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[[Image:MidAmericanStockCarSeriesFieldLakeGenevaRacewayOctober2006.jpg|thumb|right|The field of Mid-American Stock Cars take the green flag at [[Lake Geneva Raceway]] in 2006]]
[[File:Bill Prietzel leads the field at WIR in 2023.jpg|alt=Bill Prietzel, Maxwell Schultz, James Swan, Andrew Meyerhofer, Ron Vandermeir Jr, and Rick Corso at WIR in 2023|thumb|[[Bill Prietzel]], Maxwell Schultz, James Swan, Andrew Meyerhofer, Ron Vandermeir Jr, and Rick Corso at WIR in 2023]]
The '''Mid-Am Racing Series''', formerly '''Mid American Stock Car Series''', is an elite sportsman traveling [[stock car racing]] series in the [[Midwestern United States]]. The cars are based on a 108" metric stock frame, less costly suspension parts and a maximum of 358 cubic inch engine. The car's [[roll cage]] and chassis were made of a design very similar to the same chassis a previous design of [[NASCAR Cup Series|NASCAR cup chassis]], but have also included more modern safety features such as plated door bars and the "[[Dale Earnhardt#Earnhardt Bar|Earnhardt bar]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-06-24|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Dale Earnhardt#Earnhardt Bar|reason= }}" which runs from the roof to the dash. The series runs primarily on paved racetracks but also appears on dirt and road courses. The series is the highest form of racing available to sportsman-style, GM metric chassis stock cars.
== History ==
The Vercauteren brothers, during some time off in their hotel room in Daytona Beach, Florida during Speedweeks in February
During the first two years the series ran in ’93 and ’94 the Vercauteren’s were able to secure dates at legendary tracks like the Milwaukee Mile and Road America in Elkhart Lake cementing itself as a formidable racing series. The Series was at one time a support class for the [[ARTGO]] Challenge Series. The Mid American corporation expanded to a traveling Supertruck Series named the Midwest Super Truck Series in 1995 and a traveling Super Late Model Series,<ref name="1998 schedule">Mid American Stock Car Series official website, March 7, 1998</ref> named the Midwest All-Star Racing Series (MARS) in 1999. The expansion also included the Stock Car Classics in 2004 and the American Stock Car League (ASL) in 2005. The death of Vercauteran in October 2005 led to the purchase of Mid-American by longtime employees Doug and Julie Strasburg. The Strasburgs kept only the Mid American Stock Car Series while MARS and ASL were dissolved. The Stock Car Classics split into two groups (Classic Racing Series and Midwest Stock Car Classics). The Super Trucks were absorbed into the United States Super Trucks or USST.
== Strasburg ownership era ==
When the Strasburgs took over Mid American in 2006, the series was struggling with car counts and tracks willing to host races. The average car count average jumped from 20 entrants per race to 27. A season high 39 participants ran at the [[Milwaukee Mile]] during the Governor's Cup Weekend. Several tracks have renewed relationships with the Mid-American Stock Car Series such as the Golden Sands Speedway, Marshfield Super Speedway, Dells Raceway Park and [[Road America]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hngnews.com/article_38f059b2-dea8-11e2-9a10-0019bb30f31a.html | title=Local Stock Car Series Owner Devotes Life to Auto Racing | date=26 June 2013 }}</ref>
==Gruenberg ownership era ==
Dave Gruenberg took over ownership on October 22, 2014. Working with Gary Vercauteran, Doug Stasburg, and Julie Stasburg previously made this an easy transition.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gopromo.racing/mid-american-stock-cars-joins-go-racing-promotions/|title = MID-AMERICAN STOCK CARS JOINS GO RACING PROMOTIONS | GO Racing Promotions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/library/articles/24826.php|title=The Crittenden Automotive Library}}</ref> Teams were intrigued when series owner Dave Gruenberg revealed a 2017 schedule that would have them competing on consecutive days at a couple of very different venues. Veteran drivers and newcomers alike were sent into their respective think tanks to consider how best confront these challenges.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} On Thursday, May
==Go Racing Promotions ownership era==
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==Scrogham ownership era==
The Mid-American Stock Car Series was sold by Oliver to former Mid-Am competitor Tim Scrogham in early November 2020 and rebranded the Mid-Am Racing Series. With the rebrand the series returned to dirt racing as part of an effort to diversify the schedule. 2023 was the first year for a "dirt double header" July 14-July 15 at Kankakee County Speedway and Sycamore Speedway. Mentorship from both Greg Oliver as well as the Stasburgs have been instrumental in the resurgence of the series.
==Notable Drivers==
* [[Ken Schrader]] - Former [[ARCA Menards Series]], [[NASCAR Cup Series]], [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]], and [[NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]] driver. Most recently driving for the [[Superstar Racing Experience]]. Ken also owns/drivers a dirt late model and dirt open-wheel modified car.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Schrader |url=https://www.schraderracing.com/schedules/event/209160/media-results |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.schraderracing.com}}</ref>
* [[Joey Gase]] - Former [[Sprint Cup Series]],[[American Speed Association]], [[ARCA Racing Series]], [[USAR Pro Cup Series]], and [[NASCAR K&N Pro Series East]] driver. Joey now competes part-time in the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joey Gase's dual role: NASCAR owner and driver |url=https://www.thegazette.com/sports/joey-gases-dual-role-nascar-owner-and-driver/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.thegazette.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Grant Enfinger]] - [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]], [[NASCAR Cup Series]], [[2015 ARCA Racing Series]] series championship with GMS Racing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former ASA Midwest Tour Champion Joins Go Fas Racing For Joe Shear Classic {{!}} Madison International Speedway |url=https://misracing.com/former-asa-midwest-tour-champion-joins-go-fas-racing-for-joe-shear-classic/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=misracing.com}}</ref>
* [[Bill Prietzel]] - [[Dirt track racing|dirt]] [[late model]]s, [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]], [[NASCAR]] [[Nationwide Series]] Driver
* [[Ron Vandermeir Jr.|Ron Vandermeir Jr]] - [[ARCA Menards Series]] Driver and 5 time Series Champion
* James Swan - 35 year veteran of Midwest racing.
* Eddie Hoffman - 1998 ARTGO Champion, multiple Super Late Model Track Championships in the Chicago area
* [[Brett Sontag]] - 2004 [[American Speed Association]] National Tour Rookie of the Year, 5-time track champion
* Peter "Speedy" Hernandez - 2006 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-27 |title=Drive for Diversity program update 2006-07-26 |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar/news/drive-for-diversity-program-update-2006-07-26/1348388/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=us.motorsport.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Paige Decker]] - [[NASCAR]] [[Camping World Truck Series]] and [[Xfinity Series]] and was a 2014 NASCAR [[Drive for Diversity]] participant.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-10-25 |title=James: Decker girls have Danica Patrick tie |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9879051/espnw-paige-claire-natalie-decker-danica-patrick-connection |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Claire Decker]] - 2014 participant in the [[NASCAR]] [[Drive for Diversity]].<ref name=":0" />
* Stephen Cox - driver in the World Racing League endurance sports car series, CRS Super Truck Series and Grid Life<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Stephen Cox |url=https://www.sopwithmotorsports.com/about-stephen-cox/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Sopwith Motorsports |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Tracks==
[[File:Rockford Speedway Turns 3 and 4 at 2017 NSTC MidAm cars.jpg|thumb|right|Mid American Stock Car Series cars at Rockford Speedway in 2017]]
'''The following tracks are scheduled to host at least one event in 2024:<ref name="2020Schedule">{{cite web|last=Zhang|first=Mingchao|date=January 28, 2021|title=2021 schedule|url=https://www.midamracing.com/schedule|publisher=M Zhang|accessdate=January 28, 2020}}</ref>'''
*Kankakee County Speedway (dirt oval)
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===Former tracks===
[[File:NorwaySpeedwayMidAmericanHeat2009.jpg|thumb|[[Norway Speedway]] in 2009]]
*[[Rockford Speedway]] (track closed after 2023 season)
*[[141 Speedway]] – [[Francis Creek, Wisconsin]] (later became a dirt track)<ref name="1998 schedule" />
*[[Dodge County Fair|Dodge County]] (WI) Fairgrounds (dirt exhibition)
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==List of series champions==
[[File:LyleNowakMidAmRockfordSpeedway2010.jpg|thumb|right|2010 series champion Lyle Nowak at [[Rockford Speedway]]]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|2023
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|}
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[[File:Maxwell Schultz Vercauteran memorial winner at WIR 2023.jpg|thumb|Maxwell Schultz Vercauteran memorial winner in victory lane at [[Wisconsin International Raceway|WIR]] 2023]]
[[File:RonWeyerMidAmWinner2019MilwaukeeMile.jpg|thumb|right|Ron Weyer in victory lane at Milwaukee in 2019]]
The series honors its founder Gary Vercauteran with a race each year after beginning as an event honoring his parents.<ref name="MidAmVercauteran2010">{{cite news|last=Panure|first=Matt|title=Mid-American to Hold Vercauteren Memorial at Road America|url=http://www.midamericanracing.com/press.php?subaction=showfull&id=1276026344&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&|accessdate=15 June 2010|newspaper=Mid American Stock Car|date=June 7, 2010}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The race was often held as part of the Red, White, and Blue state championship event at [[Wisconsin International Raceway]] (WIR). The 2007 event at WIR was rained out, so it was held at 141 Speedway which is the track next closed to Vercauteran's hometown [[Chilton, Wisconsin|Chilton]].<ref name=MidAmVercauteran2010 /> The 2010 event was held at [[Road America]].<ref name=MidAmVercauteran2010 /> It began in Vercauteran's hometown dirt track in Chilton Fairgrounds before the series' origin.<ref name=MidAmVercauteran2010 /> It has been held at a variety of tracks since then. The 25th annual Vercauteran Memorial winner returned to WIR and was won by Tyler Bauknecht (whose family had traveled with the Vercauteran family in the early days of the series).<ref name="Bauknecht 2014">{{cite web|last=Wagner|first=Tom|title=Bauknecht Rules Vercauteren Memorial|url=http://www.midamericanracing.com/article/051214/bauknecht-rules-vercauteren-memorial|publisher=Mid-American Stock Car Series|accessdate=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513172704/http://www.midamericanracing.com/article/051214/bauknecht-rules-vercauteren-memorial|archive-date=May 13, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*1990 Wayne Strand (Chilton Fairgrounds)
*1991 Larry Richards (Chilton Fairgrounds)
*1992 Jerry Wenzel (Chilton Fairgrounds)
*1993 Eddie Hoffman ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
*1994 Brian Lambie ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
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*2005 Brett Piontek ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
*2006 James Swan ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
*2007 Kevin Damrow ([[141 Speedway]])
*2008 Jacob Finney ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
*2009 Gregg Haese ([[141 Speedway]])<ref name=MidAmVercauteran2010 />
*2010 [[Bill Prietzel]] ([[Road America]])
*2011 Jacob Finney ([[Norway Speedway]])
*2012 Kenny Joosten ([[Rockford Speedway]])
*2013 James Swan ([[Rockford Speedway]]) <ref>{{Cite web |title=The Crittenden Automotive Library |url=http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=The Crittenden Automotive Library |language=en}}</ref>
*2014 Tyler Bauknecht ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])<ref name="Bauknecht 2014" />
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*2020 Rick Corso ([[Rockford Speedway]])--55th National Short Track Championships<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Sessions/5915943|title=RACE MASCS - Feature, NSTC - Sunday, ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY, United States - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive}}</ref>
*2021 Ron Vandemeier, Jr. ([[Rockford Speedway]])--56th National Short Track Championships <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Sessions/6325221|title=RACE Mid Am Feature Champion Race, NSTC Sunday Races, ROCKFORD SPEEDWAY, United States - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive}}</ref>
*2022 James Swan ([[Rockford Speedway]])--57th National Short Track Championships <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=57th ANNUAL NATIONAL SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP IS 'AUSTIN'S AWESOME WEEKEND
*2023 Maxwell Schultz ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
*2024 Kenny Richards ([[Wisconsin International Raceway]])
==Other divisions==
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