Slinger Speedway Honors 2005 Champions By Todd Thelen

(Slinger, WI) January 8, 2006 - Slinger Speedway completed its 58th year of racing during the 2005 season and the annual awards festivities capped off another successful campaign for the Worlds Fastest Quarter Mile Oval. The Awards Ceremony took place at the Washington County Fair Park Saturday night January 7, 2006. A wonderful dinner catered by the Charcoal Grill and Rotisserie preceded the awards while Comedian Billy Elmer provided entertainment after all the hardware was handed out. The tab for the evening exceeded $80,000 including cash, contingencies, and other awards.

Brad Mueller collected top honors in the Late Model Division. Brad had a division leading nine fast times, and also had nine runner up feature finishes. He racked up sixteen top 5’s along with winning one-trophy dash on his way to successfully completing a three peat, winning his third consecutive championship. Brad drove the #89, Go Wireless, Metro Milwaukee Auto Auction, Suburban Harley-Davidson, Pro-power, Pathfinder to the Championship.

Finishing in second place was David Prunty just 89 points short of his first Championship. The number 89 was on his mind most of the summer but usually in his mirror or not too far ahead. Five Wins, fourteen top 5’s, four fast times, three trophy dash wins, and the Race of Champions win highlighted this drivers 2005 campaign. Six times he finished outside the top 10 costing him a shot at his first championship. Former Champion Lowell Bennett was the third place finisher. Lowell started the season strong winning the Opening Day Miller Lite 75, and followed that up two weeks later winning the N/Connect Wireless Internet 60. He also won the Mid-Season Championships Wisconsin Drywall Distributors 75. Along with Lowell’s three Feature wins he added fifteen Top 5 finishes, and one trophy dash win. 2004 Rookie of the Year Dave Feiler recorded twelve top ten’s, two fast time’s four trophy dash wins and a feature win on Miller/Bonjovi night to finish 4th in the championship standings. Feiler also was the overall winner of the Coca-Cola Triple Crown. Rounding out the top five was Austin Konetski. Austin scored two wins in 2005. He won the Ewald Automotive/RI Flooring 70 and Coke/Subway 60, while racking up fifteen top ten finishes, three fast times, and one trophy dash win. During the 2005 season 75 different late model drivers took to the high banks of Slinger Speedway with an average weekly car count of 35. With these high car counts Slinger Speedway continues to field one of the most competitive late model classes in the Country.

Nick Schumacher took home the 2005 Rookie of the Year honors by winning one feature, finishing in the top ten 14 times, and collecting 1 trophy dash win. Nick finished 8th in the championship standings during his maiden voyage racing a late model on the high banks of the World’s Fastest 1/4 Mile Oval in Sonya and Dan Delcamps # 16, Sonya’s Rose Ford.

Conrad Morgan took home the hard luck award after an early season crash sidelined him with a broken arm and damaged tendon. Conrad put a couple of drivers in his car during the season and then came back late in the season to complete the year in the familiar blue 92.

Dale Prunty was crowned champion in the Midwest Modified Division. Dale successfully defended his 2004 title by placing in the top five 14 times, winning one trophy dash, setting fast time on 3 occasions and winning 3 features. Ron Schmitt finished second in the points battle for the 3rd consecutive year in the Modified division. The runner up scored 17 Top 5 finishes including 4 feature wins, and 4 Trophy Dash wins driving the number 6 Goeden’s Auto Body car. The third place finisher was Steve Schulz taking home the checkered flag in 4 feature races, and two trophy dashes along with recording 5 fast times, and 13 top 5’s. Steve Huelsbeck took home fourth in the championship standings by compiling 14 top five finishes, 6 trophy dash wins, and feature wins in the Bob Fish/Alan Kulwicki Memorial and Ritter Technology/Parker Store races. Finishing fifth with one-feature win, 10 Top 5’s, and a division leading 11 fast times was the driver of the Suburban Motors #90 Jason Feyereisen.


James Swan lead the division in feature wins with 6, trophy dash wins with 4, and top fives with 19 on his way to winning the 2005 Midwest Sportsman Championship. Runner up in the Midwest Sportsman was Brad Keith. Brad was a threat to win every week. With an impressive record including 15 top fives, 3 fast times, 1 trophy dash win, and 4 feature wins. One of those wins coming during the Miller Lite Slinger Nationals. Always improving Collin Bamke took home third in the standings with 2 feature win’s, 3 fast times, 3 trophy dash wins, and 12 top fives over the course of the season. Gary Lamonte recorded 10 top fives, one fast dash, a division leading 11 fast times, and 2 feature wins on his way to a fourth place in the championship standings. Dave Thomas placed fifth overall with 6 top 5’s, 14 top 10’s, while setting fast time on two occasions and winning 2 fast dashes. He led 26 of the final 30 laps in the “LEGEND” on his way to finishing 2nd in the inaugural event.


New for 2005 was a five race Eldorado Trailer Sales Limited Late Model Series. Long time Slinger Speedway Late Model veteran Chris Ratajczyk dominated the Eldorado Trailer Sales Limited Late Models. He was perfect finishing in the top five in every race including 3 feature wins. He also won the trophy dash twice and collected fast time honors once. Runner up was Kyle Jarlsberg with Dylan Schuyler, Andy Wendt and Kris Kelly rounding out the top five.

Donald Van Camp won the championship in the Figure 8 division. Donald had seven feature wins along with 14 top five finishes. Runner up was Scott Goetzke, with Shane Becker in third and Willy Van Camp rounding out the top four.

The Thunderstock division honors went to Eric Scheutz for recording the most wins with 4-checkered flags. The Driver in The Complete Car Care Slinger Bee’s that recorded the most wins with 6-checkered flags was Ryan Zielski.

The 2006 season will open with a practice day on Saturday April 22nd and The Miller Lite Twin 75’s Season Opener on Sunday Afternoon, April 23rd. April 30th will be another afternoon race with evening racing starting Sunday Night May 7th.

On behalf of track owner-promoter Wayne Erickson, and the entire staff Slinger Speedway would like to thank everyone that has been a part of the success the track enjoyed in 2005 - especially the many fans, teams, and sponsors.