Rain takes out Badger Midgets at Macon & Micros at Beaver Dam

Macon, Ill., April 28--Rain forced cancellation of the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget and Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event, Saturday Night at Macon Speedway. The next event for the Badger will be May 19 at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway, a co-sanctioned event with POWRi.  

The Badger 600 Micro Series was scheduled to begin its second season also on April 28 at Beaver Dam (Wis.) Raceway, however rain forced cancellation of the event. The 600 Microseason opener will be Saturday May 5 at Sycamore (Ill.) Speedway.

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Clouser scores popular Jacksonville Win

Jacksonville, Ill., April 27---Mario Clouser won the 30-lap POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget and Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned feature, Friday Night at Jacksonville Speedway.  It also marked the start of the 76th season for Badger, the oldest active sanctioning organization in midget auto racing,

Defending Badger Champion Brad Kuhn jumped into the lead at the start while Clouser worked his way through the field from his ninth place starting position. Clouser passed Kuhn and second place Zach Daum entering Turn One on the eighth lap to take the lead. Clouser once in the lead was never again challenged despite two cautions which bunched up the field.

It was a popular victory for Clouser who lives in nearby Auburn, Ill. “It’s really, really cool,” Clouser said. “I live about 20 minutes from here and this is about as close to a home track as it gets. My family and many friends were here.

Clouser driving the MCM Motorsports owned Beast/Wallace-Mopar No. 6 finished ahead of Stratton, Brad Kuhn, Daum, and Garrett Aitken. A field of fifty-three cars competed in the event which saw heat race victories going to: Stratton, Nick Knepper, Bubba Altig, Tim Siner, Ryan Guyett and Jake Blackhurst. Tyler Courtney and Tyler Thomas won the two semi feature events.
SUMMARY

30-lap Feature: 1. Mario Clouser; 2. Danny Stratton; 3. Brad Kuhn; 4. Zach Daum; 5. Garrett Aitken; 6. Jake Blackhurst; 7. Brett Anderson; 8. Tyler Courtney; 9. Bubba Altig; 10. Tyler Thomas; 11. Tim Siner; 12. Ryan Blakeman; 13. Daniel Robinson; 14. Ryan Guyett; 15. Matt Fox; 16. David Budres; 17. Cameron Hagin; 18. Nick Knepper; 19. Ryan Criswell; 20. Shane Cockrum; 21. Austin Brown; 22. Andrew Felker. 

Semi Feature Winners: Courtney, Thomas.
Heat Race Winners: Stratton, Knepper, Altig, Siner, Guyett, Blackhurst.

Cars Present: 53  Feature Lap Leaders: Kuhn 1-7, Clouser 8-30

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Badger announces 16-race slate for 2012

Seven at Angell Park; Jacksonville season opener on April 27

 By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., Jan. 20---Officials of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA) released a sixteen race schedule for the 2012 racing season, today. It will  mark the 76th year of sanctioning midget auto racing, for the country's oldest midget auto racing organization. The Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series will contest events at six tracks in Wisconsi and Illinois. 

Sun Prairie's Angell Park Speedway continues as the cornerstone of the series, with seven races slated at the famed 1/3-mile facility, all seven events have a raindate. Among the highlights include: a USAC National/Badger co-sanctioned event on July 8, "The Cornfest Midget Classic"  sanctioned by USAC, Bager and POWRi on Aug. 19 and the 31st annual Firemans Nationals presented by Pepsi on Sep. 1. Other Badger Angell Park events will be on May 27, June 10, July 15,  and Aug. 12.

The Wilmot (Wis.) Speedway will host "The 6th annual Salute to Harry Turner" on July 15, a co-sanctioned event with POWRi and return for a second date on Aug. 11. Badger will co-sanction seven events in Illinois with POWRi, including the season opener at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on April 27. Three events at Macon (Ill.) Speedway will be on April 28, June 23, and Aug. 17. After a successful debut last year the series returns to Peoria (Ill.) Speedway on May 19. Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway will have two events on June 22 and Aug. 18.

Badger will again endorse the POWRi sanctioned Speedway Motors Midget Money week. The opening event will be July 27 at Solomon Valley Raceway (Beloit, Kan,) for the 3rd annual Chad McDaniel Memorial. Followed by July 28 Cornhusker Midget Nationals at Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, Neb.), and the next evening at US 36 Raceway (Cameron, Mo.).

The Badger 600 Micro Series will run all seven events at Angell Park Speedway, along with both Wilmot Speedway races. Additional stand-alone races for the Micro's will be announced shortly.

2012 Schedule
Fri. April 27          Jacksonville Speedway (Jacksonville, Ill.)*
Sat. April 28         Macon Speedway (Macon, Ill.)*
Sat. May 19          Peoria Speedway (Peoria, Ill.)*
Sun. May 27         Angell Park Speedway
Sun. June 10        Angell Park Speedway
Fri. June 22          Lincoln Speedway (Lincon, Ill.)*
Sat. June 23         Macon Speedway
Sun. July 8            Angell Park Speedway**
Sat. July 14          Wilmot Raceway (Wilmot, Wis.)*
Sun. July 15         Angell Park Speedway*
Fri. July 27           Solomon Valley Speedway (Beloit, Kan.)--non points race
Sat. July 28          Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, Neb.)--non points race
Sun. July 29         US 36 Speedway (Cameron, Mo.)--non points race
Sat. Aug. 11        Wilmot Raceway
Sun. Aug. 12        Angell Park Speedway
Fri.. Aug. 17         Macon Speedway*
Sat. Aug. 18         Lincoln Speedway*
Sun. Aug. 19       Angell Park Speedway***
Sat. Sep. 1          Angell Park Speedway
*=co-sanction with POWRi
**=co-sanction with USAC National
***=co-sanction with USAC Nat'l, & POWRi

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Badger to have seven races at Angell Park

BMARA and CW Promotions have signed a contract to race 7 events at Angell Park Speedway for the 2012 season.

The agreement includes 5 rain dates.

More races will be added to the Badger schedule in the coming days.

May 27- Rain Date July 1
Jun 10- Rain Date July 22
Jul 8- Co-sanction with USAC
Jul 15- Rain Date Aug 5
Aug 12- Rain Date Aug 26
Aug 19- Co-sanction USAC
Sep 1- "Nationals"- Rain Date Sept 2

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Kuhn , RW Motorsports & Bogar headline Badger Midget banquet
 
By Bryan Gapinski
Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Oct. 29 - Driver champion Brad Kuhn and car owner RW Motorsports headlined the list of honorees at the annual Badger Midget Auto Racing Association awards banquet Saturday Night at the Kalahari Convention Center & Water Park. The event brought the curtain down on the 75th Diamond anniversary season for the series.

Kuhn's season was highlighted by four feature victories, and nine straight top-three feature finishes driving a Beast Chassis powered by a Fontana, and sponsored by Rotondo Weirich. The championship for Kuhn marks his third Badger Championship title, each with a different car owner.

Kuhn and RW also took home the lion share of cash point fund. Other award winners included: Cody Wisensel (Most Improved Driver), Kuhn (Hoosier Hard Charger), Bubba Altig (Terry Vaughn Award),  RW Motorsports Team (Mechanic of the Year),

Bryan Clauson (Frank Conner Award), Jim Schulenberg (Pat Stender Award), Bryon Walters (Kevin Doty Award), Rachel Scott (Media Award), Bob Parks & CW Promotions (Appreciation Award), Mid-State Equipment, Stark Automotive (Sponsor Appreciation), Chuck Johnson (Best Appearing Car), and Imhoff-Davis Racing (Best Dressed Crew). Spike (chassis), and Fontana (engine) received the Badger Midget Manufacturers Championship awards.

On the strength of two feature wins, Chad Bogar finished thirty-four points ahead of Preston Benisch to win the inaugural Badger 600 Micro Series Championship, with George Knudsen, finishing third.   The 2012 season schedule will be released in late-December/early-January .

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No Make-up date for Pepsi Nationals; Kuhn, RWB claim Badger Championships

By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., Sept. 3---After exploring several possible dates for rescheduling the 30th annual Pepsi Midget Nationals at Angell Park Speedway, track officials and sanctioning organizations announced today there was no suitable date remaining this year.  The USAC National /Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event was rained out last Saturday, it marks the second time rain has claimed the event, since it began running in 1982.

The cancellation brings to a close the 75th Diamond Anniversary season for Badger. Brad Kuhn has claimed his third career Badger Midget Driving Championship, finishing 112 points ahead of Bubba Altig. Kuhn's other Badger titles came in 2006, and '07. RWB Motorsports topped the car owner points. 

On the strength of two feature wins, Chad Bogar finished thirty-four points ahead of Preston Benisch to win the Badger 600 Micro Series Championship, with George Knudsen, finishing third.   

Final 2011 Badger Midget Series Points: 1-Brad Kuhn 891; 2-Bubba Altig 777; 3-Mike Hess 638; 4-Scott Hatton 552; 5-Jerry Coons Jr. 511; 6-Davey Ray 474; 7-Daniel Robinson 433; 8-Robbie Ray 414; 9-Brandon Waelti 412; 10-David Budres 377.

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Rain takes out Pepsi Nationals

rain date being explored

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., Sep. 3---Heavy rain showers and continued declining weather conditions have forced postponement of Saturday Night's 30th annual Pepsi Midget Nationals at Angell Park Speedway.  A future date for the USAC National /Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event is being considered and will be announced shortly

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Clauson flawless at Angell Park

Kuhn puts on Badger title on lock-down

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., Aug. 14---Bryan Clauson captured the  30-lap Miller Lite Cornfest Midget Classic, Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Midget Series and the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series.             

Bubba Altig, and David Budres flipped on the opening lap of the feature, causing a complete restart.  Caleb Armstrong jumped into the lead at the start followed by Clauson. Clauson took the lead exiting Turn 2 on the second lap. By the completion of Lap 5, the top four Clauson, Kyle Larson, fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr. and Armstrong pulled to a slight advantage over the rest of the field. Clauson began lapping the tail of the field on Lap 10 and held a 1.2 second advantage. At the midway Clauson's lead was cut in half to just over a half second.  

Clauson continued his march through lapped traffic, and held a two second lead over Coons, when the caution was displayed for a stalled car, with nine laps remaining. On the restart fourth place running Armstrong spun, and on the ensuing restart Mario Clouser flipped escaping injury.

Clauson opened up an advantage over Coons each lap after the restart. On the final lap Clauson jumped the cushion, allowing Coons to close to within two-car lengths at the finish.  Clauson driving the Corey Tucker-BCI-Curb-Agajanian owned Spike/Ford-Esslinger No. 19 finished ahead of Coons, Kuhn, Kyle Larson  and USAC points leader Darren Hagen. "The bobble on the final lap didn't cost us since we had a big lead, its a great tuneup for the upcoming Pepsi Nationals" commented Clauson afterwards.

Kuhn has put a virtual lock on his third Badger Drivers Champion, and now leads Altig by 114-points, with 116-points possible, heading into the season finale 30th annual Pepsi Midget Nationals on Saturday Night Sept. 3.  Badger and the USAC National Midget Series will co-sanction the event.

For the third straight event, twelve year-old Robbie Resch was the class of the Badger 600 Micro Series field capturing the feature, heat race and trophy dash. Resch finished ahead of series points leader Chad Bogar, and Bobby Ollerman in the feature.

SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Jerry Coons Jr., 3. Brad Kuhn, 4. Kyle Larson, 5. Darren Hagen, 6. Tracy Hines, 7. Tanner Swanson, 8. Caleb Armstrong, 9. Davey Ray, 10. Mario Clouser, 11. Levi Jones, 12. Dalton Armstrong, 13. Kurt Mayhew, 14. Mike Hess, 15. Scott Hatton, 16. Brandon Waelti, 17. Chris Gurley, 18. Zach Daum, 19. Robbie Ray, 20. Bobby East, 21. Bubba Altig, 22. David Budres. 

12-lap Semi Feature Winner: Hines.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Larson, Kuhn, Hagen, Clauson.
Fast Time: Coons, 15.391 seconds
Cars Present: 28  Feature Lap Leaders: C. Armstrong 1-2, Clauson 3-30.
**Altig and Budres flipped on lap 1 of the feature. Clouser flipped on lap 23 of the feature. All drivers uninjuried.

Current Badger Midget Series Points: 1-Kuhn 891; 2-Altig 777; 3-Hess 638; 4-Hatton 552; 5-Coons 511; 6-D. Ray 474; 7-Robinson 433; 8-R. Ray 414; 9-Waelti 412; 10-Budres 377.

Current USAC National midget Series Points: : 1-Hagen-826; 2-Clauson-816; 3-Larson-802; 4-Hines-706; 5-East-660; 6-C.Armstrong-582; 7-Daum-542; 8-Kuhn-499; 9-T.Swanson-491; 10-Coons-439

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Altig scores win #2, Robinson tops Dave's Dash

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., Aug. 14-- Gary Altig captured the  30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series feature, Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The victory was the second of the season for the Mechanicsburg, Ill. driver, and allowed him to close to within 38-points of Series points leader Brad Kuhn, with two events remaining.

Altig, jumped into the lead at the start, two cautions during the first three laps slowed the pace, including a six-car accident on Lap 3, which saw Eric Johnson flip. Kuhn moved into third place on Lap 5, and second position one lap later. Fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr. continued his march through the field moving into third place on Lap 7, and two laps later passing Kuhn for second place. Altig opened up a three-second when began lapping the tail of the field on Lap 9.  

Coons closed the advantage to under two seconds at the midway point, and four laps later closed to Altig's rear bumper. Both drivers had to change their "grooves" several times to deal with lapped cars. The caution was displayed for a stalled car, with nine laps remaining, as the leaders had lapped up to seventh place.

Altig took advantage of lapped cars between himself and Coons and Kuhn on the restart. Coons made several attempts to pass Altig for the lead, but couldn't make the pass work, including dealing with lapped cars during the final two laps. Altig driving the D & I Motorsports owned Spike/Fontana No. 19 finished 0.82 second ahead of Coons,Kuhn, Davey Ray and Kody Swanson.  "The crew had the car perfect, I knew Jerry & Brad were right there I had to be perfect after the restart" commented Altig.

Earlier in the evening Daniel Robinson won the 8th annual Dave Schulenberg Memorial Dash, collecting $500 from the $2,011 purse.  Cody Wisensel  flipped during the second heat race and was transferred to University Hospital (Madison, Wis.) for undisclosed injuries.  

For the second straight event, twelve year-old Robbie Resch was the class of the ten-car Badger 600 Micro Series field capturing the 15-lap feature over: Cody Ledger, Mike Hicks, Cole Possi and George Knudsen. Badger and the USAC National Midget Series will co-sanction next Sunday's Aug. 21 Miller Lite Cornfest Midget Classic at the track.

SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Gary Altig; 2. Jerry Coons Jr. 3. Brad Kuhn; 4. Davey Ray; 5. Kody Swanson; 6. Robbie Ray; 7. Daniel Robinson;  8. Scott Hatton; 9. Bob Schreffler; 10. Chris Springer; 11. Jason Therkelsen; 12. Zach Daum; 13. David Budres; 14. Cody Ledger; 15. Jim Fuerst; 16. Ray Seach; 17. Bryon Walters; 18. Courtney Erfurth; 19. Eric Johnson; 20. Mike Hess; 21. Kurt Mayhew; 22. Brandon Waelti.

10-lap Heat Race Winners: Altig, R. Ray, Kuhn.
6-lap Dave Schulenberg Memorial Dash: 1. Robinson; 2. Kuhn; 3. D. Ray; 4. Budres; 5. Coons; 6. Cody Wisensel.
Fast Time: Coons, 14.520 seconds
Cars Present: 23  Feature Lap Leaders: Altig 1-30.
*Wisensel flipped in second heat race, transported to University Hospital for undisclosed injuries. Johnson flipped on Lap 3 of feature, uninjured.

Current Badger Midget Series points: 1.. Brad Kuhn 792; 2. Gary Altig 754; 3. Mike Hess 597; 4. Scott Hatton 510; 5. Davey Ray 427; 6. Jerry Coons Jr. 419; 7. Daniel Robinson 412; 8. Robbie Ray 389; 9. Brandon Waelti 377; 10. David Budres 346.

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Schulenberg Dash Sunday at APS

By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., Aug. 12---Badger Midget Series participants will be competing for extra money during the Aug. 14 Sunday racing program at Angell Park Speedway with the running of the Eighth Annual "Dave Schulenberg Memorial Dash".

The top six qualifying cars (inverted) that are Badger Car Owner and Driver members will compete in the six-lap dash. Previous winners of the event include: Brandon Waelti (2003), Mike Hess (2004), Scott Hatton (2005), Adam Clarke (2006), Jerry Coons Jr, (2007-08) and Brad Loyet (2009).

A complete regular program of racing for the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series, along with the Badger 600 Micro Series is slated. Grandstands open at 4:30 pm, practice at 6:00, with the first race at 7:00 pm.  .The event will cap off a doubleheader weekend for the series which begins Saturday Night Aug. 13 at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway.

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Don Boorse: Midget Driver & Owner dies at eighty

Five champions as Driver & Owner

By Bryan Gapinski

Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 11---Don Boorse, champion driver and car owner whose career in midget auto racing spanned over fifty-years of involvement died, today at the age of 80 years old, after a short illness.

A former paratrooper in a US Airborne Unit, Don made his midget debut at Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, Wis.) on July 15, 1951 finishing third in the semi feature. Don won three features at Angell Park Speedway in 1955 finishing second in Badger Midget Series points, and third place the following year.  In addition to winning events at Angell Park, Don also won Badger events as a driver at Shawano, Wausau, and Beaver Dam to name a few.

In 1958 he won the Midwest Car Owner & Drivers Association Championship. The series ran races throughout the Midwest on paved and dirt tracks, and was considered one of the top series at the time. Don also ran many races under the alias “Jack Starr” to avoid penalties imposed on drivers during that era for running races outside certain sanctioning organizations.

Don captured the USAC National Midget Feature at Macon (Ill.) Raceway on July 30, 1959. In the early 60’s Don stopped racing, to focus more time on his growing family and business interests: Boorse Service Station and ELCO Truck Rental.

Don returned to driving in 1977, finishing seventh in Badger points. During this time he won also features with NWMRA and CORA. In 1979 he finished runner-up in Badger Driver points to Stan Fox and also finished fifth in the Belleville Midget Nationals. Don suffered a broken neck in an accident in 1982 at Raceway Park (Beaver Dam, Wis.). After recovering he ran a few selected events before focusing on being a car owner.

Kevin Doty won the Pepsi Nationals and finished second in Badger points driving for Don during the 1988 season. The following season using five drivers Don finished second in Badger car owner points.  Unable to find a driver for the June 4, 1989 event at Angell Park and running second in owner points Don elected to drive his own car. Engine problems at the conclusion of hot laps ended his chances, marking his final time behind the wheel.

Teaming with son Dan, the pair captured the Badger Midget Championship in 1993, marking the first of Don’s four Badger Car Owner Championships; others came in 1998, 1999, and 2001. Don also finished second seven times in Badger Owner points. Don’s greatest moments as a car owner came at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Raceway with Dan driving the familiar red & silver #88. The pair won the 1999 and 2003 Chili Bowl Nationals, along with capturing the preliminary night feature each year. After finishing second in Badger points in 2003, Don and Dan ran partial race schedules the next two years before retiring from the sport.

Don is survied by his wife Roberta, four children, and nine grand children.  Visitation will be on Tuesday Aug. 16 from 11:00 am –12:30 pm, followed by a 1:00 pm service at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, Wis.

A photo tribute page has been posted on the Badger Midget website: www.bmara.com

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Doubleheader weekend awaits Badger Midgets

Saturday @ Wilmot, Sunday @ AngellPark
 
By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., Aug. 11---A weekend doubleheader on Aug. 13-14 awaits The Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. 

The series returns to the Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway on Saturday Aug. 13, after an exciting victory by series points leader Brad Kuhn four weeks ago. The open wheel spectacular will also feature The Badger 600 Micro Series, Wilmot Raceway Winged Sprint Cars, Illini Midgets, and mini sprints. Grandstands open at 5:00 pm, with practice at 6;00 pm, racing to follow.

Sunday Aug. 14, the series along with the Badger 600 Micros return to Angell Park Speedway, for a 30-lap midget feature. The final two events of the season will also be at Angell Park on Sunday Aug. 21, with the running of the annual Cornfest Midget Classic, and on Saturday Sept. 3 for the Pepsi Firemans Nationals. Both event will be co-sanctioned with the USAC Mopar National Midget Series.

Kuhn seeking his third career Badger Midget Champion holds a 48-point lead over Bubba Altig, and 117-point cushion over defending champion Mike Hess.
 
Current Badger Midget Series points: 1. Brad Kuhn 695; 2. Bubba Altig 647; 3. Mike Hess 578; 4. Scott Hatton 466; 5. Brandon Waelti 350; 6. Daniel Robinson 347; 7. Davey Ray 341; 8. Robbie Ray 325; 9. Jerry Coons Jr. 318; 10. David Budres 308.

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Two straight for Coons in Badger at APS

Ferns & Resch make history at track
 
By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., July 24---Jerry Coons Jr. scored his second straight  victory Sunday Night in the 30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series feature at Angell Park Speedway. The win was Coons' 25th career feature victory at the track moving him into eighth place all-time on the tracks feature win list.

Polesitter Cody Weisensel took the lead at the start over Matt Smith and Brad Kuhn at the start. The caution appeared for a stalled car on Lap 5 erasing Weisensel's lead. On the restart Weisensel jumped to a size able margin over the trio and Coons who moved into fourth place. Weisensel led Smith by one second on Lap 10. Two laps later Travis Berryhill escaped injury in a flip, bringing out the red flag.

On the restart Weisensel withstood the challenge from Smith for the lead until Lap 16. Kuhn took over second position one lap later. Smith continued to pace the field, with Coons passing Kuhn for second place, with ten laps remaining. Coons closed to Smith's rear bumper on Lap 25. One lap later Coons took the lead entering Turn One.

Coons spent the final two laps in heavy lapped traffic allowing Smith and Kuhn to close to within a one-car length. Coons driving the Ralph Wilke owned Spike/Toyota No. 5 finished two-car lengths ahead of Smith, Kuhn, Brandon Waelti, and Taylor Ferns. Ferns' finish marks the best ever feature finish by a female driver at the track.   

Twelve-year old Robby Resch also made history winning the Badger 600 Micro Series feature over: Jake Reif, Chad Bogar, George Knudsen and Preston Benisch. Resch becomes the youngest feature winner in track history.

Kuhn now holds a 48-point lead over Bubba Altig heading into the Aug. 13-14 doubleheader weekend at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway and Angell Park.       
 
30-lap Feature: 1. Jerry Coons Jr.; 2. Matt Smith; 3. Brad Kuhn; 4. Brandon Waetli; 5. Taylor Ferns; 6. Cody Weisensel; 7. Bubba Altig; 8. Scott Hatton; 9. Eric Johnson; 10. Bob Schreffler; 11. Kurt Mayhew; 12. Travis Berryhill; 13. Daniel Robinson; 14. Jim Fuerst.

10-lap Heat Race winners: Coons, Waelti.

Cars Present: 17 

Feature Lap Leaders: Weisensel 1-15, Smith 16-26, Coons 27-30.

Current Badger Midget Series points: 1. Brad Kuhn 695; 2. Bubba Altig 647; 3. Mike Hess 578; 4. Scott Hatton 466; 5. Brandon Waelti 350; 6. Daniel Robinson 347; 7. Davey Ray 341; 8. Robbie Ray 325; 9. Jerry Coons Jr. 318; 10. David Budres 308.

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Coons captures 75th Anniversary Race at Angell Park

Kuhn takes Badger point lead; Win #92 for Wilke at APS

By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis.., July 17---Jerry Coons Jr. captured the "75th Anniversary Night" 30-lap feature Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series and  POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series. The race capped off a doubleheader weekend and special off-track activites celebrating Badger's 75-years of sanctioning midget auto racing.

Pole sitter Davey Ray jumped into the lead at the start. Coons made a major position advancement on Lap 4 passing three cars moving into four place. One lap later Coons took over third, and on Lap 7 moved into the runner-up position behind Ray. Brad Kuhn looking for his fourth straight Badger victory, passed nine cars in the first ten laps, after starting in the 17th position.

Coons closed onto the rear bumper of Ray and took the lead on Lap 12, however the caution appeared before the lap was completed putting Ray back into the top position. On the restart Scott Hatton and Chet Gehrke tangled, with an additional five cars being involved in the accident. The race was red flagged to allow safety equipment to remove the cars from the track.

Ray held off Coons on the restart,while Kuhn continued his march through the field into the top five on the restart. Coons made a run on "the cushion" on Lap 17 and took the lead from Ray exiting Turn 2. Coons then increased his lead over Ray, and began  lapping the tail of the field with seven laps remaining. Kuhn took over second position,  with the caution appearing for a stalled car with four laps remaining.

Coons pulled to a three-car length lead on the restart, and led the final four laps unchallenged driving the Ralph Wilke owned  Spike/Toyota No. 5 finishing ahead of Kuhn, fast qualifier Darren Hagen, Ray and Brad Loyet. "The different types of track conditions is what makes Angell Park such a challenge and fun place  to race at" commented Coons after the victory.

For the Wilke team it marked their 92nd feature victory at the track. Chad Bogar captured the Badger 600 Micro Series feature. Kuhn now holds a 14-point lead over Bubba Altig heading into the July 24 event at Angell Park.

SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Jerry Coons Jr. 2. Brad Kuhn; 3. Darren Hagen; 4. Davey Ray; 5. Brad Loyet; 6. Bubba Altig; 7. Mike Hess; 8. Scott Hatton; 9. David Budres; 10. Andrew Felker; 11. Daniel Adler; 12. Bryon Walters; 13. Chet Gehrke; 14. Brett Anderson; 15. Gavin Galbraith; 16. Jim Fuerst; 17. Brandon Waelti; 18. Nick Knepper; 19. Robbie Ray; 20. Austin Brown; 21. Kyle Neal; 22. Dalton Armstrong.

15-lap Semi Feature Winner: Kuhn.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Fuerst, Coons, Gehrke, Loyet.
Fast Time: Hagen, 14.957 seconds.
Cars Present: 28  Feature Lap Leaders: Ray 1-17, Coons 18-30.

Current Badger Midget series points: 1. Brad Kuhn 608; 2. Bubba Altig 594; 3. Mike Hess 573; 4. Scott Hatton 422; 5. Davey Ray 341; 6. Robbie Ray 325; 7. David Budres 308; 8. Davey Ray 301; 9. Bryon Walters 298; 10. Brandon Waelti 271.

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Kuhn captures Badger/POWRi at Wilmot Raceway

Third straight win Badger win for Indiana driver
 
By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., July 16---Brad Kuhn captured the 5th annual "Salute to Harry Turner" 30-lap feature Saturday Night at Wilmot Raceway. The event was co-sanctioned by the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series and  POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series. The victory for Kuhn was his third straight in Badger and second in POWRi.

Pole sitter Davey Ray jumped into the lead at the start, while Brad Loyet passed five cars in the opening lap moving to third place. Loyet advanced another position on the next lap.Kuhn passed Chet Gehrke for third place on Lap 5, with Ray holding a commanding lead. The caution appeared for a stalled cars on Laps seven and ten bunching up the field.

On the restart Loyet used the bottom line to take the lead from Ray exiting Turn 2. Loyet running the bottom groove held a three-car length at the midway point. Kuhn moved into second place two laps later. Kuhn using the high groove around the 1/3-mile clay oval passed Loyet for the lead, with six laps remaining. A spirited four-car battle occurred behind the lead duo for the remainder of the event.

Kuhn driving the RW Motorsports owned Beast/Fontana No. 17 finished 0.563 seconds ahead of Loyet, Scott Hatton, Mario Clouser and Badger points leader Bubba Altig. The victory for Kuhn was his second in the Turner event also winning the 2006 event. "You had to figure out the changing track conditions quickly tonight, we the bite we needed on the top" commented Kuhn who has closed to within fifteen points of Altig for the Badger points lead.

Mike Hess completed a clean sweep winning the Badger 600 Micro feature and heat race. The next event for both series will be the July 17 "75th Anniversary Night of Badger Midget Auto Racing" at Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, Wis.).     
 
SUMMARY

30-lap Feature: 1. Brad Kuhn; 2. Brad Loyet; 3. Scott Hatton; 4. Mario Clouser; 5. Bubba Altig; 6. Davey Ray; 7. Brett Anderson; 8. Mike Hess; 9. Nick Knepper; 10. Kevin Olson; 11. Robbie Ray; 12. Andrew Felker; 13. Chet Gehrke; 14. Austin Brown; 15.  Bryon Walters; 16. Gavin Galbrath; 17. Matt Jackson; 18. Daniel Adler; 19. Daniel Robinson; 20. Taylor Ferns; 21. David Budres; 22. Caleb Armstrong. 

15-lap Semi Feature Winner: Armstrong.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Kuhn, Hatton, Altig, D. Ray.
Cars Present: 28  Feature Lap Leaders: Ray 1-10, Loyet 11-23, Kuhn 24-30

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Badger & POWRi set for Wisconsin doubleheader this weekend Saturday @ Wilmot, Sunday @ Angell Park 

By Bryan Gapinski

Wilmot, Wis., July 13---The long awaited Wisconsin co-sanctioned racing weekend doubleheader for the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series &  Lucas Oil POWRi Midget series is now only three-days away.

Action kicks off on Saturday July 16 at the Wilmot Raceway with the Fifth annual "Salute to Harry Turner". Previous event winners: Mike Hess (2005), Brad Kuhn (2006), and Brad Loyet (2009) are among the enteries for the weekend. Pits open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 5:00 p.m., practice begins at 6:00 p.m., with racing to follow.

The following evening action moves to Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, Wis.), for the 75th Anniversary season race for the Badger at the famed 1/3-mile oval. It will also mark the first time POWRi has sanctioned a points paying event at the facility. The event will also award points towards the Mopar USAC D1 Series. Additional purse money has been contributed to the event by Mid-State Equipment and the Uttica Mafia. 

Fans are encourged to come to the track early Sunday as numerous social events involving past participants from Badger will begin in the Pavillion at 1:00 p.m. running until 5:00 p.m. Pits open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 4:00 p.m., practice begins at 6:00 p.m., with racing to begin at 7:00 p.m. The Badger 600 micro Series will particpate at both Wilmot and Angell Park.

Bubba Altig holds a narrow four-point lead in the Badger points over defending Series champion Hess, while Kuhn trails by fifty-points. Nick Knepper leads the POWRi points over two-time Series Champion Loyet, Andrew Felker, Chet Gehrke, and Tim Siner.

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Kuhn out duels Coons for Angell Park victory

Forty-year old track record falls

By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., June 26---Brad Kuhn scored a thrilling victory capturing the 30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series event Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. Kuhn completed the event in 8 minutes and four seconds, besting the 40-year old track record set by Larry Rice on August 30, 1970, by over one minute.

Brandon Waelti set the pace at the start, closely followed by Kuhn and fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr. Kuhn passed Waelti for the lead on Lap 5, with Coons following into second place. The pair quickly moved ahead of the field and began lapping slower cars on Lap 10. Kuhn continued his pace with Coons trailing by about one-two car lengths as the pair weaved through lapped traffic.

With ten laps remaining Kuhn held a car-length lead over Coons.The advantage remained the same with five laps remaining. On Lap 27 Kuhn passed two slower cars entering Turns 1-2, drifting high opening up the bottom lane for Coons to take the lead down the backstretch. Coons held a two-car length lead over Kuhn  when his tire went flat entering Turn 3 one lap later giving Kuhn the lead.

Kuhn driving the RW Motorsports owned Beast/Fontana No. 17 finished 5.73 seconds ahead of Coons who finished the final circuit with a flat Right Rear Tire. Series points leader Bubba Altig, Scott Hatton and Matt Smith completed the top five.  "Its great to win at Sun Prairie, it was great dicing with Jerry for so many laps" commented Kuhn.

Mike Hess scored a clean sweep winning the 10-lap Badger 600 Micro feature finishing ahead of Brandon Fickas, Preston Benisch,Chad Bogar and George Knudsen. Hess also captured the heat race for the division. An additional Badger event at Angell Park Speedway has been added to the schedule for Sunday July 24. The event will feature the Badger Midgets, Micros and Wisconsin Dirt Legends Car Series. Altig holds a 46-point lead over Hess heading into the July 1-2 event at Belle Claire Raceway (Belleville, Ill.).      

SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Brad Kuhn; 2. Jerry Coons Jr.; 3. Bubba Altig; 4. Scott Hatton; 5. Matt Smith; 6. Mike Hess; 7. Robbie Ray; 8. Daniel Robinson; 9. Cody Weisensel; 10. Kurt Mayhew; 11. Eric Johnson; 12. Courtney Erfurth; 13. Brandon Waelti; 14. David Budres; 15. Bryon Walters. 8:04.85 (NTR) (Old record Larry Rice 8/30/70 at: 9:11.56).

10-lap Heat Race Winners: Smith, Coons.

Fast Time: Coons, 15.238 seconds.

Cars Present: 15 Feature Lap Leaders: Waelti 1-5, Kuhn 6-27, Coons 28, Kuhn 29-30

Badger Points: 1. Bubba Altig 271; 2. Mike Hess 225; 3. Matt Smith 200; 4. Scott Hatton 183; 5. Robbie Ray 170; 6. Brandon Waelti 150; 7. Daniel Robinson 150; 8. Cody Weisensel 138; 9. David Budres 128; 10. Bryon Walters 113.

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RAINS FORCE ANGELL PARK CANCELLATION
 
Sun Prairie, WI……..Rains and wet grounds have conspired to force cancellation of Sunday night's USAC Mopar D1 Midget race at Angell Park Speedway. The series continues this Wednesday night (June 22) at the Bryant Heating & Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome.

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Pickens dominates Peoria

New Zealand driver scores win#2 in States

By Bryan Gapinski

Peoria, Ill., June 4—Michael Pickens completed the weekend sweep, Saturday Night capturing the 30-lap POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series & Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event at Peoria Speedway. The evening earlier Pickens captured the co-sanctioned event at Fayette County Speedway.

Polesitter Brett Anderson set the pace at the start of the event, however three cautions during the first five-laps slowed the event. On a Lap 5 restart Pickens and Thomas Meseruall both moved up on Anderson. One lap later exiting Turn 2, the trio went three-wide for the lead, with Pickens edging Meseruall at the line for the lead. Anderson regained the runner-up position two-laps later as Pickens began pulling way from the field. A five-car battle for second continued behind Pickens.

Three additional cautions appeared between laps 12-17, kept the field bunched up. Each time Pickens pulled away on the restart.  A two-car accident with three laps remaining set up a restart with Pickens leading Brad Loyet. On the restart Loyet made a charge for the lead passing Pickens entering Turn 4, however Pickens drove under Loyet to lead at the start/finish line with two laps remaining.

Pickens driving the Jack Berry owned Breka/Ford-Esslinger No. 29, finished three-cars length ahead of Loyet, POWRi Series points leader Nick Knepper, Jerry Coons Jr.and Anderson. After an opening lap spin Bubba Altig recovered to finish sixth, and leads the Badger points heading into the June 19 event at Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, Wis.).

"The crew had the car perfect again, Brad (Loyet) made a good pass at the end, but he couldn't make it stick and I drove backunder him, this is a great start to our ten-race USA Tour"  commented Pickens afterwards.   
        
SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Michael Pickens; 2. Brad Loyet;, 3. Nick Knepper; 4. Jerry Coons Jr.; 5. Brett Anderson; 6. Bubba Altig; 7. Tyler Robbins; 8. Derek Kingston; 9. Austin Brown; 10. Thomas Meseraull; 11. Jake Blackhurst; 12. Dalton Armstrong; 13. Tim Siner; 14. Mike Hess; 15. Daniel Robinson; 16. John Campbell; 17. Dereck King; 18. Brandon Waelti; 19. Scott Hatton; 20. Derek Rossio; 21. Dillon Welch; 22. Chris Bell.

12-lap Semi Feature Winners: Robbins, Waelti.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Meseruall, Brown, Coons, King, Anderson..
Cars Present: 41   Feature Lap Leaders: Anderson 1-6,  Pickens 7-30.
*Travis Berryhill flipped during second semi feature landing outside of track, escaping injury.

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Pickens easliy tops Brownstown field

By Tim Tuttle

Brownstown, Ill., June 3—New Zealand’s Michael Pickens led all 30-laps en route to a runaway feature victory Friday Night in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series & Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event at Fayette County Speedway.
 
Pickens, a three-time New Zealand and two-time Australian Speedcar Super Series champion, started on pole next to Brad Loyet. Pickens ran the inside line in the Jack Berry owned Breka/Ford-Esslinger, for the first one and a half laps, then went to the outside and began pulling away from Loyet, who also was running on the top of the quarter-mile dirt track.

“I knew I wasn’t gong to clear Brad off the start, but (Turns) One and Two were pretty good on the bottom,” Pickens said. “After a lap and a half, I was able to move to the top.” Pickens had one anxious moment, regaining control on the eighth lap after coming off the top. His lead over Loyet allowed him to gather the Midget up and stay in the lead. “I tagged the guard rail,” said Pickens.

The events only caution appeared on Lap 10. On the restart Pickens steadily pulled away from Loyet and the field. Trailing  Pickens at the finish were: Loyet, Austin Brown, Brett Anderson and Jerry Coons Jr.

SUMMARY
30-lap Feature: 1. Michael Pickens, 2. Brad Loyet, 3. Austin Brown, 4. Brett Anderson, 5. Jerry Coons Jr., 6. Mike Hess, 7. Chett Gehrke, 8. Nick Knepper, 9. Travis Berryhill, 10. Matt Smith, 11. Scott Hatton, 12. Seth Motsinger, 13. Tim Siner, 14. Chris Bell, 15. Bubba Altig, 16. Daniel Adler, 17. Kyle Neal, 18. David Budres, 19. Brandon Waelti, 20. Dereck King, 21. Derrick Myers, 22. Dave Camfield Jr., 23. Andrew Felker.

12-lap Semi Feature Winners: Altig, Smith.

10-lap Heat Race Winners: Gehrke, Adler, Anderson, Coons, Knepper.

Cars Present: 44 

Feature Lap Leaders Pickens 1-30.

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Altig claims Badger Midget opener
 
By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., May 30--Bubba Altig won the 30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series Feature, Monday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was delayed 24-hours due to heavy rain on Sunday. It also marked the start of the 75th anniversary season for Badger, the oldest active sanctioning organization in midget auto racing, and the 65th season for Angell Park. 

Defending Series Champion Mike Hess led the opening three-laps, before Altig took the lead entering Turn 3. Once in front Altig increased his lead, while attention turned to fast qualifier Michael Pickens. Pickens who started tenth, was sixth by lap three, moved into fifth place two-laps later, and was third on Lap 8.

Altig held a three-car length lead over Hess, and Pickens at the mid-way point. One lap later Scott Hatton stalled on the track bringing out the caution. On the restart Altig continued his pace, while Pickens moved into second place on Lap 18. Altig appeared headed for an easily victory, when he became trapped behind two lapped cars with three laps remaining allowing Pickens to close the margin.

With two-laps remaining third placing running Matt Smith, hit a rut lapping slower cars, causing him to flip, escaping injury, the accident also collected fourth place Hess.  On the restart Altig was again flawless and finished 0.88 seconds ahead of Pickens driving the D & I Motorsports owned Spike/Fontana#19. Davey Ray, David Budres, and Kurt Mayhew completed the top five. Badger will co-sanction with the Lucas Oil-POWRi Midget Series events on June 3 at Fayette County Speedway (Brownstown, Ill.) and June 4 at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway.
 
RESULTS
30-lap Feature: 1. Bubba Altig; 2. Michael Pickens; 3. Davey Ray; 4. David Budres; 5. Kurt Mayhew; 6. Robbie Ray; 7. Cody Weisensel; 8. Mike Hess; 9. Kevin Olson; 10. Bryon Walters; 11. Jason Dull; 12. Matt Smith; 13. Eric Johnson; 14. Daniel Robinson; 15. Scott Hatton; 16. Derick Gough; 17. Brandon Waelti; 18. Bob Schreffler; 19. Travis Berryhill.
 
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Waelti, Smith, R. Ray.
Fast Time: Pickens, 14.733 seconds.
Cars Present: 21 Feature Lap Leaders: Hess-13, Altig 4-30.
* Troy DeClaire and Dull flipped during qualifying. Smith flipped on Lap 28 of feature. All drivers uninjured.
 
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Weather takes out USAC/Badger doubleheader

Badger/Angell Park opener set for May 29

By Bryan Gapinski

Sun Prairie, Wis., May 13---This weekend’s Angell Park Speedway season opening  USAC Mopar National Midget Series and Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event, has fallen victim to weather conditions and has been postponed.

Sunday Night May 29 will now serve as the season opening event for Badger, and will kickoff their 75th Anniversary season. The event will also mark the debut of the Badger 600cc Micro division. Angell Park will also host the AMA sanctioned American All Star National Flat Track Series Motorcycle event on Sunday June 5.

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