Mid-Am Racing Series
The Mid-Am Racing Series, formerly Mid American Stock Car Series, is an elite sportsman traveling stock car racing series in the Midwestern United States. The cars are based on a 108" metric stock frame, less costly suspension parts and a maximum of 358 cubic inch engine. The car's roll cage and chassis were made of a design very similar to the same chassis a previous design of NASCAR cup chassis, but have also included more modern safety features such as plated door bars and the "Earnhardt bar[broken anchor]" which runs from the roof to the dash. The series runs primarily on paved racetracks but also appears on dirt and road courses. The series is the highest form of racing available to sportsman-style, GM metric chassis stock cars.
History
[edit]The Vercauteren brothers, during some time off in their hotel room in Daytona Beach, Florida during Speedweeks in February 1993, came up with the concept of a new asphalt series – the Mid-American Stock Car series. “Essentially the idea was to take the concept of the steel-bodied grand national cars that had been so popular on the dirt at Chilton Fairgrounds and create a traveling series on paved tracks throughout the Midwest.”[1]
During the first two years the series ran in ’93 and ’94 the Vercauteren’s were able to secure dates at legendary tracks like the Milwaukee Mile and Road America in Elkhart Lake cementing itself as a formidable racing series. The Series was at one time a support class for the ARTGO Challenge Series. The Mid American corporation expanded to a traveling Supertruck Series named the Midwest Super Truck Series in 1995 and a traveling Super Late Model Series,[2] named the Midwest All-Star Racing Series (MARS) in 1999. The expansion also included the Stock Car Classics in 2004 and the American Stock Car League (ASL) in 2005. The death of Vercauteran in October 2005 led to the purchase of Mid-American by longtime employees Doug and Julie Strasburg. The Strasburgs kept only the Mid American Stock Car Series while MARS and ASL were dissolved. The Stock Car Classics split into two groups (Classic Racing Series and Midwest Stock Car Classics). The Super Trucks were absorbed into the United States Super Trucks or USST.[citation needed]
Strasburg ownership era
[edit]When the Strasburgs took over Mid American in 2006, the series was struggling with car counts and tracks willing to host races. The average car count average jumped from 20 entrants per race to 27. A season high 39 participants ran at the Milwaukee Mile during the Governor's Cup Weekend. Several tracks have renewed relationships with the Mid-American Stock Car Series such as the Golden Sands Speedway, Marshfield Super Speedway, Dells Raceway Park and Road America.[3]
Gruenberg ownership era
[edit]Dave Gruenberg took over ownership on October 22, 2014. Working with Gary Vercauteran, Doug Stasburg, and Julie Stasburg previously made this an easy transition. [4][5] Teams were intrigued when series owner Dave Gruenberg revealed a 2017 schedule that would have them competing on consecutive days at a couple of very different venues. Veteran drivers and newcomers alike were sent into their respective think tanks to consider how best confront these challenges.[citation needed] On Thursday, May 25 a race was held on the 1 mile dirt oval of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. In a show of versatility, less than 24 hours later on May 26, the VERY same drivers AND cars took to the track 21 miles to the west, for 40 laps of feature racing on the pavement at the fast 5/8-mile Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana. Competing at the event was retired NASCAR star, Ken Schrader.[6]
Go Racing Promotions ownership era
[edit]The series was sold by Gruenberg to former La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway flagman Greg Oliver in early February 2017. Oliver ran both the Great Northern Sportsmen Series and Midwest Dash Series. All three series became a part of the GO Racing Promotions organization.[7]
Scrogham/Hryn ownership era
[edit] |
The Mid-American Stock Car Series was sold by Oliver to former Mid-Am competitors Tim Scrogham and Cheryl Hryn in early November 2020 and rebranded the Mid-Am Racing Series. With the rebrand the series returned to dirt racing as part of an effort to diversify the schedule. 2023 was the first year for a "dirt double header" July 14-July 15 at Kankakee County Speedway and Sycamore Speedway. Mentorship from both Greg Oliver as well as the Stasburgs have been instrumental in the resurgence of the series.
Notable Drivers
[edit]- Ken Schrader - Former ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. Most recently driving for the Superstar Racing Experience. Ken also owns/drivers a dirt late model and dirt open-wheel modified car.[8]
- Joey Gase - Former Sprint Cup Series,American Speed Association, ARCA Racing Series, USAR Pro Cup Series, and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver. Joey now competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.[9]
- Grant Enfinger - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Cup Series, 2015 ARCA Racing Series series championship with GMS Racing.[10]
- Bill Prietzel - dirt late models, SCCA, NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver
- Ron Vandermeir Jr - ARCA Menards Series Driver and 5 time Series Champion
- James Swan - 35 year veteran of Midwest racing.
- Eddie Hoffman - 1998 ARTGO Champion, multiple Super Late Model Track Championships in the Chicago area
- Brett Sontag - 2004 American Speed Association National Tour Rookie of the Year, 5-time track champion
- Peter "Speedy" Hernandez - 2006 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver of the Year[11]
- Paige Decker - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series and was a 2014 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participant.[12]
- Claire Decker - 2014 participant in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity.[12]
- Stephen Cox - driver in the World Racing League endurance sports car series, CRS Super Truck Series and Grid Life[13]
Tracks
[edit]
The following tracks are scheduled to host at least one event in 2024:[14]
- Kankakee County Speedway (dirt oval)
- Grundy County Speedway
- Hawkeye Downs Speedway
- La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
- Madison International Speedway
- Milwaukee Mile
- Plymouth Motor Speedway
- Sycamore Speedway (dirt oval)
- Tomah-Sparta Raceway
- Wisconsin International Raceway
Former tracks
[edit]
- Rockford Speedway (track closed after 2023 season)
- Chicago Motor Speedway
- 141 Speedway – Francis Creek, Wisconsin (later became a dirt track)[2]
- Dodge County (WI) Fairgrounds (dirt exhibition)
- Elko Speedway - Elko New Market, Minnesota
- Blackhawk Farms Raceway
- Golden Sands Speedway
- Indiana State Fairgrounds
- Lake Geneva Raceway – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin[15][2] (track closed after 2006 season)
- Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
- Marshfield Motor Speedway
- Michigan Ideal Speedway[2]
- Norway Speedway – Norway, Michigan
- Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
- South Bend Speedway[2]
- State Park Speedway
- Beaver Dam Raceway (dirt oval 2021)
- Dells Raceway Park
Super Truck Series Race ONLY:
List of series champions
[edit]
| Year | Driver | References |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Eddie Hoffman | |
| 1994 | Eddie Hoffman | |
| 1995 | Eddie Hoffman | [17] |
| 1996 | Mark Pluer | [17] |
| 1997 | Jeff Storm | |
| 1998 | Jeff Storm | [17] |
| 1999 | Rick Corso | [17] |
| 2000 | Bill Prietzel | |
| 2001 | James Swan | [17] |
| 2002 | Rod Brewe | [17] |
| 2003 | Bill Prietzel | |
| 2004 | Peter Hernandez | [18] |
| 2005 | Bill Prietzel | |
| 2006 | James Swan | |
| 2007 | James Swan | |
| 2008 | James Swan | |
| 2009 | Paul Neisius | |
| 2010 | Lyle Nowak | |
| 2011 | James Swan | |
| 2012 | Jeremy Spoonmore | [19] |
| 2013 | Brad Keith | |
| 2014 | Jeff Holtz | |
| 2015 | Jeff Holtz | [20] |
| 2016 | Ryan Gutknecht | |
| 2017 | Dan Glister | [21] |
| 2018 | Ron Vandermeir Jr. | |
| 2019 | Ron Vandermeir Jr. | |
| 2020 | Ron Vandermeir Jr. | |
| 2021 | Ron Vandermeir Jr. | |
| 2022 | Ron Vandermeir Jr. | |
| 2023 | Clayton Curts | |
| 2024 | Scotty Gardner, Jr. |
List of Vercauteran Memorial winners
[edit]
The series honors its founder Gary Vercauteran with a race each year after beginning as an event honoring his parents.[22] The race was often held as part of the Red, White, and Blue state championship event at Wisconsin International Raceway (WIR). The 2007 event at WIR was rained out, so it was held at 141 Speedway which is the track next closed to Vercauteran's hometown Chilton.[22] The 2010 event was held at Road America.[22] It began in Vercauteran's hometown dirt track in Chilton Fairgrounds before the series' origin.[22] It has been held at a variety of tracks since then. The 25th annual Vercauteran Memorial winner returned to WIR and was won by Tyler Bauknecht (whose family had traveled with the Vercauteran family in the early days of the series).[23]
- 1990 Wayne Strand (Chilton Fairgrounds)
- 1991 Larry Richards (Chilton Fairgrounds)
- 1992 Jerry Wenzel (Chilton Fairgrounds)
- 1993 Eddie Hoffman (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1994 Brian Lambie (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1995 Eddie Hoffman (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1996 Pat Kelly (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1997 Bill Prietzel (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1998 Pat Kelly (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 1999 Gregg Haese (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2000 Mark Pluer (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2001 Peter Hernandez (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2002 Peter Hernandez (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2003 Jeremy Spoonmore (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2004 Bill Prietzel (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2005 Brett Piontek (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2006 James Swan (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2007 Kevin Damrow (141 Speedway)
- 2008 Jacob Finney (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2009 Gregg Haese (141 Speedway)[22]
- 2010 Bill Prietzel (Road America)
- 2011 Jacob Finney (Norway Speedway)
- 2012 Kenny Joosten (Rockford Speedway)
- 2013 James Swan (Rockford Speedway) [24]
- 2014 Tyler Bauknecht (Wisconsin International Raceway)[23]
- 2015 Lyle Nowak (State Park Speedway)[25]
- 2016 Ron Vandemeier, Jr. (Rockford Speedway)--51st National Short Track Championships
- 2019 Ron Weyer (Milwaukee Mile)[26]
- 2020 Rick Corso (Rockford Speedway)--55th National Short Track Championships[27]
- 2021 Ron Vandemeier, Jr. (Rockford Speedway)--56th National Short Track Championships [28]
- 2022 James Swan (Rockford Speedway)--57th National Short Track Championships [29][30]
- 2023 Maxwell Schultz (Wisconsin International Raceway)
- 2024 Kenny Richards (Wisconsin International Raceway)
Other divisions
[edit]Mid-American Super Trucks champions
[edit]- 1997 Terry Marzokfa
- 1998 Terry Marzofka
- 1999 Gordon Swanson
- 2000 Danny Heinritz
- 2001 Jerry Seibel
- 2002 Jeff Steenbergen
- 2003 Donnie Woller
- 2004 Jamie Farrell
- 2005 Mark Storlie[18]
MARS late model champions
[edit]- 1999 Lowell Bennett
- 2000 Lowell Bennett
- 2001 Todd Kluever
- 2002 Terry Baldry
- 2003 Jeff Van Oudenhoven
- 2004 Jeff Van Oudenhoven
- 2005 Jeff Van Oudenhoven[18]
Midwest Stock Car Classics champions
[edit]- 2003 Chuck King
- 2004 Gary Stein
- 2005 John Vassh Jr.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Vault - LARRY RICHARDS – AN ORIGINAL GRAND NATIONAL "OUTLAW"". Joe Verdegan | joeverdegan.com. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ a b c d e Mid American Stock Car Series official website, March 7, 1998
- ^ "Local Stock Car Series Owner Devotes Life to Auto Racing". 26 June 2013.
- ^ "MID-AMERICAN STOCK CARS JOINS GO RACING PROMOTIONS | GO Racing Promotions".
- ^ "The Crittenden Automotive Library".
- ^ Mackey, Adam. "Ken Schrader To Run Mid-American Stock Car Series Events In May". Track Enterprises. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ "Upcoming events / list of racing series". Go Racing Promotions. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Ken Schrader". www.schraderracing.com. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Joey Gase's dual role: NASCAR owner and driver". www.thegazette.com. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Former ASA Midwest Tour Champion Joins Go Fas Racing For Joe Shear Classic | Madison International Speedway". misracing.com. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Drive for Diversity program update 2006-07-26". us.motorsport.com. 2006-07-27. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ a b "James: Decker girls have Danica Patrick tie". ESPN.com. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "About Stephen Cox". Sopwith Motorsports. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ Zhang, Mingchao (January 28, 2021). "2021 schedule". M Zhang. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ Mid-American Stock Car News Archived 2008-09-06 at the Wayback Machine; January 2006; racingwisconsin.com; Retrieved October 22, 2007
- ^ "1998 CENEX Mid-American Super Truck Series Schedule". March 7, 1998. Archived from the original on March 6, 2000.
- ^ a b c d e f LaCrosse Speedway race report Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway; 2002; Retrieved July 10, 2007
- ^ a b c d Mid-American Stock Car Series Archived 2006-06-25 at the Wayback Machine, dated 2005; Retrieved October 22, 2007
- ^ "Mid-American Officially Puts Season 20 in the Books". Mid-American Stock Car Series. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- ^ "Brian Back Best at Fest in Mid Am Finale". Mid-American Stock Car Series. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
- ^ "2017 point standings". Mid American Stock Car Series. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Panure, Matt (June 7, 2010). "Mid-American to Hold Vercauteren Memorial at Road America". Mid American Stock Car. Retrieved 15 June 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Wagner, Tom. "Bauknecht Rules Vercauteren Memorial". Mid-American Stock Car Series. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ "The Crittenden Automotive Library". The Crittenden Automotive Library. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "The 2015 Mid American Stock Car Series in Review". Mid American Stock Car Series. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
- ^ "Weyer Wins in a Wild Vercauteren Memorial Race at the Mile". gopromo.racing. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ "RACE MASCS - Feature, NSTC - Sunday, ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY, United States - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive".
- ^ "RACE Mid Am Feature Champion Race, NSTC Sunday Races, ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY, United States - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive".
- ^ "57th ANNUAL NATIONAL SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP IS 'AUSTIN'S AWESOME WEEKEND". www.rockfordspeedway.com. 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "RACE Mid Am Feature Champion Race, NSTC Sunday Races, ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY, United States - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive". speedhive.mylaps.com. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
External links
[edit]