4/21/2019
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
"Balog wins Badger Midget opener at Beaver Dam Raceway"
Beaver Dam, WI, April 20---Bill Balog won the "Wipperfurth Triple Crown" 25-lap Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie Badger Midget Racing Series feature Saturday Night at Beaver Dam Raceway. The event kicked off the 83rd year of sanctioning midget auto racing for the organization, oldest in the country.
Polesitter Mike Stroik paced the opening lap before Kevin Olson took over the top position. Chase McDermand passed Stroik for second place on the next lap, and passing Olson for the lead entering Turn 3 on the fourth lap. McDermand quickly built a two second advantage over Olson, when the caution appeared for a spun car on Lap 7.
McDermand led the field on the restart, with Balog in the seventh position. Balog moved into fourth place on the tenth lap, then improved one position each lap to second place at the midway, when a caution erased McDermand’s two second-plus lead.
On the restart Balog passed McDermand for the lead and began increasing his lead each lap. The events final caution appeared on Lap 17. Balog went unchallenged the final eight laps finishing 1.55 seconds ahead of Olson, driving the Mark Ray owned DRC/Honda No. 3. McDermand, Jack Routson, and Zach Boden completed the top five.
“Mark & Robbie had the car perfect the entire evening” commented Balog who for the second straight won the event at the track. Balog also won the IRA Sprint Car Series feature later in the evening.
Balog holds a twenty point lead over Olson entering the doubleheader weekend on Saturday May 18 at Sycamore (Ill.) Speedway, followed by Angell Park Speedway the following day Sunday May 19.
SUMMARY
25-lap Feature: 1. Bill Balog; 2. Kevin Olson; 3. Chase McDermand; 4. Jack Routson; 5. Zach Boden; 6. Brian Peterson; 7. Mike Stroik; 8. Kevin Douglas; 9. Jim Fuertst; 10. Pat Henson; 11. Jeremy Douglas; 12. Tristan Koeings; 13. Denny Smith; 14. Josh Rehberg; 15. Jordan Mattson; 16. Harrison Kleven; 17. Chase Jones; 18. Kyle Koch; 19. Matt ReChek; 20. Mike Unger.
8-lap AutoMeter Heat Race Winner: Koch.
8-lap Engler Machine Heat Race Winner: Jones.
8-lap Madison Extingher Heat Race Winner: Balog.
Schoenfeld Headers Fast Time: McDermand, 15.345 seconds.
Cars Present: 22 Feature Lap Leaders: Stroik 1, Olson 2-4, McDermand 5-13, Balog 14-25.
Badger Midget Series Points: 1. Bill Balog 116; 2. Kevin Olson 96; 3. Chase McDermand 90; 4. Jack Routson 81; 5. Zach Boden 72; 6. Brian Peterson63; 7. Jim Fuerst 54; 8. Chase Jones 51; 9. Mike Stroik 51; 10. Pat Hensen 49.
RACE NOTES
---Denny Smith was the other driver besides Balog doing double duty, and was sidelined in the Wisconsin wingless Sprint Car Series, finishing in 22nd place.
---2018 Beaver Dam Raceway Modified Champion Matt ReChek made his midget debut. ReChek running inside the top ten retired with mechanical problems shortly before the midway point of the feature.
---The feature victory for Balog was his seventh career Badger Midget Series feature victory.
---The event was the 59th for Badger at the track, with the series making additional appearances this season on Saturday Nights July 27, and Sept. 14.
Article Credit: Bryan Gapinski
