Carlson, whose son has begun racing as well, commented that maybe we're getting old. Carlson has also gone retro, bring one orange mount that kindled memories of when he first began running number 66. "I used to race orange cars", Carlson reminded this writer. Yet your scribe still recalls when he and his brother Tom ran the numbers 50 and 51. Old or just more seasoned, no one will ever match the racers of old nor their exploits. That's probably why fans lined up for autographs Friday night, the showman Trickle always ready to tell stories. The new generation joined the old to give fans a generous session Friday, complete with a concert. We went to a different venue to celebrate our anniversary with family and friends, and a good time was had by all.

Saturday's return to The Mile had the USAC Sprint Cars return to the historic oval. Teams came from California, Florida, and points in between to run the 30-lap contest on Milwaukee's nearly flat oval. The feature began with a command from Crocky Wright, a former fellow columnist and veteran motorcycle and open wheel racer from many decades ago. Indiana's Bobby East grew up in sprint car racing, the Beast chassis about the same age as him. "The car was awesome", declared East after sweeping the day's events. "After each caution it got a little looser", East claimed, although, "The car was good for the whole race".

Florida's Dave Steele had beaten East here in the Silver Crown contest a month ago, but Saturday Steele could only declare, "We'll take second and go on from here. All we could hope was that his (East's) car would go away. I could taste blood for a little bit. I could stay with him going into the turns, but on exit he just pulled away". Third place went to another Hoosier, Michael Lewis, who claimed it was, "A pretty good run. We had a third place car, and that's where we ended up".

More history was seen when restored race cars from the past fielded for their contest. Hailing from as far back as 1957, the machines neither wheezed or lost their powerplants for the nonstop event. At the end it was Chuck King of Illinois in a former Shawna Robinson NASCAR mount.

NASCAR Elite qualifying began with Eric Fransen back in the number 16 after the team decided that rookie Nick Schumacher couldn't race 250 miles on a hot day, then travel to Slinger and compete in two more races that night. So Schumacher would run the MARS car at the Mile while Fransen would run the 200-lap race Sunday. It was only a matter of time before the 30-second barrier would be broken, but nine of the cars did it Saturday, led by J. R. Norris of Alabama. Wisconsin's Mark Kraus didn't fare so well, having his engine expire before qualifying, yet he promised to return Sunday.

Saturdays final race was the Mid-American Stock Cars for 40 laps. By far the largest field of the weekend, five racers became spectators after the last chance race. Jeremy Miller has mainly competed in a super late model this year after much success in the Mid-Am Stocks, but returned for this event . This was a momentous weekend for Miller not only because of the track's history. "My wife is extremely pregnant", their first child due any time. Miller brought veteran Brian Hoppe along to serve as a quick substitute as well as gaining setup advice from him. Saturday's advice must have been priceless, for Miller took home quick time and the win. The 10-car inversion only made the process take a bit longer, as Miller took over the point on lap 13 and sped on.

We noticed Peter Hernandez slicing through the field from his 26th starting berth, having raced his way into the event via the last chance contest. By the tenth lap Hernandez was up to 15th, climbing up to the top 10 about the halfway mark, and finishing seventh. Hernandez had to be pleased with his run as Miller spun several donuts on the frontstretch before coming to victory circle. "We were nervous all weekend", declared Miller, "Friday we ran the super late model at Madison, then rained out. This is the biggest race track we've raced on". Runner-up Gary Lamonte couldn't feel bad with his finish, stating, "He just had way too much motor for us. It was a lot of fun. A lot of it was learning to drive the Mile". Johnny Senerchia placed third and claimed, "I was better yesterday (in practice). This is my new car". Saturday's events were done just after 7:00, yet there was no rush exiting.

Sunday morning the Milwaukee Mile was abuzz with activity. Visiting Trickle were John and Sue McKarns, who left Florida before the latest hurricane, and son Gregg. One of Trickle's sisters has a daughter in the hurricane's path, however. Tim Schendel broke the old MARS qualifying record to kick-start his day. Mid-Am's Bill Prietzel and John Vig Jr. fielded trucks and stock cars, and Jeremy Miller ran stocks and MARS late models. Schendel, Eddie Hoffman, Justin Diercks, Todd Hansen, Erik Darnell, Steve Carlson, and Dexter Bean all had to rush to their NASCAR Elite cars for another 200 miles after completing the MARS 50-lap event.

The MA Trucks began their 40-lap contest with a dozen mounts inverted, but it only took ten circuits for Minnesota's Vig to get to the front. Breaking his old track record in qualifying, Vig had to stave off Mark Storlie for three restarts, the last red-flagged for a lengthy cleanup. The drivers involved were reported to be okay afterwards, though. "I owe it all to the crew", declared Vig, adding, "I love this place".

The MARS Governor's Cup 50 began with 30 entries and went nonstop to the checkered flag. The 14-car inversion put Trickle in the front row, leading the opening laps after Nick Schumacher's mount broke at the start. Darnell then took charge until just before halfway, when Miller again was dominant. After more victory donuts Miller declared, "I can't believe it. It's so special racing with Justin Diercks, Erick Darnell, and all those names", also giving thanks to Brian Hoppe for all his help.

The Milwaukee 200 also ended with a red number 5 in victory circle, this time Alabama's J. R. Norris taking the honors. No inversion for this 28-car NASCAR field, but fuel stops would be needed along with fresh tires. Norris was one of several who pitted under green-flag racing, losing a lap in the process, but made up the difference after the fourth of five cautions. "It's a special team to be a part of", declared Norris later, "It was quick right off the trailer". Schendel was a bit disappointed with second place, stating, "Unfortunately, we were a little short at the end. We had an awesome car". Third on the podium was Hoffman, who brought his 6-year old daughter to share the experience. With only two more races on the NASCAR tour, competitors are intent on finishing in the top ten in points so they can make the special race in California. The championship battle remains between Diercks and Carlson to the final race.

We missed Saturday night racing at Lake Geneva, but got to Slinger Speedway just in time for the opening dashes. After the late model 60-lap main event, Mike Egan was so emotional that he even kissed announcer Todd Behling after jumping on the roof of his car. "This is my first feature I ever won in my whole career", choking up when dedicating the win to a sponsor that had just passed away. The Race of Champions padded the pockets of those who had won or set quick time, but only nine could start the event. John Mueller's mount was not yet repaired, so he borrowed Dave Teske's car for the night. Schumacher ground to a halt during the feature when the rear end broke, the third Team 16 car of the weekend to fail. Egan loaned his mount to Schumacher for the 30-lap contest, which ended with a humorous moment. Dennis Prunty watched from the infield as brother David took the win, then borrowed the trophy girl's sash and brought the checkered flag to him.

The modified field ran a caution-free race, with Wes Biswell keeping Dale Prunty behind him at the final flag. In sportsman action it wasn't until the yellow flag fell on lap 20 that the hard chargers passed Dean Olla. James Swan led the freight train that ended with Olla hanging on for fifth. Thunder Stock action went nonstop with Eric Schuetz the only leader. The Slinger Bees split wins between Tom Berens and Jake Vanoskey.

Several restored winged modified machines of old were paraded during intermission, driven by veterans of that era. Slinger's owner Wayne Erickson joined Willie Goeden, Al Schill, Bobby Ratajczyk, and Billy Schwister touring the tiny oval. When Donald Van Camp took the Figure 8 win, it was not yet 10:00, and our weekend was complete.