Pepsi Nationals Update
Unfortunately we were unable to schedule a makeup date
for the Pepsi Nationals. Thank you everyone for your support during the 2011
racing season.
Clauson Wins at the Prairie
by Steve Liegel
The Badger Midgets teamed up with the USAC Midgets Sunday night to a packed grandstand at Angell Park Speedway. Bryan Clausen was able to hold off Jerry Coons, Jr. and Brad Kuhn for a well deserved victory Sunday night.
Scott Hatton was the pole sitter for the Cornfest thirty-lap feature but before the first lap was completed, both Bubba Altig and David Budres flipped coming out of turn one, causing a red flag. Both drivers appeared unhurt in the incident. On the restart, Caleb Armstrong, who started next to Hatton, gained the early lead. He was closely followed by Bryan Clausen, Kyle Larson and Angell Park veterans Jerry Coons and Brad Kuhn. Clausen looked like the car to beat early and was able to pass Armstrong on lap two for the race lead. Larson, who has been winning wherever he has raced lately, jumped into second on lap five and set his sights on Clausen. Clausen was running a smooth race and had a nice sized lead on the rest of the field. Coons climbed into third position by lap six and started to challenge Larson for second. By lap-ten, Clausen began lapping the slower Midgets, increasing his lead. Coons, driving the Ralph Wilke Midget, was able to reel in Larson on lap sixteen for the second slot.
A caution slowed the race on circuit twenty-one as Zach Daum's car slowed on the front stretch. This would bunch the field as Coons and Larson would line up directly behind Clausen on the restart. One lap was completed before another yellow flag flew, this time for Caleb Armstrong, who spun and was facing the wrong way in turn two. Brad Kuhn, driving the RW Motorsports entry, then moved into fourth and Darren Hagen, who started the race fourteenth, was running fifth.
Before lap twenty-two was completed, Mario Clouser wound up on his lid as his Midget tumbled down the front stretch, causing the second red flag of the race. Clouser, who was running thirteenth at the time, was able to get his car repaired before the restart and continued to race.
With eight laps to go, it was Clausen, followed by Coons, Larson, Kuhn and Hagen. Clausen got another great jump on the restart but Coons was applying pressure. Kuhn was doing the same to Larson, trying to overtake him for third. After taking the white flag, Clausen, holding a slight lead, jumped the cushion coming out of turn two but was able to straighten out his Midget and cruise to victory. Coons finished a close second and Kuhn just nipped Larson for third in a photo finish.
After the race, Clausen commented that "the last eight laps the motor started acting funny but I was able to finish." He also said that "I gave myself a little scare" after jumping the cushion on the last lap.
The Badger sanctioned ten-lap Micro-Sprint feature was won by twelve year old Robby Resch. Resch was dominant as he was also able to claim victory in the eight-lap heat race and the Micro Dash eight lap race.
Pat Jones, driving a car that he just purchased in Pennsylvania and towed to Angell Park, was the race leader until he turned sideways between turn one and two, causing a caution on lap two. Chad Bogar, who was running second at the time, narrowly missed being collected in the mishap. Bogar, driving the Jones Motorsports Micro, then took over the point. Resch moved into second after starting in the third row. It was Bogar taking the "one to go" flag but Resch was able to sneak underneath Bogar in turn one and sped to victory. This was Resch's third straight featue win at Angell Park. Resch noted after the race that he was "held up a little" after starting towards the back and not able to get past some of the other cars as fast as Bogar did but "the yellow helped us out".
The twelve lap B-Main would transfer six cars to the feature. Tracy Hines jetted to an early lead and was never really challenged. Tanner Swanson, who ran second the entire race, was never able to catch Hines. Davey Ray, driving the Hans Lien entry, was able to pass Bubba Altig on circuit ten to finish third. Altig finished fourth, Robbie Ray was fifth and Levi Jones, who was driving a car owned by Shane Hmiel, finished out the top six.
David Budres was the race leader for the first five laps in the first heat. He was able to hold off the ultra talented Kyle Larson until a lap six pass jettisoned Larson into the lead. Quick qualifier Jerry Coons finished second after a last lap pass of Budres. Larson, an up and coming talent in open wheel racing, was the winner, followed by Coons and Budres.
The second heat saw Badger points leader Brad Kuhn duke it out with wiley veteran Kurt Mayhew. Mayhew lead the first four laps but Kuhn found his way around Mayhew before the fifth lap was completed. Zach Daum shot past Mayhew shortly after to run second to Kuhn. Bryon Walters car slowed on the back stretch causing a caution on lap six. There was some close, exciting, wheel to wheel racing behind the leaders as Robbie Ray, Mario Clouser and Tanner Swanson were all trying to finish in the coveted fourth position. In the end it was Kuhn followed by Daum, Mayhew and Clouser.
Mike Hess was the early leader in the third heat but Darren Hagen and Scott Hatton were running a close second and third. Hagen tried to get by Hess using the lower groove in the track on lap three but couldn’t quite make it stick. Hagen was finally able to solve Hess on lap six to take the lead. Hatton was flying and caught Hess on lap eight for second place. Hess finished third and Bobby East earned the final transfer position.
Chris Gurley led the first lap of heat four but Cody Swanson, driving the Wilke Pak machine, shot past Gurley shortly after to take the lead. Meanwhile, Bryan Clausen, who started at the back, was running second by the third circuit. Clausen was charging and caught Swanson on turn two on the fifth lap for the lead. Swanson, who was running second, came to a hault on lap eight, causing a yellow. With Swanson out of the race, Gurley moved into second with Brandon Waelti third. With two laps remaining, the restart saw Caleb Armstrong shoot past Waelti and Gurly to quickly jump from fourth to second. Clausen won easily followed by Armstrong, Waelti and Gurly.
The Badger 600 Micro Sprint eight lap heat saw Robby Resch lead from start to finish. Chad Bogar made a charge on lap six as both split a lapped car but his effort wasn’t quite enough to get by the “Antigo Flash”. Pat Jones, a former Badger Midget driver, finished out the top three.
Resch continued his dominance in the eight lap dash. Resch began lapping cars by the third circuit. Bobby Ollerman and Chad Bogar were running a distant second and third. Bogar was able to wheel past Ollerman on lap six to finish second and Ollerman held on for third.
The next racing action at Angell Park will be Saturday September 3rd. Many of the finest Midget racers in the country will be on hand for the Pepsi Fireman's Nationals.
Bubba Altig Wins a thriller!
by Bill Blumer and Steve Liegel
It was the Badger sanctioning body standing alone at Angell Park Speedway as 23 Midgets and 10 Micro Sprints filled the pits on Sunday.
Robbie Ray was on the pole and shot off to an early lead in the Midget thirty lap feature race. Bubba Altig, who started third, used the high groove and was able to reel in Ray before the first lap was completed. A lap two spin by Cody Ledger lead to the first caution of the race. Altig looked strong on the restart but would be closely followed by Ray, Daniel Robinson and Zach Daum.
Lap three saw Eric Johnson spin between turns three and four. The red flew as six other cars were collected, including Kurt Mayhew and Mike Hess, who were both unable to continue. Altig got another great jump on the restart and appeared to be the fastest car as he was moving quickly, using his favorite high line. Altig, driving the Davis Engineering Midget, continued to hold the lead but Jerry Coons, Jr. and current Badger points leader Brad Kuhn were making their way through the field.
Coons charged from his ninth position to third by lap seven. Coons, driving the Ralph Wilke car, was able to launch into second after getting by Robbie Ray shortly thereafter. Kuhn was able to pass Ray on lap eleven and the two race favorites were running second and third, while hunting down Altig.
Coons was applying pressure to Altig by lap eighteen, which saw Altig get above the cushion, almost tagging the wall near turn four. It was almost a repeat performance on lap nineteen as Altig missed his line but was able to save his ride from a near disaster.
Zach Daum, who was running seventh, came to a hault on lap twenty-two, causing a yellow flag. The restart would see only seven cars on the lead lap, Altig, Coons, Kuhn, Davey Ray, Robbie Ray, Cody Swanson and Daniel Robinson. On the restart, Altig was aided by a lapped car between himself and Coons. Coons, on lap twenty four, had to try the lower groove to solve Altig, who commanded the topside. Fortunately for Altig, the lapped cars were using the lower grove also, causing Coons to slow his momentum momentarily. Coons was able to show Altig his nose several times during the last few laps but Altig was up for the test and was able to take the checkered flag, just edging Coons for the victory. Brad Kuhn finished third, Davey Ray was fourth and Cody Swanson, driving the Wilke Pak entry, finished fifth. It was Altig's second win of the season and third of his career at Angell Park.
Asked what he was thinking as the car was shooting rooster tails of clay into the sky when he got offline, Altig replied, "I hope I don’t wad it up running in first. If I do, I’m going to get fired. I was trying too hard and missing my marks. I knew they were coming, I about gave it away, I saw Coons three or four times."
Robby Resch of Antigo won his second straight feature at Angell Park in the 600cc Micro Sprints. Cody Ledger lead the first two laps but all eyes were on Resch. Resch was able to overtake Ledger and was timed running laps of 14.9 seconds. Resch held a huge lead with Ledger and Mike Hicks battling for second. Lap eleven was not a good one for Sun Prairie's Preston Benisch as his Micro took a tumble, causing a red flag. Benisch escaped unharmed. Resch was nothing short of spectacular as he gained another sizeable lead on the restart and never looked back. Ledger was able to hold off the pesky Hicks for second.
With over 20 Midgets taking times and 22 cars pushing off for the feature, the Cornfest race promises to have a great count of cars. Only three of the USAC regulars were on hand this week, so it will be reasonable to expect a field of 30 or more for Sunday's race.
NOTES:
Ten 600cc Micros were on hand, the largest count yet for the new class. Second generation driver, Hunter Imhoff, was impressive in his Micro debut. He seemed to improve every lap and passed Preston Benisch at the line for position in one of the heats. "My dad (Rick Imhoff) gave me a shot in the Midget last year, but I scared him and he pulled me out." The seventeen-year-old went on to say that the experience in the full Midget gave him the confidence to slid through the corners in the Micro. Rick Imhoff’s rendition of Hunter’s first Midget effort was a little different, "He was fired," was the report.
For Hunter, the day was not without some problems. After a heat, he missed the waiving of the checkers. Once cars started slowing up unexpectedly in front of him, he had to take evasive action. In doing so he brushed the backstretch wall and tipped his machine over. After making sure his son was alright and exchanging views on the incident, the elder Imhoff closed the conversation by telling his son, "Shut up, get into the ambulance and tell them you’re Bob Lindmeier."
Imhoff's night got better though, as he is one of the principals with the car driven by Bubba Altig.
Former Badger official, Brad Krause, who passed away recently, was mentioned several times during the evening. It was apparent he was a great ambassador for Badger, Angell Park and the sport of Midget racing.
The top six qualifiers participated in “Dave’s Dash” a six lap heat race in memory of Dave Schulenberg, a former Badger car owner. The field was loaded as David Budres and Daniel Robinson made up the front row. The rest of the field included Brad Kuhn, Davey Ray, Cody Weisensel & quick qualifier Jerry Coons. Robinson, driving the Printing Place sponsored car, propelled to an early lead and never gave it up. He was able to hold off Budres and Kuhn for the victory. For his efforts, Robinson took home a cool $500. After the dash, Robinson commented that “We have had horrible luck all year. I guess we’re due.” He also jokingly stated that “I didn’t even know how to get to victory lane.”
The first heat race of the night belonged to Bubba Altig. Altig started in the three hole but was able to charge past pole sitter Bryon Walters on the second lap and cruised to victory. Davey Ray was able to pass Walters on lap seven to challenge Altig but it was too late, as Altig’s lead was too sizeable. Cody Swanson finished third and Bob Schreffler was fourth.
Courtney Erfurth was on the pole for the second Badger heat race. Robbie Ray was charging from his fourth position and was able to overtake Erfurth for the lead on lap six. Before the eighth circuit was completed, the yellow flew as Brandon Waelti and David Budres made contact into turn four and slowed, collecting Cody Weisensel also. Budres and Weisensel appeared to be able to continue racing, albeit at the back of the pack. While the yellow was still out, Weisensel flipped his car violently into the wall between turns three and four. Apparently something broke during the initial incident that caused the flip. Weisensel exited his Midget but was taken by ambulance to University Hospital for observation. This was a tough break for Weisensel, who was second in qualifying to Coons and has been making steady improvements each race. When racing continued, Ray was too much for the other competitors and took home the checkered, followed by Daniel Robinson and Erfurth. After the heat, Ray thanked Erfurth for racing clean. “She is one of the cleanest racers here and fun to race against”.
It was all Brad Kuhn in the star filled third heat of the night. Kuhn, who started fifth, made rapid strides to take the lead from Eric Johnson before the second circuit was completed. With four laps in, Johnson appeared to get loose coming into turn four causing contact with Mike Hess and Coons, who were running a very close third and fourth, causing a caution. Coons was able to continue but Hess was not as fortunate. On the restart, Zach Daum passed Johnson for second and Coons was running third by lap eight. Neither could catch Kuhn as he cruised to victory lane.
The Badger sanctioned 600cc Micro Sprint heat saw Jake Reif lead all eight laps from his pole position. Mike Hicks followed closely behind but was not able to overtake Reif. Cody Ledger finished third and Robby Resch was fourth.
Robby Resch checked out of the Micro Dash as he got off to a big lead early. Chad Bogar came to a stop on the front stretch bringing out a caution before circuit four was completed. Resch made it look easy on the restart as he again pulled away from the pack. Resch won easily followed by Ledger and Hicks.
Jerry Coons Jr. Wins Exciting Thirty Lap Feature at Angell Park
By Steve Liegel
A fifteen minute rain shower delayed racing Sunday night at Angell
Park but the fans that we on hand saw an exciting thirty lap Badger
Midget feature. Sun Prairie driver Cody Weisensel was on the pole
and paced the initial five laps with Matt Smith right on his tail. On
the fifth circuit, Daniel Robinson's car slowed to cause the first
caution of the race. Smith actually had passed Weisensel just
before the yellow flag but the lap was not completed so Weisensel
got his first position back. On the restart, Weisensel got a nice
jump on Smith to give him a little breathing room, at least for
awhile. If Smith wasn't enough to worry about, Weisensel also had
two of the best in the business, Brad Kuhn and Jerry Coons, Jr.
running third and fourth respectively. Weisensel was running a
smooth race, even with a ton of pressure from Smith, who was
seemingly buzzing his back bumper since the start of the feature.
The race was red flagged on lap twelve as Travis Berryhill flipped his
ride on the backstretch but was uninjured. Weisensel again jumped
to a small lead on the restart, only to have Smith close on him a few
laps later. Smith was sticking the nose of his midget under
Weisensel's, trying to get by, only having the door close on him, as
Weisensel took away his line. Smith, from New Castle, Australia, was
able to sneak by Weisensel after he bobbled coming out of turn two
on lap fifteen. Shortly after, Kuhn and Coons got by Weisensel as
well as Brandon Waelti, running the Jones Motorsports Midget.
Coons was able to gain second place on lap nineteen after passing
Kuhn and started to make rapid strides towards first place runner
Smith. Coons was putting all kinds of pressure on Smith, who was
able to hold off the hard charging Coons until lap twenty-six, where
Coons, driving the Wilke Pak Midget, was able to wheel past Smith
for the lead. Coons encountered lapped traffic on lap twenty eight
but was masterfully able to weave his way through the slower cars
to beat Smith to the checkered flag. Kuhn finished third, Waelti
was fourth, fifteen year old Taylor Ferns from Michigan was fifth
and Weisensel finished sixth. In victory lane, Coons said that he was
"so happy to get the Wilke car to victory lane." When asked about
maneuvering through lapped traffic he stated, "the track was
narrow tonight" (due to the rain) "but that's what mother nature
gave us." He also thanked the push truck drivers and safety crew
for preparing the track after the rain.
The first Badger Midget ten-lap heat saw Coons on the point next to
rival Kuhn, driving the RW Motorsports machine. Coons shot off to
an early lead, never to look back. Kuhn was in hot pursuit of Coons
the entire race but Coons was piloting his Midget at a blistering
pace. Matt Smith finished a distant third and Taylor Ferns was
fourth.
A pair of Sun Prairie drivers were in the front row for the second
Badger Midget ten-lap heat. Brandon Waelti was able to get the
early jump on Cody Weisensel and lead from start to finish. A
caution on lap five for a stalled car led to a bunched up field. On the
restart, Waelti was the instant leader with Daniel Robinson, in his
Park Printing ride, took over second position from Weisensel. Bubba
Altig, who started last, was in a battle for fourth place with Mike
Hess. Altig was able to pass Hess on lap eight. Shortly after, Hess
pulled into the pits with an apparent issue and was a scratch for the
feature.
Twelve year old Robby Resch from Antigo became the youngest
ever to win a feature race at Angell Park. Resch, driving for the
first time ever at Angell Park, paced the field in the Badger
sanctioned 600 cc Micro Sprint ten lap feature. Resch was able to
get by pole sitter Preston Benisch and George Knutson early in the
race and never looked back. Jake Reif, also from Antigo, chased
Resch the entire race but was unable to catch the smooth operator.
Chad Bogar finished third. After the race, Resch commented on how
much he liked the track and said he plans to return to Angell Park
again this season.
It was a different story in the Micro Sprint eight lap heat race. Sun
Prairie's Preston Benisch was on the pole next to Resch. At the drop
of the green flag, Resch moved quickly into first position, followed
closely by Jake Reif and Chad Bogar. Reif was able to get
underneath Resch on turn two and passed him for the lead on lap
six. Reif was able to keep the lead and earn the eventual victory.
Resch finished second, barely beating Chad Bogar to the checkered.
The Wisconsin Dirt Legends made another exciting appearance at
Angell Park and did not disappoint. The twenty lap feature race saw
Brandon Schmitt at the point. Wiley Angell Park veteran Joel
Wyttenbach was able to get by Schmitt before the first circuit to
take the lead. Although Wyttenbach was leading, he was being
heavily pursued by Schmitt and Eric Barth. Also in the mix was Mike
Miller, the current series leader. Schmitt and Barth seemed to
trade places on the track a few times during the initial ten laps.
Debris on turn three caused a caution that still saw Wyttenbach
leading. Shortly after the restart, the race leader slid sideways
going into turn four, causing another caution. A tough break for
Wyttenbach, who would have to restart at the back of the pack.
Barth was now the leader with Miller in second, Schmitt was third
followed by Jim Bucher and Dallas Ross. A caution for a stalled car
on the back stretch caused another restart. Seemingly battling the
entire race, Schmitt, trying the lower groove, was side by side with
Barth but could not get by him. Lap sixteen saw the race leaders
dealing with lapped cars. They fought for a few more laps until
Schmitt finally passed Barth in turn three. He took the white flag
and seemed to have victory in hand until he had issues dealing with
getting by slower cars. Barth used the moisture of the upper cushion
to get a great jump off of turn four and just nipped Schmitt at
the finish line.
The Wisconsin Dirt Legends five lap heat race winners were Mike
Miller and Brandon Schmitt.
The next scheduled racing event at Angell Park is Sunday August 14
as the BADGER Midgets will be on hand for another exciting show.
News and Notes: Jerry Coons Jr. was fast time 16.134
With his victory, Jerry Coons is now 7th All-Time with twenty five
wins at Angell Park.
This was the first time ever that Cody Weisensel has lead a feature
race. He lead the first fifteen laps.
Davey Ray made an appearance in the new Hans Lein entry, the
familiar black #2 Midget.
A big "thank you" to all of the push truck drivers and safety crew
for getting the track prepared to race after the rain just before six
P.M.. If it wasn't for their hard work, there would not have been
racing tonight.
Jerry Coons, Jr. Claims Victory at Angell Park
by Steve Liegel
The Badger Midget Racing Association celebrated their diamond anniversary Sunday night. The Badger Midgets
shared the stage with POWERi, with twenty eight cars present. The thirty lap feature consisted of twenty-
two of the finest Midget drivers in the country. Davey Ray was on the pole and jumped out to an early lead in
the main event. Dalton Armstrong tagged the wall after one completed lap, bringing out a caution. Jim Fuerst,
who won his first race ever earlier in the night, was running second followed closely by Mike Hess. Hess made
quick work of Fuerst, getting by him on the second circuit. Jerry Coons, Jr., in the #5 Wilke Pak Midget, was
moving quickly through the pack from his seventh starting position. Coons held third position by lap four and was
running second after lap seven, followed by Hess, Darren Hagen and Bubba Altig. Brad Kuhn was fifth after
starting deep in the lineup. Coons passed Ray on lap twelve but a caution because of a slowed car on turn four
resulted in a restart of the twelfth lap, which Ray initially led. An obvious break for Davey Ray as he was to
restart at the point. Another try to complete lap twelve was unsuccessful as two different wrecks occurred,
one causing the other. It appeared that two cars tangled in turn one, causing three other Midgets to steer
clear of the incident, only to be involved themselves, piling up in turn two. After clearing the Midgets off of the
track, lap thirteen was completed with Ray still in the lead and Hagen moving to third. Another yellow flag
occurred on lap fourteen as Brandon Waelti spun in turn two. By lap sixteen, Coons caught Ray and passed him
for the lead. Brad Kuhn was still charging as he was running third by lap eighteen, getting by quick qualifier
Hagen. By lap twenty-one, Coons had a huge, front stretch lead over Ray and Kuhn. Kuhn, in his familiar RWB
Motorsports entry, was able to pass Ray on the twenty third lap, to run a distant second to Coons, who was
using lapped traffic to his advantage. Lap twenty-six saw Jim Fuerst turn sideways between turns one and two,
losing his left rear tire. The caution was a definite bonus for Kuhn and the rest of the field, as they would line
up directly behind Coons on the restart. On the four lap shootout, Coons jumped to a lead and Kuhn could not
catch him. Coons took home the victory with Kuhn finishing second. Darren Hagen, from Riverside, CA was third
followed by Davey Ray and Brad Loyet. After the race, Coons commented on the track saying, "The great thing
about Angell Park is that it is always different (track conditions), that's what makes it fun." He also stated
that "I knew I had to get going" with all of the talent following him on the track.
Due to a problem in his heat race, Brad Kuhn had to qualify for the feature in the B-Main. It was Kuhn getting
by Three-Time POWERi Champion Brett Anderson early and cruising to a relatively easy victory. Anderson
finished second, Sun Prairie's Brandon Waelti was third. Dalton Armstrong, David Budres and Austin Brown
finished the top six and all were eligible for the thirty lap feature race.
Kyle Neal was the leader of the first-heat but saw Brad Kuhn charging from the back of the pack into third
position after lap two. Two laps later, Kuhn's usually reliable ride stalled on turn two bringing out the yellow
flag. The restart saw Neal leading the pack with Gavin Galbraith in second and veteran driver Jim Fuerst
running third. On lap five, Fuerst got by Galbraith and set his sights on Neal. On lap seven Fuerst used the high
line in turn four to pass Neal at the start-finish line. Fuerst went on for the victory, his first in ten years of
racing. Fuerst was pumped after the race, yelling form the winners stand " win number one in ten years of
racing."
All ten laps of heat-two belonged to Mike Hess, driving the Jerryatric Motorsports entry. Hess, who started
from the fourth position, was able to get by Daniel Adler before the first circuit was completed. A caution on
lap five caused a restart. With five to go, Hess jumped to a sizeable lead but had to be smooth because Adler and Nick
Knepper followed. Hess stated after the race that he used his experience at Angell Park and ran above the
cushion.
The third-heat saw Chet Gehrke from Broken Arrow, OK take the checkered. Bubba Altig and Jerry Coons, Jr.
were in a fight for second but Coons was able to dip under Altig in turn four on the last lap, just nipping Altig
at the finish line. After the race Gehrke stated that he "just tried to stay smooth and not mess up. I had my
hands full."
Brad Loyet from Sunset Hills, MO was the winner of heat-four. After three laps, Loyet led followed by Davey
Ray, Austin Brown and Darren Hagen. Brown bobbled in turn four enabling Hagen to get by him. Hagen then
snuck by Davey Ray on lap nine to finish second. Ray finished third and Scott Hatton was fourth. Loyet
commented that experience at Angell Park should help in the feature race since there are so many guys here
with not much time spent at Angell Park. "The track can get hairy."
Chad Bogar, running the Jones Motorsports Micro Sprint, made it a clean sweep winning both the heat and the
Badger sanctioned 600cc four lap feature race. Sun Prairie's Preston Benisch challenged Bogar in the feature but
ran a little high on lap three, losing momentum and any chance of catching Bogar. Brice Lorenz finished third.
Bogar commented after the race that "it was good to be back" after motor issues caused him to miss last
weekend’s race.
Kim Clover was on the point for the Wisconsin Dirt Legends feature race. Ethan Ross and Joe Johnson were
able to pass Clover early on. Shortly after, two cars got together on the backstretch causing a caution. The
restart saw Ross, Johnson and #0 Brian Peterson running the top three positions. Joel
Wyttenbach, who was running fifth at the time, was moving quickly through the field and eventually overtook
Peterson. He began closing in on Johnson, going bumper to bumper with him. He soon shot by Johnson and was
aiming for Ross. Wyttenbach, who has had some experience wheeling a midget at Angell Park, overtook Ross,
using the outer groove and cruised to victory. Johnson was able to sneak by Ross with 'one to go' to finish second
while Eric Barth took home fourth place. After the win, Wyttenbach commented on his car, "It isn't pretty but
it wins a few races so that's all that counts."
Next week at Angell Park the Badger Midgets are scheduled along with the Wisconsin Dirt Legends, Sunday
evening, July 24th.
News and notes:
Darren Hagen had fast time 14.957, the only time under the fifteen second mark.
A special 75th Anniversary trophy was handed out to each Midget driver as well as car owner who won a heat or
feature race.
It was announced that Badger is the oldest sanctioned Midget racing organization in the country.
Each midget heat-race winner won an extra $50 for tonight’s special event.
This was Jerry Coons, Jr.'s twenty fourth win at Angell Park which ties Stan Fox for sixth all-time
Kuhn Wins Again
By Steve Liegel and Bill Blumer
It was a battle of former Badger Midget champions as Brad Kuhn out-dueled Scott Hatton and Mike Hess to a hard earned victory Sunday night at Angell Park Speedway.
Sun Prairie's Brandon Waelti jump to the early lead in the thirty lap feature, driving a second Huston Solutions car, as his Jones Motorsports ride was under repairs. The lead was short lived as Mike Hess took over two laps later. Kuhn, who started in the fifth position, took to the point on the sixth circuit. By lap eight, Hatton had possession of second place after splitting the cars of Mike Hess and Davey Ray, who were running a distant second and third. Kuhn was enjoying a good straightaway advantage when Hatton started to creep up on the cushion, one groove higher than Kuhn. By lap sixteen, Hatton caught Kuhn and tried to sneak past him using the high line, coming out of turn four. Hatton saw an opening but got a little too high and tagged the wall, first with one end of the car, then the other. The contact put him within inches of doing a famed end over end flip, down the front straight. But somehow he collected his car and continued his pursuit of Kuhn, albeit out of striking range. The next lap saw Daniel Robinson's machine come to a halt between turns one and two, bringing out the caution, seemingly
helping Hatton in the process. On the restart, Kuhn got a big jump on Hatton, who was quickly overtaken by Hess. On lap twenty, Davey Ray and Bubba Altig both snuck by Hatton to run third and fourth. Kuhn was able to secure a comfortable lead and went on to take his second APS victory in a row.
Hess finished second, Altig third, Ray was fourth and Waelti fifth.
After the race, Hatton commented that maybe he should have been a little more patient, "I knew I was close (to the wall) but I was going for the win." He went on to say that once Kuhn discovered the route Hatton was on, Kuhn would have taken that line away. Hatton’s Crew Chief, Kurt Gunderson indicated the poor performance upon the restart was due to a broken Jacob’s Ladder that occurred when it hit the wall, making it handle poorly. While Kuhn could not see Hatton, he indicated he heard Hatton closing in.
The first heat of the night saw Robbie Ray pass Jim Fuerst on lap two and cruise to the victory. Waelti placed a distant second. Fifteen-year-old Taylor Ferns held off Hatton to place third. Ferns is from Michigan and it was her first race at Angell Park.
Heat-two was a battle between Courtney Erfurth and Cody Weisensel early. Unfortunately for them, Davey Ray had other thoughts and was able to overtake Weisensel on lap two and Erfurth on lap three. Once in the lead, Ray would not be caught and took the checkered. Weisensel, of Sun Prairie, finished second, Bubba Altig was third and Erfurth finished fourth. After the heat, Ray stated, "Angell Park is still the best race track in the country. That is why we are here."
All ten laps of heat-three were seemingly wheel to wheel. The first lap saw Dalton Armstrong battle Daniel Robinson for the lead. Armstrong looked very seasoned, even though it was his first trip to Angell Park. He led the first six laps, going toe to toe with Mike Hess most of the
way. Somehow, the Angell Park veteran Hess was able to overtake Armstrong on lap seven. Brad Kuhn was charging from his sixth starting position and was able to get by Armstrong on lap eight. Hess had a large enough lead to hold off Kuhn for the victory. Armstrong finished a
respectable third. After the race, Hess gave kudos to Armstrong for running a clean race, even though they were running tight to each other for several laps.
The Badger 600 cc Micro Sprint card was swept by three time IRA Sprint Car champion Billy Balog. Balog, driving the Jerry Hardy entry, jumped to an early lead in the feature and was never really challenged for the victory. Balog was timed running laps of 16 seconds. Sun Prairie's Preston Benisch ran a fine race and finished a strong second to Balog. George Knutson and Dick Heath finished out the field. After the race, Balog was singing praises for Angell Park. "It's a great place to race. I can say I won a feature at Angell Park." Balog said that he never lifted off the accelerator during the race, but took it easy at the end to avoid a chance at breaking the chain that drives these race cars.
Benisch, at twelve years old shows steady improvement in a class that is intended to introduce drivers to open wheel racing. With lap times in the 16- second range, he’s improved by nearly two seconds some of his best previous laps. In the heat, after missing a shift at the start and seeing the field go by him, he recouped to catch Knutson. It looked like Benisch would get the elder statesman of the group in the second turn, but the backstretch wall came quickly and Benisch tagged it. "I felt a ‘thud,’ but kept going," noted Benisch. It was enough to kill his momentum and put Knutson back in second. Benisch battled back but Knutson nipped him at the line.
Next Sunday, July 17th, the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association will be celebrating their 75th anniversary. The top drivers in Badger are expected along with Kuhn, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Brad Loyet, among others. The event will be co-sanctioned with the POWRi Midget series and the USAC D-1 series. The Micros and Wisconsin Legends Dirt Racing Series will also be on the card.
In the last four races Badger and POWRi have teamed up for, they have fielded no less than 40 cars.
NEWS AND NOTES:
At 59 years old, Kurt Mayhew is one of the oldest active drivers in Midget racing. He took a tumble during qualifying but had the car back in action by feature time. He indicated he was alright, but the car had to have many of its rear components replaced. "Steve Wineke, he helps me out, he’s a thrasher. He went to work and I just kind of stood back," noted Mayhew.
Hatton was upbeat after the races. He indicate his team is still trying to figure out the new rev limiter situation with Badger. After blowing an engine his first week out, he felt the team made a lot of progress at Sunday’s event.
It was Jim Furest’s inaugural race of the season and he was energized by pacing the field in his heat and his effort in the feature. His absence from Angell Park thus far, was all due to his inability to agree with Mother Nature. Running a part-time schedule this year, every event he planned to run had been rained out until now.
With 20 cars in the pits for the Midgets, a driver could sandbag in their heat and still get a decent starting spot for the feature. Yet, the drivers continue to thrill their fans with wheel to wheel racing even in the relatively meaningless preliminary events. This is a credit to the determination of all competitors to put on a great show for the fans.
Australia’s Matt Jackson raced at APS for the first time. He bought a car in the U.S. and is towing around the country for two weeks, racing where he can. The twenty-year-old was alone and picked up a displaced crewman from the Jason Dull team to help out a bit.
The initiated can see the efforts several owners are making to keep Badger viable. Balog was in the pits simply to run the Micro. He hadn’t even brought the necessary safety gear to run a Midget.. When owner Bill Ecker heard Balog was wandering the pits, he put him in his second Printing Place car. Nobody could blame Ecker for leaving the second mount at home, since it was nearly destroyed by a guest driver earlier in the year. "I want to keep this place alive," said Ecker. Both driver and owner were pleased with the eighth place finish. As for the equipment, Balog borrowed Benisch’s neck device to comply with the rules.
If all of the Micros that have turned laps in 2011 were at the track, the division would be up to 6 cars. While it’s not quite the number hoped for, it is encouraging for a class that was started from scratch.
Kuhn Sets Track Record at Angell Park Speedway
By Bill Blumer
and Steve Leigel
It was a battle of two Midget Racing legends as Brad Kuhn and Jerry Coons Jr. put on an exciting show Sunday night at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie. Kuhn, in his RWB Motorsports Fontana powered machine, beat Coons for the feature victory.
Sun Prairie's Brandon Waelti, in the Jones Motorsports entry, started on the pole for the Badger Midget Series thirty lap A-main and led the first four laps. On the fifth lap in turn one, Kuhn and Coons split Waelti and both got by him, then the clinic began. All eyes were on Kuhn and Coons, two of the best Midget drivers in the country. It was Kuhn leading with Coons, driving the Ralph Wilke Midget, close in tow for the rest of the race. Lap-ten saw both weaving in and out of lapped traffic, with little resistance. They seldom had a rest from the lappers, with some running high where the leaders wanted to be, and some running the rail. The nose to tail run of the leaders continued until lap twenty-seven when Kuhn, using the high groove, lost momentum as he was pinned behind a lapped car, while Coon was cruising just off his left rear. With nowhere to go, Kuhn had to let up and Coons took advantage of the situation.
After getting by Kuhn, Coons looked like he might cruise to victory until he suddenly went high in turn-four on the next circuit and slowed considerably. That left the door open for Kuhn, as he shot by Coons to take the white flag and eventual victory. Coons crossed the finish line with his right rear tire nearly shredded completely off.
Kuhn stated after the race, "I'd like to feel sorry for Jerry but he has gotten me like this
before." Kuhn also acknowledged the Wilkes for keeping Midget racing alive in Sun Prairie.
For his part, a dejected Coons said he knew the tire was going down on the back stretch, before he slowed in the fourth turn.
Along with the win, Kuhn etched his name in the record books as the 30 lap race was run in record time. According to announcer Bryan Gapinski, it was a mark that had held for over 40 years.
In the first Midget heat, New Castle Australia's Matt Smith led from start to finish. Smith was never really challenged for the lead. The real battle was for second and third as Kuhn, who started at the back, was giving second place runner Mike Hess all he could handle. Kuhn tried various tactics to get by Hess and did sneak past him for a brief moment on lap eight but lost momentum and Hess regained second place. Hess beat Kuhn at the checkered by a nose for a hard-fought second place finish.
Coons won the second heat after starting at the rear. Bubba Altig , who
started third, shot off to an early lead until Coons flew by Altig on lap
six at the start/finish line. Nobody was going to catch Coons and he cruised
to victory. Altig finished second.
In Badger 600 Micro action, Hess, in a newly built John Callahan creation, had a wheel to wheel battle going with opening night winner, Chad Bogar, until the latter’s car expired. Hess then went unchallenged to beat youngsters that included Sun Prairie’s Preston Benisch who finished third.
Also on the card was the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series. Here Joey Johnson of Slinger, grandson of Angell Park legend Billy Johnson, led for about half of the 20 lap feature. But former Midget pilot, and Legends Racing champion, Joel Wyttenbach, from Sauk City, out foxed Johnson on a restart and never looked back, taking the win.
The Badger Midgets will be back in action at Angell Park on July 10, in a co-sanctioned event with the USAC Regional Series.
It was billed as the Farewell Tour for Chris Carr but Jared "The Jammer " Mees
had a masterful run at Angell Park on Sunday night. Mees got a great initial
jump in the AMA Flat Track Pro Expert Twins feature race and was able to hold of
a hard charging Carr for the victory. Mees lead the entire way but at the
halfway mark in the race, Carr was able to get by Jethro Halbert and was able to
close on Mees but didn't have enough in the end to catch him. After the race,
third place finisher Halbert said "the track is pretty hard to pass" but "I left
a little room for Chris and he took it". Mees stated that he "looked back and
saw Chris " but "as long as I kept my line, I knew it would be hard to pass."
Mees took home $1,150 for his effort.
Fourteen year old Molly Terry had the
crowd on her side in the 450 Open Singles Amateur race. Molly's #11 Honda
motorcycle was able to sneak by #18 Morgan Dischler at the half way point and
was able to hold off Morgen Dischler and the #70 bike of David Schultz. Molly
appears to be a future Flat Track star and received a well deserved round of
applause after her win from the Angell Park fans.
The Open Vintage category
featured bikes that were older than 1982. Danny Vrana, in his 1952 Harley, led
early with Ian Steen's #01 cycle close behind, putting all sorts of pressure on
the Vrana machine. Steen passed Vrana in turn four just before the white flag
flew to take the lead and eventual win. The #59 bike of Steven Kasten finished
third, almost beating Vrana to the checkers.
Eighteen year old Mikey Martin from
California won the Pro Singles feature. Portage's Robbie Treinen, who had the
initial lead, finished second. After the race, when asked about Angell Park
Treinen said "This is awesome." It's "pretty cool to run so close to home."
The
250 Amateur division saw Molly Terry put on a spectacular show going wheel to
wheel with #18 Morgan Dischler. Terry tried passing Dischler on both the inside
and outside but Dischler was able to hold her off until a turn two pass on lap 6
where Terry appeared to push Dischler up the track just enough to get by.
Terry's #11 cycle was able to hold the groove and cruise to victory.
In the
Expert Singles feature race it was Jared Mees running away with the victory.
Jesse Janish led the first lap but Mees got by him on turn three on the second
lap and never looked back. Janish finished a respectable second to the former
Flat Track champion.
The 450 Amateur race saw David Schultz from Beaver Dam lead
the entire 8 laps. It was a close race as Molly Terry was almost touching
Schult's back tire at the white flag. Schultz was able to hold her off for a
well deserved victory. Schultz redeemed himself after leading his heat race and
taking a spill on turn one just after taking the "one to go" flag.
Chuck Calvert
from Madison got out to an early lead and won the Open Quad feature. The #17
four wheeler of Loganville's Allen Johnson finished second and #32 Jeremy Hut
finished third. One of the Open Quad feature winners, Matt Schultz, flipped his
ride on turn four causing the race to end in a red/checkered finish. He did walk
off the track with some assistance.
Al Sumner was one of two rides in the
Veteran 30+ class with Vrana. Sumner, from the Milwaukee area was one of two
drivers who mentioned they raced motorcycles at Angell Park in the early 1980's
when the two wheelers last visited. Sumer also said he was one of the founders
of the familiar Aztalan race course located along Interstate 94 near Lake Mills.
NOTES: In the meeting for participants before they took the track, the AMA
official told the uninitiated media members that their stars are "Riders," and
not "Drivers."
A random sampling of lap times saw the Twins and Quads in the low
19 second range.
60 bikes were registered for the night. The age of the riders
ranged from 14 to the 70's. The bikes often fishtailed, especially out of the
turns. Mees explained that this was due to slick spots on the track. When the
ride jacked back and straightened out, it had found a place to stick. At times
it looked violent like a Midget catching the berm and then continuing on. Asked
how they deal with the read end sliding out and coming back under them so
violently, Mees replied, "You get used to it."
It's been said that there's
little to no straightaway at Angell Park. In watching the motorcycles this would
seem to be true as they were in a perpetual left hand lean.
Mees, Carr and
several other drivers seemed happy with the track and felt with some input from
drivers, the track prepping crew could make it even better.
Chris Carr addressed
the audience a couple of times on the night. The AMA Hall of Famer's smooth and
insightful talks with track announcer Jim Tretow should be a lesson for all of
the young AMA riders out there. Carr joked that he didn't know what he was going
to do when he grew up. But he wasn't going to start, until his Farewell Tour was
over. He'd do well to consider consulting for young athletes on how to address
the media. He's the consummate spokesperson.
The next racing at Angell Park is
Father's Day, June 19th as the BADGER Midgets, USAC Regional Midgets and the
Wisconsin Dirt Legends appear.
Last years Badger Midget Racing Champion Mike Hess was on the pole for the
Memorial Day 30 lap feature at Angell Park Monday evening. Hess led the
first three laps until Bubba Altig got by him with a nifty pass. Altig was
still in the lead on lap seventeen when Scott Hatton's car came to a hault
on turn two causing a caution. On the restart, with Hess still in second and
hard charging Kiwi Michel Pickens in third, Altig was off and running again
and gained a sizeable lead over Hess, Pickens and Matt Smith. Altig's lead
was so large he was almost assured of a victory until, on lap 28, the third
place car of Hess tangled in turn two with fourth place runner Matt Smith .
That would lead to a two lap shootout between Altig and Pickens with Davey
Ray third behind the lapped car of Brian Walters. Altig's #19 machine was up
for the test as he got off to a great restart and beat Pickens by two car
lengths to win the Memorial Day 30. Davey Ray finished third, David Budres
was fourth and Robbie Ray finished out the top five. When asked after the
race about Pickens, Altig said "He is good and fast. I had to get out in
front." What aided Altig was that his car "could go anywhere on the track."
He stated that "this win is even better than his first win." He wanted to
especially thank Howard Davis & Rick Imhoff, the car owners. "They put a lot
of hard work into the car."
In the Badger Midget first ten lap heat, Brandon Waelti took the victory
with his Jones Motorsports ride. Travis Berryhill held the lead for the
first seven laps, many of those wheel to wheel with Waelti. On lap eight,
Waelti was able to hold the bottom and get by Berryhill for the win.
The second heat saw Scott Hatton lead the first six laps with Matt Smith
close in tow. The Australian Smith finally got by Hatton on lap seven. Davey
Ray was able to sneak by Hatton on lap eight. Ray was on Smith's bumper the
final two laps but Smith was able to hold him off for a well deserved
victory. Hatton finished third.
In heat three, Sun Prairie native Cody Weisensel was the leader until lap
five when Robbie Ray snuck past him and cruised for the checkers. Weisensel
finished a very respectable second. He was able to hold off big time talent
in Mike Hess, Michael Pickens and Midget Racing Hall of Famer Kevin Olson,
who finished out the top five.
The BADGER sanctioned 600 CC Micro Sprints saw Jones Racing entry Chad Bogar
win the feature. Finishing second was Sun Prairie twelve year old Preston
Benish in his #2 machine. Preston is believed to be the youngest to ever run
a Badger sanctioned racing event.
The next Badger Midget action at Angell Park is Fathers Day, June 19th. The
BADGER Midgets, USAC Regional Midgets and Wisconsin Dirt Legends will be
there for an exciting show.
Race Promoter for the 2011 year will be Chris Wilke of CW Promotions. For
anyone with questions regarding Angell Park Speedway's racing venue including
racing sponsorships, race advertising, as well as any racing event occurring at
Angell Park Speedway on the track. Chris Wilke can be reached by phone at
414-698-7754 or by email at chriswpromotions@gmail.com.