|
|
|
SPORTS
Suburban
Journals of Chicago Inc.
Oak Park Journal
Forest Park Journal
|
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Carl Edwards wins the Camping World RV Rental 250 at the Milwaukee Mile
and the Fans
Win a Respite From the Thunderstorms
by Ed Vincent
The beginning
of the race seemed tenuous, there were dark
threatening clouds all over the sky. It was hard to tell at first
which direction the storm was headed in. Nascar officials said they
never heard a race being called by lightening, since there
were bolts coming down in the distance. The storm seemed to
avoid the race by only a few miles, but a few miles away you
could see the rain coming down in buckets.
Not one drop off rain hit the
track, but everyone had their eyes watching the storm clouds.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Rain falling a
few miles north of the track.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
The race
continues without the risk of rain, but with all the cautions of
regular event.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
The U.S. Border
Patrol sponsors a team, and with
no illegal
aliens driving.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
The sun sets
and the track lights take the place of the cars decaled fake lights.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Night
races are always fun to watch, and the folks at the Milwaukee Mile make
sure that there a plenty of lights to keep the race safe and allow the
audience to watch the action. The
night racing gives the impressions sometimes of being faster,
but the stats don't show that.
A handful of
cautions, with spinouts and collisions keeps the
pit crews on their toes and the teams evolving new strategies with each
new event of the race.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Great food
around each corner...
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Carl Edwards
began his efforts to move early in the race, he had a plan and a
vision, and both had him in the front of the pack.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
Edwards crosses
the finish line to of the track to win his 14th career NASCAR
Nationwide Series race.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
45,000,
or more watched Carl Edwards win the Camping World RV Rental 250, after
36 races without a win. His new crew chief Drew Blickensderfer
may have helped make the difference, and if not it's a great welcome to
the team to have the victory.
The race is
over but the victory will be remembered by the team for a long time.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
This was
a wonderful race at great track and remember it's close to home and
always worth the drive.
Camping World Summer Speed Weekend
Milwaukee Mile Tidbits
The Fifth Annual Milwaukee Mile NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Bowling
Bonanza is this Thursday evening, June 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
at Bluemound Bowl.
Drivers attending include defending NCTS Mile race winner Johnny
Benson, 2005 NCTS champion from Franklin, Wis., Ted Musgrave, NASCAR
veteran Mike Wallace and his 20-year old daughter Chrissy –
who’s making her second career NCTS start this Friday night, 2006
NCTS champion Todd Bodine and his rookie teammate Justin Marks, Roush
Fenway Racing rookie phenom Colin Braun, and a driver making his NASCAR
debut at The Mile in the NCTS race, from Des Moines, Iowa, Michael
Annett.
Bodine Throwing A Strike at Brewers Game
Prior to this Thursday’s (June 19) Milwaukee Brewers –
Toronto Blue Jays game, 2006 NCTS champion driver Todd Bodine will be
throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Bodine will be available
on-field for interviews prior to the 1:05 p.m. game.
Kenny Wallace Making 400th NASCAR Nationwide Series Start
Kenny Wallace first appeared on the scene at age 14, when at times was
his older brother Rusty’s pit crew…the entire crew in
1978. Rusty was tearing up Midwestern short tracks and making
trips to The Milwaukee Mile to race in both ASA and USAC Stock Car
competition, winning two USAC Stock Car races at The Mile by 1980 with
Kenny on the crew.
As a payback to Kenny, Rusty fielded an ASA car in 1986 for Kenny, in
which he promptly won the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year in
the touring Midwestern short track series, which led to Kenny’s
NASCAR career.
“It’s only fitting that my 400th Career Nationwide Series start comes
at Milwaukee ,” Wallace said.
“I started my career at the Milwaukee Fairgrounds back in 1986.
It feels like just yesterday that I was driving ASA cars against some
of the greatest drivers like Joe Shear and Dick Trickle. My
career really has come full circle at Milwaukee .”
This Saturday night, Wallace is making his 400th NASCAR Nationwide
Series start, his 753rd overall NASCAR start.
There’s even more to the Kenny Wallace Milwaukee connection.
“My wife’s family lives about five miles from the track,
and Milwaukee is also close to St. Louis , so it all hits close to home
for me,” Kenny said.
Camping World Sponsors Wisconsin’s Biggest Racing Weekend
The Milwaukee Mile and Camping World/FreedomRoads, America 's largest
RV and outdoor retailer serving a brisk and growing demand for the RV
lifestyle, recently announced a multi-year NASCAR event entitlement
sponsorship.
The “Camping World Summer Speed Weekend” will encompass
both NASCAR event days at America ’s Legendary Oval, and for
NASCAR events to be held at The Mile in 2009 and 2010.
Friday night’s Camping World RV Sales 200 NCTS race serves as the
first half of Wisconsin ’s biggest motorsports weekend, with
Saturday night’s Camping World RV Rental 250 NNS event bookending
the highly-anticipated weekend.
“The sponsorship of “Camping World’s Summer Speed
Weekend” at The Milwaukee Mile complements our growing
involvement in NASCAR Racing,” said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and
CEO of Camping World. “We know thousands of our customers
from the Midwest fill the stands for this weekend each year and we are
pleased to support their passion for racing.”
Camping World, headquartered in nearby Lincolnshire , Ill. , is the
primary sponsor on the 2008 NCTS championship team of Kevin Harvick,
Inc. and driver Ron Hornaday, Jr. Camping World will also be
sponsoring Hornaday’s teammate Jack Sprague in the Camping World
RV Sales 200 Friday night. Between the two of them, they’ve
racked up an impressive 22 top-10 finishes, 823 laps led and three
victories at The Mile.
Camping World will also sponsor KHI driver Cale Gale in the Camping
World RV Rental 250 on Saturday night.
“We are thrilled to announce Camping World’s long-term
involvement at The Milwaukee Mile on Wisconsin ’s biggest
motorsports weekend,” commented Claude Napier, President &
CEO of The Milwaukee Mile. “It’s been an invigorating
process working with Camping World and developing several initiatives
we will be able to offer to our fans and to Camping World’s
valued customers.”
“The combination of two premier NASCAR series events, “The
Mile” and a couple of summer nights in Milwaukee makes for one of
the most unique weekends on the racing calendar,” Lemonis
concluded.
Beechwood Distributing and Budweiser at The Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile recently announced an agreement with Beechwood
Distributing, one of Wisconsin ’s largest Anheuser-Busch
distributors that provides greater exposure at retail locations for the
historic speedway.
This agreement names Beechwood Distributing and Budweiser as official
partners of The Mile in the domestic beer category.
The Budweiser Pavilion has been a popular destination for Wisconsin
State Fair-goers each year, and through this agreement, the permanent
entertainment building will be open each race weekend at The Milwaukee
Mile, plus there’s in-store activation including race ticket
promotions with purchase offers.
“With 1,080 employees in Wisconsin and $237 million in capital
investment in the Badger State, we are an American beer that salutes a
Wisconsin tradition, and are thrilled to be involved with the rich
heritage of auto racing at The Milwaukee Mile, America’s
Legendary Oval,” said Dave Hock, Vice President of Sales and
Marketing of Beechwood Distributing.
Michael Annett – A NASCAR First
Two days shy of his 22nd birthday, Michael Annett will get the best
present of all courtesy of Bill Davis Racing. The Des Moines ,
Iowa native will be making his NASCAR Crafstman Truck Series debut in
the Camping World RV Sales 200 Friday night.
Annett made his Milwaukee Mile debut last August on Governor’s
Cup weekend, finishing 19th in the Jani-King 150 ASALMS Challenge
Division event.
The young talent learned quickly in adapting to 3,400lb. race cars last
year, as he scored an impressive victory at Talladega Superspeedway in
an ARCA race, his first driving for Bill Davis Racing. Annett
backed it up as he started 2008 Speedweeks in Daytona with his
second-straight ARCA victory.
Annett will be sharing the #22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota for the
remainder of the season with Toyota development driver and former
Formula One driver, Scott Speed.
Chrissy Wallace – on a Five-Wallace Weekend
Chrissy Wallace, the 20 year-old daughter of Mike Wallace, will be
making her second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start Friday
night in a Germain Racing Toyota. She finished 18th and on the
lead lap at Martinsville in March. Her father has been a mentor
through this opportunity, as he drives a Germain Toyota in the NASCAR
Nationwide Series. Mike is also the 1994 NNS Mile race winner.
In addition to Chrissy and Mike Wallace, Mike’s brother Kenny
will be racing in his 400th career NNS start, with Rusty Wallace in the
TV booth calling the NNS race while watching his son Steve Wallace race
in the Camping World RV Rental 250 on Saturday night.
Claire B. Lang “Dialed In”
Wisconsin native and XM Satellite Radio host Claire B. Lang will
broadcast her national daily show “Dialed In” live from
Paulie’s Pub & Eatery, across from The Mile at 81st and
Greenfield , on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. until
6:00 p.m. CST.
“Dialed In” airs on XM Channel 144 XM Sports Nation.
“Dialed In” consists of interviews, in-depth features and
breaking news in NASCAR. Paulie’s Pub & Eatery is
located at 8031 W Greenfield Avenue , West Allis . Race fans are
welcome to attend and participate in the live programs.
Wisconsin Drivers Entered to Compete in NASCAR Races this Weekend:
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Ted Musgrave, Franklin – drives No. 59 Team ASE Toyota for Harris
Trucking Racing, 2005 NCTS Champion, two-time winner of the Camping
World RV Sales 200 at The Mile
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Kelly Bires, Mauston – drives No. 47 Clorox Ford for JTG Racing,
won 2006 ASALMS Challenge Division race at The Mile that solidified his
NASCAR future. Two-time high school state wrestling champion
Scott Wimmer, Wausau – drives No. 29 Holiday Inn Express Chevy
for Richard Childress Racing, finished 2nd in 2007 Camping World RV
Rental 250, helping RCR win the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series Owners
Champoinship. Won fifth career Nationwide Series race earlier
this season in Nashville
Guilt by Wisconsin association
Erik Darnell, Beach Park , Ill. – drives No. 99 Northern Tool
& Equipment Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. This past Saturday
won the closest race in NCTS history, winning by 0.005 seconds.
Made NCTS debut at Milwaukee in 2004, third generation of family to
race on The Mile, grew up here watching his father Danny and
grandfather Bay race at The Mile
Josh Wise, Janesville-born – drives No. 22 SuperCuts Dodge for
Fitz Motorsports, currently a Michael Waltrip Racing development
driver. USAC national champion while driving for Tony Stewart
Racing
David Stremme, South Bend , Ind. – drives No. 64 Altreus Homes
& Communities Chevy for Rusty Wallace, Inc. Lived in Pewaukee
for 1 ½ years while racing in ASA National Tour in formative
national stock car years. Currently 9th in NNS points, set former
NNS track qualifying record in 2005
CUP DRIVERS Plus One
Current Cup star and Nationwide Series point leader Clint Bowyer will
be competing for Richard Childress Racing as a teammate to Wausau, Wis.
native Scott Wimmer. Bowyer led 56 laps in 2006 at The Mile in his last
appearance before finishing 18th. Wimmer ran strong and finished second
last year at The Mile.
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards makes his return in the Camping
World RV Rental 250, still seeking his first Milwaukee Mile victory. He
led a race-high 123 laps in last June's Camping World RV Rental 250 and
very much wants to grab the winner's tropy on Saturday night. This will
be Edwards' fourth straight Mile appearance where he's had to fly-in
from California to compete under the lights at The Mile.
David Ragan finished 8th on Sunday in the 'Cup race at Michigan to
climb to within 10 points of the Chase For The Sprint Cup Championship.
The 22 year-old Roush Fenway Racing driver returns for a second
straight year to The Mile to complete the Sonoma-Milwaukee double. He
finished 12th in last year's Camping World RV Rental 250. Ragan
set the track qualifying record in his first-ever event at The Mile, in
a 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.
Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann returns to The Mile in time to
race in the Camping World RV Rental 250 after practicing his UPS Toyota
Cup car in Sonoma . Reutimann was in the hunt all race long last June
at THe Mile before settling for 7th. Reutimann won a Nationwide
Series stand-alone event at Memphis last year, and is a contender every
time his races in NNS cars prepared by crew chief Jerry Baxter.
Marcus Ambrose, a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor for JTG
Racing, will be attempting to make the Sonoma ‘Cup Series race in
the Wood Brothers #21 ‘Cup car, then travel to Milwaukee to race
Saturday night.
Double Duty Drivers at The Milwaukee Mile…so far
Landon Cassill
NCTS: No. 46 – GoDaddy.com Morgan Dollar Motorsports Chevy
NNS: No. 5 – National Guard Hendrick Motorsports Chevy
Colin Braun
NCTS: No. 6 – Conway Freight Roush Fenway Racing Ford
NNS: No. 16 – CitiFinancial Roush Fenway Racing Ford
First Starts:
Attempting Career-First Start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Michael Annett – No. 22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota
First NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Start at Milwaukee
Chrissy Wallace – No. 03 Germain Racing Toyota
Sean Murphy – No. 07 SS Green Light Racing Chevy
John Wes Townley – No. 09 Roush Fenway Racing Ford
Colin Braun – No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford
Andy Lally – No. 7 The Racer’s Group Chevy
Justin Marks – No. 9 Germain Racing Toyota
Scotty Crockett – No. 12 DGM Racing Chevy
Marc Mitchell – No. 15 Billy Ballew Toyota
Brian Scott – No. 16 Xpress Motorsports Chevy
Keven Wood – No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford
Gary St. Amant – No. 37 Hurst Racing Chevy
Landon Cassill – No. 46 Morgan-Dollar Chevy
Benny Gordon – No. 66 North South Motorsports Ford
Donny Lia – No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevy
First NASCAR Nationwide Series Start at Milwaukee
Dwyane Leik – No. 0 Davis Motorsports Chevy
Colin Braun – No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford
Joey Logano – No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Josh Wise – No. 22 Fitz Motorsports Toyota
James Buescher – No. 32 Braun Racing Toyota
Cale Gale – No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevy
Travis Kittleson – No. 56 Mac Hill Motorsports Chevy
DJ Kennington – No. 81 Pat McDonald Dodge
Brad Keselowski – No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevy
More Milwaukee Mile Factoids:
· The Milwaukee Mile is one of only four
tracks that have scheduled races in all 14 seasons of the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series (Martinsville Speedway, O’Reilly Raceway
Park at Indianapolis and Phoenix Int’l Raceway). Past NCTS
champions Mike Skinner and Jack Sprague are the only drivers to win at
all four tracks.
· Only Johnny Benson (2006, 2007) and Ted
Musgrave (2001, 2004) has won more than one NCTS race at The Milwaukee
Mile
· Only Greg Biffle (2001, 2002) has won more
than one NASCAR Nationwide Series race at The Mile
· Ron Hornaday and Greg Biffle are the only
drivers to have won both a Nationwide and Truck Series event at The
Milwaukee Mile
· The first NASCAR Nationwide Series event
held at The Milwaukee Mile in 1984 was won by Sam Ard. The 1985 event
winner was Jack Ingram. Then-aspiring Wisconsin late model racer
Alan Kulwicki qualified second and finished second in his very-first
NASCAR start, then qualified on the pole and finished 14th after a
blown motor in the 1985 event at The Mile. The West Allis native
began his ‘Cup career in 1985, as well
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Nutshell
· There have been eight different winners in the
2008 season’s first 10 races. Ron Hornaday and Kyle Busch
have each won two races. Donny Lia, Matt Crafton and Scott Speed
have all won their first-career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races
this season
· Erik Darnell won the most recent event in Michigan
last Saturday by a series record margin of 0.005 seconds, over current
points leader Johnny Benson
· Five former NCTS champions are entered in Friday
night’s Camping World RV Sales 200 (Skinner, Sprague, Hornaday,
Musgrave, Bodine)
· Current 2008 Point Standings
1. Johnny
Benson 1422
2. Todd
Bodine -15
3. Ron Hornaday
Jr. -21
4. Matt
Crafton
-47
5. Rick
Crawford -61
NASCAR Nationwide Series Nutshell
· There have been nine different winners in
the season’s first 16 races. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart
won four races, and Denny Hamlin has won two races. Saturday
night’s winner Joey Logano became the youngest-ever NNS Race
winner, joining Brad Keselowski as first-time NNS winners this year.
· 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Carl
Edwards is the only past champion entered in Saturday night’s
Camping World RV Rental 250
· Current 2008 Point Stadings
1.
Clint
Bowyer
2198
2. David
Reutimann
-166
3. Kyle
Busch
-188
4. Carl
Edwards
-190
5. Brad
Keselowski
-192
Past Sports News
Local
Sports and
Teams
|
o0
|
|
