2008-09 Round 14

Sport Clips Grand Prix - Quarry Heights Raceway

Round 14 of 16

March 19, 2009

Fitzlaff Wins At The Quarry

(Wauwatosa WI) -- Mike Fitzlaff took the checkered flag at the new Quarry Heights Raceway to win the Sport Clips Grand Prix and and takes over third place in the Husarsbilt Cup points. Spehert-Foyt's Fitzlaff battled BMW Racing's Mark Walczak (see story below) who was unable to stay close at the end due to a failing gearbox; Vista Racing's Matt Hayek scored his second career podium on his home track and rookie Mike Lack trying to win back-to-back races crashed out early. Fitzlaff's win makes him the only multi-win driver besides Walczak and his gawdy seven.

FAST FACTS

The Sports Clips Grand Prix

WHAT: The Sports Clips Grand Prix

WHERE: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Quarry Heights Raceway

WHEN: Thursday, March 19th, 2009 7pm

U.S. TELEVISION SCHEDULE: YouTube.com, www.indyslotcarseries.com

2008 CHAMPION: New Event

2008 POLESITTER: New Event

TRACK LAYOUT: Permanent road course

RACE LENGTH: 20 Minutes

TRACK RECORDS: Qualifying- Not Yet Established

Race- Not Yet Established

Fast Lap- Not Yet Established

RACE ROUND: 14 of 16 in the 2008-2009 Indy Slot Car Series

INSTANT REPLAY

This new event replaces the Chicago Grand Prix on the series schedule. The following is the recap from that race. Mark Walczak left hear last year with a bad taste in his mouth, having scored a DNF in the final 40 seconds while chasing down Amy Butler. Fast forward one year later, Walczak sweeps every possible point available. Not only did he put his car on the pole in record time, but he won his heat race, holding off a rapidly closing Dan Margetta. Jim Iverson made the final with a win in his heat race. With Iverson and Walczak locked in all eyes turned to the 3rd heat. Dan Margetta was sitting in the transfer spot watching as Tom Spehert and Larry Rotter were knocking off lap after lap. Both drivers were ahead of Dan’s pace at halfway.

In the second half, handling problems started to creep in for Rotter allowing Tom Spehert to pull away for the heat win. With time expiring, Dan’s attention turned to the scoring stand. Rotter clicked off laps but as time expired found himself one lap short of overtaking Margetta. In the finals the early leader was Tom Spehert as Walczak had a few handling issues and Margetta and Iverson were battling for 3rd. Walczak retook the lead just before half way, as Iverson found himself on the floor for a DNF. Walczak maintained his lead after the pit stops and Margetta was forced to the sidelines when his car expired in the pits.

The Sports Clips Grand Prix History (New Event for 2008-09 season)

Year Race Winner

2009 ??????????????

Top Stories

With three races remaining on the season, Mark Walczak is all set to clinch his first series title. All Walczak has to do is to qualify for the event and he will wrap up the Husarsbilt Cup. Walczak’s win two weeks ago at the Deckertring, gave him seven wins on the season, one shy of the record set by Larry Rotter in 2003-04. This race is being held at a new facility. The battle for 3rd place in the standings, and the final podium spot at the awards banquet stage is starting to heat up. Dan Margetta holds a one point lead over Mike Fitzlaff. 5th place Ev Kamikawa, who is looking to make his 7th consecutive final sits 15 points out of third, while rookie Mike Lack is 17 points out of 3rd place.

Stats Watch

Walczak’s win was the16th of his career, tying him with Dave Austin for 7th all time

Ev Kamikawa moved into a tie for 5th place all time on the heat wins list with 53 career heat wins

-Walczak moved into a tie for 7th place all time on the heat win list with his 33rd career heat win

-Mike Lack’s 5th career heat win was good enough to place him in a tie for 18th all time

The finals appearance by Mike Lack was the 6th of his career, good for 21st all time

Andy Spehert moved into 18th all time on the laps completed list with 6,047 laps

-Mike Lack moved into 25th all time on the laps completed with 2,381 career laps

-John Wiedemann moved into 28th all time with 1,785 career laps

Mike Fitzlaff moved into a tie for 17th all time on the career starts list with 57 career starts

-Dean Strom moved into 22nd all time with 33 career starts

-John Wiedemann moved into 28th all time with 14 career starts

-Mike Lack moved into a tie for 29th all time with 13 career starts

Who’s Hot

Ev Kamikawa has made the finals in his last 6 consecutive events

Mike Lack has made the finals in the last three events

Mark Walczak has made the finals in 10 of 13 events this year