Travis Sauter and Team in Victory Lane at the 2009 Oktoberfest Race Weekend. (Credit: Doug Hornickel Photo fastlapphoto.com)By: Kari Shear-Carlson (ASAMT Media)
Photos By Doug Hornickel (fastlapphoto.com)

Travis Sauter finished in the top five three times in only four starts with the ASA Midwest Tour in 2009. One of those top five finishes was in victory lane where he captured the biggest victory of his career and first ASAMT win. Sauter claimed the victory in the 40th Annual Oktoberfest 100 at Lacrosse Fairgrounds Speedway after a hard-fought battle with 2010 ASAMT Champion, Steve Carlson. Not a bad way to end the season. In 2010 Sauter will have even more opportunities to make it to victory lane. Travis is set to run the full season with the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and Grandstay® Residential Suites Hotels.

Chances are if you are from the Midwest, you have heard of a Sauter. The family of racers hails from Necedah, WI and several have made the move to one or more of the NASCAR racing series. Travis is the son of Tim Sauter, 1999 ASA National Champion and a competitor in all three NASCAR series throughout his career. Travis has already proven that he has what it takes to follow in his grandfather, uncles’, and father’s footsteps.

The driver of the #5 Hamke chassis is looking forward to racing the full season in 2010. When asked what he was most looking forward to, Sauter’s matter-of-fact response was, “Just racing more in the top touring series in the country!” Travis would not be able to race the entire season without the support of his sponsors. Along with long-time sponsor Cranberry Creek Cranberries, Sauter is happy to announce that Habelman Bros. Company, the world's largest fresh cranberry grower and packer, has teamed up with Travis for 2010.

The second Mid-American Stock Car Series Webisode has now been posted at the video-sharing site Youtube.

The video can be viewed by following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD2hnXbfP-0

This installment features two standout Mid-American veterans planning on making a return to the series this season. Jeremy Spoonmore, who recorded six top five finishes in six starts last season, and four-time MASCS champion James Swan discuss their plans and the competition they will face in 2010.

The first event for Mid-American’s 18th season is schedule for Sunday, April 18 at Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, Ill. Mid-American will join the BRP Big 8 late models for the 33rd Annual Spring Classic.

Rockford Speedway is located at 9572 Forest Hills Road seven miles north of downtown Rockford, just two miles west of Interstate 90 at the intersection of Forest Hills Road and Highway 173 in Loves Park, Ill. For more information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com

For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series, including results, the final 2009 standings, and driver information please visit www.midamericanracing.com.

Rain couldn't stop 12 years of waiting as the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards returned to Texas Motor Speedway for a test session in preparation for the Rattlesnake 150 on Friday, April 16, that is part of the Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR doubleheader weekend.

While the morning session was washed out due to heavy rains throughout Monday, the 1.5-mile superspeedway was dry by 1 p.m. CT today and ready for practice for the 21 drivers on hand. Tuesday's test marked the first time the ARCA Racing Series had raced at Texas Motor Speedway since the inaugural Z-MAX 250 on Sept. 18, 1998.

West Lake, Louisiana's Mikey Kile (left), in a Venturini Motorsports Toyota, led the charts circling the 1.5-mile speedway in 29.033 seconds, an average speed of 185.995 mph.

Brandon McReynolds, in an ESR Toyota, was second quickest overall at 185.752 mph. McReynolds is the son of former crew chief and current FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds. McReynolds hopes to make his first career ARCA Racing Series start in the Rattlesnake 150.

"It definitely helps chatting with Dad and other guys that have been around here a lot," said Brandon, whose father served as a successful crew chief for the likes of Dale Earnhardt and Davey Allison, among others. "It definitely helped being around the race tracks. I'm comfortable because I've been here before. I've seen the facility. Obviously, with Dad over here, it is amazing the things he can tell you even though he didn't drive the race car; he really knows what he's doing."

Steve Arpin, suffering from flu-like symptoms, took just 20 laps around the track but managed the third fastest speed (184.647 mph).

As the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season approaches for the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway competitors, track officials are also preparing for the new year.

As the season draws near, Speedway staff will hold the annual Driver Orientation Meeting, on Saturday March 27th. "Anyone interested in racing at the track this year, whether it be Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Hornets, or even the new R.A.Y.S. division is encouraged to attend," commented General Manager Chuck Deery. "It is a great opportunity to take care of track and NASCAR memberships, pit parking locations, season pit passes, as well as media information. It is a very informative meeting on procedures during the race season, and new drivers especially are strongly encouraged to attend."

The meeting for all divisions will be held at 10:00 am, located at the Fox Hollow Golf Course Banquet Hall. The hall is located five miles south of the Speedway (take Cty Rd M) on Cty Rd O, in Barre Mills. Doors will open at 8:30 for those that want to handle registrations prior to the meeting.

The 2010 season is set to begin on Saturday April 17th with an open practice session, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., and then a 200 lap 4-cylinder Enduro on the quarter-mile track at 4:00 p.m. Weekly racing begins the following week on Saturday April 24th, starting at 7:30, featuring the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, North Country Contractors Sportsmen and United Auto Supply Thunderstox.

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (March 8, 2010) – With less than six weeks remaining until the start of the 18th Mid-American Stock Car Series season, 29 teams have taken advantage of early registration. Registration will continue straight up until the first green flag flies at Rockford Speedway on Sunday, April 18.

“We already have a tremendous list of drivers,” said Mid-American co-owner Julie Strasburg. “As has been the case in past years, we anticipate that we’ll see a good number of additional entries before the opener.”

From last year’s top 20 in season standings, 18 have renewed membership for 2010. The list also includes two registered rookies and three who are eligible for rookie status.

Drivers still wishing to register for the 2010 season can do so by visiting www.midamericanracing.com/registration.php. The rookie registration form can also be found on that page.

The first event for Mid-American’s 18th season is schedule for Sunday, April 18 at Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, Ill. Mid-American will join the BRP Big 8 late models for the 33rd Annual Spring Classic.

Rockford Speedway is located at 9572 Forest Hills Road seven miles north of downtown Rockford, just two miles west of Interstate 90 at the intersection of Forest Hills Road and Highway 173 in Loves Park, IL. For more information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com

01 Ryan Gutknecht, Oak Creek, Wis.
(Returns after limited action in 2009)

03 Paige Decker, Eagle River, Wis.
(Young go-kart ace made four appearances in 2009 with one feature start at Dells Raceway Park)

0v David Verhagen Jr., Green Bay, Wis.
(Purchased car from two-time Oktoberfest winner Doug Brown late in 2009)

3 Mike Mulcahy, Warrenville, Ill.
(Road Course specialist finished 2nd at Road America in 2008)

5 Bill Prietzel, Richfield, Wis.
(Three-time MASCS champion has been runner up in standings two of past three seasons)

6 Troy Shear Jr., Roscoe, Ill.