Beloit, Wisconsin: “Showtime” Zack Riddle Is Selected To Steer ABC Supply/ Urban Force Racing Team Cars In 2010

By Steve Pados, Urban Force Media

Twenty year old Brooklyn, Wisconsin hotshoe “Showtime” Zack Riddle has been selected to steer the student manned ABC Supply sponsored Urban Force racing entry in 2010 at the Madison International Speedway. Riddle is coming off an excellent season behind the wheel of the family owned ZRR entry at Madison in 2009 as the popular driver scored one win, two seconds, and two third place finishes to highlight a great season in racing that found “Showtime” finishing up the year in third place in the final point’s structure at the speedway competing in the Limited Late Model division.

In making the exciting announcement, Urban Force Racing team manager Pete Raskovic stated, “We have watched Zack perform on the race track as well as work with the students in the shop. We are very impressed with his racing ability and his mentoring of the students and feel this young man has more than earned his way into the seat of the UFR race car. His ZRR Team students have won more than $65,000.00 in scholarships over the past two years through the ASA Educational Series and proves his passion and committment for racing and in working with today’s youth programs”. Raskovic further added, “With Zack, we feel we have an outstanding young driver who will be a part of our team structure for years to come”.

Riddle began his racing career in 2000 at the age of ten in the go kart divisions and raced with them until the end of the 2003 racing season. In 2004, Riddle took his first ride in a Late Model type race car and ran an aborted season, competing in just six events at the Madison International Speedway. Riddle began to run the Late Model division as a regular in 2005 and has been a fixture at the speedway since, winning his first feature at MIS in 2006. When the Madison track ran Super Late Models in 2008, Riddle was selected as the Rookie of the Year in the now defunct division. Riddle was also named the fan’s favorite driver in 2009, a title he also captured in 2006 and adding to his “Showtime” nickname.

Steve Riddle, Zack’s father and mentor, will come on board at UFR to help operate the team. The elder Riddle made this observation, “We have put together a great package for combining resources and talents and are looking forward to working towards a great 2010 season. This is a great opportunity for Zack and as a proud parent and one of his biggest fans know this is by far the biggest and best opportunity he has had for his budding racing career. He has the talent and the knowledge and I couldn’t be happier for him. We want to thank Pete Raskovic and the entire Urban Force Racing family for the opportunity to become a part of a great racing and youth oriented program”.

The Urban Force Racing Team has enjoyed a great history in the sport since launching the program in 2007 and has sought to improve upon their marks each succeeding year in racing. Team Manager Pete Raskovic, who with the late ABC Supply owner Ken Hendricks was able to forge ahead with the launching of the initial program, has been the mainstay of the student oriented racing team is quite proud of  the success of the many students who have been educated within the Urban Force Racing Team program and is equally as proud of the ASA Educational Series he remains a part of with ASA guru Dennis Huth.

An updated Lefthander Chassis is the basis for the race car that is housed at the Hendrick Center For Automotive Technology, the School’s Technical program. The unique concept of teaching students the inner workings of a race car along with all of the technical background in automotive technology, sets the Urban Force program apart from the typical normal school day. The students are hands on and work with a purpose as the program is the model for similar technical programs across the country. The new student team for the 2010 racing season consists of Ryan Sarri, Tom Landwehr, Addison Graves, Alan Vargas, Omar Martinez and Michael Raskovic. The students will be paired with the existing Urban Force Team members that include Team Manger Pete Raskovic, Crew Chief Steve Riddle, and crewmen, Chad Yaun, Steve Bruno, Chad Manor, Doug Boley, Steve Gassman and County Judge James Beer. With a new driver and Crew Chief on board for 2010, Urban ForceTeam Manager and Crew Chief Pete Raskovic is well aware of the benefits and the challenges ahead for the student manned pit crew. As new team members join the fold, it is up to Raskovic to support, teach and mold the team members into a cohesive operating unit.

Sponsorship for the Urban Force Racing Team will once again be provided by the ABC Supply Company with additional sponsorship support coming from Fat Wallet.com, Green County Farm Bureau, and Keystone Farms Natural Cheese. Marketing partners include the ASA Educational Series, Ohio Technical College, Skills USA, Roltek Racing Transmissions, MEP, Bassett Wheels, Lefthander, Circle Track Magazine, Welders Supply Company, Becky Werner Foundation, GA Motorsports Media and CARQUEST Gasoline Alley.

For further updates regarding Urban Force Racing, go to their newly revamped website at: http://www.sdb.k12.wi.us/memorial/urbanforceracing/team/team.htm For information regarding Zack Riddle, logon to:

http://www.zackriddle.com/4.html For additional information regarding the ASA Educational Series, logon to: http://www.asa-racing.com

Zack “Showtime” Riddle Joins Urban Force Racing!

Breaking News! Zack “Showtime” Riddle Joins Urban Force Racing! Urban Force Racing announced today that Brooklyn Wisconsin Hotshoe, Zack Riddle will join ABC Supply/Urban Force Racing for 2010. The team will field two cars for the 2010 season with Riddle piloting one of the Limited-Late Models that the team will campaign at Madison International Speedway.

Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister Enters Fall Classic Event At Madison International Speedway

Beloit, Wisconsin: Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister Enters Fall Classic Event At Madison International Speedway

By Steve Pados, Urban Force Media

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin hotshoe Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister enjoyed a stellar first season behind the wheel of the student manned Urban Force Racing Team in 2009 as he captured one win along the way and enjoyed a solid sixth place finish in the final point structure at the Madison International Speedway. The fifth year racer was in the hunt for the title until the closing weeks of the season when a disqualification from an event halted the team’s bid for a title. With the regular season now completed, “The Comet” will focus his attentions to the upcoming 3rd Annual Fall Classic to be held at Madison International Speedway on September 25th and 26th with racing in all divisions and with both nights of racing including the Late Model division. Baumeister is looking forward to the upcoming event as it will once again give him the opportunity to showcase his talents against the best drivers in the region.

In the pair of features that closed the regular season at Madison, Jeremy Miller scored the win in the first event with Scott Broughton in the runnerup slot and early race leader Baumeister in third place. Jason Hicks and Zack Riddle completed the top five. In the second event, Baumeister struggled a bit with the race car and was scored in 8th place when the checkered flag fell on race winner Ryan Goldade. Urban Force Crew Chief Kevin Tunks was the runnerup with Brady Liddle, Bobby Wilberg and Jeremy Miller completing the top five.

In a recent interview on the popular CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show, Baumeister was quick in his praise of the Urban Force racing program and the confidence Team Manager Pete Raskovic and Crew Chief Kevin Tunks placed in his ability this season. Baumeister took a good deal of time in explaining the structure of how everything falls into place for the racing team. Baumeister added he was looking to build on to this year’s racing resume and come back even stronger for the 2010 racing season.

The Urban Force Racing Team has enjoyed a banner year in the 2009 racing season and looks to improve upon that mark with each succeeding year in racing. Team Manager Pete Raskovic, who with the late Ken Hendricks was able to forge ahead with the launching of the initial program, is proud of  the success of the many students who have been educated within the Urban Force Racing Team program and remains the primary reason and purpose for the student manned team. In a recent phone conversation Raskovic stated, “The program we began three years ago is the future and the lifeline of racing. With more of the racing teams at Madison becoming involved with similar programs and becoming part of the infra-structure of the ASA Educational Series, what we do to educate the students in school and at the racetrack becomes the foundation for how they will move into adulthood. While everyone would like success on the speedway, an educator like myself views the big picture as how many of these students have learned a trade and a better way of life and that alone will always overshadow the racing exploits”. Raskovic further added, ” Don’t get me wrong, I like to win too and the balancing act of the program is to accomplish all of it one step at a time. We have had a great year and the 2009 racing season becomes the stepping stone for the following season”.

Kevin Tunks is the crew chief for the  Urban Force Racing Team for the 2009 season and has a great racing resume that includes success as both a driver and as a Crew Chief. Tunks was responsible for the success of the Buzz Motorsports Team in the past and his expertise in chassis set-ups will be a guiding light for the student inspired racing team. Tunks has opted out of the role as a driver, but still enjoys twisting a wheel or two when given the opportunity to do so. Tunks will concentrate on all facets of the race car as well as guiding the career of Baumeister, who is entering his fifth year in the racing wars. The partnering of Baumeister with Tunks has proven to be a positive force for the Team and Baumeister is quick to thank Urban Force Team Manager Pete Raskovic for having the faith and wisdom to afford him the opportunity to fly the Urban Force Team colors in 2009.

An updated Lefthander Chassis is the basis for the race car that is housed at the Hendrick Center For Automotive Technology, the School’s Technical program. The unique concept of teaching students the inner workings of a race car along with all of the technical background in automotive technology, sets the Urban Force program apart from the typical normal school day. The students are hands on and work with a purpose as the program is the model for similar technical programs across the country. The new student team for the 2009 racing season consists of Ryan Sarri, Tom Landwehr, Addison Graves, Alan Vargas, Omar Martinez and Michael Raskovic. The students will be paired with the existing Urban Force Team members that include Team Manger Pete Raskovic, Crew Chief Kevin Tunks, and crewmen, Chad Yaun, Steve Bruno, Chad Manor, Doug Boley, Steve Gassman and County Judge James Beer. With a new driver and Crew Chief on board for 2009, Urban ForceTeam Manager and Crew Chief Pete Raskovic is well aware of the benefits and the challenges ahead for the student manned pit crew. As new team members join the fold, it is up to Raskovic to suppot, teach and mold the team members into a cohesive operating unit.

Sponsorship for the Urban Force Racing Team is provided by the ABC Supply Company with additional sponsorship support coming from Fat Wallet.com, Green County Farm Bureau, and Keystone Farms Natural Cheese. Marketing partners include the ASA Educational Series, Ohio Technical College, Skills USA, Roltek Racing Transmissions, MEP, Bassett Wheels, Lefthander, Circle Track Magazine, Welders Supply Company, Becky Werner Foundation, GA Motorsports Media and CARQUEST Gasoline Alley.

For further updates regarding Urban Force Racing, go to their newly revamped website at: http://www.sdb.k12.wi.us/memorial/urbanforceracing/team/team.htm

“THE COMET” JOHN BAUMEISTER SAILS TO RUNNERUP FINISH AT MADISON INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Beloit, Wisconsin: “The Comet” John Baumeister Sails To Runnerup Finish At Madison International Speedway

By Steve Pados, Urban Force Media

After racing to a solid sixth place finish on opening night at the speedway, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin hotshoe Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister turned up the wick last Friday evening as he drove the ABC Supply/Fat Wallet.Com/Urban Force Racing Team racing entry from his assigned eighth starting position to finish in a close runnerup role to race winner and 2008 speedway champion Bobby Wilberg. Baumeister, who sat out some races a year ago due to a broken wrist, was on the top of his game as he quickly found a seam in the early laps of the race and moved into the top five by lap three. A lap four caution flag brought the field back together and on the restart it was Baumeister using the skill of a surgeon to quickly move into second place. Bobby Wilberg moved into the picture as well as the leader Kevin Knuese, Baumeister and Wilberg opened up a lead on the 26-car starting field. On lap seventeen, lapped traffic became a factor in the event as Wilberg was able to slip by Baumeister when the Urban Force driver was temporarily trapped behind a slower car.  

The next time around found Wilberg challenging Knuese for the lead and Wilberg completed the pass around Knuese one lap later with Baumeister latching on to Wilberg’s bumper and moving into second place at the same time. One lap later another caution was displayed and when racing resumed the two car battle instantly became a five car battle royal with Zack Riddle, Jeremy Miller and Nathan Haselu all looking for racing room. Wilberg utilized his veteran skills and held off the talented field of drivers behind him until a caution flag slowed the pace on lap-45. Wilberg once again took off on the restart but Baumeister tried to seize the moment and the victory by challenging Wilberg for the lead in the next couple of laps. The pair battled into turn three with a couple of laps remaining and Wilberg held his ground and remained the leader with Baumeister never being able to sneak the nose of the race car under Wilberg again. Wilberg claimed the win with Baumeister finishing second. Riddle, Miller and Haselu completed the top five. In a gesture of goodwill and kinship, the Urban Force Racing Team donated the team’s winnings to the Green County DARE program.

While the Urban Force Racing Team enjoyed a great of racing with their new driver, the night was not without problems. Coming out of the pit stall for practice, a gear in the transmission broke and disabled the race car. With a spare transmission more than three hours away, Team Manager Pete Raskovic swung into action and opted to rebuild the broken transmission using parts from one they had borrowed and didn’t match up for their application. Raskovic rebuilt the transmission on site as the students and crew watched intently to the proceedings. After twenty minutes of thrashing and assembling, the ”new’ transmission was ready for the installation back into the race car. In a conversation with Raskovic later in the week, he stated, “The events that transpired at the track were a great lesson for the students and the crew. We teach them to never ever give up and it is the nights that begin badly only to turn around and show the silver lining that really makes for the team to share the bonding and the determination to achieve something good together”.

Raskovic further added, “We need a night like this once in a while to keep the team in check and on their toes’.

Even though the season is in its infancy stages, every point accumulated adds to the title hopes of the team. Jeremy Miller came out of the last event holding onto the point lead with 168 points. Wilberg with 161 markers is second. Nathan Haselu is third with 152 and Baumeister is fourth with 147 tallies. Scott Broughton completes the top five point leaders with 135.

Madison International Speedway swings back into action on Friday evening June 5th with a four division show that will have the Urban Force Racing Team in competition on the long half mile speedway.

Kevin Tunks is the crew chief for the  Urban Force Racing Team for the 2009 season and has a great racing resume that includes success as a driver and as a Crew Chief. Tunks was responsible for the success of the Buzz Motorsports Team in the past and his expertise in chassis set-ups will be a guiding light for the student inspired racing team. Tunks has opted out of the role as a driver, but still enjoys twisting a wheel or two when given the opportunity to do so. Tunks will concentrate on all facets of the race car as well as guiding the career of Baumeister, who is entering his fifth year in the racing wars. The partnering of Baumeister with Tunks should prove to be a positive one for the Team and Baumeister is quick to thank Urban Force Team Manager Pete Raskovic for having the faith and wisdom to afford him the opportunity to fly the Urban Force Team colors in 2009.

An updated Lefthander Chassis is the basis for the race car that is housed at the Hendrick Center For Automotive Technology, the School’s Technical program. The unique concept of teaching students the inner workings of a race car along with all of the technical background in automotive technology, sets the Urban Force program apart from the typical normal school day. The students are hands on and work with a purpose as the program is the model for similar technical programs across the country. The new student team for the 2009 racing season consists of Ryan Sarri, Tom Landwehr, Addison Graves, Alan Vargas, Omar Martinez and Michael Raskovic. The students will be paired with the existing Urban Force Team members that include Team Manger Pete Raskovic, Crew Chief Kevin Tunks, and crewmen, Chad Yaun, Steve Bruno, Chad Manor, Doug Boley, Steve Gassman and County Judge James Beer. With a new driver and Crew Chief on board for 2009, Urban ForceTeam Manager and Crew Chief Pete Raskovic is well aware of the benefits and the challenges ahead for the student manned pit crew. As new team members join the fold, it is up to Raskovic to suppot, teach and mold the team members into a cohesive operating unit.

Sponsorship for the Urban Force Racing Team is provided by the ABC Supply Company with additional sponsorship support coming from Fat Wallet.com, Green County Farm Bureau, and Keystone Farms Natural Cheese. Marketing partners include the ASA Educational Series, Ohio Technical College, Skills USA, Roltek Racing Transmissions, MEP, Bassett Wheels, Lefthander, Circle Track Magazine, Welders Supply Company, Becky Werner Foundation and CARQUEST Gasoline Alley. 

For further updates regarding Urban Force Racing, go to their newly revamped website at: http://www.sdb.k12.wi.us/memorial/urbanforceracing/team/team.htm

Auto racing: ASA scholarship program pays off for New Glarus teen

FRI., APR 24, 2009 – 3:28 PM

By TAMIRA MADSEN For the State Journal wsjsport@madison.com

Mike Hanson earned a college scholarship by working with a race team during his 2008 summer vacation. Prior to graduation from New Glarus High School, the sophomore will get the chance to stack more money onto his initial $25,000 scholarship over the next three summers as a student crew member with the ASA Educational Series.

Complete story here

2009 Season Fast Approaching!

As the crew and driver get ready for the 2009 season, the ABC Supply/Urban Force Racing Team would like to thank all of our partners in education that are making this season once again possible. Also, the team would like to thank Diane Hendricks who has been so unbelievably supportive of this project that Ken and I undertook three years ago. Her dedication to helping youth continues to make a difference! Many of our former student team members are working in the automotive industry as technician apprentices and there are even a few working for upper level race teams!!! That is what the Urban Force concept is all about…getting young adults into a positive team environment!

 

Our new crew chief, Kevin Tunks, is helping us to take our program to the next level. We brought Kevin on-board to add a new dimension to this project. If everything we have done together so far is an indication of what’s coming ahead, we certainly feel that we will have a front running car.

 

Then there is our new driver, Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister. This young driver has one of the absolute-best attitudes that I have ever seen in a driver! In addition to being a hard-charger on the track, “The Comet” is so very appreciative and humble…and that’s what is going to make him a champion! We all work hard putting this program together so it’s awesome when people appreciate the effort!

 

Returning for the 2009 Season is crew member Chad Yaun as well as a few new mentor-crew members; Chad Manor, Doug Boley, Steve Gassman, and Judge James Beer. 

 

The team would also like to thank our families and fans for their support on and off the track. Please stop by and visit our team after each night’s race and visit with us!

 

Take care and have a great 2009 racing season!

 

Sincerely,

Pete Raskovic, Team Manager

Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister Ready For Big 2009 Season With Urban Force Racing

Beloit, Wisconsin: Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister Ready For Big 2009 Season With Urban Force Racing

By Steve Pados, Urban Force Media

Urban Force Racing has announced today that Lake Geneva, Wisconsin hotshoe Johnny “The Comet” Baumeister has been tabbed to steer the team’s Limited Late Model entry for the 2009 season at the Madison International Speedway. “The Comet” is coming off a season at the speedway that found him finishing in 9th place in the points chase in a limited racing schedule as he broke his wrist while racing and sat out of action for some time to mend the wrist and rebuild the car for competition. Upon his return to action, Baumeister won two of the last three races on the schedule towards the end of the season at Madison and his late charge raised more than a few eyebrows with his “get to the front charges” for the wins. Based on his late season success, Baumeister didn’t want the 2008 racing season to end, but as the 2009 looms right around the corner, Baumeister is looking forward to his pairing with the Urban force “education first” based racing team. Baumeister will be entering his fifth season of racing and can’t wait for the season to begin as he feels this is the best opportunity that he has had to date in the racing wars and is seeking to prove to the Urban Force Team he was the best selection for the task at hand. Baumeister thanks Urban Force Team Manager Pete Raskovic for having the faith and wisdom to afford him the great opportunity to fly the Urban Force Team colors in 2009. Read the complete story…

Summer Races By For Students At Speedway

Teens Get To Work On Cars, Crews At Racetrack

Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: A3

Monday, September 8, 2008
By PAMELA COTANT For the State Journal

Some area high school students headed back to school with pretty good tales about how they spent their summer.

The 16 students worked on crews at the Madison International Speedway near Oregon as part of the Speedway Educational Series. Not only did they get to spend time at the track, they also received scholarship money to further their interest in an automotive field.

Ohio Technical College of Cleveland awarded each student a scholarship ranging from $1,500 to $25,000. They competed for points awarded according to their racing team’s finishing order and that determined how much scholarship money they earned.

“It was really fun being at the track and helping the guys out with the car,” said Michael Hanson, a sophomore at New Glarus High School. “It was really fun being in that racing environment.”

Finish story here … http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/2008/09/08/0809080048.php

Award Winning Night at MIS

An Award Winning Night at MIS

By John Wells

Monday, August 7, 2008 (Oregon, WI)

For twelve high school students it was truly an award-winning night at Madison International Speedway (MIS) in Oregon, Wisconsin, as nearly $200,000 in scholarships to Ohio Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio, were presented to them this past Friday night as part of the Speedway Educational Series (formerly the ASA Educational Series).

Five students were awarded $25,000 scholarships while five others took home $12,000 scholarships and two students netted $6,000 scholarships. Awards were determined based on a point system for participating teams similar to the weekly point system.

Students were presented scholarships during a trackside ceremony during intermission. Presenting the awards were Raskovic, MIS Owner Terry Kunes, MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg, and

Randy Dziadowicz, Midwest Regional Manager at Ohio Technical College.

Winning the $25,000 scholarships and their racing teams were Nicholas Jungenberg (Team Haseleu), Benjamin June (Urban Force Racing), Courtney Hanke (Team Lawver), Stephen Scheel (Team Scheel), and Michael Hanson (Team Riddle). Taking home $12,000 scholarships were Matthew Noyce (Team Kreyer), Vern Fagerberg Jr. (Team Fagerberg), Pat Richgels (Team Richgels), and Tom Landwehr. Winning $6,000 scholarships were Shaun Scheel (Team Scheel), Addison Graves (Urban Force Racing), and Zach Reining (Team Reining).

“This was a great program for the kids. They were able to help out with a race team and learn what’s involved not only in getting a car ready during the week but on race night too. The kids were also a big help to the race teams,” added driver Nathan Haseleu.

Founded by Peter Raskovic of Beloit, Wisconsin, the Speedway Educational Series gives high school students an opportunity to work with race teams at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wisconsin. High school students were eligible to sign up at the beginning of the year to work as a crew member with one of the teams. High school students who were drivers at the speedway were also eligible. In some cases the students may have already been working with a team or in other cases MIS helped connect them with a team.

Continues here … http://www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com/2008%20MIS%20News/misnews-08.07.08.html

Super Late Model Racing – Urban Force Racing First Race

We Race Our Brand New Racecar
writer: Bob Bolles
photographer: Bob Bolles

The UFR team finished construction of the new Super Late Model car, so I made the trip up to Beloit to help them prepare for the first race of the season on May 9th. We have promised to keep you informed as to the progress of the car and how we would prepare it and set it up. The following is a detailed account of that process.

Read full story here: 
http://www.circletrack.com/ultimateracing/ctrp_0810_urban_force_racing/index.html