2008-09 Round 9

Raven 250 - Raven Raceway

Round 9 of 16

January 8, 2009

Race Information

Walczak Repeats at Raven for 5th Win of Season

Mark Walczak collected his fifth win of the season, and extended his points lead as Larry Rotter who started from the pole and was leading at halfway, had some handeling issues allowing both Walczak and Ev Kamikawa to slip by for first and second place. Dan Margetta rounded out the final four, after complaining about lack of speed, and stopping during the final to get rice krispy treats for himself and some of the corner marshalls. Mike Fitzlaff who sits third in points, finished fifth on the night missing the transfer spot that was claimed by Kamikawa by one lap. This was the first time in four races that Fitzlaff was able to finish.

FAST FACTS

WHAT: Raven 250

WHERE: Brookfield, Wisconsin, Raven Raceway

WHEN: Thursday, January 8, 2009- 7pm

U.S. TELEVISION SCHEDULE: Viruses - YouTube

2006 CHAMPION: Mark Walczak

2006 POLESITTER: Mark Walczak

TRACK LAYOUT: Permanent Road Course

RACE LENGTH: 250 laps

TRACK RECORDS: Qualifying - 2005, Larry Rotter, 57.227 Race – 2002, Larry Rotter, 21:470, Fast Lap – Ev Kamikawa in 2007, Mark Walczak in 2008, 4.336

ROUND: 9 of 16 in the 2008-2009 HO Champ Car World Series

INSTANT REPLAY:

Mark Walczak took the drama out of the HO Champ Car World Series race early on Thursday night as he drove to a clean sweep of the evening, winning the pole position, his heat race, and ultimately the Quizno's 250 by eight laps over fan favorite Larry Rotter. Walczak's performance marked a decided turning point in his HO Champ Car career as the lightning fast driver finally conquered a technical circuit on the tour and was never headed from the start. His third win of the season extended his lead in the battle for the Husarsbilt Cup championship. For Rotter, the race was his best effort of the season to find his way back to victory lane and many in attendance felt he could have given Walczak a run for his money save for a second half lane change that left him in the outside groove. Dan Margetta's car looked fast on the night but an extremely loose handling condition left him in a battle for the final podium spot with Jim Iverson, who had a car that handled but seemed down on horsepower. Ironically, Margetta barely edged Iverson by a nose for the third spot, reminiscent of the race finish from a year ago.

Mike Fitzlaff finished fifth and claimed the Hard Charger award while John Shea raced on his birthday and qualified fourth before handling issues in his heat race left him with a sixth place finish. Dean Strom had an uneventful night on a course he publicly state his dislike for and finished seventh while Mike Kristof and Tom Spehert tied in laps completed with Kristof taking the eighth spot by virtue of his qualifying position. Christmas race winner Ev Kamikawa had a disappointing night as handling issues left him in tenth place at the checkered flag ahead while Amy Butler and Matt Hayek rounded out the field in eleventh and twelfth place respectively.

THE RAVEN 250 HISTORY (8 events, 2000 - Present)

Year Race Winner

2001 John Shea

2002 Chad Sorce

2003 Phil Cianciola

2004 Larry Rotter

2005 Phil Cianciola

2006 Dan Margetta

2007 Dan Margetta

2008 Mark Walczak

2009 Mark Walczak