A late afternoon line of strong thunderstorms forced Madison International Speedway officials to cancel Friday night’s racing program. This was the first event of the 2007 season to be lost to the elements.
“We were monitoring the weather situation very closely. When a tornado watch was issued early in the afternoon and with storms headed our way, we decided to make the call in advance of the approaching storm and cancel the races. We wanted to let our drivers and fans know well ahead of time to save them from making a trip to the track, ” said MIS promoter Dave Grueneberg.
Racing continues at Madison International Speedway on Friday, June 8th with action in the Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models, Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Models, Roto Rooter Bandits, and the USST Super Trucks. The trucks will be making their first of four appearances in the 2007 season.
It’s actually a return home for the trucks who provided thrills on the half-mile weekly as the Midwest Truck Series and has now blended several series. “We are really looking forward to having the trucks. Last year’s race was very exciting and this year will be much the same, ” said Grueneberg. Last season Tom McClintock held off John Wood for a thrilling victory.
When racing resumes next week fans will find the points races in the three weekly divisions very close.
Tom Gille of Winnebago, Illinois, is the leader in the Weaver Auto Parts Madison Late Models with 256 points and one feature win. Gille leads defending champion Bobby Wilberg of Orfordville, Wisconsin, who sits in second place with 237 points. Rounding out the top five are Zack Riddle of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, Nathan Haseleu of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, and Jeremy Miller of Rockton, Illinois.
The Rockweiler Insulation Limited Late Model division finds Stoughton, Wisconsin’s, Scott Broughton leading the way with 216 points followed by Wilberg with 193 points. Those two are followed by a pair of rookies: Ryan Goldade of Stoughton, Wisconsin, and fifteen year old Michael Bilderback of South Beloit, Illinois. John Baumeister of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is currently in fifth place.
A very tight race is shaping up in the Roto Rooter Bandits with Steve Dickson of Rockton, Illinois, holding down the top spot with 291 points. Following Dickson are defending champion Tyler Kelley of Oregon, Wisconsin, with 287, Rory Padfield of Stoughton, Wisconsin, with 282, Middleton, Wisconsin’s Alex Jones with 280, and Chester Ace of Oregon, Wisconsin, with 278.
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