2008-09 Round 13

Deckertring Grand Prix - Deckertring

Round 13 of 16

March 5, 2009

Walczak In Seventh Heaven!

Mark Walczak's seventh win of the season at the Deckertring Grand Prix put him in a club that has just one other member, only Larry Rotter has scored at least seven victories in a single season when he ripped off eight checkered flags during the 2003-04 season. Walczak still has three opportunities to tie or surpass this impressive record. Meanwhile, rookie Mike Lack continues to show impressive results with a second place finish to follow up his victory at Runaway Bay. Ev Kamikawa's podium appearance makes six straight finals. Defending Husarsbilt Cup champion Jim Iverson's one-off run at the Deckertring was clear success finishing fourth.

Iverson Returns!

(West Allis, WI) -- When the IndySlotCar Series visits The Deckertring on March 5th for the third running of the Deckertring Grand Prix, former series' champion Jim Iverson will be on hand to sign autographs for the race fans. Oh and one more thing -- He will also be wheeling a third Team Penske HO Indy car in an attempt to win one of the races Iverson regards as a signature event on the ISCS calendar. "Make no mistake about it, I am not coming to The Deckertring to pass the championship crown to Mark Walczak. I am coming to The Deckertring to win the race," Iverson stated Monday. "I've enjoyed every race I've run at the 'ring, but an IndySlotCar win has eluded me there. When the opportunity was presented to me to have another go at it, I could not pass it up." Deckertring Media Director Jenna Jameson said a deal was brokered between Deckertring Promotions, the track's promotional arm, Team Penske HO, and the IndySlotCar Series commissioner in a series of e-mails late Saturday and through Sunday evening. "The star power of Iverson further cements The Deckertring's status as a can't miss event for our race fans," Jameson stated. "I might be going out on a limb here, but I think this may top the Dean Strom autograph signing session last year." And what of Iverson's former teammate, Walczak, who stands at the edge of securing his first series title at The Deckertring. "Let's just say that I will race Walczak like any other competitor, and leave it at that," Iverson said. "Mark has had a phenomenal year, but if he wants to win the title with a victory at The Deckertring he will have to go through me to get it."

U.S. TELEVISION SCHEDULE: Viruses - YouTube

2008 CHAMPION: Ev Kamikawa

2007 POLESITTER: Ev Kamikawa

TRACK LAYOUT: Permanent road course

RACE LENGTH: 20 Minutes

TRACK RECORDS: Club Cars Qualifying- 2007, Mark Walczak, 68.430

Race- 2007, Mark Walczak, 185 Laps

Fast Lap-2007, Jim Iverson, 5.547

INSTANT REPLAY

Ev Kamikawa stormed to his second win of the season Thursday night in the ultra-competitive Deckertring Grand Prix as the HO Champ Car World Series bid farewell to the Champ Car moniker at the sleek Deckertring road course.

Kamikawa proved to be too much to handle as he scorched to the pole position before nailing down the win in his heat race and ultimately claimed the overall win along with the $65 thousand bonus for winning from the top spot. Kamikawa held off defending series champion Jim Iverson at the checkered flag, scoring the win in front of scores of new female fans who

came sporting exotic jewelry and carrying candles in honor of the final event contested under the "Champ Car" name.

Iverson continued his pursuit of his second championship as he used consistency as his strong suit to take the runner-up spot on the podium and close to within two points of the series championship. Recently jilted Larry Rotter ran strong without his "teammate" Amy Butler and turned in a solid performance in third while Dan Margetta defeated point leader Mark Walczak

in his heat race before early handling issues proved to be too much to overcome as he finished fourth.

Walczak managed to hang onto fifth place overall as his late season struggles continued, leaving him in a dogfight with Iverson for the crown with just two races remaining. Chris Spehert finished sixth to lead his team, edging Mike Fitzlaff by a nose while Dean Strom nipped hometown star John Shea for eighth. Tom Spehert rounded out the top ten just ahead of Andy Spehert in eleventh and Mike Kristof in twelfth. Rookie Matt Hayek's thirteenth place result came after a promising performance that saw the newcomer lead his heat race after challenging briefly for the pole position.

The Deckertring Grand Prix History (3 events 2007-present)

Year Race Winner

2007 Mark Walczak

2008 Ev Kamikawa

2009 Mark Walczak