Points 7-13-14

1. Christopher Bell
2. Tanner Thorson
3. Rico Abreu
4. Zach Daum
5. Parker Price-Miller

2014 Calender

Increased purses for Badger doubleheader this weekend

Military admitted free on Sunday at Angell Park

By Bryan Gapinski, Wilmot, Wis., July 22---A weekend doubleheader for the Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series is now only four-days away!
Action kicks off on Saturday July 26 at the Wilmot Raceway with the Eighth annual "Salute to Harry Turner". Pits open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 5:00 p.m., racing beginning at 6:45 p.m. Racing action will also include the Badger 600 Micro Series, with the tracks Modified, Street Stock, and Mini Sprint divisions participating.
The following evening action moves to Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, Wis.), for the "78th Anniversary Season Championship Race presented by Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie" at the famed 1/3-mile oval. Fans are encouraged to come to the track early Sunday as numerous social events involving past participants from Badger will begin in the Pavilion at 1:00 p.m. running until 5:00 p.m. Pits open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 5:00 p.m., practice begins at 6:00 p.m., with racing to follow.
All United States Military past and present will be admitted free to the Sunday evenings racing events, with a proper Government issued Military ID. A limited number of American Flags will also be distributed to all fans while supplies last. The Badger 600 Micro Series and Wisconsin Dirt Legends Racing Series will be also racing.
Midget competitors will be eligible for increased purses at both events including a minimum $500 to drivers who start both feature events. The Mid- State Equipment Challenge" will award a $500 bonus to any driver winning both feature events.

Coons tops Badger Angell Park field

Paderta notches fifth win in photo finish

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., June 22---Jerry Coons Jr. captured Sunday Night's 1st annual "Norm Nelson Classic", 30-lap Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series Feature at Angell Park Speedway. The victory for Coons was his 27th career feature victory at the track, eighth on the track's all-time feature win list.
Pole sitter Kurt Mayhew paced the initial lap of the event, before Robbie Ray took the lead on the second lap. One lap later Coons moved into second position. Coons passed Ray for the lead on the next lap on the backstretch, and began increasing his advantage over Ray.
Coons' Hans Lein Racing teammate Billy Balog moved into second place on Lap 7. Coons saw his three second lead over Balog erased, when a caution appeared on Lap 11 for a stalled car. Balog stayed on Coons rear bumper on the restart and pulled into the lead as the pair crossed the start/finish line on Lap 15, Coons regained the lead before the lap was completed. A caution with ten laps remaining bunched up the field.
On the restart Coons jumped to a two-car length lead. The final few laps saw positions behind the lead pair change several times in a tightly group field of cars. Coons driving the Hans Lein owned DRC/Stanton SR-11 No. 2 finished .083 seconds ahead of Balog. Ray, Mayhew, and David Gough completed top five. "It's always great to get a victory here, the car was perfect on both the top and bottom groves" commented Coons.
Matt Paderta took the lead from Chad Bogar in the final ten-yards to capture his fifth Badger 600 Micro feature of the season. The margain of victory 0.074 seconds, the closest in the four-year history of the series. The pair exchanged the lead four times in the 20-lap event, with Paderta driving under Bogar exiting Turn 4 on the final lap for the winning pass. Will Gerrits, Norm Ehrke, and Tory Strauss completed the top five.
A doubleheader weekend looms for the series starting on Saturday July 26 at the Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway, with the eighth annual "Salute to Harry Turner". The following evening Sunday July 27 action moves back to Angell Park Speedway for the "78th Anniversary Season" race presented by Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie for Badger at the famed 1/3-mile oval.
All US Military Personnel, past and present will be admitted free with proper Government Military ID. Both events will also carry an increased purse.

SUMMARY
MIDGETS
30-lap Feature: 1. Jerry Coons, Jr.; 2. Billy Balog; 3. Robbie Ray; 4. Kurt Mayhew; 5. David Gough; 6. Eric Johnson; 7. Aaron Schuck; 8. Buddy Luebke; 9. Scott Hatton; 10. Kevin Olson; 11. Dan Smith; 12. Mike Stroik; 13. David Budres; 14. Daniel Robinson; 15. Andrew Felker; 16. Katlynn Lehr; 17. Brandon Waelti.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Coons, Felker.
Cars Present: 17 Feature Lap Leaders: Mayhew 1, Ray 2-3, Coons 4-14, Balog 15, Coons 16-30.

MICROS
20-lap Feature: 1. Matt Paderta; 2. Chad Bogar; 3. Will Gerrits; 4. Norm Ehrke; 5. Tory Strauss; 6. Zach Boden; 7.Brandon Sletten; 8. Dusty Gerrits; 9. Jason Dull; 10. Preston Benisch; . 11. Tyler Brabant; 12. Daniel Stefan; 13. Jake Goeglein; 14. Bobby Ollerman; 15. Dustin Stefan; 16. Vance Lein.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: Ehrke, W. Gerrits.
Cars Present: 16 Feature Lap Leaders: Bogar 1-8, Paderta 9-11, Bogar 12-19, Paderta 20.

Norm Nelson Classic next at Angell Park

Badger Midgets, Micros, IRA Sprints, Legends-July 20

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., July 15---The "1st annual Norm Nelson Classic" is slated for Sunday Night July 20 at Angell Park Speedway, and will feature four divisions: The Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series, Badger 600 Micros, IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaw Sprint Cars Series and the Wisconsin Dirt Legends.
The race will honor Norm Nelson who won the first-ever midget feature at the track on June 2, 1946. Nelson also won inaugural Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Championship in 1960. Nelson's career is also highlighted by three USAC National Stock Car Championships, and thirty-five USAC Stock Car wins. Nelson's eleven victories at the famed Milwaukee Mile place him second on the tracks all-time win list. Nelson's granddaughter Brittany Mattie will sing the evening's National Anthem.
The event for IRA, ends a twenty-nine year absence of Winged 410 Sprint Car racing at the track. Grandstands open at 4:30 pm, practice and qualifying beginning at 6:00 pm, with racing to follow.

Current Points:
Current Badger Midget Series points: 1. Christopher Bell 545; 2. Tanner Thorson 439; 3. Rico Areu 423; 4. Zach Daum 392; 5. Parker Price-Miller 335; 6. Andrew Felker 333; 7. Darren Hagen 324; 8. Jake Blackhurst 279; 9. Brandon Waelti 216; 10. Scott Hatton 158.

Badger 600 Micros:1. Brandon Sletten 688; 2. Matt Paderta 593; 3. Will Gerrits 576; 4. Tory Strauss 542; 5. Zach Boden 517; 6. Chad Bogar 461; 7. Norm Ehrke 441; 8. Bobby Ollerman 430; 9. Vance Lein 417; 10. Dusty Gerrits 401.

Gehrke outduels Daum to win Lincoln

Fairbury rained out

Lincoln, Ill., July 11. – Chett Gehrke edged Zach Daum to win Friday Night's 30-lap POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned feature at Lincoln Speedway.
Pole-sitter Parker Price-Miller, paced the first seven laps before Darren Hagen moved into the top position. Daum passed Hagen for the lead on a Lap 14 restart, with Gehrke in fourth position. Gehrke passed Daum for the lead four laps later, and the next lap the caution appeared for a stalled car.
Daum passed Gehrke for the lead on the restart. Gehrke regained the lead from Daum five laps later. Gehrke driving the Skip and Diana Matteson-owned Spike/Fontana No. 11 finished ahead of Daum who moved back into the POWRI points lead. Hagen, Austin Brown, and rookie Spencer Bayston completed the top five.
A heavy rainfall overnight and continuing into Saturday morning, forced officials to postpone the Saturday Night July 12 co-sanctioned event at the Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway.
RESULTS
30-lap Feature:1. Chett Gehrke; 2. Zach Daum; 3. Darren Hagen; 4. Austin Brown; 5. Spencer Bayston; 6. Parker Price-Miller; 7. Terry Babb; 8. Nick Knepper; 9. Garrett Aitken; 10. Jake Blackhurst; 11. Joe B. Miller; 12. Shane Hollingsworth; 13. Jake Neuman; 14. Robbie Ray; 15. Jacob Patton; 16. Isaac Chapple; 17. Ryan Chriswell; 18. Seth Motsinger; 19. Darren Kingston; 20. Tyler Thomas; 21. Andrew Felker; 22. Colten Cottle.
Semi Feature Winner: Bayston.
Heat Race Winners: Hagen, Daum, Price-Miller, Patton.
Cars Present: 29 Feature Lap Leaders: Price-Miller 1-7, Hagen 8-14, Daum 15-17, Gehrke 18-19, Daum 20-24, Gehrke 25-30.
Current Badger Midget Series points: 1. Christopher Bell 545; 2. Tanner Thorson 439; 3. Rico Areu 423; 4. Zach Daum 392; 5. Parker Price-Miller 335; 6. Andrew Felker 333; 7. Darren Hagen 324; 8. Jake Blackhurst 279; 9. Brandon Waelti 216; 10. Scott Hatton 158.|

Bell tops Pepsi Nationals field

Oklahoma driver becomes 20th different event winner

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., July 6---Christopher Bell took the lead the with eleven laps remaining to win the 33rd annual Peps Midget Nationals Sunday night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the USAC Honda National Midget, POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget,and Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. Bell becomes the first driver since Stevie Reeves (1991) to win the event in his first attempt.
Polesitter Garrett Aitken paced the initial lap, before New Zealand's Michael Pickens took the lead. Bell who topped the field in qualifying, moved into third place on the fifth lap, and two laps later passed Aitken for the second position. Pickens enjoyed a two-plus second lead over Bell, with ten laps completed. Bell narrowed Pickens lead to four-car lengths at the midway point. Two caution flags for stalled cars on Laps 16 and 18, bunched up the field.
Bell passed Pickens entering Turn 3 on Lap 18, and began to increase his lead each lap. Pickens slid sideways running in third place causing several cars to slow, brining out the caution despite any cars coming to a stop. Bell quickly moved away from teammate Tanner Thorson on the restart. Rico Abreu running the third Kunz/Curb-Agajanian entry passed several cars in the final laps to claim third and complete a "podium sweep" for the team. The win was third event victory for car owner Keith Kunz. Chris Windom and last year's winner Zach Daum completed the top five.
"Keith and crew had the car perfect all weekend the track was tricky at times, it's great to win an event with such history" commented Bell who scored his eleventh overall midget feature victory of the season.

Sun Prairie's Bobby Ollerman scored an exciting victory in the non-stop 20-lap Badger 600 Micro feature. Polesitter Will Gerrits took the lead at the start followed by Ollerman. The pair pulled away from the field. Gerrits encountered lapped traffic with three laps remaining giving the lead to Ollerman. Gerrits drew even with Ollerman as the pair took the white flag. The leaders ran wheel to wheel on the final lap, passing several lapped cars, with Ollerman winning by one- car length. Matt Paderta, Norm Ehrke, and Tory Strauss completed the top five.

SUMMARY
MIDGETS
30-lap Feature: 1. Christopher Bell, 2. Tanner Thorson, 3. Rico Abreu, 4. Chris Windom, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Brady Bacon, 7. Tracy Hines, 8. Michael Pickens, 9. Jake Blackhurst, 10. Bill Balog, 11. Jerry Coons, Jr., 12. Tyler Courtney, 13. Bryan Clauson, 14. Tyler Thomas, 15. Andrew Felker, 16. Austin Brown, 17. Garrett Aitken, 18. Parker Price-Miller, 19. Seth Motsinger, 20. Terry Babb, 21. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 22. Spencer Bayston.
12-lap Semi Feature Winner: Abreu.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Bell, Clauson, Thorson.
Fast Time: Thorson, 14.611 seconds.
Cars Present: 25 Feature Lap Leaders: Aitken 1, Pickens 2-18, Bell 19-30.
**Chapple flipped during Heat 1. Abreu flipped during Heat 1.

Bell dominates USAC/POWRi/Badger field

Paderta wins fourth straight APS Micro feature

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., July 5---Christopher Bell captured Saturday Night's 30-lap feature, co-sanctioned by the USAC Honda National Midget, POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. at Angell Park Speedway. The event kicked off the two-day Pepsi Midget Nationals at the track. Sunday's event will feature the 34th annual running of the race.
Bell jumped into the lead at the start followed by Tracy Hines and teammate Rico Abreu. The event was stopped when Terry Baab flipped on Lap 3. Baab restarted and later retired with mechanical problems.On the restart Abreu passed Hines for second, with fast qualifier Tanner Thorson moving into third place one lap later. Bell began lapping slower cars on Lap 11 and saw his quarter-lap lead over Abreu reduced to two-car lengths, two laps later. A caution for a stalled car, one lap past the midway point bunched up the field.
On the restart POWRi Series Point leader Zach Daum escaped injury in a wild series of flips on the front straightaway. On the restart Bell pulled away from the field, and appeared headed for an easy victory. The final two laps saw Bell in heavy lapped traffic, allowing Abreu to close to within four-car lengths.
Bell driving the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian owned No. 71 led the "team podium sweep" finishing ahead of Abreu, and Thorson. Chris Windom and Hines completed the top five, with nineteen cars finishing the event. "Lapped traffic was crazy the last two laps three and four wide I wasn't sure how far ahead I was leading" commented Bell who increased his seriespoint lead in the Badger.

**Babb flipped on Lap 3 of the Feature. Daum flipped on Lap 18 of the Feature.
Complete Results

Matt Paderta took the lead on the second lap from Chad Bogar to capture his fourth straight 20-lap Badger 600 Micro feature at the track followed by: rookie Zach Boden, Bogar, series points leader Brandon Sletten and Vance Lein.

20-lap Feature: 1. Matt Paderta; 2. Zach Boden; 3. Chad Bogar; 4.Brandon Sletten; 5. Vance Lein; 6. Bobby Ollerman; 7. Will Gerrits; 8. Bob Trapino; 9. Tory Strauss; 10. Norm Ehrke; 11. Jason Dull; 12. Preston Benisch; 13. Tyler Brabant; 14. Dusty Gerrits; 15. Val Urman; 16. Dustin Stefan; 17. Jake Goeglein; 18. Daniel Stefan; 19. Trevor McKern;20. Brian Haugland.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: Dull, W. Gerrits, Boden.
Feature Lap Leaders: Bogar 1-2, Padeta 3-20.

Wilke Team seeks Pepsi Nationals Win Number Eleven

Fireworks display highlights Saturday

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., July 3---If you're a fan of numerology, you will like the chances of Wilke Racing heading into the 33rd annual Pepsi Midget Nationals at Angell Park Speedway on Saturday and Sunday Nights July 5-6. The two-day event will be co-sanctioned by the USAC Honda National Midget, POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series.
A complete program of racing is slated each night, will Saturday being highlighted by a 30-lap feature, along with the track's traditional Fireworks display presented by Budweiser at the conclusion of racing events. Sunday's feature will crown the Pepsi Midget Nationals Champion, and will also include the popular Pepsi "Lets Make a Deal" fan activities on the front stretch.
The Wilke team has ten Pepsi Midget Nationals victories with seven drivers: Kevin Olson (1983, 1986-87), Rich Vogler (1985), Stevie Reeves (1991), Tracy Hines (2001-02), Davey Ray (2003), Jerry Coons Jr. (2007), and Josh Wise (2009).
Darren Hagen and Brady Bacon will head the two-car effort for the weekend's events. Hagen has a pair of third places finishes in the event. Last year Hagen appeared headed for victory driving for the team, when he flipped while leading. Bacon won the 2008 event, and has three career Nationals starts. Both number eleven cars will be Spike chassis powered by Stanton SR11's.

The Badger 600 Micro series will compete both nights. Defending series champion Matt Paderta will be seeking to extend his feature win streak to four, and is currently second in series points behind Brandon Sletten.
Spectator gates open at 4;30 pm, with practice at 6:00 pm, followed by racing. General admission is $20, students, ages 12-18, are $15, and children 12 and under are free.

Six Pepsi Midget Nationals Champs look for repeat victory

Fireworks display highlights Saturday

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., July 1---Defending Champion Zach Daum, leads the list of drivers excepted to compete in the 33rd annual Pepsi Midget Nationals at Angell Park Speedway on Saturday and Sunday Nights July 5-6.
The two-day event will be co-sanctioned by the USAC Honda National Midget, POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series.
Joining Daum are five former winners of the event, with a total of a dozen Pepsi Midget Nationals titles. They include: Kevin Olson (1983, 1986, 1987, 1997, 1998), Tracy Hines (2001, 2002 and 2010), Scott Hatton (2004-2005), Jerry Coons Jr. (2007), and Brady Bacon (2008).
A repeat victory for Daum would mark the seventh time in event history a driver has scored back-to-back victories. Daum currently leads the POWRi points, while Rico Abreu is atop the USAC points, with his teammate Christopher Bell leading the Badger standings.
A complete program of racing is slated each night, will Saturday being highlighted by a 30-lap feature, along with the track's traditional Fireworks display presented by Budweiser at the conclusion of racing events.
Sunday's feature will crown the Pepsi Midget Nationals Champion, and will also include the popular Pepsi "Lets Make a Deal" fan activities on the front stretch.
The Badger 600 Micro series will compete both nights. Defending series champion Matt Paderta will be seeking to extend his feature win streak to four, and is currently second in series points behind Brandon Sletten.
Spectator gates open at 4;30 pm, with practice at 6:00 pm, followed by racing. General admission is $20, students, ages 12-18, are $15, and children 12 and under are free.

Felker scores first Angell Park Victory

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., June 22---Missouri's Andrew Felker captured Sunday Night's 30-lap Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series Feature at Angell Park Speedway. It marked the third straight first-time feature winner this season at the track.
Pole sitter David Budres jumped into the lead at the start followed by Felker and Brandon Waelti. Budres held a commanding quarter-lap lead over Felker at the completion of the sixth lap. Budres continued to increase his lead as he pulled away from the field. Budres began lapping the tail of the field on Lap 13. Five laps later his margin over Felker was only two car lengths, as Budres was slowed by lapped traffic.
Felker passed Budres for the lead as the pair crossed the start-finish line completing lap 23. Felker then easily pulled away from Budres. Felker driving the RAB owned Spike/Fontana No. 57 finished 2.51 seconds ahead of Budres. Trailing the pair were: Waelti, Darren Hagen and Jerry Coons Jr. in the caution free-event.
"It's great to finally get a victory here, the lapped cars really helped me catch Budres" commented Felker who became the 138th different midget feature winner in the tracks 68-year history
Matt Paderta took the lead on the third lap from Tory Strauss to capture his third straight 15-lap Badger 600 Micro feature followed by: series points leader Brandon Sletten, Bobby Ollerman, Norm Ehrke, and Preston Benisch.
Felker now trails Christopher Bell by 72 points heading into the July 5-6 "34th annual Pepsi Nationals" at the track which will be tri-sanctioned by USAC, POWRi and Badger.

SUMMARY
MIDGETS
30-lap Feature: 1. Andrew Felker; 2. David Budres; 3. Brandon Waelti; 4. Darren Hagen; 5. Jerry Coons, Jr.; 6. Mike Hess; 7. Kevin Olson; 8. Travis Berryhill; 9. Bill Balog; 10. David Gough; 11. Eric Johnson; 12, Aaron Schuck; 13. Kurt Mayhew 14. Buddy Luebke; 15. Andee Beierle; 16. Scott Hatton; 17. Katlynn Lehr.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Balog, Felker.

Cars Present: 19 Feature Lap Leaders: Budres 1-22, Felker 23-30.

MICROS
15-lap Feature: 1. Matt Paderta; 2.Brandon Sletten; 3. Bobby Ollerman; 4. Norm Ehrke; 5. Preston Benisch; 6. Zach Boden; 7. Ben Paderta; 8. Chad Bogar; 9. Jason Dull; 10. Dusty Gerrits; 11. Tory Strauss; 12. Dustin Stefan; 13. Jake Goeglein; 14. Tyler Brabant; 15. Vance Lein; 16. Joe Bongiorno; 17. Dusty Gerrits.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: Sletten, M. Paderta.
Feature Lap Leaders: Strauss 1-3, Padeta 4-15

Rain takes out June 1 Angell Park event

Sun Prairie, Wis., June 1---With the predicted weather forecast for today and tonight the decision was made forcing the postponement of the The "1st annual Norm Nelson Classic" at Angell Park Speedway.

Track and sanctioning body officials are working to secure a rescheduled date for the event which was to feature: The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series, Badger 600 Micros, IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaws Sprint Cars Series and the Wisconsin Dirt Legends.
The next event at Angell Park will be Sunday June 22 featuring the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series, Badger Midgets, Badger Micros and Wisconsin Dirt Legends. The Badger Micros next event will be June 7 at Sycamore (Ill.) Speedway.

Current Points:
Badger Midgets: 1. Christopher Bell 319; 2. Tanner Thorson 242; 3. Rico Abreu 240; 4. Parker Price-Miller 200; 5. Zach Daum 198; 6. Daniel Robinson 172; 7. Jake Blackhurst 147; 8. Andrew Felker 143; 9. Darren Hagen 119; 10. Scott Hatton 115.

Badger 600 Micros:1. Brandon Sletten 345; 2. Tory Strauss 282; 3. Will Gerrits 266; 4. Matt Paderta 238; 5. Chad Bogar 222; 6. Ben Paderta 220; 7. Bobby Ollerman 181; 8. Zach Boden 175; 9. Dusty Gerrits 166; 10. Vance Lein 166.

Norm Nelson Classic next at Angell Park

Badger Midgets, Micros, IRA Sprints, Legends-June 1

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., May 27---The "1st annual Norm Nelson Classic" is slated for Sunday Night June 1 at Angell Park Speedway, and will feature four divisions: The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series, Badger 600 Micros, IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaws Sprint Cars Series and the Wisconsin Dirt Legends.
The race will honor Norm Nelson who won the first ever midget feature at the track on June 2, 1946. Nelson also won inaugural Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Championship in 1960. Nelson's career is also highlighted by three USAC National Stock Car Championships, and 35 USAC Stock Car wins. Nelson's eleven victories at the famed Milwaukee Mile place him second on the all-time win list.
The event will be one of two events at the track for IRA, and ends a twenty-nine year absence of Winged 410 Sprint Car racing at the track. Grandstands open at 4:30 pm, practice and qualifying beginning at 6:00 pm, with racing to follow.

Current Points:
Badger Midgets: 1. Christopher Bell 319; 2. Tanner Thorson 242; 3. Rico Abreu 240; 4. Parker Price-Miller 200; 5. Zach Daum 198; 6. Daniel Robinson 172; 7. Jake Blackhurst 147; 8. Andrew Felker 143; 9. Darren Hagen 119; 10. Scott Hatton 115.

Badger 600 Micros:1. Brandon Sletten 345; 2. Tory Strauss 282; 3. Will Gerrits 266; 4. Matt Paderta 238; 5. Chad Bogar 222; 6. Ben Paderta 220; 7. Bobby Ollerman 181; 8. Zach Boden 175; 9. Dusty Gerrits 166; 10. Vance Lein 166.

Thorson scores first career win topping Thiel Memorial

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., May 25---- Tanner Thorson won the 30-lap "12th annual Sue Thiel Memorial", Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. The event is also part of the POWRi Lucas Oil Midget World Championship.
Thorson jumped into the lead at the start of the event. Thorson's teammate, fast qualifier Rico Abreu made contact with another car entering Turn 3 on the fourth lap. In one of the most spectacular accidents in recent years at the track Abreu's car easily cleared the wall, and rolled down the hill outside the track, landing approximately 120 feet outside of the racing facility. Abreu exited the car once it was up righted by safety officials. Shortly after the accident Abreu was transported to a local medical facility for observation.
On the restart Thorson and teammate Christopher Bell pulled away from the field. A caution on Lap 10 bunched up the field. On the restart Bell challenged Thorson for the top position, and took the lead the next lap, however Thorson regained the lead before the lap was completed. Another caution appeared three laps later.
Thorson increased his lead over Bell, and with ten laps remaining he held a three-car length lead as the pair easily outdistanced the remainder of the field. The pair ran wheel to wheel, Bell moved into the lead several times over the final laps, however Thorson regained the lead each time before the lap was completed.
Bell made one last attempt on the final lap. Thorson driving the Kunz/Curb-Agajanian owned Bullet/Toyota No. 67 finished one car length ahead of Bell. Tyler Thomas, Parker Price-Miller, and Darren Hagen completed the top five.
The victory was his first career feature victory in his second season of racing. Thorson became the 137thdifferent midget feature winner in the tracks 68-year history. " Its great to finally get the first victory, I could see Christopher (Bell) behind me and knew I had to run the final laps without a mistake" commented Thorson.
Defending Badger 600 Micro Series Champion Matt Paderta passed his brother Ben for the feature lead on the second lap, and finished a quarter-lap ahead of Bobby Ollerman; with Tory Strauss, Vance Lein, and Brandon Sletten completing the top five in the 15-lap event.
The 1st annual "Norm Nelson Classic" will be on Sunday June 1 at the track featuring the Badger Midgets, 600 Micros, Wisconsin Dirt Legends and the IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaw Sprint Cars series. It marks the first winged 410 sprint car event at the track since August 1985.

SUMMARY
Midgets
30-lap Feature: 1. Tanner Thorson, 2. Christopher Bell, 3. Tyler Thomas, 4. Parker Price-Miller, 5. Darren Hagen, 6. Justin Peck, 7. Austin Brown, 8. Jake Blackhurst, 9. Zach Daum, 10. Andrew Felker, 11. Daniel Robinson, 12. Seth Motsinger, 13. Scott Hatton, 14. Robbie Ray, 15. Brad Mosen, 16. Rico Abreu, 17. Brandon Waelti, 18. Spencer Bayston, 19. Scott Buckley, 20. Terry Babb, 21. Jacob Patton, 22. Andy Baugh.

12-lap Semi Feature Winner: Daum.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Abreu, Thorson, Bell.
Fast Time: Abreu, 14.456 seconds.
Cars Present: 27 Feature Lap Leaders: Thorson 1-30

Badger 600 Micros
15-lap Feature: 1. Matt Paderta; 2. Bobby Ollerman; 3. Tory Strauss; 4. Vance Lein; 5. Brandon Sletten; 6. Ben Paderta; 7. Zach Boden; 8. Will Gerrits; 9. Dusty Gerrits; 10. Tyler Brabant; 11. Jake Goeglein; 12. Daniel Stefan; 13. Jason Dull; 14. Chad Bogar; 15. Dustin Stefan.

8-lap Heat Race Winners: M.Paderta, Sletten.
Cars Present: 16 Feature Lap Leaders: B.Paderta 1-2, M. Paderta 3-15.

Bell tops Angell Park Night One

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie, Wis., May 24---Oklahoma's Christopher Bell won the 30-lap "Danni Jo Thiel Memorial", Saturday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. The event opened the United States portion of The POWRi Lucas Oil Midget World Championship. Bell becomes the 136th different midget feature winner in the tracks 68-year history.
Parker Price-Miller jumped into the lead at the start, closely followed by Bell. Fast qualifier Rico Abreu started in 13th position passing four cars on the opening lap. Abreu continued his charge moving into fifth place on Lap 5. Bell and Price-Miller exchanged slide jobs for the lead two lpas in arrow, before Bell took the top postion exiting Turn 4 on Lap 11. Bell's teammate Tanner Thorson moved into second place the following lap. Bell began lapping the tail of the field at the midway. Thorson began slowing on the 18th lap, retiring with engine problems.
On the restart Bell moved away form the filed, while Abreu passed Zach Daum for second with ten laps remaining. Bell appeared headed for an easy when fifth place Seth Motsinger stalled, with two laps remaining.
Bell took advantage of a lapped car between himself and Abreu on the restart and ran the final two laps unchallenged driving the Kunz/Curb-Agajanian owned Bullet/Toyota No. 97. Abreu trailed Bell by 1.17 second at the finish, with Daum, Tyler Thomas, and Price-Miller completing the top five. " It's great to win at a track with such a great history, we struggled here last year" commented Bell afterwards.

Defending Series Champion Matt Paderta led all but one lap winning the 15-lap Badger 600 Micro Series feature, ahead of Brandon Sletten, Vance Lein, Bobby Ollerman, and Jared Cech. Action resumes at Angell Park Speedway on Sunday May 25 with the "12th annual Sue Thiel Memorial".

SUMMARY
Midgets
30-lap Feature: 1.Christopher Bell; 2. Rico Abreu; 3. Zach Daum; 4. Tyler Thomas; 5. Parker Price-Miller; 6. Jake Blackhurst; 7. Scott Buckley; 8. Austin Brown; 9. Brandon Waelti; 10. Justin Peck; 11. Andrew Felker; 12. Daniel Robinson; 13. Darren Hagen; 14. Scott Hatton; 15. Terry Baab; 16. Jacob Patton; 17. Spencer Bayston; 18. Seth Motsinger; 19. Robbie Ray; 20. Cody Weisensel; 21. Tanner Thorson; 22. Brad Mosen.
12-lap Semi Feature Winner: Abreu.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Mosen, Thorson, Hagen.
Fast Time: Abreu, 14. 497 seconds.
Cars Present: 26 Feature Lap Leaders: Price-Miller 1-11, Bell 12-30.

Badger 600 Micros
15-lap Feature: 1. Matt Paderta; 2. Brandon Sletten; 3. Vance Lein; 4. Bobby Ollerman; 5. Jared Cech; 6. Matt Peterson; 7. Jake Reif; 8. Tory Strauss; 9. Chad Bogar; 10. Jerry Reif; 11. Jason Dull; 12. Dustin Stefan; 13. Jake Goeglein; 14. Tyler Brabant; 15. Dusty Gerrits; 16. Zach Boden; 17. Will Gerrits; 18. Ben Paderta; 19. Norm Ehrke.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: Sletten, M. Paderta, Ollerman.
Cars Present: 20 Feature Lap Leaders: M.Paderta 1-10, Sletten 11, M. Paderta 12-15.

Full Results

Angell Park Speedway opener eight days away

POWRi & Badger set for May 24 25 doubleheader

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., May 16---Eight days remain until the 68th season of midget auto racing kicks off at Angell Park Speedway with a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader on May 24-25.
The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget and The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series will co-sanction The "12th annual Sue Thiel Memorial". Saturday's event will honor Danni Jo Thiel, with Sunday's event celebrating the life of Sue Thiel. The Advanced Building Corporation located in Madison has added to the increased purse.
The events will also open the United States portion of The POWRi Lucas Oil Midget World Championship. The Badger 600 Micro Series and the Illini Racing Series will also compete during both events. Grandstand open at 4:30 pm each day, with practice and qualifying beginning at 6:00 pm, with racing to follow.
Here are some points of review for next weekend's opener:

---Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports Team has won all six outdoor midget events they have run during the 2014 season will the streak continue? Christopher Bell and Tanner Thorson will be the team drivers for the event.

---How will racing be affected and changed with the removal of the inside guard rail and additional lower groove?

---A total of 135 different drivers have won a midget feature at the track, who will be the next first time winner? Bell, Thorson, Andrew Felker, Jake Blackhurst, and Austin Brown head the list of "favorites" to score a first Angell Park feature victory.

---Zach Daum ended the 2013 Angell Park season with a sweep of the two-day Pepsi Midget Nationals. Can Daum extend his win streak to three or four?

---Four of the last ten years the Angell Park opening night feature winner has also won the Badger Championship: Scott Hatton (2004), Brad Kuhn (2006 & 07), Bubba Altig (2011).

---Darren Hagen won last year's opening night event, setting a 30-lap track record. Hagen, also scored two more feature wins at Angell Park, leading 81 feature laps during the season, will he continue his dominance?

Bell leads teammates to podium at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Ill., April 25---Christopher Bell won the 30-lap POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget and The All-New Zimbric Chevrolet of Sun Prairie//Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned feature, Friday Night at Jacksonville Speedway. It also marked the start of the 78th season for Badger, the oldest active sanctioning organization in midget auto racing.
Bell led a sweep of the top three positions for the Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports Team, finishing ahead of Tanner Thorson, and Rico Abreu. The victory was the third of the season in POWRi competition for the Oklahoma driver and first of his career in a Badger sanctioned event. Tyler Thomas, and Nick Knepper completed the top five behind Bell's No. 71 Bullet/Toyota.
A field of thirty-nine cars competed in the event which saw heat race victories going to: Knepper, Alex Bright, Darren Hagen, Abreu, and Bell. Danny Stratton and Colten Cottle won the two semi features. Bell increased his POWRi points lead over Thorson heading into Saturday's April 26 POWRi/Badger event at Macon (Ill.) Speedway.
SUMMARY

30-lap Feature: 1. Christopher Bell; 2. Rico Abreu; 3. Tanner Thorson; 4. Tyler Thomas; 5. Nick Knepper; 6. Alex Bright; 7. Zach Daum; 8. Daniel Adler; 9. Parker Price-Miller; 10. Daniel Robinson; 11. Danny Stratton; 12. Terry Baab; 13. Colten Cottle;14. Jake Blackhurst; 15. Derek Holmwood; 16. Dereck King; 17. Scott Hatton; 18. Chet Gehrke; ; 19. Darren Hagen; 20. David Gough; 21. Brandon Waelti; 22. Andrew Felker; 23. Ronnie Gardner.

Semi Feature Winners: Stratton, Cottle.
Heat Race Winners: Knepper, Bright, Hagen, Abreu, Bell.
Cars Present: 39

..

Zimbrick Chevrolet

Zimbrick Chevrolet in Sun Prairie celebrated their grand opening Tuesday evening. The Badger series had cars displayed for the event. Zimbrick acquired Stark Chevrolet, Sun Prairie in September of 2013 and is located at 1877 W. Main St.

Lincoln Speedway cancelled due to heavy rains

The BMARA/POWRi cosantioned race on Friday at Lincoln has been cancelled.

3/1/14

The regular meeting for BADGER will be held on Tuesday March11, 2014 at 8:00 PM at 1855 Saloon & Grill, Cottage Grove, WI.

The 2014 dues are $175.00 for Owner/Driver with points in both (includes excess insurance), $125.00 for Driver with Driver Points only $125.00, $100.00 for Owner with Owner points only, $100.00 for active voting members (includes excess insurance) and $50.00 for associate voting members, $25.00 associate non voting member (excess insurance available for additional $55.00 for members or $80.00 for drivers ). If not paid by the first race of the year, the dues will be $10.00 extra for late payment. No Points until your membership is paid.

Badger will have a booth at Madison Kids Expo at Alliant Energy Center of Dane County, Madison Wisconsin. Take John Nolen off Hwy 12-18. March15 & 16, 10:00 AM -4:00 PM daily. We could use help set up and attending the booth.

8th annual bowling Event, Sunday April 13th

More info here:

Zimbrick Chevrolet & Mid-State announced as Badger Series sponsor

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., Feb. 25---Officials of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA) announced today, that the series for the fifth straight year, will have two co-title sponsors for the upcoming 2014 season.
The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series will run a 16-race schedule at six different tracks in Wisconsin and Illinois. Sun Prairie's Angell Park Speedway will again be the cornerstone of the series, with ten races slated at the famed 1/3-mile facility. The 78th year of sanctioning midget auto racing, for the country's oldest midget auto racing begins on April 4 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway, while the May 24-25 doubleheader kickoffs off racing at Angell Park Speedway..
The Zimbrick location on Sun Prairie's Main Street, is one of sixteen franchises in three cities.They feature a complete service and parts department, along with body shop facilities. For further information go to: www.zimbrickchevrolet.com.
Mid-State Equipment is a full line John Deere, and Bobcat Dealer with seven locations in Southern Wisconsin. They offer an extensive inventory of agriculture equipment along with equipment to suit the needs of commercial and homeowner users. For further information go to: www.midstateequipment.com.
The Badger 600 Micro Series Series will contest eighteen events at four different tracks.

Badger announces 16-race slate for 2014

Ten at Angell Park
By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., Jan. 23---Officials of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA) released a sixteen race schedule for the 2014 racing season, today. It will mark the 78th year of sanctioning midget auto racing, for the country's oldest midget auto racing organization. Mid-State Equipment returns as title series for the fifth consecutive year.The series will run events at six tracks in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Sun Prairie's Angell Park Speedway continues as the cornerstone of the series, with ten races slated at the famed 1/3-mile facility. Among the highlights include: a new two-day date for the 33rd annual " Pepsi Midget Nationals" on July 5 and 6, and The Cornfest Midget Classic on August 17, both events will be tri-sanctioned by Badger, POWRi, and USAC.
The track will open Memorial Day weekend with the Sue Thiel Memorial doubleheader on May 24-25. The co-sanctioned event with POWRi, kickoffs off the American portion of the fifteen-race POWRi Lucas Oil Midget World Championships, and will feature drivers from New Zealand and Australia.
Three Sprint Car/Badger Angell Park events are scheduled, highlighted by the return of the IRA Bumper to Bumper Sprint Car Series to facility on June 1 and July 20. It marks the first IRA sanctioned event at the track since August 7, 1985. The USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series will run three weeks later on June 22.
Wilmot (Wis.) Speedway will host "The 8th annual Salute to Harry Turner" on Saturday July 26. Badger will co-sanction five events in Illinois with POWRi including the season opener at Lincoln Speedway on April 4, and return to the facility on July 11. Remaining events include: Jacksonville Speedway (April 25), Macon Speedway (April 26) and Fairbury American Legion Speedway (July 12).
The Badger 600 Micro Series will run all ten events at Angell Park Speedway, along with both Wilmot Speedway races. Additional stand-alone races for the Micro's will be announced in early February.

2014 Schedule

Cade and Amy Reisdorf with Bill Ecker talk about their Car Owner title

Midget racing team takes title
Photo and Story By Roger Hamilton
Tribune Reporter

RAB Racing is about to begin its 18th year of midget racing with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association, but the just concluded 17th year was rewarding as they captured the extremely close Car Owner title, their first.
Bill Ecker of Town of Burke is the primary owner of two midgets; however his wife of 42 years, Rosemary, died of cancer in 2012.
"She is the R in RAB. She never missed a race at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, but she didn't travel with us when we ventured outside Wisconsin," Ecker said.
His daughter, Amy Reisdorf, of Waunakee, is the A in RAB.
"The title was so wonderful, because our driver, Brad (Kuhn), had dropped way back after a blown tire around lap 20 during the final Pepsi Nationals 50-lap race, and I thought it was over," Reisdorf said. "But Brad is so good at Angell Park, he is so intensely focused."
With about half a race remaining, the current four-time Badger driving champion Kuhn started rallying, finishing second to Zach Daum, and obtained the Car Owner title by eight points.
Ecker, in a rare show of emotion, walked onto the track halfway toward the flagman on the front stretch, found his family in the crowd, and raised his two arms in victory.
Reisdorf trying to contain her emotions, said, "Then I almost missed Kuhn's race finish interview, as he started to cry, saying he really wanted to win the Pepsi race, he was happy for us and that this was his last race in Wisconsin; he's retiring,"
Reisdorf continued, "Did he just say he's retiring? Kuhn has two young children. He's from Indiana. I understand as I have 9-year-old Cade, and as difficult as it is sometimes, he enjoys the racing too.".
Ecker said RAB earned the title because of Kuhn, though there were a few nights that he had as many as six other drivers because Kuhn had himself a USAC ride, as well.
"My first driver was Scott Hatton way back in 1996, as I was a shop class teacher at Madison LaFollette High School, which is where I first met Randy and Kevin Koch. All these kids became racing champions with Badger, and I was a mechanic of the year once, too," Ecker said.
Their mechanic, Steve Wineke, won the mechanic of the year award in 2013 because of all of his work on the #57 RAB Racing cars.
"It's really busy here at their Town of Burke home on race Sundays," Reisdorf said. "We can have anywhere from four to 40 people here working on the cars before we haul over to the speedway. "
Ecker, now retired from full-time work, focuses on rebuilding his cars for the biggest midget event in the world, which is the Chili Bowl, a five-day event in Tulsa, Okla., that starts Jan. 13, culminating on the 18th, featuring a total of 270 midget cars.
"I have only missed a couple of the years," Ecker said.
This will be the the 28th annual. Reisdorf goes as well.
"Maybe Cade, too. We'll have two outstanding Sprint car drivers, Matt Mitchell and Chad Buespflug, in our cars," he added.
"The Expo Center is so huge and full of midgets and haulers, you get 15 races each night and then nearly 50 on the final day. Most of the time, it's a little warmer there, too," Reisdorf said.
"The racing is so intense here in Sun Prairie, it's very difficult to win, which is why the title is so gratifying," Ecker said.

Midget Racing History "Talk" scheduled during Chili Bowl

Eighty-one years of midget racing history, lunch and door prizes, highlight the upcoming 1st annual Midget Auto Racing Historical Lecture taking place during the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Thursday morning January 16, 2014. The sport celebrates its 81st anniversary during the 2014-racing season.

The event will be held in the Media Room located inside the credentials office, at the main entrance to the River Center Expo Center (by the Golden Driller). A social time will be from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, with the discussion beginning at 10 am sharp. Lunch is included in the registration price, with the event ending around 1:30 pm.

Bryan Gapinski, well-known historian, publicist, writer and announcer in the sport for over thirty years, will head the discussion. A bound historical materials book will help attendees follow the presentation, which will include a power-point presentation supported by video/audio and memorabilia.

Among the topics to be discussed will be:
---Recap of midget racing from the first event on June 4, 1933 to current.
---History of Indoor Racing.
---Midget racing's most famous venues, past and present.
---Forgotten heroes.
---Summary of the five oldest current organizations: Badger, BCRA, ARDC, Rocky Mountain and NEMA.
---Question and answer session.

Every attendee will also be guaranteed a door prize from the vast number of contributors including: books, apparel, DVD's, and autographed items.

Cost to attend is $50 ($45 pre-registration by Dec 18). A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the 2014 National Midget Driver of the Year point fund. Space is limited; please reserve your seat today! Register before December 18, will receive a $5 discount.
Please email your registration to bryangapinski-AT-att.net (replace -AT- with @) or call (608)-335-5385.
Payments are accepted by check payable to: Gapinski Racing Enterprises 314 Rivera Drive Waukesha, WI 53189
or to our Paypal account: bryangapinski-AT-att.net (replace -AT- with @)
A registration confirmation will be returned to you via email, with payment information.

The regular meeting for BADGER will be held on Tuesday December 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM at 1855 Saloon & Grill, Cottage Grove, WI. This will be the annual Christmas Meeting with snacks furnished by 1855.

NOTE- There will not be a regular meeting for BADGER in January (enjoy the Chili Bowl)

The results of the election of the 2013 Officers and three positions on the Board of Directors:

President- Harlin Kitteson
Vice- President- Jim Schulenberg
Secretary Paul Krueger
Treasure Jim Schulenberg
Sgt. at Arms- Amy Schulz
Brd. Of Directors- Steve Wineke, Clare Rhone 2014
Dwight Huston, Brandon Waelti 2015
Quinn McCabe, Chad Bogar 2016
Kevin Weisensel Alternate

The track officials for 2014 will be selected at the January Board Meeting, so be sure to get your application in.