by Matt Panure
For a record fifth time James Swan was recognized as the Mid-American Stock Car Series Champion. Swan accepted his accolades in front of one of the best-attended MASCS Awards Banquets in recent history Saturday night at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.

by Matt Panure
Performance Racing Network play-by-play man Rob Albright will be the keynote speaker at the Mid-American Stock Car Series banquet on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

by Matt Panure
With the Mid-American Stock Car Series capping off 18 of the last 41 Oktoberfest Race Weekend Saturday nights, history was bound to repeat itself. Increase those chances two-fold when it’s James Swan who has the chance to make history.

Lyle Nowak has visited victory lane at Rockford Speedway many times but he never did it during the National Short Track Championships, until today. The seasoned veteran took home the Mid-American Series Mountain Dew 75. (Jim Ambruoso Photo)by Matt Panure
Having trimmed nearly 90 points off his deficit in standings over the past three races, the defending Mid-American Stock Car Series is just happy to be in the title conversation. He was even happier to be back in victory lane Sunday afternoon.

For the third time in his Mid-American career Lyle Nowak captured a win at Rockford Speedway. With two previous wins in the Spring Classic, it was Nowak’s first time etching his name in the record books as a winner of the National Short Track Championships MTN Dew 75-lap feature event.

“I just love Rockford Speedway,” Nowak said. “Today we had a really good race car and it didn’t fade. It was as good when we started as when we finished today.”

With his win Nowak cut James Swan’s point lead from 73 points to 47 points. Swan’s advantage over Nowak just two races ago was over 130 points.

“We’re thrilled to be in the mix,” Nowak said, claiming he thought he lost a title shot in spring after a DNF at Rockford. Content to be in the hunt, Nowak knows future business is at hand. “We’re going to go to La Crosse and race James as hard as we can and we’ll see what happens.”

Nowak’s ascent from his tenth-place starting spot began early in the 75 lapper. Scott Null quickly disposed of pole-sitter Frank Slabenek Jr. and brought the entire outside line with him – including Nowak who started on the outside of the fifth row.

By the time the first caution fell for a spinning Jeff Olson on lap five, Nowak already had secured a spot in the top five.

With a heavy preference for the outside line at the historic Rockford Speedway, Nowak emphasized the importance of track position and being placed on the top side.

Doug Hornickel Photo | fastlapphoto.comby Matt Panure
No matter what Madison International Speedway has in store for the Mid-American Stock Car Series, Jeremy Spoonmore is always ready to persevere. Spoonmore captured his second consecutive Capitol Classic win at MIS in a wild and caution-marred 40-lap main event.

As has been the case in past races at Madison, James Swan seemed to have the field covered. Swan survived numerous restarts and surged away from Spoonmore and the field each time the green was displayed.

Although Swan exorcized his MIS demons by winning the July 1 MASCS race this season, those very same demons returned to snatch another victory from the four-time Series Champion.

With 11 laps remaining Swan slowed slightly on the restart. Spoonmore dived to the inside to claim the lead from Swan entering turn one. Chasing his machine through the turns, Swan later discovered that his right rear tire had suffered damage and lost air pressure.

“I didn’t know what was going on. I knew our car was good and we could stay with him for a lap or so, and then he would get away from us,” Spoonmore said. “I knew that was my only shot, so I took it.”

Swan spun three laps later which gave him the opportunity to change the tire and rejoin the tail of the field. He recovered for an eighth-place finish.

It was the third time Spoonmore had capitalized on an ailing Swan. In 2007 Swan had a straightaway lead on the field only to have his engine expire. Spoonmore took the win in that event. In last year’s Capitol Classic Swan was involved in a massive wreck while racing for the lead. Spoonmore again took the win.

by MASCS Media PR
In a season with two lengthy intermissions Mid-American Stock Car Series racers have had plenty of time to rest and recharge for the final three-week run of the 19th season. The series jumps back into action this Saturday, Sept. 24 at Madison International Speedway.