By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, May 09, 2008) – Four rookies took on the challenge of Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile oval this past Sunday with the running of the ECHO Chainsaw 100. It was an up and down day, but overall a great learning experience as the drivers continue towards the Lane Automotive ASAMT Rookie of the Year presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil and Hyperco.

Matt Kocourek finished 11th in the main event and was the highest finishing rookie. He received the ASAMT Touring Star Rookie Bonus of $325 for the event.

Kocourek had a rough start to the 100-lap feature event as he and Mark Eswein spun in turn two on lap 16. But, he was able to gather it up and just finish outside the top ten.

“I was fairly happy with our run at Madison.  That has really been a track I have struggled at in the past and an 11th place finish was pretty solid after getting spun early in the event,” Kocourek stated.  “The car was really good on the long run and I was a little too patient.”

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Thursday, May 08, 2008) – The ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment would not be successful without the help of our marketing partners and sponsors. Last Sunday’s ECHO Chainsaw 100 had 48 competitors on hand with a majority, again, taking home contingency bonus(s).

In order to receive the awards, the driver must be a full ASA member and their teams must satisfy all manufacturers’ requirements (decals, patches and post race interview criteria.) The awards listed for each driver is on top of the event purse payout they received.

ECHO Chainsaw 100 Contingency Awards:

Dan Fredrickson, 1st Place: AVCOMM, $100; Penske Racing, $100; Schaeffer’s Oil, one case of oil; Tilton, $125; Tex Racing, $100, ASAMT Touring Star Bonus: $400.

Steve Carlson, 2nd Place: Hawk, $100; Penske, $100; Hypercoils, one spring; Schaeffer’s Diesel Treat, 12 pints.

Josh Vadnais, 5th Place: AVCOMM, $100; Quarter Master, $100; PF Friction, $100.

Chris Wimmer, 6th Place: AP Brakes, 1 set of discs; PF Friction, $100; Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, 1 case of oil.

All Photos are courtesy of Doug Hornickel - Fast Lap Photos
www.fastlapphoto.com

PRACTICE 1 • PRACTICE 2 • QUALIFYING • RESULTS • PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, May 05, 2008) – A huge crowd enjoyed the sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60’s as the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment opened Madison International Speedway’s season with the running of the ECHO Chainsaw 100. The fans saw Dan Fredrickson pick up his fourth ASAMT win and the hottest driver in racing pick up a podium finish.

QUALIFYING WAS CLOSE…AGAIN

Researchers say that it takes less than a tenth of a second to blink. Going by that estimate, it is safe to say that the top three in qualifying were as close as a blink of the eye.

While Kyle Busch appeared to be the fastest man in town after the two practice sessions, it was Jacob Goede taking home is second career ECHO “Blows Away the Competition” Fast Qualifier Award at Madison. Goede earned an ECHO Blower for his efforts.

PRACTICE 1 • PRACTICE 2 • QUALIFYING • RESULTS • PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
OREGON, WI (Sunday, May 04, 2008) – Dan Fredrickson will admit that he never had a good run at Madison International Speedway. After tonight, Madison is one of his favorite tracks as he captured the ASAMT ECHO Chainsaw 100 in front of a large crowd.

“I haven’t won here and never been real good here, but had a pretty sweet car here tonight,” a happy Fredrickson stated in victory lane. “I hope we can keep going with this, it was cool to beat Carlson and Busch. And now Madison is one of my favorite tracks.”

Fredrickson held off a late charge from Steve Carlson to take his fourth ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment win. “The deal here is you can’t run pretty well with someone on your back bumper. But once I got two car lengths on him, I could run my line and run better.” Fredrickson stated.

Madison International Speedway Oregon, WI
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2008

FIN - Strt - Driver Hometown Laps Reason
1 - 10 - Dan Fredrickson Elko, MN 100 Running
2 - 7 - Steve Carlson West Salem, WI 100 Running
3 - 14 - Kyle Busch Las Vegas, NV 100 Running
4 - 19 - Mark Eswein Wisconsin Rapids, WI 100 Running
5 - 22 - Josh Vadnais White Bear Lake, MN 100 Running
6 - 1 - Chris Wimmer Wausau, WI 100 Running
7 - 6 - Blake Horstman Bangor, WI 100 Running
8 - 21 - Andy Monday Appleton, WI 100 Running
9 - 13 - Russ Blakley Whitewater, WI 100 Running
10 - 17 - Frank Kreyer Pardeeville, WI 100 Running
11 - 20 - Matt Kocourek Franklin, WI 100 Running
12 - 2 - Andrew Morrissey DeForest, WI 100 Running
13 - 3 - Donny Reuvers Dundas, MN 100 Running
14 - 25 - Jeff Storm Waterford, WI 100 Running
15 - 28 - Brian Roach Goodhue, MN 100 Running
16 - 4 - Kyle Calmes Freedom, WI 100 Running
17 - 8 - Tim Schendel Sparta, WI 100 Running
18 - 26 - Jonathan Eilen Hampton, MN 100 Running
19 - 9 - Travis Sauter Necedah, WI 100 Running
20 - 18 - Jamie Iverson Escanaba, MI 87 accident

Dave Feiler won the last chance race and will advance to the ECHO Chainsaw
100. Eugene Gregorich was second with Jeff Storm in third. Jonathan
Eilen earned the last spot from the last chance race.

Brandon Hill and Brian Roach got the provisionals.

Frank Kreyer and Matt Kocourek won the first qualifier heat while Jamie Iverson and Andy Monday were first and second in the second heat race. Mark Eswein and Josh Vadnais were first and second in the third heat and will advance to the ECHO Chainsaw 100 later today.

Donny Reuvers won the odd fast heat and Kyle Busch won the even fast heat.

ECHO Chain Saw 100 Starting Line-up
1 - Chris Wimmer - Wausau, WI
2 - Andrew Morrissey - DeForest, WI
3 - Donny Reuvers - Dundas, MN
4 - Kyle Calmes - Freedom, WI
5 - Jake Ryan - Farmington, MN
6 - Blake Horstman - Bangor, WI
7 - Steve Carlson - West Salem, WI
8 - Tim Schendel - Sparta, WI
9 - Travis Sauter - Necedah, WI
10 - Dan Fredrickson - Elko, MN
11 - Jacob Goede - New Germany, MN
12 - Zack Riddle - Cottage Grove, WI
13 - Russ Blakley - Whitewater, WI
14 - Kyle Busch - Las Vegas, NV
15 - Nathan Haseleu - Marshall, WI
16 - Nick Murgic - Rosemount, MN
17 - Frank Kreyer - Pardeeville, WI
18 - Jamie Iverson - Escanaba, MI
19 - Mark Eswein - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
20 - Matt Kocourek - Franklin, WI
21 - Andy Monday - Appleton, WI
22 - Josh Vadnais - White Bear Lake, MN
23 - Dave Feiler - Sun Prairie, WI
24 - Eugene Gregorich - Amherst, WI
25 - Jeff Storm - Waterford, WI
26 - Jonathan Eilen - Hampton, MN
27 - Brandon Hill - Lake Geneva, WI
28 - Brian Roach - Goodhue, MN

QUALIFYING RESULTS

Jacob Goede was surprised to see his car number at the top of the pylon after qualifying was completed for the ECHO Chainsaw 100 at Madison International Speedway. Goede had a fast time of 17.754 seconds.

"I can't believe it, we weren't the best in practice I didn't think and we threw a bunch of stuff at it for qualifying and I was really impressed," Goede stated after his run. "This is some of the toughest competition in the country and it makes you feel pretty good when you do this well."

Dan Fredrickson was second with a lap time of 17.756 seconds, only .002 seconds behind Goede. Travis Sauter was third with a lap time of 17.759 seconds, only .003 seconds behind.

Kyle Busch, who was the fastest in both practice sessions, was 14th.

3:00PM (PRACTICE 2 TIMES) - Kyle Busch continues to pace the field in second practice session with a time of 17.585 seconds. Travis Sauter was second with a lap time of 17.662 seconds.

Jake Ryan continues to have oil pressure problems. He stated that the car goes about five laps and then has no oil pressure. If he stops and starts up the car, he has oil pressure. They are still trying to solve the problem.

ECHO Power Equipment "Blow the Competition Away" Qualifying is coming up.

Racing starts at 5:00 pm

1:40PM (PRACTICE 1 TIMES) - BUSCH FASTEST IN FIRST PRACTICE - Kyle Busch's birthday weekend is continuing on a positive pace as he was the fastest in the first practice. The second practice will start shortly.

Only one incident occured in the first practice as Chris Skrede appeared to blow his engine in turns one and two. Nick Hammer slid in the oil and made hard contact with the turn two wall. Both appear to be done for the day.