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Mueller Takes Miller Lite 120 Spring
Opener at Slinger Super Speedway
by Dan Margetta |
(Slinger,
WI); April 22, 2007 - Brad
Mueller brought his “A” game to the Slinger Super Speedway Sunday
afternoon, making a triumphant return by holding off defending track
champion David Prunty and Al Schill to win the Miller Lite 120
Spring Opener.
In a classic high-banks battle, Mueller took to the tough outside
groove and ran wheel to wheel with Prunty over the final laps,
before edging Prunty at the stripe for the win. Schill finished in
their tire tracks, within striking distance at the finish.
Collin Bamke led the opening laps over Fred Winn and Mike Strupp
while Prunty and Jeremy Lepak filled out the top five. By lap 20,
Prunty and Lepak worked their way into third and fourth place
respectively while Conrad Morgan entered the top five with Mueller
also progressing forward. Prunty moved into the second spot just
before the first caution flag flew for a Race McComb spin on lap 29
as Bamke continued to lead. Bamke made the most of the double-file
restart and maintained his lead over Prunty while Lepak, Nick
Schumacher, and Al Schill fell into position behind the leaders.
Prunty finally worked his way around Bamke to take command of the
race on lap 40 while Mueller continued to advance toward the front,
racing just outside the top five behind Lepak and Schill. By the 50
lap mark, Mueller was able to race into the top five while Prunty
launched to a commanding lead. The second caution of the event waved
on lap 56 when Fred Winn developed problems in turn three, setting
up a dash to the scheduled halfway break, which Prunty led over
Schill, Mueller, Bamke, and Schumacher.
Prunty jumped back into the lead as racing resumed while Schill and
Mueller battled for second place followed by Schumacher and Lepak,
who staged a battle of their own over fourth place. Mueller was able
to take sole possession of second place by lap 80 and was looking to
track Prunty down for the lead when the event was slowed for a third
time under caution when Tony Strupp’s car stalled after receiving
damage during accordion-like action on the speedway.
Mueller timed the restart perfectly in the outside lane and was able
to race side by side with Prunty for a few laps before eventually
easing into the lead on lap 86. Prunty remained glued to Mueller’s
rear bumper with Schill latched on in third in a strong three-car
tussle for the lead. Prunty was able to dip inside Mueller exiting
turn four and retake the top spot on lap 98 with Schill also looking
to the inside in a bid for second. With Prunty gaining a slight
advantage, Mueller held his ground on the outside, eventually
fending off Schill’s challenge and a few laps later, the three were
once again nose to tail for the lead. During the final ten laps,
Mueller looked to the top side and pulled alongside Prunty.
The Slinger veterans put on a racing clinic to the finish with
Mueller trying to use the high groove to get a run off the corners
while Prunty worked the inside, but was unable to utilize his car’s
full advantage exiting the turns with Mueller alongside. As they
raced to the white flag, Mueller was able to barely clear Prunty for
the lead and the three-time track champion held off the defending
track champion for the win. Schill, a five-time track champion
himself, had the best seat in the house over the final laps,
crossing the stripe in third place right on the heels of the top
two. Jeremy Lepak and Nick Schumacher rounded out the top five while
Dennis Prunty and Conrad Morgan finished in sixth and seventh place
respectively. Rich Loch, Wayne Freidmund, and Tommy Hromadka rounded
out the top ten.
Chris Ratajczyk was the winner of the 35-lap late model semi-feature
over Steve Schulz and Brad Keith. Jim Schmittinger finished fourth
and Joe DeStefano Jr. was fifth. Brad Mueller topped qualifying with
a lap of 11.492 seconds.
Kenny Joosten survived a late race battle with James Swan and drove
to victory in the 40-lap Midwest Sportsman feature.
Joosten jumped into the lead during the opening laps while Dave
Obermeyer, Andrew Kulka, and Dave Thomas battled for the second spot
while Bobby Gutknecht followed
in fourth. Swan started deep in the field and maneuvered his way
into the top five by lap 20 while Joosten continued to pace the
event. Thomas and Gutknecht worked their way around Obermeyer as
Swan continued to close. By lap 30, Swan had raced his way into the
second spot and was looking to close in on Joosten for the top spot
when the caution flag waved for a minor tangle between Jake Vanoskey
and Becca Kasten on lap 31. During the final laps Swan pressured
Joosten for the lead, making numerous attempts to the inside while
Gutknecht and Obermeyer raced for third as Thomas became tangled
with a lapped car and was forced to leave the track. Swan made
another attempt to duck inside Joosten with two laps to go, but his
car twitched loose in turn four, allowing Gutknecht and Obermeyer to
get by. Without the pressure from Swan, Joosten was able to charge
to the win while Gutknecht held off Obermeyer for second. Swan
finished in fourth place and Jimmie Evans completed the top five.
Jon Reynolds Jr. won a caution-filled 40-lap Limited Late model
feature, keeping Jerry Eckhardt at bay at the stripe.
Jim Schmittinger paced the beginning laps over Tyler James and
Reynolds with Chris Blawat and Eckhardt racing behind them.
Schmittinger continued to show the way until Reynolds was able to
make his move, taking the lead by lap 30, bringing James and
Eckhardt with him. Schmittinger fell into a spirited battle with
Scott Apel for fourth just ahead of Rob Braun. Reynolds was
unchallenged as he grabbed the win over Eckhardt while Schmittinger
and Apel tangled on the final lap, leaving the door open for James
to take the third spot ahead of Braun and Ryan DeStefano.
Seth Lootans led every lap to win the 15-lap Thunderstock feature
over Ryan Gutknecht and Dave Edwards. Brad Norgaard and Paul
Konechnee were fourth and fifth respectively. Tom Berens won the
Slinger Bees race over Zach Durham, Bob Losiniecki, Jared Apel, and
Dustin Krebs. Donald Van Camp closed out the day with a win in the
Figure 8 race.
For Complete
results from the RACESTAT computer
CLICK HERE
Emily’s Restaurant Wine and Dine 60! 50,000 Penny’s for Kids
11 and Under!
(Slinger, WI) April 22, 2007 – The first point’s race of the
2007 season at Slinger Speedway start Sunday Afternoon April 29th
with the Emily’s Restaurant Wine and Dine 60. Late Models will
headline the event joined by Limited Late Models, Midwest Sportsman,
Thunderstock, Slinger Bee’s and Figure 8’s. Qualifying will start at
12:15 and racing at 2:00 pm.
2006 Late Model Champion David Prunty is set to defend his title
along with Midwest Sportsman Champion Mike Graczkowski, and Figure 8
Champion Donald Van Camp Jr. 2006 Midwest Modified Champion Dale
Prunty heads a list of potent Late Model Rookies along with Joe
DeStefano Jr., Brad Keith, John Ovadal, Mike Meyerhofer, and Chris
Carlson.
April 29, 2007 – Emily’s Wine and Dine 60 (Late Models 4 tires) -
First Points Race of 2007
Check out Emily's at: www.emilysrestaurant.net
Pit Gates Open: 8:30 am
Tech: 9:00 am - Limited Late Models, Sportsman, and Thunderstocks
Practice: 10:45 - 12:15
Qualifying: 12:30 pm
Drivers Meeting: 1:40 pm
Opening Ceremonies: 2:00 pm
Make sure your transponder is working properly!
Emily’s Restaurant is located three miles east of Slinger Speedway
on Cedar Creek Road. Weekly Specials include: Roasted Pork Loin With
Blackberry Sauce, Prime Rib, Friday Fish Fry, Steaks, Pasta,
Swordfish, and Fried Chicken. Emily’s is the perfect place for your
next gathering. We offer freshly prepared cuisine with service and
attention exceeding your expectations. Receptions, rehearsal
dinners, holiday parties, meetings, reunions and anniversaries!
Emily’s has facilities for up to 100 guests. Enjoy a little wine and
dine at Emily’s on Cedar Creek Road. www.emilysrestaurant.net
There are select advertising and sponsorship opportunities as well
as company and group outings available for the 2007 season. For more
information, contact the speedway’s PR and Marketing at:
262-370-0440, slingerspeedway1@aol.com, or visit our web site at:
www.slingersuperspeedway.com
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