Mid-American Drivers Participate in Drive the Mile

By Matt Panure
Photo By Marcy Nowak

(West Allis, WI) May 5, 2008 – A welcome change awaited Mid-American Stock Car Series drivers this past Sunday afternoon at the Milwaukee Mile; sunshine. Fourteen Mid-American competitors took advantage of a beautiful day to help a good cause as they participated in the Hunger Task Force “Drive the Mile” at the Milwaukee Mile. “Last year was so much fun,” said 2007 Mid-American Rookie of the Year Kyle Shear. “It's a good time just to get out on the track and drive around with your fellow competitors.”

Rockford winner Lyle Nowak was also on hand after an appearance at the Sprecher Brewing Company on Saturday. “We were looking forward to coming here today for the first time with the (Hunger Task Force) food drive,” said Nowak who finished second at the Mile last August. Nowak and Sprecher started the food drive early and made a hefty donation to the Hunger Task Force on Sunday. He was rewarded with a visit from former Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Mile shareholder Gilbert Brown. “The Milwaukee Mile and Green Bay Packers, Lyle was in heaven,” said Nowak’s wife Marcy.

Mid-American drivers were not the only ones who took to the legendary oval. Many took laps in their street cars and a plethora of other types of racecars. Some drivers even gave up their machines to let crew members and Mid-American officials take a cruise. “I was scared. I was afraid I was going to spin out or something,” said Mid-American co-owner Julie Strasburg. Strasburg, who borrowed Nowak’s Monte Carlo felt the pressure from the Toyota Tundra pace vehicles all the way around the Mile. After some disappointing pace lap times, she adapted a strategy for the 2009 event. “Looking back I could have used the track differently and went faster. But I got to drive the mile in a racecar and not many people can say that,” she exclaimed.

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