By: Michael Guglielmucci
Morris, IL— Three years have passed since Mario Clouser last competed at the Grundy County Speedway. In those three years Clouser has ventured off into the dirt world competing primarily with the POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League. Friday night, the Auburn, Illinois native and current track record holder returned to his roots to compete in the POWRi Pavement Midget League. The three year hiatus seemed like three days for Clouser as he was quickly able to get up to speed and set quick time in both practice sessions and in qualifying. In heat race action, current point leader Billy Hulbert got out to the early lead from the start and cruised to the checkers followed closely behind by Clouser and Tom Eyman.
The 20 lap feature saw Hulbert and Clouser lined up on the front row, with Hulbert jumping out to the early lead. By lap 5 Clouser was on the bumper of Hulbert looking to make a move. “I forgot the race was only 20 laps long instead of 30 like I am used to so I said its time to make something happen”, said Clouser. Clouser took his blue and gold number 99 Guess Racing Beast chassis, powered by a Speedway Mopar to the top side and battled with Hulbert for 2 laps before clearing him to take over the top spot. “I’ve raced Mario for quite a while and I knew he would be fast”, said Hulbert. “I wasn’t going to give up that bottom line so if he was going to get by me it would have had to be up top”.
Clouser and Hulbert would go on to battle for the next 10 laps before the race’s first caution flag flew with 7 laps remaining when Rookie Ryan Shilkuski spun in turn 2. 2 laps prior, Shilkuski’s Mike Wallace Racing engine began to go away leaking oil down on the bottom groove, forcing the field to the top line. On the ensuing restart, Clouser was able to get a good jump on Hulbert and cruise the rest of the way to the checkers for the first time this year and the 2nd for Guess Racing, who won with Jim Anderson on opening night. Hulbert would finish a close second, followed by Tom Schnabel, Tom Eyman, and Taylor Fenske rounding out the top 5. Fenske would win the production engine portion of the event.
The POWRi Pavement Midget Series will have a week off before returning to the Grundy County Speedway on Friday July, 27. For more information on the Performance Open Wheel Racing Incorporated go to their website, www.powri.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/POWRi
- Kenny Brown on Jul 17, 2018
- Article Date: 7/17/2018