YOUNG ROSS ZUMBACH CHARGES TO FIRST-EVER VICTORY IN GOVERNOR’S CUP 40 MID-AMERICAN STOCK CAR SERIES EVENT AT THE MILWAUKEE MILE

West Allis, WI (August 23, 2008) — Eighteen year-old Ross Zumbach became one of the youngest race winners at The Milwaukee Mile ever to pull into the historic speedway’s A.J. Foyt Victory Lane after he captured this afternoon’s Governor’s Cup 40 Mid-American Stock Car Series event.

Sweat-drenched as he emerged from his racecar into The Mile’s A.J. Foyt Victory Lane, the Minnesota teenager had plenty of worry after a late-race caution allowed a handful of seasoned competitors to line up directly behind the Minnesota teenager.

In his mirrors on the race restart with five laps remaining in the event, Zumbach could see Jake Finney, who won convincingly last weekend at the series event at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, 2006 Governor’s Cup 40 victor James Swan – a three-time series champion, and Jeremy Spoonmore, who’s been competing at The Mile on the historic speedway’s Governor’s Cup weekend in the majority of series events since 1993.

“I wasn’t sure what to think with that last caution, “Zumbach continued, “I looked up and saw them and was a little bewildered, but I just drove the car like I did all race. The car was working better on the outside, so I was glad they took the inside.”

Zumbach, of Racine, Minn., started in the fourth row and charged to the lead on lap 23, but a late-race caution flag in the 40-mile sprint set up an exciting five lap dash to the finish.

Over the final few laps, Finney made a valiant effort and pulled even to Zumbach’s inside, and as the lead pair raced door to door, Swan and Spoonmore paired up in lock-step formation in the tussle for third. While Finney ran the rail, Zumbach was able to get a good enough run in the outer lane off the turns to maintain the top spot.

Off the final turn, Zumbach had just enough to hold off Finney for the win while Swan and Spoonmore finished third and fourth respectively. All four grass roots racers crossing the finish line nearly nose-to-tail and side-by-side.

“I really don’t know what to say,” Zumbach stated from Victory Lane. “We haven’t even had a top ten this year, but we’ve been working really hard to get where we are.”

There were plenty of battles throughout the entertaining mid-afternoon event, in what is annually the Mid-American Stock Car Series’ premier event as well as the longest by distance.

The early race pace was set by front-row starter, West Allis, Wis. native Mark Pluer. With an outside pass, Kenny Smart of Eagle took command exiting the second turn just three laps in to the Governor’s Cup 40. As Smart built his lead, Zumbach became the show, as the teen maneuvered his way up to second place as he became the path-paver for current series point leader and three-time series champion Bill Prietzel, who had started 11th.

The traditional Mid-American four-wide fan salute prior to the Governor's Cup 40

Kenny Smart led eventual race winner Ross Zumbach in the north turn

 
Three-wide racing among the leaders brought the crowd to their feet in one of the most competitive Mid-American races at The Mile