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By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, July 07, 2008) – I-94 Raceway, the oldest active ASA Member Track, was the host of the sixth event on the 2008 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment. A great crowd was on hand at the seasoned 3/8-mile asphalt oval it provided some great two-wide racing with Dan Fredrickson taking home his fifth ASAMT win in a dominating performance.

ANYONE HAVE A HEADACHE?

For many of the 39 ASAMT teams that competed, their headaches would start in the late afternoon once qualifying was over. With the competition being so tough, that if you don’t get out of the gate fast, you could have a long night ahead of you.

The top-16 in qualifying was separated by .32 seconds. Joe Berthiaume had an early headache and heartache as he and Jeff Storm had the same qualifying time of 17.08 seconds, which was the 16th fastest in time. But, because Storm set that time first, he was credited with having the last starting spot for the feature event while Berthiaume had to earn his spot by winning his qualifier race.

ASAMT Touring Star Tim Schendel had to win the last chance race to get his starting spot while Travis Sauter had to use a rare provisional to make the field.

Schendel would continue his struggles as he finished 23rd while Sauter started 25th and finished 8th.

But two drivers who are probably suffering the biggest headaches are Andrew Morrissey, who was fourth in points coming into this event, and Matt Kocourek, leading Lane Automotive Rookie of the Year contender. Both failed to make the main event among several other drivers.

HEY RUSS, TRY AGAIN PLEASE!!!

Back in May at the Jefferson event, Russ Blakeley joked about how he likes start at the back of the pack and passes everyone and wins in spectacular style. He almost pulled that off in the last chance race this past Saturday night. But, he almost didn’t have that opportunity to do that.

Blakeley was second in the first qualifier race with Bryan Roach in third. On the final lap, the two got together in turn two causing Blakeley to spin and collecting Roach in the spin. Both lost their opportunity to get a spot in the feature event as the top three would have received a starting spot. It was Rich Snyder and Gordy Swanson who got the two tickets to the main event.

With his 11th place finish in that race, he started 16th in the last chance race. Blakeley flew through the field and got as close to Tim Schendel’s back bumper at the checkered flag to earn his ticket to the feature event along with Schendel. Blakeley finished 18th in the main event.

LOCAL STARS SHINE

Six drivers in the weekly I-94 Raceway point standings competed in the main event this past Saturday night with three of them making the show on time.

Joey Johnson, the current I-94 Raceway point leader, qualified sixth while Nick Panitzke, second in points, qualified 12th. Panitzke was also the recent feature winner back on June 20th as he won the Governor’s Cup. Jon Olson, third in points, qualified 14th.

Rich Snyder, who is fourth in points, finished second in the first qualifier race to earn his starting spot while Eugene Dick, 11th in points, finished third in the second qualifier. Tyler Sjoman, fifth in points, received the I-94 Raceway provisional.

In the feature event, it was Dick taking the top honors among the six as he finished 6th with Panitzke finishing 14th and Olson finishing 15th. Sjoman was 20th with Johnson in 21st. Snyder was 25th.

IN HONOR OF INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND

Who would have thought that this would happen on Independence Day Weekend, but it did. Believe it or not, Jeff Lofquist qualified with a time of 17.76 seconds. Here is wishing a happy 232nd birthday to the United States of America.

UP NEXT…

The ASAMT will make its “Western Swing� on July 18-20th in the state of Iowa. On Friday, July 18th the ASAMT will make its return to Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids for the re-scheduled Keith Fleck Miller 100. Then it’s a 1 ½ hour drive west to Iowa Speedway in Newton for the tour’s first visit. The track will have practice on Saturday and on Sunday, a 150-lap feature event.

Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch will be competing in the Iowa Speedway event.
Also, please watch for updates on www.asamidwesttour.com about the fund raising efforts that the ASAMT will be assisting with to help the flood victims in Iowa.

To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment log on to www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asaracing.com.