Slinger Super Speedway honors champions!
By Weyer / Margetta

February 4, 2001; Slinger, WI - The 53rd season of Motorsports competition at the Slinger Super Speedway came to a close Saturday night, February 3rd, with the track’s Annual Awards Banquet at the Washington County Fair Park. Over $70,000 in cash and contingency products was handed out as the speedway honored its track champions in front of a record crowd of over 650 drivers, crews, family members, fans, and track sponsors.

Headlining the evening was the crowning of Late Model Champion Lowell Bennett who secured his second track championship by scoring four feature wins along with 18 top five finishes and winning the Coca-Cola Triple Crown Classic and the Miller Lite Nationals. Conrad Morgan finished second in the season points standings by claiming victories in six feature races and finishing in the top five 17 times. Brad Mueller was awarded third place after a season that consisted of two feature wins and 19 top ten finishes. David Prunty captured his first feature win during the 2000 season and his 16 top ten finishes and division leading seven fast times netted him fourth place in the standings. Rich Loch improved four spots from the previous year to secure fifth place with 15 top ten finishes and three times. Eric Fransen, Donavan Morgan, Al Schill, Charlie Thon, and Cindy Peterson rounded out the top ten late model point standings finishers. Thon’s award was presented by Tom Pippins of Fox 6 TV who honored Thon and his sponsor Aid Association for Lutherans for donating all his winnings to the MACC Fund and raising $157,000.

Mark Bitzan was named Late Model Rookie of the Year and Pete Weidmeyer was awarded the Hard Luck Award. Peterson was also awarded a new late model body from Five Star Bodies.

Dennis Prunty dominated the Midwest Modified division and successfully defended his track championship. Prunty won an incredible nine feature races and was the fastest qualifier eight times. After accepting his awards, Prunty announced his plans to move up to the late model division in 2001. Brian Holtz remained one of the top drivers in the division by winning two feature races and scoring 14 top five finishes to finish in the runner-up spot in points. Chris Petersen had his best season to date and moved up to finish in third place with 14 top five finishes. Dale Prunty won two feature races and finished in the top five 12 times to claim fourth place in the points standings. Larry Reihbrandt secured fifth place by winning one feature race and three trophy dashes. John Kruschel, Ron Weyer, Alan Keppert, Ed Grober, and Dan Miller completed the top ten drivers. Grober was also named the Midwest Modified Rookie of the Year.

Bill Shavlik was awarded his first career track championship in the Slinger Stinger street stock division. Shavlik won three feature races, including the 30 lap Slinger Stinger Showdown and was the fastest qualifier 11 times. Scott Ascher won a feature race to go along with his five heat race wins and three fast times to take second place in the points standings. Mike Graczkowski, who plans to move to the modified division, scored two feature wins and three heat race wins to claim third place while Dan Jung took fourth place with one feature win and 10 top five finishes. Aaron Bitzan rounded out the top five drivers with one feature win and two heat race victories. Finishing sixth through tenth in the point standings were Brad Hartman, Lyle Messinger, Roger Schmid, David Beck, and Jay Shambeau. Hartman was named the Most Improved driver in the division and Jung was named the Slinger Stinger Rookie of the Year.

Mark Ritger claimed his fifth track championship in the Figure 8 division with three race wins in 2000. Mike Newlin won five races to finish in second place while Wisconsin State Figure 8 Championship winner Shane Becker was third in the point standings. Dan Jung’s two race wins netted him fourth place and Willy Van Camp rounded out the top five drivers in the standings with two race wins. Chris Price, Scott Goetzke, and Sam Wright were sixth through eighth place in the point standings.

Dan and Mark Jung, Mark and Ken Fogel, and the team of Robert Meyers and Duane Olbinski were recognized for their efforts in the Team Cruiser division during the 2000 season.

The Slinger Super Speedway staff would like to thank and extend its appreciation to all the track sponsors, drivers, crew members, workers, and fans who helped to make the 2000 racing season at Slinger and exciting and memorable one.

The 2001 racing season is drawing near and the Slinger Super Speedway is preparing for the new season by registering drivers and offering special packages for fans.

Drivers are reminded to register their car numbers with the track for the 2001 season, especially if they are new members or have changed divisions since 2000. Drivers must contact Wayne Erickson at (262) 673-6335 to register their car numbers. 2001 Rulebooks for all divisions are now available and can be obtained by sending $5 to Slinger Super Speedway 2001 Rulebook 1639 Hwy 83 S Hartford, WI 53027. Applicants should include their return address and specify which division(s) they are requesting rulebooks for.

The Slinger Super Speedway is once again offering a Season Pass package for fans. The Season Pass allows fans to enjoy the racing action at every regular Sunday night program at the speedway as well as the Rusty Wallace Special in June. Season Pass holders will have the opportunity to watch the races with Rusty Wallace during the special from the VIP Pavilion area with catering provided.

Season Pass holders also receive $4 off tickets for the Miller Lite Nationals on July 17th. Season Passes are $170, which represents an $83 savings off regular admission prices. Season Passes are not valid for the Season Opener. Fans wishing to purchase 2001 Season Passes should send a check or money order made out to Slinger Super Speedway to Lanae Weyer, PR Director, 11812 W. Mill Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53225. Fans wishing to purchase Season Passes, as gifts should include the name of the person receiving the pass and all fans should include their return address with their order. For more information call Lanae Weyer at (414) 358-1525.

The 2001 season begins with a practice day Saturday, April 21st. Gates will open at Noon and admission will be free for all spectators in the grandstand area as the drivers test and tune their cars. The first racing event of the new season is the Miller Genuine Draft Twin 75’s Spring Opener set for Sunday afternoon April 22nd.