Fishers, IN | May 17, 2018 - For just the second time in team history, the CMR & CMNR groups will split into two trailers and head for separate destinations to both compete in their own share of midget and sprint car doubleheaders this weekend. Continuing pursuit of the USAC National Sprint Car Championship, "Sunshine" Tyler Courtney will stay with the Clauson-Marshall-Newman Racing No. 7BC this weekend for competition at Tri-City Speedway and I-55 Raceway. Not far down the road, 15-year old Zeb Wise will be returning to action with the Clauson-Marshall Racing No. 39BC to race with the POWRi National Midgets at Belle-Clair Speedway and Southern Illinois Raceway.
Competing in the ninth and tenth events of the 2018 USAC National Sprint Car season, Tyler Courtney will strap back into the seat of the Clauson-Marshall-Newman Racing, Priority Aviation, No. 7BC this weekend with the "River Town Showdown" on tap. Racing in the "Illini State" on Friday night, Courtney will tackle the Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois, before traveling over to the "Show-Me State" for an appearance at Pevely, Missouri's I-55 Raceway.
Through eight races this season, "Sunshine" sits third in USAC National Sprint Car points, trailing the point leader by only 49 markers. His two victories from the "Winter Dirt Games" at Bubba Raceway Park in Florida still has him tied for the most wins with the series this season. Making his second trip to I-55 this year, Courtney hit the high-banked 1/3rd mile in April and was leading the POWRi National Midget feature from 18th with two laps to go when a flat tire halted his evident charge for the win.
For Zeb Wise, the 15-year old native of Angola, Indiana will return to racing with his Clauson-Marshall Racing, Priority Aviation, Vision Collison No. 39BC in the "Southern Illinois Shootout." Battling it out with the POWRi National Midget League, Friday night will land Wise at the always-exciting Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Illinois, before heading over to Southern Illinois Raceway in Marion, Illinois on Saturday night.
Familiar with both facilities, Wise most recently attended Belle-Clair last month when he rebounded from a lap one incident to charge from the tail to sixth. Marking just the second midget race in the existence of SIR (Southern Illinois), Wise was actually on hand for the first event last September, when he claimed a podium finish. Not only does he have midget experience at the Marion 1/8th mile, but plenty of successful micro sprint memories from the track as well.
Splitting into two different trailers, the CMNR No. 7BC will feature Courtney behind the wheel, Tyler "Rizzy" Ransbottom calling the shots, and Cole Bodine along to help. For the CMR No. 39BC, Wise will strap in behind the wheel, Tim Clauson will serve as crew chief, and Kevin Smith will travel for extra help.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
5/18: Zeb Wise with POWRi National Midgets at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, IL.
5/18: Tyler Courtney with USAC National Sprint Cars at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, IL.
5/19: Zeb Wise with POWRi National Midgets at Southern Illinois Raceway in Marion, IL.
5/20: Tyler Courtney with USAC National Sprint Cars at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO.
- Tim Clauson on May 17, 2018
- Article Date: 5/17/2018 by Brian Walker