Greenfield, Lyle Phillips, Vern Brown, Gary Cooper, Dale Aikman, Tim Roach, Kurt Williams, Richard Kossak

Heat 2: John Zeilinga, Grant Greenfield, Gary Cooper, Lyle Phillips, Kurt Williams, Dale Aikman, Richard Kossak, Tim Roach, Vern Brown