LGR Announces Midwest Sportsman Championship Series! By Dave Kamholtz

February 18, 2003; Lake Geneva, WI. - In a surprise announcement, Eric Dawson, Lake Geneva Raceway Competition Director, revealed plans for a new series to feature Sportsman division drivers and cars from both Lake Geneva Raceway and Slinger Speedway. The new series will be named the Midwest Sportsman Championship Series and will consist of an eight-race schedule at both tracks as well as the famed ¼ mile track surface of the Rockford Speedway.

The schedule will be based around the current Mid-American Stock Car Series (MASCS) calendar as not to interfere with any dates planned by that sanctioning organization. This will allow those drivers to compete in the series, but still be able to challenge for the overall MASCS crown.

"We don't want to keep those drivers wishing to compete on the full Mid-Am schedule from doing so. The intent of the series is to allow drivers who want to travel on a limited basis the ability to do so," says Dawson.

Drivers who take part in the series will compete for their share of over $37,000.00 in combined race purses and point fund monies for the series championship. This amount will be comparable with other similar divisions currently in place for this style of car. The current expected point fund will be $2400.00 with each feature race paying a minimum of $500.00 to the winner.

Controlling costs will be a major concern of the series. "Rules in place will cut the costs associated with running other series. An immediate limit on tire usage per event will be put into effect. We've had great success with this on the Super Late Model division at Lake Geneva. This will put an immediate cost savings to the driver in place. This, when combined with a lack of any entry fee or sanctioning license, should save drivers a substantial amount over the course of the series," Dawson added.

The series kick-off will take place on the opening night of racing at Lake Geneva Raceway for the 2003 season. Dawson is excited at the prospect of being the first event, "We look forward to seeing a lot of great drivers from the Mid-Am series as well as our own regulars who do not usually travel with the series. It should really give our series a great boost for the year." The event will be the headliner for an opening night that will also see the Budweiser Super Late Models and the McHenry Limo Super Stocks in competition.

For further information regarding the Midwest Sportsman Championship Series, please contact Lake Geneva Raceway at 262.248.8566.

MIDWEST SPORTSMAN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE (tentative)

April 5            Lake Geneva Raceway (Season Opener)
April 12 - 13        Rockford Speedway
May 11        Slinger Speedway
June 8            Slinger Speedway
June 14        Lake Geneva Raceway
August 9        Lake Geneva Raceway
September 6        Slinger Speedway
September 20 - 21    Rockford Speedway (Short Track Nationals)