Winchester 2025 Victory Lane (20+) Fahttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1477606480250578cebook
2025 Rebuild 2025 rebuild
Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown
Scotty Gardner, left, and his dad, Scott, are ready to go racing at Grundy County Speedway on Friday, July 23, 2021.
UPDATED: July 24, 2021 at 4:05 AM CDT
First feature wins are always memorable.
Scotty Gardner’s might go down, however, as one of the most unique in Grundy County Speedway history.
Or as he put it afterward …
“This is going to be probably the coolest race of my life.”
Gardner won the 25-lap street stock feature on July 16. He crossed the finish line with multiple track champions Randy Weese and Eddie Ligue on either side of him.
His dad was only a few car lengths behind them.
And Scotty was only a couple of hours away from his 21st birthday.
“Just so crazy,” Gardner said. “I’ll never forget this birthday, that’s for sure.”
Gardner is starting to assert himself as a top contender at Grundy. His father, Scott, is second in the division points race.
The elder Gardner is still adding highlights to a career that began three decades ago at Raceway Park. During the 1990s, Gardner won a total of 30 feature races at Raceway. He was the track champion in 2000.
“I’ve only heard things about my dad’s racing days at Raceway,” Scotty Gardner said. “I know he used to be a pretty tough cookie back in the day. He still is now. I’m glad I get to keep racing with him for a little bit longer.”
The Gardners, father and son, raced together at Grundy for the first time in 2020.
“My dad 100% let me make that decision,” Scotty said. “He used to support me playing baseball and football until I was 18. Then I said, ‘It’s time to jump in a car.’
“We got rocking and rolling last year. He let me hop in his car once, and since then, we haven’t missed a week at Grundy. Without him, there are no race cars. There is no racing. And there are no fast cars winning features.”
This one, which saw Gardner lead early and Ligue late, became a three-car battle on the final lap.
With Weese on the bottom groove and Ligue on the high side, Gardner beat both to the line.
Dad, meanwhile, had a bird’s-eye view from fifth.
“That was awesome to watch,” Scott Gardner said. “I was a little nervous about experience. But I know how good he can drive and I thought it was going to work out.
“This is a kid who has so much dedication. He works on his car until 2 in the morning and gets up at 7 in the morning to go to work. He deserves everything that he’s going to come out to be.”
Pit stop interview. The Pit Stop – Episode 4 – Guest, Scotty Gardner
Unveiling the Untold Story of Scotty Gardner Jr., the Unpredictable Champion of 2024 Mid-Am Racing Series https://www.midamracing.com/post/unveiling-the-untold-story-of-scotty-gardner-jr-the-unpredictable-champion-of-2024-mid-am-racing-s
In the thrilling world of Mid-Am racing, where every turn and decision can change everything, one name stands out in 2024: Scotty Gardner Jr. As the reigning champion of the Mid-Am Racing Series, Scotty’s path to success has been anything but predictable. His journey, characterized by passion and determination, reflects the spirit that drives countless racing enthusiasts. From his early days at Grundy County Speedway to clinching the championship, Scotty’s story is a testament to hard work and perseverance.
Early Beginnings: The Spark of Passion
Scotty Gardner Jr. grew up in Blue Island Illinois, a small town where he was enchanted by the sound of engines and the thrill of racing. Raised in a family that loved motorsports, he spent countless weekends at local speedways, dreaming of being on the track himself.
Watching his father Scott Gardner the day Scotty turned 18 he practiced his dads car at Grundy County Speedway. This pivotal moment was the start of his racing career, where he began mastering the skills required to handle a vehicle at high speeds. Scotty quickly caught the attention of local fans and racing teams due to his drive and potential. Within a few years, he had won several Street Stock features with his first being a 3 wide battle with veterans Eddie Ligue and Randy Weese, establishing a reputation as a rising star in the racing community.
The Mid-Am series was a great dream come true, but it came with its challenges. The competition was fierce, with experienced racers such as Ron Vandermeir Jr and Mike Johnson dominating the field. In his first season, Scotty faced numerous obstacles, finishing just outside the top ten in several races. He committed himself to practice, analyzed his performances, and learned from each experience. His dedication paid off, improving his race finishes by over 35% in just one year.
The 2024 Mid-Am Racing Series: A Championship to Remember
The 2024 season was unforgettable for Scotty. He showcased an impressive blend of speed and strategy, especially noted during races at notorious tracks like Tomah Sparta and Grundy County Speedway. Even with an unfortunate disqualification at the Milwaukee Mile, his unexpected pace and competitive spirit kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The championship-deciding race at LaCrosse Speedway was electric. The stands were packed, and the competition was fierce between Scotty and his closest rival, Ron Vandermeir Jr. The tension built as both racers pushed their limits. Scotty embraced the pressure, finishing 6th which ultimately clinched him the championship!
The Strategies Behind the Success
Scotty’s success was rooted in meticulous planning and teamwork. He often credits his crew for ensuring his vehicle was race-ready. Their collaboration extended beyond basic maintenance; they analyzed tracks, weather conditions, and tire choices for each race.
Lessons Learned from the Journey
As the 2024 Mid-Am Racing Series Champion, Scotty has become a role model for aspiring racers and fans alike. His journey is filled with valuable lessons on dedication and resilience. He often shares how setbacks were stepping stones on his path to success.
Scotty encourages young racers to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. He reminds them that even the fastest laps result from overcoming mistakes. For every podium finish, he faced hurdles—in 2023, he did not finish in the top three in four different races but learned from those experiences to emerge stronger.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Scotty Gardner Jr.
With his 2024 championship title, the future is promising for Scotty Gardner Jr. He is eager to defend his title in the upcoming seasons while also exploring new opportunities in motorsport.
Scotty aims to give back to the community by starting a mentorship program for young racers. His plan involves sharing his extensive knowledge of the sport and guiding aspiring racers through their early careers. This commitment to developing new talent highlights his character and humility.
Reflections on an Unpredictable Champion
Scotty Gardner Jr.’s story is an extraordinary blend of passion, hard work, and the excitement of racing. As the 2024 Mid-Am Racing Series Champion, he embodies the unpredictable essence of the sport. His accomplishments are benchmarks of perseverance and self-belief. For fans of racing, Scotty’s journey promises thrilling moments ahead as they eagerly await his next move on the track. His ability to navigate challenges and carve a unique path in racing ensures that he will continue to engage and inspire both new and seasoned fans alike.
Illinois driver Scotty Gardner will be our 18th driver to register for the 2023 Mid-Am Racing Series presented by Wilkins Rebuilders Supply season. Scotty was the 2022 Grundy Co Speedway Street Stock Champion. In the offseason Scotty has purchased a Mid-am car to do some Mid-Am Racing.
5 questions with Scotty Gardner
1.Racing Facebook Page? Scotty Gardner Racing
2.Why number 13? My dad has always been #113 and his birthday is June 13th
3.Biggest Racing Accomplishment? Being able to win Championship in back to back years with my dad (Dad 2021 Scotty 2022) at Grundy Co Speedway
4.Favorite track on the Mid-Am Schedule?Rockford
5.2023 Racing Plans? Part time at Grundy and part time with the Mid-Am Series when my schedule allows. I will be driving for Boal Motorsports at Plymouth Speedway full time.
Mid-Am Driver Registration Now Open.
A big thanks to Scoring.Racing in helping the Mid-Am Racing Series streamline and improve many of its backend processes! For 2023 a driver membership will be $75 if you register by 4/14/23.
Our first race is only 20 days away. @Rockford Speedway is the place to be for the Spring Classic on Saturday April 22nd. For more info visit www.rockfordspeedway.com
What a race and what a season. Scotty Gardner Jr. has cleared tech and is your 2024 Mid-Am Racing Series Champion and Rookie of the year!
Late Pass Lifts Gardner Over Prietze
MADISON, WI (Friday May 23, 2025) — Under the lights at Madison International Speedway, the Mid-Am Racing Series honored its founder in fitting fashion with a thrilling edition of the Gary Vercauteren Memorial — and it was Scotty Gardner who etched his name into the history books with a dramatic late-race pass to take the win.
After a caution with just a few laps remaining, Gardner restarted on behind longtime Mid-Am veteran Bill Prietzel. The two battled side-by-side, but Gardner found grip up top and surged ahead, clearing Prietzel and holding on for the win, delivering a signature win in front of a packed Madison crowd
Josh Nelms fought through adversity of his own, overcoming transmission issues early in the evening to drive through the field and secure a hard-earned third-place finish. Right behind him, five-time Mid-Am champion Ron Vandermeir Jr. showed his trademark consistency, bringing home fourth and continuing his march through the season standings.
Rounding out the top five was Rick Redig-Tackman, who wheeled a loose-handling Willingham Racing Ford to one of the team’s strongest finishes of the season. After a rough start to the year, it was a well-earned turnaround for the No. 11 crew.
One of the night’s breakout performances came from rookie Kyle Brick, who ran inside the lead pack for much of the race and brought home an impressive sixth-place finish, showing confidence and car control beyond his experience.
Fellow rookie Michael Gerike also had a solid showing, finishing 10th in a competitive field. Meanwhile, Josh Fehrman stayed tough through adversity — even after a dust-up under caution, he kept his focus and powered through to a 15th-place finish.
Daniel Calhoun, who earned the pole in qualifying, suffered a heartbreaking turn of events when mechanical issues struck as the car rolled onto the track. But the crew refused to give up — thrashing in the pits to make quick repairs and salvage valuable championship points despite the early setback.
The event paid tribute to Gary Vercauteren, the founder of the Mid-Am Racing Series, whose vision and dedication helped shape the tour into what it is today. His legacy was honored with exactly the kind of door-to-door, hard-fought racing he championed.
With Gardner’s clutch victory and a deep field of contenders showing strength, the 2025 Mid-Am season continues to heat up — and this chapter at Madison will be one to remember.
Final Feature Results:
- Scott Gardner Jr
- Bill Prietzel
- Josh Nelms
- Ron Vandermeir Jr
- Rick Redig-Tackman
- Kyle Brick
- Cody Clubb
- Bobby Gash
- Greg Thorson
- Michael Gerike
- Andrew Meyerhofer
- Jim Thorson
- Shane Sapp
- Rick Tackman Jr
- Josh Fehrmann
- Daniel Calhoun
- Cameron Preisler DNS
VISITING SERIES ARE THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT TOMAH-SPARTA
By: Paul Reichert
May 31, 2024
It is always exciting to see a traveling series come to your local race track. With all the sizes of the various race tracks that are run by a traveling series, it is always a challenge for the drivers who have to take on those different race tracks. Tomah-Sparta Speedway has hosted exciting traveling race series like the Midwest Dash Series, the CWRA Late Models, the Big 8 Late Model Series, the American Super Cup Series and the Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series. Tonight the INEX Great North Legends, the INEX Bandoleros and the Mid-Am Racing Series were the stars of tonight’s racing on the legendary Tomah-Sparta oval. Chris Weber looked like he would go gate-to-wire in the Cranberry Cup 50, but rookie leader Scott Gardner, Jr. powered by Weber late to capture his first career series win.
The Cranberry Cup 50 lap Mid-Am Racing Series feature got off on the wrong foot when Andrew Meyerhofer, rookie Connor Kosowski and Daniel Calhoun all got tangled up in turn one. Veteran Sportsman racer Chris Weber got around Bobby Gash III to assume command of the race, and Weber began to build up a huge advantage on the field. Heading to the front of the field after starting mid-pack in the field was five-time champion and three-time Tomah winner Ron Vandermier, Jr. With last year’s winner Timmy Stewart not on hand, Vandermier, Jr. was moving through the field in his quest for a fourth win at Tomah. Vandermier, Jr. got into a heated battle with Gash III for second, and just before halfway they made contact in turn four. Both were sent to the back, and Weber began to pull away from his competition again on the restart. Soon a new contender, current rookie leader Scotty Gardner, Jr., would make life difficult for Weber. Gardner, Jr. and Joshua Nelms also got into a close battle for second when they made contact in turn one with seven laps to go. Nelms tapped out and Gardner, Jr. was given his spot back up front. While under the yellow, officials noticed that there may be fluid on the track in turns one and four. Safety teams checked over the track and officials checked over several cars for a possible leak, which was not found. Gardner, Jr. put a ton of pressure on Weber on the restart, and finally went to the outside lane to power around Weber for the race lead with five laps remaining. Gardner, Jr. pulled away down the stretch to become the first rookie driver to capture his first career Mid-Am Racing Series victory in quite some time.
Grundy County Speedway “Night of Features”; VL Photos and Recap
Baker wins Grundy’s Schuler Memorial Late Model Special
By Stan Kalwasinski
Morris, Ill., September 4—Two-time track champion Ricky Baker raced to victory in the 61-lap Lee Schuler Memorial late model stock car special at the Grundy County Speedway Sunday night during the track’s annual Night of Features.
The race is held annually to honor the memory of Lee Schuler, who was a regular on the Chicago area late model scene for many years, winning the Grundy track championship in 1972. Schuler’s sons, Larry and Tracy, and grandson, Tristan Batson, followed in his racing footsteps.
Pretty much securing the track championship, Scotty Gardner won his fifth street stock feature race of the year. Randy Weese, Scott Gardner, Sal Lozano and Chad Bayuk chased the winner to the finish line.
Gardner Jr. Captures Winchester Speedway Victory in Historic Photo Finish
Gardner edges Brick by .016 seconds as tire management defines Mid-Am Racing Series’ first appearance at Winchester
Winchester, IN — The Mid-Am Racing Series made its first-ever visit to the legendary Winchester Speedway and delivered a night for the history books. On the steepest banking in America, the series produced one of the closest finishes in its history, giving fans a debut they’ll never forget.
Qualifying Set the Stage
Qualifying set the tone for the evening as drivers attacked the high banks of Winchester Speedway. Scotty Gardner Jr. set the pace, grabbing fast time with a lap of 17.640 seconds. Veteran Josh Nelms wasn’t far behind at 17.964, with five-time champion Ron Vandermeir Jr. clocking in third at 18.037.
Rounding out the qualifying order were:
- Cody Clubb
- Daniel Calhoun
- Kyle Brick
- Rick Redig-Tackman
- Andrew Meyerhofer
- Rick Tackman Jr.
- Bill Prietzel
- Tim Schmitt
- Shane Sapp
- Michael Gerike
- Jim Thorson
- Josh Fehrmann
This competitive field set the stage for what became one of the most memorable features in Mid-Am history.
A Finish for the Ages
With an invert of 7, the 40-lap feature rolled to the green flag with the 74 of Rick Redig-Tackman on the pole, lined up alongside Kyle Brick on the front row. From the drop of the green, the field wasted no time putting the high banks of Winchester to the test, shuffling positions early and setting up what would become a race-long fight at the front.
Tire management played a role throughout the entire race, with drivers balancing speed against conservation on Winchester’s fast yet unforgiving track. As the laps wound down, the night turned into a showdown between Scotty Gardner Jr. and Kyle Brick. The two went wheel-to-wheel in the closing stages, pushing their cars and each other to the absolute limit.
Brick had already made contact with the outside wall before the final dash to the checkered, but refused to back down. As they raced to the line, he stayed door-to-door with Gardner Jr., crossing just .016 seconds behind. After the checkered flag, Brick made additional contact with the wall — proof of how deep he dug trying to score the win.
In the end, it was Gardner Jr. who prevailed, capturing victory in what instantly stands as one of the closest finishes in Mid-Am Racing Series history.
Veteran Josh Nelms held his ground through the intensity up front, bringing home a well-earned third-place finish to complete the podium.
Podium and Full Results
Official Results – Winchester Speedway
- Scotty Gardner Jr. (wins by .016 sec)
- Kyle Brick (contact with wall, never lifted)
- Josh Nelms
- Cody Clubb
- Daniel Calhoun
- Rick Tackman Jr.
- Tim Schmitt
- Andrew Meyerhofer
- Bill Prietzel
- Shane Sapp
- Jim Thorson
- Rick Redig-Tackman
- Michael Gerike
- Ron Vandermeir Jr.
- Josh Fehrmann
Thank You to Our Hosts
The Mid-Am Racing Series extends its gratitude to Gary, our flagman, Dan, and the entire Winchester Speedway staff for their hard work and professionalism throughout the weekend. A special thanks also goes to the fans who packed the stands and took part in a successful pre-race autograph session, which helped make our first visit truly memorable.
We also want to thank all of the local businesses who catered to our teams, as well as the fans and community members who were so welcoming and supportive throughout the event. Your hospitality made this debut weekend at Winchester Speedway a success both on and off the track.
The Mid-Am Racing Series looks forward to building on this successful debut and hopes to return to Winchester Speedway next year.
Grundy County Speedway Sept 11; Goodaker VL photos w/ recap
Morris, Ill, September 11—In the process of ending his long short track racing career, Rich Bickle Jr. visited the Grundy County Speedway Saturday night and made off with the victory in the 30-lap late model feature race during the track’s Fan Appreciation Night.
Winning late model specials recently in Wisconsin Dells and Slinger, Wis., the 60-year-old Edgerton, Wis., racer wheeled his Tony D’Ambrose-prepped T1 Racing Chevrolet No. 45 to the victory, posting his first win at Grundy in a number of years. Setting fast time during qualifications earlier in the evening, Bickle had a 0.965-second advantage over Dave Gentile Jr. at the finish. Clay Curts, Curt Tillman, Matt Chester and James Gregait rounded out the other top finishers.
Securing a record seventh career late model track championship, Eddie Hoffman finished 10th in Saturday’s 30 lapper.
Ron Vandermeir Jr. took home top honors in the 25-lap Mid American sportsman headliner, defeating track champion Blake Brown, Vince Cooper, Vince Kuelbs and John Ventrello.
Wrapping up his track championship, Scott Gardner scored the win in the 25-lap street stock feature race. Gardner bested Randy Weese, Sal Lozano, Chad Bayuk and Bill Serviss.
Trevor Tichy was the winner of the 20-lap main event for the pure stocks (four-cylinder) division as he defeated Dan Schmeissing and Johnathan Stevens. Coming home sixth in the feature, Cameron Preisler captured the division track championship.
JoJo Fadke won the 15-lap Super Cup Series feature over Jacob Senerchia and Landon Hocking.
The speedway closes out its racing season next Saturday as it hosts the 60th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 presented by Elite Trade Show Services late model stock car special.
SGR 