The Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series consists of as many as 100 “stock” passenger cars that start at the same time with the first car to complete the specified distance (usually 200 – 300 laps) will be declared the winner. There are some modifications allowed with safety in mind. The event is usually stopped by a yellow flag about every 60-80 laps for a mandatory refueling pit stop. The Series competes on different configurations that range from ¼ to 1-mile asphalt and clay oval tracks. The Series also competes on a 2-mile road course at the historic Milwaukee Mile. The Series travels to different tracks that are located throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.
A few rule changes have been made for the 2008 season. Changes sometimes are needed from year to year to make the Series racing the safest, competitive, affordable, challenging and exciting forms of auto racing. (For a complete set of rules, contact the Series or view on the website).
A few rule changes have been made for the 2008 season. Changes sometimes are need
ed from year to year to make the Series racing the safest, competitive, affordable, challenging and exciting forms of auto racing. (For a complete set of rules, contact the Series or view on the website).
The Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series pay-off is a little different from most enduro events. Introduced in 2007, the Series developed a two-way payoff class system that pays a total of 30 positions including the top fifteen positions in each respective class. As a driver enters an event, they must decide which class to compete in depending on their experience. The “A” class pays $800 to win and the “B” class pays $400 for first. This format gives the opportunity to a driver whom may not be experienced enough to become the overall winner at this point but yet win their respective class and receive some prize money and recognition that could
soon rank them as top contenders. (For example) An experienced Series driver of 3-10 years wins the race with 250 laps completed competing in the “A” class. The driver who wins the “B” class may have 243 to 248 laps completed. After a driver finishes with two top two finishes in the “B” class, they must move up to the “A” class for the duration of the season to give all participants a chance for the top positions in the “B” class. Furthermore, all past Series champions along with current or prior season overall race winners must enter the “A” class only. Both classes co
mpete under the same rules and guidelines.
The Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series offers more laps per event than the Midwest Enduro Small Car Series. The focus is for the less experienced (or beginner) to start his career in the lower cost “Small Car” four-cylinder class. All “Small Car” events are ½ the distance of a scheduled “Stock Car” event except for the Milwaukee Mile events where both divisions compete at the same on the historic one-mile oval and two mile road course. The winner of a “Small Car” event will receive $500(based on 50 entries). The top fifteen positions will be awarded prize money.
Starting in 2
008, a new division will compete within the Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series events held. The Midwest Enduro V-6 Series will begin as a low dollar division but compete in as many laps as the premier “Stock Car” division. The “V-6 Series” is a front wheel drive only division with many car makes available to compete at a reasonable cost. The winner of a “V-6” event will receive $500(based on 50 entries). The top fifteen positions will be awarded prize money.
Sponsorship is essential for awards distributed to the drivers. At all events, the overall winner of the event will receive a large trophy. At all events, plaque awards are distributed to the top ten in the “A” and “B” class and to the top ten in the “Small Car” and “V-6” Series divisions. Awards are very special to many of the drivers as they can reflect on their accomplishments. Additional sponsorships are always available and recognized.
Weather can play a big part in the outcome of a race. The Series runs “rain or shine” or even in one case at the 141 Speedway (Francis Creek, WI) in October of 2000, in the snow! In the 2001 race at the 141 Speedway the event began in a downpour that lasted throughout ¾ of the event until it finally subsided. When weather is a factor the “fastest” car does not always come out to be the winner.
In dry weather speed, control and looking for an opening to advance through the field is important. In wet conditions control, patience and not speed are very important to a good finish.
Special achievement awards are presented each season at the annual Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series 
awards banquet. The Pinkalla Auto Solutions “rookie of the year”, the B&T Auto Repair “most improved driver” and the T.A. Express, Inc. “Hard Charger” awards are just some of the special awards presented each year. Each recipient receives a $250 cash award plus a plaque signifying his or her accomplishments. 
Since the third owners (Erich Iversen & Darryl Traber) purchased the Series in 1995, there has been an annual awards banquet honoring the top finishing drivers in Series competition and presentations of various other prestigious awards to those that have contributed to the Series. The point fund for the Series is based on attendance and sponsorship each season and drivers, wives, crew and sponsors are recognized for their support. The banquet is a formal affair (suit and tie) that helps drivers represent them in a positive manner and distinguish them from the rest. Roz Auto Salvage of Milwaukee, WI has been a major contributor to the Championship awards presented for the Series the last six years in a row.
Co-master of ceremonies Mike Babicz addresses the crowd at the beginning of the 10th annual banquet held in the Grand Ballroom of the Clarion Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. In the background are Series promoter Darryl Traber with co-master of ceremonies Erich Iversen and Eric Mueller. Babicz and Mueller are also Series announcers during the race season.
At many Series events, the main event or enduro race is not the only part of the program. Many special events are held either prior or after the main event. Such events include the 15 lap powder puff race(s), 15-lap mechanics race, Klement’s Sausage race, children’s penny pickup, autograph sessions plus many more exciting family events to be announced.
The Klement’s Sausage Co. (Milwaukee, WI) is one of the many proud sponsors of the May 10 & September 1, 2008 events held at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway (West Allis, WI).
The Klement’s Sausage Racers (as seen at Miller Park and
various other popular functi
ons) are a great part of the family fun with their crazy “sausage race” held on the front stretch of the track.
The children get in to the program with the annual Perfection Truck & Accessories sponsored “penny pickup” held on Labor Day.
The “JAM TRUCK” is very essential to the Series but most importantly to the drivers. In 2001, Series technical inspector Kevin Rogers and his Techline Services crew took over the duties from veteran jam truck driver Steve Peterson by purchasing Peterson’s “jammer” and created an additional jam truck. The “jam truck” helps the racer by clearing accidents to open the track up without stopping th
e event, will push a disabled car off the track, they will shield a driver in case of a jam and do whatever it takes to keep the race in motion.
In 2000, Mario Stella became the first driver in Series history to claim five overall victories in one season. After starting in the “C” class, Stella’s continuous efforts in gaining experience by traveling to different tracks and surroundings and by concentrating on finishing the race with as many laps possible moved him in to a league of premier drivers. Darryl Traber repeated the feat in 2004. Traber’s five wins also helped him in taking the season championship. Traber also proved that you do not win enduro races in the first 50 laps as he elects to start each event from the rear of the field.
Be
cause of the large field of cars during each enduro, race contact between drivers on the track is expected. However, as Edgerton, WI driver Jim “PLUGGER” Plautz shows in this photo that he is very proud of the appearance of his car after he wins the “beauty contest” at the Madison International Speedway Oregon, WI). Since 2003, the Series no longer holds the “beauty contest” prior to the main event due to time constraints and repeat winners. Series officials do however choose three cars who they think are the best-looking cars for the day and those drivers are awarded a complimentary entry to the next event they compete in. In lieu of the “beauty contest”, a random drawing takes place during the pre-race drivers meeting selecting six drivers who will make up the front two rows of the scheduled event. Drivers may be selected only once per season to give all drivers a chance to make it to the front of the starting grid.
The most laps completed by each driver plus attendance points and overall finish points will determine the annual “Midwest Enduro Stock Car Series Champion”. Darryl Traber has four Championships to his credit as Jeff Meulemans, Rick Cregger and Tom Barnharst have three Series Championships respectively.
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MIDWEST ENDURO STOCK CAR SERIES POINT CHAMPIONS
|
| Year |
Driver |
Year |
Driver |
| 1985 |
Larry Lose |
1997 |
Mike Kasperek |
| 1986 |
Eddie Hoffman |
1998 |
Rick Cregger |
| 1987 |
Ken Fairbank |
1999 |
Tom Barnharst |
| 1988 |
Evert DeWitt |
2000 |
Darryl Traber |
| 1989 |
Rick Cregger |
2001 |
Frank Calabrese |
| 1990 |
Darryl Traber |
2002 |
Tom Barnharst |
| 1991 |
Bill Leindecker |
2003 |
Evert DeWitt |
| 1992 |
Mark Pluer |
2004 |
Darryl Traber |
| 1993 |
Jeff Meulemans |
2005 |
Matt Schlick |
|
|
Rick Cregger |
2006 |
Darryl Traber |
| 1995 |
Jeff Meulemans |
2007 |
Tom Barnharst |
| 1996 |
Jeff Meulemans |
2008 |
? |
