Gutknecht, Prietzel Headline Mid-American Field In Governor's Cup 40

West Allis, Wis., August 14, 2008 – When the Mid-American Stock Car Series releases its schedule every winter, drivers and teams look to a certain date. This year Saturday, August 23rd is the date that is either circled in red or doused in yellow highlighter to mark the running of the Governor’s Cup 40 at The Milwaukee Mile.

Whether it is a driver’s first tour of the Mile or the tenth, there is always hype surrounding the premier event of the Mid-American season.

The Mid-American Stock Car Series is an established short track touring series that mixes a popular grassroots division found at weekly short tracks with a touring series that visits some of the finest Midwestern short tracks. Using a cost-affordable rules package, handling set-up and driving talent makes the difference.

Two specific veterans hold The Mile in high esteem in the grass roots, travelling stock car series. They do so not only because it is one of the most historic venues in the country, but because they also can claim it as their home facility.

Last year Bobby Gutknecht took the crown in the Governor’s Cup 40.

“It was the biggest [win] of my life. To be only ten minutes from home and win at Milwaukee in front of all of my friends and sponsors was just a dream come true,” recalled the 14 year Mid-American veteran from Oak Creek.

Not only did Gutknecht enjoy the atmosphere at the Mile, but the circumstances were also very special.

“One of my best friends in racing finished right behind me. You couldn’t write a better script than that,” he said. With only five laps remaining, Gutknecht had to hold off long time Central Wisconsin late model ace Lyle Nowak. Since Nowak joined Mid-American early in the 2000s, he and Gutknecht have become close friends, hosting each other on the road and staying in touch over the winter.

Gutknecht is not the only veteran who relishes a victory at The Mile. Three-time Mid-American champion Bill Prietzel broke through at America’s Legendary Oval in 2006 with a victory in a 16-lap, non-points “Milwaukee Mile Dash for Cash.”

“That changed my whole thinking of the Mile. [Before that] the Mile was really nothing special to me but after I won, it changed my whole outlook there,” said Prietzel.

Prietzel also was able to enjoy that victory in front of family and friends. It seemed as though it was a long time coming, however. Prietzel was just coming off of his 1977 Hales Corners Speedway track championship when, in 1978, he raced at The Mile for the first time in the once-a-year short track Young America on Wheels event.

“It was a Saturday at The Mile where there were about a hundred cars in different divisions and they all had ten lap races,” he recalled. In 1980 Prietzel returned with two vehicles. He was unable to finish higher than third in those three attempts.

A return trip to The Milwaukee Mile was finally in order for Prietzel, the series’ current points leader, when the Mid-American Stock Cars first visited the historic facility in 1996.

“I remember how competitive it was because of the group of cars that were there,” the Franklin, Wis. native recalled. “I wasn’t as competitive as I would have liked. We have gotten better.”

The first experience for Gutknecht, while unforgettable, was not one to mark as a career highlight. While on the parade lap, the shifter knob broke.

“We were all pumped up to race in front of our Milwaukee friends and sponsors, but I had no fourth gear,” he said. The experience was still enjoyable, however, as Gutknecht resumed the race several laps down.

Aspiring drivers in the series continue to look to Prietzel and Gutknecht for advice when it comes to getting around the biggest track the series runs on.

“Everything happens so fast there,” Prietzel offers. “You have to be aware of the speed more than anything else. The speed is definitely an issue when you first go there, it wakes you up.”

Gutknecht echoed some of the same sentiments. “Respect it. You don’t realize how fast you’re going until you have to stop. You have to remember how fast you’re going,” the Oak Creek, Wis. auto repair shop owner said.

The Milwaukee Mile weekend usually breeds the highest car count of the season for the Mid-American Stock Car Series. In 2007, a season-high 49 competitors attempted to make the starting field for the Governor’s Cup 40.

There is practice time scheduled for the Mid-American competitors on Friday afternoon, August 22, with Saturday, August 23 on-track activities starting with qualifying at 10:15 a.m., a scheduled last chance race at 12:45 p.m. and a scheduled 2:30 p.m. green flag for the Governor’s Cup 40.

Grandstand admission is free on Friday, August 22. All Saturday, August 23 seats are general admission priced at $13, with kids aged 12 and under admitted free.

For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series, visit the series website, www.midamericanracing.com.

The Mid-American Stock Car Series is one of four stock car divisions competing at The Milwaukee Mile on an action-packed Governor’s Cup weekend. For tickets and information on the August 22-24 Governor’s Cup Weekend at The Milwaukee Mile, visit the speedway’s website, www.milwaukeemile.com.