Edition 23, June 23rd - 2008

Carl Refuses to flip out at Milwaukee

The Berge race team likes Kaukauna, and Adam even predicted a win prior to the first of three races slated at the famous half mile. I personally think he was trying to get his sponsors to show up for the race, but with Fathers Day activities, and a commitment to help with our church fundraiser, I stayed home. We were okay in practice but terrible in qualifying, and found the cause to be a flat right front tire. The race itself proved much better and the car pulled up with Prietzel to chase Jake Finney. With one to go, we could not advance any further and as the checkers fell we were awarded a third place finish in a car that was now loose. We continue to work on set ups, and realize that this will be a tough year as many other teams are getting better on a weekly basis. All in all if we were not to win this race, we were happy for Jake who races and works very hard in this series.

We always look forward to attending the Craftsman Truck and Busch races at the Milwaukee Mile in July. This year would be no exception as we were meeting family and friends to enjoy the great weather, have a few refreshments, and watch some of the series greatest talents take on the big wide and very flat racing surface.

In my opinion, this old track favors the more seasoned driver as they understand that you must wait for the opportunity versus forcing your way through. Musgrave, Benson, Hornaday, Skinner, Sprague, Bodine and young gun Darnell all showed spurts of domination during the truck race. As the race wore on past half way, the storm cells began to descend on us and eventually we were red flagged and the stands were evacuated due to cloud to ground lightning all about us. We watched the conclusion of the race at the safe confides of my sister in law’s house, and I was glad to see Johnny B. race clean to claim his third win in as many years at the Milwaukee Mile.

Saturday the 21 st was partly cloudy and very warm. We met friends at the track and went into the paddock and I said hello to Morgan Shepard, and got his autograph. Most of the other fans standing about did not recognize him, and I thought this is sad as this man once piloted the #21 CITGO Ford, and now he his doing what he loves, but no longer has the backing to be competitive. I hope Morgan and his primary hood sponsor continue to race together until he wants to quit, and may some fans still come up and ask for his autograph.

The race started with hot shoe Keselowski on the point and he began to run away from the #99, 47 and 20 entries. Lap 18 saw the first caution, as Brad Coleman spun in turn four. Restart with the #88 still in the lead with Bliss chasing. The interesting drama was watching the two Sprint drivers, Edwards and Boyer move from their starting positions in the back through the traffic towards the front. The #60 car was in 7 th position by lap 78. Wisconsin drivers Bires and Wimmer continued to hang in the top ten and would move towards the top five from time to time, but never were a threat to lead.

Laps 148 though 200 saw the yellow fly 4 more times as cars attempting to negotiate turn three and four found the wall or each other. Lap 171; young Logano, moved Keselowski out of the way and pushed in the fender of the #88 entry. The vehicle would not be a threat for the win the rest of the evening. Running together, Edwards nudged Boyer out of the way and held on to the win. Wausau native Wimmer settled for a sixth place finish after racing on tires that were not to his liking.

The fans of course waited not to patiently to see the signature Edwards celebration flip, but it would not happen at this event, as he explained this was not a night for celebrating as he was not proud of how he raced to get around Boyer and the sobering news that drag racer Scott Kalitta had lost his life racing earlier this day. Every driver in every race series must know that they are in a dangerous sport, and that life has no guarantees.

So the Mid Am Series moves on to the Francis Creek track this weekend and the #97 entry will work their collective butts off to attempt to log their first win of the season. We are with the team in spirit even when we can not attend. Bring home the trophy, James.

Racing to the Checkers,
Jim

P.S. RIP Scott Kalitta