Morrisey Charges to Slinger First in Uptown Automotive 70! By Dan Margetta

July 4, 2004; Slinger, WI -Following up on his recent strong finishes at the Slinger Super Speedway, Andrew Morrissey finally broke through to victory lane, scoring his first career feature victory Sunday night in the Uptown Automotive 70.

Photo Highlights

Andrew Morrisey (#39) scored his first career Late Model feature victory at Slinger Super Speedway capturing the Uptown Automotive 70. Lowell Bennett (#2) works the low groove past Brad Mueller (#89) during the Late Model main event.  Bennett would charge through the field up to second at the finish of the contest. Lowell Bennett (#2) came away with the fast qualifying effort this evening turning in a blistering 11.410 second lap on the high- banked quarter-mile oval. Jeff Holtz was victorious in the Midwest Modified main event. Dan Miller (#33) was fast qualifier this evening in the Midwest Modifieds. James Swan captured the main event in the opening round of the Midwest Sportsman Championship Series which made it's appearance this evening at Slinger. James Swan (#97) works the low line past George Schultz (#44) on his way to winning the main event for the Midwest Sportsman Championship Series. Bobby Gutknecht (#10) claimed his checkered flag early in the evening with a victory in the Midwest Sportsman dash event. With a huge turnout of cars on hand the Midwest Sportsman had to run a semi-feature contest which was captured by Jay Schambeau (#5). Ryan DeStefano (#2) was the victory in one of the Slinger Bee main events. Joe DeStefano Jr. (#8) was the winner of the Thunderstocks main event.

Morrissey started on the pole and led every lap, but the drive to the win was anything but easy as he had to hold off the challenges of Lowell Bennett, Dave Feiler, and Brad Mueller during the final laps. “This is awesome,” the 20-year old driver from DeForest stated afterwards. “This track has always been known for great drivers and it’s an honor to win here.”

Morrissey sprang to the lead at the drop of the green flag while Mike Strupp charged from the inside lane to grab second ahead of Brad Dahmer and Brad Mueller. The pace was quickly slowed on lap five when Donovan Morgan broke loose and spun in turn four, scattering cars and collecting Chad Barker, Austin Konetski, Al Schill, and David Prunty in the process. As Morrissey led at the restart, Mueller used the opportunity to take third place from Dahmer while Bennett and Feiler raced with Eric Fransen and Travis Dassow for the fifth position. The pace was slowed again on lap 14 when Gregg Haese collided with a spinning John Mueller in the fourth turn.

As racing resumed, Morrissey began to stretch his lead while Mueller dove to the inside in a bid to get around Strupp for second. Strupp was tough in the outer groove and the two raced side by side for nearly 20 laps while Morrissey scampered away. The hard racing between Mueller and Strupp for second allowed Bennett and Feiler to close in while Morrissey’s lead grew to nearly a straightaway. Mueller was finally able to work his way by Strupp using the inside lane to get second on lap 47 and Bennett followed him a few laps later as Strupp began to fade on the outside. Toby Rott’s spin in turn two erased Morrissey’s advantage as the yellow flag appeared, allowing Mueller, Bennett, and Feiler to edge closer for the restart. All three veterans were able to quickly dispose of the lapped cars that had lined up between themselves and Morrissey as race went back to green. A multi-car incident in turn three produced the caution lights again on lap 56 and this time Mueller, Bennett, and Feiler were able to line up directly behind Morrissey.

Morrissey was up to the challenge and maintained the top spot while Mueller’s car began to go away and he lost second to Bennett on lap 62. Once into second, Bennett began to hunt Morrissey for the lead but was unable to get close enough to challenge as the 20-year old charged to his first career Slinger late model feature victory. Feiler edged Mueller for third at the line in a photo finish while Fransen drove a steady race to come home in the fifth position.

Fred Winn took the checkered flag first in the 30-lap late model semi-feature over Toby Rott and Scott Schoeni. Randy Schuler and Mike Egan completed the top five. Jerry Eckhardt took the win in the 15-lap consi, beating Bill Shavlik and Mike McCabe at the finish. Donovan Morgan scored the victory in the fast dash and Lowell Bennett set fast time for the night at 11.410 seconds.

The Midwest Sportsman Championship Series staged its first round at Slinger Sunday night and James Swan rocketed to the win in the 40-lap main event.

Swan began from the sixth starting spot and immediately moved into fifth place at the start while Mike Graczkowski led over, George Schultz, Colin Bamke, and Bobby Gutknecht. Swan was up to fourth by lap ten and was slicing through the field along with Gary LaMonte and Jeremy Miller while Graczkowski led over Schultz. Schultz was able to edge alongside Graczkowksi on lap 13 and two laps later, pulled into the lead as Swan and LaMonte took over third and fourth place respectively, dropping Bamke back to fifth. Graczkowski began to fall back and Swan charged into second place on lap 16, setting his sights on Schultz for the lead. Swan caught up to Schultz’s rear bumper by lap 25 and then used the inside to squeeze by for the lead on lap 28 while the leaders were in lapped traffic. While Swan and Schultz raced for the lead, LaMonte and Miller were also running strong and moved into third and fourth as Josh Bauer entered the top five. Swan could not be caught over the final ten laps and he charged to the win over LaMonte and Schultz. Miller finished fourth followed by Bauer who crossed the line in fifth.

Jay Schambeau drove to victory in the 18-lap Midwest Sportsman semi-feature over Todd Gehring. Gary Tisler avoided a last lap spin to finish third followed by Jason Johnson and Adam Berge. Bobby Gutknecht won the fast dash and Jeremy Miller was the fastest qualifier with a near track record lap of 12.595 seconds.

Jeff Holtz held off Dale Prunty and Dan Miller to win the 30-lap Eldorado Trailer Sales Midwest Modified feature.

Holtz raced with Russ Moberly for the lead at the start while Miller and Prunty battled for position with Ron Schmitt and Wes Biswell. Holtz used the inside lane to gain the advantage while Moberly began to fade slightly on the outside as Miller went by for second on lap ten and Prunty also passed Moberly for third by lap 15. Holtz held onto a sizeable lead during the middle stages and Miller and Prunty began to stage their own battle for second while Prunty won on lap 24. Holtz drove a near perfect race and drove to the win over Prunty and Miller while Biswell and Ron Schmitt rounded out the top five.

Holtz also visited victory lane following the fast dash and Miller was the fastest qualifier at 12.195 seconds.

Ryan DeStefano won the first Slinger Bee event and Joseph Bentfield charged from deep in the field to win the second race. It was all the DeStefano family in the Thunderstocks race as Joe DeStefano Jr. held off Joe DeStefano Sr. for the win. Rob Myers won the Spectator Eliminator race and George Mars was the Port-A-John Speedway Guest Car winner. Scott Goetzke closed the night by besting an eleven car field to win a wild Figure 8 race.

For Complete results from the RACESTAT computer CLICK HERE

Coca Cola & Open Pantry present the Mid-Season Championships
By Lanae Weyer

Slinger, WI (Spl.) – Sunday night, July 11th, Coca-Cola presents the Mid-Season Championships at the Slinger Super Speedway. The night will consist of a 60-lap late model feature along with a full night of racing in all divisions, plus the Wisconsin Street Rod Show. Kids will have a chance to participate in the Kids Coca-Cola 500 big wheel races and there will be a free bike drawing for children 11 and under. Fans can visit participating Open Pantry stores to check out special promotions for the July 11th event at the Slinger Super Speedway. Gates open at 4:45 and time trials begin at 5:15 with racing to start at 7pm.

The 25th Annual Miller Lite Nationals is set for Tuesday night July 13th. The show will feature NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers Matt Kenseth and Scott Wimmer. Other drivers include Busch Series drivers Kyle Busch and Johnny Sauter, Craftsman Truck Series driver Chris Wimmer, defending Miller Lite Nationals Champion Rich Bickle, and Dick and Chuck Trickle who will race against each other for the first time. Many of the Midwest’s best late model drivers will also be on hand to take on the world’s fastest ¼ mile oval.

The night’s events will include a 250-lap late model feature, along with supporting races in the division. The Midwest Sportsman will also be apart of the evening’s program, along with other entertainment. Gates will open at 3pm with qualifying at 4:30 and events to follow.

Adults can save five dollars when purchasing tickets in advance by Sunday July 11th. Kids 9 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be obtained at Pioneer Plaza in Richfield and at the track box office or charge by phone at 262.644.5921.

The first 300 people that sign up for the autograph session will receive a special ticket and wristband for the night’s events. The special ticket will include admission to the racing events and an exclusive autograph session with Nextel Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, Busch Series drivers Kyle Busch, Slinger Nationals Champion Dick Trickle and more. The events for the special ticket holders will begin at 4pm and guests will enjoy beverages, sandwiches, and snacks. After the autograph session the 300 special ticket holders will move to an exclusive section reserved in the grandstand area to watch the nights events unfold. Interested fans can call the track office for more details on the special autograph session. The rain date for the Miller Lite Nationals is Wednesday July 14th. Watch for more information on the track web site at slingersuperspeedway.com

Special Announcement Regarding the 25th Annual Miller Lite Nationals Autograph Session at the Slinger Super Speedway
By Lanae Weyer

Slinger, WI June 23,(Spl.) – Tuesday evening July 13th, Slinger Super Speedway will host the 25th Annual Miller Lite Nationals. The program for the nationals this year will be a little different from years past, in regards to the autograph session. The first 300 people that sign up for the autograph session will receive a special ticket and wristband for the night’s events. The ticket will include an exclusive autograph session with Nextel Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, Busch Series drivers Kyle Busch, Slinger Nationals Champion Dick Trickle and more. The events for the special ticket holders will begin at 4pm and guest will enjoy beverages, sandwiches, and snacks. After the autograph session the 300 ticket holders will move to a special section reserved in the grandstand area to watch the nights events unfold. Interested fans can call the track office for more details on the special autograph session at 262.644.5921.

The night’s events will include a 250-lap late model feature, along with supporting races in the division. The Midwest Sportsman will also be apart of the evening’s program, along with other entertainment. The rain date for the Miller Lite Nationals is Wednesday July 14th. Watch for more information on the track web site at slingersuperspeedway.com.