Doug Hornickel Photo | fastlapphoto.comby Kari Shear-Carlson
May 16, 2012 - The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings teams only have a few days left to get ready for the World Wide Packaging State Park 125 at State Park Speedway in Wausau, WI this Saturday, May 19th.

State Park Speedway is known for its tight, two-groove racing and that is what the fans love about it. Once drivers figure out there are two grooves, they use it to their advantage. Last year’s event at SPS had some of the best side by side racing of the season.

Local heros, Mark Mackesy and Bryan Reffner proved just that as they raced side-by-side lap after lap until the last few laps. They showed the ASAMT that the local boys can get the job done. Mackesy walked away with the victory. This will be the ASAMT’s second visit to the track and it will be time to see what they have learned.

A couple ECHO and ECHO Bear Cat Touring Stars call State Park Speedway their home as well. Chris Wimmer and Chris Weinkauf are two of those drivers. Both had great runs in the Joe Shear Classic last weekend and are ready to head “home” for the State Park 125.

In a quote from Wimmer, he said, “It’s always nice when you race at home for many reasons. We didn’t run that well at State Park last year, so we definitely want to turn that around this year. Last year the race at SPS was probably the best ASA race of the year, so hopefully we can put on an awesome show again.”

Both Wimmer and Weinkauf have the benefit of living within a few minutes of the track which allows them to have the support of their entire family at the track to cheer them on.

That is not all that will be racing at SPS this weekend. The ASA Midwest SCAG Truck Tour will be opening their 2012 season at State Park Speedway on Saturday as well.

Last year, a young Ty Majeski won his first ever ASA Midwest SCAG Truck Tour event in his first ever visit to the 1/4 mile oval. It was not a fluke that Majeski won the event last year. He was fastest in practice, fastest in qualifying and followed it up with the victory.

2012 Season Kicks off Saturday

Wausau, WI - State Park Speedway kicks off the 2012 season when the ASA Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings returns to town Saturday, May 19th. "We really wanted to kick off the season on high note," says State Park Speedway Owner Scott Wimmer, "Last year the ASA event brought a lot of fans and was one of their best races of the year, so we figured why not kick off our year bringing in a great touring series and giving the fans a preview of the awesome racing we'll have all year."

"I believe the 2011 ASAMT race at SPS was one of the top 3 races of the season. The side by side racing along with the double file restarts was amazing and I'm very confident that with the new tire compound we are using in 2012 that this race will be a barn burner. The locals will be tough to beat and we certainly look forward to bringing in the areas best ECHO and ECHO Bear Cat Touring Stars." stated Steve Einhaus, ASA Midwest Tour Vice President.

Last year it was State Park Speedway regular and eventual 2011 Super Late Model Champion Mark Mackesy who spoiled the day for the ASA Midwest Tour drivers and found his way to victory lane. "That's what is so neat about this series and one reason we chose to open the season with the ASA Midwest Tour Race," says State Park Speedway Owner Ron Wimmer, "You get the drivers who race in the Tour competing against the local guys and it just makes for such an awesome event. "

Mackesy calls that win one of the biggest of his career and looking back says it still hasn't quite sunk in. "With our small operation and to be able to beat the guys from the ASA Midwest Tour, it's surreal," says Mackesy, " To think we raced against guys like Schendel, Kenseth, Wimmer, Carlson, Reffner, Morrissey, Haseleu, and Sauter, and these guys have raced all over country, in NASCAR too! It's like a dream to win a race like that. I was asked before the race if I won what would I say, I laughed and in my best impersonation of Bill Murray I replied, 'Cinderella story here at SPS'."

by Kari Shear-Carlson
May 9, 2012 - The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings teams have a busy week and a half ahead of them. With the postponement of the 4th Annual Joe Shear Classic until this Saturday, May 12th, it leaves only one week after the event to prepare for the World Wide Packaging State Park 125 at State Park Speedway in Wausau, WI on May 19th.

This will be the second race of the season for the ASA Midwest Tour and the second visit to the 1/4 mile oval in northern Wisconsin. The World Wide Packaging State Park 125 will be the season opener for the SPS 2012 racing season.

Drivers will have the opportunity to get familiar with the track on Friday, May 18th with an open practice from 5pm-9pm. Following the practice, the Speedway bar will be open for all of those in attendance.

Last year’s race was a nail-biter until the finish with local hot shoe, Mark Mackesy leading the way for the ECHO and ECHO Bear Cat Touring Stars and the rest of the field. Mackesy and Bryan Reffner battled side-by-side as the stars of the ASAMT waited patiently before making their moves to the front.

In the end, Mackesy came home with his first ever ASAMT victory over 2011 Champ, Andrew Morrissey, ECHO and ECHO Bear Cat Touring Star, Jacob Goede, followed by Ross Kenseth, and local veteran, Bryan Reffner.

Can the local heros defend their title against the stars of the ASAMT? Make your plans now to find out on Saturday, May 19th.

Join the ASAMT this Saturday, May 12th at Madison International Speedway for the 4th Annual Joe Shear Classic as they kick off the 2012 season. Then keep your bags packed and head on out to State Park Speedway in Wausau, WI for the second race of the ASAMT season and season opener for SPS.

More details to follow.

Be sure to follow the ASA Midwest Tour on Facebook (asamidwesttour) and Twitter (@asamidwesttour).

by State Park Media PR
State Park Speedway plans the addition of two racing classes for the 2012 season. In addition to the Mini-Mod class State Park Speedway adds a Mini-Stock class this season.

by State Park Speedway Media PR
Mack Mackesy had the C-Tech Super Late Model Title wrapped up heading in to the 2nd Annual Fighting Cancer Full Throttle 75 Thursday night, but it was Jason Weinkauf who stole the show, finding his way to Buffalo Wild Wings Victory lane for the first time this year at State Park Speedway.

by State Park Media PR
Mark Mackesy clinched the State Park Speedway 2011 C-Tech Super Late Model Championship Friday night and did so by finding Buffalo Wild Wings Victory Lane for the fourth time this year. "To win the championship is an awesome feeling," says Mackesy, "I have great guys who help me in the shop and awesome sponsors who make it all possible. Last year I didn't win a race here and to win the point title this year, with such great competition every week, is special."