May 28, 2003; Luxemburg, WI. -- Shawano veteran MJ McBride is perhaps best known for his dominance at his hometown oval during his illustrious racing career spanning four decades of dirt track racing. But lately the WISSOTA late model competitor has been recognized as the man to beat at the special late model shows at Luxemburg Speedway, a third-mile, clay oval. That track is considerably smaller in size than Shawano's half-mile. McBride looks to be have his "A game" ready when the WISSOTA late models roll into the village 15 minutes east of Green Bay for the "Battle of The 'Burg II" 50 lap feature Friday night, June 6. The race pays $1,500-to-win. McBride is the defending champion of this event, having won a thrilling see-saw battle with Gordie Seegert in the waning laps before a capacity crowd a season ago. What's more, McBride led wire-to-wire in a 40 lap contest back on May 2 this year to score his second win in as many trips to the Speedway. "I can't really explain why we've run so well there," said McBride. "This year we've got a different chassis setup than we had in 2002. We experimented with some things and everything fell into place." Unlike past seasons, McBride, who's won seven track championships at Shawano over the years, will not chase points anywhere this year. "We're running where the tracks are smooth and you've got two to three good grooves of racing to pass on," McBride blunty said. "When you chase points it has a tendency to take the fun out of racing. The pay we look at, too, but not as much as racing on a smooth track." McBride expects a number of drivers to step up and offer a stiff challenge to his Paul's Seldom Inn-sponsored MasterSbilt number 5. "Right now Tom Naeyaert's got a real good dry slick car. Should the track get black he'll be tough. Pete Parker was tough last time and Ron Berna's come around. And that Markwardt kid (Randy) was awful tough at that last Luxemburg special. They'll all be running up at the front." The June 6 race is the second of four WISSOTA-sanctioned late model shows. The other two will be run Saturday night, June 14 and Sunday night, July 13. On both of those nights Shawano Speedway and Seymour Tri-Oval Raceway will be off, so a solid field of cars is expected. IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars and IMCA hobby stocks will also compete on June 6. For more information call 920 863 8446. The track phone is 920 845 2300. The track website is www.luxemburgspeedway.com. |
