What a year. What a series. What a championship. Spectacular. Amazing. Unbelievable. There
are a lot of words you could use to describe the 2019 MSA season. But no words can really do
it justice, so let’s try to use numbers instead, shall we? In this article, I’ll dive deep (about a
week’s worth of research and fact checking deep) into the stats and figures behind this
incredible season of 360 Sprint Car racing in Wisconsin.
are a lot of words you could use to describe the 2019 MSA season. But no words can really do
it justice, so let’s try to use numbers instead, shall we? In this article, I’ll dive deep (about a
week’s worth of research and fact checking deep) into the stats and figures behind this
incredible season of 360 Sprint Car racing in Wisconsin.
 |
| Rookie of the Year points leader Brandon Berth in victory lane after a heat race win on 9/14 at Plymouth. RC Custom Design photo. |
12
12 Registered Rookie competitors in 2019. And that’s not counting the 2 other “First timers”
that raced their first nights in a full sized sprint car this season. In championship order as of
9/14; Brandon Berth (2016 PDTR B-Mod Champ), Jack Vanderboom (600 Micro Sprint
Standout), Tyler Davis (600 Micro Standout), Justin Erickson (Former Grand National and 4
Cylinder competitor), Blake Wondra (first ever full time race season), Sean Rayhall (IMSA
Sportscar Champion), Preston Ruh (2018 PDTR 600 Micro Champ), Tyler Tischendorf
(Former 600 Micro and Wingless Sprint standout), Mike Decker (Former IRA 410 Sprint
competitor), Nick Daywalt (600 Micro Standout), Bryce Schmitt (IRA competitor), and Tyler
Nelson (Former modified racer). Other drivers that made their first 360 start with the MSA this
season were; Trevor Andrusko (Sportscar driver, instructor) and Cole Possi (600 Micro
standout). This absurd amount of talented rookie drivers helped make this season as incredibly
competitive as it was, and contributed largely to averaging…
that raced their first nights in a full sized sprint car this season. In championship order as of
9/14; Brandon Berth (2016 PDTR B-Mod Champ), Jack Vanderboom (600 Micro Sprint
Standout), Tyler Davis (600 Micro Standout), Justin Erickson (Former Grand National and 4
Cylinder competitor), Blake Wondra (first ever full time race season), Sean Rayhall (IMSA
Sportscar Champion), Preston Ruh (2018 PDTR 600 Micro Champ), Tyler Tischendorf
(Former 600 Micro and Wingless Sprint standout), Mike Decker (Former IRA 410 Sprint
competitor), Nick Daywalt (600 Micro Standout), Bryce Schmitt (IRA competitor), and Tyler
Nelson (Former modified racer). Other drivers that made their first 360 start with the MSA this
season were; Trevor Andrusko (Sportscar driver, instructor) and Cole Possi (600 Micro
standout). This absurd amount of talented rookie drivers helped make this season as incredibly
competitive as it was, and contributed largely to averaging…
27.08
The average car count for the MSA 360 Sprints this season. There were 650 total check in’s
over the course of a 24 (2 races remaining in 2019) race season (not including cancelled
events) at 7 different tracks, and 49 different drivers started a race in MSA competition in 2019.
Find another regional series with that number. I dare you.
over the course of a 24 (2 races remaining in 2019) race season (not including cancelled
events) at 7 different tracks, and 49 different drivers started a race in MSA competition in 2019.
Find another regional series with that number. I dare you.
 |
| Kurt Davis in victory lane, pointing to the heavens to honor his father after winning an MSA feature at Plymouth. RC Custom Design Photo. |
23
The number of top ten finishes Kurt Davis has in 2019. Yes you read that right. No, it’s not a typo. I
honestly had to do some fact checking on this (I actually messaged Kurt directly, as I had thought he
actually DIDN’T finish outside the top 10 at all, and to his credit he corrected me and said he did wreck
one night), but the number is correct; “Hollywood” has finished outside the top ten ONCE in a feature
this season, with an average finish of around 5.5. That is an absolutely astounding achievement.
That streak was in jeopardy at the 9/14 race at Plymouth, as Davis started 13th and ran outside the
top 10 until a red flag with 3 laps to go, and a caution 1 lap later with 2 to go. Davis made up 3 places
on the subsequent restart and finished in 8th. Just making every feature in a season is almost a
surefire way to compete for the top 10 or 5 in any championship, so it’s no wonder he finds himself
sitting on top with 2 rounds left on the schedule.
honestly had to do some fact checking on this (I actually messaged Kurt directly, as I had thought he
actually DIDN’T finish outside the top 10 at all, and to his credit he corrected me and said he did wreck
one night), but the number is correct; “Hollywood” has finished outside the top ten ONCE in a feature
this season, with an average finish of around 5.5. That is an absolutely astounding achievement.
That streak was in jeopardy at the 9/14 race at Plymouth, as Davis started 13th and ran outside the
top 10 until a red flag with 3 laps to go, and a caution 1 lap later with 2 to go. Davis made up 3 places
on the subsequent restart and finished in 8th. Just making every feature in a season is almost a
surefire way to compete for the top 10 or 5 in any championship, so it’s no wonder he finds himself
sitting on top with 2 rounds left on the schedule.
12 (again)
The number of drivers to log an A Main win this season in 24 races. Not to mention the 10 other
drivers running for points this season that have won at least 1 feature in past seasons. Find another
regional Sprint Car series that has that many drivers winning races. Spoiler alert, you won’t. The IRA
410’s had 10 different drivers win features this season, including their co-sanctioned races with other
series. To put this in perspective, the Nos Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars have had 59
races this season so far and only 17 different winners. This is an astounding testament to the level of
competition in the MSA this season. Another number that does that very same thing is…
drivers running for points this season that have won at least 1 feature in past seasons. Find another
regional Sprint Car series that has that many drivers winning races. Spoiler alert, you won’t. The IRA
410’s had 10 different drivers win features this season, including their co-sanctioned races with other
series. To put this in perspective, the Nos Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars have had 59
races this season so far and only 17 different winners. This is an astounding testament to the level of
competition in the MSA this season. Another number that does that very same thing is…
1.303
The gap between Pole and Last in Qualifying at Beaver Dam Raceway. Ok, hear me out on this one.
The MSA doesn’t qualify at most races, as the field is usually set by an electronic “pill draw”, but we
DID qualify at Beaver Dam on August 24th this season. Travis Arenz set pole with a time of 13.175
around the ⅜ mile oval. Rounding out the field in 31st place was Josh Teunissen at 14.478, and his
car was struggling with mechanical issues, as was Blake Wondra in 30th (lap time of 14.312). The
entire top 28 cars were separated by less than 1 second, and the top ten by less than half a second.
Again, to put this in perspective, when the World of Outlaws were at Beaver Dam, the entire field was
split by 1.411 seconds (Pole-David Gravel 11.554, 26th-Wayne Modjeski 12.965), and those are the
best sprint car drivers in the world, with less cars. This is the most impressive number on this list to
me. The fact that 31 drivers can be so evenly matched on the same track, on the same day, is the
trump card of this series. The teams are vastly different in terms of funding and experience, yet the
drivers find a way to make it even out on the track.
The MSA doesn’t qualify at most races, as the field is usually set by an electronic “pill draw”, but we
DID qualify at Beaver Dam on August 24th this season. Travis Arenz set pole with a time of 13.175
around the ⅜ mile oval. Rounding out the field in 31st place was Josh Teunissen at 14.478, and his
car was struggling with mechanical issues, as was Blake Wondra in 30th (lap time of 14.312). The
entire top 28 cars were separated by less than 1 second, and the top ten by less than half a second.
Again, to put this in perspective, when the World of Outlaws were at Beaver Dam, the entire field was
split by 1.411 seconds (Pole-David Gravel 11.554, 26th-Wayne Modjeski 12.965), and those are the
best sprint car drivers in the world, with less cars. This is the most impressive number on this list to
me. The fact that 31 drivers can be so evenly matched on the same track, on the same day, is the
trump card of this series. The teams are vastly different in terms of funding and experience, yet the
drivers find a way to make it even out on the track.
 |
| Brandon McMullen saluting the fans after winning the A Main at the Sheboygan County Fair. Shawn Mueller Photo. |
2.2
Brandon McMullen’s average finish in the past 5 races. 4th, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, and 2nd. That’s the highest
average finish in a 5 race stretch for any driver this season (Kurt Davis’ 5 race run of 1st, 1st, 5th, 8th,
and 3rd is second with a 3.6 average finish). The McMullen team ran a limited MSA schedule in 2019,
opting not to run the travelling shows and focus on the PDTR Track Championship instead. Thus they
are out of title contention for the MSA title, but that run has thrust the 98 car back into Track title
contention at Plymouth, only 43 points out of first, and 13 out of second. As for the overall MSA title,
there’s only one number that matters anymore. (EDIT: Travis Arenz actually had a 5
race stretch avg of 2.1 early in the season. My bad.)
average finish in a 5 race stretch for any driver this season (Kurt Davis’ 5 race run of 1st, 1st, 5th, 8th,
and 3rd is second with a 3.6 average finish). The McMullen team ran a limited MSA schedule in 2019,
opting not to run the travelling shows and focus on the PDTR Track Championship instead. Thus they
are out of title contention for the MSA title, but that run has thrust the 98 car back into Track title
contention at Plymouth, only 43 points out of first, and 13 out of second. As for the overall MSA title,
there’s only one number that matters anymore. (EDIT: Travis Arenz actually had a 5
race stretch avg of 2.1 early in the season. My bad.)
 |
| Kurt Davis, Justin Miller, and Travis Arenz ready to do battle for the championship. Pedal Down Promotions Photo. |
38
The point differential between Kurt Davis in 1st, and Travis Arenz in 2nd in the MSA Driver’s
Championship. This is it. For all the marbles. I thought of putting the number “2” in this spot to
represent the number of races left in the season, but ‘38” will be the deciding number, and also the
one that will be keeping “TA” awake at night until the final checkered flag of the season drops at
Plymouth on 9/28. Arenz had the points lead in his hands on 9/14 at Plymouth, but a mistake in
lapped traffic with 3 laps to go caused the 25t to go flipping wildly, ending Arenz’s night, but perhaps
more importantly, bunching the field back up and allowing Davis to make up 5 crucial positions from
13th to finish 8th, increasing his lead that much more. In MSA competition you are awarded 10 points
to show up, 16 to win a heat race, and 64 to win a feature, in total that’s 90 points per event on offer.
So it’s very realistic that Arenz could close the gap at the Horsepower Half Mile on 9/27 before the
finale at Plymouth the next night, but it’s also just as likely that Davis continues his streak of top 10
finishes. Here is the championship clinching scenario heading to Dodge County:
Championship. This is it. For all the marbles. I thought of putting the number “2” in this spot to
represent the number of races left in the season, but ‘38” will be the deciding number, and also the
one that will be keeping “TA” awake at night until the final checkered flag of the season drops at
Plymouth on 9/28. Arenz had the points lead in his hands on 9/14 at Plymouth, but a mistake in
lapped traffic with 3 laps to go caused the 25t to go flipping wildly, ending Arenz’s night, but perhaps
more importantly, bunching the field back up and allowing Davis to make up 5 crucial positions from
13th to finish 8th, increasing his lead that much more. In MSA competition you are awarded 10 points
to show up, 16 to win a heat race, and 64 to win a feature, in total that’s 90 points per event on offer.
So it’s very realistic that Arenz could close the gap at the Horsepower Half Mile on 9/27 before the
finale at Plymouth the next night, but it’s also just as likely that Davis continues his streak of top 10
finishes. Here is the championship clinching scenario heading to Dodge County:
Kurt Davis wins championship if: Arenz DNS in Heat or B Main, or finishes 3rd or worse in Heat and
DNS in B Main or A Main (this would cause Arenz to score 12 points or less), AND Davis scores at
least 53 points over the course of heat and feature (giving Davis a lead of 91 points, which is more
than is offered in 1 race). Championship fight continues to Plymouth if Arenz makes feature. Arenz is
unable to win the championship at Dodge County. Justin Miller is mathematically eligible to win the
championship as well, but would need Davis and Arenz to pretty much DNS every race at Dodge
County in order to have a chance heading to Plymouth.
DNS in B Main or A Main (this would cause Arenz to score 12 points or less), AND Davis scores at
least 53 points over the course of heat and feature (giving Davis a lead of 91 points, which is more
than is offered in 1 race). Championship fight continues to Plymouth if Arenz makes feature. Arenz is
unable to win the championship at Dodge County. Justin Miller is mathematically eligible to win the
championship as well, but would need Davis and Arenz to pretty much DNS every race at Dodge
County in order to have a chance heading to Plymouth.
I know that seems extremely convoluted and unlikely, but it’s SO fun to speculate! For instance,
imagine this scenario, Arenz wins or finishes on the podium in the feature at Dodge County, and Davis
falters and either misses the A Main or has an issue. The championship would be tied or close to it at
Plymouth. It’s not unlikely. All I know for sure, is that these last two events will be MUST SEE if you’re
a fan of any kind of racing. After a long, 24 race season, it all comes down to this. A showdown
between 2 very different racers, on 2 very different tracks, for all the marbles. This is WHY we are race
fans, why we go to every race throughout the season, and why fanatics like myself keep track of
finishes, points, averages, lap times, the ebb and flow of drivers’ seasons, and all the other statistical
nonsense, for moments like these. To watch one young, bad fast driver with a “We’ve got nothing to
lose” mentality, and another with the 2nd most all time wins in series history, go all out for the
prestigious MSA title. One wants another jewel for his crown, and the other just a seat at the round
table. What a fitting end for a series that’s received, all this season, national attention, self-headlined
broadcasted events on a national level, and absolutely earned its newly acquired reputation as the
most underrated Sprint Car series in the US, and one of, if not the most competitive.
imagine this scenario, Arenz wins or finishes on the podium in the feature at Dodge County, and Davis
falters and either misses the A Main or has an issue. The championship would be tied or close to it at
Plymouth. It’s not unlikely. All I know for sure, is that these last two events will be MUST SEE if you’re
a fan of any kind of racing. After a long, 24 race season, it all comes down to this. A showdown
between 2 very different racers, on 2 very different tracks, for all the marbles. This is WHY we are race
fans, why we go to every race throughout the season, and why fanatics like myself keep track of
finishes, points, averages, lap times, the ebb and flow of drivers’ seasons, and all the other statistical
nonsense, for moments like these. To watch one young, bad fast driver with a “We’ve got nothing to
lose” mentality, and another with the 2nd most all time wins in series history, go all out for the
prestigious MSA title. One wants another jewel for his crown, and the other just a seat at the round
table. What a fitting end for a series that’s received, all this season, national attention, self-headlined
broadcasted events on a national level, and absolutely earned its newly acquired reputation as the
most underrated Sprint Car series in the US, and one of, if not the most competitive.
Steve Post praises MSA and IRA on Winged Nation.
Countless side by side, last lap passes have been featured in A Main’s this season, and it’s only fitting
that the championship finishes like that too. It’s been an incredible season, but you can bet it’s FAR
from over. Let’s do this thing. See you at the Horsepower Half Mile.
that the championship finishes like that too. It’s been an incredible season, but you can bet it’s FAR
from over. Let’s do this thing. See you at the Horsepower Half Mile.
-Loren Kelly (the Plymouth PA guy)
