Pickens easliy tops Brownstown field

By Tim Tuttle

12-lap Semi Feature Winners: Altig, Smith.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Gehrke, Adler, Anderson, Coons, Knepper.
Cars Present: 44 Feature Lap Leaders Pickens 1-30.

Altig claims Badger Midget opener

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., May 30--Bubba Altig won the 30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series Feature, Monday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was delayed 24-hours due to heavy rain on Sunday. It also marked the start of the 75th anniversary season for Badger, the oldest active sanctioning organization in midget auto racing, and the 65th season for Angell Park.

Defending Series Champion Mike Hess led the opening three-laps, before Altig took the lead entering Turn 3. Once in front Altig increased his lead, while attention turned to fast qualifier Michael Pickens. Pickens who started tenth, was sixth by lap three, moved into fifth place two-laps later, and was third on Lap 8.

Altig held a three-car length lead over Hess, and Pickens at the mid-way point. One lap later Scott Hatton stalled on the track bringing out the caution. On the restart Altig continued his pace, while Pickens moved into second place on Lap 18. Altig appeared headed for an easily victory, when he became trapped behind two lapped cars with three laps remaining allowing Pickens to close the margin.

With two-laps remaining third placing running Matt Smith, hit a rut lapping slower cars, causing him to flip, escaping injury, the accident also collected fourth place Hess. On the restart Altig was again flawless and finished 0.88 seconds ahead of Pickens driving the D & I Motorsports owned Spike/Fontana#19. Davey Ray, David Budres, and Kurt Mayhew completed the top five.

Chad Bogar scored a clean-sweep winning the feature and heat race in the first ever events for the Badger 600 Micro's. Trailing Bogar were: Preston Benisch, George Knudson and Braiden Fickas.

Badger will co-sanction with the Lucas Oil-POWRi Midget Series events on June 3 at Fayette County Speedway (Brownstown, Ill.) and June 4 at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway.


RACE NOTES:
---Series sponsor Mid-State Equipment added a $50 bonus to the three heat race winners (Waelti, Smith, Robbie Ray), and an additional $100 to the feature purse.
---Altig's victory will earn him the Terry Vaughn Memorial plaque at the season-ending banquet. The Memorial Day event has been held in Vaughn's honor since 1980. Vaughn was killed in a qualifying accident opening night at the track in 1979. Altig becomes the 17th different driver to win the event.
---Michael Pickens drove the Loyet#05, since his Jack Barry owned Breka/Ford-Esslinger#29 was still in customs, excepted to be released on Wednesday, Pickens will run ten-races in the USA, before heading home after the June 19 Angell Park event.
---Smith who arrived in the States last week will be here until Midget Money Week at the end of July....
---The last time Badger ran on Monday night at Angell Park was in 2005 for the Memorial Day event, the same year Dan Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500.
---The fourth place feature finish was a career best for Budres in a Badger sanctioned event.
---Derick Gough, David's nephew made his first career "National" Midget feature start, but won a heat race last year at Angell Park in IRS competition.
---Hess' eighth place finish broked his eight-race streak of finishing in the top three dating back to June 26, 2010..
---Kevin Olson surprised the crowd by qualifying fourth quick, Olson celebrated his 60th birthday in March.
---Altig's only other career Angell Park feature victory came on June 28, 2008 driving for Mecum Motorsports.
---Florida's Troy DeCaire escaped injury in a wild-flip during qualifying, DeCaire a three-time Tampa Bay Racing Association Sprint Car Champion competed the previous night in the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway.
---Spike Chassis swept the first four positions in the feature, while three different engines placed in the top five Fontana (first, fourth), Ford-Esslinger (second, fifth) and Mopar (third).

RESULTS
30-lap Feature: 1. Bubba Altig; 2. Michael Pickens; 3. Davey Ray; 4. David Budres; 5. Kurt Mayhew; 6. Robbie Ray; 7. Cody Weisensel; 8. Mike Hess; 9. Kevin Olson; 10. Bryon Walters; 11. Jason Dull; 12. Matt Smith; 13. Eric Johnson; 14. Daniel Robinson; 15. Scott Hatton; 16. Derick Gough; 17. Brandon Waelti; 18. Bob Schreffler; 19. Travis Berryhill.

10-lap Heat Race Winners: Waelti, Smith, R. Ray.
Fast Time: Pickens, 14.733 seconds.
Cars Present: 21 Feature Lap Leaders: Hess-13, Altig 4-30.
* Troy DeCaire and Dull flipped during qualifying. Smith flipped on Lap 28 of feature. All drivers uninjured.

Additional coverage of the Memorial Day 30 from Rachel Scott

It's 5pm on Monday, May 30, 2011 Memorial Day weekend and bleachers start to fill with excited loyal race fans. Twenty-one Badger Midget race cars warm their engines and spin their tires for "hot laps." Ladies and gentlemen, the 75th racing reason at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie has begun!

Troy DeCarie flips his car during qualifying:
"This is only my sixth time on dirt. The car was a little loose during hot laps so I told the crew to tighten it up a bit. I guess I got a little high. Just hit a bump in turn one that shot me to the cushion and I got a spike and it turned me over and over and over."

Quick time earned by Micheal Pickens at 14.773 seconds around the third-mile track:
"Hopefully I'll finish the same way, I guess."

*Heat 1
winner - Brandon Waelti
I asked Brandon how it felt to have the first heat win of the 2011 season. "It feels nice getting back to Angell Park and feeling at home up there on Victory Lane. The track was a little tough. I thought it'd be wet with all the rain we've had but it wasn't too bad.
2nd - Travis Berryhill
3rd -Kurt Mayhew

*Heat 2
winner - Matt Smith "It wasn't easy getting around Hatton. The track conditions are rough, a bit dry."
2nd - Davey Ray
3rd - Scott Hatton

*Heat 3
winner - Robbie Ray "We made some changes to the car between qualifying and this race. I'm just glad we're back to racing and not politics."
2nd - Cody Wiesensel
3rd - Mike Hess

With two laps remaining in the Memorial 30-lap feature race Matt Smith takes a tumble in turn 2. "This is ging to hurt and that's going to kill me. I'm feeling sore and the car is pretty banged up but that's just how it goes."

Feature Memorial 30
winner - Bubba Altig "It feels good. This win feels better than my first career win here. I've had some rough times and am focused on turning things around. I told them (his pit crew) this is my time to shine so here we are!"
I then asked him the following question: What was going through your head when the red flag came out two laps before the checkered flag?
"I was told that Michael Pickens was right behind me and I though 'you've got to be kidding me'. You don't ever want to see Pickens behind you with three laps to go. He's fast and he's gone all over the counrty. I just knew I have to get a good re-start and be smooth. The crew told me not to change my line. I knew he was fast and I was going to make him try to beat us."
2nd - Micheal Pickens
3rd - Davey Ray

Four Micro-Sprint drivers joined the crowd at Angell Park. One of them a 12-year-old boy named Preston.
I introduced myself and got a welcoming handshake from the young man and asked him, "How does it feel to hop into a race car at 12 years old and you get to race at Angell Park Speeway?"
"It's fun! I've watched since I was 3 and never thought I would be racing and it's really exciting. At first I was really nervous and now it's just really fun. I've raced gocarts and I'm better on pavement, but racing on dirt is a lot more fun."
I then asked young Preston if he would ever be interested in racing a Badger Midget someday!
"I hope so!"

RPM Rules:

BADGER / USAC National Co-Sanction Races:
166 CU IN Push Rod 8700
174 CU IN Fontana 8800
161 CU IN Overhead 9800
Sealed RHINO 7800
Sealed EST Esslinger 9400

BADGER Races:
166 CU IN Push Rod 8500
174 CU IN Fontana 8800
161 CU IN Overhead 9500
Sealed RHINO 7800
Sealed EST Esslinger 9400

Poweri / Badger co-sanction
No RPM Rule

thank you from the krueger family

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the kindness and generosity you provided throughout Pat's long battle with cancer and her recent death.

In times like this we are reminded how much family means to us and the value of friendship. Whether a phone call, a card or other countless ways many of you have provided comfort and strength and made our loss less difficult.

Your efforts, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.

With sincere thanks from Paul, Pam and Patty

Mid-State Equipment provides Badger Midget purse increases

Badger opener set for May 29

Sun Prairie, Wis., May 20, by Bryan Gapinski ---Officials of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA), announced today that Mid-State Equipment will contribute an additional $1,000 to the purses for three series events at Angell Park Speedway during the 2011 season. As previously announced Mid-State will also be series co-title sponsor with The Stark Automotive Group.

Badger will begin its 75th Anniversary season, the oldest midget auto racing sanctioning organization, on Sunday Night May 29 at Angell Park Speedway. Mid-State will contribute $250 to May 29 and June 26 events and an additional $500 to 75th Anniversary Race Night on July 17. The Badger 600cc Micro division will make its debut during the season opener. Pit Gates open at 3:00 p.m., spectator gates at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing begins at 7: 00 p.m.

Weather takes out USAC/Badger doubleheader

Badger/Angell Park opener set for May 29th
By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., May 13---This weekend's Angell Park Speedway season opening USAC Mopar National Midget Series and Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event, has fallen victim to weather conditions and has been postponed.
Sunday Night May 29 will now serve as the season opening event for Badger, and will kickoff their 75th Anniversary season. The event will also mark the debut of the Badger 600cc Micro division. Angell Park will also host the AMA sanctioned American All Star National Flat Track Series Motorcycle event on Sunday June 5th.

Clauson & Hatton look to extend winning streaks at Angell Park

Sun Prairie, Wis., May 9, By Bryan Gapinski---Angell Park Speedway kickoffs their 65th season of midget auto racing this upcoming weekend May 14-15 with "The Pepsi & Miller Lite Spring Double Header Presented by Sun Prairie Tourism Committee". The event will be co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Midget Series and the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series.

Bryan Clauson (USAC) and Scott Hatton (Badger) will both try to continue their respective series winning streaks, starting with the Saturday Night May 14 event which will be highlighted by a 30-lap feature. Clauson has won three straight USAC events including the recent season-opening double header at Dodge City, Kan., and a 2010 season finale. A sweep of the weekend events would allow Clauson to tie Rich Vogler's all-time USAC mark of five straight National Midget feature wins set during the 1978 season.

Badger will begin its 75th Anniversary season, the oldest midget auto racing sanctioning organization, on Saturday. Hatton won the final two events of the 2010 season, and hopes to continue his winning ways, as he chases the all-time Badger mark of five straight feature wins shared by Billy Wood, John Hartwig and Brad Loyet. Hatton's thirty-one APS feature victories has him tied for sixth all-time on the tracks feature win list.
Sunday will feature an identical program to Saturday Nights events. The Badger 600cc Micro division will be the support division both evenings. Pit Gates open at 3:00 p.m., spectator gates at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing begins at 7: 00 p.m.
Two additional USAC National/Badger events will be: the Cornfest Midget Classic on Aug. 21 and the 30th annual Firemans Nationals presented by Pepsi on Sep. 3. The 75th Anniversary Badger Midget Race Night will be on July 17, co-sanctioned by POWRi. Other Badger Angell Park events will be on May 29, June 19, June 26, July 10, and Aug. 14.
Come early and enjoy The Firemens Tailgate Party will be in the upper parking lot from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. fans will have the chance to try out the new Angell Park Speedway food menu, grilled brats, hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages.

Stark & Mid-State announced as Badger Series sponsor

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., Mar. 5---Officials of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA) announced today that the series, will have two co-title sponsors for the upcoming 2011 season. The Diamond Anniversary season will mark the 75th year of sanctioning midget auto racing, for the country's oldest midget auto racing.

The Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series will run a 16-race points paying schedule at five different tracks in Wisconsin and Illinois. Sun Prairie's Angell Park Speedway returns as the cornerstone of the series, with ten races slated at the famed 1/3-mile facility. A USAC National/Badger co-sanctioned doubleheader May 14-15 opens the season.

The Stark Automotive Group is the largest Chevy dealer in Dane County, and has locations in Sun Prairie, Stoughton and Merrill. Stark is the one-stop dealership for new and used vehicles. They also a feature a complete service and parts department, along with a body shop facilites.

Mid-State Equipment is a full line John Deere, Bobcat and Kubota Dealer with six locations in Southern Wisconsin. They offer an extensive inventory of agriculture equipment along with equipment to suit the homeowners needs.

Mike Hess (driver) and Jerry Hardy (car owner) will again team-up seeking their second consecutive and third overall Series Championship. Badger will also sanction 600cc Micro Sprints during the season, with a dozen events slated.