BACK EDGES PRIETZEL IN MID-AM FREEDOM 40

By Tom Wagner
Photo By Chuck Look

(Marshfield, WI) July 5, 2008 - To paraphrase a famous airline commercial, Brian Back loves to race at Marshfield Super Speedway - and it shows.

Competing at what he called his "favorite place to race", the third generation driver from Rudolph executed a last lap, last corner pass on Bill Prietzel to win the Mid-American Series 40 lap "Freedom 40" at the half mile paved oval Saturday night.

It was a memorable evening for Back as he nearly scored a double clean sweep on the night. He turned the trick in the Speedway's Super Stock class, setting fast time and winning both the feature and the heat. He was two-thirds of the way there in the series events, but was denied by Rod Brewe who edged him at the line in the division's third heat race.

To set the stage for a dramatic sequence over the final few laps, Back and Prietzel had to march through the field from their sixth row starting spots. Prietzel was the first to advance, gaining the outside line and methodically picking off spots over the event's first half.

At the point, Bobby Gutknecht used an outside move to pass Darren Wolke for the lead on the eighth lap. He had little time to escape the field as Prietzel stormed forward. In just 10 laps, he had already picked off eight cars and was third. Four laps later, he was in second and was setting sail for Gutknecht.

Gutknecht held the outside when Prietzel caught him, so the three-time champ crossed to low line and made his move. The change in grooves mattered little as Prietzel shot to the lead on the 24th lap. Any thoughts of a run-away were erased courtesy of Lyle Nowak. Nowak grabbed second from Gutknecht on the 26th lap and clung to Prietzel's back bumper as the duo entered some serious lapped traffic entering the final quarter of the event.

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Mid-American History Made in Francis Creek Frenzy at 141

(Francis Creek, WI) June 28, 2008 – Crystal Wood put her name in the record books again Saturday night as the first female driver to win a Mid-American Stock Car Series event. Wood, who is also the first female to win a track championship in Wisconsin state history, led from the drop of the green of the Francis Creek Frenzy presented by Tisler Salvage. Several late challenges from Andy Casavant fell short as the 141 Speedway produced another first time winner. “This year has been really bad. I’m just happy that we finally won,” said Wood, who has multiple feature wins racing weekly at 141.

Husband and wife led the field to the drop of the green with Don Wood starting on the outside of Crystal. Don led the first lap on the dreaded outside line of 141. The two raced side by side for the first three laps with Crystal officially taking the lead on lap two. She finally secured the lead the following lap when Don began to back-track on the outside.

In the early going Lyle Nowak started to charge to the front. He moved around Don Wood on lap four while following Mike Oswald, who was glued to the inside lane. A caution on lap eight placed Nowak on the outside line with an open lane on Crystal Wood. When the green flew, Nowak rocketed to the outside of Wood and seemed to be gaining ground on the outside. However, for the second race in a row, Nowak suffered engine problems and had to exit on lap 11. “I think we would have had them covered tonight,” said Nowak. “This was the best car I’ve had in a long time.”

Nowak was not the only top Mid-American driver to suffer hardships at 141. In hot laps, James Swan lost the engine in his car. He jumped into Ryan Manthei’s car for the evening and qualified fifth. An incident between Swan and Travis Rodewald on lap 21 proved to be bad for Bill Prietzel, who was leading Mid-American points coming into the event. Swan and Rodewald touched in turn four, sending Rodewald into the spin cycle. Prietzel was unable to make an evasive maneuver and clipped Rodewald. Those two were unable to continue and Swan was put to the back of the field.

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Piontek Heads Tough 141 Contingent for Saturday’s Francis Creek Frenzy

(Fort Atkinson, WI) June 23, 2008 – One word is taboo among Mid-American Stock Car Series drivers. Actually, it’s a number, 141. The 141 Speedway has been stirring anxious feelings in Mid-American drivers every year since the track reopened in 1998. Ten years later, Mid-American is still visiting the tight quarter mile oval in Francis Creek, WI and frustrating some of the country’s best sportsmen drivers.

Perhaps the reason why competitors cringe when thinking of 141 is due to the strong contingent that races at the track weekly. The 141 Speedway has spawned some top late model drivers in the area such as former 141 Mid-Am champ Gregg Haese and Brett Piontek. Haese will be attending a super late model race but will loan his car to Errol Berry, who currently leads super stock points at the track. Piontek, however, is poised to greet the traveling Mid-American drivers and show them why he is atop the point standings at 141.

Piontek has enjoyed some early success at the venue. In four feature events, he has not finished outside of the top six. Those finishes include two feature wins in back to back events. “[141 has] been excellent so far. The car has just been outstanding there this year,” said Piontek.

“We were just going to run part time like we did last year, but since things took off we're going to stick with it,” said Piontek of his summer schedule. Just like Haese, Piontek competes in a super late model at Wisconsin International Raceway on Thursday nights. The differences between Piontek’s Thursdays and Saturdays are apparent. “The racing at [141] is a lot tighter than Kaukauna. It's a lot of fun to run out there."

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Breiner Breaks into Stock Car Ranks in Mid-American

As written for MikieBreiner.com

Photo of Mikie Breiner at DRP by Chuck Look

When Mike Breiner Sr. decided to step aside as a race car driver and move into the role of crew chief there was only one logical choice to replace him. That driver was his son, Mikie. With twelve years of experience already under his belt, Mikie is looking to make some noise in his first year as a Mid-American Stock Car Series driver.

The 21-year-old from Johnburg, IL got the call at a very young age. While most kids were still playing Playstation and watching Saturday morning cartoons, Mikie was winning go-kart championships. In his years as a go-kart driver, Mikie won three championships racing in South Bend, IN.

Mikie kept advancing his career at an accelerated pace. “He got in a 125 shifter kart when he was twelve. He was pulling wheelies in it because there wasn't enough weight to hold him down,” recalled Mike Sr. From the go-karts it was on to the Allison Legacy Series for Mikie and his team. After a few years of running at the front of the pack, the team decided that it was time to move to the full size stock cars to help Mikie fulfill his dream of someday making it to the top ranks of NASCAR.

Making the jump to a full time stock car provides a few new obstacles for Mikie. Along with the challenges of his new competitors, the adaptation to a new car has been a challenge for him. “My driving style has changed. I can't go out and attack it like I did in go-karts,” he said.

A look at Mikie’s track record will show that adaptation will not be much of a problem for him. Mike Sr. is also confident that the team will be able to field a car that will be able to put them up front. “The cars aren't the most sophisticated so you need to learn how to work on them,” Mike Sr. stated.

Another challenge, to which most drivers can attest, is the finances for Mikie and his team. “The traveling is about the same as the Allison Legacies, but the car itself has been the biggest expense,” said Mike Sr. However, there is an advantage to racing in Mid-American without incredibly fat pockets. “Unlike the bigger series, [Mid-American] racing is a lot closer. In the Mid-Ams you can work on the car and get to the front, you don't have to have the most money,” he added.

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Finney Fends Off Champions to Win Tisler Salvage Red Race at WIR

Photo By Chuck Look

(Kaukauna, WI) June 14, 2008 – Six Mid-American Stock Car Series championships were not enough to keep third-year driver Jake Finney from picking up his first Mid-American feature win. Finney took the lead on lap six of the Tisler Salvage 35 and smoothly held his line as a pair of three time series champions in Bill Prietzel and James Swan challenged him on Saturday night. “I hardly looked in my mirror at all. I think I had to calm my dad down more on the radio” said the 2006 Mid-American rookie of the year.

When the green flag fell on the field, Troy Shear Jr. swung into the lead around outside pole sitter Kenny Smart. A long run may have benefitted Shear, but a quick caution for a spin by Jim Thorson stopped his momentum. On the restart Smart started on the outside of Finney and tried to hold onto the outside line as he raced side by side with Shear.

While the two held even around the ½ mile D-shaped oval, Finney stayed patient on the inside line. Smart could not keep the grip on the outside and began to fade. Finney saw his opening on lap six as Shear drifted up the track out of the second turn. “It looked like Troy pushed up the track. My car was really good on the bottom,” Finney explained. Shear continued to fade on the outside as his brother Kyle moved into second and Prietzel slipped into third on the next lap.

At the same time, James Swan was mounting a charge. Swan moved into fourth on lap eight and followed Prietzel into third past Kyle Shear four laps later. Finney had built a healthy lead over the rest of the field and kept his Monte Carlo on cruise control. However, Prietzel and Swan caught him only seven laps later.

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Previous News
BACK EDGES PRIETZEL IN MID-AM FREEDOM 40 - posted on 07 Jul 2008
Mid-American History Made in Francis Creek Frenzy at 141 - posted on 28 Jun 2008
Piontek Heads Tough 141 Contingent for Saturday’s Francis Creek Frenzy - posted on 24 Jun 2008
Breiner Breaks into Stock Car Ranks in Mid-American - posted on 20 Jun 2008
Finney Fends Off Champions to Win Tisler Salvage Red Race at WIR - posted on 15 Jun 2008
Prietzel Sets Fast Time for Tisler Salvage Red Race - posted on 14 Jun 2008
Contingency Sponsors Joining Mid-American for Red Race - posted on 09 Jun 2008
Abbreviated Dells Duel One to Prietzel - posted on 01 Jun 2008
Kyle Shear Ties Track Record at DRP -- Heats Complete - posted on 31 May 2008
Shear Seeking Sophomore Season Repeat at DRP - posted on 28 May 2008
Mid-American Makes Schedule Change - posted on 27 May 2008
Wolke Weathers a Late Charge By Prietzel at La Crosse - posted on 17 May 2008
Brian Back Sets Fast Time - posted on 16 May 2008
Brown Hopes To Be a Three-Peat Spoiler at La Crosse - posted on 15 May 2008
Mid-American Prepares for Early Season La Crosse Showdown - posted on 12 May 2008
Mid-American Drivers Participate in Drive the Mile - posted on 06 May 2008
DRIVE THE MILE A MAJOR SUCCESS - posted on 06 May 2008
“DRIVE THE MILE” BENEFITS HUNGER TASK FORCE AT THE MILWAUKEE MILE, SET FOR SUNDAY MAY 4th - posted on 29 Apr 2008
Spring Spectacular Postponed - posted on 26 Apr 2008
Wood and Family Frantically Prepare for Golden Sands - posted on 26 Apr 2008
NOWAK EYES HOT START TO 2008 SEASON - posted on 21 Apr 2008
NOWAK TAKES HOME ANOTHER SPRING CLASSIC WIN - posted on 13 Apr 2008
MID-AMERICAN EXPANDS WEBSITE - posted on 12 Apr 2008
OBERMEYER HOPES TO SPRING INTO 2008 WITH ROCKFORD REPEAT - posted on 07 Apr 2008
MID-AMERICAN "SWEET SIXTEEN" SEASON PREVIEW - posted on 31 Mar 2008
ANOTHER HAT THROWN INTO THE ROOKIE CLASS OF MID-AMERICAN - posted on 29 Mar 2008
A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS - posted on 29 Mar 2008
SHEAR NAME STILL GOING STRONG IN MID-AMERICAN - posted on 19 Mar 2008
SWAN HAS SOARED ABOVE COMPETITION - posted on 14 Mar 2008
31st ANNUAL SPRING CLASSIC SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED - posted on 12 Mar 2008
MID-AM DRIVERS FEATURED IN HAWKEYE RACING NEWS - posted on 06 Mar 2008
DESPITE SNOWFALL, ROCKFORD READY TO OPEN IN APRIL - posted on 04 Mar 2008
REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR 2008 - posted on 03 Mar 2008
SLINGER STANDOUTS JOIN MID-AMERICAN ROOKIE RACE - posted on 23 Feb 2008
MID-AMERICAN FINALIZES 2008 SCHEDULE - posted on 12 Feb 2008
MID-AMERICAN ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ARP - posted on 26 Jan 2008
MID-AMERICAN CLOSES OUT MEMORABLE 15th SEASON - posted on 22 Jan 2008
Mid-American Prepares to Honor 2007 Competitors - posted on 12 Jan 2008
MID-AMERICAN 2007 SEASON REWIND - posted on 20 Dec 2007
Tentative 2008 Mid-Am Schedule Released - posted on 27 Nov 2007
Milwaukee Videos Available NOW!!! - posted on 16 Nov 2007
MID-AMERICAN CONGRATULATES 2007 FRONT RUNNERS - posted on 07 Nov 2007
SWAN ENDS CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON WITH A WIN AT ROAD AMERICA - posted on 28 Oct 2007
A VERY SPECIAL FALL CLASSIC FOR MID-AMERICAN - posted on 26 Oct 2007
ACS Road America History - posted on 26 Oct 2007
A VERY SPECIAL FALL CLASSIC FOR MID-AMERICAN - posted on 19 Oct 2007
FIGHT FOR THE CURE FALL CLASSIC - posted on 17 Oct 2007
REPEATS FOR BROWN AND SWAN AT FEST - posted on 07 Oct 2007
DÉJÀ VU AT LA CROSSE : SWAN, PRIETZEL, CHAMPIONSHIP - posted on 04 Oct 2007
Joosten Cruises to First NSTC Win - posted on 01 Oct 2007
SENERCHIA LOOKS FOR THREE-PEAT AT NSTC - posted on 27 Sep 2007
HE'S BACK: SWAN VICTORIOUS IN MID-AM'S MARSHFIELD DEBUT - posted on 23 Sep 2007
HOME COOKIN' FOR NOWAK AT MARSHFIELD - posted on 16 Sep 2007
DAMROW GRABS 1ST MID-AM VICTORY IN VERCAUTEREN MEMORIAL - posted on 02 Sep 2007
GARY VERCAUTERAN MEMORIAL THIS SATURDAY AT 141 - posted on 31 Aug 2007
THE EXTRA MILE: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S CUP - posted on 28 Aug 2007
GUTKNECHT FENDS OFF FRIEND TO WIN GOVERNOR'S CUP AT THE MILE - posted on 26 Aug 2007
USST CHAMPION MCCLINTOCK TO JOIN MID-AMERICAN - posted on 23 Aug 2007
WEATHER PUTS A HALT ON THE BLUE RACE - posted on 18 Aug 2007
MID-AMERICAN MID-SEASON REPORT - posted on 10 Aug 2007
FIFTY YEARS with BOB SCHMELZER - posted on 03 Aug 2007
GUTKNECHT RETURNS TO VICTORY IN TISLER SALVAGE WHITE RACE - posted on 22 Jul 2007
GUTKNECHT FINALLY ATOP MID-AMERICAN STANDINGS - posted on 18 Jul 2007
MID-AMERICAN ROOKIE K. SHEAR TAKES INAUGURAL DRP CHECKERED - posted on 15 Jul 2007
NEW POINT LEADER SPOONMORE READY TO CHALLENGE DRP - posted on 13 Jul 2007
NEW DESTINATION, NEW POINT LEADER FOR MID-AMERICAN - posted on 12 Jul 2007
SPOONMORE CONQUERS MADISON INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY - posted on 08 Jul 2007
POINTS SHAKE UP COULD BE IN THE CARDS FOR MID-AMERICAN AT MIS - posted on 02 Jul 2007
DRIVERS PASS MID-AM TEST AT THE MILE WITH FLYING COLORS - posted on 01 Jul 2007
Test and Tune at the Milwaukee Mile - posted on 20 Jun 2007
PRIETZEL BESTS STELLAR FIELD in TISLER SALVAGE RED RACE at WIR - posted on 10 Jun 2007
SWAN LOOKS TO CONTINUE RED, WHITE AND BLUE DOMINANCE - posted on 06 Jun 2007
WIR Red Race - posted on 04 Jun 2007
RAIN WINS at GRUNDY COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MORRIS, IL - posted on 27 May 2007
YOUTH is the THEME for MID-AMERICAN ROOKIES in 2007 - posted on 18 May 2007
Milwaukee Drive the Mile - posted on 08 May 2007
NOWAK BESTS MID-AMERICAN STOCK CAR SERIES at GOLDEN SANDS - posted on 30 Apr 2007
OBERMEYER CAPTURES HIS FIRST MID-AMERICAN FEATURE WIN - posted on 16 Apr 2007
MID-AM DRIVERS PREPARE FOR SPRING OPENER - posted on 12 Apr 2007
Hawkeye Racing News 40th Anniversary - posted on 06 Apr 2007
MID-AMERICAN STOCK CAR SERIES 2007 PREVIEW - posted on 02 Apr 2007
STOCK CARS RETURN TO ROAD AMERICA - posted on 30 Mar 2007
30TH ANNUAL SPRING CLASSIC IS AROUND THE CORNER - posted on 13 Mar 2007
MID-AMERICAN FORCED to DROP ROAD AMERICA, TEMORARILY - posted on 17 Feb 2007
MID-AMERICAN PUTS WRAPS ON A SPECTACULAR NEW-ERA SEASON - posted on 26 Jan 2007
MID-AMERICAN PREPARES TO HONOR 2006 COMPETITORS - posted on 15 Jan 2007
SEMINAR SCHEDULE FOR THE ROCKFORD AUCTION - posted on 04 Jan 2007
OFF SEASON TECH - posted on 20 Dec 2006
MID-AMERICAN STOCK CAR SERIES AWARDS BANQUET - posted on 22 Nov 2006
HUGE TRADE SHOW FEATURED AT GREEN BAY RACERS’ AUCTION - posted on 20 Nov 2006
MIDWEST MOTORSPORTS RACER’S AUCTION - posted on 13 Nov 2006
A SUCCESSFUL INAUGRAL SEASON for NEW-ERA MID-AMERICAN - posted on 06 Nov 2006
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE-ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY - posted on 03 Nov 2006
BAHAMA BRACKET NATIONALS (edited for Mid-American) - posted on 16 Oct 2006
BROWN GRABS MID-AMERICAN OKTOBERFEST FEATURE - posted on 09 Oct 2006
SPOONMOORE TAKES FINAL MID-AM CHECKERD at LAKE GENEVA - posted on 02 Oct 2006
SENERCHIA DEFENDS MID-AM NSTC CHAMPIONSHIP - posted on 25 Sep 2006
SENERCHIA REBOUNDS and REPEATS at NSTC - posted on 25 Sep 2006
SCHULTZ HOPES TO CLOSE IN ON SWAN AT NSTC - posted on 21 Sep 2006
TISLER TOPS TRAVELING MID-AM at 141! - posted on 05 Sep 2006
PRIETZEL HITS the JACKPOT in "DASH For CASH" at the - posted on 28 Aug 2006
VERCAUTEREN MEMORIAL TROPHY GOES to JAMES SWAN at WIR - posted on 21 Aug 2006
SWAN TRIUMPHS in MID-AMERICAN RETURN to GOLDEN SANDS - posted on 13 Aug 2006
Mid American Rookies Looking to Headline in ‘06 and Beyond - posted on 07 Aug 2006
WIR and the BIRTH of the RED, WHITE and BLUE - posted on 04 Aug 2006
Schultz Holds Off Swan to Win Feature at WIR White Race - posted on 24 Jul 2006
Prietzel Clips Competition in Supercuts Dick Grall Memorial - posted on 16 Jul 2006
TAKE TWO OF MID-AMERICAN GO AT 141 SET FOR JULY15th - posted on 10 Jul 2006
Prietzel Scores Thrilling Victory in Mid-American Feature at MIS - posted on 25 Jun 2006
A Challenging Weekend for Mid-American Drivers - posted on 23 Jun 2006
SCHOFFEN DOMINATES MID-AMERICAN FEATURE at LAKE GENEVA RACEWAY - posted on 19 Jun 2006
SWAN DIVES THROUGH LAPPED TRAFFIC for MID-AM WIN at WIR by Keith Vercauteren - posted on 12 Jun 2006
HISTORY SURRONDS MID-AMERICAN AND RED,WHITE AND BLUE by Matt Panure - posted on 08 Jun 2006
Neering Survives Wild Mid-Am Feature to Win at Grundy on Memorial Day By Keith Vercauteren - posted on 01 Jun 2006
Interstate Rivalry Heats Up Memorial Day Go for Mid-American By Matt Panure - posted on 26 May 2006
Senerchia Looks to Defend Turf on Memorial Day by Matt Panure - posted on 17 May 2006
A MID-AMERICAN MEMORIAL DAY - posted on 08 May 2006
Behind the Scenes: Rockford - posted on 15 Apr 2006
ROCKFORDS 29TH ANNUAL SPRING CLASSIC - posted on 03 Apr 2006
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY - posted on 03 Apr 2006
Rockford Spring Classic Results - posted on 03 Apr 2006
James Swan to Rejoin Flock of Mid-American Competitors in 2006 - posted on 24 Mar 2006
James Swan Takes Aim At Mid-American Championship - posted on 24 Mar 2006
Mid-American Set to Kick Off 2006 Season with New Owners - posted on 25 Feb 2006
2005 BANQUET - posted on 30 Jan 2006
Wisconsin Dells Banquet - posted on 19 Jan 2006
2005 Banquet - 2006 Series Registration - posted on 11 Jan 2006
Mid-American Racing News - 01/09/06 - posted on 09 Jan 2006
Mid-American Racing News - posted on 02 Jan 2006