Notes from the Weekend in PA/Finale for Midwest Thunder Sprints Saturday!

Thursday, October 15, 2020
Ted Horn's "Baby" is residing at the Eastern Museum of Motor RacingTed Horn's "Baby" is residing at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (Bill W) October 15, 2020, Monroe, IA – Pennsylvania is a calling to any sprint car fan, and I’m no different.  COVID-19 has put a damper on the traveling this season, but we try to get at least one trip in to central PA every year, and last weekend seemed to fit best in a year of COVID and senior football.
 
A bonus was fall foliage in a way that can’t be seen during speedweek or even a trip to Port Royal’s Tuscarora 50 or Williams Grove’s National Open.  It was a quick trip out and back with wife Ellen and the first stop was the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) near York Springs.
 
Though legend Lynn Paxton was not around to add his usual stories and give the tour we enjoy, it is always a great trip.  Steve Bubb does a great job with an ever growing library there, and they are just plumb out of room for everything.  It’s a problem I know well from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.  Thankfully, a building similar to our staging building in Knoxville is under development.
 
The latest car to grace the museum is “Baby” driven to so many victories by the legendary Ted Horn.  “Baby” is part of Ohio’s Bob McConnell’s collection.  Don’t miss the museum on your next trip to PA!
 
Port Royal hosted the World of Outlaws and it was great to see the improvements (yet again) at the “Speed Palace.”  What once was almost an embarrassing facility by comparison, has now become the standard for central Pennsylvania.  A new tunnel, and wider front stretch are just a couple of this year’s additions.  The best may be the towering pit grandstands added.  They reach higher than the main grandstand and offer a unique look down the front straightaway (Kyle really keeps it straight).
 
Steve O’Neal and his team have done a great job at the Port.  It helps that Steve has been and is a fan in the stands.  A nice touch is seeing Steve thank every single driver as they go past for hot laps at the beginning of the night.  A bit of a light crowd Friday was more than made up for on Saturday.  It’s no doubt why Steve has won the 410 Promoter of the Year in the North American Sprint Car Poll for four straight years.
 
On track, as has been the case in much of 2020, it was all Kyle Larson.  Win #40 came in dominating fashion on Friday, before he had to work for it a bit on Saturday.  Brent Marks caught a bad break after passing Kyle in traffic and the yellow coming out, negating it.  Either way, Kyle is on fire again as he heads into late models in Portsmouth and USAC Silver Crown in Springfield this weekend.
 
It was great to see our pal Van May as well.  As he always says, the stories can get embellished over the years!  And thanks Van for buying Ellen that hot chocolate.  Joe and Jill Stine of The Podium Awards in Newport acted as our hosts.  Jill provides the trophies at Port Royal and always does a great job.  She also provides the trophy each year for the Midwest Thunder Sprint Series presented by OpenWheel101.com champion.
 
On track, most of the Silly Season news came after the fact.  Kevin Swindell helped Spencer Bayston in the Roth #83, and Dominic Scelzi will finish out the year in that car.  Dylan Cisney partnered with Wisconsin’s Scott Cowman for the weekend.  The #2 referenced Scott’s own #02 mostly piloted by Mike Reinke over the years.  Look for Cisney to find his way to Knoxville for a handful of races in 2021.  Two-time PASS champion Zach Newlin has graduated to 410’s and looked like he is on the right track in only his second weekend in the class.  Tony Stewart was a surprise entrant and looked fast, making the show both nights.
 
Congratulations goes out to Korey Weyant, who edged Paul Nienhiser for his first MOWA sprint car championship.  Carson Short took the feature win at Jacksonville on Friday.  Congratulations also to Aaron Reutzel for another All Star title running out of the Baughman/Reutzel Motorsports shop in Knoxville.
 
This weekend marks the final one for the Midwest Thunder Sprint Series presented by OpenWheel101.com.  WoO races at Lakeside (Kansas) and Lake Ozark Speedway (Missouri) will decide it.  The points are coming down to the end again, with the same two drivers in contention.  Kerry Madsen leads Bill Balog by 29 points (see below).  Last year, Kerry eked it out by just one position in the finale at LOS.
 
There’s still time to contribute to this year’s point fund!

Join us to support our drivers!
 
Sponsors are being sought to grow the point fund for the fourth consecutive year of the Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com!  Whether you are a fan like all of us, or a business that would like advertising through the series and OpenWheel101.com, join us!
 
100% of your contributions go towards the drivers and if you wish, you get FREE advertising at www.OpenWheel101.com!  Contact Bill Wright at sprntcar@hotmail.com if you’d like to contribute!
 
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2020 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Associate Sponsors
 
Hoseheads.com
 
For over twenty years, Hoseheads.com has been your source for “All the News That’s Fit to Sprint.”  From the latest results and photos, to some of the greatest columnists in the sport, check in every day at Hoseheads!
 
Race fan Jim Harris
 
The Podium Awards – Newport, Pennsylvania
 
Visit The Podium Awards for all your promotional items and gifts, trophies, awards, plaques, medals and ribbons.  They are located at 221-B Market Street, Newport, Pennsylvania.  Call 717 418-4645 or visit them online at www.ThePodiumAwards.com!
 
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Catch the latest in Dirt Racing at “The Dirt Racing Podcast” at https://anchor.fm/marshall-haines?fbclid=IwAR3563Mgo0DQb7FcPhaXI39jbmNz3gjsQ0AvQuH5IsvA-pAJeXf_7VCX8gg
 
Race Fan Gregg Anderson
 
Anonymous Donors
 
Remaining Schedule for the Midwest Thunder Sprints…

Fri, Oct 16 – Lakeside Speedway (KS) (WoO)
Sat, Oct 17 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) (WoO)
 
2020 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins)
 
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 696
2. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 667 (9)
3. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA, 660 (11)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 556 (3)
5. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 479 (3)
6. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 419
7. Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 414
8. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 399
9. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 347 (4)
10. Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL, 341
11. Tim Kaeding, Campbell, CA, 332
(tie) Jake Blackhurst, Hanna City, IL, 332 (1)
13. Gio Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 330
14. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 321
15. Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO, 304 (1)
(tie) Scott Neitzel, Beaver Dam, WI, 304
17. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 285
18. Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA, 256 (2)
19. Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA, 245
20. Justin Henderson, Tea, SD, 232 (1)
(tie) Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA, 232
22. Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA, 227
(tie) Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 227
24. Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX, 214 (2)
(tie) Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN, 214
26. Russel Borland, Kewaskum, WI, 209
27. James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Aust., 191
28. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 181
29. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 164 (1)
30. Mike Reinke, Howards Grove, WI, 160
31. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 158
32. Scott Biertzer, West Bend, WI, 157
33. Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 139
34. Blake Nimee, Oswego, IL, 129
35. Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH, 123
36. Tucker Klaasmeyer, Paola, KS, 118
37. Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL, 115
38. Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL, 114
39. Trey Starks, Puyallup, WA, 108
(tie) Rob Pribnow, Lomira, WI, 108
41. Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL, 95
42. Joe B. Miller, Millersville, MO, 91
43. Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN, 88
44. Sean Rayhall, Woodstock, GA, 86
(tie) Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL, 86
46. Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX, 85
47. Skylar Gee, Leduc, ALB, Can., 83
48. Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA, 80
49. Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN, 77
50. Dave Uttech, Kenosha, WI, 73
(tie) Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL, 73
52. Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN, 72
(tie) Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 72
54. Ayrton Gennetten, Gravois Mills, MO, 71
55. Brent Marks, Myerstown, PA, 70
(tie) Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, IN, 70
(tie) Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 70
58. Mitchell Davis, Auburn, IL, 63
59. Carson Short, Marion, IL, 62 (1)
60. Kyle Schuett, Philo, IL, 60
61. Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA, 58
(tie) Josh Walter, Plymouth, WI, 58
63. Jacob Patton, Bethalto, IL, 56
(tie) Zeb Wise, Angola, IN, 56
(tie) Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN, 56
66. Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA, 55
67. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND, 52
(tie) Terry Babb, Decatur, IL, 52
(tie) Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Aust., 52
(tie) Todd King, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 52
(tie) Kris Spitz, Salem, WI, 52
(tie) Todd Daun, Pleasant Prairie, WI, 52
73. Danny Schlafer, Sussex, WI, 50
(tie) Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI, 50
(tie) Kameron Key, Warrensburg, MO, 50
76. Dustin Barks, Farmington, MO, 48
77. Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA, 45
78. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA, 44
79. Austin O’Dell, Rochester, IL, 40
80. AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA, 39
(tie) Bret Tripplett, Lincoln, IL, 39
82. Brian Bell, Gallaway, TN, 38
(tie) Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN, 38
(tie) Jade Hastings, Grand Forks, ND, 38
(tie) Travis Arenz, Sheboygan, WI, 38
86. Brayton Lynch, Springfield, IL, 36
87. Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH, 35
(tie) Daison Pursley, Locust Grove, OK, 35
89. Jeff Asher, Park Hills, MO, 34
(tie) Morgan Turpen, Somerville, TN, 34
91. Austin Deblauw, Ventura, CA, 32
92. Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD, 28
(tie) Tim Estenson, Fargo, ND, 28
(tie) Brinton Marvel, Lizton, IN, 28
95. James Broty, Lonsdale, MN, 26
(tie) Cory Bruns, Lincoln, IL, 26
97. Gerard McIntyre Jr., New Oxford, PA, 25
98. Hunter Custer, Chippewa Falls, WI, 24
(tie) Jack Routson, Waterman, IL, 24
(tie) John Fahl, Brown Deer, WI, 24
101. Jereme Schroeder, Lake Villa, IL, 22
102. Matt VanderVere, Zion, IL, 20
(tie) Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN, 20
(tie) Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA, 20
(tie) Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL, 20
(tie) Chase Stockon, Fort Branch, IN, 20
(tie) Danny Smith, Chillicothe, OH, 20
108. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA, 18
(tie) Wade Nygaard, Grand Forks, ND, 18
(tie) Jordan Adams, Reynolds, ND, 18
(tie) Dan McCarron, Britton, MI, 18
(tie) Ryan Ruhl, Coldwater, MI, 18
(tie) Andy Bishop, Harrisburg, IL, 18
(tie) Justin Standridge, Springfield, IL, 18
115. Zach Hampton, Indianapolis, IN, 16
(tie) Danny Dietrich, Gettysburg, PA, 16
(tie) Brock Zearfoss, Jonestown, PA, 16
(tie) Blake Egeland, Climax, MN, 16
(tie) Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA, 16
(tie) Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL, 16
(tie) Steve Short, Farmington, MO, 16
122. Bryce Schmitt, Plymouth, WI, 14
(tie) Corbin Gurley, Hebron, IN, 14
124. Josh Baughman, Odessa, TX, 12
(tie) Greg Nikitenko, Minot, ND, 12
(tie) Scott Uttech, New Berlin, WI, 12
(tie) Dylan Tuxhorn, Pawnee, IL, 12
(tie) Koby Barksdale, Norman, OK, 12
(tie) Jason Keith, Fredericktown, MO, 12
130. Tony Kaus, Bloomington, MN, 10
(tie) Chris Klemko, Bristol, WI, 10
(tie) Austin Pierce, Grand Forks, ND, 10
133. Roger Crockett, Broken Arrow, OK, 8
(tie) Adam Miller, Plymouth, WI, 8
(tie) Tony Wondra, Campbellsport, WI, 8
(tie) Jack Croaker, East Grand Forks, MN, 8
(tie) Logan Faucon, Elkhart, IL, 8
138. Alan Gilbertson, Kasson, MN, 6
(tie) Preston Perlmutter, San Antonio, TX, 6
(tie) Tom Egeland, Climax, MN, 6
(tie) Brendan Mullen, Grand Forks, ND, 6
142. Ryan Giles, Grimes, IA, 4
(tie) Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Oh, 4
(tie) Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA, 4
(tie) Jeff Swindell, Memphis, TN, 4
(tie) Colton Fisher, Mediapolis, IA, 4
(tie) Tyler Shoemaker, Clinton, IL, 4
(tie) Zach Omdahl, East Grand Forks, MN, 4
(tie) Ryan Timms, Oklahoma City, OK, 4
150. Nick Omdahl, East Grand Forks, MN, 2
(tie) Justin Peck, Monrovia, IN, 2
 
World of Outlaws member wins…
 
6, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
3, Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH
2, Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA
2, David Gravel, Watertown, CT
1, Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN
 
2020 Races that will be counted for points with the Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by OpenWheel101.com
 
Fri, June 5 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, June 6 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Sat, June 6 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 12 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 20 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX)
Thur, June 25 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 26 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Sat, June 27 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Fri, July 3 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Fri, July 3 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, July 4 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Justin Henderson, Tea, SD)
Sat, July 4 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sun, July 5 – 141 Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 10 – 34 Raceway (IA) (WoO) (Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN)
Sat, July 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Sat, July 11 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (WoO) (David Gravel, Watertown, CT)
Fri, July 17 – Lincoln Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sat, July 18 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sun, July 19 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 24 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sat, July 25 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX)
Thurs, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (All Stars/IRA) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, July 31 – Langlade County Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 31 – 34 Raceway (IA) (All Stars) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 1 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (All Stars) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sun, Aug 2 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (All Stars) (Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA)
Fri, Aug 7 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sat, Aug 8 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (Ironman 55) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 8 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sun, Aug 9 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Thurs, Aug 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 14 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO) (David Gravel, Watertown, CT)
Sat, Aug 15 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Capitani Classic) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 21 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (All Stars/IRA) (Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA)
Fri, Aug 21 – River Cities Speedway (ND) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 22 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Aug 22 – Red River Valley Speedway (ND) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 28 – Tri-City Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Paul Nienshier, Chapin, IL)
Sat, Aug 29 – US36 Raceway (MO) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sun, Aug 30 – I-80 Speedway (NE) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, Sept 4 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Sept 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Sept 5 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sun, Sept 6 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Sept 11 – Outagamie Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO)
Sat, Sept 12 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (Jerry Richert Memorial) (Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust.)
Fri, Sept 18 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Sat, Sept 19 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Jake Blackhurst, Hanna City, IL)
Fri, Sept 25 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Sept 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, Oct 2 – Tri-City Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Fri, Oct 9 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Carson Short, Marion, IL)
Fri, Oct 16 – Lakeside Speedway (KS) (WoO)
Sat, Oct 17 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) (WoO)
 
2019 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins)

1.  Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 954 (2)
2.  Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 947 (7)
3.  Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 731 (5)
4.  Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 713 (2)
5.  James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Aust., 592 (2)
6.  Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 505 (1)
7.  Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN, 484 (1)
8.  Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 471 (3)
9.  Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 427 (5)
10. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 400 (2)
 
2018 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten

1.  Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 866 (7)
2.  Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 686 (7)
3.   Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 602 (5)
4.  Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 565
5.  Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 420 (1)
6.  Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 398 (4)
(tie) Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 398
8.  Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 390 (2)
9.  Cory Eliason, Selma, CA, 386 (1)
10. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 365 (1)
 
2017 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten
 
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1086 (5)
2. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1031 (7)
3. Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND, 800 (6)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 760 (6)
5. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA, 760 (2)
6. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 533 (1)
7. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 529 (2)
8. David Gravel, Watertown, CT, 481 (3)
9. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 437 (1)
10. Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA, 425 (2)


 

 
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
sprntcar@hotmail.com
Twitter: @BillWMedia
Website: www.OpenWheel101.com