Division:  Hornets (Spring Classic)

Track: Rockford Speedway

Car: 1985 VW Golf

Date: 04-14-07

Although my dad did give me a hand getting everything loaded up, I went out to the track by myself and attempted to try to figure out a fast way around the oval.  I had kept the car in second gear during the Enduro last fall, and had not spent much time actually trying to turn fast at speed laps with it around the oval.  It seemed to "run out" at the start finish line and I had to shift it into Third to get down the straight.  I struggled trying to get through the corner with the downshift.  I tried different lines and shifting combinations, and even started to hold down my "push to pass" choke button all the way down the straights, hoping to keep up with the others.  At one point, the tire pressures crept up and I got a little push.  I took a little air out of the Right Front and it seemed to help, but I was really not very fast.  In the third practice session, I got passed-again-and went into turn one behind the faster car.  He got out of shape and spun.  I had to shut it down a little before I normally would have and jumped on the brakes.  I was able to slow, but the notorious brake system on this car failed me again.  I discovered that I would have to change a hard to access rubber brake line.  Although my dad and buddy Joe Lamarca would have eventually made it out, I decided I did not want to roll around in the dirt fighting it by myself, and figured I would just take it home and do it right in the shop.  I got my money back from the Speedway, so all-and-all, it was not a bad experience, just a glorified practice session and one that I was fortunate that the circumstances worked out the way they did and I did not wreck when the brakes went out.   

 

FROM:  JasonDull.com
DATE:  05-18-07
CONTACT:  815 494 6002
EMAIL:  jdull99@hotmail.com

USE AT WILL


SEASON STARTS:  This coming Sunday is marked as the opening race for the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA) at the Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI.  My 2007 intentions are to compete with the long established club (one of the oldest sanctioning bodies in the country) at the prestigious track, on a mostly regular basis.  Although the motto of the season is to take it one race at a time, I will mention that in addition to opening day, the next couple of weeks offer more than just the standard show.  The first event is scheduled as a 50 lapper, but I do believe (and hope) that they will push the show along, as the local schools are still in session.  The following Memorial Day Weekend Sunday night special is usually capped with a dance in the banquet hall.  Moving into the first Saturday in June, my “long-term” goal would be to join the BMARA club at the Beaver Dam, WI Charter Park for their event.



2007 SUPPORTERS:  Although the opportunity still exists for a Primary sponsor to be involved in my program, I am pleased to announce the following places of business who have offered to support my recent and upcoming efforts.  The listed assistance guided me to continue in my efforts with the BMARA and primarily at the Sun Prairie track.

Major Associate Sponsor-JJ Precision Grinding, Roscoe, Illinois.

Associate Sponsors-Quiznos Subs, Patio Pleasures, and Pietro’s Pizza & Pasta (all located in Sun Prairie, WI).

Product and or Service Relationships-JAMR Racing Engines, EWT3DCNC, Fast Eddie’s Lawn Care, JJ & Associates, lia sohpia, MicroBlue Racing, and North State Motors.  All are located in the Greater Rockford, IL area.  There will be more information available on Jasondull.com.

I also need to thank my family, friends, and even a couple of silent backers, who offer their assistance.  We welcome any further support with open arms, and attempt to provide interesting opportunities as part of the experience.


OPEN HOUSE:  The car will be on display at Patio Pleasures tomorrow, Saturday May 18, 2007.  The one stop shop for backyard and game room entertainment is located at 622 W Main Street, in Sun Prairie, WI.  There will be coupons and information to Quiznos Subs and Pietro’s Pizza & Pasta available in or around the car, as well.  Please stop by if you are in the area.


OUTLOOK:  Although very much appreciative of the support that I have received, I was unable to secure the necessary funding to allow for the updating of my basically stock block Fontana engine.  As I have completed other maintenance procedures and made some updates to some of the other components, I do look forward to the upcoming year and first race with great anticipation however.  Thanks to some of the above referred help, we were able to participate in a practice session a couple of weeks ago, but the goals for the first couple races are realistic; as many of my competitors spent parts of the winter and spring racing through-out warmer parts of the country and even “down-under”.  This week marked the 10 year Anniversary of my very first "professional" automotive race event (In a stock car at Rockford Speedway on May 17, 1997), and I can only hope for more success in the next decade.


Please note that although I do send this material out to promote my endeavors, it is not my intention to spam my correspondents, and the newsletter is intended to be genuinely “entertaining”. If you do not wish to receive this material, just ask to be removed from the email list, and I will promptly honor your request.

 

Division: BADGER
Track: Sun Prairie
Car: 2003 Stealth
Date: 05-20-06

After a practice session at Wilmot a couple of weeks previous, I had gone over the car with a fine toothed comb and had it available to display for Sun Prairie's Patio Pleasures-one of my 2007 associate sponsors. There was still the normal rush to load everything, because, due to my work schedule, it had to be done Friday night.  I dropped the car off at the business around 9 p.m., as their Open House started at 9 a.m. the next morning.  Saturday, I took the new tow rig we purchased, a 1995 Chevy full ton, and got everything set back up for Sunday.  My buddy, Joe Lamarca, picked me up so that we could go watch the ASA Tour race at Jefferson.

Qualifying:  Tried to work on using the low line (were the moisture is) through the corners and drifting out on the straights.  I had not previosuly used that path in qualifying before, only in the C-main I won in last year's rained out Pepsi Nationals.  I did back off in attempt to allow the car to set in better, but only managed a 16.150 and a 16.2.  Jerry Coons was fastest at 14.674.

Heat 1:  Due to my low ranking time, and the fact that the 2007 Rookies still have to start in the back, I was positioned on the inside of the front row of the first heat.  We only made a few small changes to the car, since it was so early in the night.  I tried guiding outside frontrow starter, hotshoe Danny Stratton-who has won numerous prestigious races, up over the high groove, but he still got the jump on me (with the level of his equipment, this was inevitable, but I was still optimistic) on both attempts (I actually think I did get a better start on the first try, falling in behind him, but the officials saw otherwise).  When we did go green I was able to hold onto the runner-up spot, before the second row made their presence known.  Ryan Durst, who last year drove cars owned by Kasey Kahne, got around early.  A short time later, former BMARA champ Davey Ray, also made his way by.  Although my pre-season dream of being able to suck in behind cars of that caliper was quickly offset by reality, I was able to maintain the fourth and final feature transfer spot for a couple of laps.  As I was pretty "rusty" having not races all spring and/or even winter like some of these drivers, my line was less then perfect at first.  I had utilized some of the bottom, where there was still moisture since it was so early, but I had also flirted with the top.  I believe that they all had made their way around on the top.  When the mentioned trio began to pull away, I finally got a rythm going, and moved up to the high side.  That only opened the door for "JerryAtric" (Kevin Olson's car owner Jerry Hardy) teammates Mike Hess and Joe Wipperfurth to sneak by.  Moments later, Bryan Walters (who I have raced with in the past), drove his brand new car around, too.  He struggled a little later, and I was able to go around him on the outside and then shut the door on him coming off of turn two.  That is how we ended up though, back in the 6th spot.  Again only the top four transferred to the feature, so I had to run the B-main.

B-main:  I was set to line up 10th, but due to at least one DNS, I actually moved a little further up the grid.  Realizing that, unlike the “stacked” heat race, this event is one that I should “shine” in, Fergie’s pop song “Glamorous” filled my head on the parade lap going down the backstraight.  When the green came out, I made an attempt to make something happen going into turn one.  The car went out of the groove a little and I did not react correctly.  Rookie Robbie Ray slipped underneath and used a far share of the lower to middle part of the track.  Tim Noble, another rookie, also showed his nose in between one and two, but I was able to protect my position.  It took me sometime to finally get going and around Ray on the top side.  When I did, mid-pack runners, Brian Ramstack, Rob Keelan, and the previously mentioned Bryon Walters were in view.  Using my “Never give up” strategy that I intend to employee every race this year, I did end up closing in on the trio.  Keelan and Walters traded lanes back and forth battling for what would be the transfer spot.  Kurt Mayhew spun out his JerryActic #14 and there was a restart.  I did not outside of Keelan as we reached the restart cone, but thought better of it (we are not supposed to pass before the marker) and may have ended up losing a little ground, when the green came out.  Our battle went down to the wire, as first Ramstack pulled away, and then Walters secured the elusive 6th spot, but Keelan’s effort seemed to derail.  He must have been having trouble, as after the B-main he “scratched” for the night, and he pretty much stayed on the bottom lane.  I kept my car up top and gave it a good attempt to get around, as I figured it may have been the spot that would have gotten me in the feature.  In the end, I was the alternate for the main event, but all 22 cars started, and my night was done.

As I had raced with Keelan, Walters, Ramstack, etc. before, I was not at all upset with the first night, since I know that there has been some changes and updates to their equipment, and mine remains mostly the same as last year.  It was an ok start, but something that hopefully we can improve on.  

 

Date: 05-27-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

Hot Laps:  We again had an issue with the vent for the crank case and my dad had to re-route the lines.  There was a red flag and we got back out though.  The car did not smoke that time, but I never really lifted the throttle.

 

Qualifying:  I went out mid session in the draw order.  The track was already basically dry slick and not quite like it always is in time trials.  (Actually the times of the fast cars were about .5 second slower than they were last week).  Still tried to hold the throttle all the way down and run the “qualifying” line (low in the corners, high coming out and into the straight away).  After a sluggish push-off and then a close encounter with the back straight wall, when it did take off, I just breathed the engine a couple of times during the run.  Otherwise it was flat footed most of it.  Only timed 16.1s again, though.

 

Heat:  Was slated to start on the pole of the third heat, but had an issue with the fuel injectors.  I was fortunate enough to have someone new help me clean the fuel system (since my dad was the only “regular” to come around all week, and I failed to check the old fashion screw that goes into the outdated style nozzle), but I failed to double check what I had "delegated".  One of the old fashion/out-dated injection screws fell out and the car started to not run well.  The rest of the field kind of made their way around on the parade laps, and since I did not know what the car was going to do, I let them go.  When the green came out, I did have a little power at top end, but otherwise it was just not right.  Eventually I verified that I was getting sprayed with fuel and it was covering my driving suit (fortunately my dad brought his suit, so I was able to change into it).  After a couple laps, I figured that no one was going to drop out, which may have allowed for me to transfer into the feature, so I pulled off the track.

 

B-main:  Andy Jones, Bruce Zittleman, and “The crew” all worked together and we repaired the fuel system issue, but without any feed-back, pretty much left the chassis the same.  My qualifying time allowed for me to start on the outside of row three, exactly in the transfer spot.  I went into one on the green flag lap and attempted to go up into the moist stuff above the cushion.  The car got pretty far out of shape, and I actually almost lost ground.  I quickly got a little rhythm going, and was throwing the car in harder than David Gough, who was right in front.  I was not able to put everything together and make the pass though, before an early red flag came out.  We made a couple changes to the car under the red, and then went back out.  Chad DeSelle had brake issues, so I got the restart third behind Gough and Danny Stratton.  Under the long delay, I kind of had an epiphany and decided that as much as I wanted to try to pass the cars in front of me, it might have made the most sense to just make sure that I protect my position and make the feature.  That decision was made due to the difference in third and fourth spot.  With the top six transferring, I felt I should go into defense mode.  Wes Carner and Dwight Steffan had the car was set-up pretty good still, but I did not do every lap perfect.  After a long battle, Bob Schreffler eventually got around in his almost state of the art, Mopar powered brand new car.  Late in the race, I let Rob Keelan by as well, although not without a fight.  On the last lap, Schreffler’s smoking car shut-down coming out of turn three.  I slowed down to avoid him, and rookie Robby Ray made his way underneath, but it was as the checkered and yellow flag came out, and the race was over.  Either way, we still made the feature.

 

A-main:  We took some stagger out and made a few other changes and lined up inside row 8, again beside Gough.  With the race being 50 laps, I was somewhat conservative when the green did come out.  Gough and I quickly found our way to the top though.  If I would have been a little better, the car was working well enough; I should have been able to pass a couple cars.  Jerry Coons had been having some issues through-out the night, and had only started a few cars in front of us.  I had a good view of his run, as he did not seem to be pulling very far ahead and was running slightly above the line we were.  Davey Ray hit the wall the coming out of turn four, and Jerry just missed him.  If he would have bounced down a little lower, his car may have been in my lane, but we were able to avoid him.  On the restart, I attempted to keep the car up on the top, but was not hitting the ideal line exactly, and it seemed a little bit loose up there.  Brian Ramstack showed his presence a couple of times and I “got up on the wheel”, to hold him off.  It seemed like I could run the top decent, but we could have maybe set the right rear up a little softer (as I was thinking) and if might have helped me hook-up a little better.  As the leaders were closing in, I went more towards the bottom.  Eventually Mike Hess, Brad Kuhn, and Danny Stratton got around.  I tried jacking with the cockpit adjustable right rear shock, and veteran Kurt Mayhew, in Jerry Hardy’s pristine number 14, found his way by for position.  I had been holding off quite the Hornet’s nest of driver’s, but started to really struggle with the track conditions.  Ramstack had finally found his way around.  The car got way sideways in between turns one and two, and I created a situation for Tim Noble to plow into the left hand side of me.  It bent the muffler, but we were able to keep going.  I was not sure of the condition of the rest of the car, though and I thought I felt a little vibration, so I was a little timid on the restart.  The other top five frontrunners finally made their way past to put me a lap down under the green.  I continued to give up ground, but eventually felt comfortable enough to go up to the top again.  Was pretty much locked in behind Mayhew, and kind of followed him up there, as it seemed that the bottom had gone away somewhat.  I really had nothing going on at this point.  Another red came out, for front runner Hess.   I had previously noticed that the water temperature was a little hot and sitting there under the red, it pegged.  With the muffler almost closed up, etc., we called it a day.  Ended up ranking 15th, but seemed to impress a few people with the old cast iron engine, the only one out there.

Date: 06-10-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

Hot Laps:  After a couple weeks of major repairs and rebuilds, including an engine freshen, rear-end overhaul, fabrication on the header, misc. brackets, etc., we made it back to the track.  Last week’s Sun Prairie races rained out though, but it still took me a while to get a rhythm going.  We went out for the second practice session.  The track was kind of “greasy”.  The way it worked out, we had a lot of stagger in the car.  I struggled and was all over the place.

Qualifying:  Wes Carner and Dwight Steffan took some stagger out of the tires and made some other adjustments.  My dad made some changes to the fuel system, and the rest of the crew-Tom, Bruce, Mindy, and Amy helped get everything else ready.  I still was not my best, though.  Managed 16.0s.  Quick time was 14.9.

Heat:  Continued to adjust to the track and was slated to take the green from the pole.  Outside starter Tim Noble and I could not stay together on the first couple green flag attempts.  He got the top spot from me each time eventually, but I actually did not think that they were that bad.  The officials said we had to go to the second row, and the new front row, Kurt Mayhew and Bob Schreffler took a second chance as well.  After all that, I did let Noble pull away on the actual green and his teammate-Chad DeSelle, and Doug Schenck got around as well.  I still was not very consistent, but after a couple laps, I finally got something going.  I worked on what line to run, and ended up gaining on the fifth place running Noble, but could not make the pass.

B-main:  Started 8th.  David Gough and Tim Noble started in the row in front of me.  I flirted with the idea to go up above the cushion at the start, but ended up losing ground.  I saw Nick Lundgreen’s nose a couple times, early, but finally got a little rhythm going and held him off.  I had discovered some holes going into three, in the heat race, and if I hit them right, I got a little momentum going a few times.  A couple times, the car did seem to get up in the air a little, but I did what I had to do with the throttle to keep it from getting to far out of shape.  My line was not perfect, but I ended up gaining some ground on Gough and Noble.  The former ended up falling back a little.  I was optimistic that I may have been able to get around him, but I got out of shape coming out of turn two real bad and then let Lundgreen around.  I still had the mentality that I was going to keep after it to make the pass for the transfer, but just could not get going fast enough.  Towards the end I was able to get over some of the driving problems I had.  Many believe that a newer and lighter engine would assist this effort, but I do know that I was not getting all that I could have out of the car most of the night, so there is still room for improvement.  When I pulled in, the car was up to 250 degrees too.  We did finally see the Tach read the kind of RPM we have been looking for all year-7900 (It previously seemed “stuck” around 7400 before all the recent work).

A-main:  We ended up being the second alternate.  Tim Noble had an electrical problem and we did get to go out onto the track during the parade laps.  As the other 22 starters did not have any problems, I was waved off though.

I again have to thank my dad, uncle Tom, Dwight Steffan, and the "cooler crew" for their help loading everything up, as I had to leave early for my third shift work schedule.

 

Date: 06-17-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

From APS:  Angell Park Speedway hosted the Badger Midget Auto 
Racing Association regulars and the Illini Racing Series (IRS) 
midgets on Sunday evening, with each running their own shows. The
IRS cars are billed as a "Sportsman" division. The IRS allows 
midgets of varying vintages to compete through rules that give 
consideration to older cars in order to even the racing field and 
make midget racing more affordable. Further, they use a tire with 
a very hard compound. Joe Knipple, a regular with the group and a 
former Badger competitor, reports that a right rear tire on an IRS
 car will last for half of a season and only costs around $100. 
Whereas, a right rear tire for Badger will cost around $150 and is
 replaced at least every other race…The IRS, a group more 
accustomed to pavement racing, did not hold qualifications, but 
drew for their heat race starting spots. Jason Dull, changed over 
his Badger tires after his heat race in order to do double duty. 
He then went on to a convincing victory in the first IRS heat. 

 

From IRS:  The Illini Midgets wanted to add Angell Park to the

list of tracks they’ve raced at, in fact, it was probably the one
track they wanted most to add.  That would explain why the first
nine haulers waiting for the pit gate to open were all Illini
teams. It was a return visit for Joe Knippel and Allen Gillis, who
had raced at this famous dirt track in years past.  For Jason Dull
and David Budres, it was a chance to run a different class at the
track where they run on a regular basis. Jason Dull’s pit was
right behind the scoring tower where this reporter watched the
evening’s action.  Dull’s crew gave new meaning to the word
“thrash”.  They missed hot laps, they missed Badger qualifying

(doing double duty with the same car), but they managed to make it
out for heat one for the Illini Midgets.  Which they won.

 

From Ken Dull:  The Badger Midgets ran a split show with the 
Illini Midgets Sunday night.  This is a Sportsman type midget 
racing club designed for the lower budget racers.  They have a 
weight/cubic inch rule, run intake restrictors, and require you 
to run very hard Mickey Thompson street tires.  This all designed 
to keep the big horsepower cars from having an advantage which is 
supposed to discourage big spending.  Jason decided earlier in 
the week to try to run in both divisions.  We knew it was going 
to be a lot of work, changing the car over between races, but we 
were kind of excited about it. The week before we had some problems with 
the car so, in order to eliminate some possible problems, Jason sent the fuel pump off to 
Hilborne to have it rebuilt.  Sounds like a good idea, right?  Well, the instant we pushed off 
to start the car for hot laps, that professionally rebuilt fuel pump seized up and snapped the 
shaft off.  So we scrambled around the pits and found somebody with a spare pump, put it 
on the car, and checked it out…it wasn't pumping. @$#%^! Turns out this pump ran in 
reverse rotation from the way it mounted on our car.  Out comes the pump.  Wes Carner, a 
former car owner who has been helping us in the pits, took it apart and switched it around 
to work in our car.  Back in it goes. By this time we had missed hot laps, time trials, and 
the first Badger heat race that we were supposed to be in.  Jason and my brother, Tom 
worked feverishly to get the fuel pump in and hooked up, while the rest of us got the car set 
up for the Illini heat race.  When Jason pushed off the announcer went on and on about 
how hard we had worked to get the car fixed, what a dedicated racer Jason is, how, earlier 
in the year, he had towed all the way to southern Illinois to compete in basically a 
no-money race, just for "the chance to race", and how we were doing the best we could 
with the equipment we could afford...Well after all that work and that big build up it would 
be great to say he went out and won that race…AND HE DID!  He started outside front row 
and led every single lap!  Now how cool is that!  That sure made it all seem worth while.  
When they interviewed him after the race Jason was sure to thank everyone, mentioned all 
his sponsors, and wished me a Happy Father's Day.  He got a nice trophy and a case of 
beer…The rest of the night we worked at swapping the car back and forth between the two
 divisions.  Jason ran 8th in the Badger B-main and had to pull off during the Illini A-main 
because the car was starting to over heat.  It was a lot of hard work in 90 degree heat, but 
it turned out to be a real fun night.

 

I did want to thank a few others whom I failed to mention in that release:  North State Motors, Wes Carner of Service BP, AutoHaus, and my mom.  Seems like someone is always omitted, and for that I apologize.

Started behined bong's car.  last row, outside, due to not wualifying.  outside pass around 387,  turn four...outside of Mecum going into one...right behind Budress,  dove to inside attempting slide job, let Mecum by, we all slowed for Schreffler,  who got his spot backtrestarted 7th, behind Budress,  Mecum had spun, Budress flipped.  restarted behind Robby Ray,  was holding Mecum off, using the top,  took the bottom going into one, Mecum got around on backstrech, ended up 8th.

 

Date: 06-24-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

 

Hot Laps:  I tried to work on my line and keep up with Nick Lundgreen, who took the green in front of me.  “Quick” Nick pulled away, but I was able to hold off a couple other cars until the very end.  The track was in just about perfect shape.  The engine seemed kind of flat, but the Tach turned 7700 RPM.  I was able to mostly hold the throttle down, only breathing it in the center of the corner if it seemed like it was getting away from me.

Qualifying:  I really worked on the “qualifying line” and keeping the throttle down.  I was able to take the car into the corner without lifting, but on the first lap, I was down on the bottom in the center of one and two (trying to pick up the moisture), and had to lift before hitting the guardrail.  On the second lap, I felt that I kept the throttle down, but the car still sounded like it was bogging down.  Either I subconsciously was breathing it (I really don’t think the sole of my shoe left it, but maybe I did take the pressure off my foot a little or something) or my line was causing me to pitch the engine different.  It was still pretty consistent with the times we have ran all year-16.0s.  Quick time was 14.8.  The engine turned 8000 RPM. 

Heat:  Started on the pole, with Kurt Mayhew alongside.  He got the jump on me and headed into turn one on the top.  Although, my crew guy, Dwight Steffan advised me to protect the bottom, as it looked like the fast cars in the other heats were still playing with the low line, I figured I should tag in behind Mayhew.  That opened the door up for the #21 of High.  I was way out of shape going into turn three, drifted high and into the greasy marbles.  The car jumped completely sideways on me and Lundgreen hit my left front wheel.  On the caution, the officials finally noticed my left front nerf bar was dragging on my tire.  We had to pull in and they said I could not run without having the frame welded.  I could not find a welder and my night was done.  (I will point out that because of the new BMARA rules, I had to start this heat ahead of no less than three of the front running feature cars.)

Again, I had some great help this week.  I have to thank my dad-Ken, Tom Dull, Bruce Zittleman & Mindy, Andy Jones of JJ Precision Grinding, Joe LaMarca of North State Motors, my mom, Dusty & Andy Stehley, Mike Swanson, Wes Carner, Dwight Steffan, Rick Imhoff, Mike and Tammy Hobson, Midwest Motorsports Racers Auctions, EWT3DCNC, lia sohpia, JJ & Associates, Fast Eddie's Lawncare, and the following businesses (located in Sun Prairie, WI) Quiznos Subs, Patio Pleasures, and Pietro’s Pizza & Pasta; & JAMR Racing Engines in Loves Park, IL.  It is very dispointing that I have not been able to capitalize on all the help that I have received lately.  I ensure these supporters that as the week goes on, I will continue to mechanically prepare the car and mentally and physically prepare myself for next Sunday's races.  

 

Date: 07-01-07

Track:   Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

Qualifying:  The car did not take off that well again, but I tried to utilize the track and get some speed on the warm up lap.  I did lift the throttle on the first lap, but tried to run the right line.  On the second lap, I don’t believe that I brought my foot up at all, even when I dove toward the bottom in the corner-trying to pick up the moisture offered down there.  I have never felt so comfortable with the inside guardrail and thought the lap would have been pretty good.  Unfortunately, we went out late and the track was not so good, resulting in a 16.2 second lap.  Quick time was a 15.0.

Heat:  Started on the pole.  I got the jump on outside starter Chad Dreher, but the first couple attempts were waved off; including when Dreher spun coming out of two.  I would have had a nice position if he would have steered out of his slide.  On the final attempt, he got the jump and led going into one.  I got out of shape and let the rest of the field by.  It took me most of the entire race to get a rhythm going.  Finally at the end, I got a run on Chad .  He was on the top and I was on the bottom.  I was able to actually get some good left rear drive and hooked it up to the track and completed the pass before the checkered flag.  

B-main:  Due to my lackluster time trial, started last.  The car did not take off well on the start.  Finally got a rhythm going and built up enough speed to power down the back straight and under Dreher going into turn three.  I had enough speed that the car drifted up into the next lane and I believe that Chad gave me room.  I eventually got back into my bad habits and Chad got around again though.  After a few laps I was able to start working on Joel Wytenbach in Tom Bong’s #38.  I noted that he seemed to be struggling to hold onto the bottom groove and thought I may be able to find a hole underneath.  Eventually, I got some good drive on the bottom and drove under him.  His Brayton powered ride was a tough match for my Chevy II Fontana, but I did finally got the spot.  As the race wound towards the end, I took the position into turn three again.  This time, I did not drift up or anything, although I may have abruptly slowed too much.  Joel drove over my right rear and looked like he was going to flip.  His car landed and just the caution came out.  I drove around for a couple laps and my dad tried to get a good look at the back of the car.  Before the green came out, the officials waved me in.  The impact had broken a radius rod bolt on my car and broke the right rear shock.  Although they did make an attempt, in the limited amount of time, my crew was unable to change out the affected parts.  After sometime, I realized that I should have pulled in sooner and gave them a better chance.  It was completely my fault.  

 

From Ken Dull:  Top Ten Jason Dull Excuses for last week's 4th heat start

10.)  Thought Pole Position referred to the fence poles around the outside of the track.

9.)  Couldn't hear the officials on the radio because the Esslinger's were so loud.

8.)  The lane markings were all covered up with dirt.

7.)  Always liked the nick-name "High, wide, and handsome."

6.)  Was actually trying to throw dirt on Les McBurney…come on, that's gotta be worth something!

5.)  Wasn't present at the driver's meeting the night the starting procedure was voted on.

4.)  Misinterpreted the part in the rule book where it says the guy on pole sets the pace for the field.

3.)  Didn't want the wind from his car blowing the hat off the cock-eyed cowboy.

2.)  He was being chased by Rick Imhoff.

1.)  The flag man's seeing-eye dog had wandered on to the track.


 

Date: 07-08-07

Track:  Grundy County

Division:  IRS

Car:  2003 Stealth

We arrived to the track as prepared as we could be, but did have to make some changes to accommodate to the IRS rules as the night went on.  Thanks to the help of my dad, Uncle Tom, Joe LaMarca of North State Motors,  Bruce & Mindy, Lavern Spencer and Joe Knippel, we were able to adjust the car so that it did not feel bad.

Hot Laps:  I had noticed that Rich Corson, a frontrunner in “National” midgets, pushed off for our session and tagged in behind him.  I quickly realized that, as he broke in his new tires, he was not able to pull away from us.  Towards the middle part I did close in and thought we may have actually had faster lap times.  At the end though, he did pull away a little.  It did not seem like we were that far off.  In the second session I ran behind one of the Crichett brothers.  We may have been faster, but I struggled with the line to run, as I attempted to bomb in on the inside if he slowed at all, rather than to stay in the faster groove and attempt to slip out when I achieved a faster speed.

Quick Time:  In addition to the required changes, we also had to figure out the correct gears to run and went out with a different ratio for qualifying.  Turned 16.7s and an ideal 7900 RPM.  With it being my first laps on the track by self in that environment, I did struggle slightly.  I let the car jump a little loose going in to turn one and may have not "feathered" the throttle enough.  Quick time was a 16.2.

Heat Race:  The time was not quick enough for the “fast” heat, but the way the invert worked out, we started outside row two in the second event.  I went into turn one too hard, but did not loose much ground.  Mike Adams Jr. (who’s dad the race was named after) and Brian Hicks pulled ahead as Dan George slipped underneath.  We eventually got around Davis , IL ’s “Fast Eddie” Sauer-who gave me plenty of room going through turns one and two.  I closed up on George but again found myself in the same position as hot laps.  I tried to run my own race and almost would get going fast enough to drive underneath him.  I bounced around on the inside of the track a few times, and got real low at least once, as I attempted to pass.  Finally, as the laps waned down, I had the run on the inside of him, but the caution came out, and my efforts were negated.  I ended up fourth.

Feature:  The way the invert worked out I started on the pole!  (No, we were not the slowest car and the entire field was NOT inverted).  We did not have anyone helping in the pit area who was experienced with set-ups at the track and I really felt the pressure with the opportunity of the starting spot.  Unlike my recent attempts at Sun Praire, the green flag was dropped, even though I pulled away from the outside starter-George-and took the high line at the flag.  I did not go into the first turn too hard this time, and led the field.  In what is just about the best feeling possible (leading a midget race) I was at the front of the pack for approx. five or six laps.  Throughout that time period, I did make a couple of mistakes, getting it out of shape going into turn one again, and may have came off the corner with too much throttle a time or two.  I also remember coming off of two once and letting the car drift out pretty high to the outside boiler plate wall (which bit me my first time at the track).  I attempted to relax behind the wheel so that I would have energy left for the end of the race, and worked on my drive.  Joe LaMarca said I was still in the consistent 16.7 second range.   Adams was in second and was not challenging at that point.  Although I never heard another car, I was told that he did close in going into the corners, but I was able to pull away coming off.  My run was ruined though as I went into the corner and discovered that brakes were gone!  We had issues with the brakes when we ran pavement before and, although we took measures to avoid this, I thought the problem was back.  It was more serious, as the caliper bolts had pulled out of the rear-end housing and the rear caliper fell off and bounced around the track.  I continued to run, trying to pump the pedal and adjust the front brakes to try to get some stopping power.  My efforts were of no avail, and most of the field passed me.  On the ninth lap a car did spin out in front of me, and I had enough distance that I was able to drive around him.  Under the caution, I took a  few laps and decided that I would try to pull in the pits and see if we could work on the brake system.  As there was not enough time, I never found out if we could have gone back out.  Our quick inspection revealed that even though our preparation efforts were meticulous, the bolts may have pulled out of the threads on the housing.  As the bolts were tight before the night, I do not think it would have ever been a problem on a dirt track, but do to the intense force and heat on the pavement surface, the issue occurred.

Although it was pretty fun for the six laps, I still have commitments (to myself and other organizations) to the BMARA “doubleheader” at Beaver Dam and Sun Prairie this upcoming weekend.  As the IRS has one of their last few races scheduled next Sunday, we will watch the weather over the week and keep the set-up on the way it is until we know for sure which is the best direction to head.  Hopefully they will have me back down there.

 

From IRS: Using his 30 years of midget experience, and a little help from lady luck, veteran driver Rich Corson became the 44th driver to score a feature win in the Illini Midgets 16 year history. The win came at the Mike Adams, Sr. Memorial Race, presented by D’Arcy GMC...at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, IL. It was an unusual site to see the familar #15 Corson/Savage car sitting in the pits with Mickey Thompson’s on all four corners, but it was more than just the tires that had to be changed to get car ready for it’s first outing with the Illini sportsman Midgets, and this would be like taking a totally different car out on the speedway. Doug Orseske would put the #0 car on the top of the timing charts on this hottest race night of the year, turning a 16.273. Corson was the next car out, turning 16.383 on the 1/3 mile oval, good enough for 2nd quick, and showing what talent and experience can do with a totally new and different set-up...Corson would pick up the 4 lap dash hardware, getting an early taste of victory in his first time out on the track with other cars...The first Illini Midget heat race looked like Corson’s luck was starting to change, as he was black flagged for dumping fluid on the track. A problem that was later traced to a faulty radiator cap, not a blown motor...Heat 2 saw Basil Hicks’ new car come out on top with Mike Adams, Jr. second, and Milwaukee rookie Dan George third. Eddie Sauer would drop out on lap 4 with problems that would end his night, this after a great 2nd place finish at Angell Park recently. The 30 lap feature unfolded like it was scripted by a drama teacher. Jason Dull, giving up a night at Sun Prairie would start on the pole. Outside row one was Dan George, enjoying his first night without his rookie flag. Row two inside finds Mike Adams, Jr. Who could be more motivated to win this memorial race? Outside of row two finds Basil Hicks, enjoying great promise with his new ride. Row three is Loran Critchett, Jr. on the inside and Tom Schnabel outside. Critchett has struggled so far this season and is overdue for a good finish, and Schnabel seems to be having a good time aboard the car that won it’s first time out at the Prairie. Orseske and Teer share row four, both looking for their first win of the season, and both running well this night. In the fifth row, not one but two veteran drivers who have shown their talents throughout the country, ASA rookie Murphy and the old pro, Corson. The line-up was dramatic enough, but the race showed why short track open wheel racing is the most entertaining there is. Dull would lead the opening laps, until a mechanical gremlin forced him out on lap 9, just two laps after Orseske took over the top spot...Corson would take the lead on lap 10, but Teer drove around his high side to take over position one the next lap. On lap 26, Lamont Critchett made the drive from his 11th starting position up to 2nd place, also passing Corson on the top of the track. Teer, Lamont Critchett, Corson and Orseske cross the stripe as the white flag fell, but the finish would reflect something entirely different. With $1000 to the winner on the line, you could almost read the drivers’ minds...Down the backstraight with half a lap to go, Teer leads everybody into turn three, but loses control in the middle of 3 and 4. Lamont has nowhere to go, but manages to come to a stop without touching Teer. Caution is out, but down the front straight Orseske’s car pops out of gear, and coasts to a stop. Critchett and Orseske will be able to restart, but at the back of the pack. It would be a green, white, checker finish, with Corson holding off Hicks, Adams, and Murphy. No question Corson had some luck on his side this night, making the trophy dash by just .012 seconds; only a radiator cap and not something more serious in his heat; and getting passed cleanly by the two guys leading at the drop of the white flag in the feature, only to come out on top when it was all said and done; and to have all this happen at the race with the largest purse of the year (so far). Somebody once told me, the more I do this, the luckier I get. Luck is where preparation, experience, and opportunity all come together, and they all gathered in the Corson/Savage team hauler on July 8th.

Time Trials
1. #0, Doug Orseske, Frankfor, IL, 16.273
2. #15, Rich Corson, Markham, IL, 16.383;
10. #82, Dan George, Milwaukee, WI, 16.722:
11. #56, Jason Dull, Machesney Park, IL, 16.725:
(No wonder George and I raced so close together-JD)
13. #74, Eddie Sauer, Davis, IL, 17.177:

Heat 2
1. Hicks, 2. Adams, 3. George, 4. Dull, 5. Smith, 6. Morey, 7. Rowe, 8.
Koerner, DNF, 9. Sauer, DNF

FEATURE RACE (30 LAPS)
1. Corson, 2. Hicks, 3. Adams, 4. Murphy, 5. Lo. Critchett, 6. La. Critchett, 7. Orseske, 8. George, 9. Teer, 10. Morey, 11. Rowe, 12. Smith, DNF, 13. Gillis, DNF, 14. Schnabel, DNF, 15. Dull, DNF, 16. Koerner, DNF, 17. Sauer, DNS, 18. Bart, DNS, 19. Knippel, DNS

 

Date: 07-14-07

Track:  Beaver Dam

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

Qualifying:  The track was in decent shape.  Took the green (Grand Prix style) behind Tim Noble, but he seemed to be caught sleeping.  I was faster than him at that point and made my way underneath.  The yellow came out shortly after though and I let him back around and spread out so we had room (Tim ended up 9th quick).  Under the green I was able to throw the car in real hard, maybe too hard, and tried to come off without spinning the tires.  Had a decent time of 15.435.  Quick time was 14.613.  Not off as much as we usually are.

Heat:  Started on the outside pole alongside Chris Hogsted.  Although the track was in much different condition that it was earlier in the night, I was able to get the jump and actually took the lead.  Going through turn one and two I realized that the way I was driving and the way the car was set-up may have been too soft for the upper rough conditions.  (I do have a cockpit adjustable right rear shock, but ARS did not ship it back to me from repair, in time to use this weekend.)  I managed to bounce through three and four still out in front, but eventually the pack of front runners-including Brandon Welti, Danny Stratton, Chad DeSelle, etc. -got around.  Brad Kuhn made his way by coming out of two.  Davey Ray was the last of that group who made the pass.  After a couple more mistakes (I know it seemed like the back wall was sucking me in a couple time…but I tried not to let it intimidate me), Bryon Walters and Chase Scott also passed.  Finally, towards the end of the race, I found a line to run, and got a rhythm going.  It was too late to do anything though, but I tried not give up.

B-main:  Started inside row four.  They were transferring seven cars out of this event.  I debated at the start weather I should try to pass Byron Walters, the car in front of me, on the outside or inside when the green came out.  I ended up towards the high side of the track again-my line was a lot better and it was a lot smoother this time also made the pass.  So, my efforts to improve my position-by diving below the cars I was in front of instead of just following them-were of no avail and actually cost me a transfer into the feature, since I did not realize my mistake and continued to run the same line.  Two cars I was racing, Matt Smith-in the #14, and Walters both collided in an accident.  I missed that wreck and relined fifth for the restart.  Bob Schreffler was right in front of me and I figured that he would stay on the high side, so I thought I would try to dive under him going into one.  It did not seem to be a bad move at first, as I was able to gain ground on both him and the third place car of Scott.  They ended up pulling away, but I stayed down there thinking it might still work.  Eventually Joe Wyttenbach got around in the high groove as well.  Joe, on the top, and I, trying to run the bottom, battled pretty hard through the mid-point of the event.  He powered away as I continued to struggle on the lower part of the track and then I got real sloppy.  Eventually Hoegsted stuck the dagger in my heart and put me out of the feature.  Not a good run.

 

Date: 07-15-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

My dad Ken and Uncle Tom helped prepare the car after Saturday night’s debacle (minus approx. 6 laps that I ran good) at Beaver Dam (posted under the “Racing Journal” section).  We owe a special thanks to Sun Prairie’s Bill Blumer for allowing us to use his yard for our maintenance and cleaning efforts.

Hot Laps:  Did not have a lot going the first session, but ended up with a couple decent laps the second set.

Qualifying:  Thanks to my Uncle’s draw, was the first car to go out and had some new rear tires on.  The car did not seem to take off very well, again.  Finally got a good run down the backstretch, since I was not going that fast, and it felt real good through turn three and four.  I went into turn one and dropped down to the lower groove-were the moisture is in time trials-but lifted a little bit as the car got out of shape down by the guardrail.  Only turned a 16.0 again that lap.  The second lap I actually did do about as best as I could, I never even thought about lifting (although the way the car pitched it may have sounded like that in the pits) and I ran about the best line I ever have.  Ended up at 15.770.  Quick time was 14.959.  That is about as close as we get!

Heat:  Started on the pole again, this time with veteran Kurt Mayhew alongside.  I tried not to play any games at the start and just take off when the green came out.  I actually did get a jump on him going into turn one, but I did not slide up into the high groove.  He nosed ahead of me coming out of turn two, and then most of the rest of the field (Including Brandon Waelti and Scott Hatton) followed.  I ended up getting a little rhythm going after they all got around though.  I remained optimistic that I could catch Mayhew.  With the way I was driving it, the car seemed a little bit loose in the center of one and two, and I continued to struggle coming out of four-as the car wanted to slide up out of the groove and into the rough stuff above the cushion.  The later issue caused me to lift too much mid-race and Kevin Eggert got around me and put me back to 7th.   On the last lap though, he flipped, and I ended up 6th.  All-in-all, it was one of my better heat races of the year. 

B-main:  Lined up about the best I could ask for, behind Mike Hess and Nick Lundgreen, with Bob Shreffler, Tim Noble, and Kurt Mayhew in the row alongside.  I managed to get off to an ok start and had a decent race going.  Joe Wyttenbach showed his nose early on, but I attempted to hold him off.  Towards the mid-point, I apparently left too much room on the outside and allowed Joe Wyttenbach to make a run up there, again.  After a couple lap battle, he finally got around.  During the race, I gave up a little ground (especially) going into turn three, as I was not letting the car get all of the way against the cushion.  I believe that this caused an issue for me coming out of turn four, again, as the car was jumping into the "greasy" stuff headed towards the wall, and I lifted the throttle a couple times, which opened the door for Chad Dreher to pass.  Although I thought I was running it pretty hard most of the race (towards the end I tried the "go slower to go faster approach"-to no avail), I never found the line to get the car around as fast as I could.  When the cars in front of me lapped Leroy Waelti, Brandon's dad, they came back to me a little bit.  I did my best to "get up on the wheel" and reminded myself of the "Rich Vogler Never Give up attitude", but my talent ran out and I lost ground.  I do believe that if I would have anticipated this lapped car situation, I may have had something for them though.   I ended up 9th-outside the top six transfer to the A-main. 

 

Date: 07-21-07

Track:  Macon

Division:  POWRi

Car:  2003 Stealth

 

Thanks to the help of Bruce Zittleman, Andy Jones, Tom Dull, and the Stehely brothers (especially to Drew for picking up Dusty), we got everything loaded up and headed out on time.  Duh and I stopped by Norm Schratz's to grab a few gear sets (I reliezed the night before that I did not have a set I would want).  We met and picked up my Dad, and buddy Mike Cassatt; and also hit some construction on the way down.  I called and the POWRi officials drew for my starting line-up.  Missed the drivers' meeting, but had time to put the desired gear set in and check the track out a little bit.

Hot Laps:  We were in the last session.  I noticed that the cars coming off the track were not very muddy, and had Dusty drop the RR air pressure down.  I just tried to get used to the place and did not do anything special.

Heat.:  Was slated to start outside row two.  At that time of the night, no one was able to make the top work.  The lower line was the way to go.  My start was ok, but I did not improve my position or anything.  Going down the backstraight, I let the cars in front of me increase their distance.  They got together and      went for a wild ride up the banking in turn three.  I sat coming out of four, and Bubba Altig left his car running for a longtime (for some reason) and the exhaust was blowing right on me.  After the lined us back up, I tried to get a better start.  The inside car and I made contact, and I spun.

 

FIFTH HEAT:

86-Justin Allgaier---------92-Brandon Wagner
114-Hud Cone------------5o-Joey Montgomery
67-Bubba Altig------------56q-Jason Dull
22-Kenny Biro------------15-Tim Siner

1. Justin Allgaier 2. Joey Montgomery 3. Bubba Altig 4. Kenny Biro 5. Jason Dull 6. Tim Siner 7. Brandon Wagner 8. Hud Cone

SEMI #1:

5-Patrick Bruns------86c-Dave Camfield
11-Brett Anderson---56q-Jason Dull
36-Brad Paris--------15-Tim Siner
0-Kyle Wissmiller----6c-Corey Malone
41-Nick Lundgreen--92-Brandon Wagner
4-Kent Schimdt------12j-Jay Mounce
7-Austin Brown

1. Dave Camfield 2. Brett Anderson 3. Jason Dull 4. Kyle Wissmiller 5. Corey Malone 6. Brad Paris 7. Austin Brown 8. Kent Schimdt 9. Jay Mounce 10. Patrick Bruns 11. Brandon Wagner 12. Nick Lundgreen 13. Tim Siner

FEATURE: (40 laps)

05-Brad Loyet-----------17-Steve Knepper
31x-J.C. Bland-----------25-Nick Knepper
112-Brent Beauchamp--43nz-Brad Kuhn
69-A.J. Fike--------------86-Justin Allgaier
5o-Joey Montgomery----51-Mike Hess
87-Rich Camfield--------25m-Derek Myers
2-Thomas Messeraul----67-Bubba Altig
22-Kenny Biro-----------31-Donnie Lehmann
86c-Dave Camfield------20-Tony Stewart
11-Brett Anderson-------5d-Zach Daum
56q-Jason Dull-----------43-Bryan Stanfill
15-Tim Siner-------------1t-Tony Roney

1. A.J. Fike 2. Brad Kuhn 3. Derek Myers 4. Rich Camfield 5. Bubba Altig 6. Joey Montgomery 7. Mike Hess 8. Tony Roney 9. Brett Anderson 10. Zach Daum 11. Dave Camfield 12. J.C. Bland 13. Tony Stewart 14. Nick Knepper 15. Jason Dull 16. Steve Knepper 17. Donnie Lehmann 18. Justin Allgaier 19. Bryan Stanfill 20. Brent Beauchamp 21. Kenny Biro 22. Thomas Messeraul 23. Brad Loyet

Brad Kuhn gave some chassis help! I actually got a rythm going late in the A...after AJ Fike and Brad Kuhn lapped me (hopefully I didn't get in your way)...we almost made it into the 10th car in line (not sure where they were scoring us for sure)...kept getting caught up in all the accidents though...but never really hit anything...

Anyway...we did drop down to 5 inches, moved the RR in about 1 inch, and took a turn out of the LF before the A. After the first caution or so, I turned the RR shock down even farther and tightened the LR. The car seemed to grip pretty good. Would say that the track "took rubber".

 

Date: 07-28-07

Track:  Angell Park

Division:  BADGER

Car:  2003 Stealth

Hot Laps: Tried a couple different things, including different off-set on the RF and less stagger then other times. Had not raced at Sun Prairie the week before and took awhile to get the right line figured out again. The car was pushing real bad and the track was pretty greasy.  Also, a bolt that keeps the steering gear in place, broke (I tightened it during my nut-and-bolt check).

Qualifying:  Thanks to the help of my dad, Tom, and Dwight Steffan, we got the car buttoned up in time to make our run.  Did not do very well again though.  The car seemed to still want to slide out in the center of the corners again. Only qualified 16.2.

Heat: Started on the pole inside of Brian Ramstack. I got the jump on him coming out of turn four and slid in front by the flagstand. The car felt real good through turn one and two, but Ramstack got the lead coming out of two. I tucked in behind, but they finally threw the yellow down the backstretch. On the second attempt, I did not have that bad of a start, but going into turn three, I got sideways and changed lanes while straightening the car back out.  Mike Hess tried to take advantage and stuck his nose under me and we made contact, causing him to spin. The yellow came out, and Chad DeSelle flipped with Bubba Altig. It was a complete restart. We ran ok on that start, but still got passed by Doug Schenk and Altig right away.  Hess got by shortly after, but we were still in the elusive fourth and final transfer spot.  After a few laps though, I was up on the high side and got passed by Brian Ramstack.  Then, Kurt Mayhew showed his nose on the bottom.  I did not give him any room coming out of two and then took the lower groove for the remainder of the race.  I knew that Kurt would not pass me on the outside.  Ended up fifth and was rewarded with a $50 gift certificate from Behling for my efforts.

B-main: Originally I lined up behind Rob Keelan, outside the third row.  I figured that he would take the high line, so my game plan was to go to the bottom, and to try to get a run underneath him and the rest of the field.  Under the lengthy pace laps, waiting for Jim Fuerst (who had flipped in his heat), the officials directed Rob and I to trade positions.  I was now slated to start behind Robbie Ray, still outside, but in row two.  With only the front row in front of me, I figured going into the first corner, that my choices would be less, and that I would just have to go wherever they were not.  The initial start was waved off, due to Ray and fellow rookie Dan Mecum jumping the start.  On the second attempt, I tried to hold Joe Wipperfurth-who started inside-down in the low groove.  He led me through turn one though, and I went in on the high side.  I really used up a lot of the racetrack, getting a good run on the bottom, but flirting with the top as well-although Mecum was in that line and not much faster.  I settled in more towards the lower groove, hoping to get under him.  That blocked the advancement of Kurt Mayhew momentarily, until I got a good run back on the top.  I held him off for a couple laps, but I was thinking that he was letting his car get pretty wide in the center of the corners (causing me a concern for my left front) possibly, as retaliation for our just completed heat race battle.  While I settled into that higher line it opened the door for Kurt, Keelan, and Luebke to power underneath.  The latter got around coming out of four, and upset me, as I had to lift to give him room.  My car did not seem to slow much, as I stayed right on him into turn one though.  I then really got up high, and allowed Chris Hogestead to show his nose.  Fuerst stalled to bring out the yellow mid race.  I faked to the high side of Luebke, but dove underneath (as he was running the top). Hogestead flipped on the restart.  Mayhew and Luebke were battling hard in front of me, and I struggled to find a way around.  I could keep up, but couldn’t pass either of them.  Real late in the race, I was able to cut from the bottom, behind Mayhew, up to the top, back in front of Luebke, to take the final transfer spot!  It was about the best pass I have ever completed in a midget.

A-main:  We made some final adjustments, but had to start at the back of the field (Luebke ended up making the show as an alternate anyway, as Danny Stratton broke).  I resumed my battle with Mayhew and Luebke, again running a combination of lines-basically where they were not.  A few laps in, we all got caught up in an incident with Keelan and Ramstack.  My brakes had not been working as well as they should, since the Macon trip, and I just nudged into the pile-up.  I would have been in a real good position if it were not for that.  After the restart I did get hooked up real good with some LR drive and drove under Joel Wytenbach and Tim Noble.  I got a really good run-again on the bottom-on another restart (for a stalled Bob Schreffler and Mayhew), and got by Mecum and (somehow) Joe Wipperfurth.  Closed up on Aaron Fiscus, Matt Smith, and Brian Beauchamp (who ended up pulling off later), but my progression was slowed.  Eventually Wipperfurth powered back around on the top and they began to show us the blue and gold flag (I actually was not sure if Joe was the leader or not).  Not wanting to be in the way, I took a more conservative line.  Davey Ray, the leader, finally lapped me a few laps latter.  Some time later, Mike Hess, Bubba Altig, Brad Kuhn, Nick Lundgreen, and Brandon Wealti all went around.  Towards the end of the race, I ran out of talent, and tagged the inside gaurdrail.  I had not been afraid of getting close to it through-out the night, but it finally bit me.  The left front end of the axle got bent, too.  With only three laps to go, Davey broke, and the yellow came out.  I was set to restart sixth in line, and was ok with that (It is my opinion that no racing organization should allow lapped cars to restart between the leaders, and I have gone to the back before, but this time it would have cost me a bunch of spots).  When the green came out, Tim Noble got up behind the leaders and “Drove his Ass off” to pass me late, although I did not allow any other cars or leaders around.  Ranked 12th, again knocking on the door of a top ten finish (which would be my highest midget result) but falling short late.    

 

QUAL HT 1 B-FT A-FT
1 67x ALTIG 14.990 1 B.WAELTI 1 R.RAY 1 HESS
2 43NZ KUHN 15.013 2 SMITH 2 KEELAN 2 ALTIG
3 33 D.RAY 15.015 3 NOBLE 3 WIPPERFURTH 3 LUNDGREEN
4 3 B.WAELTI 15.105 4 WYTTENBACH 4 MECUM 4 KUHN
5 19 SCHENCK 15.113 5 LUEBKE 5 MAYHEW 5 B.WAELTI
6 8 PICKENS 15.304 HT 2 6 DULL 6 SCHENCK
7 8M MECUM 15.355 1 D.RAY 7 LUEBKE 7 SMITH
8 13 SMITH 15.371 2 FISCUS 8 L.WAELTI 8 WIPPERFURTH
9 44 HESS 15.407 3 STRATTON 9 HOEGSTED 9 FISCUS
10 41 LUNDGREEN 15.417 4 SHREFFLER 10 FUERST 10 R.RAY
11 2 STRATTON 15.455 5 R.RAY     11 NOBLE
12 17 KEELAN 15.460 HT 3       12 DULL
13 6 DESELLE 15.481 1 KUHN     13 SHREFFLER
14 4 WIPPERFURTH 15.509 2 BEAUCHAMP     14 MECUM
15 3R R.RAY 15.556 3 PICKENS     15 WYTTENBACH
16 9 NOBLE 15.570 4 LUNDGREEN     16 D.RAY
17 21K MAYHEW 15.574 5 HOEGSTED     17 PICKENS
18 28 FUERST 15.656 HT 4     18 BEAUCHAMP
19 7 FISCUS 15.659 1 SCHENCK     19 MAYHEW
20 67 LUEBKE 15.696 2 HESS     20 RAMSTACK
21 02 RAMSTCK 15.704 3 ALTIG     21 KEELAN
22 112 BEUCHAMP 15.731 4 RAMSTACK     22 LUEBKE
23 21S SHREFFLER 15.951 5 DULL        
24 38 WYTTENBACH 16.087      
25 56 DULL 16.223      
26 97 HOEGSTED 16.398        
27 7X L.WAELTI 17.410        
28 15 HATTON NT        

 

Division:  Spectator Drags

Track: Rockford Speedway

Car:  2006 Aveo

Date: 08-01-07

 

 

Although I have not "blogged" about my recent midget races-how I like to-here is a report from Wednesday's Spectator drag at Rockford: With my schedule the way it is this week, I was making the race night trophies almost as the particular events were coming out. On one of my frequent delivery trips, I heard that they only had two cars signed up for the spec drags. I told the announcer/promoter Greg McKarns that if he needed an Aveo, to call me. He told me to go ahead and enter it. As the races were still a few minutes away, I went back to the Trophy Room to attempt to finish the night’s events. As I have only owned this new car for less then a year, I did contemplate my participation. I finally decided that if I could get the trophies I needed done before the event, I would enter (the tires are already worn out-can't understand why they only last 16,000 miles-and since I had to go that way to deliver the trophies anyway…). Motivated, I finished in time to head towards the pits and sign-up. I barely got back in my car before we pulled out on the track (just the way I would have it...no waiting). As we drove out, I was trying to secure all the papers, and misc I had accumulated in it over the week. Before lining-up, I had one of the workers remove the freshly assembled trophies from the car. Through-out the process, I was reminded that my mirrors flip back on the car. I thought I should kick them back to avoid the air resistance, but decided this effort would entertain the crowd much more if I did it after lining up for my first race, especially wearing a red long sleeve "racing" jacket that happened to be among the contents in the four-cylinder sub compact. Surprisingly, I beat the first opponent (who I believe was also a Speedway employee, driving a Cavalier) off the line. I was fearful that they would charge back, so I cut to the low lane-without mirrors-going down the frontstreach. Actually, I should have made it look like a better race, but I did not want to lose. The second round, I started on the inside and beat a mini-van handily. The final round was between last week's "winner" (who was disqualified for being involved in a wreck) and I. I had to start on the outside, but his Eagle Talon had me covered.  I did get the inside starting spot in the “best of three” event.  He must have had some concern, as last week he put on more of a show-starting backwards, giving up a few car lengths, etc.  This was a heads-up race.  I’m not sure if he was entertaining the crowd or not, but we were not bad going into turn four (the second time around is the opposite, turning right on the oval).  I did not give him any room coming out of three, but he pulled away going down the backstretch.  I then decided, due to the smells and sounds coming from the car (although it still does have a GM warranty), to take it easy into turn two and let him go.  

 

Date: 08-05-07

Track:  Sun Prairie

Division:  BMARA

Car:  2003 Stealth

I was looking forward to running Wilmot the night before, but it was rained out.  Since the car was ready, we just made the quick few changes and had it ready to go for Sun Prairie.  The precipitation had hit that area hard as well though, and the track was very moist.  Wes Carner suggested a stiffer right rear bar to compensate for the possible rougher conditions.  Dwight Steffan helped my Uncle Tom and me to select a different gear then what we had run the week previous.  Qualifying was cancelled, due to the track conditions.  Instead we had to participate in lengthy track packing sessions.

Hot Laps:  I only got a few laps in, as I noticed that it sounded like a broken exhaust pipe.  The yellow came out early in the session, and my suspicions were confirmed.  I did drive it into the pits, figured any damage was already done, so we could try to get the spare one mounted.  Thanks to my dad, Tom, Joe LaMarca of North State Motors, and Dwight, we did actually make the swap before the first heat, although we had to uncharacteristically work through the National Anthem.  Dwight tried to stay on top of the rear tire stagger situation and we raised the rear of the car to compensate for the spare exhaust, which hangs below the frame.

Heat:  Started inside row two-the races were lined up by a draw instead of the normal time trial invert.  As I was basically all over the place, the event turned into more of a hot lap session for me, since we had missed most of the practice.  It was a despicable run.  Not at all close to being competitive.

B-main:   Dwight and I took a little stagger out of the car and raised the front of the car about ½ inch, since the track was drying a little bit.  Although we took a turn out of the RR, we left the stiffer rear bar in (due to the header issue, the rear-end was basically raised two turns across the rear to compensate).  We kept the gear from the beginning of the night in.  Started this race in the 10th position.