By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, May 09, 2008) – Four rookies took on the challenge of Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile oval this past Sunday with the running of the ECHO Chainsaw 100. It was an up and down day, but overall a great learning experience as the drivers continue towards the Lane Automotive ASAMT Rookie of the Year presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil and Hyperco.

Matt Kocourek finished 11th in the main event and was the highest finishing rookie. He received the ASAMT Touring Star Rookie Bonus of $325 for the event.

Kocourek had a rough start to the 100-lap feature event as he and Mark Eswein spun in turn two on lap 16. But, he was able to gather it up and just finish outside the top ten.

“I was fairly happy with our run at Madison.  That has really been a track I have struggled at in the past and an 11th place finish was pretty solid after getting spun early in the event,” Kocourek stated.  “The car was really good on the long run and I was a little too patient.”

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Wednesday, May 07, 2008) – Back in January, Dan Fredrickson made this statement, “Going into this season, if we get a good start and have a good time at what we are doing, we will make a run for the points.” After two events, its safe to say that he is on track as he holds a 62-point lead over Josh Vadnais after two events.

Fredrickson picked up his fourth ASAMT win this past Sunday in the ECHO Chainsaw 100 at Madison International Speedway. This was a great follow-up to his second place finish at the opening event at Elko Speedway back in April.

He also has collected an ECHO Blower for picking up the Fast Qualifier award at Elko and came up .002 seconds short of beating Jacob Goede at Madison.

Fredrickson will look at continuing his good start at the Kwik Trip Stores 100 on Saturday, May 17th at Jefferson Speedway.

PRACTICE 1 • PRACTICE 2 • QUALIFYING • RESULTS • PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, May 05, 2008) – A huge crowd enjoyed the sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60’s as the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment opened Madison International Speedway’s season with the running of the ECHO Chainsaw 100. The fans saw Dan Fredrickson pick up his fourth ASAMT win and the hottest driver in racing pick up a podium finish.

QUALIFYING WAS CLOSE…AGAIN

Researchers say that it takes less than a tenth of a second to blink. Going by that estimate, it is safe to say that the top three in qualifying were as close as a blink of the eye.

While Kyle Busch appeared to be the fastest man in town after the two practice sessions, it was Jacob Goede taking home is second career ECHO “Blows Away the Competition” Fast Qualifier Award at Madison. Goede earned an ECHO Blower for his efforts.

PRACTICE 1 • PRACTICE 2 • QUALIFYING • RESULTS • PHOTOS

By: Kevin Ramsell
OREGON, WI (Sunday, May 04, 2008) – Dan Fredrickson will admit that he never had a good run at Madison International Speedway. After tonight, Madison is one of his favorite tracks as he captured the ASAMT ECHO Chainsaw 100 in front of a large crowd.

“I haven’t won here and never been real good here, but had a pretty sweet car here tonight,” a happy Fredrickson stated in victory lane. “I hope we can keep going with this, it was cool to beat Carlson and Busch. And now Madison is one of my favorite tracks.”

Fredrickson held off a late charge from Steve Carlson to take his fourth ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment win. “The deal here is you can’t run pretty well with someone on your back bumper. But once I got two car lengths on him, I could run my line and run better.” Fredrickson stated.

Dave Feiler won the last chance race and will advance to the ECHO Chainsaw
100. Eugene Gregorich was second with Jeff Storm in third. Jonathan
Eilen earned the last spot from the last chance race.

Brandon Hill and Brian Roach got the provisionals.

Frank Kreyer and Matt Kocourek won the first qualifier heat while Jamie Iverson and Andy Monday were first and second in the second heat race. Mark Eswein and Josh Vadnais were first and second in the third heat and will advance to the ECHO Chainsaw 100 later today.

Donny Reuvers won the odd fast heat and Kyle Busch won the even fast heat.

ECHO Chain Saw 100 Starting Line-up
1 - Chris Wimmer - Wausau, WI
2 - Andrew Morrissey - DeForest, WI
3 - Donny Reuvers - Dundas, MN
4 - Kyle Calmes - Freedom, WI
5 - Jake Ryan - Farmington, MN
6 - Blake Horstman - Bangor, WI
7 - Steve Carlson - West Salem, WI
8 - Tim Schendel - Sparta, WI
9 - Travis Sauter - Necedah, WI
10 - Dan Fredrickson - Elko, MN
11 - Jacob Goede - New Germany, MN
12 - Zack Riddle - Cottage Grove, WI
13 - Russ Blakley - Whitewater, WI
14 - Kyle Busch - Las Vegas, NV
15 - Nathan Haseleu - Marshall, WI
16 - Nick Murgic - Rosemount, MN
17 - Frank Kreyer - Pardeeville, WI
18 - Jamie Iverson - Escanaba, MI
19 - Mark Eswein - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
20 - Matt Kocourek - Franklin, WI
21 - Andy Monday - Appleton, WI
22 - Josh Vadnais - White Bear Lake, MN
23 - Dave Feiler - Sun Prairie, WI
24 - Eugene Gregorich - Amherst, WI
25 - Jeff Storm - Waterford, WI
26 - Jonathan Eilen - Hampton, MN
27 - Brandon Hill - Lake Geneva, WI
28 - Brian Roach - Goodhue, MN

QUALIFYING RESULTS

Jacob Goede was surprised to see his car number at the top of the pylon after qualifying was completed for the ECHO Chainsaw 100 at Madison International Speedway. Goede had a fast time of 17.754 seconds.

"I can't believe it, we weren't the best in practice I didn't think and we threw a bunch of stuff at it for qualifying and I was really impressed," Goede stated after his run. "This is some of the toughest competition in the country and it makes you feel pretty good when you do this well."

Dan Fredrickson was second with a lap time of 17.756 seconds, only .002 seconds behind Goede. Travis Sauter was third with a lap time of 17.759 seconds, only .003 seconds behind.

Kyle Busch, who was the fastest in both practice sessions, was 14th.

3:00PM (PRACTICE 2 TIMES) - Kyle Busch continues to pace the field in second practice session with a time of 17.585 seconds. Travis Sauter was second with a lap time of 17.662 seconds.

Jake Ryan continues to have oil pressure problems. He stated that the car goes about five laps and then has no oil pressure. If he stops and starts up the car, he has oil pressure. They are still trying to solve the problem.

ECHO Power Equipment "Blow the Competition Away" Qualifying is coming up.

Racing starts at 5:00 pm

1:40PM (PRACTICE 1 TIMES) - BUSCH FASTEST IN FIRST PRACTICE - Kyle Busch's birthday weekend is continuing on a positive pace as he was the fastest in the first practice. The second practice will start shortly.

Only one incident occured in the first practice as Chris Skrede appeared to blow his engine in turns one and two. Nick Hammer slid in the oil and made hard contact with the turn two wall. Both appear to be done for the day.

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, May 2, 2008) – No matter if you are a fan or a competitor; you will need to walk up a hill to see it. Just like Richard Dreyfuss climbed up a hill to see Devil’s Tower in “Close Encounter of the Third Kind”, you climb up to see what you imagined it would look like.

For many, that is how their first experience is when they come to Madison International Speedway the first time. It’s a short drive off of Hwy 138, down a country road to a piece of property that becomes a gathering place to see some of the best racing around.

This Sunday, some fans and competitors will get their first experience of the famous half-mile oval known as “Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile Oval.” It was built in 1969 by famous promoter Sam Bartus. From Jerry Eckhardt taking the first ever checkered flag to present, the track has seen its ups and downs. But, during that time period, a long list of famous drivers has etched their name as feature winners at the track. And winning at MIS, will leave memories that will last a lifetime for some.

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Wednesday, April 30, 2008) – The competition will be fierce this Sunday as the best Midwest Super Late Model drivers will challenge Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile Oval in the ECHO Chainsaw 100 ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment event. Just like the top notch equipment you will see on the track, ECHO also has the top notch chainsaws for personal and commercial use.

Their latest chainsaw is the CS-400. This chainsaw features a 40.2 cc Power Boost Vortex™ engine, standard 18” bar and chain with tip guard included, optional 16” bar and chain available, G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner™ spins out dirt prior to air filtration, 30% reduction in starting effort, and tool-less access rear-mounted automotive style air filter positioned away from dirt and debris.

The CS-400 along with a complete line of other ECHO chainsaws comes with a 5-year consumer warranty.

(Stories provided by each team’s Public Relations Staff)

Wimmer Looks to Build on Solid Start at Madison International Speedway
 
Wausau, WI – The ASA Midwest Tour makes its second stop of the season at Madison International Speedway Sunday, May 4th.  With a 12th place finish at the season opener in Elko, MN, Chris Wimmer looks to build on that solid start.  “Elko was a good start for us,” Wimmer said.  “With a new car and it being our first time on the track I was very pleased.  I hope to change a few things and finish even better at MIS.”
 
Madison International is another track where Wimmer has some experience from his previous ASA days.   “MIS is a fun track,” Says Wimmer, “There are long straight-aways, but tight corners.  You have to have your car working well and I know a lot of the guys in the ASAMT have experience there, so it should be a great race.”  Meanwhile, Wimmer hopes that some of his previous experience helps him this weekend and can land him his first top-ten finish of the season.