2007 Race Results
August 24-25th- Milwaukee Mile-Mid-Am Governor's Cup 40
The weekend started off great, as the RZM team was running very well in the practice sessions held Friday the 24th. Ross was one of 10 cars in the 32 second bracket, making him confident for Saturday. However tire sizing on the new Hoosiers made the team struggle during Saturday morning's practice, Ross ended up qualifying 21st of the 49 cars entered. He transfered from the qualifier, moved up throughout the early parts of the race to the top 15. As Ross continued his charge forward, he was halted as several cars bottled up forcing him to go low and hit the brakes. Unable to keep the car from spinning, Ross and his 4 flat spotted tires headed to the back of the 33 car stout field. Ross nursed the car all through the next part of the race, making it back to the 16th spot with 3 laps to go. Unfortunately, at the start finish line a car ahead blew a motor, and caused a chain reaction wreck. Ross was hit 6 times, sent in the air, and landed just shy of the safer barrier in turn 1. Ross was taken to the infield car center, and to be safe was transported to a local Milwaukee hospital for x-rays. He later returned to the track, unharmed. The team is currently observing damage, and deciding on the fate of the race car itself!
Our Season....
-July 7th, 2007-
The Madison International Speedway openend it's doors to the Mid-American Stock car series this past weekend. The entire Ross Zumbach Motorsports team journeyed to the famed Wisconsin race track, in hopes for a break of luck on the day made for luck. Unfortunately, following the prior unfortunate events of the season, Ross had a number of them to add to the list. It was the first time that Ross and the team had been to Madison, and the day was looking to be good. The car was fast all practice long, turning laps at 20.00 seconds flat, while only 4 other cars got that low, or into the 19.8 second bracket. Qualifying showed to be a weak point of the night, missing on car set up prior to the event. Ross stuck with it for the heat race, and led 5 laps, but the effects of the rear gear grinding and slowing the pace, Ross ended up fourth. The team was looking foreward too the main event, not knowing the gear problem existed. When the car rolled onto the track surface, the gear locked and broke. Leaving the driveshaft on the track. The night was unfortunately ended to the team's dismay!
-June 10th, 2007-
The learning experiences continue for Ross Zumbach Motorsports in 07. Both the crew and the driver were put up to a challenge at Wisconsin International Raceway, in Kaukana, Wisconsin this past weekend. Ross quickly adapted to the tough racing facility, running right up with the front runners during practice. However, a slight adjustment mistake made prior to qualifying hurt the team significantly. Ross was forced to travel out of the qualifying race, where he did successfully advance to the Mid-American main event. However, during the qualifying race, the engine lost oil pressure, forcing concern and immediate withdrawl from the nights feature. The night ended with the dissappointment of the team, as the car was hooked up and ready to go in the feature. Ross is looking forward the the other 2 races at the famed raceway. Check back soon for schedule changes.
-June 2nd, 2007-
Ross was finally able to get back into the car, after a week off due to weather implications at Grundy County. Once again Ross took hold of the wheel, at Elko Speedway. As rain threatend double feature night, the entire RZM team held due, and remained calm in preparing for the nights events. Fortunately, one of the 30 lap features was completed. As Ross started 4th row outside, he got off to a great start, and worked his way into the 5th position. The bad timing and placement of a competitor halted his charge. Ross dropped back a bit, but held his own attaining another 8th place finish. Next weekend the team is heading to WIR in Kaukana, Wisconsin for the 2nd Mid-American race of the season!
-May 21, 2007-
Ross has been having a great year so far, getting as much experience as possible.
This year has been a learning curve for the entire team, as we have been traveling to some new venues this year. It looks as though whenever the Mid-American Stock Car Series doesn't race, Ross will be heading to Elko or Hawkeye Downs. Ross ran Friday night the 18th at Elko. The same night as the NASCAR Busch East/West challenge. This was good for Ross to get in front of some new faces. Struggles with the car plagued the team as the night went on. The team made best of the situation, and left the speedway with a 8th place finish, this was Ross' third race at Elko this year, all 3 of which have been better than 8th place!
-May 6, 2007-
The season has finally reached us! The cold weather and snow storms are gone, and the dawn of summer is on the rise. April 29th, we attended Ross' very first Mid-American Stock Car Series event. Ross was very excited, and pumped to get the season underway. Unfortuately, during the first practice session the rear end broke and put a crimp in the good night. Ross had been running about 5th quick prior to the bad luck. Thanks to Bobby Gutknecht and Bill Prietzel we got a new rear end to use, and got us back on track for the qualifying race.
The night got better as Ross moved to the front, finishing one spot out of a transfer position by a mere bumper length.
This next weekend, May 12th, Ross Zumbach Motorsports will be traveling to Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota for Ross' closest to home race yet!
December 8, 2006 Hawkeye Downs Speedway Awards Banquet (Off-Season)
As 2006 winds down, we put yet one more chapter in this season’s story book year. It was a great night, with over 260 in attendance to watch this years champions be crowned. Congratulations to all drivers and teams that were recognized. A special salute should be given to the Budweiser Sportsman teams that were successful in a great year of racing. The Sportsman Division was a fantastic show all year, providing door to door racing that was packed with action and close finishes. The division had nine different winners which showed just how tight the racing really was. Those that made the Top Five podium are as follows: 4th place Martin Ballard, 3rd place Brian Franks, 2nd place Andy Duggan and the 2006 Track Champion Dave McCalla. Congratulations to all of you, and thanks for a great season!
The Top 5 was rounded off by our favorite driver, Ross Zumbach. Ross had a tremendous year. When asked about the season, Ross told us, “It was a great year; we came to learn and get seat time.” “I never would have guessed the team’s results.” Those results were quite astonishing considering this was the first season in the full sized car. However, it should be noted that even at a young age of 16, Ross brought eleven years of racing experience to the table. “The Legends Series and Karts prepared me for this opportunity, and I tried to make the best of it.” said Ross. As for the season, it was a special one. Ross nailed down 4 wins, 11 top 5 finishes, and a 3.75 average finish, placed 2nd in the Hard Charger passing points, sat 5th in points for the final point’s standings and was Budweiser Sportsman Rookie Of The Year.
What a year it was, at first glance you don’t see how good it really was. Ross topped the division in wins with 4, and was only 36 points away from the division championship. When asked about the seasons final standings Ross replied, “Yeah, we had one DNS and one DNF which was probably a 40 points or more turnaround.” “It would have been really cool to be in that top spot, but my 2006 goal was to make the board one night with a top five finish, and win Rookie of the Year.” “We had a great year.”
Ross would like to thank a broad variety of people and businesses that made 2006 a success. Ross knows that if not for Gene Peterson, none of this would be possible. “Gene gave me an opportunity four years ago, and it is great to grow with him.” replied the young driver. “He has made a lot of dreams come true, and I am truly thankful for that.” Thank you to Curt Van Der Wal, his brother Cory, and dad, Marvin. Curt is a great mentor, and they all three offered great advice and help through the year. A big thank you to all of our market partners, SATA Dan-Am, Magnum Sports, Magnum Graphix, Cost Cutters/Evans Enterprises, House Chevrolet, Radcliffe Homes, State Farm/Margaret Nelson, Wayne’s X-Treme Helmets Plus, and Bell Racing. “Their help keeps this car going in a circle.” added Ross “.I hope they continue their support of my dream.” “We have a great group behind us.” Last but not least, thank you to the crew: Trevor, Bob, Larry, Eric my Dad, Mom and sister KayLea.” “They bring everything together.” Ross’s final words “We are a team from the shop to the track and back again.”
With 2006 in the sunset, it is time to look forward. 2007 will bring new plans, new goals and a brand new season to prepare for. The next chapter in the book is waiting to be written. When asked about looking ahead to what the future may hold, Ross takes John Wooden’s quote to heart. “I will get ready and then, perhaps, my chance will come."